August 2022

East Oak Street Church of Christ, located at 508 E. Oak St.

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling a bond election in the amount of $40 million for November 8, 2022. Since May, when the district’s $72 million bond package fell just short of passing, district officials have been gathering community feedback to determine the next steps.

Vendors on the First Monday grounds had the unenviable task of checking their wares and cleaning up debris caused by storms that swept through the area Aug. 21-22. First Monday events and activities for the month of September will go on as originally scheduled. The storm system that swept through caused enough damage for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to issue a disaster declaration that included Van Zandt County.

FROM STAFF REPORTS Grand Saline Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Public Safety Director Jeremy Barker and GS city council member July Cato strongly voiced their disagreements toward one another concerning the job performance of Barker as public safety director during the council’s special called meeting Aug. 17.

A local five-year-old received her first haircut this past Sunday, and it was a little more special than the average back to school trim. Claire Cockreham of Canton, who starts kindergarten this month, had been growing out her hair since she was born with the intention to donate to Locks of Love.

DAVID BARBER An update on a number of summer projects at different campuses was presented to members of the Van School Board during its regular monthly meeting Aug. 15.

Services for Cynthia Diane “Cindy” Rains, 48, of Grand Saline, were held Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Donnie Herring officiating.

David Wayne Barnett, 32, of Canton, passed away on August 12, 2022. David worked as a carpenter, lawn service and tree trimmer; you name it, he would do it! David was an entertainer and loved to make people smile, and he will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Donna Gaile Polege, 62, of Kaufman, passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Donna was born on October 26, 1959, in Dallas, to the late Don and Gaile Brooks.