By Scott Harvey

Commerce – More improvements are on the way for City Park in Commerce, following council's approval last week of a change order for the Park's new restrooms.

Council last year voted to fund a new restroom and pay for the project through reserve funds, signing a contract with We Build, of Paris.

Minor changes to the facility plan have resulted in over $15,000 in savings, with total cost of the project at $96,469.

By Scott Harvey

College Station – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Friday approved a $3.3 billion budget that will fund operations at its 11 universities for FY 2011.

The budget, which takes effect September 1, also funds the System's seven state agencies, health science center, and central administrative offices.

For A&M-Commerce, the FY 2011 operating budget is $117.1 million.

The University is budgeting $3.6 million in revenue growth over last year's actuals.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Improvements are on the way for some streets in Greenville. As part of the City's 2010 Street Improvement Program, sections of more than a dozen local streets will be addressed by work crews.

The City Council is scheduled to award a bid for the work during Tuesday's regular session.

Contractor Austin, Bridge and Road is in line to be awarded the bid, at more than $670,000. No new street construction is included under the contract.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – Legendary football coach and current Texas A&M University System Board of Regents member, Gene Stallings, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Harvey Martin Classic Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 9, at noon at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

"We are excited and honored to have Gene Stallings as our keynote speaker for the Harvey Martin Classic Luncheon," said Dr. Dan Jones, A&M-Commerce president. "Coach Stallings is a legendary figure in college football and is one of the most engaging speakers around."

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD will conduct the first of two town hall meetings Monday, July 26, to address its upcoming tax ratification election.

The district is asking voters to approve a 13 cent tax rate hike to cover a nearly $700,000 budget shortfall.

If approved on August 14, it would mean a $130 annual tax increase on a $100,000 home or $10.83 per month. Homeowners 65 years or older will not be affected.

Monday's first town hall meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Norris Community Center.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – TxDot is again informing residents of more changes coming along Interstate 30 in Greenville.

Beginning as early as Friday, the State Agency plans to temporarily close the eastbound exit ramp to Division St. /Exit 95, to allow for additional construction work.

The effort is part of the ongoing project tied to the replacement of the State Highway 34/Wesley St. Overpass across the interstate.

Crews will be reconstructing the exit ramp into its final one-way frontage road configuration.

By Brad Kellar

Neylandville – More marijuana has been found in the Neylandville area in connection to this week's drug plane that landed in Hunt County.

As it turns out, there may be more marijuana-filled duffle bags sitting around the northern part of the county. Undersheriff Joe Knight said another bag was discovered Thursday evening by a Neylandville resident who was walking his pasture.

The amount of marijuana inside had not been immediately measured. Details are forthcoming.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A local man finds himself in the right place at the right time as he discovers what could be a significant piece of aviation history in Commerce.

Anyone else may have just thrown out the item, but retired Army Sgt. and aviation buff Frank Prigmore, of Campbell, knew from the start he had found a treasure.

An old footlocker found inside the garage of one of his relatives on Pine Street, belonged to a man instrumental in helping the U.S. break the sound barrier in 1947.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – An aggravated assault charge has led to a probation sentence. Christopher Brandon Mobley, of Greenville, was alleged to have used a tire iron to attack another man in April 2009.

Mobley had previously pleaded not guilty. He pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Mobley and another man were alleged to have approached two brothers in a parking lot in the 4400 block of Wesley St, asking whether the brothers had been at a fight the day before.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Authorities in Paris have arrested the man they believe made bomb threats to three city and county offices Tuesday.

A sweep of potential bombs at both the Lamar County Courthouse and Paris Municipal buildings Tuesday found nothing suspicious.

A vehicle was identified from security tapes at a convenience store. The driver, Clinton Stewart Dart was taken into custody and reportedly confessed to his role in the incident.