News

During the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Festival at the old Van City Park May 14, chamber award winners were announced. The winners were Tim Perry, ‘Citizen of the Year’; Ernie Burns, ‘Volunteer of the Year’; and Van Family Medical, ‘Business of the Year.’ The awards were presented by Pat Valentine and Mike Bowers of the Van Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Wills Point community found itself reeling this week after a major a two-vehicle accident resulted in the death of a high school student and injuries to three others. According to a preliminary report issued by the Wills Point Police Department, local first responders were dispatched in the early evening hours May 17 for a two-vehicle accident in the location of Highway 80 and FM-2965.

Buster Leavell stands before a downed 80-year-old tree after it was felled by strong spring storms on May 15. The tree is located at 32210 State Hwy.

The selection process involving the search for a new City of Van administrator led to plenty of discussion May 12 during the regular monthly meeting of the Van City Council. This was the first regular monthly council meeting since March as the April session was cancelled.

Moving to a new school district can present plenty of challenges and anxiety for a high school student transferring to a different town in Texas or even a different country. For five foreign exchange students attending Van High School during the 2021-’22 school year, moving to a school in a different country was just the beginning of many changes in their lifestyles.

Doc Collins, President of the Van Zandt County Republicans, released the following information regarding the April meeting of the VZC Republicans: The April Van Zandt County Republican Club meeting was a training session for the delegates who will represent the VZC Republican Club at the state convention in Houston in June. We not only had delegates from our county but also from the counties of Kaufman, Rains, Hopkins and Henderson. The meeting was conducted by SREC Committeewoman Jerry Fisher and was aided by our SREC Committeeman Donny Wisenbaker and the VZC Republican Club County Chair Lance Lenz, Regional Director of the Texas Republican Party Troy Jackson, State Senator Bob Hall and State Rep Bryan Slaton. Plumb Hero Photo by Faith Caughron

Spring is well into bloom and while Cherry Creek and the Old City Lake are both great parks, have you ever stepped foot into the park at Mill Creek Reservoir? Down Arnold Paul Road, you may be surprised to find a city park that offers a completely different experience compared to the other two parks. At Cherry Creek Park you will find a very kid-friendly park which has an awesome playground and paved walking trail all connecting to Old City Lake Park, which offers recreation opportunities of all kinds such as baseball, tennis, soccer, and basketball. At Mill Creek Lake Park you will find an experience that satisfies the outdoor enthusiast.

Sheryl Braxton, a veteran’s widow, middle, who is raising her grandkids ages 2, 4 and 5, received a van with the help of Help 4 Heroes USA organization. Presenting the van to Braxton are left, Ron Gowin and far right, Sarah Clayton of State Farm.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office released the following arrest report from May 11-May 18. Jacob K.

Property at Van Zandt County Wesley Chapel Cemetery has been damaged after an incident last week. Wesley Chapel Cemetery, located in Canton on Van Zandt County Road 2120 close to Wiley’s Gun Shop, is a Texas Historical Commission location, and the chapel on the property received significant damage.