News

Standing on the side of a mountain on the Eason Ranch, way out in Pecos County, I found myself somehow caught up in a time warp as I glanced across the vastness of distant mountains, just as the morning sun began to light them up.

ACROSS THE PECOS FOR MULE DEER

by Luke Clayton

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, "Mank," the biography of 1930s and '40s Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz is worthy of Oscar consideration. Mankiewicz wrote the script for what many critics say is the greatest movie of all time, "Citizen Kane."  Alice also reviews the Indian film, "White Tiger."

Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn into office on Wednesday, January 20, making her the first woman, the first black person, and the first person of south Indian descent to obtain the second highest office within the U.S. Government.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council met together in the council chambers for the first time since last March Tuesday night, and City Hall is now partially open for meetings by appointment.  The council this week has a further discussion about possbly using hotel occupancy taxes, as allowed by the state of Texas, to build a hotel and convention center on Texas A&M-Commerce property south of the CVS pharmacy.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says a new organization for beekeepers in Hunt County is orgaizing.  Also, Pud discusses "Remember for Me," the support group for family members of people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Director Tim McMurray says a few more fans, including students and donors, will likely be allowed into the Field House for men's and women's basketball games this Friday and Saturday (January 22-23) vs.

Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, professor of psychology at Texas A&M-Commerce, says the usual observances of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day that he leads at churches in Commerce and Sulphur Springs will not take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.  But his students have been challenged to perform acts of public service on the holiday.

This week, Luke is joined by Richland Chambers guide Chris Moody (www.garfishingaddiction.com) for a  discussion on the bounty of Richland Chambers Reservoir's blue catfish. Now is a great time to catch not only jumbo size trophy catfish but plenty of good eaters as well.

Kim Saenz, director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, says after the first delivery of coronavirus vaccines were administered, the county is now waiting for a new shipment of vaccines.  A task force is developing a plan for the procedures in providing the next round of vaccines, whenever they may come.  According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management COVID-19 Vaccine Availability website, the vaccines w

Dr. Dale Funderburk, long-time Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, reflects on an article analyzing the manufacturing industry of San Antonio, in particular, but says the slow return of jobs in Texas manufacturing from the coronavirus restrictions will be similar across Texas.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says a tranining seminar at the Best Western Hotel from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday (Janaury 16)will teach participants to survive in an active-shooter situation.  The seminar is presented by "Protect His House," a group that promotes safety for church congregations. Because of the coronavirus situation, it is uncertain if the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade will take place Monday (January 18).

KETR's North By Northeast conversation series returns in 2021 with a focus on the City of Commerce. New Commerce City Manager Howdy Lisenbee introduces himself to listeners around the region. In today's get-acquainted chat: His first name (it's not a nickname), a little about the public trust, the latest on City Hall re-opening (by appointment starting Jan. 19) and those controversial traffic circles (not in current plans for State Hwy. 24).

Dr. Kent Montgomery, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M-Commerce, considers the major space projects planned for 2021.  One is the DART project, in which NASA and the Japanese space agency are sending a spacecraft to collide with an asteroid, as a way of developing a method of protecting Earth against a disastrous collision.   Also, NASA will attempt to land an Orion space capsule on the moon, with plans to send astronauts back to the moon by 2024.

Charlie Alderman, Commerce ISD superintendent, says the Commerce schools will re-open after the holidays on Tuesday (January 12), and will carefully watch the amount of coronavirus infection among students, teachers and staff.  He says opening nearly two weeks after New Year's Day has given the district more time to monitor the situation following the holidays.

Join Luke this week as he discusses late season hunting opportunities. Muzzleloader season in open in many counties for the next week and waterfowl season is in full swing. Contact Luke via email at lukeclayton1950@gmail.com with any outdoor related questions you might have. His website is www.catfishradio.org

Derek Price, author of the "Cargazing" column that appears n the Herald-Banner and is nationally syndicated, reflects on reports that Apple is developing a self-driving car in competition with Tesla and others.  News reports say Apple is making progress in creating a new, long-lasting battery for the car.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says the South Sulphur and Doctors Creek units will be closed this weekend for a youth deer-hunting event.  Both units of the park are now offering self-guided hiking tours, with maps provided at the park headquarters.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, retired Texas A&M-Commerce professor of economics, reflects on a recent "D" magazine article by SMU economics professors W. Michael Cox and Richard Alm arguing that despite Texas' reputation as a business-friendly, free-market state, the amount of business regulation is actually too great.  The article states that Texas highest the fifth-highest rate of business restructions in the U.S.