News

The Canton Lions Club District 2-2X met Wednesday, May 24, at the Van Zandt Country Club with Lion President Tanya Watkins presiding. The guest program speaker was, Brian Giralt, Legal Counsel to the East Texas Anti-Gang Task Force (TAG) Center, The East TAG Center covers the counties of Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood, and their cities and towns. Brian Giralt states that East Texas TAG concentrates on organized crime which includes: human trafficking for sex and labor and drugs. Due to Canton’s closeness to Interstate 20, prostitution is 10 times the threat of illegal drugs. The TAG Center has created a website to educate the public about criminal gang activity in the East Texas area and provide a means for anyone to report criminal activity anonymously on line. To help stop East Texas gangs report anonymously on https://stopeasttexasgangs.org.

The Canton Rotary Club recognized the ‘Teachers of the Year’ for Canton ISD during their meeting May 11. Those recognized included Misty Cheatham (Canton Elementary School); Tember Simonek (Canton Junior High School); Amanda Burch, Canton High School; and Jillian Brown (Canton Intermediate School and the Canton ISD ‘Teacher of the Year’ district wide.

TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work in the district during the week of May 29, 2023. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Please slow down and pay attention in work zones.

The VFW Post 12219 Canton recently held a recruitment drive in front of Walmart. It resulted in signing up four more Veterans to join the post. The recently formed post meets the second Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center located at 200 W. Grove St, Canton. Dan Curtis said, “These Veterans are family orientated service people focused to help other Veterans, their families and this community. They understand the sacrifices made in the name of freedom, support our current military and 100 percent Americanism.” All Veterans are invited. Those pictured include Dan Curtis, Commander; Ron Williams, Senior Vice Commander and Ceasars Alvarado.

Summer’s here and so is the seasonal slump in blood donations, but residents can help. The start of summer this month typically begins a drought in the community blood supply.

Left, The Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce hosted a ‘Business After Hours’ event May 18 at 4D Aesthetic Medicine in Canton. 4D Aesthetic Medicine Medical Director Dr. Daron Davis and Injector Tina Davis, NP welcomed Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett to the event. Right, 4D Aesthetic Medicine in Canton was the location May 18 for the Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce ‘Business After Hours’ event. Among those in attendance were left to right, chamber board members Brianna Kleinmier and Erin Williams, and chamber administrator Kelli Ridgway.

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The Van Zandt County Appraisal District took to social media this week, advising county residents of an ongoing scam involving letters sent advising of property owners having warranted liens. The letter, which features letterhead from “Tax Lien Unit 2 – Tax Processing Unit”, warns property owners of outstanding debts related to unpaid property taxes.

An 8-year-old Canton native was killed and his mother injured following a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of FM 90 and FM 47 just after 1 p.m. May 19.

Weather conditions outdoors did not dampen the spirits indoors for those participating and attending the Class of 2023 Graduation at Canton High School May 19. The decision to move the CHS graduation ceremony indoors to the Larry Davis Auditorium from Norris Birdwell Stadium by Canton ISD officials came after weather forecasts for the evening indicated a strong probability of rain showers during graduation.