News

Each year, children get heat stroke or die from being left unattended in a hot car, but a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service passenger safety expert says there are ways to avoid tragedy. Bev Kellner, AgriLife Extension traffic safety project director, said as temperatures increase, so does the likelihood of heat stroke and death for children left alone in a vehicle.

Canton Police Department officers were involved in a hot pursuit through Canton on Saturday, June 18, leading to the arrest of Michael Tuff with charges of evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle, a third-degree felony. According to the affidavit released by the department, officers were alerted that a stolen vehicle was eastbound on Interstate 20, passing the 514-mile marker. As the vehicle approached the 530-mile marker CPD officers got behind the vehicle and activated emergency equipment and the stolen truck pulled over to the shoulders if he was going to stop. Officers observed an object fly from inside the vehicle out the passenger window into the grass just before the guardrail under FM 1255. Officers advised dispatch that something was thrown from the vehicle and then it merged back onto interstate 20 and accelerated away from officers.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released spring 2022 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results for end-of-course (EOC) assessments June 16. The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S History.

Area residents will have plenty of things to keep themselves busy in the coming weeks with multiple communities in and around the Van Zandt County area announcing Independence Day celebrations, including Canton and Van. Van will host their Independence Day celebration a little early, with events slated for June 25.

A proclamation recognizing the month of June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month in Van Zandt County was approved unanimously June 8 by the VZC Commissioners Court during its regular meeting. The proclamation, sponsored by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, was read by VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick.

A crash involving an unidentified woman on the run from the law turned fatal on Monday, June 6. According to reports issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a little before midnight DPS troopers responded to call on the Interstate 20 service road west of Canton. According to the report, a SUV, driven by an unidentified woman, was involved in a car chase with law enforcement and was traveling east on Interstate near mile marker 563.

Maintenance crews are scheduled to perform base work on FM 859 between IH 20 and US 80. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.