News

If you’re a Texas voter who has cast your ballot by mail in recent years, you may have noticed some differences on your mail ballot materials this year. Voting by mail had substantial changes beginning with the March 2022 Primary Election. From changes in the application, to changes in the requirements on the Ballot Carrier Envelope, and finally, to new options for correcting a problem with your ballot, voting by mail is not the same as it was in the past.

The Grand Saline Library is excited to announce our programs for April. Each Wednesday, we are continuing our Top-Secret Building Challenge using America’s favorite building block. Each week, you can stop by the library after noon to find out what the challenge is and building your creation. We post photos of each of the creations on our Facebook page so the community can vote for their favorite. The winner gets bragging rights until the next week.

The annual Decoration Day for the Union Chapel Cemetery will be held Friday, April 29, at the cemetery located at State Highway 110, approximately three miles east of Van. A barbecue brisket lunch will be offered for sale, and a bake sale and an open business meeting will also be held.

Hope Pregnancy Center has expanded and now offers parenting classes and baby and toddler supplies and necessities for parents of children up to the age of two. The Center recently remodeled its facility, adding classrooms and an additional 576 square feet of space that serves as the new Hope Boutique.

A Van Zandt County Grand Jury returned indictments charging three members of the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office with making a False Statement to a Peace Officer, a violation of Texas Penal Code section 37.08, a Class B misdemeanor. Those individuals are Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Chief Deputy Jerry Wood, and Sergeant Blake Snell.

Colfax Cemetery Association to hold meeting The Colfax Cemetery Association will hold their annual meeting on April 30. After the annual dedication and meeting, hotdogs and chips will be served, stated association members.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Offi ce released the following arrest report from March 29-April 5. Filmon Fessehaie Abraha, 39, Dallas, driving while intoxicated 3 RD or more IAT.

Van Zandt County has approximately 121 children in foster care. We normally range from 120 to 160 children. There are not enough homes in Van Zandt County so some of the foster children from Van Zandt live in foster homes in other counties in the State of Texas.

The TVEC Charitable Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000 to the Myrtle Springs Alumni Association to be used toward repairing the floors and foundation for its 93-year-old building, known locally as the Old Myrtle Springs School Building.

Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, will be recognized as a full-day school holiday at Van ISD following the amended approval of the 2022-’23 school calendar by the Van School Board during its regular monthly meeting March 28.