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August 21, 2023 - The November 7, 2023 Constitutional Amendment Election is fast approaching. If you are registered to vote and would like to vote absentee, please call our office at 936-234-2147 to request an application for ballot by mail.
There are five reasons one can vote absentee, as follows:
1) 65 years of age or older
2) Disability (as defined in Texas Election Code 82.002a, instructions on back of application)
3) Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
4) Expected absence from the county
5) Confined in jail or involuntary civil commitment
After you call and make your request, we will mail the application to you. Once you complete it, you can mail it back to us or drop it by the County Clerk’s office. NOTE: if you and your spouse both want an application, we have to speak with BOTH of you. You are not able to request an application for someone else.
Please do not hesitate to call us for any questions or concerns!
Nancy Adams
Shelby County Elections Administrator
Grass fire near the intersection of County Road 3267 and County Road 3193.
August 21, 2023 - Over the week of August 13th through August 19th, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had a variety of calls including medical, fire, and automotive accidents. Here’s a summary of a few of the more notable events.
Monday evening at 7:23pm a call was received to assist Tenaha VFD with a house collapse with a person potentially inside. Once on scene, it was discovered that the house had collapsed a few days prior to the call and did have someone inside at the time. Joaquin and Tenaha VFDs were able to lift debris off of the deceased collapse victim and recover their body for funeral home personnel.
Friday morning at 9:53am a call came in for a 2-vehicle crash on FM 699. Upon arriving on scene, units found that the driver of a Ram dually with a trailer had collided with the back of a dump truck. Both the Ram driver and the dump truck driver were unharmed in the crash. The Joaquin VFD provided traffic control until both vehicles could be removed from the roadway.
Friday afternoon at 1:03pm a page was received in regards to a rapidly moving grass fire near the intersection of County Road 3267 and County Road 3193. The Joaquin VFD responded with brush trucks and an engine for extra water. After about an hour the fire was extinguished and the scene was cleared.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
August 21, 2023 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA at 4:50am Monday, August 21, 2023 extended the Excessive Heat Warning until 9am Tuesday.
Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to or exceeding 110 degrees are expected across portions of south central and southwest Arkansas; north central and northwest Louisiana; southeast Oklahoma; and east and northeast Texas until 9am CDT Tuesday.
August 20, 2023 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued at 11:10am Sunday, August 20, 2023 an Excessive Heat Warning until 9pm Monday.
Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 115 degrees are expected across some locations this weekend for portions of south central and southwest Arkansas; north central and northwest Louisiana; southeast Oklahoma; and east and northeast Texas.
Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
Provide ample shade and water for pets and outside animals: Any time your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don't obstruct air flow.
Pictured above is a home that was lost during the fire.
August 21, 2023 - As of 12-midnight, the fire is reported to be 75% contained.
August 20, 2023 - As of 9pm 50% of the area on fire is reported to be contained.
Fire personnel with the Texas Forest Service, assisted by state, federal, out of state and local fire departments are working to contain a 500-acre forest fire in Shelby County allegedly started by someone burning trash.
The staging area has been established at Spann’s Chapel Missionary Baptist church.
According to Sean Dugan with the Texas A&M Forest Service, the 500 acre fire is 1% contained as of 6:24pm, and there are multiple aircraft involved as well.
There are multiple evacuations in place for County Roads 1021, 1022, 1015 and 1026. Dugan states there were one male, two females and a child who were initially reported missing, but have since been located. They were transported by EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
According to Dugan, one structure has been lost. Crews are continuing to provide structural protection and stop the fire.
The public is encouraged to continue to be careful and pay attention for any additional evacuations in the area.
County commissioners and public officials are also on scene assisting where they can, while Texas Department of Public Safety is also involved.
Several of the commissioners provided fuel to help the fire trucks re-fuel on site. Sandhill Foundation also provided tanker trucks of water to help the fire trucks refill.
Firefighters from several states also participated in fighting the 500-acre blaze. Firefighters with the Georgia Forestry Commission are pictured above.
August 19, 2023 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports that on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at approximately 10:20PM, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a structure that was on fire, being a residence located at 1673 FM 2140 in Center.
Center Fire and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched and responded along with Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies. It was discovered that there were two occupants within the residence at the time of the fire, in which both occupants perished in the fire. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to the scene and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was also requested to respond to assist in the investigation.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Donna Hughes performed an inquest and an autopsy for the decedents were ordered. Both decedents were transported to Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy.
The decedents were identified as a Joe Hughes, 62, of Center, and a Kathleen Green, 71, of Center.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Related article:
August 19, 2023 - Center Fire Department responded to a trash fire on CR 3736 at 2:30pm on August 19, 2023.
The fire was called in by someone who saw the smoke from the loop and tracked down its origin before calling it in to fire personnel.
When firefighters arrived at the scene of the fire, the resident was not there, and the fire had traveled across the roadway to a neighboring property.
The firefighters were able to prevent spread of the fire to no more than one acre.
The Sheriff’s Department was seeking for the responsible party to issue a citation for violating the burn ban.
The fire department personnel returned to the station at around 4:30pm.
August 19, 2023 - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department, Center Fire Department and San Augustine VFD responded to a house fire in the 500 block of CR 1275 Friday, August 18, 2023, at around 10:17pm.
When fire personnel arrived at the scene the house was fully involved in fire and it appeared additional debris around the house had also burned. Surrounding trees and brush were also on fire.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the house and surrounding area and were able to prevent further expansion of the blaze.
The fire departments returned to the station at 12:23am.
A cause for the fire was unknown.
Texas Forest Service aslo assisted with the fire.
