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April 7, 2023 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a commercial motor vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 59 near Timpson, that occurred Thursday, April 6, 2023. 

The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 10:55am, a white 2021 Volvo truck tractor towing a double trailer was traveling north. It is reported that the driver was traveling at a speed which was unsafe, given the inclement weather and hydroplaned into the south ditch, where it struck two large trees.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
The driver, identified as James Williams, 44, of Katy, was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment. His passenger Joseph Carrell, 34, was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment. 

There is no further information available. 

April 6, 2023 - Tenaha Police Department was notified on March 31, 2023 of a two-vehicle crash located on U.S. Highway 59.

According to Tenaha Police Officer Jake Metcalf, a 2008 Toyota coupe driven by Brylie Hudspeth of Timpson was traveling from the U.S. Highway 59 off ramp when a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Aaron King of Tenaha was traveling from U.S. Highway 84. At that time, the Toyota made an unsafe turn from the exit ramp striking the Chevrolet in the rear passenger side.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
The pickup truck received minor damage and was driven from the crash. The Toyota received damage and was towed from the scene by wrecker. No injuries were reported to have been sustained in the crash Hudspeth was cited for unsafe turn resulting in a crash. Assisting at the crash was Tenaha Police Chief Scott Burkhalter. 

April 6, 2023 - Farmers State Bank is aware customers are receiving phone calls from 936-598-6900. This is also their 24 hour automated phone number for checking your accounts, but it does NOT call you and ask for card or other personal information.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
If you receive a call from this number, ignore it and call the bank. Thank you.

April 6, 2023 - The month of March 2023 had 8 days of rain for a total rain fall of 6.13 inches and had 2 days of freezing temperatures.

The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:

Lowest temperature - 27.5 on March 20
Hottest temperature - 85.3 on March 8
Number of days with rain - 8 days
Total rain fall for the month - 6.13 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 15.97 inches
Freezing temperatures - 2 days

03/01/2023 - Low of 67.6, High of 83.8
03/02/2023 - Low of 62.4, High of 78.8, Rain 0.86
03/03/2023 - Low of 45.7, High of 65.1, Rain 1.00
03/04/2023 - Low of 41.2, High of 73.9
03/05/2023 - Low of 43.7, High of 79.7
03/06/2023 - Low of 49.3, High of 81.3
03/07/2023 - Low of 59.5, High of 83.7
03/08/2023 - Low of 62.4, High of 85.3
03/09/2023 - Low of 61.0, High of 83.7, Rain 1.19
03/10/2023 - Low of 55.9, High of 65.8, Rain 1.43
03/11/2023 - Low of 56.1, High of 79.5
03/12/2023 - Low of 50.5, High of 69.8, Rain 0.01
03/13/2023 - Low of 44.2, High of 65.8
03/14/2023 - Low of 40.6, High of 61.0
03/15/2023 - Low of 39.2, High of 66.9
03/16/2023 - Low of 53.6, High of 70.2, Rain 1.04
03/17/2023 - Low of 42.4, High of 61.9, Rain 0.13
03/18/2023 - Low of 40.5, High of 57.6
03/19/2023 - Low of 30.0, High of 54.5
03/20/2023 - Low of 27.5, High of 58.5
03/21/2023 - Low of 49.3, High of 69.1
03/22/2023 - Low of 64.6, High of 81.9
03/23/2023 - Low of 67.6, High of 83.5
03/24/2023 - Low of 63.5, High of 76.1
03/25/2023 - Low of 50.7, High of 84.6
03/26/2023 - Low of 46.8, High of 80.1, Rain 0.47
03/27/2023 - Low of 50.7, High of 77.5
03/28/2023 - Low of 56.3, High of 74.1
03/29/2023 - Low of 53.2, High of 68.2
03/30/2023 - Low of 52.0, High of 78.3
03/31/2023 - Low of 69.4, High of 85.1

April 5, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners designated April as Child Abuse Awareness month during their April 5, 2023, meeting and appointed a new Shelby County Local Health Authority.

During Commissioners Court held April 5, 2023, a motion carried by the commissioners to designate April as Child Abuse Awareness month. A proclamation was read aloud by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison, and Denise Merriman, SCCAC Executive Director shared some statitics on cases in Shelby County. (See related article: SC Commissioners Designate April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month)

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve appointing Dr. Keith Miller as Shelby County’s local health authority. 

