News

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – A long-time faculty athletic representative for A&M-Commerce when it was known as East Texas State Teacher's College has been named to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor. Lewis Ingraham Smith was instrumental in the formation of the LSC in 1931 and served as its first president until 1936. He also served in the position from 1945 to 1950. Along with L.E. King of Sam Houston State and Theron Fouts of North Texas State, Smith authored the LSC Constitution.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Li'l Abner begins another run of performances tonight at the University Playhouse on the A&M-Commerce campus. The summer musical includes a cast full of area residents and students. The play is based on Al Capp's long-running comic strip set in the hillbilly community of Dogpatch, USA.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The Commerce City Council begins budget workshops tonight at the Parks and Recreation Building in Commerce. City Manager Bill Shipp presented the budget at the council's regular meeting last week. The budget includes a 5% tax increase for residents and allows for an across-the-board pay increase for city employees.

Tonight will be the first scheduled budget workshop for the Commerce City Council, with another meeting scheduled for the last Tuesday of this month. The meetings are open to the public.

By Kevin Jefferies

Hunt County – A small decrease in the tax rate for Hunt County could be coming as the Hunt county Commissioners Court meets today to begin budget hearings. County officials expect to increase budget spending by about 1% overall to pay for employees raises, fill several new positions, computer upgrades, and enhance courthouse security. But Hunt County Judge Joe Bobbitt said a small tax decrease is still expected.

Budget meetings are scheduled to begin at 10:30 this morning, and at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The Commerce Police Department has instituted a new program allowing instant electronic emergency notification to residents. The emergency notification system called ScanUSA allows police to send alerts to computers, cell phones, PDA's, pagers and fax machines.

By Kevin Jefferies

Ladonia – It's the 40th year of Frontier Days in Ladonia this weekend. A full slate of activities is scheduled starting at 6am Saturday, and running until 2pm. And don't forget about the Ladonia Rodeo topping it off beginning at 8pm tonight and tomorrow. Event organizers are also trying to get every Fannindel High School students from 1960 to 2005 together for the high-noon lunch so details on a full reunion for September can be discussed.

By Kevin Jefferies

Greenville – A 16 year old charged with murder in the shooting death of Joseph Willis of Greenville may be tried as an adult. County Attorney Joel Littlefield said his office is considering trying the teen as an adult in the June incident. The juvenile is currently being held in the Hunt County Juvenile Detention Center.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Well it's official. It is an Alligator ..Snapping Turtle. Alligator Snapping Turtles have been found in A&M-Commerce's Gee Lake. An extensive search ensued after University Police reported seeing an actual alligator in the water, but none of the burly reptiles were found. The signs warning of alligators drew crowds for days before they were finally taken down when Wildlife Biologist and trapper Mark McDonald discovered the Alligator Snapping Turtles.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Lil' Abner opens tonight on the main stage of the University Playhouse at A&M-Commerce. Lil' Abner is this year's summer musical at the University. Dogpatch USA is the hillbilly setting for the play based on Al Capp's long running comic strip that began during the great depression.

A cast of more than 30 that includes students from Commerce, Greenville, Farmersville, Princeton, Sulphur Springs, and other area towns present the fun-filled musical.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce –
The Commerce City Council received the budget for the next fiscal year in regular session last night. The budget is balanced and includes a 5% tax increase. City Manager Bill Shipp said the budget was based on a 4% increase on appraised property values. Initial figures from the Hunt County Appraisal District come in with a 6% increase, but Shipp expects that number to be less once final tax rolls are received in late July.