News

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott, in the last 10 days of June, posted news releases pointing out specific lawmakers and their plans to file bills that fulfill his expectations for the 30-day special session, which he called to begin July 18.

Abbott said lawmakers first must pass a “sunset bill” to extend the life of the Texas Medical Board and then tackle a 19-item list of other issues in the month-long session. Abbott’s list is a pretty close match to a list of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities. Here are a few of those items:

- Legislation to reform property taxes, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton. “Skyrocketing property taxes in this state are unacceptable, and Texans need reform right now,” Abbott said.

Congressman Jeb Hensarling released the following statement in response to passage of Kate’s Law and No Sanctuary for Criminals Act which contains Sarah and Grant’s Law:

“As any Texan would tell you, our national borders are not secure enough,” said Hensarling. “It is refreshing to finally have a President who will protect our national security and economic interests. While I believe America is truly a nation of immigrants, it is important to protect and defend our citizens and the people who come here legally to chase the American dream. Today, the House passed measures that protect our country and crack down on illegal immigration.

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The Wills Point Police Department has announced that it will be hosting a Back the Blue BBQ Cook Off, Car Show and Audio Competition benefitting the department's K-9 and highlighting the work done by the high school automotive program July 14-15 in the Wills Point High School parking lot.

The BBQ cook-off will include two days of activities with a People’s Choice event at 7:30 p.m. July 14 and a head cooks meeting beginning at 8 p.m. the same night. The entry fee will be $25 for the People’s Choice event. Day two of the cook-off event (July 15) will include a Kid’s Cook competition with turn in at 10 a.m., pinto bean turn in at 11 a.m., 1/2 chicken turn in at noon, pork spare rib turn in at 1 p.m. and brisket turn in at 2 p.m. The entry fee for the kids event is free, and $125 for the meat events. Trophies and awards are scheduled to be presented at 3:30 p.m.

First Gulf storm of season elbows Texas
AUSTIN — State emergency responders geared up for the first time this hurricane season in response to Tropical Storm Cindy, which came ashore just east of the Texas-Louisiana border on June 22.
Two deaths were attributed to the storm — one of them an elderly man found in a sand-mired pickup truck on Texas’ Bolivar Peninsula.
The storm dropped most of its rainfall east of its center — up to 18 inches in some places far to the east — and much less in Texas. But as a precaution two days before landfall, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an increase in readiness from level four, normal conditions, to level three, increased readiness. 

As Texas Legislature heads into a special session, threats to electrical grid security loom

Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) called on Gov. Greg Abbott to add electrical grid security to the agenda items for the legislative special session starting in July.

"There are several very real threats to the Texas power grid, and the consequences would be so severe that we should address this now,” Hall said. “There are hostile countries that might cause this, but there are also natural forces that may also cause the same result soon. Either way, we need to be prepared.”

Threats to the United States from weapons designed to affect the electrical grid, such as those from North Korea, were highlighted today in the Wall Street Journal article, "North Korea Dreams of Turning Out the Lights," which explains plans by North Korea to launch electromagnetic pulse weapons, aka "EMP's," against America.

The Wills Point Municipal Court has continued to follow through on efforts to clear outstanding warrants and monies owed off its books throughout the year, releasing another list of persons being sought for a series of offences.

Names and dollar totals owed include: Jonathan Ray Allen, $897; April Jeannette Bailey, $192; Daniel Barbosa, $346; Brittany Vanae Barrett, $148.90; Douglas Franklin Bass, $194; Christian Lee Bellnoski, $447; Colby Lynn Birdsell, $267; Bert Wayne Bowman, $679.40; Traci Marie Brown, $956; Tristan Taylor Bunch, $564; Crystal Lashun Campbell, $358; Brandon Carraway, $455; Chelsea Willis Caver, $3186.40; Alejandro Lopez Cervantes, $1175.75; Obed Cisneros, $267; Raynesia Victoria Coats, $380; Erick Tyrone Cole, $1579.50; Curtis Lashont Collier, $595.10; Shawn Michael Connell, $375; Caleb Nathaniel Cook, $530.90; Dustin Lee Cook, $589;

The Wills Point Police Department will be filling the local events calendar with a new happening, hosting a Back the Blue BBQ Cook Off, Car Show and Audio Competition benefitting the department's K-9 and highlighting the work done by the high school automotive program July 14-15.

Back in March, the department hosted a Community Spring Fling that drew a sizeable crowd to the south ball park for an afternoon of food, fellowship, music and dancing.

The BBQ cook-off will include two days of activities with a People’s Choice event at 7:30 p.m. July 14 and a head cooks meeting beginning at 8 p.m. the same night. The entry fee will be $25 for the People’s Choice event.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Van Zandt County and the Survivors’ Celebration Reception Dinner have been rescheduled for Friday, July 7, at The Arbors at the First Monday Grounds in Canton. The events, originally scheduled in May, were postponed due to the tornadoes that hit Van Zandt County in April.

Residents of Van Zandt County will have plenty to choose from during the Fourth of July. Communities across the county have events slated to please all ages.

While most of the events will be held on Tuesday, July 4, the City of Van will kick things off for the holiday with activities scheduled for Saturday, July 1.

Information about the various Fourth of July events throughout the Van Zandt County area are as follows:

Canton

The Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Fourth of July parade at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4.

A stage of events will begin the evening at 5:50 p.m. “God Bless America” will be performed by Matthew Hook followed by Cody Robbins singing “America the Beautiful.”

Following a performance of “God Bless America” by Megan Gebauer, The National Anthem will be presented by Nathan George and Antonio Mendoza.

The month of June proved to be kinder than May to most Van Zandt County cities with the office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar announcing last week that Canton, Edom, Van and Wills Point had all increased sales tax revenue collections when comparing figures against those of the same calendar month in 2016.

The news was a welcome sigh of relief locally after May figures indicating all six county cities had seen negative dollar changes when using the same metric.

No city in Van Zandt County enjoyed a bigger positive dollar change or positive percentage change than Van. The city received a payment of $73,605.32 this month, up $21,723.10 or 41.87 percent over the $51,882.22 collected in June 2016.