March 2022

In 2019, Kaufman County voters put their support behind a bond measure designed to improve existing infrastructure countywide. Another element of those efforts will be unveiled in the coming week with the newly constructed Kaufman County Pet Adoption Center, located at 1904 US 175 in Kaufman, set to open its doors April 5 for a special grand opening/open house event.

A multiple agency effort during a high-speed chase led to the arrest of three people on March 17. According to police reports, a DPS 101 helicopter was in pursuit with the Allen Police Department and other agencies on Interstate 20 eastbound. The suspects inside the white Honda Civic were wanted for felony retail theft. The Canton Police Department was called in to set up spikes on Interstate 20 to intercept the fleeing vehicle.

The Grand Saline Police Department took to social media last week, announcing the arrest of a suspect on a pair of charges including continuous sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.

In the March 20 issue of the News regarding the March 10 Van City Council meeting, it was reported that the council took no action regarding a new ordinance concerning commercial vehicles. Later in the meeting, with further discussion, the council approved the ordinance unanimously.

A small margin of votes separated Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 incumbent Sandra Plaster and challenger Don Ashlock as the results of the March 1, 2022, Primary Election were announced.

Funeral services for James “Jim” Michael Ballard, 73, of Edgewood, were held Saturday, March 19, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Edgewood. Burial is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2022, DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. Services are under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

Patricia “Pat” Ann Frankum, 78, of Wills Point, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022, at her home. She was born on May 4, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to parents John William Ross and Virginia Presslar Ross.

Services for Dovie Marie Edwards, 86, of Grand Saline, were held 12 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Bartley Funeral Home. Interment was in Sand Flat Cemetery.

Funeral services for Cameron Lane Basham, 34, of Wills Point, were held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Burial was in White Rose Cemetery. Cameron passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

Elwood Baptist Church in Wills Point will be having their homecoming to mark 124 years since it’s organization in 1898 on April 3, 2022. “We will have a luncheon following the worship service which starts at 11:00 am.