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August 28, 2023 - Leading up to the storm which hit Shelby County August 27, 2023, there have been many wildfires that have burned hundreds of acres in the county, and one night of steady rain isn’t enough to offset the lack of moisture in the ground and dryness in the area.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has reported issuing five burn ban violations today, August 28, 2023, so far. The burn ban Has Not been lifted.
These fines are $500 plus court costs. Citations are mandatory. Do Not Burn.
Shelby County Commissioners' Court is held every Wednesday morning at 9:30am in the active Shelby County Courthouse located on San Augustine Street in Center. They consider the burn ban every week and will meet again this Wednesday, August 30, 2023. If the burn ban were to be lifted, it will not happen until that time.
Anyone considering burning should realize at this time their actions will be subject to potential fines.
August 28, 2023 - The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched to Highway 59 N in reference to a massive fire on August 27, 2023, around 2:14pm.
Tenaha Police Department Officer Jake Metcalf reported to Shelby County Dispatch that the fire was growing in size and moving rapidly towards structures and requested that Joaquin VFD, Timpson VFD, Woods VFD, and Gary VFD be notified to provide water for the Tenaha VFD. It was reported that Texas Forest Service was requested at the same time. Officer Metcalf made contact with Fireman Craig Terry and they made the determination for an evacuation of five homes located on U.S. Highway 59 North at that time. The residents were evacuated immediately and were not injured. Tenaha PD Officer Jake Metcalf requested assistance from Shelby County Sheriff's office or any available agency. After speaking with Fireman Craig Terry and Fire Chief Mark Odom with the Tenaha Fire Department, they concluded it was necessary to evacuate residences in the area and also areas the fire could potentially spread to, which was County Road 4475, County Road 4505 and parts of Highway 84 located in Tenaha.
Tenaha PD, Texas DPS Troopers and Shelby County Sheriff's office worked to notify all residents to evacuate. All residents were evacuated safely and informed if they had nowhere to go that they could go to the Tenaha First Baptist church or Tenaha Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
At 6:44pm Texas Forest Service released all Fire Departments to return to their stations and allowed residents to return back to their homes. Texas Forest Service will remain monitoring hot spots and blazes.
According to the Texas Forest Service the fire was covered 108 acres, containment has reached 100%, as of 1am, August 28. No structures were lost due to this fire, but two structures were damaged including two outdoor buildings.
The City of Tenaha and the Tenaha PD express a huge thank you to Shelby County Sheriffs Office, Texas DPS, Shelby County Constables, All off duty Officers that responded, Seth Shrell w/ TDEM, Scott Burkhalter w/ Zitan Protective Services, Tenaha ISD PD, Tenaha VFD, Joaquin VFD, Timpson VFD, Shelbyville VFD, Huxley VFD, West Shelby County VFD, Center FD, Woods VFD, Gary VFD, Carthage FD, Montgomery County Fire/Rescue, Schertz Fire/ Rescue, Texas Forest Service, Georgia Forest Service, Tenaha First Baptist Church and the Tenaha Church of Christ and any business that donated food or water to the first responders.
Please be reminded that Shelby County is still under a burn ban and our vegetation is extremely dry which makes fires spread quickly and causes them to be more dangerous.
Submitted photo
August 27, 2023 - Center Fire Department responded to a woods fire located behind the Goodwill on Tenaha Street in Center August 27, 2023, at around 3:30pm.
According to the Center Fire Department, firefighters discovered when they arrived that the fire had burned all the way to the structure where Goodwill is located.
The firefighters were able to extinguish the 1/4 acre blaze before the building became involved in the fire.
August 27, 2023 - (Update): As of 6:30pm, those who evacuated their homes in the Tenaha area are now allowed to return. The Texas A&M Forest Service continues to work on the fire in the area.
Multiple fire departments and law enforcement have converged on the Tenaha area to fight what is now known as the Roost Fire August 27, 2023.
As of 4:45pm, the fire is located between US Highway 59 and US Highway 84. Air support has been providing much-needed water from above.
According to Lt. Chad Hooper, with the Shelby County Sheriffs Department, evacuations of residences on County Road 4475 and 4505 were performed.
Evacuees are being directed to Tenaha first Baptist church, if needed.
The fire is not yet contained, and is approximately 100 acres.
Law enforcement support with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Tenaha Police Department, Tenaha ISD School Police, and Constable Precinct 3, all have been assisting at the scene with traffic control.
August 26, 2023 - We at the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library are very excited to receive the 2023 Texas Book Festival Award grant of $2500. With this grant, we will be purchasing books for our Hispanic and Seniors populations and put some much-needed books into circulation. We hope that this will also increase our circulation. We are already planning ways to promote the new Spanish books and books for the Seniors in our community so be looking for opportunities to learn about the new books in the coming weeks.
