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December 21, 2015 - The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Livingston and portions of the Trinity River after laboratory testing of fish samples found elevated levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.
The Lake Livingston advisory is for seven types of fish – blue catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, gar, smallmouth buffalo, striped bass and white bass. The advisory is in effect for the Trinity River Basin which includes Lake Livingston and the Trinity River from U.S. 287 downstream to U.S. 90.
Regular or long-term consumption of fish from these waters may increase the likelihood of long-term health risks. People can still fish in the area, though they should not consume or should limit their consumption of fish from this area and are advised to follow the specific age and species recommendations in this chart:
Species
Women of childbearing age & children under 12
Blue catfish - DO NOT EAT
Flathead catfish - DO NOT EAT
Freshwater drum - DO NOT EAT
Gar (all species) - DO NOT EAT
Smallmouth buffalo - DO NOT EAT
Striped bass - 1 meal per month
White Bass - 1 meal per month
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older
Blue catfish - 1 meal per month
Flathead catfish - 1 meal per month
Freshwater drum - 2 meals per month
Gar (all species) - DO NOT EAT
Striped bass - 1 meal per month
Smallmouth buffalo - 1 meal per month
Striped bass - 3 meals per month
White Bass - 3 meals per month
The department today also issued revised fish consumption advisories for three bodies of water due to updated evidence of the levels of contaminants in fish. The three affected bodies of water are
• The Arroyo Colorado upstream of the Port of Harlingen, including Llano Grande Lake and the Main Floodway.
• The Houston Ship Channel north of the Fred Hartman Bridge, including the San Jacinto River below the Lake Houston Dam.
• Echo Lake in Fort Worth.
Sampling shows that concentrations of pesticides in fish in the Arroyo Colorado (Cameron and Hidalgo counties) are no longer a health concern. However, concentrations of mercury and PCBs in some fish still exceed safe levels. For that reason, DSHS now advises no one eat longnose gar from the Arroyo Colorado. Health officials also continue to advise women of childbearing age and children under 12 not eat smallmouth buffalo and everyone else limit consumption of smallmouth buffalo to no more than two 8-ounce meals per month.
Pesticide levels have also dropped in the Houston Ship Channel, but concentrations of dioxins and PCBs still pose a threat to human health. Women of childbearing age and children under 12 should not eat any fish or blue crab from the Houston Ship Channel, and others should limit their consumption to one 8-ounce meal per month.
A new advisory for Echo Lake (Tarrant County) is based on concentrations of pesticides, dioxins and PCBs in common carp and largemouth bass that are high enough to pose a risk to human health. DSHS recommends no one eat common carp caught in Echo Lake and that women of childbearing age and children under 12 not eat largemouth bass. Everyone else should limit their consumption of largemouth bass to one 8-ounce meal per month. The consumption advisory replaces a possession ban that previously made it illegal to harvest or possess fish from Echo Lake.
Environmental pollutants like PCBs, mercury and dioxins can build up in the bodies of fish over time and lead to a variety of health consequences in people who eat contaminated fish. DSHS’s Seafood and Aquatic Life Group tests fish in public bodies of water where there are concerns that pollutants may have made fish unsafe to eat. Laboratory analysis shows the concentration of contaminants and allows health experts to make recommendations on whether people should avoid or limit consumption of certain species.
A summary of the three updated recommendations follows.
Body of water
Arroyo Colorado
Contaminants of Concern - Mercury and PCBs
Species - Longnose gar
Women of childbearing age & children under 12 - DO NOT EAT
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older - DO NOT EAT
Species - Smallmouth buffalo
Women of childbearing age & children under 12 - DO NOT EAT
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older - 2 meals per month
Houston Ship Channel
Contaminants of Concern - Dioxins and PCBs
Species - All fish and blue crab
Women of childbearing age & children under 12 - DO NOT EAT
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older - 1 meal per month
Mercury and PCBs
Echo Lake
Contaminants of Concern - Dieldrin, dioxins and PCBs
Species - Common carp
Women of childbearing age & children under 12 - DO NOT EAT
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older - DO NOT EAT
Species - Largemouth bass
Women of childbearing age & children under 12 - DO NOT EAT
Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older - 1 meal per month
December 16, 2015 - The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) was dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 59 3/4 of a mile outside of Tenaha Sunday, December 13, 2015 where a vehicle had flipped over and the driver was trapped within.
When Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies first arrived at the scene, they located the vehicle flipped over on its roof and access was unable to be gained to the inside of the car. TVFD personnel began cutting on the vehicle with Jaws of Life to get inside. After removing both of the passenger side doors, ACE EMS personnel were able to get inside of the vehicle, and with the assistance of firemen and deputies were able to extricate the driver from the car.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellenger, at 7:50pm a white 2014 Dodge Charger driven by Nashawn Crawford, 26, of Timpson was traveling east on U.S. Highway 59 at a speed that was unsafe due to rainfall and wet roadway conditions. Crawford lost control of the Charger and spun around, crossing the west bound traffic lanes, off the roadway and rolled over into a ditch coming to rest on its top facing southwest.
Crawford was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of her unknown injuries. She was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
December 16, 2015 - A car ended up in creek bed off State Highway 87 North as the result of a crash on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Kurtes Lawrence was dispatched to the scene at just after 7pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jimmy Faulkner, Isaiah Velasquez, 17, was driving a blue 2008 Dodge Avenger with Passenger Austin Derby both, 18, of Sacul north on State Highway 87 just south of FM 1645 when Velasquez stated he fell asleep. The vehicle then crossed the southbound lane and exited the the roadway to the left before striking a fence owned by Calvin Smith.
After striking the fence, the vehicle traveled into the field which the fence surrounded and proceeded down a hill for about 300 feet before coming to rest in an embankment against a tree.
Although the car was partially on its side in the embankment, Velasquez and Derby were both able to escape from within. Derby received minor injuries as a result of the crash and was treated at the scene by ACE EMS.
David Shields with East Texas Towing and Recovery stationed his wrecker at the top of the hill in the field and made several attempts over a long period of time to free the car from the embankment in which it was lodged. The vehicle was finally extracted at 9:11pm.
Velasquez was issued a citation for failure to drive in a single lane.
December 16, 2015 - Emergency personnel was dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 involving an SUV and a truck-tractor on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 where the roadway remained blocked.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jimmy Faulkner, at 7:20pm Stephanie Mason, 48, of Joaquin was driving a black 2015 GMC Yukon east on State Highway 7 in the James Community when she crested the top of a hill. At the lower end of the hill William Emerson, 37, of Center was driving a Western Star truck-tractor and was backing into his driveway and was blocking the roadway.
Mason took evasive action and attempted not to strike the truck-tractor, although Mason was able to slow the Yukon considerably, it still struck the side of the trailer head-on with the left front quarter panel of the Yukon.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department assisted with traffic control at the scene until the roadway was cleared. Mason was transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for medical examination as a precaution.
No citations have been issued at this time, the crash remains under investigation.
December 14, 2015 - The list of candidates for the upcoming 2016 election are now known as Monday, December 14, 2015 was the final day for candidates to file.
For the first time in Shelby County history all of the candidates running are republican which reflects the voting trend of 2014 with Republicans outweighing Democrats.
In the 2014 General Election there were 14,573 registered voters with 8,215 ballots cast which is 56.73% of the total registered voters.
The number of straight-party votes cast was 1,379 (68.89%) for Republican Party and 648 (30.18%) for Democratic Party. Straight-party voting is the practice of voting for every candidate that a political party has on a general election ballot.
The number of registered voters in the 2014 Primary Election was 14,362. There were 3,893 (85%) ballots cast with 591 (15%) of those being Democratic votes and 3,302 of those votes being Republican.
