News

Tue
04
Oct

Benefit set for Tucker

There will be a benefit for Tommy Tucker, who is battling bladder cancer, from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Austin Arena in Myrtle Springs, Hwy. 64, two miles north of I20 at 32041 S.H. 64, Wills Point. No glass containers will be allowed.

For more information, call Jamie Hardy at 903- 275-9108.

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Wills Point Chronicle or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

Mon
03
Oct

Comptroller announces record $270 million in unclaimed property returns

The Texas Comptroller’s office returned a record $270 million in unclaimed property to rightful owners during the past fiscal year,  said Comptroller Glenn Hegar Sept. 15. This breaks the previous record of $248 million returned in fiscal 2015.

“This record is a tremendous achievement and a testament to our award-winning efforts to return more money to more Texans,” Hegar said. “It highlights our ongoing commitment to reuniting unclaimed property with rightful owners. I encourage all Texans to visit ClaimItTexas.org to see if the state is holding some of their unclaimed property."

The Comptroller's office has returned more than $2 billion to its owners since Texas' unclaimed property program began in 1962.

In fiscal 2016 — Sept. 1, 2015, through Aug. 31, 2016 — the Comptroller’s office received more than 300,000 claims.

Mon
03
Oct

Voter registration deadline is Oct. 11

Van Zandt County voters will take to the polls in the primary election on Election Day, Nov. 8. Voter registration deadline by mail or at the VZC Courthouse is Oct. 11.

 To be eligible to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, a resident of Texas, and a U.S. citizen.

Persons are not eligible to vote in Texas if they are on parole for a felony conviction or convicted of a felony; or have been legally declared mentally incompetent by a court. If a person has been previously convicted of a felony crime, they may vote in Texas if their voting rights have been restored.

To register to vote in Texas a person should have a Texas driver’s license or state/non-driver ID number.  A list of accepted supporting forms of ID can be found at www.votetexas.gov

Sun
02
Oct

Fly-in date drawing near at VZCRA

The Van Zandt County Regional Airport will be marking a milestone in the coming weeks, hosting its first open to the public fly-in event since 2013 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8.

VZCRA, located at 36671 State Highway 64 just south of Wills Point, was scheduled to host similar events in both 2014 and 2015 but less than ideal weather conditions and construction projects at the airport forced cancellations in both 2014 and 2015.

The first event was a huge success locally, with hundreds coming out to enjoy the activities and see planes up close both on the ground and in the air.

Announced plans for the 2016 VZCRA Fly-In include a Cruisin’ on Wheels and Wings Classic Car Show, kid’s activities including a bounce house and a 75th  anniversary celebration of the Civil Air Patrol.

Sat
01
Oct

WPHS Theater Department announces Trunk or Treat plans

The WPHS Theater Department will be getting in on some Halloween fun this year, announcing their first ever Trunk or Treat event to be held at the high school parking lot from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22.

Organizers behind the event advised the community to “Get your costume on and come join the fun! All clubs, organizations and local businesses are welcome to enter their ‘trunk.’ This year’s theme is ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and festivities are targeted for kids up to 12 years old.”

There will be a $5 entry fee per trunk, and the trunk with the best design will be awarded prize money. Additionally, each organization can plan an extra activity to fundraise with their trunk.

Ideas presented include: face painting, Halloween-themed games like Pin the Wart on the Witch or a Mummy Wrap, a costume contest, a scarecrow building contest, Halloween dance party, trick or treat bag decorating or even selling refreshments or a meal. 

Fri
30
Sep

WP Homecoming Pep Rally

Photo by David Kapitan

The homecoming bonfire, constructed using wooden pallets, plywood, and other flammable items, went up quickly. 

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Wills Point Chronicle or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

Fri
30
Sep

WP Homecoming 2016

Photo by David Kapitan

Gabriela Gonzalez, escorted by her younger brother Gerardo Gonzalez, was crowned the 2016 WPHS Homecoming Queen during halftime of Friday night’s game.

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Wills Point Chronicle or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

Fri
30
Sep

County sees first confirmed West Nile Case

Van Zandt County residents have been relatively lucky in recent years, ducking the brunt of the seemingly endless spread of new and emerging illnesses that have plagued other areas and regions.

Although still the case, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced in a report dated Sept. 17 that VZC has seen its first confirmed case of the West Nile Virus.

According to the DSHS, “West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. However, some infections can result in serious illness or death. People over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they become infected with the virus.”

The VZC case of West Nile Virus has been classified as being a confirmed case of West Nile fever, often characterized by symptoms that can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue.

Wed
28
Sep

TxDOT retirees to meet in Tyler

All Texas Department of Transportation retirees, former TxDOT employees, family and friends are cordially invited to join the TxDOT Tyler District Retirees Group Oct. 22 in the Piano Room of Tradition’s American-Style Cafeteria Restaurant in Tyler. 

The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

“An enjoyable time and an informative program are our goals.  As a break from the many speeches given during our Nation’s election season, our good fellowship will be the featured presentation for the day.  Keeping in touch with friends and former co-workers is what we are all about,” organizers said.

Traditions Restaurant is located at 6205 S. Broadway St. between the intersections with Old and New Grande Boulevard

For more information, contact Danny Aylor, 2003 TxDOT retiree, at 903-676-9271 or email dannyaylor@earthlink.net.

Tue
27
Sep

County tax rate holds steady, budget set

The county commissioners have adopted a balanced budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2016-’17.

The commissioners met Sept. 13 to adopt a budget and set the tax rate at $.485847 per $100 valuation which is the same as last year’s tax rate.

County Judge Don Kirkpatrick said that the commissioners and county officials had spent “over 2.5 months working on the budget.”

“This budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $327,840.53 which is a 3.4274 percent increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $209,115.64,” Kirkpatrick said.

Ad Valorem taxes bring in $11,462,257 with the special road tax bringing $1,934,463; fines and fees of offices, $3,088,783; income from investments, $18,200; miscellaneous income, $560,523; and transfers from fund balance $1,644,649 for a total revenue of $18,708,875. 

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