Our library director, Sandra Davis, says, “We are very appreciative of the grant we have received. This will allow us to purchase more large print books and new, up-to-date books on topics that our Seniors are interested in. We have also had many requests for books in Spanish and English to help our Hispanic population advance in English as a second language. We are going to reach out to the population through the churches and schools and senior centers to promote our new books. We will also have books on display at the library as they become available.”
August 25, 2023 - Anyone that was impacted by the fire with Horses or Horse Trailers are welcome to bring them to the Rodeo Arena but must call Bobby Daw first at 936-591-4212.
Texas Forest Service and TDEM representatives are seen discussing the fire.
August 25, 2023 - 1:30pm: According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 100% contained.
12:23am: Multiple fire departments responded to the scene of the fire, as well as Texas A&M Forest Service, Shelby County Commissioners, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Constable Precinct 1, Zack Warr; Constable Precinct 2, Jamie Hagler; Constable Precinct 4, Taylor Fanguy; and Constable Precinct 5, Josh Tipton.
Texas Department of Emergency Management has been present throughout to help assist local agencies, and the Texas A&M Forest Service brought a large contingency of equipment and resources with them.
EMS has remained on scene to assist anyone in need of medical attention.
Units are working into the night to continue containing the fire and prevent any further encroachments nearby.
Update 11:28pm: According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire remains at 80 acres; however, the 75% contained reported earlier was lowered to 50% contained.
Emergency units are staged near a home that was saved from fire.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, confers with TDEM representatives.
Constables were in the area assisting those in need. Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, was assisting area residents.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department firefighters are seen above staged near a fire on CR 1024.
Shelby County Sheriff Captain D.J. Dickerson is seen meeting with Lt. Chad Hooper.
Water tankers were once again brought to an area wild fire to supply fire departments with more water.
Update 9:11pm: Shelby County Sheriff's Lt. Chad Hooper has confirmed residents are being allowed to return to their homes.
Update 9:07pm: According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 80 acres and 75% contained.
Update 8:39pm: According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 80 acres and 40% contained.
Update 7:42pm: According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 75 acres and 30% contained.
August 24, 2023 - Fire departments and law enforcement are working a wildfire along with the Texas A&M Forest Service in the area north of Jericho off of CR 1024 and 1265. Fire updates are below.
Update 6pm: According to Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Chad Hooper, mandatory evacuations are in place on CR 1024, 1005 and 1268. Providence Missionary Baptist Church is where the EMS is stationed. Neuville Baptist Church is open for evacuees at this time and is a designated safety zone. The next projected evacuation zone will be the 2000 block of FM 711, but that has not yet been designated. Texas Forest Service now indicates there are 40 acres included in the fire as of 6:02pm.
5:30pm: Portions of Cr 1265 and 1024 are under evacuation due to a current fire that is raging in that vicinity. Stay alert for updates on #ShelbyCountyToday as this situation progresses.
August 23, 2023 - The Constable Precinct 5 office investigated an alleged attempt by an individual to falsify a prescription at Bussey Drug in Timpson on August 22, 2023.
After the pharmacy received a call for a prescription for a cough syrup, and due to its abnormal nature, determined it to be bogus he contacted the Constable’s office for assistance.
According to Josh Tipton, Constable for Precinct 5, once they were made aware of the situation at the pharmacy they opened an investigation and made preparations for the potential arrival of an individual to pick up the false prescription. Once the person seeking the prescription contacted the pharmacy and informed them someone was on the way to pick it up, they alerted Constable Tipton who then requested assistance of Taylor Fanguy, Constable for Precinct 4.
Center Police Sgt. Detective Andrew Williams was in Timpson working on something unrelated with Constable Tipton at the time the call was received from the pharmacy and he also assisted. When the suspect arrived at the store, Constable Tipton was contacted once again by the pharmacy and they described the suspect.
When officers moved in on the location, they were able to apprehend the individual in the pharmacy and detain two other individuals who were waiting on the suspect in a car.
Without evidence to connect the other two individuals to the attempt at the pharmacy, they were issued tickets for drug paraphernalia and they returned to Houston.
The suspect, Penny Coleman, 51, of Houston was arrested for trying to pass a false prescription and according to the Sheriff’s Department Jail booking information was charged with fraudulent delivery of a controlled substance/prescription, felony 2.
