January 2022

It was all fun and games and a little reading too at the Van Community Library. Storytime attendees enjoyed a snowball fight along with a book read by Joan Tunnell Driver last week. The library hosts Storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. The event is free for children and their guardians to attend. The library is located at 310 Chestnut Dr., Van. Courtesy photo

At the beginning of their monthly meeting Jan. 17, the Van School Board heard from three audience speakers on different topics.

I have a confession to make. I’m still trying to put away our outdoor Christmas décor. It seems that every time I get started, it either rains, or another cold front blows through. Weather in our Lone Star State is always unpredictable, but this time I’m going to wear a jacket and tape an umbrella to my back and do it for sure.

On Jan. 18, the Safe Outdoors Dog Act went into effect in the state of Texas. According to the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), the Safe Outdoors Dog Act is a law governing the restraint of outdoor dogs by:

For those who don’t keep up with the news, recently in north Texas, there have been eight school superintendents who have announced they are quitting or retiring immediately or at the end of the school year. According to news outlets, most of the separations were self-initiated and without questions of malfeasance related to the job or the law. The number of exits in a threemonth window is much higher than typical superintendent attrition statistics.

Memorial services for Freddy Lee Conner, 76, of Wills Point, are scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

Courtney Louise Jonte passed away Jan. 14, 2022, at her home.

Jan. 25: The Van Zandt County Republican Club recently announced that they will be hosting a Candidate Debate Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the Civic Center in Canton. All Republican candidates running for VZC office or state office on the upcoming Tuesday, March 1 Texas Primary Election ballot are being invited to participate. Doors will open at 5 p.m. followed by the Candidate Debate at 6:30 p.m., according to Doc Collins of the VZC Republican Club. The public is invited to attend. More information about the event will be released at a later date.

Workers installed a new cooling tower on the south lawn of the Van Zandt County Courthouse Jan. 14 in downtown Canton. Tyler Street was closed to all vehicles between Buffalo Street and Capitol Street during the installation. Photo by David Barber

Hope Pregnancy Center, a pro-life, non-profit organization is hosting a community open house in honor of Sanctity of Human Life and celebration of its expansion. The event will be at Hope’s facility on Sunday, Jan. 30 from 1 to 4 pm at 885 E. State Highway 243 in Canton.