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December 2, 2016 - State Highway 7 West in the Grigsby Community was the scene of a two-vehicle collision in which a pedestrian was struck and a theft investigation began on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at 7:20pm a black 2017 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Juan Jose Rivas Segovia, 29, of Nacogdoches was towing a u-haul tow dolly eastbound on State Highway 7 through the Grigsby Community when he stopped the Silverado and parked it in the middle of the outside traffic lane in order to load a broken down vehicle onto the tow dolly.
At that time a 2002 black Kia Spectra driven by David Laboy, 31, of New Jersey was traveling in the same direction and in the same lane when the Kia struck the trailer and a pedestrian, Arreola Velazquez-Serafin.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department and West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene to assist those involved in the crash.
Velazquez-Serafin was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.
At the time of the investigation, it was suspected the trailer was possibly stolen and it was seized by DPS for transport to their facility for investigation by DPS Auto Theft.
Segovia was issued a citation for stop stand or park in maintained traffic lane. Laboy was issued a citation for failure to control speed and driving while license invalid.
It was later determined the trailer had in fact been stolen. Trooper Fountain was assisted by Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones.
December 1, 2016 - As rain was steadily falling on Shelby County a crash occurred on State Highway 87 just under two miles south of Loop 500 Tuesday, November 29, 2016.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department and ACE EMS were first dispatched to locate the scene and check on the driver.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Austin Lunsford, at 11:30am Chris Wheeler, 44, of Shelbyville was northbound in a white 2008 Mercury passenger car at an unsafe speed for conditions.
The Mercury traveled off the roadway to the right striking the road sign for CR 2026 and then traveling backwards through a fence in between a utility pole and guy wire where it came to rest.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash and Wheeler was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
November 30, 2016 Austin, TX – This week, State Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) filed Senate Bill 16, the License to Carry Fee Reform Act.
“Senate Bill 16 will reduce a barrier for all Texans to exercise their right to obtain a Concealed Handgun License," said Senator Robert Nichols. “As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I look forward to working with the National Rifle Association, the Texas State Rifle Association, and the members of the Legislature to pass this important piece of legislation.”
Senate Bill 16 will remove the requirement to pay the state's current application and license fee to obtain a Concealed Handgun License.
"It is time for the State of Texas to make the 'License to Carry' process more affordable," said Senator Joan Huffman. "I look forward to working with Senator Nichols and Lt. Governor Patrick to make this bill become law."
In the Texas Senate, Nichols serves as Chairman for both the Transportation Committee and the Select Committee on Transportation Funding. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee. He serves on the Senate Finance, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and State Affairs Committees. He is a member of the Legislative Audit Committee and the Sunset Advisory Committee.
Reference: Texas License To Carry a Handgun (LTC) Fee Table (DPS)
November 28, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners met on Monday, November 28, 2016 and during the meeting approved a motion to lift the burn ban. Burning which was prohibited under the burn ban is now allowed.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, stated the Texas Forest Service website which features a fire danger chart that listed Shelby County as being a moderate risk, which is next to the lowest risk. She said the drought index remains a little high; however, rain is in the forecast for the area and a lot more rain is projected.
A motion carried by the commissioners to lift the ban.
A software contract for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department was considered at the last meeting and tabled as paying for it was a possible complication. Without the presence of Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, at the previous meeting the decision came to a standstill in the absence of his input.
Porterfield referenced the contract which provided the needed answers for purchase.
"There's some wording on payment terms which is broken out on payment term based on percentages. Then it has our payment based on a data conversion for the final payment," said Porterfield.
Porterfield shared the information with the outside auditor for the county, Axley & Rhode for review by Eric Carver.
"He concurs with the wording of this payment terms that we can consider this a project in progress," said Porterfield.
He explained a "project in progress" is a way for the county to pay for something over many years without incurring the total cost in one fiscal year. The two options Porterfield stated explained were available to the county included paying the entire cost up front out of the county contingency fund or the project in progress option paying $65,000 out of the contingency fund since the software was not added to the county budget. Future payments could then be budgeted in following years since it is considered a work in progress.
A motion carried to proceed with the purchase as a work in progress project taking $65,612 out of the contingency fund and budget for it in the following year.
A pharmacy benefit management program for the county's indigent healthcare was up for consideration following the previous week's meeting of the commissioners. Judge Harbison said Cindy Clark who manages the indigent healthcare in the county has spoken with CVS and the company has agreed to take over the pharmacy benefit.
"We will not need to do this contract with the middleman for now, and also they're not going to be exclusive so if people in Joaquin want to use Blount, they're going to be able to do that also," said Judge Harbison.
A motion carried by the commissioners to pass on the contract at this time.
Another item tabled at the previous meeting was a contract with Serenity Software Services, LLC. for the District Clerk and Justice of the Peace offices. As it turns out Judge Harbison said the software has already been purchased and budgeted by the county, the difference is the original company changed names and sold out to another company.
