By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Texas Department of Transportation is announcing the completion of their Highway 11/Loop 178 expansion in east Commerce from four to five lanes.

Motorists will have access to the two eastbound and two westbound lanes, as well as a continuous left turn lane in the middle, beginning Wednesday. The route will make for easier traveling for commuters and those attending Commerce Middle School and A.C. Williams Elementary, located along the highway.

By Scott Harvey

– An East Texas man who put some 30 pipe bombs in Texas mailboxes is going to prison for a little over seven years.

Larry Eugene North left lots of people on edge as the bombs were discovered from February of 2010 until his arrest a couple of months later. None of the bombs went off.

Prosecutor Allen Jackson with the U.S. Attorney's Office calls North a terrorist, and says he started placing the bombs in anger after he was defrauded by a financial advisor.

By Scott Harvey

Van Zandt County – Van Zandt County deputies and the SPCA of Texas raided a suspected puppy mill in Wills Point, leaving with 41 animals.

They took 19 puppies and 6 dogs, as well as two turtles and one bird. Another 12 dogs were found in a small pen outside the residence.

Authorities say the ammonia level inside the residence was so strong that the SPCA of Texas investigators' eyes and throats began burning. The animals reportedly had no food or water.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – "Pride" and "blessing" were the words spoken during Tuesday morning's historical marker dedication honoring the Caddo peoples in Hunt County.

Historians are quick to reference their friendliness and talents as agriculturalists and making bows, notably from bois d'Arc wood. The Caddo people are thought to have thrived in the region for nearly 1,000 years, from approximately 800 to 1800 AD.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Additional findings in the case of longtime Sulphur Springs' physician Dr. Don O'Neal have forced the postponement of his trial.

The trial, originally scheduled to begin July 18, is now pushed back to September. District Attorney Martin Braddy said as the result of the ongoing investigation, new information has come to light.

O'Neal's trial on 61 felony counts was moved to Paris after Judge Robert Newsom granted a change of venue.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The City of Greenville continues preparations for Wednesday morning's official naming and dedication ceremony for the sacred white buffalo calf.

Arby Little Soldier, owner of the Lakota Buffalo Ranch, along with Native American elders from surrounding states will perform the official ceremony on horseback in full Native American regalia.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Daniel Lee Greensage III, of Greenville, is alleged to have used a firearm to shoot another man in December 2010. He was arrested four days later.

During a hearing Monday, Greensage entered a not guilty plea to the charge, and an interim trial date was set for August 10.

The indictment against Greensage lists a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance from Hunt County in 2009.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – After months of heavy discussion toward the construction of a new animal shelter the Bonham City Council formally approves the project.

Council members during a special meeting Monday morning gave the go ahead to proceed on the new facility, which will be funded through a donation from the late Linda Kirkpatrick.

"We have a proposal that we think will build the shelter for under $50,000 which is the amount of money donated to the city to build a shelter," City Manager Corby Alexander said.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The Hunt County Grand Jury has formally charged a Campbell woman and Commerce man for damaging railroad tracks in the county.

Nona Kay Johnson and Marty Matthew Moorland have each been indicted for interference with railroad property.

They're alleged to have removed railroad spikes, plates and braces from property belonging to the Blacklands Railroad. Estimated damage of the offense is between $1,500 and $20,000.

No arraignment dates have been set in the case.