By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Economic development in Hunt County will be the focus of a public meeting Thursday evening.

The initial public hearing for the Plan Advisory Committee for the Small Area Plan is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Fletcher Warren Civic Center.

The Small Area Plan is expected to help guide future development between Greenville and Caddo Mills and also along the Interstate 30 corridor in Greenville.

By Scott Harvey

Caddo Mills – Tonight's episode of Wheel of Fortune features a contestant from Hunt County.

Although Julie Sickels appeared on a taping of the show back in September, she hasn't been allowed to tell how she did. Sickels is a first grade teacher at Griffis Elementary School in Caddo Mills.

She can be seen Thursday night at 6:30 on CBS 11.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – Former Chisum High School teacher Heather Dawn Merritt has pleaded guilty to child sex assault and inappropriate teacher-student relationship.

The 27-year-old former biology instructor entered the plea Monday and was sentenced to three years in prison. Merritt was dismissed from the district in June.

A second Chisum ISD employee, 34-year-old substitute teacher Shanda Lynn Swanner, is also alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with a student. Swanner is to appear back in court in two weeks.

By Scott Harvey

Brownwood, Texas – A Bonham native and recent college graduate finishes at the top of her class.

Jeffri Malone was ranked top graduate in the 2010 class of Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. Malone received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Spanish and Cross Cultural Studies.

She graduated from Bonham High School in 2007.

Malone credits the many teachers at BISD in helping her prepare for her experiences in higher education.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – West Tawakoni's Mayor, Police Chief and a City Councilwoman will keep their jobs after lawsuits were dismissed Wednesday.

Police Chief Jack Schultz has dropped his request for a temporary injunction against the City which, if approved, who have prevented Mayor Pete Yoho from firing Shultz. A suit and countersuit between Yoho and Councilwoman Carol Solomon have also been dismissed.

By Scott Harvey

Caddo Mills – Acting on a tip, Hunt County authorities this week discovered what is believed the site of illegal dumping in Caddo Mills.

At least three leaking barrels that smelled of petroleum products were dug up along FM 36. More barrels are believed buried at the site. It is unclear who may have dumped the materials.

By Scott Harvey

Campbell – A Campbell school was on brief lockdown Thursday afternoon after reports of a man shot in the City.

The incident took place near a residence following a disturbance at around 2 p.m.

The male victim, who was reportedly armed with a knife, received a minor gunshot wound to the leg. He left the scene of the disturbance under his own power and went to the hospital in Greenville by privately owned vehicle.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – The Sulphur Springs City Council has appointed Kayla Price to the council to fill the place 6 post.

She'll fill the vacancy created when Chris Brown was elected Hopkins County judge.

Brown, a Republican, defeated Democratic Incumbent Cletis Millsap in the November election. Brown was sworn in to his first term on January 1.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Data from the U.S. Department of Energy shows the Greenville Electric Utility System's 2009 electric rates were among the lowest in the State.

The report by the American Public Power Association compared rates throughout the nation of municipally-owned utilities (MOU) to member-owned coops (COOPS) and to investor-owned utilities.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – 20-year-old Charles Raymond Barnes, of Quinlan and 30-year-old Charles Weldon Massey Jr. are the latest wanted individuals listed on the Friends of the Sheriff website.

Massey was reported to have fled from a vehicle following a traffic stop on December 29. Since a female passenger was also in the vehicle, the deputy who made the stop was unable to give chase.

More information is available at www.friendsofthesheriff.com.