News

A wide array of topics will be cover at the 2016 East Texas Forage Conference, all in effort to assist East Texas forage producers make the best quality forage they can at the most economical price, Van Zandt County Extension Agent Tommy Phillips said.

The event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26, at the Rains County Fairgrounds -Emory. 

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $20 per person payable at the door.  Lunch will be provided. 

The program will end about 3 p.m.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. with a discussion on “The Use of Prescribed Burning on Grazing Lands” by Ryan Walser of the Natural Resource Conversation Service.

Keith Pearson is a candidate for Van Zandt County Precinct 3 commissioner.

“I’m applying for the county commissioner job because I’m tired sitting back and expecting someone else to take care of our business,” he said. “If you have been a resident of Precinct 3 for very long, I’m sure you’ve noticed how our precinct has deteriorated. I’m not just talking about roads  – although the roads are probably the most visible.  I’m requesting your help – we need to join together for the purpose of improving our precinct, our county, our state and our country!”

Pearson is up against Stan Brown and Rusty Miracle for the commissioners seat. Incumbent Bobby Chaney is not seeking re-election.

Originally from Talty in Kaufman County, Pearson graduated from Terrell High School in 1972. 

“I have been associated with the dirt and excavation business my entire life through family-owned businesses,” he said.

Jesse Ison is running for the Van Zandt County Constable Pct. 2 post. He is challenging incumbent C.B. Wiley.

Ison grew up in Forney and Rockwall. His father is the long-time pastor of Central Baptist Church in Fate and Ison attends church there.

He is a graduate of Terrell Christian Academy and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps soon after high school graduation. He served for eight years and obtained the rank of E-6/SSGT. As a Marine, Ison served as an Aviation Ordnance Technician for F/A 18 fighter attack squadrons.

“I completed two tours of duty overseas,” he said.

In 1992, Ison married Sandy Pratt of Kaufman and in 1998, and after receiving an honorable military discharge, the family – which includes daughters Patience and Pleasant – moved to Canton. Son, Nate, came along in 2011.

Feb. 19 is the deadline for filing for local city council and school board elections set for May 7.

CISD

The Canton board of trustee seats up for election are those currently held by T.A. Hale (Place 3,) Mike Malouf (Place 5) and Kym Phillips (Place 4).

Hale has filed for re-election.

As of Monday afternoon, Feb. 8, Julie Stern and Bill Weatherford have filed for the Place 4 seat and Clay Nicklas is a candidate for the Place 5 position.

Although board members run for places, they serve at-large.

Those wishing to run for school board can pick up candidate packets at the CISD Administration Office, 1045 S. Buffalo, during business hours or by mailing Canton ISD, ATTN: Stacie Wilkerson, 1045 S. Buffalo St., Canton TX 75103.

The February meeting of the Van Zandt County Retired Teachers Association will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the American National Bank in Canton.

 The program for the meeting will be presented by a representative from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

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 Association even if they are not retired from a school in Van Zandt County.

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

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Captain Dale Corbett, a lifelong resident of Van Zandt County, has officially declared his intent to seek the 2016 Republican nomination for county sheriff. 

 In announcing his candidacy, Corbett said, “I have high hopes for Van Zandt County and want to continue making our county safe for our family and loved ones.”   

Corbett has bee married to Jodi Marler Corbett for 35 years and the couple has two adult sons.  Both of sons have followed their father’s footsteps into law enforcement, one is a Texas State Trooper and the other one is a Deputy United States Marshal.  

Corbett, who currently holds an active Master Peace Officer Certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, said he is familiar with the department and its functions and feels he is the most qualified candidate to lead the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.   

Commissioner Tim West has taken to the helm in an effort to obtain monthly reports that should be submitted by various offices and departments of Van Zandt County government as a matter of record.

For months, the commissioners have failed to receive a report from every county office, a problem that has now prompted commissioners to take action.

In the commissioner’s court meeting Jan. 26, Commissioner West said he had been requesting for the reports for an extended period of time.

South Van Zandt County volunteer firefighter Brandon Gurley was in a an accident Jan. 30 and currently remains in critical condition in Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

Gurley is the husband of Erica Crabtree Gurley of Athens. The couple has a 3- year-old son.

He is the oldest grandson of retired Athens Police Lt, Charles Gurley and the son of David and Stephanie Gurley.

He is a crew supervisor for his dad's company DG Construction.

Gurley had been helping his dad feed cattle and while driving back lost control of the recreational vehicle he was driving. The ATV rolled several times.

“Though the family remains strong in their faith, they will need help through this long journey,” said family friend Jenny Willis.

In order to help, there has been a benefit account set up at First State Bank Ben Wheeler. Donations can be made at any of the bank’s locations – Ben Wheeler, Canton, Edgewood and Edom.

The Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce held their first of four quarterly lunches scheduled for 2016 on Feb. 2 at The Bunker in the Van Zandt Country Club.

With a record 85 in attendance, Chairman Lace Deibert recognized local elected officials, chamber staff, and board of directors, ambassadors and special guests.

Deibert also recognized lunch sponsor American National Bank of Texas and thanked them for their investment in the chamber.

Deibert thanked everyone for attending and talked about the chamber's membership growth nearing the 300 mark. She also pointed out the increased interest in attendance at the quarterly lunches compared to the first lunch a little over a year ago with 40 members. She again thanked everyone for their participation.

Chamber board member Ken Martin blessed the meal followed by a terrific lunch prepared and served by The Bunker at the Van Zandt Country Club.

The Neches River Chapter NSDAR will be hosting its annual George Washington Tea at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at the High Cemetery Community Center located at the intersection of CR 2115 and CR 2120 near Canton.

 The event will include a program presented by the Captain William Barron Chapter Sons of the American Revolution from Tyler.  Other highlights will be the presentation of the winners of the DAR Good Citizen Award and the DAR American History Award.

If interested in attending, contact Sherrie Archer at 903-848-1228 or Betty Wilson at 903- 962-7137.