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April 17, 2024 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash where the vehicle involved traveled down an embankment Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Emergency personnel from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department all responded to assist those involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a 4-door 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Anthony Ausbie, 23, of Nacogdoches was eastbound at an unsafe speed for road conditions when the vehicle hydroplaned. The Taurus crossed both westbound lanes before striking a guardrail and coming to rest at the bottom of a steep embankment.
Ausbie was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.
Ausbie was issued citations for unsafe speed and no driver’s license.
April 16, 2024 - Notice: Timpson Street is partially closed for emergency sewer line repairs under the roadway between Park Hill Lane and Margo St. This section of Timpson St. will be closed for at least the remainder of Tuesday, April 16.
Eastbound traffic is being detoured onto Margo St toward Tenaha and westbound traffic is being detoured down Nicholson toward Nacogdoches St. to proceed to Wheeler/Hurst St.
Damages could require more substantial work and this temporary closure lasting through Wednesday, April 17.
April 15, 2024 - Flooding in the Joaquin area continues to be a struggle for residents and emergency personnel with areas like Sand Isle being under water Monday, April 15, 2024.
The flooding was projected to crest Monday and has been receding, reaching 32.1 feet by 1:45am Monday according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency personnel have been out helping those in need since Judge Allison Harbison issued a disaster declaration on Wednesday, April 10.
Emergency management personnel have been working with local agencies as well as outside agencies that have come to the area to assist. Sand isle is one, but not the only community impacted with flooding as it was in 2016.
Fire departments, and law enforcement, especially game wardens have been a constant presence throughout the flooding. National guard has also been present.
Many residents were out on Sunday taking advantage of the altered waterway to catch up on fishing.
Although water levels are decreasing, many roadways remain flooded, impassable and dangerous to travelers.
Related articles:
- County Judge Issues Disaster Declaration, Urges Resident Safety
- Heavy Flooding Projected for Joaquin Area; Emergency, Local Officials Prepare
- Commissioners Work Crews Preparing for Weather Impact
- Report Flood Damage Using iSTAT Through TDEM
Swede Johnson Boat Ramp at Lovick's Landing.
Texas Game Warden Sam Anderson is seen patroling the Sabine River near the Logansport Bridge.
FM 2572, which is the road to Swede Johnson Boat ramp, was underwater and some drivers were able to make their way through the water.
County Road 3620, as many other roads near the Sabine River, was submerged as a result of the flooding.
The high water made for very low clearance at the Logansport Bridge.
April 15, 2024 - Notice is hereby given that the automatic tabulating equipment that will be used in the May 2024 Cities and Schools Elections, held on May 4, 2024, will be tested on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 9am, in the Shelby County Clerk's office in Center, to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures.
Aviso Público de Prueba de Equipos de Tabulación
Por la presente se notifica que el equipo de tabulación automática que se utilizará en las Elecciones de Ciudades y Escuelas de mayo de 2024, que se llevarán a cabo el 4 de mayo de 2024, se probará el jueves 18 de abril de 2024, a las 9am, en la oficina del Secretario del Condado de Shelby en Center, para determinar que contará con precisión los votos emitidos para todos los cargos y en todas las medidas.
April 13, 2024 - Following the flooding, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging those who may have damage to utilize the TDEM Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to submit damages incurred by your Residence or Business property.
Click here and then choose “April 8 – Ongoing Severe Weather Event” link to follow the self-explanatory prompts for reporting.
These links are also featured on the page in English and Spanish and link directly to the iSTAT reporting page for the April 8 event: English/Español
April 12, 2024 - Emergency personnel and local government representatives are constantly preparing for the coming flood. The rise in water level the community is already contending with is a potential danger for anyone Friday, April 12, 2024, as the National Weather Service currently records the Sabine River water level in Logansport to be 32.94 ft as of 4:59pm.
Jessie Griffith, Joaquin Mayor, has reported there are an additional 40 firefighters in the area that have arrived who are trained in water and swift water rescue. He says the Community Center is currently closed until further notice while the location houses the additional fire personnel.
