John Mark Dempsey

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says Matt Damon's portrayal of an Oklahoma oil-field worker fighting to prevent his daughter from being convicted of murder in France in "Stillwater" is very believable because Damon spent time with roughnecks in preparation for the role.  She says the story is loosely based on the murder case of American Amanda Knox.  Alice also reviews "

Sarah Latham, Rains County Agrilife Extension Agent, shares tips on recognizing, avoiding and treating poison ivy.  Also, Sarah has a program on food handling that will be helpful for people who will run concession stands at high-school football games this fall, among others, on Thursday

Judy Woods, representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra concert series in Greenville, says tickets are now on sale online for performances Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, June 4, 2022.   TheDSO will also perform two children's concerts at 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon Friday, Oct. 1.  IA ticket sale campaign will begin in August.  t is the 47th season of DSO concerts at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium.

Paul Voss, executive director of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, says the Chamber and the Rotary Club International are discussing how they can work together to fight against human trafficking, which Paul says is becoming a significant problem in Hunt County and Northeast Texas.  Paul says a Hunt County branch of the Rotary Club is being organized as part of the effort.  Also,

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, reminds us that July is Pet Hydration Month, emphasizing the importance of providing fresh drinking water for dogs, cats and other pets in the summer.  Karri also suggests providing a wading pool in the shade for outdoor dogs to cool themselves.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council voted this week to provide salary increases for police and fire employees, using federal COVID-19 funding.  The council also voted to sell eight tax-delinquent properties and return them to the tax roll.  Houses can then be built on the vacant lots, improving the neighborhoods and generating additional tax revenue to the city.

Paul Voss, director of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, says Mohawk Industries in Commerce needs to hire new employees, and will hold a job fair from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at its facility at 3100 Industrial Dr. in Commerce.  Also, Paul says a new restaurant, Russell's Fish and Shrimp, has opened in the building across from Braum's that was most recently a Dickey's Barbecue franchise.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, says the museum is preparing to make a 3,600 square-foot expansion of the floor space within the museum, giving it a total of 20,000 square feet.  One of the features will teach children about driving safety using a restored Volkswagen bus provided by Bob Stachowiak and a grant from State Farm Insurance.

Emily Glass, our commentator on Sulphur Springs events and co-proprietor of the Venue at two-nineteen in downtown Sulphur Springs, says the Hopkins County Commissioners Court is looking into improving Internet access in the rural northern part of the county.  Emily, the former mayor of Sulphur Springs, discusses a letter from a visitor praising the city and its citizens to current mayor John Sellers.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Northeast Texas economist and long-time Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, reflects on an article by political writer Froma Harrop in which she defends California against the perception that the state is in an economic nosedive.  While agreeing that the reports of California's demise are "greatly exaggerated," Dr. Funderburk points out that the state is still facing some severe problems.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says the swimming beaches at both the South Sulphur and the Doctors Creek units have recently received truckloads of white sand, giving them an appearance similar to beaches in Florida.  Also, the park has resume educational programs after the coronavirus lockdown.  In fact, a program on bats is set for 8 p.m. tonight (Friday, July 16) at South Sulphur, a photography hike is scheduled at 8:30 a.m.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, says the raising of livestock was the major occupation of people in early Hunt County, rather than farming.  Not until the arrival of the railroads in the 1880s could farmers easily transport crops, including cotton, to markets.  Carol says sheep were as numerous as cattle and horses.

Frances Dalbey, Hunt Regional Healthcare outreach specialist, reflects on the importance of safety on the water. and of drinking enough water during the summer months.

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, discusses National Lost Pet Prevention Month in July.  Dr. McCreary works with the Abandoned Pet Project, which helps reunite lost pets with the owners or finds new homes for them.  She says the organization welcomes volunteers.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Northeast Texas economist and long-time Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, reflects on a report from the state comptroller's office showing Hunt County manufacturing output to be second only to Collin County in the Metroplex region, based on percentage of Gross Domestic Product (45%) and average annual wages earned ($96,000).

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says "Black Widow" starring Scarlett Johansson, is among the most entertaining of the Marvel Comics movies, and develops a very interesting back story for the "Black Widow" character.  It is the first Marvel movie based on Johansson's "Black Widow" character.

Commerce musician and music producer Brad Davis is releasing a new bluegrass song, "Annalee," on August 13.  Brad is a multiple-Grammy-Award winner for projects he has produced at his Commerce studio.  "The Brad Davis Acoustic Guitar Cafe," a trio with Joel Weaver and Brad's daughter Briley Mitchell, will perform Saturday night (July 10) at the Cork and Brew in downtown Commerce.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews the New York Times best-seller  "Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story" by Pulitzer-Prize winning author Rick Bragg, who is known for his writing on the South.  Lewis, from Ferriday, Louisiana, was the first performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener, offers non-toxic tips for combating insects that attack your garden.  One of Wayne's recommendations is a mix of orange oil and Dawn dish washing liquid for battling ants.  Also, Wayne says time is running out to sign up for training to become a Master Gardener

Rains County Agrilife Extension Agent Sarah Latham says a sewing clinic will be offered on Tuesday-Thursday, July 20-22 in Emory.  Sarah recently presented a program on the importance of summer hydration, demonstrating the use of infused water with pieces of fruit adding nutrition to the water.

Derek Price, representing Greenville's Park Street Historical Association, relates plans for the return of the traditional Fourth of July parade on Park Street, at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3.  The parade was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lori Cope, director of CASA for Hunt County (the Court-Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care), discusses plans for the first "Charlotte Turner Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show," at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 3 at the Alliance Bank in Greenville.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says the park is preparing for its 25th anniversary celebration this fall.  Steve says the park has a new same-day camping reservation system.

Paul Voss, Commerce Chamber of Commerce executive director, says the annual "Bois D'Arc Fourth of July" will return to Centennial Park on Saturday, July 3 after being cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Paul says the city of Commerce has offered to pay half for the $12,000 cost of the fireworks show this year.

Dr. Kent Montgomery, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M-Commerce, contemplates news that debris is becoming more of a hazard for space ships and astronauts in orbit around the Earth, and will become more of a problem as time goes on.

Emily Glass, our commentator on event in Sulphur Springs, discusses the City Council's efforts to obtain a state grant to develop a new park in the area west of downtown.  It would feature a small lake with a board walk, among other features.  The Toole Design Group, which led the re-development of downtown Sulphur Springs, will design the park, if the grant is received.  Emily is the former mayor of Sulphur Springs, and the co-proprietor of the Venue at two-nineteen, a meet

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council has agreed to a plan in which the Boys and Girls Club will run the city's youth sports programs.  Parks and Recreation will continue to maintain the athletic fields.  The mayor also describes how the city's hotel occupancy tax revenue will be shared among local organizations.

LaVelle Hendricks reflects on the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, with observances Saturday in Greenville, Sulphur Springs and Paris.  Each city is hosting a parade or other celebration beginning at 11 a.m.  LaVelle is pastor of the New Caney Baptist Church and Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Commerce.  In his capacity as professor of

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says the park is seeking a person with teaching experience to fill the role of park educator, serving visitors to the park.  The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 17.  Steve also discusses a recent WFAA-TV news story on the community of

Correction to original story: Carol Taylor updates us that at least seven courthouses have stood throughout history on Greenville's downtown square,