News

A Van Zandt County jury assessed a 10-year prison sentence to a 50-year old woman Feb. 1 in the courtroom of VZC District Judge Teresa Drum.

Kelly Lynn Broyles received the prison sentence after the jury found her guilty of intoxication assault with a vehicle SBI (serious bodily injury), a third-degree felony. Broyles also received a $10,000 fine and ordered to pay court costs totaling $529.

John Hanna was struck by the vehicle driven by Broyles on the First Monday grounds in Canton on April 4, 2014.

According to Assistant District Attorney Tonda Curry of the VZC DA’s office, Broyles got behind the wheel of her car while she was “high on pills.”

A Van Zandt County jury assessed a 10-year prison sentence to a 50-year old woman Feb. 1 in the courtroom of VZC District Judge Teresa Drum.

Kelly Lynn Broyles received the prison sentence after the jury found her guilty of intoxication assault with a vehicle SBI (serious bodily injury), a third-degree felony. Broyles also received a $10,000 fine and ordered to pay court costs totaling $529.

John Hanna was struck by the vehicle driven by Broyles on the First Monday grounds in Canton on April 4, 2014.

According to Assistant District Attorney Tonda Curry of the VZC DA’s office, Broyles got behind the wheel of her car while she was “high on pills.”

Canton Elementary School celebrated its 100^th day of school Friday, Feb. 2. Students were encouraged to dress as a 100-year old person or wear a special shirt with ‘100 things’ as a way to symbolize the importance of the landmark in the school year.

Children dressed as the elderly lined up neatly for class before the morning rituals, with hair sprinkled with baby powder to achieve a gray look, hair up in rollers and the numerous walking sticks and canes came out from the closets.

A resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application with the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program was approved Jan. 29 during a special meeting of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.

If the grant application is approved, the grant money would be used to renovate and preserve the VZC Courthouse, according to VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West.

“The state has appropriated around $20 million for the grant program this year which will give $5-$6 million to various courthouses,” said West. “This is the third time that we have applied for the grant. I don’t know if we will get it or not but I feel good about our chances. We have to have this resolution passed before the Feb. 5 application deadline. I will take our application to Austin myself. The county would be responsible for 15 percent of the grant. This grant is a two-year program. Our courthouse is in bad shape. There is also work that needs to be done at the jail.”

It was a night of honors and awards during the Jan. 22 meeting of the Canton Independent School District school board meeting.

Superintendent Jay Tullos announced the retirement of Judy Pirtle, who has been an employee of the district for 21 years.
“"Ms. Pirtle is a great employee who will be missed by staff and students. However, we wish her the best of luck in retirement," said Tullos.

Pirtle worked in the caferteria department and the administration office at CISD. According to Tullos, she also oversaw the ‘Backpack Heroes’ program. The program ensures students have food on the weekends while they are not at school. Pirtle was honored with an award during the board meeting.

The Canton ISD School Board was also honored during the Jan. 22 meeting by students and staff.

Debate and discussion drifted through Canton City Hall Jan. 22, during a three-hour meeting centering around whether to allow the sale of alcohol (wine and beer) on First Monday Trade Days grounds.

Regan Sumner opened up the floor by asking council members to take into consideration the businesses around First Monday grounds and how a zoning change would affect businesses. Sumner also stated he was “not for or against” adding alcohol sales at First Monday.

Councilwoman Connie Odic presented her reasons for presenting the topic for consideration of the council.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Sandra Plaster has completed Stage I of the Educational Requirements for Justice of the Peace during Texas Justice Court Training.

The Texas Justice Court Training center is responsible for providing the 80 hours of education that new judges are required to attend.

Judge Plaster was welcomed by Judiciary Thea Walen Dec. 11, followed by a presentation by

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.

“Justice Hecht spoke with us about the office we are about to embark upon. He stated this judicial journey will be one that will be a highlight of each and every one of you as a judge.

He encouraged us to be the judge of your precinct, ready to be called on at any time, to be a servant to the people,” stated Plaster. 

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Sandra Plaster has completed Stage I of the Educational Requirements for Justice of the Peace during Texas Justice Court Training.

The Texas Justice Court Training center is responsible for providing the 80 hours of education that new judges are required to attend.

Judge Plaster was welcomed by Judiciary Thea Walen Dec. 11, followed by a presentation by

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.

“Justice Hecht spoke with us about the office we are about to embark upon. He stated this judicial journey will be one that will be a highlight of each and every one of you as a judge.

He encouraged us to be the judge of your precinct, ready to be called on at any time, to be a servant to the people,” stated Plaster. 

Canton City Council and the Canton ISD Board of Trustees will both hold elections this year.

The filing period for the Saturday, May 5 city and school elections in Canton will begin Wednesday, Jan. 17 and conclude Friday, Feb. 16.

On the Canton City Council, Shawn Stewart, Scott Perkins and Cindy Malouf are all up for re-election. There are three positions on the Canton ISD Board of Trustees that are open for election. Place 1, held by Jim Summitt; Place 2, held by Kenneth Pruitt; and Place 7, Larry Davis, who is filling the unexpired term of Regan Sumner. 

Local election day is Saturday, May 5. Early voting will be Monday, April 23 through Thursday, May 1. The last day to receive ballots by mail is Saturday, May 5.

Forum set at Canton Civic Center

Concerned Educators of Senate District 2 will hold a nonpartisan forum with candidates for Texas Governor, Lt. Governor, District 2 Senate and House places at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Canton Civic Center.