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June 24, 2025 - Following much discussion and careful consideration, the City of Joaquin City Council Members voted to approve an increase to the City’s Water, Sewer, and Gas Rates at the June 17, 2025, City Council Meeting.
The City Council is deeply committed to managing costs and maintaining operations while upholding its commitment to a sustainable future. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing reliable and sustainable services, we periodically review our rates to ensure they align with the cost of delivering utilities to your home and/or business.
As you are probably aware, prices for most utilities, supplies, products, and materials have continued to rise across the country. The same reigns true for the Water, Wastewater, and Gas Department’s operating expenses, including the parts and materials needed to keep our water system, gas system, and wastewater system running properly and efficiently, and meeting regulatory standards.
The Council’s decision to approve this increase was not easily decided. Numerous things were considered during the discussion, including information about the City’s eligibility to apply for various grants. For example, grant assistance is based on the number of people served by the water supply, the number of wells a groundwater supply operates, and/or the source water susceptibility determination, among other things. Applicants are ranked and qualification is determined by a points system where points are awarded for things such as total population, unemployment, average household income, percentage of population served, and water rates. The ability to secure grants such as this would help to ensure continued improvements such as replacing aging infrastructure and facilities, in turn, causing fewer service interruptions. Water rate increases have been relatively modest over the past years. Ensuring that those rate increases remain modest and justifiably necessary is an ongoing objective for City Council Members.
The rate increase that was approved on June 17, 2025, and will become effective on August 1, 2025, is as follows: The base or minimum monthly usage rate for water will increase $5, and the gas will increase $5. There will not be an increase in Wastewater at this time.
If you have questions about the rate increase, your water bill, or other utility questions, please contact the City of Joaquin Utility Department at 936-269-3021.
The notice is posted as required under Government Code Section 551.041. For more information or for a copy of the Open Meetings Act, please contact the Attorney General of Texas at 1-800-252-8011 or the City Secretary at 936-269-3021.
Posted by Cheryl Green on June 24, 2025 at 10:45am.
June 20, 2025 - Emergency responders were dispatched to State Highway 7 (SH7) East and CR 3001 around 4:40pm on June 17, 2025. Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department firefighters responded to the scene to assist, as well as Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a beige 2016 Honda Accord driven by Brianna Palmer, 26, of Mansfield, La.was traveling west. It is reported that Palmer took evasive action to avoid a piece of debris, a bucket. that was in the roadway. The Honda began to side skid, left the roadway, and struck a monument that was off the roadway.
Parker was medically evaluated at the scene by EMS personnel and was reported to have not been injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Matt Chandler.
June 20, 2025 - Due to a power outage in Center, the Shelby County Courthouse and County Offices closed at noon on Friday, June 20, 2025. All offices will reopen on Monday, June 23rd with regular business hours. Courthouse regular business hours are 8am to 4:30pm.
As of 12:45pm, the power in Center has been restored.
June 20, 2025 - The second power outage this week for Center happened around 10:36am Friday, June 20. Swepco reports 3,030 customers are out of power and gives an estimated restoration time 3:00pm. The outage on Wednesday gave an estimated restoration time of 2pm but power was restored just before noon.
The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana has Center under a heat advisory from 11am until 7pm today. Heat index values between 105-109 are expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay out of the sun. Check up on relatives and neighbors.
June 20, 2025 (1pm) - Shelby County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Hanson released the name of the individual who drowned in Lake Timpson to be Gregory Parker who was 43 years old and from Timpson. Hanson advised Parker and a friend were out on the lake in separate kayaks when the friend heard Parker "holler out." Before the friend could get to Parker, he went under the water for an unknown reason. Search teams were finally able to locate him near the location where he went in the water after Texas Game Warden Sam Anderson saw Parker's knee on sonar equipment. The lake is full of downed trees from recent storms along with vegetation which complicated the recovery efforts.
An updated list of agencies and individuals who assisted with the search: DeSoto Parish Fire District #1 Dive Team, San Augustine Fire Department Dive Team; Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell; Shelby County Chief Deputy Mike Hanson; Shelby County Sheriff's Office Investigative Division, Patrol, and Jail Staff; Shelby County Constable Precinct 5 Constable Josh Tipton; Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Troopers; Texas Department of Emergency Management; Texas Game Wardens; Nacogdoches Police Department; Shelby County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tom Bellmeyer; Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 Constable Roy Cheatwood; Robin and Duncan Connell with Bink's Timpson Quick Stop; Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Cadaver K-9 Unit; as well as several citizens who assisted with their own boats and sonar equipment.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department thanks all who assisted with the search and recovery operation and with bringing closure to Parker's family.
Recovery Teams Locate Missing Individual at Lake Timpson
June 20, 2025 (10am) - On day three of the search for a missing individual in Lake Timpson, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell reports the victim was located around 9:30am Friday morning by searchers. Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Tracy Broadway was called to the scene to perform the inquest and the body was sent to Dallas for an autopsy.
During the search agencies from Shelby County and surrounding counties came to assist including Nacogdoches Police Department, DeSoto Parrish Dive Team, San Augustine Fire Department Dive Team, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of Public Safety Patrol officers, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Along with the agencies helping, Sheriff Corbell mentioned there were many citizen volunteers who came to help. The show of support from the community was tremendous.
The identity of the victim will be added once it has been released.
June 18, 2025 - Timpson Lake outside of Timpson is the location of a search for an individual involved in a boating incident on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Emergency personnel were notified around 9:15am. Texas Game Wardens and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies are on the water in boats still searching as of 1:15pm.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel including Sheriff Gerald Corbell, Chief Mike Hanson, Jail Administrator Tiffany Ryals and Araceli Garcia were on scene, as well as Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Emergency Management.
