June 2023

Following a presentation by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department May 24, the VZC Commissioners Court unanimously approved the appointment of a new communications and technology administrator for the department. Lt. Joe Maddox of the VZC Sheriff’s Department was named to the new position in the sheriff’s department following a presentation by Maddox and VZC Sheriff Joe Carter to the commissioners’ court during its regular session. “I know this is not budget time but there is a need for this new position,” pointed out Carter to the commissioners’ court. “This new P-25 radio program brings our radio emergency communications for VZC from 1970s technology up to modern day technology. It is a big program with lots of working parts to it with a big budget. I want to make this system a success.

Busy summer planned at VZC Library Here it is end of May, first of June already. Yay for the graduates and school is out.

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society members and guests learned all about how to be Sherlock Holmes at their meeting on Saturday, May 27 in Canton. Tamara Hallo, renowned genealogist and instructor, showed how genealogists really are amateur detectives, becoming sleuths in the search for ancestors and family history.

A standing-room only crowd was in attendance May 29 for the annual Memorial Day program at the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial in Canton. Members of Scout Troop #378 presented the colors to open the program prior to Jeff Russell singing the National Anthem.

A budget amendment totaling $4,500 to be moved from contingency to the Van Zandt County Pct. 1 Constable fuel line item was approved in a 3-1 The approval came following presentations by VZC Pct. 1 Constable Tommy Monk and VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade.

Van ISD would like to announce that Jason Johnson will serve as the interim principal at J. E.

A 55-year-old Bayton man was killed during the early afternoon hours May 28 following a single-vehicle accident along Highway 80 just west of Fruitvale. According to information released by DPS officials, Tommy Wayne Stites was traveling west along US 80 while riding a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle at approximately 2:30 p.m.

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.

1970-2023 Billy “Bojack” Huddleston, 52, of Wills Point passed away on Thursday May 25, 2023, at his home. Billy Clarence Huddleston was born on Sept 20, 1970, in Dallas to parents, Billy Wayne Huddleston and Cletus Sue Frazier.