News

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – For the second meeting in a row, a citizen voiced his concerns before the Commerce City Council over a section of town that may have a growing drug and traffic problem. Charles Yates addressed his concerns about the situation along Washington, Lee, and Greenville Streets in Commerce. Yates said he has witnessed drugs deals, over 20 youths openly smoking marijuana with small children nearby, and heavy pedestrian traffic in the middle of the street.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Tomorrow is Child Safety Day in Commerce and is being marked by the 6th Annual Child Safety Fair on the A&M-Commerce campus. This year is a bit different, according to University Police Department Crime Information Officer Jason Bone- the event has been completely organized by Commerce Girl Scout Troop #94.

BONE:They've been doing great. They have gone out, gone door-to-door raising funds. they've been putting out fliers. I wish they could help me every year.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – For the second meeting in a row, a citizen voiced his concerns before the Commerce City Council over a section of town that may have a growing drug and traffic problem. Charles Yates addressed his concerns about the situation along Washington, Lee, and Greenville Streets in Commerce. Yates said he has witnessed drugs deals, over 20 youths openly smoking marijuana with small children nearby, and heavy pedestrian traffic in the middle of the street.

By Kevin Jefferies

Cooper – Cooper High School Principal Michael Ramsey is free on $75,000 bond after being arrested on a warrant charging indecency with a child. 36 year old Ramsey was arrested last Friday after turning himself over to Delta County authorities.

An investigation into allegations against Ramsey of indecency with a child began last month after an anonymous tip to a Child Protective Services hotline. Once the investigation was complete, and arrest warrant was issued.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce –

Along with passing landmark school finance legislation, the Texas Legislature also approved $1.8 billion tuition revenue bonds for construction projects at Universities throughout Texas. One such project is a new music building for A&M-Commerce.

$21.7 million was approved for the project that has been a need for the A&M-Commerce campus for some time. University President Keith McFarland said the approval of the projects was just the start of the process, however.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – A new face was sworn in on the Commerce City Council last night. Billie Biggerstaff replaces Kay Sanders in the Place 4 Position. Also sworn in were Council member John Sands and Mayor Sheryl Zelhart, who both ran unopposed for reelection.

In other reorganization, Biggerstaff was named the Ex-Officio Member of the Commerce Economic Development Corporation. Biggerstaff had previously been serving on the CEDC Board, and replaces John Sands as the city council's representative. Sands was named Mayor Pro-Tem.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – A Commerce man has been indicted a second time for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. Charges against 43 year old James Matthew McGuckie were dismissed last month when the victim in the case could not be located, but the Hunt County Grand Jury has re-indicted McGuckie on the same charges.

McGuckie again faces aggravated kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon charges as well as retaliation charges against the victim and her family.

By Kevin Jefferies

Bonham – Several businesses were hit by burglars overnight Saturday in Bonham. From midnight to 6am, burglars hit six restaurants and one store. They took a variety of items from the locations, including cigarettes and cash. One of the burglars is described as a white male between 35 and 40 years old, after being caught on video surveillance.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The Commerce Tigers advance in the 3A baseball playoffs after defeating Bonham in a three-game series. The Tigers picked up their first area baseball title after coming back from a one game deficit, picking up the next two games to take the series. The Tigers face 10th ranked Van Alstyne in the best-of-three regional quarterfinals that begin Wednesday at 7pm in Allen. Games 3 and 4, if necessary, are scheduled for this Saturday in Allen.

By Kevin Jefferies

Hunt County – Some area election results from Saturday:

In Commerce, incumbent Debbie Akin wins convincingly for Place 6 on the Commerce ISD School Board; Medley Wilson defeats Robert Rabb for Place 7, replacing Mitchell Scott who did not file for re-election.

Neither Floyd nor Union Valley passed measures to incorporate the communities to Class C municipalities.