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Young, Davis Win City Council Terms

Amanda — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:39:03 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
Two new council members will take office this month after defeating incumbents in Saturday’s Van City Council election.
Allison Kellam Young and Amanda Hightower Davis both rode strong results on Election Day to win two-year terms in Place 1 and Place 2, respectively.
Young defeated incumbent Wayne Horton, 167-81. She held a 20-vote lead, 67-47, after early votes were tabulated, but picked up 100 votes on Saturday to handily win the council seat.
In the Place 2 election, Davis came out on top in a more tightly contested race. Both she and incumbent Dean Stone received 58 votes in early voting, but Davis took Election Day by a 75-58 count.
The final tally gave Davis a 133-116 edge.
Place 3 incumbent Jackie Nations, running unopposed, received 192 total votes.
According to Van City Administrator Yvonne McCauley, 250 voted in the election, with 116 of those during the early voting period.
Dike Wins Only Contested
School Board Race
In the Van ISD School Board election on Saturday, Dean Dike won a four-year term in Place 4 by topping Ted Mitchell, 294-191.
Place 2 went to unopposed candidate Charles McCaffree, who changed from his incumbent position in Place 4. He received 342 votes and will serve a two-year term.
Place 3, also a two-year term, went to unopposed incumbent Brenda Kellam with 337 votes.
The other three unopposed races were for four-year terms. Place 5 incumbent Lesley Goode received 349 votes, Place 6 incumbent Mark McClanahan got 346 votes and Place 7 incumbent Jill Dutton received 341 votes.

Man Arrested, Charged With Fatal Stabbing

Amanda — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:27:51 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
Van police are continuing to investigate a fatal stabbing of a man Monday morning near Van High School.
However, one man is being held on a $1 million bond for a felony murder charge. He is identified as Delano Garcia, 39, Lindale.
Garcia was placed under arrest just before midnight Monday, Van Police Chief Tony Richardson said.
“He had been detained for most of the day and we had enough (evidence) that we felt he was the person responsible,” Richardson said.
The victim was identified Tuesday as Jesse Lee Hudspeth, 39, Wills Point. Richardson said Hudspeth died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Richardson said a 9-1-1 caller mistakenly thought the victim had been shot, but the police chief added that no gun shots had been reported being heard.
“We are now through with the crime scene but we are still in the investigation stage,” Richardson said, adding that East Ohio Street, where the crime allegedly occurred, had been reopened to traffic Tuesday afternoon.
Van police got assistance at the crime scene from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, Texas Rangers and the Smith County Crime Scene Unit, Richardson noted.
He said the Van community is still in a bit of shock about the incident.
“I think a lot of people here are just surprised or shocked, I don’t know what the right word might be, but they are somewhat perplexed to have that kind of thing happen here in town,” he said.
According to a police report, a call was received about a man lying in the 300 block of East Ohio Street about 10:26 a.m. Monday.
Soon after the initial call to police, all Van ISD campuses were put on a low-level lockdown, Van ISD Superintendent Don Dunn said.
“(The incident) was just down the street from the high school and we put the schools on lockdown after we initially heard people had reported hearing gunshots,” Dunn said, “but it came back later there were not any gunshots, but that it was a stabbing,”
Dunn explained this particular lockdown decision did not interrupt normal classroom operations.
“‘Low-level lockdown’ means we close and lock all outside doors, and do not allow parents or visitors inside except to check students out, and we limit outside student traffic as much as possible,” he stated.
“School continues to take place inside, and we didn’t lock all students and teachers into individual rooms. It was just a precautionary measure,” Dunn added.
The lockdown status was lifted after one hour, Dunn said.

Photo by Terry Britt
Law enforcement officials sealed off East Ohio Street in Van after a man was found in the street dead from stab wounds Monday morning about 10:26 a.m. Van ISD school campuses were put on a precautionary lockdown status for about one hour.

