This week, Luke tells a little about himself and talks "catfishin'" and an upcoming catfish tournament at Lake Tawakoni.

Outdoors with Luke Clayton 2-23-11

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The first of several workshops to address a projected 12 percent cut to the upcoming biennial budget at Texas A&M University-Commerce is scheduled for Thursday.

Each workshop will last one hour. Questions can be submitted in advance through https://apps.tamu-commerce.edu/Budget2012/.

President Dan Jones told faculty and staff last week the 12 percent cut is equal to an $8.6 million budget reduction.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – A Mt. Pleasant attorney is the second man in as many weeks with ties to Texas A&M University-Commerce to be appointed to a position by Governor Rick Perry.

Kerry 'Dan' Woodson will preside over the 76th District Court, which serves Morris, Camp and Titus counties, for a term expiring at the next general election. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The latest U.S. Census figures for Hunt County indicate more residents are living outside the city limits now compared to a decade ago.

In 2010, Hunt County's total population was listed at 86,129 people, representing an increase of over 9,500 people from 2000. But even with the increase, some cities experienced a decline in population.

By Brad Kellar

West Tawakoni – An effort by the West Tawakoni mayor to remove its police chief is going to cost the City thousands of dollars.

Late last year, Mayor Pete Yoho had attempted to remove Police Chief Jack Schultz from his position. But in January Schultz dropped his request for an injunction against the City, as Yoho was no longer planning to fire him.

Now, the City of West Tawakoni and its mayor must pay over 10,000 in Schultz's legal fees, as determined this week in court.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – A bill filed by a Northeast Texas Senator aims to reduce instances of multiple concussions and long-term brain damage suffered by high school athletes.

The bill's author, State Senator for District 2 Bob Deuell, of Greenville, says if students are cleared to play before being properly evaluated, the risk of permanent damage or even death increases.

By Scott Harvey

– The annual SKYWARN storm spotter training class returns to Hunt County Thursday, educating local weather spotters how to accurately identify and describe severe storms.

These residents, in the event of severe weather, will report their findings to the National Weather Service in a timely manner.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Sharron K. Johnson, of Greenville, is due for trial in May. She's alleged by law enforcement to have stolen from people kind enough to have opened the door for her.

The four felony theft indictments against Johnson allege she stole three purses and one wallet, along with their contents, on four separate occasions over a ten month period last year.

At the time of her arrest, she was facing at least 20 felony counts, including 14 from Hunt County.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – If enough signatures are gained, an item calling for the removal of City Attorney Brent A. Money would appear on the May 14 ballot.

The group composing the petition consists of two former Greenville City Council members and two former mayors, in response to Money's alleged involvement in the dispute between the City and L-3 Mission Integration.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – The victim identified from Sunday's murder in Sulphur Springs is 31-year-old David Harrison Cooper.

Investigators say that the feud between Cooper and 50-year-old Roy Dean Duffey that led to Cooper's fatal stabbing had been ongoing for several years.

Duffey has reportedly confessed to the stabbing and has been charged with murder. His bond has been set at $1 million. The investigation is continuing.