News

The Van Zandt News will publish, at no cost, one story and a photograph for each candidate that has filed to run in the Saturday, May 4 city and school elections in Van Zandt County. The information will be published in the News prior to the start of Early Voting on Monday, April 22.

On Monday, April 8, East Texas will experience the first Total Solar Eclipse since 1878 which will cover 13 U.S. States.

davidb@vanzandtnews.com Van Zandt County Sheriff Joe Carter knows that a unique event like the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse event Monday, April 8 can present some unique challenges, but he said that his department is ready to respond when needed.

In advance of the solar eclipse event Monday, April 8, Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese has ‘Declared a Local State of Disaster’ for VZC in a letter sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott April 1. The local state of disaster declaration by Reese reads as follows: ‘Whereas, the county of Van Zandt on the 5th day of April 2024 has the potential for a number of hazardous conditions including, but not limited to, injury, or loss of life or property (or there is imminent threat of same) resulting from a mass influx of visitors to VZC for the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024, and whereas, we do not have the public safety resources to adequately protect the citizens of VZC or our visitors and; ‘Whereas, the Judge of the County of Van Zandt has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to provide adequate protections of people and to protect or rehabilitate property and to request resources and enact temporary orders, ordinances, and measures to protect the same; ‘Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed by The Judge of the County of Van Zandt: That a state of disaster is declared for the County of Van Zandt.

After initially deciding to be one of two school districts in Van Zandt County to remain open Monday, April 8 on Solar Eclipse Day, Grand Saline ISD Superintendent Micah Lewis informed the News through an e-mail April 2 that he has changed his mind and has made the decision to cancel classes that day. In his e-mail to the News, Lewis said that the decision April 1 by Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese to have ‘Declared a Local State of Disaster’ for VZC in advance of the solar eclipse for the time period of April 5-9 factored in his decision to close school April 8.

While the Total Solar Eclipse, a once in a lifetime event in Van Zandt County is taking place Monday, April 8, it will be pretty much business as usual for a number of area businesses. Among the businesses that will maintain normal operating hours April 8 will be the Van Zandt County Courthouse, with the exception of the four justice of the peace offices.