August 18, 2023 - The Texas A&M Forest Service reports responding to a total of 11 wildfires during the months of July and August burning a total of 135 acres as of August 18, 2023. The Wildland Fire Preparedness Level is currently at Level 4 with Level 5 being the highest level.
Sunday, August 13th fire off of US 96 South and CR 1021 burned 22 acres.
July - 6 fires burning 89.33 acres
7/15/2023 - .33 acres in the Aiken Community off of SH 7 and CR 1211
7/20/2023 - 1.60 acres off of SH 7 West and Private Road 117
7/23/2023 - 12 acres off of SH 7 near the Grigsby Community near CR 1240
7/23/2023 - 3.10 acres off of Loop 500 and CR 2050
7/25/2023 - 50 acres off of SH 7 near the Grigsby Community near CR 1245
7/28/2023 - 22.30 acres off US 96 North before Flatfork Creek near CR 4293
Forest Service brings in heavy equipment on August 16th to Timpson fire off of N 4th Street in town which involved 4 acres.
August - 5 fires burning 45.75 acres
8/1/2023 - .75 acres in Timpson/Tenaha off of FM 2026 near CR 4263 and 4243
8/1/2023 - 3 acres in Waterman community off of CR 1546
8/5/2023 - 5 acres in Jackson community off of FM 3082
8/13/2023 - 33 acres off of US 96 South and CR 1021
8/16/2023 - 4 acres in Timpson off of N 4th Street in town
Observed energy release component (ERC) values are now above the critical 90th percentile in 11 o the 14 predictive services areas (PSAs). Current ERC forecast indicate eight PSAs will exceed the 97th percentile ERC over the next 7 days. Shelby County is located in the Southeast Texas PSA which is the first to reach an ERC trend of greater than 97th percentile. The Southeast Texas PSA ERC is forecast to set a 16 year, all-time high this week with the onset of accelerated drying. Counties in the Southeast Texas PSA area are Shelby, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Sabine, Angelina, Polk, Tyler, Jasper, Newton, Liberty, and Hardin.
Timpson VFD work with the Forest Service to contain August 16 wildfire.
Extreme heat will continue to promote an efficient burning environment Thursday and Friday as the upper level ridge of high pressure becomes the dominant weather feature.
Ways to help prevent fires:
- Park in designated spaces and avoid driving over and/or parking on dry grass. The heat from a vehicle can easily ignite the grass.
- When using a cooking fire or campfire, never leave it unattended. Always make sure it is completely out by drowning it with water, stirring it and feeling to ensure it is out cold before leaving.
- When pulling a trailer, ensure the chains are properly connected and do not drag on the road as this can create sparks.
- If you witness suspicious behavior or signs of arson, immediately call the local authorities.
Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
For more information about wildfires and how to prepare for them, visit online https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/default.aspx.
Timpson fireman, "Mr. Frank" Chimney, works to extinguish August 16th wildfire in town.
August 17, 2023 - The Center Fire Department responded to two car fires recently in Center.
The first fire took places at Tyson Foods Tuesday, August 15, at 9:05pm just outside the guard shack just off Industrial Ave. When fire personnel arrived at the scene, a white 2012 Volkswagen passenger car was fully involved. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent involvement of additional vehicles and structures nearby.
Fire appeared to have originated within the interior of the vehicle.
Fire personnel returned to the station at 9:50pm. The Center Police Department was also on scene.
The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a car fire at 8:49pm on the Center square when it was reported a vehicle was on fire in front of the old records building across from All Hours Fitness.
When firefighters arrived, a 2014 Ford Mustang was fully involved in the interior passenger compartment and Center Police Officers assisted in helping to extinguish the blaze.
Once the fire was out, fire personnel continued their investigation to try and determine the origin of the fire.
A Toyota Sienna parked directly next to the Mustang received minor damage from the fire.
The fire personnel returned to the station at 9:32pm.
Voluntary Conservation Notice Effective Thursday, August 17 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT
August 17, 2023 – The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is echoing a notice from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) asking Texans to voluntarily reduce electricity use, if safe to do so, due to extreme temperatures, forecasted record demand and lower reserves due to low wind-power generation. The Voluntary Conservation Notice is in effect from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT today, Thursday, August 17.
ERCOT is not experiencing emergency conditions at this time. Voluntary conservation is a widely used industry tool that can help lower demand during a specific period of time, typically late afternoon and evening.
Today’s Voluntary Conservation Notice is part of ERCOT’s Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS), which alerts the public of grid conditions. Last week, ERCOT extended a Weather Watch through August 18 due to forecasted higher temperatures, higher demand, and the potential for lower reserves.
ERCOT is requesting all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
ERCOT and the PUCT are asking Texans to take simple power conservation steps to reduce demand on the grid. The PUCT’s Power to Save website has tips for reducing electricity use in homes and businesses and other energy saving tips are available at TXANS (ercot.com).
If a Texas consumer is experiencing an outage, it is local in nature and not related to overall grid reliability. Customers should check with their local electric provider for more information. If a consumer needs further assistance, they can contact the PUCT’s Customer Protection Division by calling 1-888-782-8477 or emailing customer@puc.texas.gov.
ERCOT will continue to use all tools available to manage the grid reliably, including using reserve power, calling upon reductions by large electric customers that have volunteered to lower their energy use, and bringing more generation online sooner.
On August 10, ERCOT set a new all-time unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW. In 2022, the Aug. peak demand was 78,365 MW. This summer, ERCOT has set 10 new all-time peak demand records. Last summer, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records.
About the Public Utility Commission
Our mission is to serve Texans by regulating the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation, and offering customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints. Since its founding in 1975, the Commission has a long and proud history of service to Texas, protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality infrastructure. To learn more, please visit https://www.puc.texas.gov.
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