Two Die In Fiery Crash

Amanda — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:28:35 +0000

By Julie Vaughan
Editor
Two people died in a fiery crash Monday night on Farm-to-Market 314 south of Van.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Matt Cosper said 46-year-old Ben Wheeler resident Jill Troquille had just got off work at the Dinner Bell in Van and was traveling home on FM 314 in a 1995 Ford F150 pickup.
“According to one of the witnesses, a Chevy SUV passed them (the witness) at a high rate of speed,” Cosper said.
The 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Jason Miller, 28, Van, was northbound on FM 314, while Troquille was southbound.
“The SUV crossed over the center strip and hit the truck head on and shortly after the impact, both vehicles were engulfed in fire,” Cosper said.
Troquille and Miller were pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Scott Shinn.
“There is no evidence of drugs or alcohol,” Cosper said, but noted that autopsies have been ordered for the victims.
The crash is still under investigation.

Texas Department of Public Safety Courtesy Photo by Trooper Matt Cosper
Two people were killed Monday night in a head on collision south of Van on Farm-to-Market 314, .4 miles south of FM 858. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Amanda — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:33:06 +0000

Courtesy photo
Members of the Van High School team that competed in the Texas Technology Student Association competition in Waco came back with a haul of awards, 21 in all, for their efforts.

Trustees Get Info On Crisis Intervention Team

Amanda — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:11 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
The establishment of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) may be considered by the Van ISD School Board following a presentation on the concept Monday evening.
Tammy Willis, a diagnostician at Van High School, showed a PowerPoint slideshow outlining the structure and function of various members of a Crisis Intervention Team.
“Tragedy is all around our kids, every day…This is a matter that is near and dear to me. We need to be able to take care of our kids emotionally as well as enable our teacher to continue to teach,” Willis said.
Van ISD Superintendent Don Dunn, in introducing Willis at Monday’s school board meeting, noted that the junior high campus “has already been through a rough year” due to the deaths of several parents at various times this school year.
A CIT, Willis explained, would give the district an advantage in having “something planned and prepared” in the event of a tragedy affecting one or more campuses.
The team would consist of a team leader, three Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), a School Resource Officer, community clergy members and a counselor coordinator, Willis said.
The plan would also call for the setup of a “safe room,” usually a designated area of a school library, Willis added. The “safe room” would be equipped with items like art supplies and recorded music that would help students experiencing grief to relax.
Parish Hired As
Basketball Coach
Also on Monday, following a closed session, the board approved the promotion of assistant boys basketball coach Robby Parish to the position of head boys basketball coach. Parish has been a teacher/coach in Van ISD for seven years.
Another reassignment approved by the board will move Van Junior High science teacher Melissa Pugh to the position of instructional technology specialist for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
In other personnel maters, the board approved the hiring of high school English teacher Amanda Huffer, and accepted the resignations of ag teacher Kyle Polk, Van Intermediate School teacher Carolyn Shackelford, coach Richard Green and teacher/coach Owen Tiner.
Earlier in the meeting, Career and Technology Education Director and Van High School Assistant Principal Richard Pride spoke briefly about the Vandal Victory Day event, a Special Olympics-style event scheduled for May 24.

McCauley Named As City Administrator

Amanda — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:29:30 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
Van City Secretary Yvonne McCauley was promoted Friday to city administrator, following the retirement of Gary McDaniel from that position.
The Van City Council approved the change at its regular meeting on April 4.
McCauley said Tuesday that the city is now trying to fill the vacant city secretary position as well as one clerk position.
The latter opening was created by the transfer of Chris Cotton into the newly created position of animal control officer.
That position will not call for state certification as a police officer, McCauley noted on Tuesday. The move is expected to allow Van City Marshall Melissa Davis to be able to focus solely on warrants and code enforcement.
Also at the council meeting, part of a requested expenditure total from city hotel/motel tax funds for the Van Chamber of Commerce for advertising gained approval.
The chamber had requested $2,545.56, but part of the proposed expenditures were deemed to be ineligible to be paid through hotel/motel tax funds. The council wound up approving $1,281.76.
The council also approved a resolution donating the $1.50 state fee per vehicle registration for child safety to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Van Zandt County.
In other matters, the council took the following action:
— Approved a city activity permit application with changes in some of the requirements, a reduction in the application fee from $50 to $15, and retention of a liability insurance coverage requirement.
— Approved plans to begin the process to demolish the structure and slab of a former nursing home site at 1085 E. Main, based on a recommendation from a structural engineer.
— Approved proceeding with notification to demolish a substandard structure at 202 N. Maple.

