News

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce –
The Commerce Tigers exited the playoffs early after falling to Kaufman Friday, 28-19. Commerce carried a 7 point halftime lead into the locker room, but it was the usually run-happy Kaufman offense that came up big in the passing game with two huge touchdown strikes in the second half, taking momentum and the lead. In a late rally, the Commerce Tigers drove the field and scored a touchdown with just over a minute left to play, to bring the score to 20-19 Kaufman.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Funeral services are scheduled today for Commerce native R.J. Cannon Jr. Cannon was a Corporal in the Marines Corps and served in Japan, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq and received a medal for expert rifle.

A 2002 graduate of Commerce High School, Cannon was a quarterback for the Commerce Tigers and part of the 2001 State Championship team. Before his death in North Carolina on November 8th, R.J. Cannon had planned on attending Texas A&M in College Station after his service to the Marines was done.

By Kevin Jefferies

Hunt County – Brandon Dale Woodruff has been indicted by the grand jury on one count of capital murder in connection with the shooting and stabbing deaths of his parents last month. Dennis and Norma Woodruff were found slain in the mobile home near Royse City on October 18th. The same address is listed as Brandon Woodruff's residence.

Woodruff is being held at the Hunt County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail. He recently filed a writ of habeas corpus, looking for a reduction in his bond.

By Kevin Jefferies

Forney – The Commerce Tigers keep a 15 year playoff appearance streak alive tonight as they travel to Forney to face the Kaufman Lions in the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Commerce has had an extra week to rest as they ended their season with a 3-1 district record and a 6-3 overall record. Kaufman rolled through their district undefeated and were 8-1 overall for the season. Kaufman comes off a big win last week, beating Eustace 49-7 as they secured their District 12-3A crown.

By Kevin Jefferies

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The Northeast Texas Children's Museum will be celebrating its third birthday this Saturday. Ice cream, cake, drinks, and fun will be served up at the free event. The A&M-Commerce Police and Commerce Fire Department will be on hand giving safety lessons and displaying emergency response vehicles. Other organizations will be offering such activities as face painting, pi ata making, and a children's art auction.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The aunt of a Commerce woman who was killed in a hit-and-run accident last year will be holding an all-day vigil Saturday in Commerce in remembrance of her niece. 20-year-old Tyronda Johnson died in November last year after being struck by a truck at the corner of Live Oak and West Neal Streets in Commerce. Her aunt, Charlotte Johnson, will be holding a vigil at the location all day Saturday, on the one year anniversary of the accident.

By Kevin Jefferies

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The Tennessee Williams classic "Summer and Smoke" opens tonight on the mainstage of the University Playhouse on the A&M-Commerce campus. The shows run each night through Saturday at 8pm, with a Sunday matinee at 3pm.

Considered an American Classic, Summer and Smoke is set in 1915 and focuses on the struggle between the physical and the spiritual, and opportunity lost. It promises to be a lavish production with costumes, sets, lighting, and props all designed for this particular show.

By Kevin Jefferies