May 2023

According to the Van Zandt County Clerk’s office, the proposition on the ballot in a special called election May 6 for Van Zandt County Emergency Services District (ESD) #3 was defeated in a 147122 vote.

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Bright Star Baptist Church of Wills Point is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater called “Burritos and Banditos” on Saturday, May 20. The play will begin at 6 p.m.

With news breaking earlier this week that Republican District 2 State Representative Bryan Slaton of Royse City had resigned from office following an investigation into multiple misconduct allegations, the first challenger for now vacant seat has stepped forward.

The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin D the body absorbs while outside can have a positive effect on blood cells and the immune system.

DAVID BARBER davidb@vanzandtnews.com Prior to a unanimous 147-0 vote by the Texas House of Representatives to expel him from office May 9, Republican District 2 State Representative Bryan Slaton of Royse City resigned May 8 after the House General Investigating Committee, in a report released May 6, found that he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate in addition to other charges of misconduct. The House committee recommended expulsion for Slaton in the committee’s 16-page report.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com Bond measures have been far from a sure thing across Van Zandt County over the past seven years with all five measures brought before voters, four separate efforts from Wills Point ISD and one from Martins Mill ISD, all coming up short. After a multi-year behind the scenes effort to gauge both its short and longterm needs, Edgewood ISD took its turn in the spotlight during the recently concluded 2023 election cycle by putting forth a proposed $39 million bond measure before voters that would drastically reshape the district.

The Van Zandt County Republican Club hosted a special forum at the Canton Civic Center May 9 to discuss the recent rise in property tax valuations. The event, which was originally slated to be held at the Canton Farm Bureau, drew close to 1,000 attendees. Among those in attendance to discuss the rise were featured State Senator Bob Hall, Van Zandt County Chief Appraiser/Tax Administrator Emily Reeves, Grassroots America We the People Government Watchdog Committee Chairman Tom Fabry, Hunt County Chief Appraiser Brent South and realtors Tiffany Koffel and Christy Beckham.

For the most part, incumbent candidates on the May 6 ballot in the city and school elections performed well throughout Van Zandt County. Another major result from the elections came in Edgewood ISD where a $39 million school bond issue received strong support from voters as it passed by almost 200 votes, 500-303.

1967-2023 Services for Timothy Shawn Calvert, 55, of Canton were held Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Wilson-Bartley Funeral Home in Alba. Interment was at Salem Cemetery, Alba.