By Scott Harvey

– With much of Texas still hot and dry and wildfires continuing to spark up across the state, Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking dove hunters to be especially careful when heading out this week for first week of the season.

Fire activity remains steady throughout much of the state, which means a wildfire could be easily ignited. All it takes is one spark from an unattended campfire, lit cigarette or even the muzzle of a gun.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A local woman has received five separate indictments for unauthorized use of a debit card.

Tiffany Nicole Amad, of Commerce, was indicted last Friday by the Hunt County Grand Jury.

The indictments allege Amad used the same individual's debit card without permission on five occasions in September 2008. She was arrested in March 2009.

The charges were filed as state jail felonies, which carry a maximum punishment upon conviction of up to two years in a state jail.

By Scott Harvey

Denison – Eyewitness reports indicate a small tornado touched down near the Grayson County Airport Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service, however, says straight line winds are blamed for power outages in the area.

The Jenson Dormitory at Grayson County College lost power, as a power pole was blown onto the back end of the structure. GCC officials said yesterday plans were in place to house the students elsewhere on campus should power not be restored soon.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – For the second time this week, The City of Greenville receives some good economic news.

Atrium Companies Inc., a leading manufacturer of residential vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors, announced Wednesday its intent to open a new vinyl extrusion plant in the City.

The company will be expanding into the former Wing Industries building on Industrial Blvd. Atrium has signed a lease agreement for the 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – Hopkins County Memorial Hospital has scheduled two public hearings to gather input on a proposed rise in the property tax rate.

Officials are seeking a five cent per one hundred dollar valuation increase.

Hearings are set for Friday, September 10 at noon and on Thursday, September 16 at noon.

The hospital says they've been hurt financially by the large amount of charity cases it handles and bad debt.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The City of Greenville should formally appoint its next police chief by the end of the week.

A special Council meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Municipal Building downtown. The only agenda item on consideration of a resolution confirming the appointment of Daniel J. Busken.

City Manager Steven Alexander named Busken as chief earlier this week, an appointment which requires a confirmation vote by the Council.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Lufkin-based power company is considering plans to build a plant in Greenville.

Greenville Energy LLC is looking to construct a renewable clean energy power plant, utilizing a portion of the City's Electric Utility System (GEUS) steam plant, with additional facilities to be built next to the existing plant.

When completed, the facility will be a 63 megawatt capacity plant providing power directly to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

By Scott Harvey

Leonard – Hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel were spilled in Leonard Tuesday night after the driver of an 18-wheeler lost control and wrecked.

The accident happened along Highway 69 near Leonard High School.

According to Fannin County Emergency Management Coordinator Darrell Brewer, the truck spilled about 500 gallons of the 7,500 gallons it was hauling, into a ditch.

The extent of the driver's injuries was not clear.

Luke talks tips and tricks about many outdoor activities this week.

Outdoors with Luke Clayton 9-01-10

By Scott Harvey

Quitman – A 31-year-old Wood County employee has died following a bizarre tree trimming accident Monday.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Matthew Don Crowell, who had worked for the county since January 2008.

Officials says Crowell late Monday morning became trapped between two large limbs, while cutting a tree from the county road right of way.

Crowell was transported to a hospital in Quitman, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered.