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January 2, 2026 - Emergency personnel respoded to the discovery of a body at Logansport Bridge at the state line between Texas and Louisiana early Friday, January 2, 2025.
At around 8:30am agencies in Shelby County responded to the location to assist DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department deputies in their investigation.
According to details released by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, their deputies are investigating the death of an unidentified Hispanic male who appears to have been struck by a train in Logansport.
The individual was discovered during the overnight hours in a position where the body was lodged within the train trestle structure. Preliminary information suggests the incident was accidental. Deputies are currently working with Union Pacific Railroad to determine a more precise timeline of events, including a review of available train video footage.
According to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, at this time no additional information is available. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Responding to the scene were Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; Shelby County Sheriff's deputies; Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department; and DeSoto Parish Fire District 1 fire personnel.
January 1, 2026 - While this burn ban doesn’t specifically restrict the use of fireworks: I urge anyone using fireworks to be extremely careful and make sure all flames are out before you leave them unattended.
If the need arises there are specific rules and regulations that can be followed to ban the use of fireworks. So again, I humbly ask that you use caution when handling fireworks, the house fire that you prevent may be your own or your neighbors.
Please be Texas Smart and protect yourself and others in 2026.
January 1, 2026 - Due to the severe draught and lack of rainfall, I, Allison Harbison, am issuing a Burn Ban effective today, January 1, 2026 at 5pm. Over the last couple of days our Volunteer Fire Departments have been spending their holidays literally putting out fires.
I urge everyone to be safe and respect this Emergency Order. I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Be safe and be smart!
Judge Allison Harbison
Emergency Declaration of Disaster and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, THE COUNTY JUDGE of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
Now, THEREFORE,, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to §418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; ORDERED this 1st day of January, 2026 at 5pm.
December 31, 2025 - Shelby County firefighters are regularly responding to grass and brush fires this week as 2025 comes to a close December 31, 2025.
Center Fire Department confirms having received two grass fire calls on Wednesday, December 31, while also responding to three grass fire calls on December 30, on Nacogdoches Street in Center, on County Road 2468 and County Road 1090.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department reports several grass fires on Wednesday. Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass and woods fire just after 5pm on FM 139.
During Shelby County Commissioners’ Court Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, shared that Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department reports several fires to him.
According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), Shelby County is in the 301 - 500 KBDI range on December 31, 2025, where it was at a range of 190 - 301 KBDI on December 15, suggesting conditions are quickly becoming dryer.
According to Texas A&M University, the drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Presently, this index is derived from ground based estimates of temperature and precipitation derived from weather stations and interpolated manually by experts at Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) for counties across the state. Researchers at Texas A&M University are working with TAMFS to derive this index from AVHRR satellite data and NEXRAD radar rainfall within a GIS.
Residents are being encouraged not to burn of at all possible, and if setting off fireworks celebrating the new year, to consider doing so in a safe area and to make emergency preparations in the event a fire should start.
December 31, 2025 - Hurst Street just near the intersection with Foster Street in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving one vehicle absent a driver on December 16, 2025.
According to the Center Police Department, at around 1:48pm a passenger vehicle driven by Margaret Freeman, 83, of Timpson was northbound on Hurst Street traveling through the Foster Street intersection when a truck rolled into the street from the Napa parking lot and caused the vehicles to collide.
It was determined the truck had rolled backwards after the driver Larry Smith, 62, of Kilgore, failed to put his vehicle into park resulting in it rolling downhill into the roadway.
Freeman was not reported to have been injured as a result of the collision.
During the investigation of the crash, it was discovered that Smith had a warrant out of Panola County for failure to appear with the original charge being carrying prohibited weapon, felony 3. Smith also had a warrant for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, felony 3; and in the jail it was alleged Smith was carrying a prohibited substance and he was also charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility and possession of a controlled substance.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Brandon Tyler and Sgt. Brian Wright.
December 27, 2025 - U.S. Highway 59 (North 1st Street) in Timpson was the scene of a two-vehicle crash December 26, 2025, at just before 12-noon.
Both vehicles involved came to rest in the inside southbound traffic lane, and remained at risk of a second collision due to high traffic. Passers-by came to the immediate aid of those involved directing vehicles around the crash scene until emergency personnel arrived. Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel blocked the lane, along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers, until it was deemed possible to move the vehicles to a safe location out of the highway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 11:55am a black Honda Civic driven by Sha Mar Je Rald Mahoney, 25, of Shreveport, was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 just past the intersection of Jacob Street. At that time a GMC Acadia driven by Ashlyn Nicole Creech, 22, of Center attempted to exit a private drive at Texas Quick Care while her view was blocked by a parked car. As the Arcadia entered onto U.S. 59, it entered the path of the Honda causing it to collide with the driver’s side of the GMC.
