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February 23, 2024 - The City of Tenaha currently has three positions on the ballot in the upcoming May 4, 2024 election. On the ballot will be Mayor and two city council positions.
Notice of Drawing for a Place on Ballot
Notice is hereby given of a drawing to determine the order in which the names of candidates are to be printed on the ballot for the election to be held on May 4, 2024 in Tenaha, Texas. The drawing will be held at 2pm on February 26, 2024, at 238 North George Bowers Drive, Council Room, Tenaha, Texas.
Aviso Del Sorteo Para un Lugar en el Boleta
Por lo presente se da aviso que habrá un sorteo para determinar la orden en que aparecerán los nombres de los candidatos en la boleta para la elección que se celebrará el 4 de mayo de 2024 en Tenaha, Texas. El sorteo tendrá lugar a las 2pm el 26 de febrero de 2024 a 238 North George Bowers Drive, Council Room, Tenaha, Texas.
February 22, 2024 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a crash on State Highway 87, near County Road 4009, that occurred Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 7:20am, a 2023 Hyundai Elantra driven by Jada Davis, 18, of Timpson was traveling northwest. It is reported that Davis failed to drive in a single lane to the right and then back to the left, causing her to lose control and travel into the south ditch where she struck multiple trees.
Davis was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Her passenger Jordan Davis, 18, was also transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
There is no further information available.
February 20, 2024 - Early voting in the 2024 March 5th Primary Elections began Tuesday at the Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935. Early voting hours of operation are as follows:
- Tuesday, February 20 through Friday, February 23, 8am to 5pm
- Saturday, February 24, 7am to 7pm
- Sunday, February 25, 11am to 5pm
- Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1, 7am to 7pm
Sample ballots and links to polling locations are below.
Republican Sample Ballots are below: (Click each precinct to see the ballots for each area)
- Precinct 1 N (Center)
- Precinct 1 SE (Center)
- Precinct 1 S (Center)
- Precinct 1 SW (Center)
- Precinct 1 W (Center)
- Precinct 2 (Excelsior)
- Precinct 3 (Sardis)
- Precinct 4 (Huxley)
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin)
- Precinct 6 (Dreka)
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville)
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha)
- Precinct 9N (Timpson)
- Precinct 9S (Timpson)
Democratic Sample Ballot: (All precinct ballots are the same)
February 20, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners discussed several issues during their February 14, 2024 meeting and following their executive session announced the retirement of the assistant auditor and the 911 administrator.
Earlier in the meeting Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer discussed the weekly expenses with the commissioners.
Blackwell reported the down payment on the pugmill recently approved by the commissioners has been sent and the availability for the pugmill is now 20 weeks.
Commissioner Steve Smith moved to approve the weekly expenses and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer, the motion carried.
The commissioners omitted from the weekly expenses the bill relating to item 12 on the agenda, a bill from 96 Equipment for $11,500.
Blackwell gave the Officers’ report and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to approve the officers report and journal entries, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and the motion carried.
Constable Taylor Fanguy updated the court on the status of the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe he is meant to receive. He reported the dealership in Caldwell where the vehicle is coming from has had it since last July and they couldn’t yet give him a solid date on delivery of the vehicle.
“We got them to basically separate the invoice, the dealership’s going to invoice us for the car, I’ve got the parts ordered and they’ll invoice us whenever those get in,” said Fanguy. “Del [Birdwell]’s gonna outfit it, or install everything.”
The commissioners reviewed a revised Investment Policy for Shelby County and Treasurer Blackwell gave them an explanation of the policy.
“I re-wrote this about four years ago, but I got some good information from my conference that I went to in November, my investment conference that gave me a resource to update this and just make it more up to date as far as how it’s written,” said Blackwell. “So, it basically has the same things that the other one had, only just a little bit more language in it.”
A motion was made by Commissioner Bellmyer to approve the Investment Policy for Shelby County and was seconded by Commissioner Jimmy Lout, the motion carried.
A motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to approve a resolution to designate the County Investment Officer for Shelby County and continue with the County Treasurer as the designated individual, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Lout moved to acknowledge and record County Treasurer Certificate of Compliance with County Treasurer Continuing Education for 2023, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith, the motion carried.
