November 2021

James Larry Poston was born Aug. 20, 1946, in Dallas, to Bobbie and Virgil Poston and lived a full life that celebrated family, service, and loving Jesus.

This year’s District 12-3A race was as competitive as ever as Edgewood, Grand Saline, Prairiland, Rains, Paris Chisum, Commerce and Lone Oak battled down to the wire for a top-four finish and spot in this year’s playoffs.

Joseph “Phillip” Lee, 66, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at his home in Edgewood.

The first domino of the 2022-’24 redistricting and realignment cycle fell recently with districts across the state submitting current enrollment figures. Numbers submitted by Van Zandt County schools included: -Canton: 652 -Edgewood: 329 -Fruitvale: 115 -Grand Saline: 318.5 -Grand Saline: 318.5 -Martins Mill: 139 -Van: 746 -Wills Point: 774 According to information posted by the UIL, “Conferences 2A through 5A shall consist of a minimum of 200 schools, to the best extent possible, such that the enrollment ratio in grades 9-12 between the largest school and the smallest school in that conference is approximately 2.0.” The UIL’s online information notes that there shall be no attempt to perpetuate or avoid “old rivalries”, leaving the possibility of Wills Point being separated from county foes Canton and Van on the gridiron for a second consecutive redistricting cycle (the schools could still meet in non-district).

It was not easy, but the undefeated Van Vandals advanced to the Class 4A, Division II, Regional Semifinals with a hard-earned 35-25 Area round victory Nov. 19 over the upset-minded Sunnyvale Raiders in Rockwall.

On Sunday, Nov. 21, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper arrested a man who fled on foot after he drove the wrong way on Interstate 20 and crashed his car into an 18-wheeler, according to Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix.

Funeral services for Camila Denis Palomino Salinas, 4, of Wills Point, were held Wednesday, Nov. 24, at St. Celestine Catholic Church in Grand Saline. Burial followed at Small Cemetery. A rosary was held at Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Camila passed away on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Dallas. Camila Denis Palomino Salinas was born on Nov. 29, 2016, in Sulphur Springs, to parents Juan Salinas and Maria Palomino Salinas. She was raised in Edgewood. Camila was a healthy baby and was later diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at 13 months old. She was loved and well taken care of by her family. Camila spent time in Scottish Rite Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Dallas before her passing. Camila is survived by her parents, Juan and Maria Salinas of Wills Point; brothers, Adam Salinas, Ivan Salinas and DaMian Salinas of Wills Point; grandparents, Celina Angeles Paredes and Antonio Palomino Hernandez of Mexico and Angelina Salinas Herrera and Juan Salinas Segura of Edgewood.

Services for Lori Campbell, 61, of Grand Saline, were held Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at Bartley Funeral Home with Pastor Ronny Polley officiating.