John Mark Dempsey

Herald-Banner movie critic Alice Reese says "First Man," the biographic movie of the first man to step on the moon, Neil Armstrong, is thrilling in its portrayal of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, and is revealing in its portrait of the very private astronaut, played by Ryan Gosling.

Frances Dalbey, executive director of the Hunt County United Way for the past five years, is leaving her position to become the branch manager of staffing company Employee Solutions.

Pud Kearns, a leader of the women's cancer fund raising event Bras for the Cause, says this is the organization's 10th anniversary.  The event, with the theme "Bras Rock," takes place starting at 6 p.m. Thursday night (Oct. 11).  Money is raised from votes for the most popular artistically and humorously decorated bras.

Herald-Banner editor Kristal Kuykendall says Greenville voters will decide the fate of a "tax swap" plan proposed by the Greenville ISD on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and the deadline for voter registration is today (Oct. 9).  The tax swap plan is designed to bring in more revenue from the state, and would allow property taxes to be lowered by about $10 per year.  But Kristal says the Herald-Banner has found that the school board could raise taxes again without voter approval if it decided more revenue was needed.

Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager Paul Voss says, despite the incessant rain on the weekend of September 21-22, many activites of the annual Bois D'Arc Bash went on as planned, and some vendors even made more money this year than last year, and plan to return again.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says the fourth version of "A Star Is Born," starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, in her first movie role, stands up to the three previous versions of the story made in the 1930s, 1950s and 1970s.  And Alice says "The Old Man and the Gun," is a fitting last movie role for its star, Robert Redford, who says he's retiring from acting.

Byron Taylor, president and CEO of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, says the Governmental Affairs Committee of the chamber has started early in making plans and recommendations for the 2019 session of the Texas Legislature.  They've already met with State Sen. Bob Hall, will meet soon with State Rep. Dan Flynn, and will meet with their election challengers.  Then, they'll go to Austin for a two-night visit Feb. 25-27 to meet with legislators and others.  In the past, they've been content with a one-night visit.

Grammy-Award winning music producer Brad Davis of Commerce has co-written and produced a single, "Two Left Feet," by young country-music singer-songwriter Kade Rogers of Yukon, Oklahoma.  While Kade is quite young, Brad describes the song as being "vintage" country music.

Our wellness commentator, Velvete Womack, discusses how to combat the nasal congestion that comes from fall allergies. Velvete is the owner of Balanced Newtrition in Rockwall.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie reviewer, says "The Sisters Brothers," starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly, is memorable, but is an extreme revisionist Western.  She says "The House With a Clock in Its Walls" is an entertaining Halloween-season movie for family audiences.

Sulphur Springs writer Sharon Feldt will edit a new magazine about people in Northeast Texas, "The Fencepost."  She says it will feature positive stories about the region, and will be published by the Community Chronicle, a regional newspaper with a similar philosophy.  The first edition of "The Fencepost" is coming out in December.

Emily Glass, Sulphur Springs mayor pro-tem, says the city has received a $750,000 grant from the state for improvements to the city's sewage lines, necessary for a $50 million expansion at the Saputo dairy processing plant.  And Emily says plans are afoot for improvements at Heritage Park and Pacific Park in the city.

Sarah Latham, Hunt County Agrilife extension agent, says her office is receiving many questions about army worms showing up on lawns.  She says they are destructive of the grass, but home owners may want to consult a lawn-care specialist before deciding to apply insecticide.  And Sarah says the Agrilife office has started its annual sale of

Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager Paul Voss estimates the Bois D'Arc Bash attracts between 12 and 15,000 people each year the fourth weekend of September.  He says the event Friday and Saturday (September 21-22) will attract 140 vendors this year.  The theme this year is "Bash to the Future." Country singer Christ Colston is the featured music performer Saturday night.  Event include the Commerce Leadership Institute Barbecue Friday night and the parade at 10 a.m.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams reports the Fire Department has received a $122,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve training and readiness.  And the mayor says, because property values have increased, revenue to the city has increased, while the tax rate has remained the same, making a 3% across-the-board salary increase for city employees possible.