Commissioner Lout moved to acknowledge and record County Treasurer Certificate of Compliance with Continuing Education for County Investment Officer for 2023, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, the motion carried.
The commissioners considered the purchase of a 2014 shop built tank trailer for Road and Bridge Pct. 2 being paid from Fixed Assets.
Commissioner Lout moved to pay for the purchase out of fixed assets in the amount of $11,500 and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed a FY2024 line-Item transfer for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program payment. Commissioner Smith stated an issue that has come up as a result of the project in dealing with the phone company.
“In my opinion the project’s not complete and I’m not in favor of paying this, our share of this money right now,” said Smith.
According to Commissioner Smith, a phone line was destroyed by a trackhoe when the project began and this particular phone line runs between chicken houses and the owner’s home, which impacts the ability of the computers in the chicken house from communicating in the event of an emergency.
“I told them when they tore it up, ‘it’s going to have to be buried like it was when they got there,’” said Smith. “The first time they come out they just looped it through the pasture.”
Commissioner Smith described the phone line has been wrapped around fencing and has just been left laying in a ditch, contrary to his request for it be buried where it originally had been. He contends the project isn’t complete, in his opinion, until the phone line is back in the ground.
A motion by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer to go ahead and make the line-item transfer to get the funds ($906,038) in a single location while they work the background to get the phone line fixed until the 30 days come up and then they make a decision then, Commissioner Lout seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Commissioner Smith moved to record the Racial Profiling report for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and it was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer and the motion carried.
Eric Garrett, President of Paxton Water Corporation updated the court on Jackson Well Project and invited everyone to the official opening of the facility. (Related article: Paxton Water Supply Celebrates Completion of Well Project.)
The meeting then adjourned into executive session and once it returned to open session, the commissioners presented two items that were discussed in executive session.
Commissioner Bellmyer stated there was discussion about two positions up for retirement including the assistant auditor and the 911 administrator for addressing. Both positions will be advertised.
No action was taken as none was necessary.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Officers reports for the month of January as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer:
Fees for the month of January 2024
Officers reports for the month of January 2024 as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer:
Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Property: $3,335,224.39; Motor Vehicle: $120,354.92; Total: $3,455,579.31
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $32,301.76
Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $10,782.01
Donna Hughes, JP1 - $16,788.20
Marla Denby, JP2 - $861
Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $2,828.00
Dee Dee Green, JP4 - $3,282.60
Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $4,158.95
Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $880
Taylor Fanguy, Constable 4 - $260
Sheriff’s Fees - $4,686.80
Total of $3,532,858.63
Total investments of $19,190,696.73
Total interest earned on investments of $82,585.53
Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Minutes of January 3, 2024 Special meeting, January 10, 2024 Regular meeting, January 17, 2024 Special meeting, January 24, 2024 Special meeting, January 31, 2024 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.
2. Pay weekly expenses.
3. Pay current Payroll.
4. Officers Report.
5. Revised Investment Policy for Shelby County.
6. Adopt Resolution of Annual Review of Investment Policy for Shelby County.
7. Adopt Resolution to designate County Investment Officer
8. Acknowledge and record County Treasurer Certificate of Compliance with County Treasurer Continuing Education for 2023
9. Acknowledge and record County Treasurer Certificate of Compliance with Continuing Education for County Investment Officer for 2023.
10. Purchase of a 2014 Shop Built Tank Trailer for Road and Bridge Pct 2 being paid out of Fixed Assets.
11. FY2024 Line-Item transfer for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program payment.
12. Record Racial Profiling report for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
13. Adjourn.
February 19, 2024 - Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, reports the discovery of illegal dumping sites in the north end of Shelby County, and the arrest of the alleged individual responsible by Shelby County Constables on February 13, 2024.
According to Constable Tipton, around eight months ago an investigation began into illegal tire dumping in the northern part of Shelby County, and he reached out to Constable Taylor Fanguy and Constable Roy Cheatwood to assist.
During that time, TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) was contacted and they traveled with the constables to the dump sites; however, no action was yet taken by the agency.
A month previous to this report, more complaints were being received and as constables deepened their investigation they discovered two dump sites in remote areas that were much larger than those originally found.
Two more representatives of TCEQ were contacted and they reviewed the newly discovered dump locations and the constables then opened their own investigation into the illegal dumping.
