The Van Alstyne Police Department is excited to announce it is almost time for National Night Out. The annual event will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, at the city’s Central Social District park in the downtown area. This community event is designed to bring neighbors and law enforcement together in a spirit of fellowship, relationship-building, and mutual trust.

National Night Out is celebrated across the country as an opportunity for police officers and community members to come together outside of emergency situations. For Van Alstyne, it’s a chance to strengthen partnerships, build friendships, and have open conversations that promote transparency and understanding.

“We look forward to this night every year,” said Chief Tim Barnes. “It’s about more than just safety—it’s about relationships. When we spend time together, share a meal, and talk openly, it makes our community stronger and our Department better at serving the people who rely on us.”

The VA Fire Department will be on hand as well, with their especially-equipped firefighting an ambulance vehicles.

The evening will include food, family-friendly activities, safety demonstrations, and opportunities for residents to connect directly with the officers who serve and protect them every day. The department encourages everyone to come out, bring their families, and join in the celebration of community spirit. Best of all, the event 100% completely free!

National Night Out reflects the Van Alstyne Police Department’s ongoing commitment to partnership, transparency, and building a safer city through trust and cooperation.

PREMLIMINARY AGENDA

6:00 p.m. –  Welcome & Kickoff

Opening remarks from the Police Chief and special guests

Event overview and announcements

Live broadcast begins with DJ Big Dave from Mad Rock 102.5!

6:15 p.m. — First Responder Vehicle Exploration

Explore police cars, fire trucks, EMS units, and FBI units

Meet and talk with local heroes

6:30 p.m. — Food, Family, Fun

Free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and fresh watermelon, face painting, bounce house, slides, and train rides for kids

Door prize entries begin (drawings every 15 minutes, 1 ticket per person)

7:00 p.m. — Tug of War: Police vs Fire Department  The ultimate showdown – come cheer for your team!

Photo opportunities with both departments

7:30 p.m. — Meet, Mingle, and Music

Enjoy community fun and music with DJ Big Dave

Continue mingling with police, fire, and EMS professionals

Last call for door prize entries

7:45 p.m. — Final Door Prize Drawings & Closing Remarks

Winners announced (must be present to win)

Thank-you messages to attendees and sponsors

8:00 p.m — Event Wrap-Up

Door Prizes Include:

• 75” Smart TV
• RING Security Camera Combo Kit
• Ryobi Tool Combo Set
• Blackstone Griddle
• Taiga Cooler
• Halloween Character Inflatables
• Boys and Girls Ride-On Toys
• Nerf Guns
• And much more!

VAN ALSTYNE POLICE DEPARTMENT has always used the spirit of “Community First.”

By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News.

Van Alstyne Police activities during the period between Sept. 14 and 21 included the following incidents which resulted in arrests. PD Lt. Steven Hayslip made the reports as the Department’s Public Information Officer, and included the informational background on the Grand Jury Indictment of one Van Alstyne resident.

Indictment — During the most recent Grayson County Grand Jury session, Sept. 10, the Grand Jury indicted Van Alstyne resident Layne Simon on the following charges:  Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child (2 counts), Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact, and Indecency with a Child by Exposure.

The indictment follows an investigation initiated by the Van Alstyne PD in June 2025,

After school teacher reported suspected sexual abuse involving a child, VAPD launched an immediate and thorough investigation in response to the report. As a result, detectives established probable cause, and an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect. He was subsequently taken into custody and formally indicted on the above charges.

The suspect remains in Grayson County Jail in lieu of more than a total of $1,000,000 in bail set.

“Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the involvement of a minor, no additional details are being released at this time,” said Police Chief Tim Barnes.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Van Alstyne Police Department. That phone number is 903-482-5251. The dispatcher answering the phone will direct the caller(s) to the investigating officer.

An indictment is not proof of guilt, but is the result of the Grand Jury believing the evidence they heard is enough to have the case advance to the courts.

Sept . 14 —About 8:40 pm, police officers made a traffic stop on 1001 W Van Alstyne Parkway, initiated after officers observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. Upon contacting the driver, a Calero, OK, man, they smelled the odor of marijuana, which gave them probable cause for a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers found marijuana, THC edibles, THC vapes, and THC Oil. He was placed under arrest On a charge of Possession of Marijuana =>2oz <4oz.

