John Mark Dempsey

Cynthia Beacom, Hunt County Master Gardener, says fall is great time to plant perennial flowering plants, such as phlox and lantanta, and also to plant bulbs, such as daffodils.  Planting in the fall will allow perennials to establish their roots during the winter months, and bulbs will sprout and blossom in the spring.  Cynthia enjoys spider lillies, which are planted from bulbs, but hard to find.  She recommends ordering through "The Bulb Hunter,"

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman reflects on the the recently announced state accountability ratings, in which the district received an overall rating of B, up from last year's C rating,  and Commerce High School received a B, but the Commerce Middle School received an F rating and A.C. Williams Elementary received a D.  Alderman says the district and the high school ratings are multi-faceted, while the middle school and elementary ratings are based on a single-day of testing.

Kim Saenz, director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, comments on Hunt Regional's recent regognition for its 100 percent performance in the Hospital Preparedness Program conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Steve Killian, superintendent of the Cooper Lake State Parks, discusses upcoming events in the park, including "Critter Corner" at 4 p.m. Fridays at the South Sulphur Unit, where children will learn about an animal that lives in the park, and Archery lessons, at 6 p.m. Saturday (September 14) and Saturday, September 28, also at the South Sulphur Unit.

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, reflects on a New York Times article on caring for aging pets.

Commerce-based musician and music producer Brad Davis comments on his current activities, including a new bluegrass recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Donna Tavener, president of the Commerce Thalian Culture Club, previews the club's 50th annual auction at 6 p.m. Saturday (September 14) at Sand Hills Country Club.  The auction will raise thousands of dollars for youth-oriented services organizations in Commerce.  One of the many items being auctioned is a 36-inch Blackstone Griddle Station.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville previews September events, including the Greenville Theatre Works presentation of  the frantic comedy "Noises Off" at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium Friday-Sunday (September 13-15).

Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, associate professor of counseling at Texas A&M-Commerce, has received the D. Frank Davis Professional and Community Outreach Award in Addiction Counseling from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.  September is Recovery Month and at 7 p.m.

Derek Price, author of the nationally syndicated "Cargazing" column seen in the Herald-Banner and the Commerce Journal,  reflects on the list of discontinued cars for 2019, including the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says 1970s Greenville Lions football great Ricky Simmons will speak at 9 a.m. Thursday at Greenville Middle School on his triumph over drug addiction and imprisonment.  Simmons played college football at the University of Nebraska and in the USFL.  He will sell and sign copies of his book, "The Explosion of Redemption."  Also, Pud discusses Food Truck Friday at the Greenville Sports Park at 6 p.m. Friday.

Sarah Latham, Hunt County Agrilife Extension agent, says Agrilife will offer a weekly Chronic Disease Self-Management program starting at 10 a.m.

The executive director of the Northeast Texas Trail, Jack Neal, and trail supporter Hank Pickering of Wolfe City discuss the news that the NETT has earned more than $1.1 million in grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife for improvements to the trail.  As part of that, Wolfe City received $200,000 for improvements to the 1.6 miles of the trail in its city limits.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, relates the history of the Hopkins County town of Cumby, as a "rip roarin'" Wild West cattle town known as "Black Jack Grove."  The town celebrates "Black Jack Grove Day" each year on the second Saturday in May.

Steve Killian, superitendent of the Cooper Lake State Parks, discusses the beautiful photographs and videos of the park that have recently appeared on Facebook, and well as several upcoming activities at the South Sulphur and Doctors Creek units.

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, reflects on an article warning against misinformation found online related to pet care.

Hunt County Master Gardener Wayne Bowman comments on strategies for watering lawns and flower beds in the hot, dry late summer weather.  Wayne says grass will retain water better if the lawn mower is set at a higher level.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams discusses plans for the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone that is being declared east of Park Street between Maple and Bishop Streets, providing tax incentives for home owners to renovoate their homes.  And the mayor says the city of Commerce recieved a check worth more than $500,000 from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District this week, as the result of renegotiating a contract with the water district.  The city agreed to make a change in a flaw in the contract that was unfavorable

Kim Saenz, director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, and Stacy Stevens, director of surgical services with the Hunt Regional Medical Center, discuss the new Mako robtic system for knee surgeries at the Greenville hospital.

Pud Kearns of Housewarmers of Greenville says the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville has two major events upcoming, the museum's annual fund raising Heritage Dinner, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (August 24) at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, and "Muzee at the Museum," from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bert Cooper, director of Community Seeds of Lone Oak, says the faith-based organization is expanding its transitional housing program and planning a new rehabilitation facility for men.

Paul Voss, Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager, says the Bois D'Arc Bash golf tournament at Sand Hills Country Club will be Friday, September 20 this year, one week eariler than the rest of the Bash, Septmber 27-28.

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, says dog owners should be more vigilant about preventing heartworms in their pets.  Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites, and from dog to dog. Dr. McCreary says heartworm preventative medicine is relatively inexpensive.  She says she's also seeing a lot of problems this summer with fleas and ticks.

Carol Taylor, the chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, says progress is being made in locating a cemetery for people who died on the county poor farm in the period from the 1890s to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Our personal technology commentator, Jeremy Gamez, reflects on a New York Times article in which the author describes his experiences in quitting Facebook.  One of the results, the author says, is that he cut his expenditures on clothing purchases over a six month period from about $1,000 to $300.  Jeremy is the business technical analyst for the Texas A&M-Commerce Provost's office.

Emily Glass, vice president with Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, comments on news that the Hopkins County crime rate is the lowest in 19 years, KSST radio reported.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman reflects on the beginning of a new school year Tuesday (August 13).  Among the major developments is the opening of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center adjacent to Commerce Middle School, which will provide a variety of services to Commerce families, including medical services from the Carevide community health center in Greenville.

Harry Turner, an officer of the Commerce Community Action Program (C-CAP) and a deacon with Mount Moriah Baptist Church, says the church will host a back-to-school event where school supplies will be provided at 11 a.m. Saturday.