News

The Edom Volunteer Fire Department and Ben Wheeler Fire Rescue firefighters battled a blaze Feb. 8 after an 18-wheeler hauling hay caught fire. The blaze burned a number of round hay bales and the 18-wheeler that was going to haul them on a property in Precinct 4 of Van Zandt County off of County Road 4707. The fire also spread to two flatbed trailers along with the round bales and an 18-wheeler. Approximately 10 acres of pasture were destroyed by the fire. Courtesy photo

Texas Secretary of State John Scott urges all eligible Texas voters to prepare to vote in the March 1 Primary Election by visiting www.votetexas.gov (available in Spanish) to learn how they can cast a ballot during the Early Voting period or on Election Day. The Early Voting period for the March 1 Primary Election begins Monday, Feb. 14, and ends Friday, Feb. 25. The deadline for an Application for Ballot by Mail to be received by your county’s Early Voting Clerk is Friday, Feb. 18.

Ryan Keith Collier has been named the suspect in a case involving a charge of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after an incident occurred Jan. 30, as announced by the Wills Point Police Department.

The Whitton Community Center will be holding a political rally where citizens can meet candidates running for local and state offices at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12.

Let the library help you meet your goals for the year. The two most common reasons that our patrons say why they use the library is to help them live with less things in their homes and to save money. These two reasons are obvious since most people understand that you borrow things from the library to be returned by a set date. But not everyone realized the extent of things that you can borrow from the library. Libraries today have much more than just books. Libraries have audio books, DVDs, board games, mobile hot spots, and even eBooks and downloadable books that you can checkout without ever having to visit the library.

The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society met on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the Van Zandt County Library, to kick off a new year of programs and activities. The upcoming celebration for Texas Revolutionary veteran and early Texas Ranger Adrian Anglin led the agenda for the meeting.

Van Zandt Master Gardener Association of Van Zandt County is currently holding their annual geranium plant fundraiser sale through March 21. VZMG members will place flyers with their contact information in local business locations, along with contacting previous customers.

With the March 1, 2022, Texas Primary Election fast approaching, candidates who have filed for election gathered at the Canton Civic Center for a candidate debate Jan. 25. The debate featured candidates in the Van Zandt County races of VZC Judge, Pct. 4 Commissioner, Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace, and the state races for Governor and Lt. Governor along with land commissioner. This article features the debate for the VZC Judge and VZC Pct. 4 commissioner.

Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry has confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation into allegations of excessive force used by employees of the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office after an email was sent to media outlets regarding the allegations last week.