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December 16, 2016 - Loop 500 and U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of a chicken hauler crash on Thursday, December 15, 2016.
Following the incident, emergency personnel flocked to the location in a flurry where a they located a large number of feathered creatures strewn around the crash scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 8:50pm Robert Newman, 68, of Sevalia, Mo. was driving a Tyson chicken hauler west on Loop 500 when he didn't notice the stop sign until it was too late. The 18-wheeler entered U.S. 96 and crossed over into a ditch where it incurred major damage.
ACE EMS arrived at the scene and transported Newman to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.
Center Fire Department was dispatched to the scene, directing traffic until it was clear at 3:50am.
The load of chickens was reported to be traveling to Oklahoma. A Tyson cleanup crew was dispatched to the scene to pickup up the chickens and Hopkins Wrecker Service removed the truck from the scene.
December 15, 2016 - The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) responded a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 only this time, they were involved in the crash.
As two of the firemen were delivering a newly purchased truck to have wiring installed, the new truck arrived at the planned destination; however, the older grass truck was cut short of that destination by the incident.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 10:40am .2 miles north of CR 1431 on State Highway 87 North a red 1999 Ford F350 driven by Martin Mikesh, 52, of Timpson was southbound preparing to make a right turn into a private drive. Shasta Miller, 32, of Timpson driving a grey 2003 Volkswagen Beetle behind Mikesh failed to control speed colliding with the rear of the Ford, causing damage to both vehicles.
ACE EMS transported Miller and her passengers including a 7-year-old female and 5-year-old male to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.
No injuries were reported of Mikesh. Miller was issued a citation for fail to control speed.
The TVFD handled traffic control at the scene until it was clear and they were assisted by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Constable Precinct 1 Zach Warr and Timpson Police Chief Kent Graham.
DPS Trooper Buster was assisted at the scene by DPS Trooper Keith Jones.
December 15, 2016 - A woman who was thought by relatives to have perished in a house fire early Thursday morning was found safe following a desperate search.
The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene of the mobile home fire at the corner of McLaughlin Street and Holly Street at 3:15am, December 15, 2016 and the roof and walls had already burned down before their arrival.
Firemen worked to extinguish the flames and were informed the resident of the home was still inside. Seeing there was no possibility for someone to be alive within the home, the firemen began working to locate the remains of the victim of the house fire.
While the firemen were removing the roof of the mobile home, Timpson Police Chief Kent Graham arrived at the scene and with family members began searching the surrounding area of Timpson for Ariel Burleson, the resident. As the firemen continued searching what remained of the building, their dread was relieved with the arrival of Burleson on the scene at 4:30am as she had been found at another location.
When Burleson arrived, and during her distress of learning her residence was totally consumed by fire, she shouted someone had threatened earlier on the previous day to burn her house down.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the house was a total loss.
December 13, 2016 - Tyson Foods Center Processing Plant work schedule:
- Thursday, December 15: all shifts shipping will work. All other departments will not work.
- The plant will return to a normal work schedule Friday, December 16.
December 13, 2016 - The intersection of Loop 500 and State Highway 7 East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Center on Friday, December 9, 2016.
When officers with the Center Police Department arrived at the scene, the vehicles had moved from the roadway.
According to Center Police Officer Steve Thornburgh, at 3:50pm a grey 2004 Buick LeSabre driven by William Cosby, 31, of Center was traveling east on Loop 500 when he failed to yield right of way to a white 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck. The truck driven by Thomas Teofilo-Olivares, 36, of Center was eastbound on State Highway 7 when the Buick entered the path of the truck.
The truck collided with the Buick,causing major damage to the passenger side of the car and damage to the front of the truck.
ACE EMS arrived a the scene and checked the occupants of both vehicles for injuries, but treatment was refused and no injuries were reported.
Unspecified citations were issued to both drivers involved. Hughes Wrecker Service towed both vehicles from the scene.
Officer Thornburgh was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Ricky King.
December 12, 2016 San Augustine County - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers responded to a hit and run auto-pedestrian fatality crash on FM 83 about 3 miles East of Broaddus on December 11, at approximately 7:21 p.m.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates a passing motorist notified law enforcement of the apparent crash.
Investigators continue to investigate the collision and are working to locate the vehicle and identify the operator.
The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old David Neal Jacks from Broaddus, TX.
If anyone has any knowledge or information concerning this crash please notify local law enforcement or contact DPS Lufkin Communications at 936-699-7300.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
December 8, 2016 - AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced that the state of Texas will receive $1,015,420 in a $19.5 million settlement that 42 other state attorneys general reached with the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). The settlement stems from claims that the company violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by improperly marketing the antipsychotic drug Abilify. Under the terms of the settlement, BMS is prohibited from making false or misleading claims about Abilify, including its safety or efficacy in comparison with other drugs.
