News

Tue
09
Feb

Lake Tawakoni trout tourney Feb. 20

The 14th Annual Fun Fish trout fishing tournament is set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at Lake Tawakoni State Park’s Pair-A-Trees Pond. 

The tourney is for kids ages 2 to 12. 

Prizes will be awarded and lunch will be provided for participants, organizers said.  The park will provide poles, bait and tackle – while supplies last.

Pre-Registration is required as space is limited. 

The park is located at 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point. 

For more information or to pre-register, call 903-560-7123.

Tue
09
Feb

Candidates talk qualifications at forum

Candidates vying to serve the citizens of Van Zandt County in a variety of positions currently up for grabs during the 2016 election cycle, including VZC Tax-Assessor Collector, Precinct 1 Constable, Precinct 2 Constable, Precinct 1 Commissioner, Precinct 3 Commissioner, State Representative District 2 and VZC Sheriff came to the Farm Bureau office in Canton Jan. 21 to tout their qualifications and connect with prospective voters.

The evening was broken into six separate segments, with candidates for each of the positions up for contention being given an opportunity to make both and opening and closing statement, as well as the opportunity to answer questions submitted prior to the forum and read by event moderators.

Although most of the evening passed without incident, Thursday night’s event did include occasional contentious moments, most notably in the four-man VZC Sheriff’s race between Anthony Katsoulas, Dale Corbett, Ron Carroll and Sam Mayer.

Tue
09
Feb

Early voting begins Feb. 16

Early voting for the March 1 party primary election will be held at the Plaza Museum, 119 N. Buffalo St.in Canton, starting Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Voting will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 16 through 18.There will be extended voting hours – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 – for the voters who work out of town or late.

Feb. 22 though 26 early voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In additional to national races for president, Van Zandt County voters will cast ballots for a county sheriff, precinct constables, county commissioners and state representative.

Sun
07
Feb

Manna Food Bank to receive weekly donations from Wal-Mart

Canton food bank to build facility
The Wal-Mart store in Canton participates in the Feeding America program and donates food to the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler.

The East Texas Food Bank has started a new program where Manna, the food pantry located in Canton, and Shining Light Food Pantry in Wills Point will assume the donation pickup from the Canton Wal-Mart. Each food pantry will pick up Wal-Mart donations twice a week. East Texas Food Bank donated $575 for the purchase of a freezer in which to keep meat and an electronic scale.

This is a blessing to Manna who previously had to purchase meat from East Texas Food Bank but received 150 pounds on their first pickup from Wal-Mart, food bank officials said.

Sun
07
Feb

Victory hosting marriage conference

Victory Church and will host a marriage conference simulcast beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 through 9 a.m. Feb. 13.

Founded in 1994, MarriageToday’s founders Jimmy and Karen Evans have “encouraged and coached couples in building rewarding marriages and healthy homes,” said Victory Church Pastor Mike Burns.

“The Evans are committed to sharing proven truths that can make the most troubled marriage good, and any good marriage great. They bring more than 25 years of experience equipping and teaching couples to MarriageToday's mission to restore the dream of marriage in America.

Dr. Henry Cloud will be a guest speaker the conference also.

Dr. Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and best-selling author of the Boundaries series of books for couples, parents and leaders, said Pastor Burns.

Sat
06
Feb

Valentines for Vets deadline Feb. 8

The deadline for submitting Valentines for Vets to Congressman Jeb Hensarling’s office is Feb. 8.

 The congressman is asking students across the 5th Congressional District to help honor the service and sacrifice of veterans by participating in the annual program. 

The hand-made Valentine’s Day cards will be delivered to hospitalized veterans at the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center and members of veterans organizations.

To participate, contact Amanda Beltran in Hensarling’s Athens office at 903-675-8288. 

Sat
06
Feb

Canton to continue as retirement community

The Canton Economic Development Corporation has renewed the city’s certification as a retirement community.

Cost for the recertification – good for five years – is $5,000.

The cost was not budgeted, CEDC Executive Director Julie Seymore said, and will come out of the promotions budget.

The Go Texan Certified Retirement Community Program is provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture. 

According to information from the TDA, “to become a certified retirement community, each community must complete a rigorous application process including a retiree desirability assessment. Each application is reviewed and scored by an independent advisory committee comprised of volunteers who are experienced in various aspects of community and economic development. 

Fri
05
Feb

Private applicator license training set for Feb. 12

The Van Zandt County Extension office will be holding a Private Applicators training for all area agricultural producers Friday, Feb. 12 at the Farm Bureau Building in Canton. 

The event will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration. 

Training for the course is conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agents from Van Zandt, Wood and Rains counties. 

The cost for the training is $10. 

After the conclusion of the training, producers will then need to schedule a testing date with Texas Department of Agriculture. PSI Testing centers are located all around in Dallas and East Texas. 

Sign up for the training by 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5.

Fri
05
Feb

County audit reveals neglect, lax practices

Photo by Britne Hammons
Kevin Cashion with Gollob, Mogan and Peddy gave an audit report to Van Zandt County commissioners last week.

The fiscal year 2014 audit was presented to Van Zandt County Commissioners Jan. 26 by Kevin Cashion of Gollob, Morgan and Peddy, the county’s accounting firm.

The FY2014 ended Sept. 30, 2014.

Throughout the presentation, Cashion made it clear that two points stood out during the audit.

“A lot of what you have read all stems back to lack of accountability and plain, old simple neglect,” Cashion said.

Cashion reported that the county “exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year by $7,805,167 (net position). Of this amount, $1,341,988 (unrestricted net position,) may be used to meet the county’s ongoing obligations to citizens and its creditors.

“The county’s total net position increased by $842,161.

Thu
04
Feb

Reward offered for info on tire dumping

A reward is being offered for information about the person or person who recently dumped tires on Van Zandt County roads.

According to Constable C.B. Wiley, five piles totaling more than 500 old tires have been dumped on Van Zandt County Roads. tires have been dumped on Hwy. 198 south of Canton; VZCR 2209; and VZCR 2145 north of Hwy. 243 by Hwy. 47.

If you have information about this crime, call Constable Wiley at 903-880-567-4133.

"Let's all try to help keep our county clean!" Wiley said.

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