News

Van Zandt County Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade received a surprise March 16 as he was presented with a ‘100 Years of Family Living in VZC’ commemorative certificate from the VZC Genealogical Society during the regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court.

Van Zandt County continued what has become a familiar trend last week as the office of Texas State Comptroller announced that six out of seven local cities had posted sales tax revenue gains when comparing against the same calendar month from the previous year.

Tommy Bulman’s term as a member of the Van Zandt County Appraisal District Board of Directors has came to an end. Mr. Bulman had served on the distinguished board for the past 8 years. Scott Hyde, Chief Appraiser, thanked Mr. Bulman for his tireless dedication to his position, his peers and the residents of Van Zandt County. This heartfelt sentiment was echoed by the remaining board members at the March 3, 2022, Board of Director’s Meeting. Courtesy photo

We will be hosting come-and-go events all week long at the Grand Saline Library March 15-18. Anyone can drop in between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participate in the activities. All supplies are provided, and it is free. On Tuesday, March 15, we will be making suncatchers from recycled compact discs. On Wednesday, March 16, we will be our Top Secret Building Challenge. Instead of doing individual challenges, this week we will be doing one collaborative challenge that everyone will contribute to. On Thursday, March 17, we will be making duct tape crafts. You will be able to chose between duct tape bookmarks or a duct tape pencil topper. We will close out the week making bookish hedgehogs on Friday, March 18.

In the 1940’s, Bill Monroe bumped into Earl Scruggs and bluegrass music was born. Although the genre can trace its roots back to Scotland and Ireland, what Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys were doing on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo had never been heard before. The fast playing and the high and lonesome sound found its niche and took its place within American music.

Under close supervision from Van Zandt County Jail staff, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office started the new garden project last week. “One of our inmate trustee projects is planting a vegetable garden that will provide fresh vegetables for our inmates, teach them a skill, and also help to reduce the cost of our food budget.” VZC Sheriff Hendrix stated, “This is a win for all.

Accomplishments and challenges facing Van ISD were the focus of a presentation March 1 by Van ISD Superintendent Don Dunn during the Van Area Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Luncheon downtown at The Movie House.

Home schooled children from Van Zandt County ranging from ages 6-10 years old visited the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial March 4. The group was given informational guided tours by Public Relations Director Phil Smith, Chairman Tim Pennington and VZC Memorial Volunteers Spencer Pennington, Andra Pennington and Jamie Bostick.

An amendment dealing with inter-district transfer students was added to the Van ISD District of Innovation Plan during the regular monthly meeting of the Van School Board Feb. 21.

Jeffery Lance Gurley, 56, is being held in Van Zandt County Jail in Canton and has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child after being employed by multiple school districts throughout his teaching career.