News

Rescue organization leading way to forever homes

The four legged victims of the East Texas Tornados are now ready for the next part of their journey in finding a forever home of their very own. Over the past month, the Canton Animal Shelter took in more than 80 animals that have waited to be reunited with their families. A month later, many did not get reclaimed.

Animal Investigation & Response, a DFW based organization that specializes in large scale emergency situations relating to animals, arrived in Canton on May 1 to assist the shelter with the influx of animals and provide resources to care for, maintain and find placement for the large number of furry companions.

As the country took a day to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day, an 18- year-old in Canton is counting down to the days to boot camp.

Triston McMullen of Canton is looking forward to Aug 28, the day he leaves for boot camp to become a Marine. He is heading to San Diego, Calif., for 13 weeks. After 13 weeks, he will return home for a short reprieve and then head back for Basic Reconnaissance Courses.

McMullen has been waiting for Aug. 28 since he was 7 years old. His mother, Tabetha McMullen, said she has watched her son being called to serve.

“Honestly, I tried to advise him against it at a young age,” said Tabetha. “I even tried reverse psychology and that didn’t work. I did a lot of praying and asked God to change his (Triston’s) mind.”

Jerrid Fullingim and his son, Tyler recently completed an 84-mile hike along Hadrian’s Wall in Great Britain. Spurred by the chance to raise money for charity and the opportunity to spend time with his son, Fullingim said that he was initially drawn to the wall’s history, but the trip “morphed into something else.”

Hadrian’s Wall, also called the Roman Wall, was a defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the emperor Hadrian. It ran from the banks of the River Tyne near the North Sea to the Solway Fifth on the Irish Sea. It was the northern limit of the Roman Empire.

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This week the Financial Choice Act, which I introduced, passed the Financial Services Committee. This legislation will end bank bailouts, toughen penalties for wrongdoing on Wall Street, promote economic growth, and provide desperately needed regulatory relief for small community banks and credit unions.

On Memorial Day, the VZC Veterans Memorial will host a program at the Plaza Museum in Canton at

10 a.m., Monday, May 29.

The guest speaker will be Major General James K. Brown Jr., the Deputy Commanding General of the Army National Guard out of Fort Bragg, N.C. since 2015.

He is a career Army officer who has commanded active and reserve forces from platoon to brigade level. In addition to his command tours, key assignments for Major General Brown have include Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Affairs(G5) in Bosnia-Herzegovina during stabilization Force Seven and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations(G3) of the 49th Armored Division.

The Texas Main Street Program of the Texas Historical Commission has recommended Canton for National Accreditation to the National Main Street Center.  The recommendation is based upon Canton’s Report of Progress submitted to the state office as part of its annual reporting requirements for Fiscal Year 2016.

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Jack the miracle dog is half part Great Pyrenees and cur dog.  But, his heritage didn’t stop him from saving the life of one of Jim Leas baby calves on his property in western Van Zandt County.

Just outside of Canton, Jack, who resembles a massive Golden Retriever, follows in Jim Leas footsteps, protecting the property and making sure each animal is hale and healthy.  Jack can be seen sprawled out on the cool concrete floor of the barn, occasionally offering up a friendly paw to shake or rolling over for a belly rub.

Jack was adopted from the Canton Animal Shelter, but Jim Leas said it was one of the best decisions he has made in the canine variety.

Senate Bill 2190 passes with 4 amendments in the House of Representatives

After passing 2nd reading in the House Monday, Senate Bill 2190--authored by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and sponsored by Representative Dan Flynn (R-Van) in the House--passed for the 3rd and final reading late last night in a vote of 115-29.

To help raise funds for victims of the tornados that tore through Van Zandt County April 29, a benefit concert will be held from 12:30 p.m. to midnight Sunday, May 28, at The Pickin’ Porch Park in historic downtown Ben Wheeler.

Four people died and more than 50 were injured in what officials say were nine tornados that ravaged the area. Hundreds of homes, businesses, and properties were destroyed.

The Van Zandt County Twister Relief Concert features a long list of talented musicians who are stepping forward to donate their time to the cause.

Confirmed performers include Jeff Allen, Wesley Pruitt Band, Will Burgin, Clay Thrash, Austin Layne, Heather Little, Meredith Crawford, Seek the Peace, Buddy and the Flashbacks, Diamondback TX, Chad Bennett, TuTu Jones and blacktopGYPSY.

Whitton Community Center will hold a homecoming event at noon, June 4.

Two quilts will be auctioned, “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” and a “Yo-Yo” coverlet.

Donations are appreciated for the upkeep of the center, officials said.

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