Dr. Singson held the position for many years, and has since retired, making it necessary for the commissioners to appoint someone else. Judge Harbison also noted Dr. Miller is the only M.D. in Shelby County.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:13am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

2. Proclamation declaring April as "Child Abuse Awareness Month"

3. Appoint Dr. Keith Miller as Shelby County's Local Health Authority.

4. Adjourn at 10:13am.

Agenda items tabled or passed during the meeting include:
1. Commissioner Pct. 4 to purchase a Skid Steer and attachments with ARPA funds

2. Change phone/internet service for Justice of Peace Pct. 1.

April 4, 2023 - Tenaha Police Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash located on U.S. Highway 84. 

According to Tenaha Police Officer Jake Metcalf, investigation determined that a 2010 Ram 1500 driven by a 17-year-old driver was westbound on Highway 84 and entered a curve at an unsafe speed causing the vehicle to exit the roadway striking a road sign and a culvert. 

The Ram came to rest in the ditch just across from the U.S. Highway 59 exit ramp and received major damage to the undercarriage along with damage to the front passenger side and the roof. 

Both the driver and a 17-year-old passenger refused medical treatment on scene. The driver was issued a citation for unsafe speed resulting in a crash. The vehicle was towed from the scene by wrecker. 

Assisting on the scene was Tenaha VFD and Trooper David Shields, Jr. 

April 3, 2023 - The Tenaha Police Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire department were both dispatched to the U.S. Highway 59 North ramp in response to a single-vehicle crash.

According to the investigation performed by Tenaha Police Officer Jake Metcalf, a 2018 Volvo semi truck tractor driven by Abdikadir Mohamud of Minnesota and hauling a 2019 Hyundai box trailer was traveling northbound on George Bowers Drive. The truck tractor entered the Highway 59 North ramp at an unsafe speed which resulted in the semi truck leaving the roadway to the left and striking a tree in the median. 

The Volvo sustained severe front damage and was towed from the scene by wrecker. 

There were no injuries reported associated with the crash.

Mohamud was issued a citation for unsafe speed and fail to drive in a single lane. 

Assisting on the crash was Tenaha VFD, Tenaha PD Chief Scott Burkhalter, Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Misty Ray.


Extrication Training

April 3, 2023 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had an exciting week as March came to a close with 3 separate calls and an extrication class held at JVFD Station 2. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.

Sunday at 12:01pm the JVFD was called to set up a landing zone at the baseball field for an Allegiance EMS patient. Per usual procedure, a hose team was deployed in the event that the incoming helicopter crashed. The LifeAirRescue helicopter arrived on scene and touched down without incident and the patient was transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter. Once the chopper was off the ground and en route to an emergency room the scene was cleared.

Wednesday morning at 6:41am a call came in regarding an elderly woman needing her blood pressure checked.

Friday evening at 8:27pm a call was received regarding a tree in the road on FM 3082. The JVFD responded to the scene but the tree had already been cleared from the roadway.


Extrication Training

The Joaquin VFD hosted an extrication class at Station 2 on Highway 7 East starting Friday evening and ending the following Sunday. Firefighters from several different departments spanning 3 different counties were in attendance to learn new techniques in extricating people involved in motor-vehicle accidents. Different ways to stabilize cars were demonstrated both with inflatable lifting bags, struts, and various forms of cribbing. Teams of firefighters were then able to utilize different hand tools and the “jaws-of-life” to cut apart the cars just as they would in the real situation. Classes such as this give firefighters the knowledge and skills to better serve their communities. The JVFD appreciates all the firefighters who were in attendance and the great instructors from MES and TEEX.

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.


Extrication Training

April 2, 2023 - Tornado Watch 111 is in effect until 1am CDT for the following locations - Texas counties included are: Angelina, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison,  Houston,  Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Wood.

March 31, 2023 - Tornado Watch 95 is in effect until 9pm CDT for the following locations - Texas counties included are:

Anderson, Angelina, Camp, Cherokee, Delta, Falls, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Limestone, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Panola, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, Wood

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