By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – Work is coming along on the new Sulphur Springs Middle School, while the district's new Multipurpose facility is nearing completing.

The latest project update was presented to officials this week by Claycomb Associates Architects.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – Fannin County officials are to conduct a series of town hall meetings beginning next month to receive input on the County's animal control issue.

Earlier this week, Commissioners determined four different locations to conduct the meetings, which will be open to the public.

On May 2 at 5:30 p.m., officials will meet in the county courtroom at the Fannin County Courthouse. That same evening, at 7:30 p.m., members of the commissioner's court will address individuals at the Honey Grove City Hall.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The Greenville City Council has approved a list of new regulations for hotels, with hopes of bringing full-service facilities to town.

On a given night, about half of the City's 770 total hotel rooms are empty.

New rules approved Tuesday means any new hotel would be required to provide at least 55 square feet of meeting space per guest room, with at least 100 guest rooms for a full service hotel and 80 rooms for limited service hotels.

Each new hotel would also be required to have a swimming pool.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – A Hopkins County jury has convicted a Greenville man for aggravated assault on a public servant in July 2009.

After deliberating for about two hours, the jury on Tuesday announced the guilty verdict against 37-year-old Bryan Dee Spoonmeyer.

He was accused of pointing a gun at Special Crimes Unit Lieutenant Ron Plaxco upon officer's arrival at Spoonmeyer's hotel room on East Industrial Drive in Sulphur Springs.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Bobby Ray Hamilton, Jr. was sentenced to ten years probation and to complete 120 hours of community service.

Also, as part of a plea deal, Hamilton is to pay $60,000 in restitution to Greenville's Oak Creek Country Club, the victim.

He was alleged to have poured gasoline on one or more walls and the carpet of the building and set on fire on May 11, 2010.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Another big change is in the works for the I-30/Wesley St. Overpass project in Greenville.

The City plans to enter into an agreement with TxDot on the installation of a right turn only lane at the intersection of Wesley St. and Kerry Lane in front of Crossroads Mall.

The 80/20 agreement would cost the City $7,359 of the estimated $37,359 cost of the project, with the money coming from leftover funds from 2002 bonds.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – Judge Robert Newsom has set the trial of Sulphur Springs physician Dr. Don O'Neal for July 18.

Newsom previously granted a change of venue in the case, and the trial will be held in Paris.

O'Neal faces 61 felony counts, including multiple counts of delivery of a controlled substance, prescription fraud and numerous alleged financial crimes.

By Scott Harvey

– Four tornadoes touched down in Texas Monday morning, two of which were right in our backyard.

The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth said Monday that a category EF1 tornado hit the community of Cash, near Greenville. The twister, which produced between 86-110 mph, stayed on the ground for seven miles.

That, coupled that with storms packing severe straight-line winds, affected more than 50 South Hunt County homes and completely destroying four, according to Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill.

By Scott Harvey

– Northeast Texas residents were abruptly awakened Monday morning by heavy rains, lightning, 70-plus mph winds and even hail, as severe storms pushed through the region.

At around 2:30 a.m., tornado warnings were issued for parts of the area including Hunt, Rockwall and Kaufman counties. At one point, a developing tornado was spotted just southwest of Quinlan. Those storms would eventually target counties to the east.

By Scott Harvey

– The deadline to register to vote for the May 14 elections is this Thursday, with early voting beginning in two weeks.

Locally, contested races have emerged for two Commerce City Council positions. Voters in Greenville will choose two City Council representatives and one school board member, plus decide whether to allow charitable bingo games within city limits.

A number of other council and school board seats are up for grabs in May, including five candidates vying for two positions on the Sulphur Springs ISD Board.