News

Derek Price, author of the "Cargazing" column, reflects on the three luxury automobiles he's test driven lately, the Mercedes Benz E-635 station wagon, the BMW 850-I, and the Accura NSX.

It is not everyday that a Texas music show receives a country record which really stands out and shines as something unique, but that's exactly what Notably Texan found in the Undiscovered Country release by Austin's Jeff Warren Johnston.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman reflects on the school board's approval of a significant pay raise for all teachers, administrators and staff.  The Commerce ISD received a 19 percent increase in state funding, making the pay increase possible. Teachers will receive a $5,000 stipend and a minimum $2,200 salary increase.  Staff will receive an average 15 percent pay raise.

Luke is talking airguns this week with Cameron Brinkerhoff the marketing director for Airforce Airguns www.airforceairguns.com

Dr. Kent Montgomery, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M-Commerce, says the Aquarid meteor shower is Sunday night into Monday morning (July 28-29), with the peak viewing around 3 a.m.

In Cooper, the bizarre story of the Enloe State Bank has caused a buzz this summer in what’s ordinarily a pretty quiet town. The bank went out of business following a suspicious fire and a paper trail that revealed a number of fraudulent loans. A few people lost of lot of money as a result of the bank failure. The federal investigation is ongoing. 

Malinda Allison of Honey Grove discusses the annual Quilt Hop events taking place Friday and Saturday in Honey Grove and Bonham.  Historic and artistic quilts will be on display in numerous locations, including St. Mark's Church in Honey Grove and the Sam Rayburn House in Bonham.

Sarah Latham,

Steve Killian, the complex superintendent at Cooper Lake State Park, discusses the opportunities of the park, which in effect is divided into two separate parks, the South Sulphur Unit on the south side, and the Doctor's Creek Unit on the north side.  Because of the lake's status as a U.S.

Lonnie Plunkett with Commerce Lil' Angels comments on the "Christmas in July" event at 6 p.m. tonight (Monday, July 22) at Mugs in downtown Commerce.  Those who attend are asked to bring a toy as a Christmas gift for a child.  They'll be eligible to win gift cards from participating businesses.

Luke speaks with Lake Tawakoni guide Tony Pennebaker this week about the catfish action on the lake this summer, and landing some perfect for the fryer.

Catching and eating “Fryer” size catfish

by Luke Clayton

I was well into my twenties before I set down to a platter of catfish fillets. I was raised eating catfish either fried whole or cut into ‘steaks’. My Dad probably didn’t even know what a ‘fillet’ was. Had he known, I’m positive he would have considered the practice of filleting a waste of good fish!

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, finds the new computer-generated animation of "The Lion King" astonishing, and enjoys Disney's remake of the enmormously popular 1994 version of the movie, despite some carping from a number of other critics.  Alice says her favorite movie of the summer so far has been "Yesterday," the fantasy featuring the Beatles' music in a world that has somehow forgotten the Beatles.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the council will be holding meetings over the next several weeks to receive public comments on the proposed "neighborhood empowerment zones," intended to encourage improvements in some Commerce neighborhoods.  The public meetings will be Tuesday, July 23, at the Abundant Life Assembly, 803 Chestnut St.; Tuesday, July 30, at Commerce City Hall; and Tuesday, August 13 at the Norris Community Center, 1007 Ross St., all at 6 p.m.  Also, a new state law allows tax incentives that m

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, says her mentor Dr. Jim Conrad, former Texas A&M-Commerce archivist, was "an historian's historian."  Dr. Conrad recently passed away, and a memorial ceremony for him will be held at 5 p.m., Saturday, August 10 at the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville. 

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews a novel by Texas author Ann Weisgarber, "The Glovemaker," set in Utah during the 19th Century, when a woman is confronted with agonizing personal choices.  Sharon is also editor of the regional magazine "Fencepost," and discusses the new edition.

Jack Neal, executive director of the Northeast Texas Trail, is joined by Steve Killian, the director the Cooper Lake State Park, who recently hiked the entire length of the trail from Farmersville to New Boston.  Jack  and Steve discuss the characteristics of the trail in different locations along the way.

This week, Luke takes you to Lake Tawakoni to fishing for 'frying size' channel catfish with guide Tony Pennebaker (903-474-3078).

Velvete Womack, our wellness commentator, discusses the importance of dreaming to our well-being, and ways to sleep better, "perchance to dream."  Velvete is the owner of Balanced Newtrition in Rockwall, a

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville discusses summer events, including the Greenville Family Theater's presentation of "Beauty and the Beast," Friday and Saturday, July 12-13 and 19-20 in the Greenville Municipal Auditorium.

Texas A&M-Commerce associate professor of counseling Dr. LaVelle Hendricks says he's participating in the planning for a program to promote civility at the University, at the behest of A&M-Commerce president Dr. Mark Rudin. Dr. Hendricks is also planning an event for Saturday, August 31 to promote good relations between the Commerce Police and students