John Mark Dempsey

Sarah Latham, Hunt County Agrilife Extension Agent, says the Hunt and Rains County 4-H Clubs are organizing holiday packages for U.S. military members overseas.  The deadline to make contributions is Monday, November 25.  Requested items can be seen at this link.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, says the museum has welcomed close to 3,000 visitors since reopening October 26.  The museum is located in a new location at 100 Maple Street (Highway 11 east).

Tim McMurray, Texas A&M-Commerce athletic director, says the Lion football team, ranked 23rd in the country and sixth in the regional rankings, needs to win at Angelo State at 3 p.m.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Texas A&M-Commerce ecnomics professor, reflects on an study that says Texas is in better position to withstand a recession than any other state.  But Texas economist Dr.

Sharon Feldt, our books commentator, says Rebecca Dwight Bruff, author of the historical fiction novel "Trouble the Water," speaks at the Sulphur Springs Public Library

Emily Glass, vice president with Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, discusses the city's recent advances in the efforts to eventually convert the former Thermo Mine property into a very large city park.  The city council lately agreed to take over responsibility for a highway overpass on the project.  Creating a park on the property is a long-term project, and a considerable amount of remediation will be necessary on the land.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie reviewer, says the new World War II epic, "Midway," is a well-told depiction of the first major U.S. victory over the Japanese after Pearl Harbor, and is "great history."  Alice also says "Doctor Sleep" is a worthy horror successor, 39 years later, to "The Shining."

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says citizens are invited to attend a public workshop on a new comprehensive plan for the city of Greenville, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 14 at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center.  Among other November events, Greenville Theater Works presents a performance of "It's a Wonderful Life" as a 1940s live radio play, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, November 22-23, and at 2 p.m.

Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, associate professor of counseling at Texas A&M-Commerce, discusses the new tribute to former A&M-Commerce President, the late Dr. Dan Jones, south of the Gee Library.  It includes a statue of Dr. Jones seated on a bench, a plaque, and his bronzed running shoes.  Funds for the tribute were raised from the annual Dr. Dan Jones Fun Runs.  Dr. Hendricks also says an event honoring Dr.

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, comments on an article cautioning pet owners to be careful in providing toys for their pets.  She says she often treats pets who have swallowed balls or broken teeth on toys.

Dr. Bob Johnson and the Rev. David Lay of the Bread of Life Church and Food Pantry of the Commerce Community Action Program (C-CAP) relate plans for a holiday-season trip to the historic East Texas city of Jefferson on Friday, December 6.  The Rev.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville reviews plans for the Bob Willis Fiddle Festival and Contest today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday, November 1-2) in downtown Greenville.  The event features a performance by Bob Wills' Texas Playboys directed by Jason Roberts and the Rider in the Sky Western swing and comedy group Saturday night in the Greenville Municipal Auditorium.

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, says more of her clients are buying pet insurance to help cover the costs of caring for pets in the event of accident or necessary surgery.  The average monthly cost of pet insurance is about $76, but there are several different varieties of pet insurance available with variable costs.

Derek Price discusses the annual "Fly-In" at the Majors Field municipal airport in Greenville Friday.  Many vintage planes will be on display.  The event is in conjunction with the Bob Wills Fiddle Festival and Contest this weekend downtown Greenville.

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener, discourses on the appearance of the colors of fall in the trees of Northeast Texas.  Wayne says home owners should rake and dispose of the leaves in their yards to prevent the leaves from choking their lawns, but fallen leaves in wooded, rural areas provided good nutrients for the trees. 

Charlie Alderman, Commerce ISD superintendent, says Proposition 7 on the state constitutional amendment ballot November 5, would double the amount of money that could be taken from the Permanent School Fund for public schools each year.  Also, he says two persons have been hired (as required by the state) to oversee the Targeted Improvement Plan at A.C.

Amy Welch and Jim Ayres of the Commerce Rotary Club discuss "Waves of Glory," November 9-16, in which flags honoring U.S.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, believes "The Current War," with Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison, is an engaging historical film portraying the fight over the electrification of America between Edison, George Westinghouse and his partner, Nikolai Tesla.

Northeast Texas Trail director Jack Neal says two legislators, State Sen. Bryan Hughes and State Rep. Gary VanDeaver, will seek approval for a study to be conducted before the next session of the state legislature in 2021 on officially designating the NETT as a state park.  Such a designation would greatly increase funding for the trail.  The NETT and related organizations recently received $1.1 million in grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, says the museum will be fully open for business on Saturday (October 26) in its new location on Highway 11, on the east side of Commerce.  Sharline says prospective visitors from numerous new cities have inquired about the museum.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says Proposition 5 on the state constitutional amendment ballot Tuesday, November 5, would dedicate a large percentage of sporting-goods sales taxes to the state parks, including Cooper Lake's South Sulphur and Doctor's Creek units.

Kara Wallace, director of the Commerce High School Band, and Melinda Reid, Commerce Band Booster club member, relate plans for the Northeast Texas Marching Invitational, starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday (October 19) at A&M-Commerce Memorial Stadium.  The Roaring Tiger Band received all "1" ratings this week at the regional UIL band competition, and will advance to the area competition Saturday, October 26 at Collins Stadium in Denton.

Wyman Williams, mayor of Commerce, says the City Council received an updated report on Texas A&M-Commerce's 20-year master plan this week.  The mayor says two things discussed included further retail development on University property south of the CVS Pharmacy on Highway 24, and the proposed move of the Access and Success Center to the intersection of Culver and Bois D'Arc Street

Derek Price, author of the nationally syndicated "Cargazing" column that appears in the Heraled-Banner and the Commerce Journal, says Jeep is producing a pickup, the Gladiator, for the first time in 30 years, and it is very popular with pick-up purists.  Derek also discusses his creation of a new company, Celebrate Media Group, for which he is producing videos, including Celebrate Hunt County and Celebrate McKinney.

The Rev. Sam Caldwell, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce, says the church will observe its 50th anniversary in the current building on Highway 24 across from Texas  A&M-Commerce on Sunday (October 20).  The public is invivted to attend services at  10:50 a.m.  A lumcheon will take place afterward, and those who would like attend may make a reservation at (903) 886-3220.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, says it will reopen in its new facility on the east side of Commerce, on Highway 11, Tuesday (October 15).  The museum will operated on a limited schedule until its grand opening, Saturday, October 26.

Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, associate professor of counseling, says Texas A&M-Commerce the Junior Faculty Awards were presented recently, and were named in honor of Dr.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, discusses the many Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration projects that were built in Texas, many of which still stand.  The CCC and WPA were New Deal federal programs established under President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression.  The projects include the Bonham State Park, built by the CCC.  Greenville's Municipal Building was built by the WPA.

Jim Ayres of the Commerce Rotary Club says the club will honor U.S. veterans with "Waves of Glory," a display of 100 flags at Commerce City Park, November 9-16, with an opening ceremony Friday night, at 6 p.m., November 8.  Each flag will have a placard honoring a particular U.S. veteran, alive or dead.  Veterans may be nominated for the honor through October 28.  Contact the club at rotaryclubofcommerce@gmail.com.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville, one of the organizers of Bras for the Cause, says the theme of the event scheduled for Thursday evening, October 10, in downtown Greeenville, is "Brallywood."  The artfully and humorously designed bras receive votes in the form of pledges from those who visit the numerous locations where the bras are displayed.  Proceeds from the event are helping to pay for a 4D Ct scanner used in cancer treatment by the Hunt Coun