April 2026

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Incumbent Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese and challenger Jeffrey Whitworth were in attendance April 27 to participate in a Political Forum sponsored by the Republican Club of VZC (RCVZC) at the VZC Farm Bureau Event Center in Canton.

Bridging the Gap of Van Zandt County and New Life Home Healthcare of Wills Point are at work bringing the Baker Clinic in Wills Point back to life. “Thanks to a generous gift from New Life Home Healthcare, Bridging the Gap now has the opportunity to transform this space into something our community truly needs,” said a Bridging the Gap spokesperson.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office released the following arrest report from April 21-28. Estavane, Francisco, 43, Wills Point, UNLAWFULLY CARRYING A WEAPON, EVADING ARREST/ DETENTION W/VEHICLE W/PREVIOUS CONVICTION OR SBI.

A lengthy agenda greeted the Fruitvale School Board members during their regular monthly meeting April 23. New hires were announced by the school board members which included the following: Buddy Winstead, junior high principal; Anna Perritt, HRE teacher; Dawain Dover, secondary teacher; John Knowlton, music teacher; and Courtney Houser, HRE teacher.

Early Voting for the Van Zandt County Republican Party and Democratic Party Runoff Elections scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, will begin Monday, May 18, according to the VZC Clerk’s office. There will be only one week of Early Voting which will take place from 7 a.m.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com With Early Voting beginning Monday, May 18 for the Tuesday, May 26 Van Zandt County Republican Party Runoff Elections, the Republican Club of Van Zandt County (RCVZC) hosted a Political Forum April 27 for all of the VZC runoff election candidates.

October 19, 1938 – April 17, 2026 Patricia Gail McDaniel Hackney, a creative, vibrant and giving spirit who reached out to connect with every person in her vicinity (friend or stranger), was born to Walter Lee and Esther Powers McDaniel in Abilene on October 19, 1938. Having lived a beautiful long life full of love, laughter and joy, she passed away at the age of 87 in Canton on April 17, 2026.

April 7, 1942 – April 14, 2026 Lila Janice Freeman, of Plano passed on April 14, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born on April 7, 1942, to Janie Merle and Joe Elmer Davis in Grand Saline where she grew up.

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davidb@vanzandtnews.com Early Voting for the Saturday, May 2 Wills Point ISD School Board and City of Fruitvale began Monday, April 20, and continues through Tuesday, April 28. Early Voting was not held April 21 due to the San Jacinto Day holiday before resuming April 22.