Sept. 15 — At nearly 10 pm, police officers made a stopped a vehicle on Henry Hynds and FM 121. They made the stop because the vehicle was being driven on public roadways with defective equipment, or more namely taillights. After getting the driver’s name, they found there was a warrant out for his arrest. They jailed the suspect, a Tom Bean resident on the warrant, which, according to Grayson County Jail records, charged him with Theft of Property valued between $100-$750 and issued by County Court at Law No. 2.  Bail was set at $1,500, and the suspect paid that with a surety bond on Sept. 16 and was released.

Sept. 16 — Just after 4 in the morning, police helped a woman who had the hood up on her car while parked on the highway’s shoulder. Hayslip said that while they talked with the passenger in the car, a Ringold, OK, woman, she admitted to them that there was marijuana inside the vehicle. They conducted a probable-cause search, which uncovered methamphetamine (PG 1 substance), Diazepam (PG 3 substance), and marijuana. She was placed under arrest on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance =>1g <4g (Methamphetamine); Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 3 <28g (Diazepam), and Possession of Marijuana <2oz

At the jail, a magistrate set her bail at total of $34,000 and, as of Tuesday, she remains incarcerated.

Sept. 18 — Shortly after midnight, officers initiated a traffic stop on US 75 and Farmington. The traffic stop was initiated after officers saw the vehicle traveling 82 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone. Upon making contact with the driver, a resident of Sherman according to the police report and of Mead, OK, per the Grayson County Jail database.

They found an outstanding warrant against the suspect and jailed him on it. The warrant charged him with Criminal Mischief bet ween $$750-$2,500. Bail was set at $2,500 and  the suspect paid that in surety bonds for his release.

Sept. 20 — Officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of McDougall Creek in regard to a disturbance. They talked with people involved and determined one of them, a Van Alstyne resident, had assaulted a family member by blocking that person’s breathing. Police jailed him on a charge of Assault (FV) Impede Breath.

Bail was set at $20,000 and the suspect paid that with a surety bond with restrictions placed on it, later the same day.

Sept. 20 — About 8:30 pm, police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Farmington, after seeing the car being driven without maintaining a single lane. When the offices turned on the emergency lights, the driver initially failed to stop and they saw him throw a beer out of the window. Then, he pulled over for their red lights.

The driver was a McKinney made who smelled of an intoxicating beverage. The police had him go through Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, after which they jailed him on charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Tampering w/Evidence.

By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News

Van Alstyne Lt. Steven Hayslip, the department’s Public Information Officer, reported on the following crimes committed with the result of jailings in each incidents.

Sept. 8 — A traffic stop about 1 a.m. resulted in the arrest and incarceration of one person. It was made on U.S. Highway 75 and Van Alstyne Parkway after the officers determined the vehicle did not have a current liability insurance policy. Upon making contact with the driver and identifying him as a McKinney resident, the officer reported he could smell the odor of marijuana. The officer made a probable cause search and located less than two ounces of marijuana, plus a firearm and a variety of drug paraphernalia. At the Grayson County Jail, he was jailed on charges of Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz., Possession of a Firearm, and

Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia.

A magistrate set the suspect’s bail at a total of 3,000, with personal recognizance on the drug paraphernalia charge. He posted bail in surety bonds later the same day.

Sept. 12 — About 4:30 in the morning, Van Alstyne police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Panther Parkway, based on determination that there was no current liability insurance policy on the vehicle.

Following protocol, the officer(s) checked all information on the driver, a Sherman man, and have a current liability insurance policy. Upon making contact with the driver, Miller, Zavery a resident of Sherman, police learned that there was an active warrant for his arrest. He was placed under arrest.

Jail records show that the warrant, issued in Collin County, charged him with Criminal Mischief between $750-$2,500. Bail was set at $1,000 and the suspect posted that later in the day.

Sept. 12 —Just before midnight, officers were dispatched to a reckless driver call at U.S. 75 and Farmington. The reporting party reported the vehicle kept stopping in the middle of the roadway.  Upon arrival in the area, officers were able to locate the vehicle. They learned that the driver was a Phoenix, Arizona, woman, and that there was the smell of intoxicating beverage emitting from her.

Officer(s) conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, then placed her under arrest on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated While conducting a vehicle inventory, officers located several pills (Tramadol and Tylenol 3 with Codeine) not in a prescription bottle. Both pills are listed in Penalty Group 2. She was also jailed on a charge with Possession of a Controlled Substance <28G.

Jail records show her bail was set at a total of $4,000 on both charges, which she paid with surety bonds for her release.

