John Mark Dempsey
Host/AnnouncerDr. John Mark Dempsey is a retired professor of Radio and Television Broadcasting. In addition to his hosting duties at 88.9 KETR, he works part-time as a news announcer-producer for the Texas State Network in Dallas. Dempsey was the first student to broadcast on KETR back in 1975 and was also the first person to broadcast Commerce Tigers football on the station (as a student,) a role he continues to play to this day.
Dempsey's prior work in news and broadcast included organizations such as KLUV-FM, Texas Sports Radio Network, KGVL-FM, KTAM-AM & WTAW-FM, KTSR-FM, KIKT-FM, and The Commerce Journal.
Dempsey has authored and co-authored a number of books and articles over the course of his academic career, notably "The Light Crust Doughboys Are On The Air," "The Jack Ruby Trial Revisited," "Eddie Barker's Notebook," and "Sports Talk Radio in America: It's Context And Culture."
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Angela Roberts, representing the Commerce Food Pantry, says the Food Pantry, located at the First Presbyterian Church on north Monroe Street, plans to serve about 30 families per week, although as many as 50 families may come to the pantry on a given day.
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Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville relates the story of the handbag collection she inherited from her mother and which is on display at the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum through the summer.
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Cooper Lake State Park superintendent Steve Killian says the park has again imported white sand for the swimming beaches at the Doctors Creek and South Sulphur units.
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Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, says in observance of the museum's 20th anniversary this year, it will have 2002 admission prices of $3 for children and $2 for adults this Friday (June 10). The museum will celebrate its actual opening anniversary this fall.
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Greenville Chamber of Commerce membership director Lonny Schonfeld weighs in on the recent hiring of Micah McBay, as the city of Greenville's new venue and tourism manager, succeeding Kevin Banks, who has retired.
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Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlile Alderman contemplates Gov. Abbott's recent proposal to provide funding to families for school-choice options.
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Commerce Mayor Teddy Reel, who recently succeeded Wyman Williams, says one of his objectives to improve communications with the citizens of Commerce.
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Emily Glass, former mayor of Sulphur Springs and our commentator on events in the city, relates plans for a 278-acre subdivision with up to 1,159 single-family homes to be built about a mile west of the city on State Highway 11.
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Former Commerce mayor and long-time businessman Wyman Williams says the expansion of the Texas economy, with dozens of companies being attracted to the state each year, is also being seen in Commerce.
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Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman, reflecting on the mass murder of students and teachers at a Uvalde elementary school, says Commerce schools all require visitors to be visually identified before they are allowed to enter a school, and then they are further delayed from entry in a vestibule before entering the main area of the school.