News

Van Area Chamber of Commerce President Pat Valentine provided updates on upcoming chamber related activities June 7 during the chamber’s quarterly luncheon held downtown at The Movie House. Valentine recognized the newest members of the chamber which included Zach Pruitt, State Farm Insurance; Cole Wagley, Fire Pit creator; and Terry Miller, Miller Homes Group.

During the Grand Saline City Council meeting held June 14, the council approved the retirement and sale of the city’s K9 Officer Figo. According to Figo’s handler, Officer Foster, K9 Figo has a medical issue that caused blindness.

Summers are often busy times for people. We find ourselves shuffling from one place to another and sometimes waiting when we get there. One of the ways I occupy myself during the summer is with eBooks and digital audiobooks. I can read a book easily on my phone or other device, no matter where I am and not have to worry about misplacing a library book in my rush. My secret to enjoying lawn works is audiobooks. I pop in earbuds and listen to an audiobook from my phone, and I lose track of time. I often find myself lingering to do more outside work because I want to keep listening to my books.

Starting June 10 will be the VZC Library Summer Reading Program and Friday events. The library will have performers the first three Fridays, then a Bounce House extravaganza the Friday after that, followed by our Animal Sleepover the next Thursday and Friday. The Summer Reading Program theme is ‘Oceans of Possibilities.’ “We will be handing out the summer reading logs on June 10 so kids can keep up with their reading time. At the end of the summer, you turn in you reading log to get a prize,” stated VZC Librarians.

Elmo Church of God in Christ members celebrated a milestone event last week, recognizing the church’s 100 th anniversary during a special event held May 29. The church, located at 12057 County Road 316 in Terrell, began in May of 1922 under the leadership of Elder W.

Van Freedom Boom celebration set for Saturday, June 25 The City of Van recently released plans for their sixth annual Independence Day celebration known as Van Freedom Boom. Activities will take place from 5-10 p.m.

Canton Maintenance will be digging base failures on FM 1995 between FM 773 and FM 314. Expect daytime lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

A crash involving an unidentified woman on the run from the law turned fatal on Monday, June 6. According to reports issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a little before midnight DPS troopers responded to a call on the Interstate 20 service road west of Canton. According to the report, a SUV, driven by an unidentified woman, was involved in a car chase with law enforcement and was traveling east on Interstate near mile marker 563.

The 48 th annual Grand Saline Salt Festival is scheduled for Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. The festival will feature street dances, concerts, fun, food, activities for the kids, games, a baking contest, a rodeo, arts and crafts, a parade, daily lunches, vendors, and a car show.