According to Griffith there has been an outpouring of assistance from people in the community offering assistance and in helping provide food for the fire personnel from several restaurants and the local grocery store.
Griffith shared there are a lot of residents in low lying areas likely to flood who have not yet evacuated from their homes. An additional concern is for people that are “sightseeing,” and driving through areas where cones and barricades have been put in place for their safety, yet they bypass the barricades endangering themselves and those who may have to rescue them if they become trapped.
Drivers are asked to please respect any signs, or barricades that may be in place and avoid flood areas.
April 12, 2024 - With projected flooding already impacting Shelby County, Commissioners and their work crews are out combating the elements April 12, 2024.
As water rises in the Joaquin area Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, confirms County Roads 3605, 3620 and 3635 are impassable due to flooding.
More roads are likely to become affected.
Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, has confirmed he has three work crews cutting trees which fell recently due to weather on several roads in his precinct and they have been working on them for the past three days. He currently has one road that has been under water, but its water level has been receding.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, says his crews are working several areas in his precinct adding material back to the worst washouts. All roads remain open.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirms two roadways in his precinct affected by flooding. County Road 4760 is already closed due to work already ongoing and County Road 4117, which crosses into Nacogdoches County, is a roadway that will likely be impacted. Commissioner Bellmyer states the Attoyac is expected to crest Saturday or Sunday and is likely to be slow to recede.
National Weather Service Hydrologic graph flood projection.
April 11, 2024 - (Photos Courtesy Commissioner Stevie Smith) - The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of flooding which will impact Shelby County along the Sabine River in Joaquin and south of there over the coming weekend April 12 - April 15. Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, city and county officials are preparing for the impending flood.
According to NWS hydrologic data, on Tuesday the water level on the river was at around 24 feet and as of April 11 at 11am it was 29.72 feet. Projections are that the water level will reach over 35.5 feet by Monday, April 15.
NWS flood warning issued on April 10, 2024 at 10:56pm states the Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas, Louisiana Sabine River at Logansport affecting Panola, Shelby and De Soto Counties.
For the Sabine River, including Logansport major flooding is forecast.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department warns the river is now forecast to rise higher than it did in 2016. Possibly as much as two feet higher, which means areas that didn’t flood then will flood now.
Please plan accordingly, and don’t wait too late to evacuate.
This is a very dangerous situation. Sand and sandbags are available for free at the Joaquin VFD Central Station in downtown Joaquin.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.
For more hydrologic information, click here
The next statement will be issued Thursday evening at 11pm CDT.
Related article:
County Judge Issues Disaster Declaration, Urges Resident Safety
April 11, 2024 (Click here to view the Notice in PDF file) - Notice is hereby given that on April 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Tenaha Independent School District will hold a Regular Meeting at 3:30 pm in the Tenaha Independent School District Board Room, located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha Texas. 75974. The subjects to be discussed are listed on the agenda, which is attached to and made a part of this notice.
Public comment procedures related to this meeting are as follows: Those wishing to address the Board during public comment should fill out a request upon arrival at the meeting prior to 3:30 pm.
3:30pm Regular Meeting Agenda
The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on this meeting notice.
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Consider for Approval the District Quarterly Investment Reports
4. Consider for Approval the following Salary Scales for the 2024-2025 School Year: Teacher Pay Scale, Maintenance Pay Scale, Janitorial and Cafeteria Pay Scale, Aide Pay Scale Grade 1, Aide Pay Scale Grade 2, Aide Pay Scale Grade 3, and Stipend Scale
5. Public Reading of Board Member Training Hours
6. CONSENT AGENDA:
Unless removed from the Consent Agenda, the Board will take action on items identified under the Consent Agenda at one time.
a. Board Meeting Minutes-March 26, 2024
b. Authorize to Advertise for Bids for Fuel, Bread, Milk, Food, & Nonfood for the 2024-2025 School Year
c. District Travel Rates for Employees
d. 2024-2025 TEKS Certification for submission to Texas Education Agency
e. Approve moving the May 13th Regular Board meeting to Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 5:30 pm
7. Executive Session/Closed Session
a. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee including district administration, superintendent, teachers and interviews for that position.
