The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees met for a third time during the month of February on Monday night, holding a special called session to conduct board training and discuss the selection of an energy conservation savings company.
Discussion of potentially hiring an energy conservation savings company had picked up momentum throughout the course of the month, with board members hearing presentations from three companies offering their expertise in the field at the Feb. 13 meeting: Performance Services, Schneider Electric and ABM.
Each of the three companies were allowed to tour the district’s facilities, gathering information on potential work that could be done to improve energy efficiency through infrastructure upgrades.
Those fixes, which include updating lighting, electrical and possibly even water systems, would essentially pay for themselves over time due to the reduced utility costs the district currently pays.
The city of Wills Point and Van Zandt County lost a faithful servant recently with the passing of John Edward Turner at the age of 72. Following decorated military service during the Vietnam War, Turner set out on a law enforcement career that would span more than 40 years, including time spent both at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and as interim chief of the Wills Point Police Department.
Following his passing, representatives with both the city of Wills Point and WPPD weighed in on the Turner's service and his dedication to the local community.
The Wills Point Police Department responded to a potentially dangerous situation over the weekend with officers being dispatched to Ramsey's Roadhouse for a possible disturbance with a gun involved.
According to reports, the WPPD was contacted at approximately 9:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in reference to the incident. Numerous units responded to the call, with one of the WPPD officers receiving information that one of the two parties in the incident had fled the scene in a tan color Chevrolet truck.
Another WPPD officer en route to assisting in the incident came across a truck matching the description given near the intersection of S. 4th St. and W. Park St. a short time later, initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle while an investigation could take place.
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Paxton files brief in support of president’s immigration order
AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a legal brief supporting President Trump’s executive order for an immigration crackdown.
In his Feb. 15 brief with a San Francisco federal appeals court, Paxton defends President Donald Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”
The states of Washington and Minnesota filed a complaint in a Seattle federal district court and were granted a nationwide temporary restraining order that blocked key provisions of the executive order regarding Trump’s proposed ban on travelers from several Muslim-majority countries considered to be terrorism hotspots. On Feb. 9, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld the temporary restraining order.
The annual meeting of the White Rose Cemetery Association will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Train Depot, 210 W. South Commerce, Wills Point (corner 5th and South Commerce).
At this meeting, three directors will be elected to serve on the board for a term of three years. Anyone wishing his/her name on the ballot must be a valid space owner at White Rose Cemetery. Also, a letter stating his/her desire to seek election must be submitted to the board of White Rose Cemetery, Inc., P.O. Box 98, Wills Point, 75169, at least one week prior to the April 1 meeting.
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With the appointment of Dan Maucieri as the Van Zandt County Human Resources Director, commissioners were faced with the problem of finding room in the already packed courthouse for another office. The suggestion of adding a human resources director to take some of the load off of the county treasurer’s office came from an outside audit.
Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. said that an office was needed for Maucieri, citing the need for “confidentiality,” as a major factor.
“We knew that we were not going to keep him in the treasurer’s office because of confidentiality reasons. We began looking for a place to create an office. After discussion with department heads and elected officials, we considered taking up a spot in the law library for the human resources department,” said Melton.
Courtesy photo Kim Henager and Jason Leath opened HiJinx, a family-style pizza place/arcade at 235 N. 4th St. in Wills Point.
By David Kapitan Staff Writer
The idea of establishing and operating a small business can be trying in even the best of times. Success or failure can come down to a variety of factors, including occasionally the willingness of the owner or owners to change directions on a plan midstream.
Kim Henager and Jason Leath can attest to the challenges of being a small business owner, having adapted their original idea of a bar to a family friendly pizza place over the course of the past year.
“Jason and I both grew up in Wills Point and know just what it's like to live here. There's not much to do so we started thinking of ways that we could help improve the town, bring in more tax dollars, and make a living at the same time,” recalled Henager. “It just so happened about the same time, KC's Tin Roof went up for sale. After numerous meetings, discussions, and decisions, we went for it. We bought KC's Tin Roof, LLC and Casey's Private Club at the end of July 2015.”
The Great Texas Warrant Round-up is in full swing with arrest as of Saturday, February 25, 2017. Wills Point Municipal Court will once again be participating in this statewide effort with the help from the Wills Point Police Department. If you have warrants it is recommended that you resolve those before this date to avoid arrest.
In announcing the roundup, the WPMC noted, “Beginning day, Feb. 25, 2017, more than 300 law enforcement agencies across Texas will be concentrating their efforts to address non-compliance with court orders. If you do not resolve your tickets now, you may be subject to arrest. If you are stopped while driving your vehicle and arrested, your vehicle may be impounded, which would result in additional tow and storage fees. Please take care of your tickets now to avoid arrest.
A rendering made by WRA Architects and displayed by the Wills Point ISD at their Feb. 13 shows the potential impact of the $36.2 million bond package facing voters on the May 6 ballot. The map provided indicates how the money would be allocated, and includes the construction of a new junior high campus would be west of Ken Autry Davis field. The overview does not indicate the $1 million parking and road projects.
By David Kapitan Sports Editor
The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees unveiled portions of a two-prong plan designed to update and upgrade the district’s infrastructure at their Feb. 13 meeting, hearing from three companies regarding proposals that specialize in making districts be more energy efficient before unveiling a new $36.2 million bond proposal to be placed on the May ballot.
The three companies that made proposals, Performance Services, Schneider Electric and ABM, were each given a day to review facilities and seven minutes at the most recent board meeting to outline potential work that could be done for the district.
Plans by all three companies, which would upgrade lighting, electrical and water systems, while also replacing elements of the district’s HVAC systems, would be offset by the savings the district would see in utility bills moving forward.
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Neches River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will present a program for the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Saturday, Feb. 25.
Each year, DAR recognizes the contributions of the first president of the United States, George Washington.
“The chapter has partnered with the Genealogical Society for the event. The guest speaker will be Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett. Chapter Awards will be presented and refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend,” members said.
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society meetings are held the fourth Saturday of each month, except December. For more information contact the Library of Genealogy and Local History at 903-567-5012.
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