June 2024

davidb@vanzandtnews.com After visiting Mineola and Athens earlier in the day, Republican United States District 5 Congressman Lance Gooden closed out his Town Hall Meeting tour in his district June 6 with an appearance in Canton.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com For the second time, the State Comptroller’s Office recognized the City of Van with a ‘Transparency Star Award.’ After receiving a ‘Transparency Star’ award from the state in the category of ‘Traditional Finances,’ the City of Van received another ‘Transparency Star’ award, this time in the area of ‘Open Government and Compliance.’ Van is the first city inVan Zandt County to receive ‘Transparency Star’ recognition from the State Comptroller’s Office. “The City of Van has worked tirelessly to be the best we can be,” pointed out Van Mayor Tammy Huff.

1935 – 2024 Jimmy Dowell Shields, 88, of Canton went home to the Lord on June 2, 2024. A funeral service was held on June 8, 2024, at Eubank Funeral Home with Bro.

Republican United States District 5 Congressman Lance Gooden welcomed those in attendance for a Town Hall Meeting June 6 at the Van Zandt County Farm Bureau Event Center in Canton. Story on 3A.

The SPCA of Texas, through generous funding from an anonymous donor, is offering $5,000 as a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any individual(s) who has perpetrated the animal cruelty crime of abandoning 10 newborn puppies at a car wash in Van.

A month-long emphasis on promoting shopping in Van that involves the awarding of cash prizes was highlighted June 11 during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon downtown at The Movie House.

At the beginning of the Van Zandt Commissioners Court meeting June 12, Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese shared information regarding service arrangements for VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. who was killed in an accident on FM 279 near Edom June 3.

1932 – 2024 James Columbus Presswood was born on July 10, 1932, in Grand Saline and died on June 3, 2024, in Grand Saline. He graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1950 and attended Tyler Junior College as a member of the band.

1954 - 2024 Donna Renae Seale, 69, of Edgewood passed away peacefully at her home in Yantis on Friday, June 7, 2024. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Edgewood.

1943 - 2024 Vernon Alton Wentz, 80, of Gun Barrel City, passed away on June 6, 2024 in Tyler. Arrangements were made under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home..