The Wills Point Fire Department, along with an assist from the Edgewood Fire Department, battled blistering temperatures as they worked to contain a two acre blaze off County Road 3502 July 24. The fire, which began shortly after noon, burned at least one building on the land with unknown contents. Fire departments across the area have issued warnings to those planning on burning brush or working with mechanical equipment outdoors, citing an increased risk due to dry, windy conditions that have settled over the area. Additional photos on 2A.Photo by Nick Gibbons/The County Eagle

In 1878, the early Wills Point Colored School (grades 1-10)was housed in a lodge hall facility on the north side of Wills Point on what is now N. Wills St. Classes for the children were taught during the morning hours, until about noon, before they would go home to pick cotton.

The Wills Point City Council continued what has become an ongoing trend for municipalities throughout the country last week, hosting another monthly meeting online in order to limit face-to-face interactions that could ultimately result in the further spread of the coronavirus.

The swell of positive COVID-19 tests among Van Zandt County slowed down somewhat over the past week with 56 new cases announced by the Northeast Texas Public Health District between the July 13-July 20 reporting period. The previous week had been the busiest period to date for county residents with 85 new cases reported.

After a long waiting period due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the day came for the 2020 Primary Election runoffs to be finalized.

Districts statewide have been in a holding pattern since the 2019-’20 school year wrapped, waiting for direction from both state leaders and the Texas Education Agency on guidelines and restrictions that will need to be implemented before classes resume in the fall.