The following is the list of candidates who have filed:
District Judge, 123rd Judicial District
Charles "Brick"Dickerson (Incumbent)
Leann Kay Rafferty
Mike Parker
District Attorney, 123rd Judicial District
Stephen Shires
Shelby County Attorney
Gary Rholes (Incumbent)
Ken B. Florence
Shelby County Sheriff
Willis Blackwell (Incumbent)
Ricky Allen
Tax Assessor-Collector
Debora Riley
County Commissioner Pct. 1
Roscoe McSwain (Incumbent)
Donnie Borders
County Commissioner Pct. 3
Travis Rodgers (Incumbent)
Charles Barr
Constable Pct. 1
Zach Warr
Constable Pct. 2
Jamie Hagler
Constable Pct. 3
Jimmy H. Wagstaff
Roy Cheatwood
Scott Burkhalter
Constable Pct. 4
Bryan Gray (Incumbent)
Jacob (Jake) Metcalf
Constable Pct. 5
Adam Renfro
Robert Hairgrove
December 14, 2015 LUFKIN – An early morning storm with accompanying high winds sent empty railcars tumbling onto the roadway beneath a railroad overpass on Lufkin’s Loop 287 Sunday.
TxDOT officials are working to devise a traffic control plan that includes a road closure at the site of the incident on SL 287 between SH 103 West and US 69 North.
The railroad is owned by A&NR Railroad of Lufkin. Barricades are currently set to prevent traffic from entering the area. Two railcars, which are linked to dozens of others, fell to the roadway beneath the railroad bridge.
“Removing the railcars in the safest way possible will require certain things to happen,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer for the Lufkin District. “Our officials have devised a traffic control plan for motorists until the cars can be removed, and we are hoping that will be by Monday evening. We are waiting on equipment that is being sent from Houston before the cleanup can begin.”
Barricades will remain in place and motorists will be detoured until the roadway is cleared. Residents with direct access as well as businesses within the barricaded area will be accommodated to and from their locations.
TxDOT officials also anticipate necessary repairs on the roadway beneath the railcars and will be working to repair and open the section of roadway as soon as possible.
Motorists are advised to follow all detour signs and do not attempt to go around barricades.
December 11, 2015 - Notice is hereby given that a Regular meeting of the Governing Body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on the 14th day of December, 2015 at 9:30a.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. Approve the minutes of the November 9th, 2015 Regular Meeting and the November 12 , 2015 Special Meeting, and the November 23rd, 2015 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.
2. Approve and pay monthly expenses.
3. Approve Officers' Reports.
4. Public Comments on Agenda items.
5. Consider and take any necessary action regarding the Open Carry Act, effective January 1, 2016.
6. Consider and Possibly Approve the Sheriff's policy and fees regarding Honorably Retired Officers.
7. Consider and Approve Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County FY2016.
8. Discuss and possibly approve the contract for collection services between Shelby County and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP.
9. Approve the Resolution authorizing collection fee in the amount of 30% of debts and accounts receivable such as unpaid fines, fees, court costs, forfeited bonds, and restitution ordered paid by a Justice Court or County Court at Law serving the County.
10. Adjourn.
December 11, 2015 - The Tenaha City Marshal's Office responded to an 18-wheeler rollover at the U.S. Highway 59 on ramp at 12:35pm on Friday, December 11, 2015.
According to Tenaha City Marshal Jimmy Wagstaff, a black 2000 Frightliner hauling bundles of birch plywood from the Sveza Company within a box trailer driven by Antonio Johnson, 28, was attempting to enter U.S. Highway 59 North from U.S. Highway 59 South by way of the on-ramp. As the Freightliner traversed the on-ramp the load within the box trailer shifted and caused the 18-wheeler to roll over onto the driver's side.
Johnson stated to Marshal Wagstaff, the load had shifted the night before in Houston and had been righted on Friday morning.
As of 6pm the wood was still being unloaded from the box trailer through the roof , which was cut open, so the 18-wheeler could be righted. Marshal Wagstaff was assisted with the investigation by Deputy Tenaha City Marshal Darren Gray.
Center, TX
National Weather Service Shreveport, LA
3:49pm CST Fri Dec 11, 2015
December 11, 2015 - A flash flood watch is in effect from 6pm Saturday night through 12pm Sunday for much of East Texas, extreme Southeast Oklahoma, portions of Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana.
Showers and thunderstorms will increase over East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas and Northwest Louisiana Saturday night ahead of a strong upper level storm that will shift into the Southern Plains. Widespread rainfall amounts of three to five inches with isolated higher totals exceeding six inches are possible over much of the watch area through Sunday before the rain diminishes from west to east.
This rainfall will fall over nearly saturated grounds and swollen lakes, rivers, and bayous and could result in flash flooding.
A flash flood watch is in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday morning.