Abilify is the brand name for the prescription drug aripiprazole, which was originally approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in 2002 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Without FDA approval, BMS promoted Abilify to treat children and symptoms consistent with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in elderly patients. In 2006, Abilify received a “black box” warning stating that elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk of death. The petition alleges that BMS made false and misleading representations about Abilify’s risks by not revealing limitations that would substantially affect the interpretation of the scientific studies.
“BMS put Texans’ lives at risk when it marketed Abilify for uses not approved by the FDA,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The integrity of our healthcare system depends on patients and doctors being able to trust the representations made by pharmaceutical companies. Our Consumer Protection Division will continue to prosecute vigorously any company, like BMS, which chooses exploitation over the safety of their consumer.”
Besides Texas, the participating states in the settlement are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
To view a copy of the petition, click here
December 6, 2016 - Notice is hereby given that a Workshop of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 8th day of December, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Discuss Personnel Policy Manuals with TAC representatives.
2. Adjourn
December 6, 2016 - A two-vehicle crash on Shelbyville Street in Center caused major damage to both vehicles and traffic delays on Monday, December 5, 2016.
As the roadway was blocked at the intersection of Elliott Street, Center Police Officers directed several reluctant drivers to take alternate routes away from the collision and investigated the crash.
According to Center Police Officer Jake Gross, at 5pm Debra Lee Norris, 56, of Center driving a 2013 orange Hyundai Santa Fe east on Shelbyville Street when a maroon Toyota Tacoma driven by Lorenzo Chavez, 17, of Center turned left in front of Norris toward Elliott Street failing to yield right of way and causing the Santa Fe to strike the Tacoma.
The force of the collision sent the Tacoma into a street sign causing damage to the sign and secondary damage to the vehicle as well as knocking the rear driver side tire off.
Chavez was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way. No injuries were reported of Norris, Chavez or his 12-year-old female passenger.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Officer Jim Blackwell assisted at the scene.
December 5, 2016 - Updates for week of Dec. 5-9
LUFKIN – As the holidays approach, TxDOT contractors and maintenance employees are working to facilitate construction and maintenance projects that will enhance safety and improve traffic flow. As motorists plan their holiday shopping and travel, TxDOT urges drivers to stay alert, reduce speed through work areas and drive to conditions. Watch out for workers near the roadways throughout the nine-county Lufkin District in coming weeks. Construction and maintenance work scheduled for the week of Dec. 5-9 includes:
Shelby County
- US 84: Work will continue on concrete paving in the eastbound lanes of the Texas/Louisiana Bridge at the Sabine River. Paving is also scheduled to begin on LA 5.
- US 96: Crews will continue to mill and plane existing surface and overlay from 1.4 miles north of SH 87 to SH 87 in Center.
- SH 7: Crews will install driveway culverts, cross drainage structures and safety treat fixed objects from 4.4 miles east of FM 2913 to US 96.
- SH 7: Maintenance crews will work in the westbound lane to repair pavement edges.
- FM 415: Construction continues to replace the bridge and approaches at Bear Bayou.
- FM 699: Maintenance crews will repair pavement edges.
- CR 4256: Crews will set concrete bridge decks at the tributary of Flat Fork Creek.
- Box culverts are being constructed on CR 3564 Hilliard Creek and work continues on bridge replacements throughout the project at Spinney Creek and Shoal Creek on CR 4455.
- Various locations: Maintenance crews will patch potholes, install and repair signs, remove debris from the roadways and repair mailboxes.
San Augustine County
- US 96: Traffic is detoured as crews work to add passing lanes and reconstruct pavement from the Shelby County line to FM 3451.
- SH 21: Crews will continue replacing metal guard fence and safety treating fixed objects from SH 147 to FM 1.
- SH 147: Crews will work to level up pavement and perform ditch maintenance.
- SH 103: Tree contractors are scheduled to work in the area and crews will be repairing road base and maintaining ditches and treating overgrown vegetation.
- FM 1175: Crews will repair and replace metal beam guard fencing from the end of the pavement to FM 83.
- FM 705: Crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects from SH 147 to the end of pavement.
Sabine County
- US 96: Safety treating and upgrading metal beam guardrail will continue from FM 83 to the Jasper County line.
- FM 1: Crews are completing striping from SH 184 to SS 1.
- FM 3121: Maintenance crews will work to repair road and level up pavement in various locations.
Angelina County
- US 59/Angelina River Bridge: Workers are placing new metal guardrail in southbound lanes and pouring concrete for new bridge railings. Motorists should be alert for flaggers and expect delays.
- US 59/Kurth Drive: Work is ongoing to safety end treat fixed objects, including upgrading culverts at driveways and side streets.