Van Tops District’s One-Act Play Results

Amanda — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:31:48 +0000

Van High School’s Way Off Broadway has won its 13th consecutive district one-act play contest with its production of “Mrs. Packard” by Emily Mann.
The Van performance received straight 1s from the three distinguished adjudicators at the district competition.
All six schools in District 15-3A competed at Royse City on March 28. Athens was the other advancing school.
In addition to winning the district title, the company also garnered several individual acting awards. Susannah Wisdom was named the District 15-3A Best Actress for her performance as Mrs. Packard.
Josh Cole, junior, was named to the All-Star Cast for his performance of Dr. McFarland, the head administrator for the Jacksonville Asylum.
Named to the Honorable-Mention All-Star Cast were seniors Ryan Williams for the role of Theophilus Packard and McCall Sowers for the role of Mrs. Chapman. Named to the technical crew were Michael Williams and Abbie Hopkins.
Members of the company include Weston McFarlin, Elizabeth Helms, Cecelia Sanchez, Morgan Canfield. Other members of the company include Brandon Elliott, Jodeci Jenkins, Hannah Moore, Carmen Sanchez, Bryan Knous, Hayden Gable, and Kaysi Cox.
The crew is composed of Michael Williams, E.J. Richards, Abbie Hopkins, Haley Larsen, and Weston McFarlin. Alternates are MacKenna Sims, Joseph Coval, Kathryn Brown, and Christian Simmons.
The company will now compete in the Region II, Area II UIL One-Act Play competition to be held at Royse City High School on April 10. Performances will begin at 2 p.m. with Anna High School’s production of “The Member of the Wedding” followed by Princeton High School’s production of “The Elephant Man.”
Crandall will then perform “Mariner” followed by Van High School’s production of “Mrs. Packard” at approximately 5 p.m.
Following Van will be Athens’ production of “Anne Boelyn,” and the last performance of the day will be Wills Point High School with “Julius Caesar.”
Admission to the contest is $5 per person, and that covers all performances. Public performances of “Mrs. Packard” will be announced shortly.

Courtesy Photo
Van High School One-Act Play cast members perform a scene from “Mrs. Packard,” the production that just won a district title for the program for the 13th year in a row. From left are Elizabeth Helms as Mrs. Bonner, Ryan Williams as Theophilus Packard, Susannah Wisdom as Elizabeth Packard, and Josh Cole as Dr. McFarland.

