Shelby County Today

March 2, 2017 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has received multiple calls concerning cows in the roadway on SH 87 North of Center in the area near the intersection of CR 1464 and CR 1470.

Officers respond to remove the cattle from the highway only to later receive another call the cows have traveled back into the roadway.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department is trying to locate the owner of the livestock so they may be advised where their cattle are, please contact the Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600.

March 1, 2017 - FM 2026 was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash Saturday, February 25, 2017 resulting in injuries to the driver requiring she be flown from the scene by helicopter.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 12:42am a 9-1-1 call was received by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department regarding a single-vehicle rollover crash on FM 2026 (Folsom Chapel Road). At the time of his arrival on scene, Trooper Jones observed a black 2015 Chrysler 200 rolled over.

The Chrysler had been southbound toward Center at an unsafe speed when it entered a curve and exited the road to the right. The vehicle traveled over a culvert and entered the bar ditch where the Chrysler traveled over another culvert and went airborne, overturning several times before coming to rest on its top with air bag deployment.

June Dobos, 57, of Tenaha was identified as the driver. She was pinned in the vehicle and determined not to be wearing her seat belt. Dobos was extricated by Center Fire Department firemen and was flown by helicopter to University Hospital in Shreveport in critical condition.

February 27, 2017 - NRCS District Conservationists Janet Ritter and Mark Lowery reported a yearly update to the Shelby County Commissioners' Court on the Attoyac Bayou WS SCS Site 12 Dam Emergency Action Plan at their recent meeting held on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Lowery explained the emergency action plan is for the flood control structure at the intersection of FM 138 and FM 415. The structure was built in 1976, and is a compacted earthfill dam on Stockman Creek. According to Lowery there are six such structures strategically placed throughout the county.

"This one specifically, a couple of years ago they did a review, and they found out there's, I believe, a store and a house downstream so if the dam was to breach it would potentially cause some kind of economic loss," said Lowery.

The plan which was presented has been developed by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) providing a step-by-step guide of what to do should such a breach occur.

"Each year they ask us to look over it, update it, make sure all of the county officials on it are correct, all of the contact information is correct. So this is just an annual update," said Lowery.

The definition by TCEQ standards is a loss of human life is possible 1 in 6 lives or one or two habitable structures in the breach area and damage to secondary hideaways as designated by Texas Department of Transportation.

A motion carried to approve the emergency action plan.

Roy Cheatwood, Precinct 3 Constable, submitted several expenses to the county for reimbursement which according to Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, relate to his constable certification and schooling. Judge Harbison informed the commissioners Cheatwood has funds in his travel budget, which she informed Constable Cheatwood if the money is moved from his travel budget it will decrease.

Charles Barr, Commissioner Precinct 3, questioned the inclusion of clothes in the collection of bills and Judge Harbison explained it is her understanding it is mandatory during training for students to wear a uniform while they attend class and that is for what the clothing was purchased.

According to information Judge Harbison received from an attorney with the Commissioners and County Judges Association, the constable may use any item that is presently included in his budget for his training. He went on to state; however, under local government code 152, a commissioners court cannot change the allowances for an elected officer during the fiscal year.

"That means we can't give him anymore money, but it's possible that he could use all of his budget for training," said Judge Harbison.

Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, interjected TCLEOSE funds could only be utilized by a certified peace officer.

"It's only for education fund account for expenses related to continuing educations of persons licensed under this chapter, which is a licensed peace officer," said Judge Harbison.

McSwain was not in favor of the county purchasing uniforms for the purpose of an individual who is attending school, "I don't think the county at this point has a precedent where they pay for people's uniforms to go to school, first of all. Second of all, I would have gotten certified last year before I took office and at this point in time like you say, we cannot affect a change to his travel expenses or his fuel for his vehicle, because he's done getting that benefit from the county. I just don't feel like it's the county's responsibility to pay for his clothes."

Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, stated it is not out of the ordinarily for the county to purchase uniforms for law enforcement officers as has been demonstrated in previous purchases for deputies with the sheriff's department.

