News

On the evening of September 11, 2001, United States President George W. Bush addressed a nation that earlier that day witnessed the deadliest terrorist attacks in world history. That morning, hijackers took control of four airplanes, ultimately crashing two into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field near the town of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew attempted to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. All passengers and crew on board all four flights died on September 11, and thousands of others on the ground lost their lives that day as well. It was under those conditions that President Bush delivered the following speech to a shaken nation.

Aug. 31 is the final deadline for artists to apply for the $10,000 Marty Zewick Artist Award. The award is given in honor of the late artist Marty Zewick, a champion of the arts and one of the founders of the Edom Art Festival, a Texas event organized by artists now in it’s 49th year, as well as the Edom Craft Community. She was one half of the jewelry-making team Zeke & Marty, and was a lifelong creator and intimately knew the struggles of establishing and sustaining an art practice.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order maintaining the prohibition of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Texas. The order, issued Aug. 25, prohibits any government entity in the State of Texas to require a vaccine.

Two Wills Point High School students were transported to the hospital in critical condition and a good Samaritan was killed after a series of accidents along Interstate 20 in Kaufman County just before midnight Aug. 20.

Information released by the Northeast Texas Public Health District reported a total case count of COVID-19 at 5,692 in Van Zandt County. Active cases number 1,046 with recovered cases at 4,570.

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court discussed and considered setting salaries for VZC elected officials during a meeting held on Aug. 18. The rise in salaries would become effective Oct. 1, 2021.