June 2026

‘A Celebration of Freedom: East Texas Heroes’ honoring Veterans, First Responders, and community heroes will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 on the First Monday Grounds (Pavilions 4000, 4500, and 6500) in Canton.

For the sixth year in a row, Canton students Grayson and Alice will be in the parking lot in front of Shoe Sensations located at 301 State Highway 243 in Canton collecting bottled water, Gatorade, and individually wrapped snacks for the local volunteer fire departments of Van Zandt County.

With a theme of ‘Books Are Only the Beginning,’ the Grand Saline Public Library has announced their regular events and activities. Books and Ballet, dance and storytime, will take place every Wednesday at 11 a.m.

There’s something very special about river fishing. I grew up a few miles from the Red River in Red River County and have fond memories of bank fishing along the river.

Huge shoutout to Edgewood Anglers and recent graduates Tyner Jistel and Terry Thompson. Tyner and Terry have fished with the Grand Saline High School Bass Anglers throughout their four years of high school, and they finished that chapter in a big way at the THSBA State Championship on Lake Texoma.

Morton Salt in Grand Saline is offering a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the Morton Salt mine. The raffle drawing is sponsored by the Grand Saline Chamber of Commerce and the Morton Salt Company.

The Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension Office in Van Zandt County has announced that there will be a ‘Calling All Caregivers’ car seat check event in both Wills Point and Grand Saline later this month. “Join us for a no-cost, no judgement, car seat check for all children from soon to be born up to 12 years old,” said an event spokesperson.

Grand Saline will be having a ‘USA 250th Red, White & Blue Family Festival’ event from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

The Wills Point Police Department will once again roll out the red carpet to members of the local community during the week ahead, hosting their signature Back the Blue outreach event for the 10th consecutive year on June 12-13.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com ‘Are Newspapers Still Relevant?’ was the topic of a presentation made by three members of the Van Zandt Newspapers L.L.C. team June 2 during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon.