By Scott Harvey

Paris – Area school districts, colleges and universities are following the every moves of the Texas Legislature, to learn how they'll be affected by budget cuts.

This week, the Paris Junior College Board of Regents received a report from President Pam Anglin that shows proposed cuts at PJC of either $1.7 or $1.6 million. To allow for the 2.5 percent cut to this year's budget, vacant positions are being left open for the remainder of the fiscal year. Also, student travel has been frozen unless it is for competition purposes.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Longtime civic leader and community volunteer Bill Ralston received this year's distinction.

In addition to his involvement in Rotary, Ralston has been a member of the United Way Board, the Follies, the Greenville Entertainment and Symphony Orchestra Series'.

As a Rotarian, Ralston lead the effort to transform and renovate the former downtown post office building into what is now the Landmark on Lee Street.

The Worthy Citizen Award was originated by the late Jack Finney in 1947.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Paris residents and local officials came together last night to celebrate 25 years of fighting crime in the City and County.

Since 1986, the efforts of Lamar County Crime Stoppers, with the help of local tipsters, has led to the arrest of more than 1,800 individuals, over 3,400 cases cleared and over $270,000 in rewards paid. The organization has also recovered over $2 million worth of property and nearly $900,000 worth of drugs removed from the streets.

Katie London is joined by Alice Reese to discuss Oscar nominations and more.

By Associated Press

Austin – Prosecutors have expanded a criminal inquiry into Texas lawmakers' double-dipping on expenses.

A criminal investigation is currently being conducted into state Rep. Joe Driver, but not Rep. Dan Flynn, the only other lawmaker identified by the Associated Press to have possibly double-dipped.

By Scott Harvey

Campbell – The Campbell ISD continues to be hampered by a large portion of ill students and staff, and administrators are forced to cancel classes again Friday.

It's the third day this week that all grade levels will be shut down.

About 75 students and some staff were out on Monday with flu-like symptoms. When classes resumed Thursday, 90 students and six staff remained home sick, according to Campbell High School Principal Earnie Phelps.

Commerce – For the second time in less than a year, the One Club in New York City is featuring work by undergraduate art direction and copywriting students at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The school was one of just four highlighted in the club's official magazine titled One.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – The Paris Junior College Board of Regents this week was presented with designs for a new Science and Technology Building to be construction at the north end of campus.

The design, by SHW Architects, includes an open, flexible classroom that can seat up to 120, and several classrooms that can hold 60 or 30-plus students. There would be a math center, classrooms, science labs with shared prep rooms, space for faculty and adjuncts and common space for students to gather.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Greenville man, convicted on two counts of armed robbery, will serve a lengthy prison term.

Following a one day trial, a jury found 21-year-old Israel Michael Pettigrew guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. He is to serve ten and five years in prison on each of the two charges.

A third aggravated robbery indicted against Pettigrew is still pending.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Motorists will need to drive a bit slower along one Hunt County highway, and can drive a bit faster along another.

The portion of U.S. Highway 69 that passes through Greenville were lowered this week by five to ten miles in areas, to adhere to a recent traffic study by TxDot.

The Greenville City Council this week also approved a speed limit increase along Roy Warren Parkway to 40 mph.