October 2021

Leon Black, 89, Austin – “Coach Black” to the many who knew and loved him – spent a lifetime built around three key pillars: faith, family and friendships. He went on to be with his Savior on Oct. 12, 2021, comfortably in his home surrounded by family.

A celebration of life for Lucy Harmon Baker, 82, of Richardson, is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Hiett’s Lybrand Funeral Home in Wills Point.

Ben Wheeler will be the place to be as the Hog Festival arrives Oct. 22-23 in Van Zandt County.

An Edgewood ISD school bus on its way to pick up students prior to the start of the school day caught fire Oct. 14. According to information posted by Nick Gibbons of The County Eagle, “The driver of an Edgewood school bus traveling down FM 859 was turning onto County Road 3119 when he heard a loud pop. He immediately smelled smoke and saw flames and got out of the bus.” The Edgewood Fire Department responded to the blaze where they found the bus fully engulfed. EISD Superintendent Kristin Prater released a statement shortly after the incident stating, “This morning, an empty bus, on the way to pick up students, caught fire. The bus did completely burn. Again, to reiterate, no students had been picked up yet. The bus driver is safe and no one was harmed this morning during the early morning bus fire. The bus driver was able to complete the route on another bus. Please be assured that Edgewood ISD will be obtaining assistance in determining the cause of the fire.” The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of press time. Photo by Nick Gibbons

Leon Black, who was a star basketball player at Martins Mill High School, as well as a successful high school and college basketball coach, died Oct. 12 at his home in Austin at the age of 89.

Two days of art, food and music attracted a record number of visitors to the Edom Art Festival held Oct. 9-10 in downtown Edom. An art vendor shared her pottery experience with a group of children during the event, teaching the young students the basics of making pottery. Photo by Britne Hammons

The number of newly confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases has stayed below 200 for the second consecutive 7-day reporting period according to the Northeast Texas Public Health District. During the Oct.

Van’s quest for a second consecutive District 14-4A title moved on without much resistance last week as the Lady Vandals notched wins against both state-ranked Brownsboro and Athens to run their record to 4-0 with six matches left to play.