Art Exhibit Set To Open Saturday In Ben Wheeler

Amanda — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:15:28 +0000

On Saturday, the town of Ben Wheeler will host the unveiling of a bronze statue memorial for Les Whitt, award-winning director of the Alexandria, La., Zoological Park who also assisted celebrity animal expert Jack Hanna.
The unveiling takes place at 6 p.m.
Whitt was mentor to the statue creator/artist and Tyler resident, Bill Williamson, Jr., who is responsible for bringing the bronze to Ben Wheeler, prior to its official dedication later this year at the Louisiana Zoological Park.
Williamson’s artwork and building rock formations at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo caught Whitt’s attention. He then brought Williamson in to build several features at the Alexandria Zoological Park.
The bronze, which depicts Whitt embracing a tiger, will be unveiled in conjunction with the grand opening of the Walking Horse Gallery and Exhibit in downtown Ben Wheeler the same day.
Williamson’s other works will be on display along with a variety of area artists who have come together to exhibit an array of beautiful western art.
The exhibit runs through April 28.
Featured artists include: Anne Roberts, Bill Williamson, David Ackerson, Doug Carter, Gaylon Dingler, Herb Bryant, Janelle Pollard, John Dietz, Karen White and Monty Graham, just to name a few.
To help mark the occasion, guests can enjoy cowboy poetry by Jerry Tolbert; cowboy and western music; wine tastings from Athens-based Tara Vineyard and Winery, and re-enactments of western shoot-outs by the Black Powder Action Group.
Additionally, the Harrison and Son Knifesmith shop, owned by renowned custom knife maker, Dan Harrison will house an Indian artifacts display during the event, as well as host a Texas State Championship knife thrower.
For those interested in having their own artifacts reviewed and appraised, David Butler an authenticator of Indian artifacts will also be on hand at Harrison’s shop during the exhibit.
Walking Horse is located at 1611 FM 279 in Ben Wheeler.

Courtesy photo
This portrait sketch of the late Les Whitt, former award-winning director of the Alexandria, La., Zoological Park, is the basis for a bronze statue by Tyler artist Bill Williamson Jr. that will be unveiled at the opening of an art exhibit at Walking Gallery and Exhibit on Saturday in downtown Ben Wheeler.

Toll Road’s Arrival Could Help City

Amanda — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:42:55 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
The planned opening of the largest portion of Toll 49 late this month could have some long-term benefits for the city of Van and Van ISD.
With the toll road’s connection to Interstate 20 just 10 miles from Van, commutes to and from Tyler could be cut in half.
“I think the opening of Loop 49 is going to help us tremendously,” said Jerrod Fishback, executive director for the Van Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
“It will provide a lot quicker route to Tyler, especially to south Tyler, and you are looking at drive times within 20 minutes, where right now it is 30 to 40 minutes,” he said.
Fishback said he believes that could make Van, with its new tax incentives and business recruitment efforts, all the more attractive for business owners.
“It opens up access to Tyler for businesses who want to locate here and still draw on that resource pool in Tyler.,” he said.
Fishback also noted the newest section of the toll road, scheduled to open to traffic on March 29, will provide quicker access to Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Toll 49 intersects with State Highway 64 just one mile west of the airport.
The impact on Van ISD could be very beneficial as well, according to district superintendent Don Dunn.
“We want families to move here for our schools and community, and still have the ability to hop on that loop and still be able to go to work and be there in less than 30 minutes,” he said.
The result could be more student enrollment for Van ISD.
“We have a lot to offer here in Van,” Dunn said. “We’ve always great schools, churches and community, so we hope the new road will encourage a lot of families from bigger towns to want to come out and raise their kids in a small town community like ours.”
Fishback agrees the toll road could make Van ISD even more attractive to families.
“Families can get their kids in Van schools but still enjoy quick commutes to work and make that commute easily,” he said.
“Loop 49, I think, provides a strong incentive for people to relocate, live here, and enjoy that small town quality, safety, good schools, and the ability to know their neighbors, and still have great jobs in Tyler,” Fishback added.
“That is what we hope will happen,” Dunn said, adding that the EDC has “worked very hard trying to upgrade our community and infrastructure to make Van even more of a great place to live.”

Courtesy photo
A construction crew continues work on Toll 49 (also known as Loop 49), a multi-phase toll road project west and south of Tyler that is expected to shorten commute times into Tyler for travelers north and west of the city. The largest segment of the project, connecting with Interstate 20 near Lindale, is expected to open to traffic on March 29.

VHS Spring Choir Show On Tap

Amanda — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:07:15 +0000

Photo by Ryan Ordmandy
From left, Van High School juniors Tambra Miligan, Kelley Willis, Caitlyn Russel, Taylor Hughes and Tiffany King learn choreography by instruction of senior Nicole Arena for Kelly Lockwood’s annual spring choir show.