The staff of Lake Tawakoni State Park want you to start the New Year off on the right foot.
New Years Day at 9 a.m. park officials will offer a 1.5-mile guided hike along the Spring Point Trail. The hike will start at the amphitheater.
“Participants will learn about the features and history of the park and lake while enjoying several shoreline views of beautiful Lake Tawakoni,” organizers said. “Don’t forget your binoculars and cameras because we might see deer, eagles, and other wildlife along the way. We recommend bringing water and dressing for the weather. No pets please.”
The TVEC Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $2,500 grant to every fire department within the TVEC service area, for a total of $130,000. The TVEC Charitable Foundation is funded entirely by donations from TVEC members who participate in Operation Round Up. Participating in the presentation were, alphabetically, Tony Bates, Randy Brumbelow, Josh Farivsworth, Darren Marshall, Robert Mcclelen, Chris Meyer and Heath Morris representing Ben Wheeler, Canton, Edgewood, Elmo and South Van Zandt.
The American Cancer Society is looking for Van Zandt County volunteers to drive patients to treatment appointments.
Getting to and from medical treatments is one of the greatest concerns cancer patients face, according to Cindy Goodson, Road to Recovery volunteer coordinator. To ensure patients get to those much-needed treatments, the American Cancer Society provides free rides through its Road to Recovery program.
Incumbent Pct. 1 Commissioner Brandon Brown has filed for re-election.
A lifelong resident of Van Zandt County, Brown said he is proud to live here and he is happy he is able “to give back to my county some of what has been given to me over the years.”
Brown said his past business experience helped him set priorities and he hopes to further accomplish those goals.
Tom Elliott has filed as a Republican candidate for Van Zandt County Commissioner Precinct 1.
He is challenging incumbent Brandon Brown.
“I have lived in Precinct 1 for 15 years with my wife, Trish Gray Elliott,” Elliott said. “I am a conservative Republican, who believes in a balanced budget and fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. I will be a full time commissioner with no other distractions to consume my time.”
The Wills Point Police Department is taking no chances as the calendar inches closer to the Christmas holiday and New Year’s Day, issuing another reminder this week regarding an influx of unlicensed solicitors that have flocked to the area recently.
In a press release, the police department explained: “A marked increase of door-to-door salespersons have been frequenting the residential areas of Wills Point. These salespersons typically try to sell or get you to switch electric services, satellite TV providers, magazine subscriptions etc. The city of Wills Point requires these salespersons to get a permit to be allowed to go door-to-door within the city limits. However, the Police Department is finding that few ever apply for and get the required permit.”
Jimmy Sheppard, posing with Wills Point Mayor Mark Turner, left this year’s Christmas on the Bricks $5,000 richer Dec. 12, after winning the second annual Brick$ Buck$ drawing designed to promote shopping local.
The Christmas spirit was alive and well on the streets of Wills Point Dec. 12 with hundreds of locals and visitors flocking to the historic brick streets despite the lingering threat of potentially stormy skies.
“The spirit of a small town never ceases to amaze us! The weather forecast was disheartening, but working with Wills Point Police Chief Rob Powell and the National Weather Service we were able to make the decision to forge ahead to be sure our community could celebrate the season with our annual tradition of Christmas on the Bricks and Annual Christmas Parade,” said Wills Point Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Ross following the event.
Van Zandt County law enforcement officials marked another name off their list of wanted criminals this week, announcing the capture of Roger Conroy Dec. 14.
Conroy was arrested in an ongoing arson and burglary investigation from incidents that took place in the Rolling Oaks subdivision near the Van Zandt and Hunt County lines.
Wills Point Municipal Court Judge Rachel Ramsey shares a smile and a handshake with Rob Powell after a swearing in ceremony was conducted Dec. 10. Powell takes the reins from interim chief John Turner, who had held the position since Sept. 2.
By David Kapitan, Staff Writer
The city of Wills Point turned to one of its own last week to fill its vacant chief of police position, promoting Sgt. Rob Powell after conducting a series of interviews in recent weeks.
The position had been in flux since former chief Scott Johnson retired from the department in August 2014.
Shortly after Johnson’s retirement, city officials named John Turner, a veteran of more than four decades in law enforcement, as the interim chief until a full time replacement could be found.
The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees met for the final time during the fall semester Dec. 14, hearing a series of district reports from Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability Amanda Wallace before turning the page to the second half of the 2015-’16 school year.
After the traditional pledge to the flags, interim superintendent Randy Hancock, serving at his final meeting due to the hiring of Scott Caloss as the new permanent superintendent, took to the floor to offer up some final thoughts before his departure.
