April 2026

June 19, 1937 – April 6, 2026 Bettie Walker Lisby Smith, 88, of Edgewood passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, April 6, 2026. Bettie Ann Walker was born on June 19, 1937, in Tyler, Texas, to her parents, John Reagan Walker and Era Lee Walker.

July 12, 1943 – April 1, 2026 Graveside services for Phyllis Howland, 82, of Rockwall were held Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pavillion at McLendon-Chisholm Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point.

Representatives from McDonald’s were joined by members of the Van City Council, along with board members from the Van Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Van Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board and special guests in breaking ground on the new McDonald’s location April 3. The expected date of completion for the new fast-food restaurant located on FM 314 next to Taco Bell near Interstate 20 is scheduled to be sometime between mid-July and the first of August. Story on 2A.

Law enforcement from adjoining Kaufman and Van Zandt counties teamed with Gun Barrel City police April 4 to halt what authorities allege was a stolen 18-wheeler reported by dispatchers to have its engine running, with its driver fleeing northward out of Henderson County, GBC police says.

Candidates in all four upcoming Republican Party Runoff Elections in Van Zandt County are scheduled to participate in a Political Forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 27, at the VZC Farm Bureau Event Center located at 220 Burnett Trail in Canton.

Van Zandt County track and field athletes representing Wills Point, Canton, Edgewood, and Van had their hands full last week, taking on a stacked field of top competitors from across the area while also racing, jumping and pole vaulting in relentless winds at the Bluebird Relays April 2 in Wills Point.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Charges against Van Zandt County Pct. 1 Commissioner Mitch Curtis have been dismissed, according to Kaufman County Chief Prosecutor Hillary Heisel, who was serving as the Special Prosecutor in the case.

editor@terrelltribune.com A man was shot and killed in the Breezy Hill Park area of Terrell on Easter Sunday. The Terrell Police Department responded to the area of Breezy Hill Park, located in the 300 block of New Hope Street, on Sunday, April 5 in reference to reports of shots fired according to a press release from Terrell PD.

editor@terrelltribume.com One suspect remains at large after a shooting killed one person and injured another on Thursday, March 26. Kaufman County Dispatch received a report of a shooting in the area of County Road 103 in Kaufman County on Thursday around 10 p.m.