News

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

Canton got a new mayor last week and made a little history.

Lou Ann Gullett Everett became the city’s first female mayor when she took the oath of office May 19.

“I wish you the very best, this council is a pleasure to work with … and I’m sure the new council will be as well,” outgoing Mayor Rick Lawrence said. “The city has turned and is moving in a very positive direction. Keep it on course … be progressive and do good things.”

Before leaving the mayoral post, Lawrence presented plaques to outgoing councilmembers Elisa Heard and Cary Hilliard recognizing their “dedicated service to city of Canton and its citizens.”

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

After a tense hour and a half Friday evening May 15, a Ben Wheeler man surrendered to Canton Police without incident but not before menacing WalMart employees with a handgun and then threatening to kill himself.

The incident shut down Hwy. 243 between Hwys. 64 and 19 from about 5:30 until 7 p.m.

According to police reports, James Daniel Harlan, 56, was shopping in WalMart when he was observed by the store’s assets protection manager putting items into a black bag. When he exited the store without paying for the items, three store employees confronted him and Harlan pulled the gun from his bag and threatened the employees.

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

Like a group of magic genies or fairy godmothers, members of the Canton Education Foundation went marching through the halls of Canton schools recently carrying some really big checks for some really happy teachers.

Led by the Mighty Eagle Band Drum Corp, the foundation handed out grants totaling $26,846.62. The grants will be used for everything from campus-wide technology in gym classes to aquaponics.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce will host an After Hours Mixer from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today (Thursday, May 21) at the Paul Michael Company, 2100 N. Trade Days Blvd.

“Come mix, mingle and meet other chamber members and learn about their businesses,” said Chamber Office Administrator Laura Mendoza. “Bring your business cards to share for prizes.”

To donate a door prize, call Mendoza at 903-567-2991.

The event will include hotdogs, picnic salads and beverages.

Van pushes back despite disaster

By Britne Reeves

Staff Writer

Emergency operations continue in Van through the combined effort of law enforcement agencies, relief organizations and hundreds of volunteers.

Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen credits the generosity of people across the state and the nation with helping the community after a tornado May 10 destroyed 90 homes and damaged 110 others cutting a path through Van 10 miles long.

“I never would have dreamed that we would be this far along with recovery as we are at this time,” Allen said. “We have no other place to put all of the physical donations.”

Holly Springs United Methodist Church, along with the Van Zandt County Historical Commission, will host a state historical marker dedication ceremony for Holly Springs United Methodist Church at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, May 17, at the church located 10 miles southeast of Canton. 

The white, wooden church house sits among 100-year-old oak trees at the corner of FM 1653 and CR 4403, approximately 4 miles south of Hwy. 64, near the Martins Mill community.  

The public is invited, organizers said.

State and local dignitaries are expected to attend and honor the historic church for its significant contribution to the history of Van Zandt County and early settlement of the region.  

Holly Springs Church has continuously served the surrounding area for more than 160 years. 

Others still sought in Slaughter Street fires

One arrest has been made in a rash of arson fires on Slaughter Street in Canton but CrimeStoppers and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is offering a $6,000 reward for more information on the crimes.

Since mid-April there have been nine suspicious fires on the one-block street.

Judy Jackson Dalton, 65, of Canton was arrested about 3:30 p.m. May 5 at her residence on Slaughter Street by the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal, Canton Police Department and agents from ATF. She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Ronnie Daniell and bond was set at $250,000.

Council turns dirt for two projects

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

In a symbolic but historic jester May 8, the Canton Council gathered at the corner of Buffalo and Terrell streets to symbolically turn the first shovels of dirt to begin the building of the new city hall and then caravanned to City Lake Park to break ground for the Mill Creek Trail.

“This is a historic moment,” Mayor Rick Lawrence said at the new city hall site. “We started talking about a new city hall in 1991. This council made a decision no other council had been able to do since 191. Thank you for getting the job done.”

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

At 4 p.m. Friday, May 15, the Fourth Annual Tailwind Regional Balloon Festival takes off from First Monday grounds … rain or shine.

“In the event that it does rain, or if the grounds are too wet to hold the festival, we will relocate almost all of the festival to the inside of the Canton Civic Center,” said Austin Melton, Canton Visitors Bureau coordinator. 

About 30 balloonists are expected to participate in this year’s event, the first hosted by the city of Canton on First Monday grounds. The festival takes place on the west end of the First Monday grounds.

Admission to the festival is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

The balloon operators will begin the festival with competitions at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Those who wish to watch the contests can do so for free.