News

Programs to curb jail, court problems 

Judge Don Kirkpatrick and Van Zandt County Commissioners took one step in the right direction of alleviating some of the problems that the county faces including the high cost of capital murder trials and that of overpopulation within the county jail.

Jack Stoffregen with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission approached commissioners Oct. 27 with a request for the county to join in the commission program, Regional Public Defender Office for Capital Cases.

The program would provide a mechanism for counties to join together through interlocal agreements to solve common needs in the area of indigent defense.

Stoffregen broke the program down to commissioners explaining that the county would pay an annual membership cost to be part of the program.

The Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial will be honoring area veterans with a special ceremony at the memorial Nov. 7.

There will be a special speaker and program beginning at 10 a.m.

After the event, the veterans group will once again be releasing colored balloons into the air in recognition of America’s servicemen and women.

These balloons will be on sale at the visitors center and museum. Cost is $3 each.

A card is attached to each balloon that includes the veterans name and branch of service and a place to indicate if the balloon has been purchased in honor or in memory of them.

Whitton VFD chili cook off and dessert auction will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

6 p.m.

“Firehouse chili will be served alongside with contestant’s chili. We will be giving away prizes for best chili, best cornbread, and dessert that brings the most at auction,” organizers said.

To enter the cook off, call 903-288-0750. All funds raised will benefit the fire department.

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Canton Herald or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

The Canton Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with economic development corporations from throughout the county, is sponsoring a Van Zandt County Economic Outlook from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Rustic Barn in Canton.

The Perryman Group will present the program based on an economic study of the county.

According to information from the chamber, the outlook will include “a detailed overview complete with a five-year forecast of the U.S., Texas and Van Zandt economies. The findings of this study and key indicators will be a useful tool as businesses and leaders in Van Zandt County map out a plan for growth in the years to come.”

Manna Inc. has been able to help an average of 350 families a month, each month throughout 2015.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held for Manna’s new building at a future date.

The public is invited to come to the groundbreaking ceremony, said organizers.

“There is a current and immediate need for drivers to pick up donations for Manna locally.  “If you can help out with an hour or two, please call Kathy at 903-567-6107 or email at manna@etcable.net” remarked a Manna spokesperson.

Any donations to Manna are tax deductible.

Van Zandt County Farm Bureau hosted a town hall meeting with Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller Oct. 20.  

Commissioner Miller presented an overview of the responsibilities and funding of the TDA. He also made available a 32-page booklet highlighting the responsibilities and programs of TDA.  

The Texas Department of Agriculture was created to promote produce agriculture, protect consumers and promote economic development and healthy living.  TDA is responsible for various programs such and weights and measures, the Lottery ball certification, school food programs, pesticides and various grants and a multitude of other programs.  

During the question and answer portion of the meeting, Miller was asked what is the largest threat to farm and ranches.  “The federal government," he replied.

Severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding have caused excessive damage in Van Zandt County.

Farms and ranches suffering damage may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program administered by the Texas Farm Service Agency county office if the damage:

-          Will be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be needed to return the land to productive agricultural use

-          Is unusual and is not the type that would recur frequently in the same area

-          Affects the productive capacity of the farmland

-          Will impair or endanger the land

A producer qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost-share levels not to exceed

75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures. No producer is eligible for more than $200,000 cost sharing per natural disaster occurrence. The following types of measures may be eligible:

Sign-up deadline Nov. 10 for A&M AgriLife program

For those of you that would be interested in becoming a Texas Master Gardener, this program is for you – starting on Jan. 13, 2016. 

The Texas Master Gardener program is an educational activity offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This program is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and extend horticultural projects throughout the community. 

These goals are implemented through the training and employment of local volunteers known as Master Gardeners. 

The Master Gardener program provides invaluable training and educational opportunities. Professional and amateur horticulturalist, as well as people simply seeking up-to-date horticultural information can advance their gardening expertise, plus gain self-satisfaction.

The Canton Main Street Program is taking applications for directors to sit on the Main Street Advisory Board. 

Applications may be picked up at the Main Street Office at the Plaza Museum, 119 N. Buffalo St., or received by email by contacting at Executive Director Julie Seymore at jseymore@cantontex.com.

Applications will be accepted until Nov. 9 with appointments to be made in December, Seymore said.   

The Canton Main Street Advisory Board is a volunteer, working board appointed by Canton Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors with final approval by Canton City Council.  Term of service is for three years beginning Jan. 1.

The board meets at 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and committees meet at various times as needed. 

With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s updated Great Texas Wildlife Trail driving maps, traveling on the wild side of Texas just got a whole lot easier. New maps and an interactive website mean there are even more opportunities to discover the best of Texas wildlife, including birds, butterflies, bats and more.  

There are nine wildlife trails that invite nature lovers to visit different regions of Texas to view native wildlife.  Highway signs mark more than 960 viewing sites, and the website and updated print maps include GPS coordinates to make it easy for travelers to find some of the best spots to view wildlife.  The maps also list contact information, entry fees and operating hours for certain attractions along the trails.