News

This is the final installment of Rose’s Story. We at Van Zandt Newspapers hope you enjoyed this special article over the last three weeks.

A new chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be organized for the Terrell/Kaufman County. The area will include Wills Point, Forney, Sunnyvale, Talty, Poetry, Heartland, Kaufman and more.  A lineage workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Kaufman County Library, 3790 S. Houston St., Kaufman.  RSVP to terrellTXDAR@yahoo.com or call 903-213-3690.

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Expansion and growth are two goals of the Canton Economic Development Corporation and Second Vice President of the Canton Economic Development Corporation Robert Jaeckle spoke to the Canton City Council, asking for approval of an endowment of approximately 40.1 acres to the CEDC Dec. 20.
A joint agreement must be made between the city of Canton and the CEDC before a property can be purchased.
“We feel comfortable with the feedback from the city council. They are looking at the same situations from a slightly different perspective than we (CEDC) are. Some of the incentives in the property is to expand the airport and pick some grants while also providing a place for a large industry to come in.  We are trying to step forward and be proactive. We are going after industry that is going to create jobs in Canton. We do not have a piece of property available for an industrial prospect within the city of Canton,” said Jaeckle.

Around 100 people were in attendance in the Van Zandt County District Courtroom New Year’s Day Jan. 1 as newly-elected and re-elected county officials participated in the 2017 Inauguration Ceremony for county officials.
The ceremony opened with a welcome by County Judge Don Kirkpatrick followed by an opening prayer from newly-elected VZC Precinct 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson.
After Rachel Strickland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag and to the Texas Flag, Pastor Russell Harris was the special speaker for the ceremony. The pastor also led in the benediction.
Kirkpatrick issued the oath of office to the following county officials including Dale Corbett, sheriff; Shirley Chisham, county tax assessor-collector; Brandon Brown, Pct. 1 county commissioner; Keith Pearson, Pct. 3 county commissioner; Jesse Ison, Pct. 2 constable; Robert Tisdale, Pct. 3 constable; and Pat Jordan, Pct. 4 constable.

Abbott reacts to Trump’s choice of Perry as energy secretary

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rick Perry as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy prompted this reaction by Gov. Greg Abbott:

“Under Rick Perry’s leadership in Texas,” Abbott said, “the Lone Star State experienced unprecedented growth in the energy sector, which in turn created hundreds of thousands of jobs for Texans. Rick Perry was instrumental in creating a more favorable regulatory environment for the energy industry in Texas, and I have no doubt that he will bring that same expertise to his new post. The State of Texas looks forward to working with him to help advance America’s energy sector to create a more robust economy and greater opportunity for all Americans.”

When you see red in the holiday colors this month, think of hospital patients in need of something red that only another person like you can gift to them – your blood. And think of the fact that it only takes about an hour to give whole blood. No ‘green’ is needed, just one hour of time and selfless generosity to donate blood.

 In the summer and winter months, patients do not get a break from their required blood transfusions. Yet annually, Carter BloodCare observes a giving slump in December, due to hectic schedule changes, vacations and families spending time together for the holidays.

The Wesley Pruitt Band will present the fifth annual Bringin’ It Home New Year’s Eve Bash Dec. 31 at the Van Zandt County Fairgrounds Todd Berry Building.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and music will begin at 7 p.m. Special guests include Heather Little and Meredith Crawford and the Backhand Band. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Twenty-five percent of all ticket sales will benefit Relay for Life of Van Zandt County.

“Bring your own chairs. There will be door prizes and giveaways throughout the night. No glass please,” organizers of the event said. 

Rose’s Story continues as the war ravages on in Nazi-occupied Vienna. After witnessing her best friend 8-year-old Marta Meyer picked up by SS agents during school, Rose decides to help those in The Underground. Her uncle’s involvement within The Underground ultimately lead the Gestapo and SS agents to Rose’s doorstep.

Rose’s uncle was personally working with The Underground and contacted Rose and asked her if she could help by providing food for the Jews and Catholic priests he was hiding. 

Wills Point found itself in a surprisingly exclusive position to close the year by finishing as the lone Van Zandt County city to see its December Sales Tax revenues increase over the same calendar month from the previous year.

According to the office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the city received a December 2016 payment of $91,210.59, up 22.26 percent over the $74,601.18 received in December 2015.

Canton, Edgewood, Edom, Grand Saline and Van all received a smaller sales tax revenue payment this month than they received in December 2015, leading the county to finish a combined $70,131.06 under last year’s figures for the month.

Canton, the county’s biggest gainer in both October and November, received a payment of $270,903.88 this month. That total was 7.95 percent, or $23,394.10, less than the $294,297.98 received last year at the same time.

Dan Maucieri was introduced as the new Van Zandt County Human Resource director Dec. 13 during a regular session of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.

Maucieri was selected from applicants that were interviewed for the job by Van Zandt County Commissioners Virgil Melton Jr. (Pct. 2) and Tim West (Pct. 4).

“We interviewed some highly qualified candidates,” said Melton. “We feel that we have a candidate that will do the best job for Van Zandt County and that is Dan Maucieri.”

According to Melton, Maucieri is retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of service. For the past 15 years, he has dealt with civilian and military personnel issues.

At the time of his retirement, he was the superintendent over all personnel at an Air Force base in Japan, dealing with Air Force personnel and civilians that were hired to work on the base.