News

The City of Van and the Van EDC (Economic Development Corporation) are sponsoring ‘3rd Thursdays with Erin York’ featuring an ‘Open Mic Night’ at The Movie House in downtown Van. The first ‘Open Mic Night’ was held May 19.

Union Grove Cemetery, Inc in Wills Point will have its annual meeting on Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. “We will recognize our veterans, have a short program, have our annual meeting, and join together for lunch under the pavilion. We are proud of Union Grove and would appreciate any donation to maintain this beautiful countryside cemetery. Donations can be made to Union Grove Cemetery, P. O. Box 722, Wills Point, Texas 75169,” stated cemetery officials

A ribbon cutting ceremony for a Locally Forged Farmers Market in Edom was held May 15 at The Forge Bar & Grill in Ben Wheeler. This is DJ Warren’s third season of bringing locally sourced goods to the communities of Ben Wheeler and Edom. This means that all goods at Locally Forged are made or grown by those selling them. Market hours are held every Sunday 11-3p, May, June, and July. Courtesy photo

There will be a public swearing-in ceremony for Van Zandt County Interim Sheriff Joe Carter beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, in the VZC Courthouse, according to VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick.

Jason Wilhelm Veihl, of Canton, has been arrested following a solicitation of prostitution operating conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety. CBS 19 issued an article regarding the arrest of nine people, eight of which are from East Texas. The arrests were made between Tuesday, May 17, and Wednesday, May 18.

Miss Texas 2021 Mallory Brooke Fuller visited Wills Point ISD campuses May 11, speaking with high school students specifically about mental health and suicide prevention. Fuller’s journey towards becoming a mental health advocate began in high school after losing a friend to suicide.

During the Van Area Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Festival at the old Van City Park May 14, chamber award winners were announced. The winners were Tim Perry, ‘Citizen of the Year’; Ernie Burns, ‘Volunteer of the Year’; and Van Family Medical, ‘Business of the Year.’ The awards were presented by Pat Valentine and Mike Bowers of the Van Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Wills Point community found itself reeling this week after a major a two-vehicle accident resulted in the death of a high school student and injuries to three others. According to a preliminary report issued by the Wills Point Police Department, local first responders were dispatched in the early evening hours May 17 for a two-vehicle accident in the location of Highway 80 and FM-2965.

Buster Leavell stands before a downed 80-year-old tree after it was felled by strong spring storms on May 15. The tree is located at 32210 State Hwy.

The selection process involving the search for a new City of Van administrator led to plenty of discussion May 12 during the regular monthly meeting of the Van City Council. This was the first regular monthly council meeting since March as the April session was cancelled.