By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – A possible sexual predator is alleged to have exposed himself to a teenage girl over the weekend in the parking lot of Atwoods in Sulphur Springs.

Authorities are describing the suspect as an older man with a white beard and mustache, who was wearing a light colored cowboy hat and black shirt at the time of the offense. He was reported to be driving a late model black or dark grey extended cab Chevrolet pickup with pink, white and purple pillows and blankets in the back.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Student Health Services at Texas A&M University-Commerce will be providing screenings to some students after a classmate was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

University officials say the individual is no longer on campus and does not pose a continuing threat to the community. Some students, however, may be more at risk if they've been in contact with the infected individual for a prolonged time or in a confined space.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A trying budget process at the Commerce ISD has ended with the elimination of seven teaching positions and five clerical and aide posts. The CISD Board formerly approved the reduction in force during a special meeting Monday.

According to CISD Superintendent Blake Cooper, budget reductions totaled $930,000, with over half of the cuts coming from non-personnel reductions.

The military judge presiding over the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage is considering whether to delay the trial.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – National searches are underway to fill two dean's positions at Texas A&M University-Commerce as part of the formation of two new colleges.

Effective June 1, the College of Science, Engineering and Agriculture (CSEA) and the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts (CHSSA) will begin functioning as independent entities.

Alice previews "Arthur," "Hanna" and "Soul Surfer," scheduled to debut the weekend of April 8, 2011.

Movie Picks with Alice Reese

Local Certified Public Accountant Steve Muhundro discusses the upcoming tax deadline and what a possible U.S. Government shutdown would mean for tax filers. Our Friday feature addresses the dangers of texting while driving.

The Lead: Friday, April 8, 2011

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – The Sulphur Springs City Council this week rejected the rezoning of a 13 acre tract that would have allowed for the construction of a recycling business.

Despite receiving approval to chance the zoning from heavy commercial and light industrial to all light industrial on a first reading last month, the vote failed to obtain a super majority, as required, during Tuesday's second reading.

The rezoning received strong opposition from some residents near the proposed site at 1797 West Industrial Drive.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The Greenville Electric Utility System gets high praise from a U.S. financial services company.

Standard & Poor has affirmed GEUS' `A` rating with a positive outlook. The agency noted GEUS' cable & Internet system's lack of debt and good record of positive net margins as one of the contributing factors to the high rating. Also contributing was GEUS' overall limited capital needs in the future and GEUS officials' desire to fund these projects through annual revenue instead of debt.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Volunteers will gather Saturday in Commerce for the Big Event, the City's annual cleanup campaign, beginning at 8 a.m.

Anyone who'd like to volunteer but does not currently have a project can be assigned a task by reporting to City Park tomorrow morning. Lunch will also be provided at the Park at noon.

Alliance Bank will be set up in the Farmer's Market just north of the Downtown Square along Bonham Street to provide document shredding services from 9am - 12pm (noon).