In early December, the Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees announced that Scott Caloss, an educator with more than 23 years of experience in public education, had been selected after a months long search as the lone finalist for the district’s open superintendent position. Caloss’ resume includes serving as a math teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. Over the past 11.5 years at Poth ISD, Caloss served as the junior high principal for eight years before transitioning over the Poth ISD superintendent’s position in Aug. 2012. Late last week, Caloss sat down with the Chronicle for an interview to discuss what brought him to Wills Point, and where he sees the district going moving forward.
Local residents took the opportunity to participate in a SKYWARN Storm Spotter class hosted by the National Weather Service Jan. 18. The class was free of charge and discussed thunderstorm formation, ingredients and features associated with severe and nonsevere storms. The program is one of 60 training classes offered by the Fort Worth NWS office conducted between January and March 2016.
The Wills Point Community Angel Tree program for 2015 is complete! In a press release, organizers stated, “Thanks to countless individuals, churches and local businesses who picked an angel, gave gifts, donated funds, and/or gave of their time, toys and clothing for 359 children and food for 124 families were distributed. This truly was a community-wide effort, neighbor helping neighbor. Thank you for helping to make Christmas 2015 special for some very needy Wills Point families!”
TVEC Public Relations Manager Bobbi Byford, center, presents a grant check to Cary S. Hilliard, Dr. Leon J. Davis, Jerry L. Symns and Ronald "Red" Montgomery of the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial.
The TVEC Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $2,000 grant to the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial. The funds will be used to assist in expenses incurred to maintain and operate the museum. Volunteers staff the office, assisting visitors with a walk-through of the memorial and aiding any veterans with any concerns or issues. The TVEC Charitable Foundation is funded entirely by TVEC members who participate in Operation Round Up.
Locust Grove will host the fifth Sunday Gospel Sing from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. The event will bring together singers and musicians from many local churches around the Wills Point area, organizers said. “This is an inter-denominational event and everyone is welcome to join us,” they said. “So whether you want to have a chance to sing and play with other musicians or would just like to hear some good old fashioned gospel music, come on over to Locust Grove!” Locust Grove is located at 13422 Hiram Rd. in Wills Point. It is one-mile south on FM 2965 off I-20. For information, call 214-477-8962.
Feb. 13 Canton’s Two-Acre Lake (behind the Wal-Mart Super Center by Mill Creek Lake) will be the site of a Kids’ Trout Fishing Day. The event, which is sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the city of Canton, local merchants, civic organizations, and many individual contributors, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Soft drinks and hot dogs will be provided, and there will be drawings for door prizes for participating kids. Anglers are encouraged to bring their rods, reels and bait so they can have a chance at catching some of the 2,852 rainbow trout that will be stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Whole kernel corn, Berkley power bait and small spinners are generally the favorite baits for trout, organizers said.
Efforts by the Wills Point Police department led to the reunion of a beloved pet and his family following the tornados and violent storms that passed over the region Dec. 26.
By Britne Hammons, Staff Writer
Van Zandt County residents are no strangers to the damage, devastation and after effects that can come from violent storms and tornados, having witnessed several incidents themselves over the past year.
The most notable example, a deadly tornado that devastated the city of Van May 10, 2015, rallied thousands from across the state and beyond to limit and cleanup damage, help those hurt or injured, and return a sense of normalcy to the community.
WPISD Board of Trustees President C.W. Wilson speaks with newly hired district superintendent Scott Caloss following a special called meeting Jan. 5.
By David Kapitan, Staff Writer
The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees enjoyed a nice change of pace during a special called meeting held at the administration office Jan. 5. After months of long hours and searching for the best possible candidate to fill the full-time superintendent position, trustees finalized a contract with Scott Caloss in a brief meeting on Tuesday night.
During the Dec. 22 county commissioners meeting. Commissioner Pct. 4 Tim West once again asked for county departments to submit their respective monthly reports.
West, who said that the reports were “slipping again,” in regards to the amount of reports received, said that a monthly report by the offices and departments of the county was required by law to be submitted.
West also discussed with fellow commissioners about the need to discuss options on how to receive the reports.
