News

Governor Greg Abbott encouraged Texans to remain vigilant during increased wildfire activity this week as the State of Texas continues ongoing coordinated wildfire response efforts through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Critical fire danger and widespread drought conditions have resulted in multiple wildfires continuing to burn across Texas, including the Chalk Mountain Fire in Somervell County and the 1148 Fire in Palo Pinto County. Both fires have caused local officials to issue voluntary evacuation orders for residents.

Clayton Conway, Sammy Gunter, Brian Cummins, Kevin Wilkerson, Sandy Scheu, Ernie Ward, and Gregg Beverly of Van Zandt County were among the more than 400 farmers and ranchers from across the state who gathered in Marble Falls recently to discuss rural broadband, feral hog control programs, legislative updates and other issues important to agriculture at Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) annual Summer Conference.

The number of newly confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported in Van Zandt County increased by 97 last week according to figures published by the Northeast Texas Public Health District July 21. Van Zandt County had seen 6,968 confirmed cases and 4,909 probable cases since the pandemic was first tracked.

With barely a quorum in attendance to conduct business, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved a number of agenda items during a 17-minute regular session July 20. VZC Pct.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-7.

Aggie moms launch new Facebook group A new local support group for members of the Texas A&M family, Aggie Moms of Van Zandt/Hunt Counties, launched a Facebook page to help foster community and camaraderie here in East Texas. In announcing the new group, members stated, “This club is for those in the Texas A&M Aggie family that is not apart of a current club in the surrounding communities.

Correction In the police blotter that was published in last week’s print edition of the Canton Herald, the suspect in an assault case was erroneously reported as 77-year-old Alan Ray Franklin. The actual suspect in the case is a 77-year-old person with a different name.

Visitors to the Van Zandt County Library have had plenty to see and do over the long summer months, with activities for every age group. Recent events and activities have included therapy dog visits each Thursday, chess club get-togethers each Thursday from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. and a Storytime session with watermelon slices as snacks. Courtesy photos

The City of Canton joined the growing list of Van Zandt County entities to call for water conservation efforts to intensify, following similar announcements issued by the cities of Wills Point, Van and Edgewood in recent weeks.

The Van Zandt County Library played host to three canines, Clyde, Piper and Mercy Me, as well as handlers Carol King Woods and Regena Bell, for their weekly Therapy Dog Team Bringing Miles of Smiles event July 21. In addition to the four-legged visitors, the library was gifted three books by Texas Humane Legislative Network Ambassador Kathy Stonaker: The Forgotten Rabbit, Buddy Unchained and Call the Horse Lucky. The books are part of a library that THN has put together to teach young children how to treat animals and if they see an animal being abused how to relay that to an adult. Additional photos on 9A. Courtesy photo