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Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing various communities, and encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

A ‘come and go’ retirement reception in honor of Molly Russell for 45 years of faithful service at First Baptist Church in Van is scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the church. Cards and notes are welcomed.

History was made during the Oct. 14 regular monthly meeting of the Van City Council as Melissa Davis was sworn in as the first female police chief in Van.

With Halloween falling on a Sunday this year and with potential conflicts in the future surrounding the Oct. 31 date in general, the Van City Council approved a permanent date to celebrate Halloween downtown during their regular monthly meeting Oct. 14. Van City Council member Linzy Neal was absent from the meeting.

Students from the Martins Mill Robotics Team helped open up the VZC Military Show on Oct. 16, with their “RoboJet”, the new mascot for the VZC Veterans Memorial. The replica F4-D Phantom Jet will be displayed at Veterans Memorial events throughout the year. The students also carried portraits of fallen soldiers. Photo by Phil Smith

Early voting hours for the Nov. 2 Constitutional Amendment election began Oct.

Cara Potter took the title of Van Oil Queen last weekend. She was joined by first runner up, Megan Mande, second, Anyka Costner; Teen Miss, Ericka Hernandez; Junior Miss, Makynna Monk; Mighty Roughneck, Maverick Armour; Young Miss, Mattie Harrison; Mister Roughneck, Maxton Armour; Petite Miss, Harper Brown; Dainty Miss, Everly Kindley; Little Miss, Haven Lindsey and Baby Miss, Elizabeth Beall. Courtesy Photo

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a male inmate was found deceased in the VZC jail of an apparent suicide shortly before 10 a.m. Oct.

On Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, more than 100 members from St Therese Catholic Church in Canton gathered at the VZC Courthouse for a public square rosary, joining over 20,000 such rallies throughout America this month. This is the 14 year members of St Therese Catholic Church have participated in a public square rosary. The October date is chosen because of the Miracle of the Sun which occurred Oct. 13, 1917, near Fatima, Portugal, witnessed by over 70,000 people, including atheists, communists and anti-Catholics. Many of them converted. The Mother of Christ appeared to three shepherd children, calling for conversion to the gospel of her Son Jesus, for penance and prayer. Catholics meditate on the life of Christ in the Rosary, trusting in Jesus, accompanied by the prayers of His Mother Mary. The above information was submitted by Celine Powers.