June 2025

Colton Lehberg of Van named to Dean’s List

Body
Colton Lehberg, a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Grove City College from Van, has been named to the Dean’s List with High Distinction for the Fall 2024 semester. Students eligible for the Dean’s List have a GPA of 3.40 to 3.59; for the Dean’s List with Distinction a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84 and for the Dean’s List with High Distinction a GPA of 3.85 to 4.0.

Cheyenne Price of GS earns Dean’s List Honors

Body
Cheyenne Price of Grand Saline was one of 1,053 students who earned a spot on Shenandoah University’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time in baccalaureate degree programs and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Retiring employee honored by Commissioners

Body
davidb@vanzandtnews.com Retiring Van Zandt County Veterans Service Officer Harry Fontenot was recognized for his 15 years of service by the VZC Commissioners Court June 4 during its regular meeting. “We want to honor Harry Fontenot who retired at the end of the May,” said VZC Judge Andy Reese.
Retiring Van Zandt County Veterans Service Officer Harry Fontenot (holding plaque) stood on the front steps of the VZC Courthouse June 4 with his wife, Tonya, and well-wishers following the regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court. Fontenot was honored by the commissioners’ court for his 15 years of service to VZC. Photo by Faith Caughron

Hope Center Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser

Body
Warm weather greeted those in attendance June 7 during the Hope Center Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser on the parking lots of First Baptist Church in Canton. The community-wide fundraiser featured First Responders, a helicopter, plus farm equipment. A bounce house and face painting were among other items on display. Food trucks from several area businesses were also on hand. The event was held to raise funds for Hope Center’s programs as well as raise awareness of all the benefits that they provide. Additional photos on 9A.
Hope Center Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser

BBB identity and information theft reports rising

Body
More than 16,600 reports of identity and information theft have been submitted to the BBB Scam TrackerSM, with monetary losses continuing to rise, according to a new study by the Better Business Bureau’s International Investigations Initiative.

State qualifiers, retiring employees recognized in Van

Body
It was a special night of recognitions during the regular monthly meeting of the Van School Board May 27 as a number of Van High School State Qualifiers as well as Van ISD retiring employees were honored.
The Van ISD Education Foundation presented a donation check to Van ISD totaling $122,121.56. The check presentation was made May 27 during the regular monthly meeting of the Van School Board. Presenting the donation check were Van ISD Education Foundation Executive Director Annie Byrd (middle) and Foundation Vice-President Stephanie Harris. Accepting the donation check was Van ISD Superintendent Don Dunn. Photo by David Barber

Storm clouds arrive during First Monday Weekend

Body
A lot of rain accompanied by high winds arrived in Van Zandt County late Sunday morning, June 1, including the First Monday Trades Day area in Canton. No injuries were reported as numerous trees fell to the ground along with a number of power outages occuring. Weather forecasts for VZC indicated that several days of potential storms may be in play for the foreseeable future.
Photo by Faith Caughron

‘VZC by the Numbers’ to be presented during Town Hall Meetings

Body
In a press release June 2, Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese discussed the topic that will be presented during four Town Hall Meetings throughout the month of June. “The commissioners’ court and I have scheduled four Town Hall Meetings for the month of June,” said Reese.

June Jamboree promotion continuing in Van

Body
The June Jamboree promotion in the City of Van is well underway as an update on the progress of the program was presented during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon held June 3 downtown at The Movie House.
City of Van Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Executive Director Tammy Weidman (middle) presented an update on the city’s June Jamboree promotion during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon June 3 held downtown at The Movie House. Also shown were chamber board of directors member Lisa Mays Gonzalez (left) and Van City Council member Samantha Smith. Photo by David Barber

Fugitive captured in VZC by KCSO

Body
news@kaufmanherald.com Capital murder fugitive Trevor McEuen was taken into custody in Van Zandt County following the execution of a coordinated search warrant by the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, in the early morning hours of Monday, June 2.