News

The Annual National Day of Prayer ceremony in Van Zandt County will take place from 12:15-12:45 p.m. Thursday, May 7, in the VZC Court at Law Courtroom in the VZC Courthouse in Canton. The public is invited to attend.

The office of Rains County Attorney Robert F. Vititow released the following statement April 28: “A jury was selected on Monday, April 20, 2026, in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Rains County in Cause No. 6785, entitled The State of Texas vs. Jimmy Lee Hanks.

The Wills Point City Council covered plenty of ground during their most recent monthly session, gathering for nearly two hours April 14 to discuss a wide range of topics that included regular reports from department heads, a review of the recently concluded 2024-’25 audit report and a look at potential long and short term issues with the community center.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com A resolution to authorize the filing of a grant application with the Texas Historic Commission Courthouse Preservation Program was approved by the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting April 22.

The Van Zandt County Aggie Club held their 2026 Aggie Muster Ceremony Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Old School Museum in Grand Saline. There were 37 Aggies and 23 guests in attendance.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Following a closed executive session at the conclusion of their regular meeting April 22, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved three separate motions. The commissioners’ court approved a motion by VZC Judge Andy Reese to move $600,000.00 from the contingency account to jail maintenance and repairs.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Incumbent Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese and challenger Jeffrey Whitworth were in attendance April 27 to participate in a Political Forum sponsored by the Republican Club of VZC (RCVZC) at the VZC Farm Bureau Event Center in Canton.

Bridging the Gap of Van Zandt County and New Life Home Healthcare of Wills Point are at work bringing the Baker Clinic in Wills Point back to life. “Thanks to a generous gift from New Life Home Healthcare, Bridging the Gap now has the opportunity to transform this space into something our community truly needs,” said a Bridging the Gap spokesperson.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office released the following arrest report from April 21-28. Estavane, Francisco, 43, Wills Point, UNLAWFULLY CARRYING A WEAPON, EVADING ARREST/ DETENTION W/VEHICLE W/PREVIOUS CONVICTION OR SBI.

A lengthy agenda greeted the Fruitvale School Board members during their regular monthly meeting April 23. New hires were announced by the school board members which included the following: Buddy Winstead, junior high principal; Anna Perritt, HRE teacher; Dawain Dover, secondary teacher; John Knowlton, music teacher; and Courtney Houser, HRE teacher.