Constables gained permission to access the property of residents in the area of the dump sites. They then gained statements from several individuals about the illegal dumping and as a result learned the name of their suspect, where he was from and what he was doing to collect so many tires.
The suspect is alleged to be picking up old tires, for a small fee, from tire stores and instead of transporting them to a recycling plant he was then dumping them in Shelby County instead of paying a fee at a recycling plant.
Constable Tipton advises that any kind of commercial dumping such as tires or hazardous material is illegal, and anything for commercial use dumped and in a quantity of over 200 pounds is a felony. Even more egregious is dumping near waterways and residential areas as those kinds of materials need to be taken to a TCEQ qualified facility for appropriate disposal.
Constables established surveillance late one night, and the suspect didn’t arrive. On the following day as the officers were preparing for surveillance at another location, the suspect was observed at a tire store in Timpson.
The constables set up at strategic location so as not to be observed by the suspect, and another individual covertly followed him while reporting to the officers of his location. Once at an advantageous location, a traffic stop by the constables was initiated of the suspect, who was hauling a large load of tires.
Constable Tipton states that during a roadside interview of the driver, he admitted to the illegal tire dumping and indicated the dump sites. The constables arrested Paul Sanders, 60, of Jacksonville on a warrant out of Rusk County for theft, misdemeanor b.
TCEQ was notified of the arrest, and Constable Tipton reports further interview of Sanders was conducted by constables and TCEQ.
Additional charges are pending at a later date.
It’s been determined that tires were being brought to Shelby County from Henderson, Jacksonville, as well as Carthage and dumped. Constables, TCEQ and other agencies are in discussion as to how to clean up the large quantity of tires.
February 16, 2024 - Paxton Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) and county officials gathered with community members on Friday, February 16, 2024, in celebration of the completion of the new PWSC well.
Eric Garrett, President of Paxton Water Supply Corporation, thanked everyone for attending the event and said how grateful and appreciative Paxton Water is for all that the county has done.
“Everybody that's been involved in this project, it’s taken a whole lot longer than I thought it would, and we're not there yet but we're well underway and we wouldn't be anywhere if it were not for all of you,” said Garrett.
Garrett said no one needs to look back any further than the emergency freeze that affected our entire surrounding area, and caused a freshwater supply nightmare, to realize just how important water is to everyone.
He had a customer state during the time the water supply was so badly impacted, “I'd give $100 a month right now just to be able to turn the tap on and water come out,” said Garrett. “And so, here in Texas we rely on water as much as any other state does, maybe more than other states. Our economy, our agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, all of that requires a good stable water supply.”
He commented how much the poultry industry is reliant on the stable supply of fresh water, and how the community came together during the unbelievably difficult time they all had without water.
“Thankfully a lot of neighbors came together to do their best to get us back up and running. I won't even go there, that was a whole other subject. But to mitigate the impact on our corner of Shelby County,” said Garrett.
Garrett was profoundly appreciative to all the assistance received from so many people and public entities in dealing with the water problem, he was hopeful he wouldn’t forget thanking anyone.
“Let me talk to you first about our precinct three commissioner Stevie Smith who along with the Commissioners Court and Judge Harbison authored the idea of drilling a well to mitigate future emergencies to our water supply,” said Garrett. “Stevie's put in a lot of time apart and aside from Commissioners Court work not just in planning, but also in executing what is taking place here.”
Garrett continued by thanking other representatives of the county for all of their assistance in bringing the project to fruition, “To all of our commissioners, Mr. Lout, Mr. McSwain, Mr. Bellmyer, without all of your support, it would have never got off the ground. The kindness that the court has shown to me every time I've come to be with you, you always made me feel welcome and appreciated. Your words were always encouraging and you've backed up your words with your actions. And I thank you for that.”
Garrett said that every PWSC customer owes a great deal of appreciation for the support that has been received in making the project happen.
“To our Judge Harbison, I wanna say how much I appreciate your willingness,” said Garrett. “Thank you for being here, Judge, for putting the interest of your constituents above business as usual.”
Garrett said Judge Harbison recognized early on clean water is at the top of the list of importance in Shelby County.
He elaborated on the help provided by County Treasurer Ann Blackwell who has handled all of the financial details, while also putting up with Garrett’s hectic schedule as pastor and working with Paxton Water Supply.
