News

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, enjoyed the new movie "Made in Italy," a father-and-son story actually starring a father and son, Liam Neeson and his son Micheal Richardson.  It features beautiful scenery from the Tuscany region of Italy.  "Made in Italy" is available online and in some movie theaters.  "Ana" is a comedy-drama set in Puerto Rico and starring Andy Garcia.

Texas A&M University-Commerce is set to resume its fall semester on Monday, August 24. With the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic class offerings range from in-person to online-only to a number of hybrid curriculum options. The student experience for commuters and residents alike is going to differ in a number of ways from any previous semester in the school's history. 

Hunt County Master Gardener Wayne Bowman says now is the time to start planting fall vegetable gardens.  In fact, it's already late to start tomatoes from seed, although seedling can still be planted.  Wayne says it's important to take into account the average date of the first frost, generally the second week of November for Hunt County.  Beans, corn and squash won't survive the fro

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman says things went smoothly on the district's first day of schools since the coronavirus hit last March. For at least the first two weeks, students will use a "hybrid" schedule in which  they are divided in two groups, with each group attending classes two days per week and working online on  the other days.  Charlie says the students he saw were wearing their masks and maintaining social distancing on the first day.

Tim McMurray, Texas A&M-Commerce athletic director, says fall sports teams -- including football -- will play a half schedule in the spring 2021 semester.  This follows the decision of the Lone Star Conferece to call off competition in football, volleyball and soccer in the fall 2020 season, at least partly because the NCAA Division II decided to have national championship playoffs in the fall sports.  Cross coun

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says a workshop on the city's new comprehensive plan will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 13 at the Reecy Davis Recreation Center at 4320 Lee Street and is open to the public.  A display of the material will be on view from 2 to 8 p.m., and then will be on view at the W.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews the work of Commerce author Brian Dowsley, a retired U.S.

Dr. Kent Montgomery, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M-Commerce, relates plans for NASA's Perserverance rover, which will land on Mars on February 18 of next year and seek signs of microscopic life from the planet's ancient history. 

Pud Kearns of Housewarmers of Greenville, and one of the major leaders of Bras for the Cause, says the annual fund-raising event for Hunt Regional Healthcare will be virtual this year on Facebook Live, Thursday evening, October 8, because of the situation with the coronavirus.  A virtual kickoff event will also take place on Facebook Live at 7 p.m., Thursday night, August 20.

Frances Dalbey, outreach specialist for Hunt Regional Healthcare, says individuals should not put off health screenings despite the inconveniences caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  Frances says Hunt Regional is able to provide all screenings in a safe manner.  Frances also discusses recent changes in the rules for visitors at the Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville.

This week, Luke talks striper fishing with Bill Carey with Striper Express (www.striperexpress.com) up on Lake Texoma. Luke also shares some tips on keeping safe from insects during the summer months. 

TAKE PRECAUTIONS IN THE OUTDOORS

by Luke Clayton

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, discusses strategies for helping your pet adjust when you return to work after being at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says "Radioactive," now available on Amazon Prime, is an engaging biography of Marie Curie, who, with her husband Pierre Curie, discovered the elements radium and polonium, and became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and the only woman to win it twice.  Alice also reviews the romance/adventure "The Secret: Dare to Dream" starring Katie Holmes.  We also discuss the possibility of a

Emily Glass, co-owner of the Venue at two-nineteen in downtown Sulphur Springs and former mayor of the city, says the Sulphur Springs school board has decided to delay the start of the school year until Tuesday, September 1 because of the coronavirus threat.  Emily also says the Sulphur Springs Senior Center is in need of new volunteers to keep the "Meal a Day" program going.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman says the school board has decided to delay the start of the new school year one week, until Tuesday, August 11, and the schools will start with a "hybrid schedule" of two days in school and three days at home for at least the first two weeks.

Tim McMurray, Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Director, discusses the decision of the Lone Star Conferece to delay the start of practices for fall sports until August 24 and games until September 21.  However, Tim says it is a very fluid situation and further changes could be announced, depending on what the NCAA decides to do about the schedule for the national playoffs. 

In this weeks show, Luke visits with his longtime friend Mark Balette, with B & C Outfitters near Groveton Texas (www.easttexasexotics.com). Mark and Luke discuss the challenges and fun involved with summer hog hunting. 

Charlie Alderman, Commerce ISD superintendent, discusses the rules announced this week by the University Interscholastic League for fall sports and band.  Regular-season football at the 4A level and below will start as originally planned on August 28, but will be delayed several weeks at the 5A and 6A level.

Wyman Williams, Commerce mayor, says Atmos Energy, which provides natural gas to Commerce, will be "flaring" lines on West Live Oak Street near the Ben E.