News

The first of a two-part series

Dec. 14, the Edom TEA Party hosted an event at Edom City Limits with Terry Holcomb Sr., executive director with Texas Carry of Coldspring, Texas.

The presentation was designed to provide citizens of Van Zandt County with everything they needed to know about the new handgun laws which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

The race for Van Zandt County sheriff, county commissioner precincts 1 and 3, all four precinct constables and tax assessor-collector is officially underway for the March 2016 party primary election.

There were 16 people who filed for election. Out of the 16, one was a Democratic.

Linda Tucker of Murchinson has filed as a Democrat in the race for VZC tax-assessor collector against current Republican incumbent Shirley Chisham.

The rest of the candidates are filing for a place on the primary election ballot. The winner will represent the party on the November 2016 ballot.

At the end of filing Dec. 14, there were four candidates who had filed for the VZC sheriff position –

Ron Carroll, Samuel Mayer, Anthony “Big Tony” Katsoulas and Dale Corbett. 

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols for an eight-day period that includes both the Christmas and New Year holidays. From Dec. 24 – 27 and Dec. 31 – Jan. 3, DPS troopers, as well as law enforcement across the state, will be patrolling roadways throughout the holiday weekends looking for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other drivers who are endangering themselves and others.

“Drinking and driving is always a concern during the holidays, and these DPS patrols help by identifying impaired or reckless drivers who endanger the safety of the traveling public,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We urge Texans to do their part to save lives by always driving sober and adhering to all traffic laws.”

Despite a majority of the Canton City Council agreeing that a new Sonic Drive-in would be a good use of property located in the 1100 block of South Trade Days Boulevard, a request to change the zoning to allow the fast food restaurant to build there failed at the Dec. 15 meeting.

In order to change the 2004 Comprehensive Plan for Future Land Use from Gateway District to Retail on the property, a super majority of the council – or four of the council’s five votes – was needed because the planning and zoning commission had recommended denial of the request.

The item failed by a vote of three to two with councilmembers Connie Odic, Scott Perkins and Cindy Malouf voting for the change and Mayor pro tem Shawn Stewart and councilman Nathan Moore voting against.

The property in question is located next to Mr. D’s convenience store to the south and across Hwy. 19 from CVS.

Christmas officially came to Canton last week with visits from Santa and The Grinch and to wrap it all up a Christmas parade was held Dec. 19.

The Higginbotham Brothers took first place in the parade. The gingerbread float was sponsored by State Rep. Dan Flynn. 

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Canton Herald or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

Lakeside Baptist Church will host Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University seminar.

The nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and how to plan for long-term financial success.

The course meets once a week where a different lesson is taught by Dave on DVD followed by a small-group discussion. Lessons include budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing.

Classes begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, and will run for nine consecutive weeks. Daycare will be provided.

A preview class will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016.

For more information or to purchase class materials, contact Lakeside Baptist Church at 903-567-4787 or go to www.daveramsey.com.  

The Children’s Home in Van Zandt County has new house parents and a new board of directors.

Amanda and Brandon Russell are the new house parents at the home.

Although the Russells are newly certified foster parents, they are not new to caring for children. The Russells have eight children – six children between the ages of 5 to 14 still living at home. Mr. Russell is a teacher in Brownsboro ISD and Mrs. Russell works in a variety of positions at Athens Christian Preparatory Academy.

“About 10 years ago, I started praying for a way to open a children’s home,” Mrs. Russell said. “Brandon and I love children and there are so many children in need of a foster home. We became foster parents to three sisters and ended up adopting them but I still felt a call on my life to open a children’s home. Azleway and the Van Zandt Children’s home are an answer to my prayers and the call God placed on my life

The Children’s Home board elected new officers in December.

The staff of Lake Tawakoni State Park want you to start the New Year off on the right foot.

New Years Day at 9 a.m. park officials will offer a 1.5-mile guided hike along the Spring Point Trail.  The hike will start at the amphitheater. 

“Participants will learn about the features and history of the park and lake while enjoying several shoreline views of beautiful Lake Tawakoni,” organizers said. “Don’t forget your binoculars and cameras because we might see deer, eagles, and other wildlife along the way.  We recommend bringing water and dressing for the weather. No pets please.”

Canton ISD got a little bit bigger property-wise.

CISD trustees accepted a donation of a quarter of an acre of land from Edith Elliott and family Dec. 14. The land is located at the corner of Big Rock and Park streets next to the school district’s bus barn.

“About six months ago, the house on the property burned and the Elliott family has decided to go ahead and donate the land to the school district,” Superintendent Jay Tullos said. “We will use the property to expand out transportation center. We are definitely appreciative.”

According to the Van Zandt County Appraisal District, the property has a market value of $59,700.

In other action, trustees voted to replace the district’s cafeteria computers at a cost of $10,000. “The computers in our cafeterias are outdated,” Tullos said. “New computers will speed up the process.”

Tips, volunteers help rescue lost puppy

After being lost in Canton for a week, little Scarlett has been recovered.

Scarlett, an 18-pound, black and tan miniature pincher/daushund mix gave her collar the slip during December’s First Monday Trade Days.

Although the scared little puppy had been sited during the week, she was frightened and could not be caught by her rescuer.

Kim Malone with Paws in the City, a nonprofit rescue group working in Dallas and Sherman, put out a request for volunteers to help surround Miss Scarlett and get her back in custody. Saturday morning, Dec. 12, it worked.