By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County – Governor Rick Perry Thursday declared Hopkins County a disaster area from excessive rainfall and high-water damage received last fall.

His ruling came following a joint damage survey from county officials and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The State will now make available any and all assistance for which may be eligible under emergency conditions.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The Greenville Fire Department has received more than $252,000 in federal grants, helping to save the city and taxpayers costs for upcoming improvements.

The first grant, received in the operational safety category, is a communication grant that will replace the department's communication system.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – The Texas A&M University-Commerce Children's Learning Center was recently awarded a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in recognition of their outstanding effort and knowledge of working with young children. The credential was awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., which represents the early childhood education profession.

By Scott Harvey

– The latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show Honey Grove has one of the highest response rates among area cities.

At 60 percent, Honey Grove is just ten percentage points behind the highest rated city in Dubuque, Iowa.

As of Thursday, the national participation rate was 52 percent.

Elsewhere throughout the region, Bonham was at 58 percent, 57 percent for Caddo Mills, Sulphur Springs 56 percent, Paris 55 percent, Greenville showed 53 percent, Cooper 53 percent, Royse City 52 and Commerce 44 percent.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The U.S. Marshall Service has arrested a man alleged to have fired upon a vehicle in Greenville last week that contained two people.

Tony Ray Clark has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other charges are pending.

The shooting occurred near the intersection of Bois D Arc and Hemphill Streets early Saturday morning.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – Area school districts continue to create a better learning environment for students, with the Bonham ISD becoming the latest district to install Promethean ActivBoards in several of its campus classrooms.

The boards were made possible with funds obtained through a competitive T3 grant in which Bonham partnered with Commerce ISD, Wolfe City ISD, and Texas A&M University-Commerce.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A Greenville man has pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in connection with an armed holdup at a Hunt County game room.

Michael Ray Bell is the second of three people allegedly involved to plead guilty and sentenced to prison. Bell also agreed Wednesday to testify against the remaining defendants.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison and will have to serve at least half of the sentence before being eligible for parole.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – One of three men indicted in a 2007 holdup of a Commerce residence has pleaded not guilty.

Melroy Lynn Anderson, of Emory, entered the plea to two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon Wednesday. He also pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

A tentative trial date of June 4 was set.

Charges were dismissed against one of the defendants due to insufficient evidence.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The controversial video company Girls Gone Wild is schedule to stop at The Rail in Commerce Thursday night.

A call to the event's booking department questioning the validity of an appearance on April Fool's Day was not returned.

Rail Manager Shan Milhon tells The East Texan representatives from Girls Gone Wild recently contacted him about the possibility of one of the group's tours coming through the city.

Bob Aikin joins The Morning Blend in studio to talk about The Texas Tribune, drilling and energy concerns, the Census, and more.

Click above for full audio.