January 2025

Correspondent In December 2024, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW 12219, Canton, honored the winners of the Voice of Democracy Essay scholarship competition. The competition began in 1947 for high school students.

The Canton Eagles varsity boys’ basketball team split two district matches as they defeated Kemp on the road Jan. 7 before falling at home to Athens Jan.

The Canton Eaglettes extended their home win streak with a 52-28 victory over the Brownsboro Bearettes Jan. 14 marking their fourth consecutive win against Brownsboro.

Brent A. Money of Greenville was sworn in as Representative of Texas House District 2 on Tuesday, Jan.

Grand Saline Friends of the Library Secretary The Grand Saline Friends of the Library celebrated one of their more successful years in 2024 with a variety of projects completed. Following the organization’s annual membership meeting last January, a successful membership drive commenced with dues and donations raised to support projects for 2024.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office assisted in a multi-agency pursuit of a stolen car Jan. 14.

The Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) has announced that starting Friday, Jan. 17, the FM 17 bridge over Interstate 20 in Van Zandt County will close as crews begin tearing down the old bridge.

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M.W. ‘Jack’ Gilbert Jr, a long-time resident of Edgewood, passed away at his home on December 31, 2024. Visitation was held Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Funeral services for Jack were held Friday, January 10, 2025, at Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church in Edgewood. Burial was held at Small Cemetery directly following. Jack Gilbert was born on August 9, 1925, in Wills Point to parents, Mabel Wyrick Gilbert, Sr. and Rutha Clementine Cox Gilbert. He was raised in the Board Community near Wills Point and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1942. Jack attended the University of North Texas to study Education and was a star in track and field earning many medals and racing in national meets. Since he was 4F, he took a break from classes in 1943 to work in an airplane factory to support the war effort. He graduated in 1947 from North Texas with a degree in education.