News

Facilities use agreement gets update 

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees met for more than two hours on Monday night, tackling an agenda that included a report on a structural condition assessment conducted at the high school campus from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. as well as a lengthy discussion centering on the district’s facilities use policy.

After a brief period of student and staff recognition to open the meeting, the board was given an extensive report by Beth L. Brueggen, a senior associate with WJE regarding the high school.

The report was conducted at the request of the district to review areas that have shown cracking and other areas of concern in the cafetorium, the library and the second floor classrooms above the library.

Wills Point’s varsity cross country teams competed in Midlothian Sept. 8, finishing sixth overall in the varsity girls division.

Senior Gaby Gonzalez was the top Lady Tiger finisher, posting a time of 14:58. Gonzalez was followed by Jaylee Phillips in 16:00, Hannah Sauceda in 16:34, Natalee Darst in 16:51, Brisa Carrillo in 17:04, Elizabeth Cockerham in 17:14, Abbie Phillips in 17:17, Jasmin Herrera in 19:42, and Candy Carrillo in 19:57.

The boys team was led by senior David Umana with a time of 19:13. Umana was followed by Ricky Navarro in 19:44, Cade Davis in 20:13, Aidan Phillips in 20:27, Matt Mayfield in 21:30, Gerardo Gonzalez in 21:51, Adam Shorter in 22:11, Edwin Figueroa in 22:17, Trevor Harrell in 23:24, and Chase Phillips in 23:36.

Wills Point’s JH and HS cross country teams will be at Canton on September 17.

It’s always hard to see a great employee leave, but in this case I’m very happy. I am sad to see her go but very happy she will be able to spend more time with her family.

Donnita Fisher has been the managing editor of our newspaper group since October 2013 and she has been a very big part of many of the positive changes we have seen in our papers since.

Recently she and her husband moved to the town of Nevada close to Lake Lavon to be closer to their two children and two grandchildren. Donnita told me about her plans to retire earlier this year and she has been kind enough to work through the summer until we put together a plan for replacement.

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.  

The City of Canton, which currently runs the lone animal shelter in Van Zandt County, recently announced a proposal requesting that other cities help cover the expenditures and running costs of its shelter.

In response to Canton’s proposal, Wills Point city leaders explained their support of the measure as a means to help control the animal population locally, stating, “The city council has included animal control in the City of Wills Point’s budget for the past several years at the request of concerned citizens. However, efforts of animal control are determined by shelter availability. The City of Canton has graciously accepted our animals when their shelter is not full during this time. 

The rock and rollicking musical Grease is coming to town at the Wills Point High School.

Grease is a 1978 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Randal Kleiser and produced by Paramount Pictures.

It is based on Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs' 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway.

Grease will be coming to WPHS on November 5th and 12th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The performances will be held in the cafetorium. Student tickets are $6 and adult tickets are $10. Come out and enjoy a great show.

For reservations or more information contact Jamie Keeler at jamie.keeler@wpisd.com.

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County Judge Don Kirkpatrick was one of hundreds of county officials who gathered in Austin last month at the Texas Association of Counties 2-16 Legislative Conference to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the common concerns shared by Texas’ local governments and local taxpayers.

“The Legislative Conference is really the one time each year county officials from around the state can get together as peers and as community leaders to discuss common issues and potential solutions to our shared challenges, and to discuss the coming legislative session, the workings of which will undoubtedly affect counties in many ways,” said TAC Executive Director Gene Terry.  “It is also a perfect opportunity to meet and visit with our colleagues in the legislature before the whirlwind of the session, to discuss the interim and what can be accomplished this session.”

Caney Creek Cowboy Church, 1144 VZCR 1806, Grand Saline, is having its annual jubilee beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

There will be live entertainment all day.  There will also be a poetry contest, salsa judging, pie judging, chili cook off and kids cowboy carnival.

Sign up is at 8 a.m.  Herd ‘em up entry fee is $5 each and trail challenge entry fee is $10.  Saddle Raffle Tickets are $5.000 each.  For more information contact Judy Trussell at 903-312-3801.

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

Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics is sponsoring health care screenings in Wills Point.

Residents living in and around the Wills Point can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. 

The Community Room at 307 N. Fourth St. will host this community event Sept. 28. 

Screenings can check for plaque buildup in arteries; risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health; HDL and LDL cholesterol levels; diabetes risk; bone density as a risk for possible osteoporosis; and kidney and thyroid function.

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