1) Consider contracts for personnel employment
8. Consideration and Action, if any, resulting from Executive Session
9. Adjournment
Notice is hereby given that on April 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Tenaha Independent School District will hold a Regular Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Tenaha Independent School District Board Room, located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha Texas. 75974. The subjects to be discussed are listed on the agenda, which is attached to and made a part of this notice.
Public comment procedures related to this meeting are as follows: Those wishing to address the Board during public comment should fill out a request upon arrival at the meeting prior to 5:00 pm.
5pm Regular Meeting Agenda
The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on this meeting notice.
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Executive Session/Closed Session
a. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee including district administration, superintendent, teachers and interviews for that position.
4. Consideration and Action, if any, resulting from Executive Session
5. Adjournment
The portions of this meeting will be recorded and made available to the public upon request.
If during the course of the meeting covered by the notice, the Board of Trustees should determine that a closed or executive meeting or session of the Board of Trustees is required, then such closed or executive meeting or session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Title V, Subchapter D, will be held by the Board of Trustees at the date, hour and place given in this Notice, or as soon after the commencement of the meeting covered by this Notice as the Board of Trustees may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session concerning any and all purposes permitted by the Act, including, but not limited to the following sections and purposes:
Texas Government Code Section:
1. 551.071 An Executive Session will be held for the purpose of having private consultation with the Board's attorney for the purpose of discussing pending or contemplated litigation or settlement offer, or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter;
2. 551.072 Deliberation of the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person;
3. 551.072 Deliberation of a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation to the governmental body if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person;
4. 551.074 Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee;
5. 551.076 Deliberate the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel or devices;
6. 551.082 Deliberate a case involving discipline of a public school child or complaint or charge brought against an employee of the School District by another employee and the complaint or charge directly results in a need for a hearing;
7. 551.0821 Deliberate a matter regarding a student or students where personally identifiable information about students will necessarily be revealed by the deliberation;
8. 551.083 Deliberate the standards, guidelines, terms or conditions the board will follow, or instruct its representatives to follow, in a consultation with a representative of an employee group;
9. 551.084 Exclusion of a witness from a hearing.
Texas Education Code Section:
39.030 Discussion or adoption of individual assessment instruments or assessment instrument items and matters involving the security of the instruments in their preparation, administration and grading.
Should any final action, final decision, or final vote be required in the opinion of the School District with regard to any matter considered in such closed or executive meeting or session, then the final action, final decision, or final vote shall be either:
(a) In the open meeting covered by the Notice upon the reconvening of the public meeting; or
(b) At a subsequent public meeting of the School District upon notice thereof, as the School District shall determine.
CERTIFICATE AS TO POSTING OF NOTICE:
On the 11th day of April, 2024, at 9 o'clock a.m., this Notice was posted on the front door of the Tenaha ISD Administration Building located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha TX 75974.
Don Fallin, Superintendent
April 10, 2024 - (Disaster Declaration) - To Shelby County Residents:
As the Emergency Management Director and County Judge for Shelby County, I am working closely with the County Emergency Management Coordinator, Luciana Barr. I have issued a Declaration of Disaster for the storms and flooding issues currently happening within Shelby County and issued a letter to the Governor and TDEM regarding these dangerous weather events. She and I are monitoring all information as it comes in. We are working with our local and state officials to assist Shelby County Residents as this event occurs.
Extreme flooding in low-lying areas is expected. I ask everyone to be vigilant. If you live near the Sabine River, Toledo Bend Reservoir, or any body of water that you fear will flood; I urge you to voluntarily evacuate to higher ground. Be sure and take your important papers and identification, your medications and/or medical equipment, valuables, and pets.
We will have updates and more information tomorrow.
Thank you and please be safe.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge
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