January 2022

A drainage issue on a private road that was not previously designated as a city street was a topic of a great deal of discussion Jan. 13 during the regular monthly meeting of the Van City Council.

A new contract between Van Zandt County and the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake for animal shelter services was approved unanimously Jan. 19 by the VZC Commissioners Court.

With the March 1, 2022, Texas Primary Election fast approaching, candidates who have filed for election gathered at the Canton Civic Center for a candidate debate Jan. 25. The debate featured candidates in the Van Zandt County races of VZC Judge, Pct. 4 Commissioner, Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace, and the state races for Governor and Lt. Governor along with land commissioner. This article features the debate for the VZC Judge and VZC Pct. 4 commissioner.

Last week First Husband and I drove to Dallas. This was not a pleasure trip, but a doctor’s appointment. He’s a great doctor and I really like him, but I swear, if we have to go back to Dallas again ever I might have to smack somebody.

By the time I completed a dozen trips around the sun, the notion had become ingrained in me that certain possessions were needed; no, were essential; no, were vital for self-actualization as a maturing male. Of course, this ingraining came about primarily through interactions with my school peers but the desire for these possessions was powerfully reinforced by the youth-devoured media of the day — which then included comic books, funny papers, picture shows, and that burgeoning monster called “TV”. And for my core group of mates, the primary possession craved was a BB gun, despite the forceful objections of our parents. And because I was hopelessly immersed in the cowboy culture of the day, my shooting iron had to be a lever-action carbine, like Jimmy Stewart wielded in the movie “Winchester ’73.”

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, aunt and friends, Wanda Shelton of Arlington. She is survived by two daughters, Jeannette Hahn and LaWanda Horton; five grandchildren, Leian Hahn, Mike Acker, Michelle Williams, Keisha Gomez, Alan Reese, Michelle Delong, Tamryn Henry Conger and their spouses; many great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Danny Oliver Cupp, 88, of Edgewood, was held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Edgewood. Services were under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home. Danny left this earth peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Dallas after an extended battle with cancer. He has achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a resident of Heaven.