News

A 12-year-old Edgewood boy was killed while crossing Hwy. 19 about 8:30 p.m. Aug. 28.

Shawn “Austin” Phillips was hit when he and two other youngsters where trying to cross 19 near Van Zandt County Road 1105, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Brady Lunceford said.

“The kids were on the west side of Hwy. 19 and were running to the east side,” Lunceford said. “The other two made it across. He didn’t.”

The accident happened at 8:23 p.m. Aug. 23. “It was dark and (Austin) was wearing blue jeans and a dark shirt,” Lunceford said.

Austin was killed upon impact. Justice of the Peace Ronnie Daniell pronounced him dead at the scene.

Brenda Sue Smith, 56, of Emory, was driving the vehicle that hit Austin.  She immediately stopped to help and called 9-1-1, the trooper said. She was not speeding, was cited in the accident and no charges will be filed in connection with the death, he said.

Aug. 31 12:05 p.m., 1300 block of S. Buffalo – Theft of property >$50 and <$500

Aug. 31 9:32 p.m., Hwy. 19 and Wynn Road – Arrest: Warrant, possession of controlled substance PG 1 >1<4g – LaQualon LeeWayne Fitzgerald, 31, Canton

Aug. 31 8:46 p.m., Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 64 – Traffic accident

Sept. 2 9:40 p.m., Hwy. 198 and Hwy. 243 — Arrest: Warrant, open container violation, David A. Damete-Graves, 27, Canton

Homecoming parade deadline today

Today (Thursday, Sept. 10) is the deadline for entering a float or organization in the Canton High School 2015 Homecoming parade set for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, downtown.

Those wanting to participate should contact Ashley Herchman by email at aherchman@cantonisd.net or 903-567-6521x1601.

The Eagles Homecoming game will be Sept. 18 against the Spring Hill Panthers.

The crowning of the Homecoming queen will take place prior to the game at 7 p.m.

The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Green Out.”

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will hold a wild horse and burro adoption in Grand Saline  Sept. 18-19 at the Caney Creek Cowboy Church. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range in order to maintain healthy herds and to protect other rangeland resources. 

The adoption schedule is noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Application approval is required and can be done on site.  To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18, with no record of animal abuse.  Adopters must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with free access to food, water and shelter.  A six-foot corral fence is required for adult horses, five feet for yearlings, and four-and-a-half feet for burros.  All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.  

The Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial will be hosting the second annual

golf tournament at Twin Lakes Golf Course Friday, Sept.11.

Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with tee time at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament will once again be a four-person scramble. Cost is $100 per person or $400 per team To sign up to play, contact Teams Chairman Virgil Melton Jr. at 214-533-9528 or Tournament Coordinator Cary Hilliard at 903-880-7590.

“There will be sponsors for this event, promotional signs, a thank you banner, hole sponsor signs on the tee box, food, door prizes, silent auction items, an Aquatic Range Contest and lots of fun!” said Veterans Memorial PR Chairman Diane Farmer.

Dr. Joe Davis is the sponsor committee chairman. To become a sponsor, call him at 903-603-1146.

The Van Zandt County Extension Wildlife and Natural Resources committee will be hosting the third annual Van Zandt County Wildlife Expo Friday, Sept. 11, at the Farm Bureau in Canton. 

The program is from 8 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.   

Cost is $12 per person which covers the cost of the program, refreshments and handouts. 

RSVPs to the County Extension office are needed by Sept. 8.  Call 903- 567-4149.

“I think our committee has developed a great program that will benefit anyone with an interest in wildlife, whether it be hunting or just from an aesthetics point of view,” said County Extension Agent Tommy Phillips said.

Topics and speakers will be:

8:30 to 8:35 a.m. – Welcome – Tommy Phillips

8:35 to 9:20 a.m. – Prescribed Fire – Jared Laing, TPWD Waterfowl Biologist

9:20 to 10:05 a.m. – Pollinators – Anne Stine, The Xerces Society

If you are in the forage business whether it is the hay business or forage to feed beef or dairy cattle, horses, sheep or goats, then you need to be on the watch for fall armyworms.  With the wonderful rain we are starting to receive, we have already have received a few calls and with the rain last week producers need to be diligent in watching their pastures and fields.