“She allowed me the leeway of operating in both of those capacities, even though I was often late getting too her what she really needed,” said Garrett.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, was also a recipient of Garrett’s gratitude for helping to shed light on an opportunity for the county to assist Paxton.
“Thank you for stepping up on that fateful day. I never will forget when the idea was broached. The subject of money come up,” said Garrett, “Mr. Porterfield stood up and said, ‘not only can we do this, this is how we can do this.’”
To County Attorney John Price Garrett was thankful for his tolerance of Garrett’s request and granting guidance in the process.
The Oates family was intrinsic to the success of the PWSC project and Garrett said how much they appreciate the Oates for donating family land to drill the well on. Although the family had already provided the land, when the state required even more, the Oates family supplied the difference to help the project move forward.
He especially thanked Stacy and Blake Cranford with 5C Utility for all the hard work they put into the project, and he said the Cranford’s are a tremendous help to Paxton Water.
The board of directors for PWSC received Garrett’s appreciation including Jim Boland, who recently resigned following many years with PWSC; Jimmy Hamilton; Becky Barker, board secretary; and Harold Irish.
“I just want to say thank all of you for your support, for your encouragement over the past year in putting all this together,” said Garrett.
Judge Allison Harbison shared a few words on the journey from the project’s inception until its completion, “Whenever we were contacted that we were going to be getting some funds from the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act), this is the kind of thing that I wanted to see happen. I wanted to see rural Texas, rural Shelby County be able to benefit from these tax dollars that are given. So, I am so excited, I'm so excited we got this off the ground, and I know it was painful but it was needed. The people in this part of the county deserve to have water and nothing pointed that out more than two Christmases ago when we had the big freeze in the middle of the holidays and it was such a sad thing, and everybody working together, this is what can happen when everybody works together for the benefit of people, hard hardworking people that need help.”
Judge Harbison introduced Luciana Barr, Emergency Management Coordinator, and representatives with Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Seth Shrell, and Jon Clingaman, Jr. (Regional Director).
“They did trial by fire when they came over and helped with that,” said Judge Harbison. “So, I have my Emergency Management Coordinator, Ms. Luciana Barr, who lives in this area of the woods and then Seth Shrell, who is our (TDEM) county liaison, he hit the ground running. He was not even on the payroll when he stepped in and helped with that disaster. And then of course, Jon Clingaman, Jr. our Regional Director, and we are here to help the community.”
Garrett and Shelby County Commissioners then gathered at the water valve and ceremoniously turned the water on, after which Garrett opened a valve to show the water running.
The event was concluded with a prayer led by Garrett.
February 9, 2024 - Kyle Edwards is applying for a petition to gather signatures for a local option liquor election to make legal the SALE of ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES including MIXED BEVERAGES. The petition will be circulated only within the city limits of Timpson, Texas. The application will be filed with Misty Burgess, the City Secretary of the City of Timpson, 456 Jacob Street, Timpson, Texas.
Kyle Edwards está solicitando una petición para reunir firmas para una elección de licores de opción local para legalizar la venta de TODAS LAS BEBIDAS ALCOHÓLICAS, incluidas las BEBIDAS MIXTAS. La petición circulará únicamente dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Timpson, Texas. La solicitud se presentará ante Misty Burgess, Secretaria Municipal de la Ciudad de Timpson.
February 15, 2024 – A speed limit reduction has been approved by Texas Transportation Commissioners on a busy Shelby County highway.
The speed limit on US 84 will be lowered from 70 mph to 65 mph from the city limits of Joaquin to 1.65 miles west. The Lufkin District conducted the prescribed engineering and traffic study to determine the recommended lower speed limit on this section of roadway.
Motorists are urged to stay alert and obey the new speed limit that is enforceable once signs are set.
February 14, 2024 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system on February 10, 2024, 2100005 to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of 02/14/2024
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 11, 2024 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water 2/10/2024 on Hwy 96 north of 417 E (anyone without water) to boil their water, prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 14, 2024 - CR 1024 is open to traffic.
February 10, 2024 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, reports on Saturday, February 10, 2024, that CR 1024 is closed at the intersection of CR 1005 and at Mill Creek.
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