By Scott Harvey

– We may be in the clear for now from potential rolling blackouts, but the heat shows no signs of letting up and has some residents worried what's still in store for August.

Eunice Mauldin, of Klondike, says when the Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued the blackouts in the winter, it was a struggle. And in an attempt to conserve electricity, she's only cooling a portion of her home currently. That may be a problem should rolling blackouts be issued longer than the 15-20 minutes officials did earlier this year.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A local woman has pleaded not guilty to five separate indictments for debit and credit card abuse.

Tiffany Nichole Ahmad, of Commerce, is scheduled for trial September 18 after this week's plea. She's currently being held without bond in the Hunt County Jail after failing to appear for an arraignment hearing on the indictments last year.

Ahmad was arrested in March 2009 after she allegedly used a person's debit card without permission on five separate occasions that month.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – A Hopkins County jury has convicted two Bosnia-Herzegovinian nationals on charges of money laundering and illegal possession of a firearm.

23-year-old Muhamet Ajvazi and 21-year-old Selmin Selava were stopped last September for a traffic violation on Interstate 30.

The Sulphur Springs News Telegram reported this week that troopers testified that while during the search, Ajvazi ran from the scene with his hands cuffed behind him. He was located a couple of hours later about two miles away.

By Scott Harvey

Peerless – One person has been cited for violating the Hopkins County burn ban after a Wednesday afternoon fire charred the side of the general store in Peerless.

Hopkins County, North Hopkins, Cumby, Miller Grove and Tira volunteer fire departments responded to the grass and brush fire behind the Peerless Assembly of God Church on Spur 71.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Lengthy prison terms have been issued in one of the largest identity theft cases in Hunt County history.

Edgar Guadalupe Espinoza, of Greenville, pleaded guilty to a total of four counts Wednesday, while Quinlan resident Brandon Duane Truss pleaded guilty to one count. As part of a plea deal, Espinoza was sentenced to 35 years in prison for engaging in organized crime and fraudulent use/possession of identification information. Truss got 20 years for organized crime.

By Cindy Roller

Cooper – Due to high usage and drought conditions the City of Cooper has implemented a water restriction plan for all the water customers of the city and Delta County Water.

There will be no outside watering between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mayor Scotty Stegall said violators will be fined.

The decision was part of Monday's regular City Council meeting and proceeded by a work session for the budget workshop.