By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Paris man is facing charges in connection to the death of his infant son, who was brought to the city's hospital and died.

Police were called to Paris Regional Medical Center North ER Monday afternoon regarding an injured child.

A preliminary investigation shows one-year-old Darrell Hood III had been brought to the ER by his mother and father. Authorities say the baby was reportedly punched in the chest several times.

By Scott Harvey

Van – State Representative for District 2 Dan Flynn (R-Van) has announced a joint effort by members of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) to restore health care liberty through a long-term plan of action.

The Health Care Liberty Plan includes continue support of Attorney General Abbott's lawsuit against the alleged unconstitutional federal health insurance mandate, calling on Congress to "Repeal and Replace" ObamaCare and support sensible state-based alternatives to federal health care.

By Scott Harvey

Van Alstyne – Another area city is outlawing the controversial substance K-2. The Van Alstyne City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban the sale and possession of the substance within its city limits.

Within the past few weeks, the cities of Commerce and Sulphur Springs have voted to restrict the product's sale to anyone under 21, plus enact limits on the how close it can be sold within certain areas like a school or park.

The Dallas suburbs of McKinney and Allen have voted to ban the substance entirely.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – While it was not unanimous, the Greenville City Council has approved the expansion of alcohol sales on city-owned lots during special events downtown.

The move was in response to requests from the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Advisory Board to permit the sale and consumption of beer and wine in time for the Rally 'Round Greenville event next month.

However, more than a half dozen speakers encouraged council on Tuesday to limit the availability of alcohol at such events.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Statistics outlining transportation needs and challenges over the next 25 years were on display yesterday in Commerce, as representatives with TxDot's Paris District Office sought feedback on the state's long-range plan.

Analysts have been evaluating trends in a range of items like population; vehicle miles traveled (VMT), rail and aviation.

The good news, they project population growth to continue at a similar pace. But the increase in VMT has and will continue to outpace the growth.

By Scott Harvey

– A retired infantry soldier from Northeast Texas recently had the opportunity to visit Washington on behalf of the NOD's Wounded Warrior Program.

The National Organization on Disability started the Wounded Warrior Program three years ago, which currently assists over 5,000 of the most severely injured soldiers and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to help them adjust to their injuries and move on with their lives.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking feedback on a long-range plan for the state during the second series of public meetings this month.

The agency's 25 districts will each host a meeting. TxDot's Paris District Office, which covers nine counties in the region, will hold its meeting from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, at the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the A&M-Commerce campus.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Greenville man, already in prison, has pleaded not guilty to two new counts of robbery.

36-year-old Ronald Brian Farquhar entered the plea during an arraignment hearing Monday.

He is alleged to have threatened a male and female victim in the course of stealing money on March 31.

In May, Farquhar pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing bodily injury family violence, and one count of obstruction retaliation. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A Caddo Mills man is in custody after allegedly firing a gun in the parking lot of the Commerce McDonald's Sunday evening.

City of Commerce and University Police were able to locate the shooter's vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.

According to witnesses, the driver, identified as Brent Wallace Holbrook of Caddo Mills, fired a handgun following an altercation. A revolver was recovered from the vehicle which contained one shell casing.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Greenville man has pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault. Tony Ray Lynn Clark entered the pleas during a hearing Monday.

A tentative trial date was set for December 6. He remains in custody at the Hunt County Jail.

Clark is charged with two counts of aggravated assault in connection to a incident March 27 near the intersection of Bois d Arc and Hemphill Streets.