Van Zandt County, TX

The summer of 2022 has been off to an extremely hot and dry start. Temperatures for the first official week of summer have topped out at 100 degrees or right near it every day since June 21st. Thanks to a cool front that moved through East Texas, we will be seeing high temperatures that are more normal.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - Multiple Van Zandt County-area fire departments battled a 100-acre grass fire Sunday. According to a post on the South Van Zandt Fire Department Facebook page, SVZFD firefighters were dispatched to several calls in less than an hour Sunday. “Thank you, is all we can...

Thursday morning at 2:13, a traffic accident claimed the life of Austin J. Moore, 28, of Wills Point. Paramedics took Tatum M. Reed, 22, of Canton, to a Tyler hospital in critical condition. They overcorrected after traveling off the road on FM 17 about two miles south of Grand Saline in Van Zandt County.

28-year-old Austin Moore killed, Tatum Reed in critical condition after a crash in Van Zandt County (Grand Saline, TX)Nationwide Report. Authorities identified 28-year-old Austin Moore, from Wills Point, as the man who lost his life and 22-year-old Tatum Reed, of Canton, as the victim who suffered critical injuries following a fiery crash on Thursday morning in Van Zandt County. As per the initial information, the fatal single-vehicle accident took place at 2:13 a.m. on FM 17, around two miles south of Grand Saline [...]

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — A 28-year-old man is dead after a one-vehicle crash in Van Zandt County on Thursday morning at 2:13 a.m. The wreck happened on FM 17 approximately two miles south of Grand Saline. DPS investigation shows that Austin Moore, 28, was traveling north on FM 17 in a 2002 Ford […]

The Marion County Judge banned all outdoor burning throughout the county due to the continued hot, dry conditions. In addition, Panola County’s Judge declared a threat of wildfires, and a burn ban is in effect county-wide for the next seven days. Van Zandt County enact a burn ban. Judge Robert D. Johnston ordered the ban for unincorporated areas of the county effective for 90 days.

ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - More East Texas counties have been added to the list of burn bans. The Harrison County Commissioners Court ordered a 90 day burn ban on Thursday. Outdoor cooking is only allowed in enclosed pits or grills. Houston County has issued a burn ban, according to...

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – Sandra Plaster, a Van Zandt County Judge, ordered on Tuesday for the 14 pets that were rescued from an animal cruelty case on June 10 to remain in the care of the SPCA. Five dogs, five koi fish, two cats, one macaw and a dead cockatoo were found by […]

EAST TEXAS — A few counties in East Texas are under burn bans due to current weather conditions. According to our news partner KETK, those include Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Upshur, and Van Zandt Counties. Officials say the Upshur County ban was issued for 10 days from June 21 unless otherwise terminated. In Henderson County, the ban is in effect for 30 days following June 21. Also, the Hallsville Fire Department is urging residents not to burn in a Facebook post. Burn bans prohibit all outdoor burning. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, those who violate burn bans could be fined up to $500. Officials say that residents should not make campfires or burn trash, wood, or other items during a burn ban.

Octavia (Sis) Kirkland Hill was born on August 10, 1926, in Van Zandt County and went home to be with her Lord on June 10, 2022. She peacefully passed away on the same homestead where she was born 95 years ago. She was the first of three daughters born to William Abe and Flora Davis Kirkland.

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 1 Number of Injured: 1 Number killed: 1. Location: FM 17, approximately 2 miles south of Grand Saline, TX. Austin J. Moore, male, 28 YOA of Wills Point, TX. Seatbelt: Unknown. Pronounced by: Judge Dunn on scene. Passenger:. Tatum M. Reed, female, 22 YOA of...

The Van Zandt County Library welcomed Wildlife on the Move on June 17. The presentation was part of the Van Zandt County Library Summer Reading program held every Friday at the library. There were 120 children and 84 adults who attended Friday’s program. Numerous animals were presented to the crowd ...

Area residents will have plenty of things to keep themselves busy in the coming weeks with multiple communities in and around the Van Zandt County area announcing Independence Day celebrations, including Canton and Van. Van will host their Independence Day celebration a little early, with events slated for June 25. Canton ...

We all know that working in law enforcement is not an easy job, but turning to drugs is never the answer and one Van Zandt County Sheriff’s deputy is learning that lesson the hard way. We all learn at a young age to stay away from drugs, very often those lessons are taught by law enforcement so it’s tough to hear about a Texas deputy that was caught with a variety of dangerous drugs.

Former Van Zandt Newspapers reporter and current Assistant Professor of Communication at The University of Texas at Tyler Dr. Terry Britt was the guest speaker June 8 at the weekly Canton Lions Club Luncheon held at the Van Zandt Country Club. Britt, introduced by Canton Lions Club President Lace Deibert, shared ...

The SPCA of Texas and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office served a search and seizure warrant at a property in Van Zandt County, before removing 14 animals from the property June 10. The animals included five dogs, five koi fish, two cats, one macaw and one deceased cockatoo. The ...

The Van Zandt County Library opened up their Summer Reading Program with Rob Holladay, also known as the Magical Balloon Man. There were 75 children and 60 adults attending the first program. “We hope to see these numbers growing,” stated VZC Librarians. The next Summer Reading Program will be held ...