August 23, 2023 - FM 2026 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Monday, August 22, 2023, at 2:15pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a silver 2017 Hyundai driven by Roger Ulices Ochoa Rodriguez, 23, of Joaquin was eastbound on FM 2026 while intoxicated. The Hyundai failed to drive in a single lane and exited the roadway to the right before coming back onto the roadway.
Rodriguez took faulty evasive action and exited the roadway to the right once again before striking a tree where the vehicle came to rest.
EMS personnel was on scene and examined Rodriguez, but no injuries were reported.
Rodriguez was then taken into custody and according to the Shelby County Jail booking information, Rodriguez was charged with driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor b.
The crash remains under investigation, pending DWI investigation.
Center Fire Department was on scene to assist the driver and direct traffic until the scene was clear.
Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales spoke with the commissioners about a new cell check system for the Shelby County Jail.
August 23, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners continued the burn ban during their August 16, 2023, meeting and discussed additional options to help address the situation.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner for Precinct 4, commented he has had calls because people are dumping trash on the side of roadways in the county since they are not able to burn. Bellmyer encouraged for the public to be aware all four commissioner precinct barns have dumpsters where people can take their trash during the burn ban. Bellmyer asked Chief Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Ruth Gonzales if citations were being issued, and she confirmed they are.
Bellmyer remarked on several fires previous to the meeting that were started due to people burning trash and brush. As with other commissioners, Bellmyer has placed burn ban signs in his precinct of which he stated 25 of those are in English and 10 of them are in Spanish. He reported seven of the signs have been stolen.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, stated those signs are county property and those who take them are stealing from the county. Resident are encouraged not to take the signs and to report anyone seen taking them. Bellmyer encouraged the return of the signs that were taken.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner for Precinct 1, wants anyone who is considering using the dumpsters at the county yards to be aware the dumpsters are only for acceptable items such as household trash and not prohibited items such as tires, paint, batteries, furniture, refrigerators, etc. Prohibited items could potentially cause the precinct to cease having a dumpster at all.
There was discussion about possibly staging dumpsters during the burn ban at some locations. Commissioner McSwain remarked there is a trash company in the area that would take a pickup truck load for a minimal cost, and Commissioner Bellmyer suggested multiple homes could get together and save some month that way.
A motion made by Commissioner McSwain to continue the burn ban was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer, and the motion carried.
Judge Allison Harbison implored the public not to burn and to be careful with things like cigarettes.
The commissioners considered the Sheriff’s and Constables fees, and they are as follows:
Notices:
Subpoenas - $90
Summons - $90
Writ of Attachment - $175
Writ of Garnishment - $175
Writ of Sequestration - $175
Orders of Sale - $175
Forcible Detainer - $90
Service Fees:
Small Claims Citation - $90
Justice Court Citation - $90
All Other Courts’ Citations - $90
Other Service Fees:
Injunctions - $90
Precepts - $90
Protective Order - $80
Distress Warrant - $90
Posting Written Notices - $70
Writ of Execution - $250
Writ of Restitution - $175
Commissioner McSwain moved to approve the fees as they are was seconded by Stevie Smith, Commissioner for Precinct 3, and the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed a new cell check system for the Shelby County Jail. The system they considered was Guard1 which electronically logs officer security rounds, activities, and inmate movement. It is meant to help the jail customize its electronic logs and reporting needs including inmate well-being checks, cell check observations, inmate movement, and activity logging.
The system is also meant to help the jail by way of real time reporting, updates and alerts. The platform is also ment to help generate reports from selected parameters and save commonly run reports.
John Price, Shelby County Attorney, stated the initial cost is projected to be $9,388.96 and the following year the cost will be $4,250.50.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into the contract with Guard1 for upgrading the monitoring system for the jail, Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion and it carried.
The commissioners were presented with election judges for the Republican Party and the Democrat Party and they were Barbara Walton; Carolyn Cochran; Rose Specter; Pam Sanford; Melody Griffin; L.D. Eddins; Darlene Clark; Etola Jones; Dr. Debrah Worsham; Robin Thompson; Renita Hudman; Linda Perry; Marilyn Corder; Shannon Ramsey; Tammy Lemoine; Milton Horton; Alice Fields; Richard Lundie; Janice Swindle; Jacklyn Moton; John Anson; and Debra Hippler.
Commissioner McSwain moved to approve the 2023 election judges and Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion, and it carried.
The meeting then went into an executive session at 10:25am.
The meeting returned to open session at 10:58am and there was no action taken on anything discussed in executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Continue Declaration and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning. 4. Sheriff and Constable Fees. 5. Purchase of Guard1 as a new cell check system for the County Jail. 6. Election Judges for the County Election Precincts. 7. Adjourn at 10:58am.
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