Just after 3 p.m. March, 29, Canton Police Department was notified by Walmart security of a shoplifting in progress in Canton. According to eyewitness reports, two females made their way out the door with an undetermined amount of goods, where they were met by officers at their vehicle. While questioning the women, officers smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. K9 Officer Chad Mattingly was called in and conducted the search with K9 Mido where they discovered an undetermined amount of marijuana. Upon further investigation there were stolen items found from other local retail stores. Further reports are that one female was released with a no trespassing fine, and the other woman was arrested, and was transported to the Van Zandt County jail for booking.

During a 20-minute emergency session March 23, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court voted 3-0 to limit public access immediately to the courthouse and all other VZC buildings through at least Wednesday, April 15, due to coronavirus concerns.

Due to the coronavirus the City of Canton has shut down all parks within the city. Roadblocks were set up by city employees to keep people out of the park and to practice social distancing.

Speakers at the local and regional level shared information about the spread of coronavirus during a special meeting of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court held March 19 in the VZC District Courtroom.

The frenzy over the coronavirus pandemic has hit Van Zandt County, evident by the empty shelves at local grocery stores, districts around the county weighing the option to close the schools or not and a majority of people staying home in a form of social distancing to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Just before daybreak March 13, as rain started moving into the area at around 6:30 a.m., firefighters from South Van Zandt, Canton, and Ben Wheeler fire departments were called out to a major structure fire on Van Zandt County Road 4111 off Highway 64. Upon arrival, first responders found the home’s garage fully involved. Two women who lived in the home were able to get out but not before suffering smoke inhalation and possible other injuries. Both women were taken by ambulance to the hospital in unknown condition. The home sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage. The fire was contained between the garage and the kitchen area and the homeowner’s vehicle was a total loss.