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January 8, 2026 - The intersection of Hurst Street at the entrance to Walmart parking lot was the location of a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, January 7, 2026, involving a passenger car and truck tractor.
Emergency responders with the Center Police Department responded to the scene during dense fog conditions just before 8:15am where the passenger vehicle involved remained in the exit lane of the parking lot. The truck tractor involved had parked inside the parking lot out of the way of traffic.
According to the Center Police Department, a black 2020 Kia driven by Bianca Bennett, 35, of Center was preparing to exit onto Hurst Street from the Walmart parking lot. At that time a maroon 2001 Kenworth 18-wheeler owned by ES Express LLC and driven by Zachery McCurdy, 43, of Baton Rouge, LA., hauling oilfield equipment was southbound on Hurst Street and turned right at the light into the parking lot entrance where it struck the Kia.
Bennett and her infant passenger were transported by ambulance to Shelby County Emergency Department for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Kia was towed from the scene and the 18-wheeler was able to be driven from the scene. McCurdy was not reported to have been injured as a result of the crash and no citations were reported.
January 7, 2026 - In conjunction with the burn ban issued by the Shelby County Judge on January 1, 2026, the City of Center encourages its residents not to burn until further notice.
Keith Byndom
City of Center Fire Chief
January 7, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners ratified the burn ban on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, that was put in place on January 1, 2026, New Year's Day by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison.
This means that burning continues to be prohibited and anyone in violation may be subject to a burn ban violation citation.
January 7, 2026 - All courthouse offices, including the Tax Office, are fully re-open as of 9am Wednesday, January 7.
January 6, 2026 - The Courthouse will re-open on Wednesday, January 7th at 8am with normal office hours. All offices should be up and running except for the Tax Office.
If you are needing the Tax Office, please call before coming as their system is still not completely up and running. Call 936-598-4441 or 936-598-8172 before coming. An update will be published once the Tax Office is fully functional.
Courthouse Closed This Morning Due to Water Leak, Jury Duty Cancelled
January 5, 2026 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison advises the courthouse is temporarily closed this morning due to a water leak. Jury duty is cancelled for Monday, January 5th and the courthouse will be closed until the water leak can be resolved. If the problem can be remediated today, the courthouse will open today. Check back for updates.
Updated at 5:44pm - AT&T advises their Internet service has been restored.
January 6, 2026 - AT&T problems continue as they are again experiencing an outage. Please be advised the outage can impact some businesses' phone systems as well as their ability to accept credit card payments. AT&T did advise their engineers are working to restore service quickly and expects to have their internet back online by Tuesday, January 6 at 7pm.
January 5, 2026 - I was recently made aware of a post on a Facebook group page with a graphic for elections in 2026, but some of the information is incorrect. We are busy getting everything ready for the March primary, and once we receive the ballots, I will have a sample ballot posted on this website.
The Notice of Election will also be posted no later than February 10, 2026. Offices that will be on the ballots are as follows:
- District Judge, 273rd Judicial District
- County Judge
- District Clerk
- County Clerk
- County Treasurer
- County Commissioners 2 and 4
- Justice of the Peace - all 5 precincts
- County Constable, precinct 5, unexpired term
- County Chairs - Democrat and Republican
There are no school races for the March primary. If you have any questions about voter registration or elections, please call my office at 936-234-2147 or 936-598-5340. We are here to serve the voters of Shelby County.
Nancy Adams
Shelby County Elections Administrator
January 5, 2026 - The 273rd Judicial District Court that grand jury scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, has been cancelled.
New summons will be reissued by mail.
Thank you,
Dee Dee Green
District Clerk
Shelby County, Texas
Photo U.S. Forest Service
January 4, 2025 - The Madley Fire on the Sabine National Forest is currently 80% contained and estimated at 674 acres. Fire operations remain normal, with crews continuing to strengthen containment lines and monitor the fire area. Smoke may still be visible as fuels continue to burn within the established perimeter. There is no current threat to the public, and firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities.
January 3, 2025 - (Update: 6:26pm) - According to information released by the U.S. Forest Service, by 5:45pm firefighters completed Saturday’s planned burnout operations on the Madley Fire in Shelby County.
As of this update, the fire is estimated at 435 acres and 40% contained. Dozer lines are complete, crews are holding along the creek, and burnout operations for the day are finished.
Fire resources will continue to monitor and hold containment lines to ensure firefighter and public safety. There is no additional burnout planned for tonight, January 3.
They stated they appreciate the public’s cooperation and support as crews continue suppression efforts.
Photo U.S. Forest Service
Photo U.S. Forest Service
Burnout operations are in progress in the Sabine National Forest area of Shelby County near Huxley.
The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas issued at 10:22pm yesterday, January 3 a Wildfire Report advising a wildfire had been confirmed near the community of Huxley. The wildfire was located on the Sabine National Forest Compartment 43 area and named the fire Madley which had an estimated size of 75 plus acres. The direction of spread was South and containment lines are in place.
Burnout operations are planned for this afternoon, January 3rd on the Madley Fire, located in Shelby County on the Sabine National Forest.
Firefighters will be working off established dozer lines to conduct burnout operations, with fire activity expected to reach approximately 400–500 acres. The objective of today’s operations is to reduce available fuels near containment lines and strengthen control of the fire.
Forest Service Roads 135, 126, and 126C are within the operational area. Motorists and forest visitors should use caution and be prepared for smoke, fire activity, and the presence of firefighting equipment.
Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. Additional updates will be shared as conditions change.
January 3, 2026 - U.S. Forest Service personel are actively fighting a wildfire in the Sabine National Forest near the City of Huxley.
According to details released by the U.S. Forest Service, Sabine National Forest Compartment 43 is the location of the fire which has been named "Madley," has an estimated initial size of 75+ acres with the direction of spread indicated as South
Fire crews are actively working the incident, and updates will be shared as more information becomes available. There is no additional information on threats to the public at this time.
Please avoid the area to allow firefighters to work safely and efficiently. The U.S. Forest Service appreciates everyone’s patience and support as crews continue suppression efforts.
As of 11:45pm January 2, 2026, an update indicated that the Madley Fire (Sabine National Forest) was contained for the night. All fire resources were released for the night and have since returned to the scene Saturday morning to continue monitoring and suppression efforts.
The forest service indicated that there remains no threat to people or property at this time.
January 2, 2026 - Center Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the 600 block of Greer Street Friday, January 2, 2025, at around 12:50pm.
When the firefighters arrived the truck, a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500, was fully on fire in the engine area of the vehicle.
Firefighters quickly began spraying the fire with water and were able to prevent further spread to the rest of the vehicle, and anything else on the property.
According to the Center Fire Department, the fire is suspected to have been electrical in nature, as evidenced by the intense scorching and melting in the vicinity of the battery and fuse box.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Center Police Department also responded to the scene to assist.
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