"The items that come into question are those items of which you would buy that are apparel you could wear anywhere. Usually a uniform has some sort of emblem, a name. It's not something that you would wear on your off time to a personal event," said Porterfield.

An exception Porterfield remarked on is footwear, which he stated is not normally included in what is purchased for a uniform.

"If we were to pay for this, would you want to make a stipulation that there has to be a verification of certification before you make the reimbursement," said Porterfield.

McSwain stated he looks at the sheriff's department differently because those officers are hired, have a boss to work directly under and have a dress code to which they have to adhere, "A constable wears whatever he pleases."

Porterfield remarked some of the items offered for reimbursement may be considered office supplies such as an RCA 7 Tablet. Judge Harbison said the Precinct 3 Constable office has $605.05 remaining in its general budget.

A motion carried to reimburse Constable Precinct 3 $81.38 (criminal law book and RCA Tablet).

Judge Harbison presented upkeep on the historical courthouse and grounds including trimming trees and repairing a sidewalk. She provided the commissioners with a list of work needing to be addressed around the courthouse. One tree beside the old County Clerk's building is actually pulling on the electrical connection going into the building.

"The Historical Commission came to me with this and we've asked the Chamber [of Commerce] if they might donate, maybe give $500 toward this since it's their yard too," said Judge Harbison. "The Historical Commission, we've asked them to give some also on it, just to have it a community project."

There are two sidewalks Judge Harbison remarked are dangerous and a quote for $1,550 from Norris Daniel Construction has been received to make the needed repairs. Some of the work will be done near the Daughters of the Republic of Texas building as there have been incidents at that location in the past.

A quote presented by David Chandler for $3,950 was to remove the leaning oak tree by the old County Clerk's building and do a great deal of trimming and shaping around the property, as well as remove debris.

Judge Harbison said the Historical Commission is planning a fundraiser to help pull funds together to restore the old bandstand on the square so events can be held there.

Judge Harbison said she looks forward to partnering with the city to pressure wash the sidewalks around the courthouse after the tree work is completed.

A motion carried to approve the sidewalk work and the tree and brush work.

Daniel O'Rear, representing Shelby County Juvenile Probation, presented the commissioners with a contract for grant funding, which has already been submitted.

"We need y'all to recognize the grant income and record it in our budget. It's gonna be $8,928 we're going to use all of that for counseling and psychological services," said O'Rear.

A motion carried approving the Grant R funds in the amount of $8,928.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay monthly expenses
2. New personnel policy.
3. Emergency Action Plan for Shelby County.
4. Reimburse Constable Precinct 3 $81.38.
5. Upkeep on the Historical Court House grounds by trimming trees ($3,950), and repairing a sidewalk ($1,550).
6. Recognize grant income ($8,928) and adjust budget accordingly for Juvenile Probation.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. 2017 DOT Drug Testing Agreement with Compliance Management, LLC.

February 24, 2017 - U.S. Highway 59 on the north end of Timpson was blocked Friday, February 24, 2017 when a truck-tractor left the roadway and struck some trees.

According to Timpson Police Chief Kent Graham, at 12:07pm Darryl Davison, 51, of Cicero, Ill. was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 leaving Timpson in a 2011 red Freightliner owned by JWP Express out of Carpentersville, Ill. located on Deer Path Lane.

Davison was hauling a load of strawberries, when he stated a deer ran out in front of him on the highway. Davison subsequently left the highway to the left and struck a tree, blocking north and south traffic lanes.

The Timpson Police Department was assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Precinct 5 Constable Robert Hairgrove, and Precinct 4 Constable Jake Metcalf and the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department in diverting traffic from the scene with emergency personnel stationed at FM 1645, Bear Drive and State Highway 87 until the scene was cleared.

Chief Graham commented the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department did an outstanding job diverting traffic and preventing further incidents.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, Davison was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane.

The Freightliner was towed from the scene.