Rick Parent, director of the Tipitina's Creative Co-op in Commerce, says free classes are being offered on Tuesday nights to introduce the public to the co-op.  Rick says the creative co-op is holding about 40 hours of classes every week.  Classes coming up include beginners' rock guitar and home-decor projects.  Tipitina's Creative Coop is located on the property of the former A.L. Day Elementary School in Commerce, on Church Street, east of Park.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commissionk, tells the story of J. Riley Green of Wolfe City, known as "the good roads man," who was instrumental in getting paved roads built in Hunt County, including the Jefferson Highway, which stretched from Canada to New Orleans.

Lori Cope, the director of the Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Hunt County (CASA), says population growth in Greenville and Hunt County is resulting a steadily growing caseload for the organization that serves children in foster care.  Lori reports 112 cases and 196 children currently in the Hunt County CASA program.  CASA hopes to receive contributions from supporters on National Giving Day on Thursday (September 20) and will be raising money with a Rock 'n' Roll Sock Hop in the Greeenville Middle School gym Saturday night, September 29.

Hunt County Master Gardener Byron Chitwood says September is the time to plant bluebonnets so that they'll grow next spring.  He recommends scarifying, or roughing up, the seeds and soaking them in warm water.  It's also the time plant other wildflower seeds.

Our technology commentator, Jeremy Gamez, discusses the new Apple iPhone XS, which has a feature called "Screen Time" which will keep track of how much time you're spending on the phone.  One article says it's the first phone designed to be used less.  Jeremy is a business technical analyst with the Texas A&M-Commerce provost's office.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, tells the story of the man for whom Hunt County is named, diplomat Memucan Hunt, who was instrumental in the Republic of Texas being officially recognized by the United States, and in the annexation of Texas.

Jack Neal, executive director of the Northeast Texas Trail, says fall brings more visitors to the 130-mile-long trail from Farmersville to New Boston.  The trail is used for biking, hiking, walking and running.  In the KETR listening area, the trail passes through or near Wolfe City, Ladonia and Paris.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum in Commerce, says the facility attracted 8,000 visitors this past summer, up 600 from the summer before. The museum has started "Healthy Kids from A-Z" at 10 a.m. on Wednesday mornings for pre-school age children, which provides activities designed to help them learn about good health.

Sarah Latham, Hunt County Agrilife Extension Agent, will hold "Tech Talks" Wednesday, September 12 and 19 at the Extension office in downtown Greenville, to teach smart-phone users how to make better use of their devices.  Those with Apple phones will meet at 1, and those with Androids will meet at 3.  Also, Sarah reports that the regular "grandparents raising grandchildren" group has resumed meeting at 1 p.m.

Kim Saenz, the director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, says urgent care clinics are a good alternative to the emergency room for non-life-threatening medical problems, and the cost of urgent-care treatment is much lower. 

Bert Cooper, the executive director of Community Seeds -- the non-profit, faith-based charitable organization in Lone Oak -- says the organization is now able to offer limited cash assistance to those needing helping in making their rent or utility payments, and he says the organization has an abundance of vegetables to give away from its community garden.

Greenville Chamber of Commerce President Byron Taylor says "Rally Round Greenville" events will be concentrated on Friday evening, September 14.  Events include circus performances, a chili cookoff, a Cornhole tournament, and live music on the square, conlcuding with the Emerald City Band from Dallas.  The Cotton Patch Bike Rally will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16.

Kristal Kuykendall has arrived from Little Rock, Arkansas, over the summer to take the reins as editor of the Herald-Banner.  On her Facebook page, she has taken the name of "Kristal Greenville," for simpliciy's sake, but also because she has been so taken with the community.  Kristal says the Herald-Banner is in the process of providing more local information, and the newspaper is put

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams explains the city's budget and tax rate for the 2018-19 fiscal year.  The city council held a hearing on the tax rate Tuesday night.  The rate is expected to remain at 82 cents per $100 property value, but revenues to the city will increase because of higher property values.