News

Van Zandt County voters went to the polls on Primary Election Day, March 1, approving 10 propositions on the ballot. The propositions ranged from eliminating property taxes within 10 years to creating a constitutional amendment protecting the sanctity of life.

The possibility of at least one Van Zandt County basketball program reaching the State Tournament in San Antonio was kept alive and well last week with both Edgewood and Martins Mill rolling on with two playoff victories each.

One of the most frequently visited spots in the library is our free shelf. This area contains all kinds of free stuff that you can pick up and take home or take to share with others. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we saw a need for people to have something to do with their time. At that time, we started providing craft kits to be picked up on our front porch. The popularity of this service made us decide that we needed to extend it once reopened to the public. You can find the craft kits on the free shelf in the library.

Area firefighters were called into action last Monday to save the life of a man who had been suspended in air after an equipment malfunction. The Van Fire Department posted the situation on their social media page, releasing information after the man had been brought down and taken to an area hospital.

Two burglaries took place last weekend, with two businesses in Zandt County becoming victims of theft. According to information released by the Van Police Department, around 3:15 a.m., Friday, Feb. 18, a convenience store in Van, called New-Way, was burglarized by two men. The cash registers were taken. The Van Police Department released surveillance camera photos of the two males breaking the glass of the door and gaining entrance. One male can be seen behind the register in one photo. One hour later, the Northeast Farmers Co-Op in Canton was believed to be burglarized by the same suspects. The Van Police Department is asking that anyone with information for either burglary to contact the Van Police Department at 903-963-5642 or the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

The Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation presents the fourth annual Tribute to Townes Van Zandt from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, March 6 at The Forge Bar & Grill in historic downtown Ben Wheeler. The late Townes Van Zandt is often referred to as the most influential Texas songwriter of the 20th century.

Van Zandt Farm Bureau and Texas AgriLife Extension Service will hold a forage management series with the topic of “Dealing with High Fertilizer Costs” at the Farm Bureau Event Center, 220 Burnett Trail in Canton on Feb. 22.