News

The Wills Point City Council voted in favor of setting a May 30, 2026 deadline for all work to be completed on the Rose Fountain. The fountain, also referred to as the Rose Monument, was damaged by an accident involving a vehicle in July 2024. See story on page 3A.

Early Voting for the Van Zandt County Republican Party and Democratic Party Runoff Elections scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, ended Friday, May 22, according to the VZC Clerk’s office. There were two locations for Early Voting including the VZC/Sarah Norman Library in Canton and The Movie House in Van.

The Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Board of Directors recently released information about the 2026 Memorial Day Program scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the VZC Veterans Memo- rial, located at the intersection of State Highways 19 and 243 in Canton.

According to a press release from Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department Captain Brandon Kilpatrick, a suspect was arrested following a standoff in the Wills Point area. The information from Kilpatrick was as follows: ‘On Friday, May 15, 2026, deputies with the VZC Sheriff’s Office responded to the 600 block of Van Zandt County Road 3832 regarding a verbal disturbance in progress.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Meet Our Veterans columnist Phil Smith recently interviewed Wills Point Army Veteran Jeff Long about his military service inside the United States and overseas. “In high school, I joined the JROTC, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps,” recalled Jeff Long.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Over 300 citizens from Van Zandt County and beyond were in attendance May 18 for a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Republican Club of VZC (RCVZC) at the Canton Civic Center with the program primarily focusing on the topic of ‘Sharia Law and Constitutional Intrusion.’

Grand Saline High School FFA (Future Farmers of America) Vice-President Bryson Richey served as a special guest speaker May 13 during the weekly Canton Lions Club Luncheon at the Van Zandt Country Club.

The likelihood that Wills Point will see an addition to its local dining scene increased significantly May 12 with council members unanimously approving an item that is expected to clear a hurdle for Southern Multifoods, LLC. to acquire land within the city.

Bringing healthy summer meals to Van ISD children ensures kids have a healthy vacation and return to school ready to learn, according to Van ISD Child Nutrition Director Misty Purkey. “This summer, Van ISD will connect children 18 and younger and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old with healthy, no cost summer meals,” said Purkey.

The regular monthly meeting of the Martins Mill School Board May 14 opened with recognition of the Students of the Month. The Students of the Month were Phillip Daniel and Travis Baber.