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Sweet Holiday Cheese Ball

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2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese at room temp 1 small can crushed pineapple, well drained ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped ½ tsp almond or vanilla extract ½ cup crushed almonds or pecans Mix all ingredients together except the nuts and form into a ball. Roll ball in nuts and chill until firm, several hours or overnight.

First Day Hike event set at Lake Tawakoni

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Lake Tawakoni State Park will host its annual First Day Hike event from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Organizers stated, “Start your new year off right with a self-guided hike at Lake Tawakoni State Park! Set your intentions for the new year with a mindful hike or just enjoy the first day of 2022 with a peaceful walk. Be sure to stop by the park headquarters afterward (open until 4:30 p.m.) to claim your first day hike sticker!” The event is free with park entry ($5 per person aged 13 and up).

VZC Vets place wreaths in remembrance

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National Wreaths Across America Day was held Dec. 18 at 3,136 participating locations across the country. The nation’s heroes were remembered as each name was said aloud and honored as over 525 truckloads of wreaths were delivered - representing 390 different carriers - and over two million volunteers, a third of whom were children, helped place more than 2.4 million veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our fallen across the country.
VZC Veterans placed wreaths at gravesites during National Wreaths Across America Day. Photo by Cheyanne Pennington

Edgewood High School student revamps sign

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Edgewood High School students, in partnership with the Edgewood Development Corporation, helped The Donut Palace in Edgewood update their business sign. Wesley Hartman, a senior in advanced graphic design at Edgewood High School, worked with Mr.
From left, EDC Board member Charlie Prater, EISD Superintendent Kristin Prater, Edgewood High School Senior Wesley Hartman and The Donut Palace business owners Vatanak Kong and Ly Kim. Courtesy photo

CHAMPIONS

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The Martins Mill High School Robotics Team has done it again, bringing home a slew of awards and accolades from UIL competition. The team brought home the following titles: UIL State Game Chamipion, UIL State Notebook Champion, UIL second runner up BEST Award, IGUS Top Gun Award (a high score by Ty Gandy and Ty Latham) and the Lockheed Martin Most Elegant Robot award.
CHAMPION

DRIVE SAFE

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As the holiday season wraps up, first responders and emergency officials are urging drivers to remain cautious as you travel. The Van Fire Department reported the accident at right, noting that the vehicle hydroplaned off Interstate 20 and struck a light pole, coming to rest near the service road east of FM 314 near Van. The driver was transported by CHRISTUS EMS for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries.
DRIVE SAFE

Less than 60 new cases of COVID-19 reported

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Concerns that the recent Thanksgiving holiday gatherings would lead to a spike in newly reported COVID-19 cases locally have been put to rest in recent weeks with just 56 new confirmed or probable cases reported by the Northeast Texas Public Health District over the most recent 7-day reporting period.
Less than 60 new cases of COVID-19 reported

SEASONAL SONGS

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Members of the First Baptist Church of Van Choir led a number of Christmassong selections prior to the start of the City of Van’s Christmas ParadeDec. 4 in downtown Van.

SEASONAL SONGS