News

An unsettling trend of thieves attempting to defraud residents recently took a new form locally recent, with more than a dozen cases credit and debit card abuse being reported. In a Facebook release dated Dec. 16, the Wills Point Police Department warned: “Credit/Debit Card abuse is the use of your credit card or debit card by another to obtain a benefit fraudulently. This is the most common type of identity theft and can occur whether or not the person physically has your actual card. Please be vigilant of credit/debit card slots as you swipe or insert your card.

While more than a few businesses have come and gone across the local business landscape over the years, some have managed to plant their roots more deeply to become a big part of the community they inhabit.

Through a mix of unique entertainment, good food and community outreach, Ramsey's Roadhouse & Pub has become one such business.

Located at 505 N. 4th St., Ramsey’s Roadhouse was opened by Linda Ramsey in March 2014 to serve as a new community hangout and entertainment venue.

Ramsey explained, “We are your East Texas Redneck Cheers: our customers greet new people as if it is their own place. We try to remember our name and make you feel welcome. Because we are also a restaurant, kiddos are welcome until 10 p.m. We have a big redneck backyard and most of the comments we get are that it all feels homey and comfortable.

The parents of Lena Pettiet have established a scholarship program in their daughter’s memory to benefit Van Zandt county students enrolled in the nursing program at Trinity Valley Community College.  

The scholarship may be awarded to a Van Zandt County high school senior who has been accepted into the nursing program, a traditional TVCC student in the nursing program, or an LVN to RN or a Paramedic to RN transition student.  

“We are excited and honored to be able to help local students in our daughter’s memory.  Lena' was a giver, helping others at every opportunity that arose.  We feel this scholarship will continue her giving spirit, the Pettiets said. 

Days before the 75^th anniversary of the bombing by Japanese forces of United States military bases and assets on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941, Larry Turner hosted a special program at Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wills Point about four local men aboard the U.S.S. Arizona that day and their lives beginning.

Turner’s presentation included information about Dee Cumpie Ayers, a 1935 graduate of Wills Point High School; Allen Brady Fincher, born in Canton and graduate of Grand Saline High School in 1940; Brooxey J. Johnston, who attended Wills Point schools before graduating elsewhere; and Horace Van Wood, a 1938 graduate of WPHS.

Due to the overwhelming support of the program, Turner will be making CD copies of his presentation available. In lieu of payment, Turner requested those interested in receiving a copy make a donation to www.ussarizona.org.

When you see red in the holiday colors this month, think of hospital patients in need of something red that only another person like you can gift to them – your blood. And think of the fact that it only takes about an hour to give whole blood. No ‘green’ is needed, just one hour of time and selfless generosity to donate blood.

 In the summer and winter months, patients do not get a break from their required blood transfusions. Yet annually, Carter BloodCare observes a giving slump in December, due to hectic schedule changes, vacations and families spending time together for the holidays.

The Wills Point City Council held its final regular monthly meeting of 2016 Tuesday night, closing out the calendar year by wrapping up several items of business from previous year.

After going through a brief public recognition portion of the agenda, city leaders picked up where they left off in November by finalizing a contract with Swift Lawn Services for mowing services.

At last month’s meeting, city administrator Pam Pearson explained, “We did receive three bids: two of those were for all of the services listed and the other one was only for Lester Park. Out of the three bids, we feel that Swift Lawn Services at $45,000 annually, is the bid that we would like to recommend.”

To ensure that all companies were on equal footing entering the bidding process, company officials were taken on a tour of properties that would need to be maintained. Once discussion on the item closed, council members unanimously approved the bid by Swift Lawn Services. 

The Wills Point ISD School Board approved a resolution outlining their top legislative priorities entering the 2017 Texas Legislative Session.

The passing of this measure is the latest in a collective effort by the superintendents and school boards of Region 10 to communicate the top areas of interest that stand to impact the 812,000 students they collectively serve.

The priorities include a call to repeal any A-F campus and district grading system, opposition to vouchers or Education Savings Grants and an increase of funding for Texas’ public schools. 

A grant for an in-car camera system to be used by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was approved in a special meeting held Dec. 7 by the Van Zandt County Commissioners.  

County Auditor Freddy Thomas said that former Fire Marshal Chuck Allen had applied for the grant before Allen vacated his position.

“The grant did come through and when it was approved, Fire Marshal Allen was already gone. The grant sat there for a few weeks. But, we did go out and get a quote from WatchGuard in the amount of $69,000. My concerns were that we needed to get bids since it was over $50,000. So, we went out for bids.”

Thomas said that two bids were received. WatchGuard bid $69,000 and Digital Ally also submitted a bid that was higher.  

The historic downtown area was the place to be locally with live music, vendors and activities for people of all ages, and a Christmas parade complete with an appearance by Santa Claus bringing a steady stream of visitors to Wills Point Dec. 10.

Even with cool temperatures gripping the area, crowds began gathering early in the morning for the first set of events.

Annual favorites, including a 5k Reindeer Run and Breakfast with Santa at the community center, jumpstarted the festivities.

Edgewood eighth grader Claire James took first overall in the Reindeer Run, followed by Ranulfo Luna in second place and Mike Lyle in third.

Other activities and events included a Kid’s Zone with inflatable rides for kids, and the annual Christmas on the Bricks Car Show.

Wills Point found itself in a surprisingly exclusive position to close the year by finishing as the lone Van Zandt County city to see its December Sales Tax revenues increase over the same calendar month from the previous year.

According to the office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the city received a December 2016 payment of $91,210.59, up 22.26 percent over the $74,601.18 received in December 2015.

Canton, Edgewood, Edom, Grand Saline and Van all received a smaller sales tax revenue payment this month than they received in December 2015, leading the county to finish a combined $70,131.06 under last year’s figures for the month.

Canton, the county’s biggest gainer in both October and November, received a payment of $270,903.88 this month. That total was 7.95 percent, or $23,394.10, less than the $294,297.98 received last year at the same time.