By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Acting on the suspicion of illegal drug activity, Commerce Police on Saturday arrested three people and seized pills and marijuana following the issuance of a search warrant.

The search at a residence in the 2300 block of Washington Street also found items used commonly for the trafficking of narcotics as well as the using of narcotics.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Greenville Police are investigation a Sunday morning shooting that allegedly occurred as an act of self defense.

Officers responded to the scene at 2004 Wesley Street, Apartment #4 where an intruder had been shot after reportedly assaulting individuals inside. The resident, who was also assaulted, retrieved a firearm to protect himself and during the confrontation the intruder was shot once.

COMMERCE  – The generosity of a Commerce church will allow local Episcopalians to continue to worship in town after their own church is shut down.

The lack of a full-time priest and few members was too much for the Episcopal Church of Epiphany to handle, leading to its deconsecration in January.

To the rescue was the First United Methodist Church of Commerce who, beginning Sunday, will begin a new Anglican service.

Billy Reed, Harry Turner, Opan Pannell and Dr. James Conrad discuss the documentary film "The Other Side of the Track," a history of the Norris Community in Commerce.

The Lead: Friday, March 11, 2011

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – In Commerce, the latest filing came Thursday when Michael Odom filed for Place 3 on the Commerce City Council. He'll oppose Incumbent Richard Hill on May 14.

Former Councilman John Sands and Chris Hall will challenge one another for Place 1. Incumbent Tony Henry has not indicated if he'll be seeking re-election.

For the Commerce School Board, Place 4 member Ted Oats and Place 5 member Willie Blow remain unopposed.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – A bill to suspend state mandated testing in order to support at risk teachers during this current budget crisis is filed in the Texas House.

It's the second bill associated with public education submitted this week by State Representative for District 2 Day Flynn.

By Scott Harvey

Ector – Students at a Fannin County school are sent home after a teacher's aide is tested for meningitis at a nearby hospital.

All Thursday classes at Ector Elementary School were closed after the aide got sick on Wednesday.

Superintendent Gary Bonhannon tells KXII-TV that there was concern the instructor may have bacterial meningitis, a very contagious type of the infection.

By Scott Harvey

– According the Texas Workforce Commission, Hunt County's unemployment rate rose from 8.7 in December to 9.3 percent in January as the jobs being created failed to keep up with work demand.

Hopkins County also saw a .6 percent jump in jobless figures, listing 7.4 percent in January, although the numbers continue to represent the lowest in the region.

Delta County recorded one of the highest employment rates, at 10.6 percent, while Lamar and Fannin counties posted 10.2 and 10.1 percent rates, respectively.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – 19-year-old Anthony Lawone Lewis, of Greenville and 48-year-old Ronnie Darryle Lewis, of Fort Worth were reportedly two of three people who set a fire or caused an explosion that damaged a residence in July 2010.

Anthony Lewis was arraigned Wednesday. An arraignment date had not been announced for Ronnie Lewis.

Charges, if any, against a third person in the case is still unclear.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Lamar County jury has sentenced 24-year-old Shaun Michael Blue to five years in prison after finding him guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

Blue was arrested with his half brother Richard Earl Davidson in 2009 after former Paris Police Chief Karl Louis spotted their car and considered it suspicious.

Davidson testified in the trial that they had been planning to rob an armored car.