Portefield explained the software has already been budgeted for the Justices of the Peace through Fund 46, Technology fund, and the District Clerk has a line item included in her budget for the software.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, said he was unaware of the expiration of the contract, and according to McSwain the Justices of the Peace have complained about the service provided on the software as when they call for help they do not receive any. He stated the county needs to move forward with the current contract as it is in progress; however, before the contract comes up again he wants the issue addressed.
Lori Oliver, District Clerk, spoke up and asked to not be included with the Justices of the Peace in regards to that issue as her office has not experienced the same problems at this time.
A motion carried to continue with the contract with Serenity Software Services, LLC and for issues to be addressed regarding service before the contract expires.
James Box was on the agenda to speak with the commissioners about culverts on CR 4177. Box was not present and Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 4, stated the problem had been addressed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43am.
Related articles:
County Continues ACE EMS Contract, Burn Ban
Commissioners Hear Proposition for Sheriff's Department Software; Harbison Recognizes County Agents
November 29, 2016 - The water on Denning Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.
On November 23, 2016, we issued a Boil Water Notice Due to a mechanical problem at the plant, which included all customers on Denning Rural Water.
This was issued for safety precautions. The problem has been corrected and we've tested the water. The tests were good, therefore, the Boil Water Notice is lifted.
Our system has taken the necessary actions to be sure of adequate pressure,
disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality and has provided TCEQ with testing results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling as of November 29, 2016.
The water no longer requires boiling as of November 29, 2016.
If you have questions, contact Charles Sharp 936-288-0489.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. If a customer wishes to reach TCEQ, they may call 512-239-4691.
November 24, 2016 - Effective November 23, 2016 Until further notice
Due to a mechanical problem at the plant water for Denning Rural Water Supply, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires our water
system Denning Rural Supply to notify the customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.
This includes all of the Denning Rural Water Supply customers. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two (2) minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue
boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Denning Rural Water Supply at 936-288-0489.
November 28, 2016 - Sometime during the night of November 27, 2016 unknown suspect(s) removed the pasture gate from property near the intersection of C.R. 3169 and C.R. 3173 in Joaquin, TX.
A 32' Gooseneck Cattle trailer and a WW Portable cattle squeeze chute were stolen from the pasture. At the time of the theft the squeeze chute was connected to the rear of the cattle trailer so that both could be pulled by a single vehicle.
Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact Pct. 3 Constable Billy Hearnsberger at 936 269 3839.
November 28, 2016 - The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch until 5pm CST for the following counties: Shelby, Harrison, Jasper, Marion, Newton, Orange, Panola, Sabine, and San Augustine.
Special Weather Statement
At 1 pm the Shreveport National Weather service doppler radar showed widespread showers and thunderstorms across all of the Arklatex Region and Northeast Louisiana. Expect these showers and thunderstorms to slowly continue increasing in intensity throughout this afternoon as they race northeast near 65 miles per hour. Severe thunderstorms may develop that may produce some damaging winds and even a possible tornado or two. Also expect ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas in the heavier downpours.
A Special Weather Statement was made at 1:16pm on Monday, November 28th. At 1:16pm CST, Doppler Radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles west of Beekman to near Converse. Movement was east at 45mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Ruston, El Dorado, Natchitoches, Claiborne, Minden, West Monroe, Magnolia, Springhill, Mansfield, Grambling, Winnfield, Jonesboro, Homer, Waldo, Norphlet, Huttig And Junction City.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 500 PM CST for South Central and Southwestern Arkansas, North Central and Northwestern Louisiana, and Eastern and Northeastern Texas.
November 28, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners met on Monday, November 28, 2016 and during the meeting approved a motion to lift the burn ban. Burning which was prohibited under the burn ban is now allowed.
Click here for the full article: Commissioners Lift Burn Ban; Sheriff's Department Gets New Software
November 23, 2016 - County Road 3267 was the scene of a live haul truck tractor rollover on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 sometime before 7pm one mile from FM 414.
Although the 18-wheeler had been traveling on the roadway hauling chickens, it had stopped and the driver was giving another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction opportunity to pass. While the truck sat idle, the roadway gave way and caused the truck to overturn.
The truck was loaded with cages full of chickens, which somehow managed not to break open during the incident. Hopkins Towing and Recovery was dispatched to the scene with large wrecker trucks to right the vehicle, which they were successful in doing three hours after the incident occurred.
No injuries occurred as a result and the load of chickens was moved to another truck once the area was cleared.
November 25, 2016 - U.S. Highway 59 two miles south of Timpson was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.
Holiday traffic was prevalent on the highway as emergency personnel from Timpson including the Timpson Police Department and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service were first dispatched to the scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 6:50pm a white 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Kahndis Nichole Allen, 29, of Texarkana, Arkansas was northbound on U.S. 59 in the outside lane behind a white 2007 International truck-tractor semi trailer owned and driven by Mahamed Ibrahim Mahad, 51, of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
While Allen was traveling behind the International she failed to control speed and took evasive action to pass and striking the left rear bumper with the front right causing distributive damage down the right side of the car.
Allen was traveling with passengers Tori Necole Dixon, 29; Sonja Lyvette, Dixon, 50; and a 4-year-old female passenger. No injuries were reported to have resulted from the crash.
Allen was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
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