June 2022

State Highway 198 between Malakoff at its intersection with State Highway 31 and the Henderson-Kaufman county line in Mabank was officially marked in May as a Memorial Highway dedicated to Henderson County Deputy Sheriffs Tony Ogburn and Paul Habelt, who were killed May 17, 2007, in Payne Springs while responding to a domestic violence call. The bill making the designation possible was authored by State Rep. Keith Bell and sponsored by state Sen. Robert Nichols. Photos by Russell Slaton

The office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar released its latest monthly sales tax revenue last week, indicating that six out of seven local entities had posted sales tax revenue gains when comparing against the same calendar month from the previous year.

An arrest warrant was issued by a Henderson County judge with allegations that a Malakoff man called in a bomb threat to avoid a court hearing June 7. On a post from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee issued a false alarm arrest warrant June 10 for Daniel Richard Simpson, 35, of Malakoff.

Patsy Ann Mobley, 89, of Wills Point, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at her residence. Patsy was born on May 12, 1933, to the late Elsie Neely Circles and Pete Cogswell in Titus County.

A graveside service was held for Jane Shanks Mayer, 82, of Ben Wheeler, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Holly Springs Cemetery, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home with Bro. Derek Rogers officiating.

Memorial services for Priscilla Leigh Jackson, 76, of Gun Barrel City, were held Friday, June 17, 2022, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Priscilla passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. She was born on June 2, 1946, in Dallas to parents Ralph Jacob Pyle and Cora Lee Haralson Pyle.

The 2022 Van ISD Honor Banquet, held April 11 at the Hideaway Clubhouse, featured recognition of the ‘Teacher of the Year’ at each campus. Van School Board President Scott Thomas welcomed those in attendance at the Hideaway Clubhouse.

City of Van Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Director Tammy Weidman was the guest speaker June 7 during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon held downtown at The Movie House. “The Van EDC Mission Statement is as follows,” said Weidman, who was hired by the City of Van in February.

Services for Mr. Donald Wayne Pierce, 81, of Grand Saline, were held Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Bartley Funeral Home, with Bro.

NOTICE: Please observe the warning signs of red cones and yellow Caution tape around the front of the Van Zandt Newspapers building at the corner of Tyler and Buffalo Streets. Those who drove by the Van Zandt Newspapers building on Wednesday, may have wondered why six people were standing almost in the street, engaged in deep conversation.