More information will be updated as it becomes available.
June 19, 2025 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department reported Cartwright was located in Beaumont.
June 3, 2025 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Tracy Nushawn Cartwright, who was reported missing early Monday morning, June 2, 2025.
Ms. Cartwright is 36 years of age, 5’4”, 180lbs and she was last seen, in Shelby County, on May 19, 2025 at her residence located on CR 2625, in [Shelbyville]. She was possibly seen in San Augustine, on a recent but unknown date, and was possibly also seen in the Beaumont area as recently as May 31, 25. She had recently indicated to family that she wanted to go to the Beaumont/Port Arthur area.
Please Share with any contacts you have in that area. Law enforcement, throughout southeast Texas, has also been notified. Please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5601 if you have any information on Ms. Cartwright’s whereabouts.
June 18, 2025 - A power outage occurred in Center around 9:20am Wednesday, June 18. Swepco reports 2,998 customers are out of power and gave an estimated restoration time orginally of 1:30pm. As of 9:42am, restoration for all customers has been moved to 2pm.
June 17, 2025 - The Shelby County Clerk’s Office is proud to announce the launch of Property Fraud Alert, a free notification service to help notify citizens against potential property fraud. This service will be available to all Shelby County residents starting soon.
Property fraud, often referred to as "house stealing," is a growing issue nationwide. Fraudsters use stolen identities to file fake deeds or other legal documents, making it appear as though they own a property. This can result in devastating financial and legal consequences for property owners.
What Property Fraud Alert Offers:
- Real-Time Notifications: Citizens will receive immediate alerts via email, phone, or text when any document is recorded in their name or associated with their property.
- Monitoring Made Simple: The service automatically tracks public records, ensuring property owners are informed of any changes related to their property.
- Proactive Fraud Prevention: By staying informed, property owners can act quickly to investigate suspicious filings and take necessary steps to protect their assets.
Benefits to Citizens:
- Peace of Mind: Property Fraud Alert provides reassurance by actively monitoring your property records for unauthorized activity.
- Ease of Use: Signing up is quick and straightforward. Residents can enroll online or by visiting the Shelby County Clerk’s Office in person.
- No Cost to You: This service is free for all Shelby County residents, ensuring everyone can access this critical layer of protection.
“Our goal is to provide the tools and resources necessary to help our citizens protect their most valuable assets,” said Jennifer Fountain, Shelby County Clerk. “With Property Fraud Alert, residents can rest easy knowing they’ll be immediately informed of any suspicious activity involving their property.”
How to Enroll: Residents can sign up for Property Fraud Alert by visiting our website at PropertyFraudAlert.com/TXShelby or by contacting the Shelby County Clerk at 936-598-6361 for assistance. Enrollment takes only a few minutes, and all you need is your name and preferred contact information.
The Shelby County Clerk’s Office is committed to safeguarding the rights and property of our citizens. Stay protected with Property Fraud Alert—your first line of defense against property fraud.
About the Shelby County Clerk’s Office: The Shelby County Clerk’s Office serves as the official record-keeper for the county, offering a wide range of services to support residents and ensure transparency. For more information, please visit co.shelby.tx.us, click on County Offices, then click on County Clerk.
June 16, 2025 - Tenaha City Council met Monday, June 16, 2025, and following executive session put Police Chief Jake Metcalf on suspension until after July 1, 2025.
Following an executive session that included the council, as well as Metcalf and his attorney Kenneth Biggs, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell, and Larry Joe Eaves. Previous to entering executive session, it was revealed that video would be reviewed in executive session having to do with a patrol car and teenagers, possibly a baby as stated by Mayor O’Neal Jones, and involve Chief Metcalf.
Bill Holmes, Alderman, moved that Jake Metcalf be suspended until July 1, 2025, and after that he will attend to administrative duties at the police department office that following work week and it will be 20 hours per week. David Thomas, Alderman, seconded the motion and it carried.
Several community members addressed the council about different concerns, and their statements can be heard by watching the accompanying video.
June 14, 2025 - A Timpson man has received eight years probation in a sexual assault of a minor case that began in May 2023.
The 273rd Judicial District Court, Judge James Payne, Jr. presiding, has accepted a guilty plea on May 6, 2025 from Ja’Voiskieon (Vosky) Trae’Shun Howard on the charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, first degree felony. He was arrested on October 21, 2023, for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old that occurred May 27, 2023, when Howard was then 17.
Craig Washington was the attorney for Howard and representing the state was Stephanie Stroud on behalf of the Shelby County District Attorney's office.
The guilty plea outlines that Howard received eight years deferred probation and is required to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, Howard is to have no contact with the victim, and no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 17. College attendance out of state will be subject to interstate compact approval.
Per the court documents, Howard must provide confirmation from the college of his acceptance and his ability to attend and participate in class. Howard has also been fined $2,500 and is rewsponsible for $290 in court costs.
Child Safety Zones supplement to conditions of community supervision and specific to Jasper, Newton, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby Counties indicate Howard is prohibited from going in, on or within 1,000 feet of the premises of any public or private school, playground or park where children gather, daycare or childcare facility, little league ball park, toy stores, video arcades, or game rooms where children gather, youth event where children participate or are entertained.
In the event Howard were to move to another jurisdiction, he must comply with the Child Safety Zones established by the respective county.
Court documents also indicate Howard shall be able to live in the home with his 16-year-old brother, and he shall be able to have supervised contact with immediate family under the age of 17 with adult supervision.
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