December 13, 2015 - Agenda items receiving approval include:
Pay monthly expenses.
Repair of the Duplexer used to dispatch/ page the (VFD) Local Volunteer Fire Departments at a cost of $2,500.
Purchase contract for the old Municipal Judge’s building and lot from the City of Center on Nacogdoches Street at a bid of $30,000.
No to paying a reduced membership fee of $2,875.00 for FY2015 membership in the Alliance for Interstate 69 Texas.
Adjournment at 10am.
The Shelby County Commissioners approved, during their November 23, 2015 special meeting, the repair of an analog duplexer which is used in radio communication dispatching Shelby County Fire Departments for 9-1-1 calls.
"From what I understand, this is the duplexer that is at the Sheriff's Department where they dispatch the volunteer firemen and it is broken," said Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge. "I asked (Chief Deputy) Shad [Sparks] if this one would be good to fix, or did we need to get a new one and he said the gentleman at DFW Communications said that this one, if we fixed it, would work."
There were questions on this subject; however, no representative of the Sheriff's Department was present to answer questions about the duplexer. Judge Harbison stated the cost of repair to the duplexer was quoted at $2,500 and she really wanted to know if the county wouldn't be better served by putting those funds toward a new duplexer.
There was discussion among the commissioners and Judge Harbison about coming up with grant funding or through some other means to provide digital radios for the fire department. Although narrow band radios have been mandated by the federal government, digital narrow band radios which the county and City of Center implemented haven't proven to be 100% reliable in the Pineywoods of Shelby County with its hill and pine tree laden countryside.
Shelby County Today reported on the radio issues in 2014 when they became a major concern for volunteer fire departments as they went silent on January 7, 2014. At that time the dispatch was on what is called a mixed mode system. The Sheriff's Department radios had been upgraded to digital narrow band, while volunteer fire departments remained on analog. As the radio system was upgraded to digital, the analog radio boosters (voters) were taken down, affecting communications in the outlying areas making it so volunteer fire departments could not always receive 9-1-1 dispatch from the Sheriff's Department, but could still communicate with one another on their analog radios.
By request of Sheriff Willis Blackwell, the analog equipment was shutdown by DFW Communications with the reason being, when someone would attempt to communicate on the analog side of the mixed mode system, it would cut off someone on the digital side and leave officers with no means of communication during that time. Although this action helped law enforcement communications, shutting down the analog system left the fire departments without radio communication.
When a 9-1-1 call for a fire department would come in to the Sheriff's Department dispatch during that time, dispatchers would then call the department's fire chief on the telephone to let them know of the call. A meeting was held at the Shelby County Courthouse with all of the volunteer fire departments in the county, Sheriff Willis Blackwell; then County Judge Rick Campbell; Van Bush with DETCOG 9-1-1; John McDowell Security Director at DETCOG; Bryan Loudenslager and Archie Cooper with DFW Communications. It was decided the analog system would once again be turned on and the volunteer fire departments would receive dispatch on a shared frequency for dispatch, unless their department had a frequency of their own from which the Sheriff's Department could dispatch.
When DFW Communications replaced the digital antenna on Saturday, January 11, 2013 and moved the antenna to a higher position on the radio tower, it improved the digital signal. Adding a digital narrow band voter to the Shelbyville water tower and another location in the county, facilitated improved communication countywide for all involved.
Communication was returned to the fire departments, and the departments all sought the use of 9-1-1 cellular phone dispatch service, giving the Sheriff's Department the ability to simultaneously dispatch the firemen by radio and cellular phone. For almost two years now the fire departments have struggled with a system which is unreliable. Departments have reported to Shelby County Today that at times they will receive a dispatch by cellular phone, but not by radio and at other times the reverse. Firemen are at times not always able to reach dispatchers on the radio when they are out on a call.
"I just wanted to bring it to the forefront and see, I could have just put it on to be paid, but I want everybody to know where we are on this and I do realize that communication to the volunteer fire departments is not good at this point. We need to figure that out and I guess we need to start with the Sheriff's Department figuring out what kind of communications we need for the volunteer fire departments," said Judge Harbison.
A motion was carried by the commissioners to approve the repair of the current duplexer for $2,500 out of the contingency fund.
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