News

Van High School Project Graduation will host a 5K “My School Color Run” from 8:15 a.m. to noon May 21 at Mal Fowler Stadium, 1085 North Maple, Van. 

“The My School Color Run is an untimed fun run featuring a 5K course. Throughout the course participants will experience color splash zones where they will be doused in color. All ages are welcome,” organizers said.

Check in starts at 8;15 a.m. The run begins at 9 a.m.

Those attending are asked to pre-register at vancolorrun.eventbrite.com. 

For more information, email tobiasj4@aol.com or call 903-871-3938.

The Old Bethel Cemetery Association meeting will be held Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Old Bethel Missionary Baptist Church located at 103 VZCR 2313. 

The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Kenneth Black as the guest speaker, which will be followed by the annual association meeting.

No luncheon will be held this year, organizers said.   

For those unable to attend and wish to make a contribution to the Cemetery’s maintenance fund, donations can be sent to Karen Asher, secretary/treasurer, 3501 VZCR 2304, Canton, 75103.

May 21 and 22 two veterans groups will be visiting the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial to acknowledge their fallen comrades.

About 9:30 a.m. May 21, a group from Whiskers for Wounded Warriors will be at the memorial to pay their respects.

Whiskers for Wounded Warriors was started by Garland resident Mike Wilburn in 2011. Wilburn gathered pledges in exchange for not cutting his beard for one year.

The organization now works to raise funds “to raise awareness for our wounded military men and women and to help all veterans. We know freedom is a right given to us, but not without the sacrifice of others. “

About 9:30 a.m. May 22, some of the motorcycle riders involved in the Run for the Wall will be breaking off from the main platoon and stopping by the memorial to lay a wreath.

Haven of Memories Veterans Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28 at Eubank Funeral and Cremation Services Haven of Memories Memorial Park.  For information, contact 903-567-4111.

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The number of children removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse is a rapidly escalating crisis in Van Zandt County.

CASA for Kids of East Texas served 42 percent more children in the community in 2015 and expects the number to continue to climb throughout 2016.

As officers of the court, CASA volunteers research a child’s situation and unique needs and then submit reports to the court and advocate on behalf of the child’s best interest.

“Do you love children? Do you believe all children deserve to have their basic needs met and to have someone who advocates for their best interests?  Do you like to investigate and research and figure things out?  Do you have an interest in court proceedings?  If you answered yes to several of these questions, then let’s talk!” remarked a CASA spokesperson.

Julie Stern defeated Bill Weatherford for a seat on the Canton ISD Board of Trustees, the only contested race on the local May 7 general election ballot.

Stern totaled 236 votes to Weatherford’s 76.

Stern is a local lawyer.

“I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve CISD as a school board member,” Stern said via her campaign Facebook page. “Thank you to everyone who voted for me and encouraged me throughout my campaign. I received 76 percent of the votes and am thankful for every vote I received. Thank you again! I look forward to great things for CISD!”

Incumbent T.A. Hale earned 272 votes and newcomer Clay Nickles garnered 264.

Place 3                        Early        May 7      Mail         Total

T.A. Hale                     154      77        41        272

Place 4

Julie Stern                   145      57        34        236

The May meeting of the Van Zandt County Retired Teachers Association will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 17 at the American National Bank in Canton. 

The program for the meeting will be the annual visit from the TRTA District VII President, Penny McDonald. 

During the program, scholarships from the Van Zandt County Retired Teachers Association to three seniors who are going to attend college with plans to become teachers will be awarded.   The three seniors to receive the scholarships are from Wills Point, Van and Canton.

All retired teachers and school personnel are invited to attend the meeting.  All retired school personnel are eligible and encouraged to join the Van Zandt County Retired Teachers Associating even if you are not retired from a school in Van Zandt County.

After the meeting the members will adjourn for lunch at a local restaurant, members said. 

New organization to expand access to care in East Texas

Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics and Christus Health have announced the finalization of an agreement that brings together these two health systems and will create Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System.

According to information from the organization, “this joining of two distinguished health systems will greatly strengthen both organizations, improving access to care for patients and expanding each organization’s service offerings. Most importantly, it will increase the capacity and ability to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of East Texans through increased resources and innovative services.”

Christus Trinity Mother Frances will remain headquartered in Tyler, and will continue to be a hub for services and the foundation of Christus Health’s expansion in Northeast Texas, officials said.

Early voting begins Monday, May 16, for the Republican and Democratic Primary Run-off election set for May 24.

Early voting for both parties will be at the Plaza Museum (Canton Chamber of Commerce office) at 119 N. Buffalo St. in Canton.

Times are: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 16; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 17; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 20.

On the Republican ballot will be the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s race between former VZC Commissioner Ron Carroll and current Sheriff Deputy Dale Corbett.

Also on the ballot are races for State Board of Education District 9 (Kevin Ellis and Mary Lou Bruner) and Railroad Commissioner (Wayne Christian and Gary Page.)

The Democratic ballot is a state-wide race for railroad commissioner (Grady Yarbrough and Cody Garrett .)

On Election Day, Republicans will vote by precinct. Democrats voting locations have been consolidated.

This past Monday evening the Edom TEA Party, Republican Club of Van Zandt County and Farm Bureau hosted a runoff debate for Texas Railroad Commission, State Board of Education Dist. 9 and Van Zandt County Sheriff candidates.

Before the debate started, Moderator Bob Reese spoke to the audience and provided a few basic housekeeping items including an overview of the format, purpose, tenor and demeanor of the debate. Within this instruction, Reese asked the audience to refrain from cheering, booing, clapping or otherwise distracting from the time and process of keeping on the schedule and obtaining as much information about each candidate as possible. In other words, respect the process and the candidates running for office. Sounds simple right?