Commerce – Administrators and teachers at Commerce ISD are optimistic about preliminary results from this year's TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) testing which show significant increases, enough to move Commerce High School off the Texas Education Agency unacceptable rating list.

By Scott Harvey

College Station – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is scheduled Thursday to consider approval of a proposed increase in designated tuition for a number of its member institutions.

A&M-Commerce is seeking a range of increase from between $2.50 and $25 per semester per credit hour for the upcoming academic year. Estimates indicate the increase will be somewhere around $15. The current fee is $84.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – It was an unusual drug bust this week in Greenville.

The Hunt County Sheriff's Office is reporting the arrest of a 39-year-old bus passenger who packed the wrong lunch.

When consent was given to search his belongings, nine ounces of hydroponic marijuana with a street value of $5,000 was discovered. The man was hiding the pot in cans of potato chips stashed in a plastic grocery bag, disguised as his lunch.

At last report the man was awaiting arraignment on a charge of possession of marijuana.

This Day in History: Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

This Day in History

This Day in History: Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County – Two animal rescue organizations that helped remove 57 mistreated horses in Hopkins County earlier this month have been awarded custody.

During a Tuesday afternoon hearing, Justice of the Peace Yvonne King made the decision to give the horses to True Blue Animal Rescue and Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Construction at the new A.C. Williams Elementary School in Commerce was hampered a bit by last month's storms, but crews will still have time, and then some, to complete work by this fall.

The $14 million, 60,000 sq. foot structure is now 85% complete, according a progress report heard Monday from Claycomb Associates and W.B. Kibler Construction Company.

Strong winds did actually damage some mechanical units and the roof, the extent of which was unknown. That damage is currently being repaired.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The Greenville School Board Tuesday gave the go-ahead to randomly test students for drugs, following review of the policy's second draft.

The policy will cover four categories of students in grades 7-12: Those participating in extracurricular and school-sponsored events, drivers, and those that have been volunteered by their parents.

Greenville parents will receive a copy of the policy and an educational packet, and are required to sign a form in order for the student to participate in any program or event.

By Mary Lou Hazal

Commerce – More than 200 A&M-Commerce employees attended the Bridge Builders luncheon on May 6 to mark their financial giving to the university.

Other regional universities of similar size also have fund-raising efforts directed to their employees, according to Alicia Wittkopf, annual fund coordinator at A&M-Commerce.

"I get phone calls from other universities who want to know about our annual campaign," Wittkopf said. "They want to know what we do to make it so successful."

By Scott Harvey

KETR Newscast 5-20-09

Commerce approves 20-year strategic plan; AC Williams school now 85 percent complete; Former Hunt County ISD employee accused of sexual assault; Still no H1N1 reported in Hunt County; TxDot to close portion of I-30 in Greenville and made detour; Wood County man put to death for Quitman woman's murder; CHS principal chosen to Harvard program.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce City Council approves a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide the city for the next 20 years.

The working document reflects the thinking of council members, responses of Commerce citizens and directors of city departments.