June 2023

The East Mountain Bluegrass Group will be performing at the New Horizons Assembly of God on Sunday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m. New Horizons Assembly of God is located at 200 North Houston Street (State Highway 80) in Grand Saline.

What began as an idea from a church member earlier this year has turned into a growing outreach ministry at the Van Church of Christ. An old church building that had not been in use for some time is now a receiving area for donated clothes for all ages, adults and children, in the community with the help of a number of church volunteers.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Texas State Comptroller’s Office delivered its latest monthly sales tax revenue report to local cities June 7, indicating that all but one had seen gains when comparing against collection totals against the same month from the previous year. The City of Canton would prove to be the outlier as collections dipped from $446,665.64 in June 2022 down to $425,795.76 in June 2023.

East Texas residents were on high alert over the past week, keeping their eyes to the skies after multiple rounds of violent weather struck. Damage was widely reported across Van Zandt County with downed trees and power lines and hail marred roofs among the most common reported problems immediately in the storm’s wake.

DAVID BARBER davidb@vanzandtnews.com After 18 years of service, trustee Mark McClanahan announced his resignation from the Van School Board at the beginning of the board’s regular monthly meeting June 19. Board members Shannon Johnson and Brian Horton were not in attendance.

•Names will not be withheld. •Letters will be edited for grammar, space and legal concerns.

The University Interscholastic League’s Lone Star Cup is awarded annually to six high schools, one in each of the six UIL classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A). The award honors the best overall athletic and academic programs in Texas based on their team performance in district and state championships.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today announced that no-cost meal sites will open across Texas when schools close for summer. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the Summer Meal Programs in Texas and partners with nonprofit organizations to provide these meals for children 18 and younger and enrolled students with disabilities up to age 21 in low-income areas.

Blood donors are lifesavers for local patients who need transfusions. This includes children fighting cancer, mothers going through difficult childbirths, family members who require surgery, and grandparents with health issues, among many others in need.

1946-2023 A visitation for Ann Rogers will be held on June 27 at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m.