Van Alstyne Police Officers had an unusually busy time between Monday, (Sept. 8), and August 28, including the heavy winds and thunderstorms of Friday night (Sept. 5). The department’s Public Information Officer, Lt. Steven Hayslip reported on many of these incidents which resulted in arrests.

Sept. 4 — On July 8, a caller told police that a Van Alstyne resident had been assaulting his dog. Police were given a video of one incident, which gave police probable cause to believe the abuse had happened. They secured a warrant for the suspect’s arrest and it charged him with animal cruelty.

On Sept. 4, Van Alstyne police took the suspect into custody based on the warrant and transported him to Grayson County Jail. The dog was evaluated by a licensed veterinarian, who determined it did not sustain any major or life-threatening injuries.

“The Van Alstyne Police Department remains committed to protecting the welfare of both the community and its animals,” Hayslip said. “The Department thanks the public for their assistance in reporting suspected cases of animal cruelty.”

Aug. 30 — About 3 a.m., officers made a traffic stop on SH 5 and Houston after seeing the offending vehicle being driven at 62 miles-per-hour in a 40-mph zone. They determined the driver smelled of an intoxicating beverage and had him go through the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. They placed him under arrest and jailed him on a charge oof Driving While Intoxicated w/Open Container.

Jail records show that the suspect is a Van Alstyne resident, and that a magistrate at the jail set his bail at $3,000. He paid that with a surety bond for his arrest later that same day.

Aug. 31 — It was around 7:40 p.m. when dispatch sent officers to a reckless driver who, according to the reporting party at on U.S. Hwy 75 and the Farmington Road area. Hayslip reported that  the officers located the vehicle and made a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the driver, a Carrollton resident, they reported smelling the odor of an intoxicating beverage.

They put the suspect through the SFSTs, and then placed him under arrest for on a charge of DWI. Bail was set at $1,500, which the suspect paid with a surety bond for his release.

Sept. 1— About 4:30 a.m., police were sent to a possible vehicle accident. They found a vehicle that had struck a barrier. Following procedure, they identified the driver as an Arlington resident, and then found out there was an active warrant for his arrest.

They played the suspect under arrest on the warrant, which Grayson County Jail records show charged him with forgery. He made bail of $10,000 with a surety bond later that day.

Sept. 2 — A traffic stop about 3:25 p.m. on US 75 and FM 121 was made after police that the vehicle being driven at 79 mph in a 65-mph zone. The driver was found to be a Sherman man and the report states he smelled of marijuana. While conducting a probable-cause search, police found about 9 ounces of marijuana. The officers arrested him on a charge of Possession of Marijuana bet ween 4 oz-5 pounds.

Bail was set at $5,000, which the suspect paid with a surety bond the next day. Jail records show this to be this suspect’s 14^th arrest here in Grayson County since 2001 with a total of 32 previous charges.

Sept. 4 — Police were sent to a residence regarding a welfare concern involving several juveniles. Upon arrival, officers found that no parent or legal guardian was present. During their contact with the juveniles, officers were advised that firearms and marijuana were inside the residence and that they did not know when their parents would return.

Officers secured a search warrant for the residence. During the subsequent search, officers located firearms, marijuana, and THC vape pens.

When the parents later returned to the residence, officers were still on scene and took them into custody on a charge of Abandoning/Endangering children with the risk of immediate child endangerment. The juveniles were placed in a safe environment with another family member. The case remains under investigation.

Grayson County Jail records show that the bail for both was set at a total of $20,000 each and that each made that bail with surety bonds the following day.

Sept. 5 — It was about 4:30 a.m. that morning when police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Panther Parkway, based on their information that the vehicle was being driven without current liability insurance. They discovered that the resident, a Garland resident, had an active warrant for his arrest. The warrant charged him with DWI w/Open Container. They placed the suspect under arrest on the warrant.

Jail records show that jail authorities turned the suspect over to law enforcement from the warrant-issuing area, namely Ellis County on Sept. 9.

Sept. 6 — At 5:41 pm, officers were sent to Tolson Street location because of an oral disturbance. While talking with those involved, and following protocol, they learned that there was an outstanding warrant for the arrest of one of those involved. They jailed the suspect on that warrant.

By Mary Jane Farmer with info provided by Van Alstyne PD’s Public Information Officer.

Van Alstyne Police investigated and reported on the following traffic incidents and arrests made since August 16. Lt. Steven Hayslip made the following reports.

Aug. 17 — At. About 10:15 a.m. officers were sent to a 2-vehicle crash on East Jefferson and Moody. The report states that it was a minor accident with no injuries. It happened when one vehicle was turning off of Moody Lane and failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign. An eastbound vehicle struck as it moved eastward on Jefferson St. Neither vehicle was required to be towed.

Aug. 18 — A crash on northbound U.S. Highway 75 at Exit 52 happened about 12:15 p.m. Hayslip reported that three vehicles were traveling north in the left lane. Two of the drivers slowed their vehicles for traffic, but the 3^rd driver didn’t slow down. Vehicle No. 3 struck the vehicle in front of it and pushed it into Vehicle No. 1. Two of the vehicles had to be towed and one driver was treated at the scene. And paramedics treated one driver for apparent minor injuries, then released him.

Aug 18— About an hour later, at 1:14 pm, police investigated a crash on South Waco a t Marshall Drive. Again, this crash involved 3 vehicles going northward. Vehicles 1 and 2 slowed for traffic but the third one’s driver did not control it’s vehicle. It ran into Vehicle 2 and pushed it into Vehicle 3. Two of the 3 vehicles were drivable, the third required towing.  One of the drivers was treated at the scene and refused transport for additional treatment.

Aug. 19 — It was nearly 11 p.m. when police initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Sanford Circle. The stop was made when the officers observed the vehicle speeding in a construction zone. Upon contact with the driver, Pettersen, Brian of Wylie, officers observed his eyes to be red and glassy and noticed his movements to be sluggish. He admitted to consuming an intoxicating beverage. Officers had the driver go through Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and after the tests were completed, they placed him under arrest on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

The suspect, a Wylie man, paid his bail of $2,500 with a surety bond and was released the next day.

Aug. 20— About 11:28 p.m., officers on duty stopped a vehicle on U.S. 75 at around Farmington Road, after seeing it being driven with defective equipment, or more namely-a non-working headlight. They smelled the distinctive odor of Marijuana on or around him. That was probable cause for a search, during which the officers found a usable of two ounces and also a firearm. They arrested and took the suspect, a San Antonio man, to Grayson County Jail on charges of Possession of Marijuana less than2 ounces, and Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon.

Bail was set at a total of 4,000 which he paid with surety bonds for his release.

Aug. 23 — It was about 12:20 a.m. when officers were dispatched to suspicious activity on U.S. 75. The reporting party/caller told dispatch that the passenger in the vehicle kept opening and closing the door while the vehicle was traveling. Upon arrival in the area, the officers located the vehicle. Upon making contact with the passenger, a Florida woman, they smelled the odor of an intoxicating beverage. Their report said that her lip was red and swollen. She was uncooperative and told the officers that she injured her lip when she exited the vehicle earlier. While conducting their investigation, officers determined that she was intoxicated in a public place and was a danger to herself and/or others. She was placed under arrest on a charge of Public Intoxication.

A jail magistrate released the suspect later that day on her own recognizance.

Aug 24 — About 1 in the morning, police made a traffic stop on U.S.75 at the Farmington Road area. The reason was that they saw that the vehicle was being driven on a public roadway with an expired registration. They determined that the driver was a Colorado man, and then that there was current liability, as required by the Texas Traffic Code. Officers advised him that the vehicle would be impounded and allowed him to remove property from it. While he was removing items, officers observed a small clear bag with a white powdery substance fall from the sunglasses department. The suspect was placed under arrest on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 (Cocaine) over 1 gram but less than 4 grams.

Aug. 27 — About 7:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to West Van Alstyne Parkway and Collin McKinney Parkway, in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, they determined that a vehicle was traveling west on Van Alstyne Parkway, turned south at Collin McKinney causing a collision with another vehicle. Both vehicles suffered minor damage. There were no injuries and no one was transported to the hospital.

Aug. 27 — At nearly 8:30 p.m., police were sent to northbound U.S. 75 at Exit 52 in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, they. determined that a vehicle was traveling North on US Highway 75, drifted into another lane causing a collision with another vehicle. Both vehicles suffered damage, with one being towed. There were no injuries and no one was transported to the hospital.

Aug. 27 — About 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to South Henry Hynds (U.S. 75 service road) at Bear Road, because of a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, they learned that an 18-wheeler was on the shoulder of the road, dumping rock, and rolled over, causing major damage to the vehicle and trailer. No one was injured and no one was transported to the hospital.