News

Local West Point grad, combat veteran, small business owner to run for Congressional seat

Local hero Sam Deen spent 10 years away from home after Sept. 11, 2001, to pursue service to the country by becoming a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and serving as an Airborne Ranger-qualified Infantry Platoon Leader in the infamous Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.

Sam Deen returned home and put away the uniform of the Army in exchange for the uniform and gear of a firefighter in Garland. But, that form of service ended when Sam and his former high school sweetheart and now wife, Ashley from Grand Saline, decided to take on the challenge of being local small business owners. Sam and Ashley have helped people transform their lives through the local CrossFit gyms they own in Van Zandt and Henderson Counties.

It was a healthy dose of curiosity that spurred Lawrence Greer to begin researching the lives of people buried in the Canton Hillcrest Cemetery.

A “most time-consuming, yet fascinating,” project was birthed from a what Greer called “a final project of the Hillcrest Cemetery Restoration Project,” that would identify long-forgotten people buried in the heart of Canton.

The ending result of five years of relentless research, factchecking and factfinding led to the culmination of the book, “Stories Beneath The Stones, The Hidden History Of A Small Texas Town Told Through The Lives Of Those Buried In The City Cemetery.”

Greer was not alone in his quest to unearth the stories buried with some of Canton’s finest, acquiring the help of fellow historian and genealogist Benja Pittman Mize.

The Canton City Council approved moving the recycling bin to city property near the Canton Civic Center Nov. 21. The new location is off of Flea Market Road (the road to the Civic Center) on the left side before coming to the Civic Center, across from Deen’s RV Park. The drive for the recycling bin is edged with orange barrels. There will not be a recycling center at the old city hall location on Highway 64.

The Canton, Texas Chamber of Commerce will host the Lighted Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14.

“Our annual Christmas Parade brings out thousands of spectators and we will take entries up to the day of the parade,” stated Laura Mendoza of the CTCC.

If you or your business would like to have an entry into this year’s parade, contact Mendoza at 903-567-2991 or info@cantontexaschamber.com.

There is a change in the parade route. This year’s Christmas Parade will start at Canton Junior High and will proceed north on Buffalo Street, through the downtown square and turning left on Grove Street. The parade will not circle the courthouse.

A lengthy list of items filled the agenda for the Nov. 21 Canton City Council meeting. Council was in session approximately two hours before reconvening into executive session.

A number of items were tabled by the council including an amendment to change restrictions and ordinances at Mill Creek RV Park and Cottage Resort, moving ‘The Trade” statue and an opportunity to join a new 911 district.

Attorney Justin Beckham from Wynne & Wynne of Wills Point represented the owners of Mill Creek RV Park and Cottage Resort, requesting an amendment in the zoning ordinance, replacing missing, improper or incorrect information regarding site and phase development, marketing language, removing restrictions on length of stay and clarifying the legal rights and responsibilities of the Resort.

Republican and Democratic Party candidates interested in running for office next year in the Van Zandt County Primary will be able to do so beginning Monday, Nov. 13 in the VZC Clerk’s office at the VZC Courthouse.

The filing period runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 11; however, since Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday, no one will be allowed to sign up for the election until Nov. 13, according to the VZC Clerk’s office.

Elsa Smith, the VZC Chief Election Deputy, recently released a list of VZC offices up for election on March 6, 2018, as well as the current office holders and they are as follows:

The Mighty Canton Band has just finished their contest portion of their season with great success once again. The band competed at the Mesquite Marching Festival and received 1st divisions and Outstanding Winds on Oct. 7. That same day the band went to Festival on the Lake in Little Elm, making it into finals and finishing in eighth place, as well as placing second in their classification.

On Oct. 9, the Mighty Canton Band competed at Mineola and received 1st divisions for drum major, colorguard, percussion, and overall band. The band was also named Grand Champion of the contest. The band travelled to Sounds of Fall in Princeton on Oct. 14 and made it to Finals that night, finishing in fifth place overall.

Congressman Jeb Hensarling, who has represented the 5th Congressinal District of Texas encompassing portions of Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Kaufman, Van Zandt and Wood counties, announced Oct. 31 that he would not be seeking re-election in 2018.

Hensarling cited his family as his reason for not seeking re-ekection in a press release.

“Throughout this time, my family has graciously sacrificed for my service. As the parents of two teenagers, Melissa and I know there are only a few years left before they leave and make their own way in life. I want to be there for those years. Since my term as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee comes to an end next year, the time seems right for my departure.

“Although I will not be running for reelection, there are 14 months left in my congressional term to continue the fight for individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited constitutional government.”

Hope Pregnancy Center of Canton and its supporters came together Oct. 7 at the Canton Civic Center for a night of celebration at the annual fundraiser banquet. The theme for the night was “Grace Wins Every Time” and was inspired by the scripture verse, Hebrews 4:16. Buttermilks of Canton catered a meal for the banquet guests.

The night’s master of ceremonies was the Rev. Ernie McCoulskey, Director of the Kauf-Van Baptist Association. He began by introducing Deacon Jim Burkel of St. Therese Catholic Church, Canton, to ask the meal blessing. After the meal, the program began with Pastor Matt Ward of Locust Grove Baptist Church, Wills Point, giving the invocation.

HPC Board President, Janet Burns of Victory Church, Canton, bestowed special awards on two dedicated volunteers, Carolyn Little for five years of service and Rita Young for six years of service.

Texas DPS Trooper Austin Jones provided a preliminary crash report regarding an accident that injured one person on Highway 198, south of Canton on Oct. 30.

According to Jones, around 9 p.m. Oct. 30, dispatch received a call regarding an accident on Highway 198 south. The crash report given by Jones indicated that the driver was going south on Highway 198 when she left the road on the west side and hit a mailbox. The driver then corrected the vehicle and then left the road again, eventually rolling the vehicle to the right side of the bar ditch. The driver was care flighted by helicopter to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler.