News

The office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar released its monthly sales tax revenue figures for the month Sept. 8, indicating that four out of six county cities had collected more revenues when comparing September 2016 figures with those posted for the same calendar month in 2015.

The news was welcome relief, as only Canton was able to pull off the trick during the month of October.

Grand Saline was the county’s biggest gainer in both dollar figure and percentage change for the month, receiving a payment of $62,753.38. That total was $18,178.98 or 40.78 percent higher than the $44,574.40 received in September 2015.

Edgewood also found itself firmly in the gains column, watching their sales tax revenue figures climb 10.63 percent higher than the $16,334.18 collected last year up to $18,070.17.

The Wills Point ISD held its first of three scheduled informational meetings regarding the Nov. 8 bond election Sept. 13 at the middle school campus, drawing a small group of community members interested in learning more about the measure and its potential impact.

Two other informational meetings are currently on tap for the district, with one planned for Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the intermediate school library and at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the high school cafeteria.

The Bond

The $42.5 million bond would generate enough revenue to accomplish several district goals, including the construction of a new junior high campus, additions and renovations at the primary campus, renovations at both the intermediate and high school campus and for the construction of a new road between Terrace Drive and Wingo Way to alleviate strains caused by bus traffic.

The Wills Point Tiger Band has set a high standard of excellence by annually producing one of the top bands in all of Texas regardless of classification.

During the 2015-’16 school year alone, the high school band earned a Superior rating at the UIL Region 3 4A Marching Contest, the Midlothian Marching Festival and the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contests, won a silver medal at the Princeton Marching Contest and earned another UIL Sweepstakes Award.

Students and directors got back to work for the current school year Aug. 1, putting in long hours daily to ensure another banner year and lay the groundwork for another possible trip to the 4A State Marching Competition in San Antonio.

Sunday, Sept. 25, Calvary Baptist Church will continue with part two of its three-part series of messages on marriage, dating and relationships.

Each of the three presentations will be led by the Rev. Ken Byrd, and will take a look at how men and women view the relationship, how God views it and what advice He gives. Additionally, the program will include a look at wedding and marriage customs around the world.

Calvary Baptist is located a mile north of downtown Wills Point on Highway 751. Service begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Additional information regarding the program or directions to the church can be obtained by contacting Ken Byrd at 214-616-6810 or via email at k.byrd@verizon.net.

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees and administrative staff turned its attention to the district’s facilities use policy over the course of the past two months, working to streamline the policy while eliminating as much of the gray area as possible.

The issue was first raised at the August board meeting, with board members Russell Hiler, Jeff Etheridge and George Wilcoxson questioning the district’s allowance of some groups access to facilities while denying other groups the same access under past administrations.

Ultimately, board members requested that the item be revisited at a future time with the stated goal of finding a standardized policy for the district moving forward.

The Van Zandt County Humane Society is hosting the annual Blessing of the Animals Oct. 1 at St. Justin the Martyr Episcopal Church in Canton. 

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.

"We have such a good time doing this, and we hope everyone will bring their chickens, ducks, horses, rabbits, dogs, cats, and yes, even rodents, to be blessed,” said Carol Whatley, president of the VZCHS. “Of course, we would appreciate their all being on leashes or in cages. Even if you are not of the faith, I believe we could all use a little blessing from time to time.  We will have treats for them and a chance to win a St. Francis statue for your garden.  Everyone is welcome." 

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of all animals, and this is a free event to celebrate your animal friends in his honor. 

St. Justin Episcopal Church is located on Hwy. 243, just west of Hwy. 19.  

Cancer patients in Van Zandt County without reliable transportation now have an option to participate in the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program.

Patients fighting cancer need treatment and sometimes transportation is their biggest roadblock. Road to Recovery provides a way to and from cancer treatment for patients who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves.

In many cases, family and friends may be able to help, but over the course of several months, they may not have the time or financial means to provide every ride. To help ease that burden, volunteers donate their time and the use of their vehicles to provide patients a way to receive the life-saving treatments they need.

The Road to Recovery program has been available in Van Zandt County for more than a year, after Mitch and Cindy Goodson became Road to Recovery volunteers.

Wills Point High School will be a hive of activity next week, with organizers continue to put the finishing touches on the third annual WP Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire set for Sept. 21.

Organizers behind the event previously announced “We are so excited about this years Homecoming events and we want you and your family to take part in this epic evening. We will begin the celebration with live music from WPHS alumni, food, games, beat the heap and much more! We will have amazing performances by our Tiger Band, cheerleaders, Tigerettes as well as introduction of our Homecoming Court, coaches and much more!”

Festivities are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. with music, a carnival and other fun activities on the roadway between the high school and career technology building.

The pep rally will last from 7:30-8 p.m. with a bonfire planned for 8 p.m.

It was a night of new faces at the Wills Point City Council’s September meeting, with the introduction of several new staff members in key department’s throughout the city.

Business opened with an agenda item of public recognition as new chief of police Lonnie Carroll welcomed three officers to the city: Bennie Jones, Troy Tucker and R.T. Marr.

In introducing Jones, Carroll noted, “He has a passion for helping the youth…I think he’s going to be a great fit for the school. After he finishes his field training he will go to the school and be our school resource officer. We’re very excited about that.”

Speaking of Tucker, Carroll stated that “He has some past law enforcement experience…He’ll be filling one of our patrol spots very soon and he’s been doing a very good job in his training.”

“A Fresh Start to a Healthier You” is the topic of a series of programs being offered in September by the Van Zandt County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office.

The next program will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 21. It will be “Balancing Your Day.”

The Sept. 28 session is “Saving More at the Grocery Store” and the Sept. 29 program is called “Celebrating Small Bites.”

There will be free recipes and food demonstrations and everyone in attendance will have their name entered into a drawing for door prizes.

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