By David Kapitan

Staff Writer

Mother Nature has wreaked havoc with plenty of events throughout much of 2015 with rain, cold and everything in between but she gave attendees of this year’s local Juneteenth festivities a reprieve by providing relatively mild temperatures and holding off on showers until later in the day.

For more than two decades, the city of Wills Point has been the site of the largest Juneteenth celebration in Van Zandt County. It maintained the tradition this year June 20. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free. 

By David Kapitan

Staff Writer

The office of Texas State Comptroller provided good news to most Van Zandt County cities this month, releasing figures that indicate five out of six local cities would be receiving larger sales tax revenue figures than what was collected in June 2014.

Hegar’s report shows that Canton, Edgewood, Edom, Grand Saline and Wills Point all saw their respective arrows trend upwards, while the city of Van ended on the opposite end of the spectrum by trailing behind last year’s monthly figure.

The city of Canton posted the largest positive dollar change for any county city in June 2015, collecting $277.988.53. That figure was up $18,085.44 over the $259,903.09 collected back in June 2014.

From staff reports

For the 18^th consecutive year, the city of Wills Point will be the site of the largest Juneteenth celebration in Van Zandt County.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free. 

This announcement came two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The celebration of June 19 became “Juneteenth,” and the observance has grown beyond the borders of Texas and traveled to other countries. It became an official state holiday in Texas after having been signed into law on June 13, 1979.

By David Kapitan

Staff Writer

The Wills Point ISD doubled up on meetings this week, holding a special meeting to hear grievances from the second and third-ranked members of the Class of 2015 before clocking in another 2.5 hours for their regular monthly meeting on June 15.

The special meeting, which began one hour prior to the start of the regular monthly meeting, became the latest chapter in what has become an ongoing debate about the district’s policy regarding the minimum residency requirements necessary in order to qualify for the title of class valedictorian.

Stephen Magee, who finished second overall in the final class rankings, and Austin Roberts, the third ranking graduate for this year’s class, were at one time considered the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2015.

By David Kapitan

Staff Writer

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees will take on a different look moving into the summer months.

Bryan Southard, a member of the Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees since 2010, issued a letter to board members and the community at large after Monday night’s regularly scheduled monthly board meeting to announce his resignation to be effective June 16.

Southard, a 1998 Wills Point graduate, served on the board as both a trustee and vice president during his two terms on the board.

Farmers and ranchers in the area who suffered damage from recent storms may be eligible for help from the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund.

The STAR Fund was created solely with monetary donations from private individuals and companies, including Farm Credit, Valero and McCoy’s Building Supply. STAR Fund money may be used to assist farmers and ranchers in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief.

Other projects that may be eligible for funding include replacing feed, hay, barns and debris removal. 

Applications must be received by close of business 60 business days after the governor’s declaration of disaster for the county in which assistance is sought.  In Van Zandt and Hunt counties, that date is Aug. 21. 

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Huge crowds attended the 2015 version of TNT Tawakoni Noodling Tournament Friday and Saturday.

Almost double the number of fishermen entered this year's tournament over last year with 97 signed up. Organizer Billy Creed said the 2015 version of TNT “was by far the biggest and best TNT thus far.”

“We had almost double the noodlers at 97 and 76 cars at the car show was about eight times better,” Crred said. “Fun was had everywhere.”

TNT is now gearing up for TNT's catfish finale.

“This will be an any-legal means tournament,” Creed said. “So, no matter how you fish — if it’s legal — bring in that fish.”

Preregistration for that tournament has begun and costs $40 until Aug. 30 when the price goes to $50 at the gate.

AUSTIN – June 2, Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a ceremonial bill signing on the heliport at the Dallas Convention Center where he discussed the investments in transportation infrastructure made this legislative session.

The governor previously declared transportation an emergency initiative in his State of the State address.

Overlooking the construction of new roadways in Dallas, Governor Abbott signed into law House Bills 20, 2612 and 1187, which support his call to invest more in transportation and keep commerce and commuters moving on Texas roads. In addition to signing the bills, the Governor touted his support of SJR 5, which seeks to constitutionally dedicate a portion of the state sales tax and motor vehicle sales tax to the state highway fund. SJR 5 will be put before voters in November 2015 and, if approved, would represent the single largest increase to transportation funding in the state’s history.

By David Kapitan

Staff Writer

The Wills Point City Council powered through its June agenda Tuesday, June 9, tackling several annual housekeeping items and greenlighting the next steps of several key projects within the city.

Business opened with Wills Point Police Department Chief Kirk King presenting Kyle Wilcoxson and Wilco with a plaque of appreciation for their help in the purchase, manufacturing and installation of equipment for the city’s K-9 unit.

The council also held a public hearing on renewing the city’s curfew ordinance for minors and approved the measure a short time later.

The city’s curfew ordinance, which applies to anyone not meeting certain exceptions, runs from “11 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6 a.m. on the following day and 12:01 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday until 6 a.m. on that day.”

Organizers were hard at work this week, putting together the finishing touches on the 18^th annual Juneteenth Celebration in Wills Point.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free. 

This announcement came two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862. The celebration of June 19 became “Juneteenth,” and the observance has grown beyond the borders of Texas and traveled to other countries. It became an official state holiday in Texas after having been signed into law on June 13, 1979.