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The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office released the following arrest report from June 21- 29. Basiel Paul Bennett Jr., 42, Palestine, arrested under warrant for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
News
Van Freedom Boom held June 25
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Photos by Amandi Goldman.
Van council talks options on seat vacancy
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Filling a current vacancy on the Van City Council led to lots of discussion among the remaining council members during a special called meeting June 23. The vacancy on the council was created when former Van Mayor Pro-Tem Amanda Davis announced her resignation at the end of the council’s regular monthly meeting June 9.
INFERNO
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Fire crews around Van Zandt County were busy throughout the week, battling major grass and brush fires as Van Zandt County remains under a Burn Ban as the Fourth of July nears. Extreme heat, drought-like conditions and windy days are the perfect storm for fires to begin in rural Van Zandt, with firefighters battling 100-plus acre fires with some of the fires not being able to be contained for several hours and requiring multiple agencies to help extinguish the fires.
Assistant HR Director Bettinger introduced to court
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A new Van Zandt County employee was introduced to the VZC Commissioners Court June 22 during its regular meeting. VZC Human Resource Director Jessica Deville introduced Emily Bettinger as the new Assistant VZC Human Resource Director.
Campmeeting set for July 11-15
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The 25th Annual East Texas Baptist Campmeeting Revival is scheduled for July 11-15 at the Canton Civic Center in Canton. With an average nightly attendance of nearly 1,000 people, this Campmeeting Revival is one of the largest annual weeklong religious gatherings in East Texas.
Survey responses shared with board
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Results of a recent Van ISD employee online survey taken by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) were released June 16 during the regular monthly meeting of the Van School Board. Cheryl Hoover, representing TASB, went over the survey results during a power point presentation to the trustees.
WILDLIFE ON THE MOVE
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The Van Zandt County Library welcomed Wildlife on the Move on June 17. The presentation was part of the Van Zandt County Library Summer Reading program held every Friday at the library. There were 120 children and 84 adults who attended Friday’s program. Numerous animals were presented to the crowd including snakes, lizards, iguanas, a possum and more. The children delighted in having a hands-on presentation of the many animals that Wildlife on the Move members brought with them. Courtesy photo
Former Caney City Police Chief faces animal cruelty charge
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HENDERSON COUNTY— In a letter from Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis and Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer, they state that the former Caney City Police Chief Charles Gregory will face a charge of cruelty to animals.
Wild chase ends with arrest of wanted man
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HENDERSON COUNTY–A wild chase from Athens to Corsicana occured in the afternoon of June 15. According to a press release, the chase ended when Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators arrested a wanted man who was also in possession of contraband.