By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Prospective students and their families will embark upon the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce campus this Saturday for Mane Event Preview Day.

The event, held each spring and fall, attracted over 1,000 individuals last year.

"We want to showcase all the programs and activities, the academic areas, the clubs and organizations. We just want to give people the flavor of this campus," says Stephanie Holley, dean of enrollment and retention.

Delbert Horton, presiding officer with the Sulphur River Regional Mobility Authority, stops by to talk about local transportation issues. Our Friday feature examines burn bans.

The Lead; Friday, March 4, 2011

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Hunt County jury finds a Dallas-area man guilty of sexually abusing a child following a two day trial.

Michael D. Loya, of Richardson, received 25 years behind bars. He was alleged to have sexually assaulted a female child less than six years of age in November 2007.

The jury deliberated about eight hours before ruling on the case. The same panel found Loya not guilty of two additional counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child against the same victim.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Chris Hall is the latest individual to file for the Commerce City Council.

Hall, along with former City Councilman John Sands, are both seeking election to the expiring term for Place 1. Incumbent Tony Henry has not indicated if he'll be running for re-election.

Richard Hill, whose term as councilman for Place 3 is also expiring in May, is seeking re-election. He is currently unopposed.

Filing for area city council and school board seats continues through March 14.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – It is still unclear on when the body of a fallen Texas soldier will arrive in Greenville.

25-year-old Staff Sgt. Chauncy R. Mays, of Titus County, will become the seventh American hero returned to Majors Field Municipal Airport since the start of the war.

The route following Mays' arrival has been determined. A motorcade will proceed north on FM 1570/Jack Finney Boulevard to Hwy 69, then west to Interstate 30 where it will continue eastbound.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Law enforcement in Commerce is partnering to bring the Choices Program to high school and university students.

Beginning Friday at 10 a.m., Parking Lot F on the A&M-Commerce campus at the corner of Stonewall and Campbell will be transformed into a DWI crash scene consisting of victims, a drunk driver and cars. The program will focus on the consequences and choices that teens and young adults have when it comes to driving under the influence.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – The Texas Education Agency has granted waivers to numerous school districts who applied following missed instructional days from bad weather.

The winter storm caused schools to close for several days and with only two snow days on the schedule; the schools would have to add extra days to their schedule to make up the time. Requesting a waiver will allow the schools to be forgiven those extra days.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Paris Junior College is considering an increase of $15 per semester credit hour to help deal with budget cuts.

But President Pam Anglin told regents this week that a charge of $54 per SCH for community college may be more than most people can afford, especially if student aid money dries up.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – A Greenville murder suspect is behind bars after more than three weeks on the loose. Police on Wednesday located and arrested Tyrone Laron McCurdy in the 1200 block of Interstate 30.

McCurdy was the main suspect in the February 8 murder of 22-year-old Treybbian Leekey Nelson, which occurred in the 1000 block of Edgar Street. Nelson was flown to a Dallas hospital and underwent surgery but later died as the result of his injuries.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A local teenager has received multiple charges from the Hunt County Grand Jury.

17-year-old Fabian Tatum, of Commerce, was recently indicted on one count each of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest.

Tatum was alleged to have broken into a residence in July 2010 and stolen a Nintendo Wii system and games, a digital camera, jewelry and a printer. He was also reported to have stolen a pickup and fled from a Hunt County deputy.