News

U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) held a town hall meeting Aug. 7 to update the citizens of Van Zandt County on his continued efforts to hold Washington accountable to the American people and to hear from them about the issues that are most concerning to them.

Hensarling discussed topics ranging from Obamacare, the Supreme Court, Planned Parenthood and the export and import fight. 

The meeting was opened by County Judge Don Kirkpatrick thanking the people for showing up and introducing Hensarling, “he’s a friend to Van Zandt County, East Texas and he serves us well in Washington.”

Obamacare

Educate Van Zandt annual meeting Aug. 18

The annual meeting for Educate Van Zandt will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 18in the Buchanan Room of the Van Zandt County Library.  

All interested persons are invited to attend, organizers said.

Educate Van Zandt is the adult education program.

The Van Zandt County Library is located at 317 First Monday Ln. in Canton.

Free School Supplies!            

Canton Church of Christ will host the second annual School Supplies Giveaway from 9 a.m. until noon  Aug.15. 

Basic school supplies will be given to children from kindergarten through 12th grade.  The limit is one bag per child while supplies last, organizers said.

Canton Church of Christ is located on 604 W. Hwy. 243. 

County under burn ban

A house fire in Canton Aug. 9 “was the result of improper use of outdoor cooking equipment,” according to Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen.

The fire occurred at a residence on the corner of Big Rock and Park Streets. The home was a total loss but no injuries were reported.

Allen is asking everyone in the county to use caution when doing anything with fire outdoors. Commissioners approved Allen’s request to place the county under a burning ban Tuesday morning.

With temperatures over 100 degrees and no rain, the Keetch-Bryam Drought Index used to by Texas A&M Forestry Service to predict fire danger for the area is in the dangerous range and expected to rise, Allen said.

In the Back-to-School Special Section, while the supply list for Canton Intermediate School’s fifth grade was correct, the heading was not. Fourth grade appeared twice. We apologize for the mistake and reprint the list here.

Fifth Grade

Wide ruled notebook paper (3 pkg.)

2 boxes of pencils (no mechanical)

1 pkg. of red pens

Map pencils, markers or crayons

Sharpie

2 Highlighters

6 Glue sticks

2 pair of pointed scissors

Ruler (with metric and customary)

Zipper Pencil Bag (no pencil boxes please)

5 plastic folders with brads

2 boxes of tissues

Lanyard for ID badge

1 single subject spiral

1 5-subject spiral

Fourth Grade

All supplies will need to be replaced as they are used throughout the year!

20 pencils (no mechanical)

The East Texas Crisis Center will present the fifth annual ETCC Golf Tournament at Van Zandt Country Club Sept. 18.

Funds raised by the tournament will go toward helping victims of domestic violence and sexual.

Entry fee for a team of four costs $400 and includes green fees, golf carts, a team photo, range balls, goody bags and lunch. 

Registration and check in is from 7 to 8 a.m.  Shotgun start is at 8 a.m. 

Lunch and an awards ceremony will follow the tournament.

There will be great prizes and awards for closest to the pin and longest drive along with door prizes and first, second and third place trophies for each player, tourney organizers said.

Tundra Baptist Church will be having a homecoming at 10 a.m. Aug. 16. The church is located at 2313 FM 1651 in Canton.

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More Texans may be eligible for disaster assistance with news of an extension of the original incident period for Individual Assistance under a May 29 major disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.

The new incident period is May 4 through June 22.

Incident Period Extension

Survivors who previously registered with FEMA for damage between June 20 and June 22, whose applications were not fully processed, will be automatically reviewed.  Survivors with questions should call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362.

Applicants already registered with FEMA, who have additional damage incurred from June 20 to June 22, should call FEMA to receive an evaluation of whether they may be eligible for additional aid.

Brookside Church is hosting Outback Rock VBS from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12.

The event is open to children from birth through seventh grade.

“During the fun-filled two evenings, kids will go on a trek to discover God’s love in exciting ways that make Scripture come alive!” organizers said. “Get ready to explore the rock-solid height and depth of god’s love while experiencing fun, laughter and excitement.”

Children will be divided into crews that rotate through learning stations that reinforce a Bible point. Pre-schoolers will have their own age-appropriate fun, according to organizers, but everyone will be together at the start with praise and at the evening’s big finish, Rockin’ Wrap up – an closing time filled with music, drama and humor.

Three chi-weenie sisters await adoption at the Canton Shelter. The shelter houses approximately 25 dogs and 15 cats a week.