A family friend, Mat Levitsky, posted this photo and request to help the family. Levitsky states, “I want to ask everyone to please help this family in need Corey Saunders and his son Nathon were taken from us this week in a tragic hunting accident if it all possible every little bit helps. Please go to any American National Bank and donate to his expenses. He leaves behind a loving wife and four-week-old son. The account is under Elisa Levitsky /Stephanie Stiles for the benefit of Corey Saunders and Megan Clark Family Account. All donations will go directly to Megan Clark. Anything would be a blessing to these two.”
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Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks holds a news conference Tuesday afternoon concerning the two lives lost to drowning while on a duck hunting trip at Lake Tawakoni. Shown behind Meeks are, from left, Game Warden Lance May, Capt. Steve Stapleton and Game Warden Benny Richards.
Bodies recovered in Caddo Inlet after boat overturns A Quinlan man took his five-year-old son out early Monday morning at Lake Tawakoni for his first duck hunt. “At approximately 7:15 p.m., the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a missing person in the 6800 block of County Road 3512. The reporting person stated her husband and five-year-old son had left at 5 a.m. that morning to go duck hunting on Lake Tawakoni, and when she returned home from work, they had not returned,” Sheriff Randy Meeks said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon at his office. He said the missing persons were identified as Corey Saunders, a 26-year-old from Quinlan, and his son, Nathan Saunders, five.
Abbott reacts to Trump’s choice of Perry as energy secretary
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rick Perry as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy prompted this reaction by Gov. Greg Abbott:
“Under Rick Perry’s leadership in Texas,” Abbott said, “the Lone Star State experienced unprecedented growth in the energy sector, which in turn created hundreds of thousands of jobs for Texans. Rick Perry was instrumental in creating a more favorable regulatory environment for the energy industry in Texas, and I have no doubt that he will bring that same expertise to his new post. The State of Texas looks forward to working with him to help advance America’s energy sector to create a more robust economy and greater opportunity for all Americans.”
Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home has invested back into the community in order to promote the saving of lives. Owner Dan C. Hiett Jr. saw a unique opportunity to assist local first responders through an ingenious marketing initiative that could help save lives.
The Vital ICE (In Case of Emergency) app can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or Google Play, for a smart phone and enter in their code: #4558.
Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home is making this potentially life-saving app available for free.
The Wesley Pruitt Band will present the fifth annual Bringin’ It Home New Year’s Eve Bash Dec. 31 at the Van Zandt County Fairgrounds Todd Berry Building.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and music will begin at 7 p.m. Special guests include Heather Little and Meredith Crawford and the Backhand Band. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Twenty-five percent of all ticket sales will benefit Relay for Life of Van Zandt County.
“Bring your own chairs. There will be door prizes and giveaways throughout the night. No glass please,” organizers of the event said.
Dan Maucieri was introduced as the new Van Zandt County Human Resource director Dec. 13 during a regular session of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.
Maucieri was selected from applicants that were interviewed for the job by Van Zandt County Commissioners Virgil Melton Jr. (Pct. 2) and Tim West (Pct. 4).
“We interviewed some highly qualified candidates,” said Melton. “We feel that we have a candidate that will do the best job for Van Zandt County and that is Dan Maucieri.”
According to Melton, Maucieri is retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of service. For the past 15 years, he has dealt with civilian and military personnel issues.
At the time of his retirement, he was the superintendent over all personnel at an Air Force base in Japan, dealing with Air Force personnel and civilians that were hired to work on the base.
As long as a dog remains man’s best friend, puppies will be a gift idea around the holidays. Being fueled by the desire to make all of their family’s Christmas wishes come true, it is not surprising that some people may miss the red flags when purchasing a puppy online. The Better Business Bureau urges parents to take precautions if they are seeking to place a big brown eyed, wiggling puppy wearing a big red bow under the Christmas tree.
Puppy scams have been around a long time and fake puppy sellers have improved their approach over the years. Now, BBB research shows the scheme can have two variations.
Lake Tawakoni State Park will continue a yearly tradition Jan. 1, hosting its annual First Day Hike. In a press release, the park staff announced "Let's get 2017 started off with a beautiful 1.5-mile guided hike along our easy Spring Point Trail. We will meet at the amphitheater at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1.
"As we hike together, we'll talk about some of the features and history of both Lake Tawakoni, and the park. There will be some fantastic lake views, so bring your camera and binoculars. We may also see deer, eagles, and other wildlife along the way.
"Bring water and don't forget to dress for that cool January morning weather. Please contact the park headquarters with any questions and to sign up for this great way to ring in the new year. Hope to see you all on the lake!"
The Wills Point Community Angel Tree program for 2016 is complete! “Thanks to countless individuals, churches, and local businesses who picked an angel, gave gifts and food, donated funds, and/or gave of their time, clothing and toys for 309 children and food for their 112 families were distributed. Our volunteers collectively spent hundreds of hours shopping at numerous stores in several cities and sorting items received in an attempt to make sure that the children receive the right size clothing and at least one of their wish list items and that their families receive a good quantity of food. This truly was a community-wide effort, neighbor helping neighbor. Thank you for helping to make Christmas 2016 special for some very needy Wills Point families!” said WPCAT coordinator Sherri Rowe.
The Wills Point Masonic Lodge #422 recently presented Jennifer Ross with its distinguished Community Builder Award. Ross has long been an active member in several local organizations and groups, including time spent as the president of the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce. Upon receiving the award, Ross stated, “I am truly honored to receive this award since my father, Dewain High, was a past Worshipful Master for the Masons.”
