By Scott Harvey

Cooper – A grant worth $75,000 will help Cooper officials renovate and further develop its 17-acre City Park.

The approved funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was announced this week.

Proposed elements for the park include the renovation of the trail, tennis courts and rodeo chutes, as well as the development of a basketball court, RV campsites and a garden.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – It will be a little bit longer before testimony begins in a Hunt County murder trial.

The first of what is expected to be two capital murder trials involving a 2008 shooting death has been delayed.

During a Wednesday pretrial hearing for Tracie Danielle Alphin, the start of jury selection was reset from Sept. 27 to Nov. 8.

All-day pretrial hearings will now occur Sept. 30 and Oct. 30. The trial is expected to take two weeks.

Host Scott Harvey speaks with Ron Butler about Texas dams that pose a signficant hazard potential and what dam owners and area residents can do to be prepared. Our Friday feature explores the growing popularity of "Tiny Houses."

The Lead: Friday, September 3, 2010

By Scott Harvey

Paris – An early morning shooting Thursday in Paris has resulted in the death of a resident.

30-year-old Dustin Glen Shelton died from an apparent gunshot wound following a reported disturbance in the 400 block of Southeast 14th Street.

Shelton was pronounced dead after being transported to Paris Regional Medical Center. Another person also transported to the hospital and was treated and released.

No other names have been released. Circumstances surrounding the disturbance and shooting are under investigation.

By Scott Harvey

– With much of Texas still hot and dry and wildfires continuing to spark up across the state, Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking dove hunters to be especially careful when heading out this week for first week of the season.

Fire activity remains steady throughout much of the state, which means a wildfire could be easily ignited. All it takes is one spark from an unattended campfire, lit cigarette or even the muzzle of a gun.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A local woman has received five separate indictments for unauthorized use of a debit card.

Tiffany Nicole Amad, of Commerce, was indicted last Friday by the Hunt County Grand Jury.

The indictments allege Amad used the same individual's debit card without permission on five occasions in September 2008. She was arrested in March 2009.

The charges were filed as state jail felonies, which carry a maximum punishment upon conviction of up to two years in a state jail.

By Scott Harvey

Denison – Eyewitness reports indicate a small tornado touched down near the Grayson County Airport Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service, however, says straight line winds are blamed for power outages in the area.

The Jenson Dormitory at Grayson County College lost power, as a power pole was blown onto the back end of the structure. GCC officials said yesterday plans were in place to house the students elsewhere on campus should power not be restored soon.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – For the second time this week, The City of Greenville receives some good economic news.

Atrium Companies Inc., a leading manufacturer of residential vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors, announced Wednesday its intent to open a new vinyl extrusion plant in the City.

The company will be expanding into the former Wing Industries building on Industrial Blvd. Atrium has signed a lease agreement for the 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – Hopkins County Memorial Hospital has scheduled two public hearings to gather input on a proposed rise in the property tax rate.

Officials are seeking a five cent per one hundred dollar valuation increase.

Hearings are set for Friday, September 10 at noon and on Thursday, September 16 at noon.

The hospital says they've been hurt financially by the large amount of charity cases it handles and bad debt.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The City of Greenville should formally appoint its next police chief by the end of the week.

A special Council meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Municipal Building downtown. The only agenda item on consideration of a resolution confirming the appointment of Daniel J. Busken.

City Manager Steven Alexander named Busken as chief earlier this week, an appointment which requires a confirmation vote by the Council.