By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Lamar County murder trial that began Wednesday with jury selection ends with a guilty plea after just one day.

Darrell Wayne Hood Jr. admitted striking his one year old child twice last September.

He took the child to Paris Regional Medical Center, but told officers he had dropped the child. The boy later died and Hood was charged with murder. An autopsy showed 36 rib fractures on the boy.

The jury selected Wednesday will decide Hood's punishment.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD has approved a measure that allows for the discharge of one or more non-renewal employees.

Thursday night's item simply recognizes there is a problem financially, but additional action is required before layoffs could begin.

"We will have to reduce some [employees]," said Superintendent Blake Cooper. "That number is still up for debate. I really don't want to say yet until I visit with the staffs."

Alice previews "Sucker Punch" and "Win, Win," among other movies to premiere this weekend.

Movie Reviews with Alice Reese 3-25-11

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A motorist crashes his vehicle through the side of a Commerce apartment complex, injuring the resident.

Police say the accident occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. Thursday in the 2100 block of Monroe.

The driver told officers that he had just turned north onto Monroe street when he saw a vehicle traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. He was frightened, quickly turned right and lost control of the vehicle. The crash caused heavy damage to the building.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – An investigation by University Police at A&M-Commerce has determined that a reported sexual assault earlier this month was false and did not occur.

In a statement issued Thursday, authorities said that while all reports are taken seriously, the university community is reminded that false reports carry a penalty under Texas State Law. There was no immediate word on a possible punishment against the assault's accuser.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – The Paris Junior College Board of Regents has approved a tuition hike to address budget cuts by the state.

In the process, Regents achieved their goal of keeping tuition below the state community college average.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD will contemplate a reduction in its workforce during a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees Thursday night.

Officials will first meet in a closed-door executive session on the matter, and then later discuss possibly implementing the reduction in open session. The Board is scheduled to determine action on a financial emergency and/or program change requiring a reduction in force.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Planning continues for the new Science and Technology Building to be constructed at the north end of Paris Junior College.

Regents this week approved the sale of college land once used as the Biology Field Lab. The 256 acre lot was sold for $408,000, with proceeds to go toward the new facility.

Regents also accepted Charter Buildings as the Construction Manager at Risk for the project.

By Scott Harvey

– Increased patrols by Texas Highway Patrol Troopers over spring break led to the arrest of 17 intoxicated drivers in the region.

Authorities in the North Texas District, which several counties along the Red River from Cooke County on east to Bowie County, were able to work 242 hours in addition to the regularly scheduled shifts.

Troopers patrolled high risk areas for impaired driving during peak times from March 12 to March 20.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce SkatePark Project is hosting a "Party in the Park" Saturday to benefit the organization's plans for a skating facility.

The event will be held at Centennial Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a BBQ sandwich lunch, live entertainment and a bounce house for kids. A $5 minimum donation is requested to attend.