By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Administrators with the Commerce ISD are proposing a 2010-2011 academic calendar that would release successful secondary students early for summer.

Middle school and high school students who pass all their coursework, all sections of the TAKS and have good attendance and discipline will be released on May 24 instead of June 2.

Items addressed by Provost Larry Lamanski and President Dan Jones included new and extended university programs, federal initiatives for 2011, legislative items regarding public education, and the university budget.

Spring Assembly at A&M-Commerce

Bobby joins The Morning Blend on Thursday, Jan. 14 to dicuss news from around the world including the situation in Haiti and U.S. banks.

Bobby Aikin Breakdown

By Scott Harvey

Denison – A middle school student at Denison ISD is accused of bringing a loaded handgun to school.

Officials at B. McDaniel Middle School say they do not believe the student brought the gun to school to hurt anyone, but to show it off to friends. It is believed the gun was brought to school in an athletic bag.

The student will be sent to the Denison ISD's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program for at least a year

By Scott Harvey

Kaufman County – Two people have been indicted on murder charges for the deaths of two people, both found dead last year in rural Kaufman County.

Martin McKee, of Farmers Branch, and Virginia Gail Youngblood were indicted for capital murder for the double homicide.

Both could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. A third suspect, Billy Wayne Taylor of Dallas, was charged with tampering and fabricating physical evidence.

By Scott Harvey

– Collin County resident Clifford Wayne Robertson has pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and identity theft.

Reports show the 43-year-old Robertson claimed to be a real estate investment advisor who hosted A.M. radio real estate investment talk shows and in-person seminars.

He admitted that beginning in December 2007, he used the identity of another person to submit a fraudulent personal financial statement to a lending institution in order to obtain money by false pretenses.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Bond has been reduced in an attempted murder case. 17-year-old Lola Danielle Cherry, of Greeenville, remained in the Hunt County Jail Wednesday despite having her bond reduced from $200,000 to $50,000.

Cherry is alleged to have assaulted a newborn child on Halloween night.

A judge has ordered Cherry to stay away from all children under the age of 18 and, upon her release, to submit to a mental health examination.

Cherry turned herself in to the Greenville Police Department Jan. 5.

By Brad Kellar

Ladonia – A public meeting is scheduled Thursday to discuss plans for a major reservoir north of Commerce.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Fort Worth District intends to conduct an information exchange meeting on historic resources for the proposed Lake Ralph Hall.

The meeting is scheduled from 5-9 p.m. Thursday at the Fannindel High School Cafeteria in Ladonia.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – The Bonham City Council has appointed an ad hoc committee to develop plans for a number of construction and renovation projects within the city.

City Manager Corby Alexander says the current city hall is overcrowded and a new facility would free up space for the police department. The City would also like to create a better working environment for both the fire marshal and environmental services department, plus seek a new facility for the Senior Nutrition Center.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Blake Cooper and Director of Curriculum Julia Robinson join The Morning Blend to talk about Dr. Mack Hines' upcoming presentation.

Author, consultant to make presentation to CISD parents