By Scott Harvey

Fannin County – Trustees at Grayson County College have accepted a petition for a new branch of the institution to be constructed near Bonham.

Officials plan to meet next month to determine whether to hold an election on the issue.

Over 1,100 signatures were received from Fannin County voters who, if the campus is approved, would pay the same property tax rates of Grayson residents. Those costs equal about 91 dollars a year for $50,000 home.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A bid to fund the second largest scoreboard in Division II football is in the works at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The City of Commerce gave Athletic Director Carlton Cooper it's backing Tuesday on a proposal to help fund the new scoreboard, becoming the fifth such entity to do so. In return, the city will be allocated space on the side of the board facing Live Oak Street. The annual commitment is $10,000 over a five year period. The total cost of the scoreboard is $650,000.

By Scott Harvey

– Three North Texas counties are among the top ten in the state in a recent report which examines correlations between location and health.

The nationwide report, conducted by the University of Wisconsin and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, look at the factors that play a role in one's general health and premature death, such as smoking, obesity, binge drinking, unemployment, child poverty and air pollution.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce may see an increase in enrollment thanks to an enrollment agreement with Texas A&M University and The Texas A&M University System. The new Program for System Admissions will allow students to transfer from A&M-Commerce into certain degree plans at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Commerce – The Northeast Texas Children's Museum will welcome Lamar County Master Gardeners to the Museum on Saturday, March 6. Jean Maninger, Helen Ressler, Ann Gillilan, and Jackie Neugent will direct activities for children. These master gardeners will be assisted by Pat Abramson of the Hunt County Master Gardeners.

"We're very pleased that the Lamar County Master Gardeners are coming to the Museum and bringing these fun activities for the children," said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum.

By Scott Harvey

Hawkins, TX – Copper thieves who broke into a substation near Hawkins Tuesday forced power outages for more than 1,700 homes.

A spokesperson with Wood County Electric Cooperative said the company was forced to cut power to the homes while crews repaired damage to the facility.

The thieves reportedly caused severe arcing of the power lines while stealing the copper, which could have been fatal.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Commerce residents can soon look forward to new improvements at City Park, following council's decision Tuesday to execute a professional services contract.

Money for the work comes from a recently awarded matching grant of $75,000. Mark Spencer with MHS Planning and Design has been contracted to make the renovations which include but are not limited to installation of new playground equipment, picnic tables and walkway plus botanical garden and basketball court renovation.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Details were unveiled Tuesday in Greenville during the first in a number of committee meetings to plan for the future of regional transportation.

Hunt County dignitaries met with representatives from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to determine how the county, now a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), can create a 20-30 year plan that incorporates the transportation needs of the public.

By Brad Kellar

Hunt County – The GOP made a strong showing during the first day of early voting for the March 2 Primary.

Republicans outnumbered Democrats in Hunt County by a 10-1 margin Tuesday. More than 360 people cast ballots; a number that lags behind last year's numbers but still above the typical start of primary early voting for the county.

Early voting continues through February 26.

By Brad Kellar

West Tawakoni – A West Tawakoni man is sentenced to prison on two separate acts of injury to a child last April.

Christopher Scott Frye was facing up to life in prison if convicted on either of the original indictments of injury to a child by an act. Instead, Frye pleaded guilty Tuesday to lesser charges.

Under a plea bargain arraignment, he received the maximum punishment of 20 years in prison on each count.