- US 69 South: Crews will continue to upgrade bridge railing and safety treat fixed objects from SL 287 in Lufkin to just north of Huntington ISD.
Nacogdoches County
- US 59: Sidewalks and driveways are being constructed on a project that will add a raised median from SL 224 to 1.2 miles south of SL 224. Curbs and gutters are being replaced and repaired. Crews are forming and setting concrete in the center median. Dirt work near Spradley Street is also scheduled.
- US 59: Paving and striping are being completed from the grass median south of SL 224 in Nacogdoches to the Angelina River Bridge.
- SH 7 East: Crews will be performing mill and inlay work from SL 224 to FM 2112.
- FM 95: Construction on the new bridge at Parallel Creek will continue. Traffic is detoured to the newly constructed detour bridge.
- FM 1638: Crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects and upgrade metal beam guard railing from FM 698 to FM 2609.
Houston County
- US 287: Crews will work to safety treat fixed objects and clean the project area from 2.1 miles north of FM 2663 to just south of SL 304.
- SH 7: Crews are scheduled to begin laying hot mix from just east of FM 232 to the city of Kennard as this project continues to reconstruct pavement and add passing lanes and shoulders.
- SH 21 (Crockett): Traffic is detoured from main lanes as crews place base material to the subgrade to widen the road from 2.3 miles east of FM 2967 to SH 7. The project includes reconstructing pavement and adding passing lanes.
- SH 21 (Austonio): Work is scheduled to lay asphalt. This project includes reconstructing pavement and adding passing lanes from FM 1280 to 2.3 miles east of FM 2967.
- FM 227: Crews are scheduled to tie steel and set concrete for the bridge deck on the relief bridge at Hickory Creek as the project continues to remove and replace the existing bridge and approaches.
Polk County
- US 190: Crews will continue to work on the project that will add passing lanes and widen the roadway from Onalaska to FM 2457. Embankment work, replacing culverts and safety treating fixed objects is scheduled throughout the work area.
- US 190: Crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects and upgrade culverts from US 59 to just west of FM 1276.
- FM 1988: Crews are scheduled to finish the flex base and remove the old bridge at Long King Creek.
- FM 2457: Crews will work to repair drainage issues in various locations.
- FM 62: Crews will work to repair and replace bridge railing and place hot mix and lengthen several box culverts at Draw Creek.
- FM 356: Crews are staking the project and plan to begin preparing rights-of-way from 1.1 mile north of US 190 to US 190. The project includes reconstructing and widening pavement that will include a two-way continuous left turn lane and 10-foot shoulders.
- Livingston State Park: Yaupon and Red Oak camp loops remain closed as workers continue to rehabilitate roads, parking lots and campsites within the Piney Shore, Red Oak and Yaupon camping areas.
- Dick Skinner Road: Crews continue to work to replace the bridge and approaches, which crosses a tributary of the Neches River.
- Upper Leggett Road: Work will continue to complete the road base for the bridge approaches at the tributary of Big Sandy Creek. On East Clamon, at Bear Creek, preparations to begin the bridge slab are scheduled.
- Old Highway 35 North: Crews will work along the right of way to begin removing and replacing the old bridge and approaches that crosses a tributary of Long King Creek.
- Bluewater Road: Crews plan to work on road base on Bluewater Road at Blue Branch and Punk Road at Paus Creek. Bridges and approaches at both locations along with the bridge at Old Bering Road at Barnett Creek are scheduled to be replaced.
- Carmona Road: Crews continue clearing for bridge and approach replacements at Brushy Creek.
- Nine Bridge Road: Work continues as the new bridge and approaches are built at Piney Creek Relief No. 1.
San Jacinto County
- US 59: Crews will remove the northbound detour and prepare to move traffic to the new southbound lanes at the overpass from 1 mile north of FM 2914 to 1 mile south of FM 2914.
- US 59: Concrete pavement is being placed on the south end of the project that will add southbound frontage roads and reconstruct main lanes from just south of the Union Pacific Railroad in Shepherd to just north of FM 2914.
- US 59: Crews will continue to replace and upgrade metal beam guard fence from just south of FM 2914 to the Trinity River Bridge.
- US 190: Work will continue to prepare the right-of-way near culvert ends as crews replace and safety treat fixed objects from the Walker County Line to the Polk County Line.
Trinity County
- US 287: Work continues to reconstruct pavement as crews reconstruct sidewalks and driveways from Harrison Street in Groveton to Vickery Street.
- FM 2501: Maintenance crews will work to rehabilitate the pavement north of Apple Springs ISD.
All work schedules are subject to change in inclement weather. For a complete list of construction projects, conditions and road closures, visit drivetexas.org.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
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