By Associated Press

– Testimony is drawing to a close in the murder trial of a former Greenville resident charged in Kansas with shooting his estranged wife, their two teenage daughters and the wife's grandmother.

The final day of testimony in the trial of 48-year-old James Kraig Kahler is expected Wednesday, with closing arguments Thursday. The victims were shot to death in late November 2009 at the wife's grandmother's home near Topeka, Kansas.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Royse City man charged in a 2008 shooting death in Hunt County forgoes a trial, pleading guilty to the charge.

Jury selection had been scheduled Monday for David Earl Hickman, but the suspect instead pleaded guilty to killing Jason Harrington, of Quinlan, and was sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors had previously stated they would not seek the death penalty should he be convicted. Hickman will have to serve at least 30 years before being eligible for parole.

By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County – A house fire in rural Hopkins County leaves the structure heavily damaged, but no one was injured.

Firefighters from Hopkins County, North Hopkins, Miller Grove and Arbala responded to the blaze shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday along CR 1174.

The local Red Cross provided rehab to the first responders on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Hunt County officials today are scheduled to consider keeping the current tax rate as is and significantly reducing spending as part of the new budget.

County Judge John Horn has proposed a tax rate of 50.75 cents per $100 valuation, less than the effective tax rate which would generate the same revenue as the current fiscal year. Under the plan, each county precinct's road and bridge fund is reduced by $100,000 and the Sheriff's Office budget was reduced by $250,000 to $3.37 million.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The establishment of a Foreign-Trade Zone to boost the capability of the local economy now seeks approval from the federal government.

The Commerce City Council and Commerce ISD Board approved resolutions last week for the FTZ, which has also been presented to the City of Greenville and Greenville ISD.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – One of three petitions asking for an election item to consider alcohol sales is approved in Hunt County, leaving two separate entities waiting until next year.

Wolfe City residents in favor of the proposal are hoping to avenge a 2009 defeat of a similar ballot item. Commissioners on Monday approved the election item for November 8, which seeks the "legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only."

Phyllis Ryser talks about using the panic button on your key fob as a safety measure.

By Brad Kellar

Hunt County – A new lake is under considering for Hunt County as developers plan to present a proposal to the Cash Special Utility District.

The proposal comes from the Sunrise Municipal Utility District, who covers the southwest corner of the county. Established five years ago, the Sunrise MUD is working to develop a plan for the next ten years, which includes a plan for a new reservoir lake to supply the development in that portion of the county.

By Scott Harvey

– Motorists are probably noticing more damage on the surface within the past couple of months as a result of the extreme heat.

Crews within TxDot's Paris District, encompassing nine area counties, are busier than ever this summer working to repair the effects of thermal expansion, when the heat causes the concrete to expand or grow.

By Scott Harvey

Honey Grove – A former Honey Grove teacher is out on bond after her arrest for an improper relationship with a 14-year-old student.

27-year-old Jordan Lane resigned after the investigation. She was taken into custody last Wednesday.