By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The City of Commerce is denying recent claims made by Mayor Quay Throgmorton in the ongoing lawsuit between the two sides.

Still no trial dates have been scheduled in the case, which alleges Throgmorton and his wife Paige owe the city nearly $50,000 to improvements made to their property in 2005.

In a counterclaim filed in late June, the Mayor accused the city of fraud and slander and requested a declaratory judgment be granted in his favor.

By Scott Harvey

– The severe drought and extreme heat are not only affecting the local landscape, but what's underneath. Local municipalities typically repair more water main breaks during the summer, especially in triple digit heat.

"Normally we might see ten, 15, maybe 20 breaks in a month," says Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell. "But we just concluded July and had 60 breaks and I expect that to increase again this month."

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce is one of eight Texas universities that will offer specialized programs for returning students.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Tuesday announced a campaign for college dropouts to return and finish their bachelor's degree. The Grad Texas program targets adults who have 90 or more credit hours toward the 120 hours needed for a degree.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – The search for missing Sulphur Springs resident Melissa McVay Darling entered its eight week Thursday.

Crews on both sides of the Red River have been working the case, searching numerous locations for clues.

To date, one individual has been identified and interviewed in connection to the case, but no arrests have been made. According to Detective David Gilmore, the man was listed as a person of interest because of inconsistencies in his statements.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Prosecutors have dropped charges against Damon DeShawn Brown, the Commerce man charged with two counts of sexual assault, after the alleged victim refused to cooperate.

Both sides had announced they were ready to proceed to trial and jury selection was set for July 25.

The female victim had claimed Brown broke into her apartment on two separate occasions in January 2010, sexually assaulting her both times and threatening her with a box cutter once.

Brown had pleaded not guilty.

Denton, TX – Few Texans realize that homes in suburban areas can be at risk from wildfires. But whether you live in the forested areas or in suburbs on the outskirts of relatively treeless places, houses are at risk every year when wildfires sweep across the land. Sparks from wildfires as far as two miles away can be blown into yards and roofs.

By Bryan Black, Veronica Obregon

Austin, TX – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today issued the following statement in response to the news from State Climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon that Texas is suffering through the "most severe one-year drought on record" and the hottest July in the history of the Lone Star State.

"Ace's Game - The Case of the Festival Art Fiasco"

By Scott Harvey

Dallas – A second man has died of injuries sustained in a severe wreck last month in Lamar County.

21-year-old Dylan Ballard, of Paris, died Monday of his injuries at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Reports indicate Ballard suffered serious internal and head injuries.

20-year-old Wade Witmer of Clarksville was also killed in the crash that injured three others.

The rollover accident occurred on July 23 along FM 196 south of Blossom.