Creech and a 3-month-old were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center for medical evaluation, as were Mahoney and his passenger, Jason Michael Dantzler, Jr., 21.
Creech was issued citations for failure to yield right of way when exiting a private driveway.
Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Micah Rucker and Trooper Taylor Buster.
December 24, 2025 - On 12-21-2025, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhill public water system, 2100013, 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 12-24-2025.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
December 21, 2025 - Due to a broken water line the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhills public water system 2100013 to notify All Sandhills Customers. 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 Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
December 22, 2025 - Tenaha Street at the intersection with Child Street in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash December 13, 2025.
When emergency personnel arrived, they rushed to the aid of those involved in the incident. One vehicle had come to a halt on an embankment near the Center City Hall sign and the other that was involved had flipped over near a dollar store location.
According to the Center Police Department, a green 2020 Jeep Compass driven by Lyeyda Ramirez, 36, of Center was northbound on Tenaha Street when a white 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Tremoine Jackson, 26, of Center entered the path of the Jeep from Child Street.
Ramirez took evasive action in attempts to avoid colliding with the Ford; however, the Jeep collided with the front quarter panel of the driver’s side which caused the Jeep to roll and come to rest by a utility pole on the southbound side of the roadway. The Fusion came to rest on the northbound side of the roadway near the Center City Hall sign.
Ramirez and a three-year-old minor passenger were transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for medical evaluation and possible treatment.
Jackson refused medical treatment at the scene, and was issued citations for no driver’s license and no insurance.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Department Sgt. Brian Wright.
December 21, 2025 - Four people were injured in a crash just under a half-mile south of CR 2134 on State Highway 87 South December 19, 2025.
As a result of the incident, two people involved were life-flighted by ambulatory helicopter to Tyler, and two others were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center by ambulance and private vehicle respectively.
Emergency personnel were alerted while en-route that both vehicles involved were on fire. Passers-by were quick to act, and rescued the occupants of one car from the fire while the other two were also freed from their vehicle.
Ambulances were able to transport those who were life-flighted to Ephesus Church where landing zones had been established, and the helicopters took turns landing there.
As medical personnel saw to the needs of those involved, Shelbyville and Huxley Volunteer firefighters worked diligently to extinguish the burning vehicles.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at approximately 5:45pm, a white 2026 Kia K-5 driven by a 16-year-old female driver with a teenage passenger was traveling southbound, went to pass in a no-passing-zone, and struck a black 2011 Ford F-150 pulling a 2003 utility trailer owned and operated by John Halstead, Jr, 62, of Shelbyville, who was also traveling with a 16-year-old male passenger.
Both vehicles struck head-on and came to rest on the northbound shoulder in a tree line. Passers-by pulled both females from the Kia as it erupted in flames and both vehicles caught on fire. All occupants made it clear of their vehicles. Both vehicles continued to burn until fire personnel were able to extinguish them.
The 16-year-old driver of the Kia was transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of her injuries. Her teenage passenger was life-flighted by helicopter to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Halstead was flown by helicopter to a hospital to receive treatment for his injuries as well.
The male passenger from the Ford was transported by private vehicle to get treatment for his injuries at Shelby Emergency Department.
Further details about those involved in this incident are not yet available.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted at the scene and along with fire personnel and all emergency personnel cleared the scene around 7:45pm.
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December 20, 2025 - The Boil Water Notice issued on December 18, 2025 has been rescinded effective at 1pm on December 20, 2025.
December 19, 2025 - Due to a water main break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, the City of Center PWS 2100001, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Terry Adkisson at 936-598-2941 extension 2100. If you wish to contact the TCEQ, you may call 512-239-4691.
Aviso Público Para Hervir El Agua
Debido a una rotura de tubería principal de agua, la Comisión de Texas sobre calidad ambiental (TCEQ) ha requerido nuestro sistema de agua, la Ciudad del Center de PWS 2100001, para notificar a los clientes de la necesidad de hervir el agua antes de su consumo.
Para asegurar la destrucción de todas las bacterias y otros microbios, agua para beber, cocinar y hacer hielo deben hervidos y enfriados antes de su uso. El agua debe lleva a ebullición vigorosa, balanceo y luego hervir durante dos minutos. En lugar de hervir, puede comprar agua embotellada u obtener agua de alguna otra fuente conveniente.
Cuando ya no es necesario hervir el. agua, los funcionarios del sistema de agua le notificará que el agua es segura para el consumo. De la misma manera que este aviso se emitirá instrucciones de interrumpir la ebullición.
Si usted tiene preguntas sobre este asunto, puede contactar a City of Center al extensión 936-598-2941. Si desea ponerse en contacto con la TCEQ, puede llamar a 512-239-4691.
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