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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Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.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 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.
December 21, 2025 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required The City of Huxley public water system (PWS) ID# 2100019 to notify all City of Huxley water customers that were without water on 12/21/2025 in the Harvey's Landing Community (CR 2481, CR 2490, CR 2496, CR 2501, Hooper Haven Rd., FM 2694 near Huxley Bay area) 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 rescind 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 Justin Merritt at (936) 368-2266 or Kevin Jacobs at (936)368-2633.
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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.
December 19, 2025 - Due to multiple line breaks on CR 4293, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Flat Fork Water Supply public water system, TX2100007, to notify all customers on CR 4293 north of CR 4356, along with CR 4360, CR 4295, and CR 4297 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 Elise Neuwirth at 936-590-6451.
December 18, 2025 - The City of Center advises a contract boring crew has damaged the primary water feed through town at about 4:15pm. City utilities are responding to make the repair this evening. A boil water notice will be issued for impacted areas.
December 18, 2025 - The Center Police Department Communications Center received a call on the non-emergency line referencing a bomb threat at the Center Wal-Mart on December 18, 2025, at approximately 7:12 a.m.
Officers with the Patrol Division responded to the scene and, as a precaution, evacuated the store. Employees and shoppers were safely identified and released from the scene. Center Police Department Command Staff arrived shortly thereafter and, out of an abundance of caution, requested assistance from a bomb squad K-9 team from Barksdale Air Force Base, as well as bomb technicians from Montgomery County and Tyler, Texas.
At this time, there have been no reported injuries, explosions, or credible threats to the public. Following a thorough precautionary response, Wal-Mart has since been reopened to the public.
The Center Police Department is continuing the investigation in cooperation with the Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no additional information is available at this time.
The Center Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and cooperation: Texas DPS Troopers, Texas Rangers, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Nacogdoches Police Department, Barksdale Air Force Base, Montgomery County Bomb Squad, Tyler Bomb Squad, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Center ISD Police Department, Center Fire Department, and Allegiance EMS.
For further updates, information will be released as it becomes available.
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Update at 12:40pm:
Center Independent School District has received the all clear from city officials, and all Center ISD campuses have officially released the secure hold that was previously in place.
At no time was there a direct threat to any Center ISD campus. The secure hold was initiated as a precautionary measure due to the proximity of an off-campus incident near three district campuses. This action was taken out of an abundance of caution and in close coordination with local authorities.
The safety and security of Center ISD students and staff remain the district’s highest priority. The district would like to extend its sincere appreciation to local law enforcement officials for their ongoing communication with district administrators and for their continued commitment to ensuring the safety of our schools and community.
Center ISD also thanks parents, staff, and community members for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during this process.
Update at 10:04am:
Parents and School Community,
We are in contact with city officials and will remain in a secure hold until we receive an all clear from them. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority. While the issue is not located on our campuses, we are acting out of an abundance of caution to remain diligent in keeping everyone safe. Classes are continuing as normal; however, all outdoor activities are suspended at this time. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.
December 18, 2025 - Center ISD initiated a secure hold at the high school, elementary, and primary campuses after receiving information regarding a reported threat at the Walmart in Center. Out of an abundance of caution, and to ensure the safety of our students and staff, all campuses were placed in a secure hold. Student and staff safety remains our top priority.
Law Enforcement staged at Roughrider Drive blocking the entrance into Walmart's parking lot.
December 18, 2025 - (Photo Album) (Update - 2:05pm): Businesses, including Walmart, impacted by the threat are back open again as of around 1pm. During the lockdown, employees were staged at Farmer's State Bank until the all-clear was given.
(Update - 11:41am): The Center Police Department confirms they received a phone call at 7:12am on the non-emergency line. The caller advised a bomb threat at the Walmart in Center and that the store needed to be evacuated.
No demands were made and the evacuation procedure began immediately. Barksdale Air Force Base and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department were both called in to provide bomb sniffing dogs and their bomb squad, and DPS has also supplied drones.
As of 11:36am, bomb sniffing dogs were still in the building and have not alerted to anything by that time. Once those dogs have completed their sweep, another set of dogs will be sent in to clarify the area is clear.
FBI and Texas Rangers are actively working to trace the origin of the call. There have been no other calls since the initial call.
A large contingent of DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department Deputies have been on scene assisting with the operation.
Driveway entrances into the location were blocked of by Center Police Department officers, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel. Center Fire Department and Allegiance Mobile Health were on standby throughout.
December 18, 2025 - (Update): Air Force personnel have arrived, as of around 10:10am, with Belgian Melanois K-9 and they have entered the store with other local law-enforcement officials.
Walmart in Center is completely locked down as of just before 8am on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Anyone within the store, including employees have been cleared out for unreported reason.
No official statements have been made at this time indicating what the circumstances are, but it appears that law-enforcement is working to keep the public safe as they work.
As of 9:28am, all entrances remain blocked until further notice.
Additional details will be updated when they are made available.
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Water Supply Receives Funds for Water System Improvements
December 17, 2025 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $2,262,970 to the Paxton Water Supply Corporation (Shelby County), consisting of $2,262,970 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The Corporation will use the assistance for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a water system improvement project.
With the assistance approved today, the Corporation will plan, acquire, design, and construct three new water well sites and install approximately 11,300 linear feet of water lines to connect the wells to the associated water treatment plants. The Corporation will install electrical service, access roads, site fencing, and an electrical generator at each well site, and develop an asset management plan.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects.
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