Van Zandt County

Bryan Slaton will be the Republican Party nominee for Texas House of Representatives District 2 in the Nov. 3 general election. Slaton’s victory in the July 14 GOP primary runoff election over incumbent Dan Flynn makes Slaton the heavy favorite to defeat Democratic nominee Bill Brannon this fall in the reliably Republican district.

Home sales in northern Metroplex suburbs remained cool in November – especially in Collin and Dallas counties. 

The SPCA of Texas seized 87 animals from a self-described sanctuary near Canton Tuesday. Another 50 dead horses were found around the property, according to an SPCA press release issued today.

The SPCA of Texas says 72 dogs were taken from an alleged puppy mill near Canton Tuesday. That number includes 12 dogs that were dead on the property.

Despite some weekend rainfall, drought conditions are back to moderate throughout much of Northeast Texas. 

A higher percentage of students from Northeast Texas finished college than students statewide. That’s according to data put together by the Texas Tribune, which looked at graduation rates among 300,000 public school students who completed 8th grade in 2005. Statewide, 21 percent of those students have graduated from college by now. Ten of the 11 counties comprising Northeast Texas exceeded that average. Hunt County was the only one to come in below the state average.

Regional and county offices

The Greenville Herald-Banner reports that the uncle of murdered Greenville teenager Alicia Moore has been arrested.

Brandon Cole Thompson, who eluded Greenville police last week, has been arrested.

Answers are still being sought in connection with the death of a Greenville teenager.

The investigation in the death of a Greenville High School student is continuing.

CANTON - State Troopers have turned over evidence in the case of Frederico Acuna to the District Attorney's office, which is to be presented to the Van Zandt County Grand Jury later this month.

VAN - Five children have died after a sport utility vehicle carrying 12 veered out of control and overturned along Interstate 20 in Van Zandt County.

COLLEGE STATION — James B. Douglass, Acting Texas State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), today announced that USDA Secretary Thomas A. Vilsack has approved the closure of 15 FSA county offices in Texas, a process that will begin immediately.

WILLS POINT - An alleged puppy mill operator in Van Zandt County has agreed to relinquish custody of all 35 animals recently seized from her property to the SPCA of Texas.