By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Texas Department of Transportation plans to reduce a portion of Highway 11 to one lane just south of Commerce beginning Wednesday.

TxDot and its contractor, DL Lennon, Inc. have announced plans to install a box culvert across the highway at Oak Lane/County Road 4420. CR 4420 will be closed Wednesday and SH 11 reduced to one lane.

Construction at the intersection is expected to last several days. Motorists are asked to exercise caution when traveling through the area.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD is exploring a number of options for cutting its budget amidst a projected budget shortfall for FY 2010-2011.

The district is again expected to dip into its fund balance (savings account) to balance the budget, but would like to take out as little as possible.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce has partnered with the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and area universities to provide $1.9 million in scholarships for graduating Dallas ISD seniors.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce School Board Monday evening is scheduled to consider purchasing advertisement space on the new Memorial Stadium Scoreboard at A&M-Commerce.

The University's Athletic Director Carlton Cooper is working to obtain funds for the board, which costs at total of $650,000. Once erected, it would be the second largest scoreboard in Division II football.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Dan Perkins was declared the winner of Saturday's runoff election for the Greenville City Council Place 1 post.

The unofficial results tallied by the Hunt County Voter Administration Office show Perkins defeated Tim Stainback by 15 votes, 343 to 328.

The two candidates failed to receive more than 50% of the vote on May 8, resulting in the runoff.

Perkins, who's previously served three terms on council, will succeed Glen Steed.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Portions of Jack Finney Boulevard in Greenville will soon be running a bit slower.

A recent study by TxDot revealed the speed limit on a large section of the road could be lowered from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour.

The Study was done at the request of Public Works Director Massoud Ebrahim following an inquiry by the Brookland Learning Center.

The Greenville City Council intends Tuesday to vote in the lower speed limits effective immediately.

By Scott Harvey

– There's already a call to get ready for going back to school. School just let out for the summer which means it's the perfect time to get ready to go back when it comes to getting required vaccines.

Dr. Paul McGaha is with the State Health Department office in Tyler. He says they're trying to avoid an end of summer crush.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A major expansion is planned at one of Greenville's high-tech industries. Cytec Engineered Materials is seeking a tax abatement and the creation of a reinvestment zone for the estimated $15 million project, which is expected to add approximately 21 jobs.

A public hearing is scheduled prior to the City Council taking any action during Tuesday's regular session.

By Scott Harvey

– A 30 year prison sentenced has been handed down for Charles Ray Stevens, who's pleading guilty to assault against a public servant and evading arrest with a deadly weapon.

The 53-year-old Stevens allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend from Campbell on Jan. 31 and then drove her to Oklahoma where she escaped.

He was captured south of Paris after a seven hour standoff with law enforcement.

Charges of aggravated kidnapping are still pending in Hunt County.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A workshop regarding TxDOT's Elderly & Disabled Transportation Program is scheduled for later this month in Paris.

The purpose of the workshop is to evaluate the current year's activities, review plans and goals for the next two years, and to select projects for FY 2011.

Regional residents who are interested in elderly and disabled transportation are invited to attend. Counties to be impacted include Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Rains and Red River counties.