Van Zandt Newspaper staffers celebrated a special milestone this week, recognizing David Barber with a party to mark his 40th anniversary with the company. Barber has filled a variety of roles during his 40-year run at Van Zandt Newspapers, working as an ad sales rep, staff writer and sports correspondent. One of Barber’s most impressive accomplishments was a 443-consecutive game streak of covering the Van Vandal football team in person that came to an end in August 2021 due to a bout of COVID.