By Brad Kellar

Commerce – An attorney has been appointed for a Commerce teenager, jailed for allegedly assaulting three people while rollerblading through the City's Wal-Mart last month.

17-year-old Michael Don McGinnis remains in custody on one count each of evading arrest with intention and assault causing bodily injury and two counts of assault on a public servant.

His bond is set at $27,000.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – City of Greenville officials are looking to the west for development. The City Council Tuesday entered into an agreement with Freese and Nichols to draft what is known as the Small Area Plan.

The contract was for $108,000.$90,000 is coming from the Board of Development and $18,000 are coming from the Walton Group, which is asking the company to draft a northwest thoroughfare plan, to provide for roadway connectivity to and through their properties.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – Several Northeast Texas communities have been awarded funding to be used for educational programs and infrastructure improvements that make it safer for children to walk or bike to school.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced Thursday they've awarded $54 million in Safe Routes to Schools grants.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Responding to a report in the Paris News, officials at Paris Junior College are reporting a grant to train workers in nuclear welding at Turner International has not been released. The newspaper report regarding the PJC's Monday meeting had erroneously indicated that a hold on the skills development grant had been released. That information, according to the college, is false.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Lamar County jury has sentenced Randy Dale Barnett, of Paris, to 50 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say the 46-year-old Barnett was at a Paris restaurant when he began cursing loudly at a woman at his table.

The altercation escalated when the victim told him to take the argument somewhere else and then reached for her cell phone. Barnett reached for a pocket knife.

The jury's sentence was influenced by Barnett's history of violence.

By Scott Harvey

– The two East Texas church arson suspects have been formally indicted.

20-year-old Jason Bourque faces five arson and three attempted arson charges, while 22-year-old Dainel McAllister faces two arson and two attempted arson charges.

Bond for each has been set at $10,000,000 a piece.

More than a dozen regional churches were either destroyed or badly damaged during a month-long ordeal earlier this year. No one was injured.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Greenville will soon have a new manager. There was a lot of discussion Tuesday before the Greenville City Council voted 5-1 to create the position of Venue Manager for the Auditorium.

The 1,700 seat facility currently plays host to events such as the Greenville Entertainment Series, Greenville Dallas Symphony Orchestra Series and the Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – One returning and two new members of the Paris Junior College Board of Regents were sworn in Monday evening.

Taking the oath of office was returning regent Carlton Grant and newly elected Berdie Gibson and Louise Taylor.

The Board also received a financial report from Vice President of Business Services John Eastman.

State funding to PJC will be cut by approximately $920,000. Eastman stated it is still unknown if there will be a five percent cut this year or a ten percent cut next year.

By Scott Harvey

Leonard – Authorities have identified the four people charged with animal cruelty after dozens of dogs and cats were seized from a Leonard property last week.

54-year-old James Soaring Eagle Vonda, 47-year-old Yolanda Duke, 22 year-old Cody Sims, and 46-year-old Melinda Pappa, were believed to be living in tents outside the house.

The alleged abused animals were seized by the SPCA, who were acting on an anonymous tip.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – Fannin County officials are waiting to receive bids on the construction of a new animal shelter, which would replace the existing facility.

According to Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander, the construction costs will come primarily from a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Another grant and private donations will also help with funding, but participating cities will be responsible for maintaining the shelter.