News

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce officials are not satisfied with the response from Disney over racially charged scenes depicting the university and Commerce in the movie Glory Road. University President Dr. Keith McFarland said the response received from Walt Disney Studios chairman Richard Cook read more like an explanation and justification than an apology for inaccuracies casting a negative light on the former East Texas State University and the City of Commerce.

By Kevin Jefferies

Hunt County – A major bridge replacement program gets underway Monday in Hunt County. Portions of 11 county roads are scheduled to be closed over the next few months as the Texas Department of Transportation project continues. The $1.3 million project was awarded to L&N Bridge of Antlers, OK. The project is expected to last a little more than a year in total.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – A 24-year old man was found dead Sunday at a residence along Sterling Hart in Commerce. Police say Billy Dickenson died of natural causes.

The man was last seen around 1:30am in the house. When others in the house went to wake him the next day, Dickenson was not breathing.

A preliminary report shows that Dickenson's death may be heart related.

By Kevin Jefferies

Greenville – The Greenville ISD Board of Trustees Monday delayed a final vote on whether or not to require school uniforms. A committee formed to study the issue was not ready to provide a report and recommendation to the school board for its regular meeting. Some in attendance were ready to voice opposition to the proposed standardized dress code, however. Issues such as some parents not being able to afford more than one set of clothes and the enforcement of the district's current dress code were raised.

By Kevin Jefferies

Paris-North lamar – The North Lamar ISD likely will not be moving to a four-day school week. Superintendent James Dawson gave his recommendation to the North Lamar school board this week to remain with the current five-day schedule.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The comedy You Can't Take it with You goes up on the A&M-Commerce University Playhouse main stage tomorrow night. Associate theater professor Anne Bomar directs the show as her final bow at A&M-Commerce. Bomar will be retiring at the end of the semester after 32 years at the university.

The show runs Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm, with a Sunday matinee set for 3pm.

By Kevin Jefferies

Northeast Texas – Twenty-seven people from all around the area are in federal custody for alleged methamphetamine distribution and possession. Indictments were triggered by an investigation begun by Paris Police and the Red River Valley Drug Task Force. The ATF was contacted and the case eventually went to the U.S. Attorney's office for prosecution.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – An A&M-Commerce student was killed late last week after being struck by a vehicle. 21-year-old Tommy Blake Hite was walking up the Loop 178 exit ramp Thursday night when he was struck and killed.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – A&M-Commerce is demanding an apology from Disney for inaccuracies involving Commerce and East Texas State University in the movie Glory Road. The movie follows the history-making story of the Texas Western Miners, who won the NCAA title as the first team to ever start five black players in a championship game.

By Kevin Jefferies

Commerce – The City of Commerce is likely to soon go to phase two of drought contingency plans. Currently, the city is under the first phase of drought contingency, which asks citizens to voluntarily curtail the water usage and helps educate the public on ways to conserve water. The next phase will involve mandatory limits to water usage.