July 2025

When is it time to take another position or change jobs? Is it about age or tenure? More often, the answer lies in leadership, both its presence and absence. Leadership has the power to elevate an entire school district or to slowly unravel years of progress.

January 11, 1939 – May 31, 2025 Jon Mike Lewis, 86, of Canton passed away on May 31, 2025, in Richardson after battling an illness. Jon was born on January 11, 1939, in Abilene to his loving parents Charles Henry Lewis and Mamie Ruth Smartt Lewis.

September 25, 1967- June 27, 2025 Services for Mr. William Lee ‘Billy’ McDonald, Jr., 57, of Tyler, were held Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Bartley Funeral Home in Grand Saline, with Gary Martin and Brooke Molina officiating.

September 6, 1940 – June 25, 2025 Services for Earl Duane Curry, 84, of Canton, were held Monday, June 30, 2025, at Eubank Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Burns officiating. Interment was in Haven of Memories.

December 23, 1931 – June 28, 2025 Services for Jean Carroll, 93, of Grand Saline were held Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Sand Flat Baptist Church, with Bro. Steve Futch officiating.

DAVID BARBER davidb@vanzandtnews. com The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer was the primary topic presented during a special called City of Van Town Hall Meeting June 26 held downtown at The Movie House.

VAN FREEDOM BOOM

editor@terrelltribune.com A Kaufman County man accused of capital murder requested his trial be held outside of Kaufman County. Trevor McEuen, 32, is seeking a fair trial for the 2023 murder of his 35-year-old neighbor Aaron Martinez.

editor@terrelltribune.com A truck driver has been charged with five counts of manslaughter after a deadly crash on I-20 that killed six people on Saturday afternoon. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Alexis Gonzalez-Companioni fell asleep at the wheel, causing his semitruck to plow into stopped traffic on the highway, causing a chain reaction.

Photos by David Barber and Tammy Weidman .