By Scott Harvey

Commerce – After taking no action back in September, the Commerce City Council Tuesday unanimously threw their support behind a sustainable hazardous waste collection center in Hunt County.

The center would be equipped to accept disposal of paint, fertilizer, antifreeze, pesticides, and every day cleaners and chemicals.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A local attorney will not get a chance to seek a state district court post. Scott Cornuaud attempted to apply for the GOP nod in the race for 196th District Court, but filed his application a few minutes past Monday evening's official deadline.

By Scott Harvey

Ladonia – Ladonia officials say fire has destroyed a more than 100-year-old two-story Queen Ann Victorian-style home.

No injuries were reported from the blaze, which started at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of West Main and Commerce Streets. At least two people were believed to be inside the home at the time, including a young child. Both were evacuated safely.

Commerce – Investigators have determined the cause of a Christmas Eve fire that damaged a portion of My Sister's Closet, a subsidiary of Women in Need in Commerce.

According to Fire Chief Brian McNevin, a short in an extension cord was the likely cause.

The blaze resulted in one room being heavily damaged, while water and smoke damage was reported in the remainder of the building.

Donations are being sought to get the business back up and running.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – 11 proposed changes to the City of Commerce's Charter will go before voters in May, after council gave the go-ahead Tuesday night. The 11 items, which span four of the Charter's seven articles, were presented to council last month by the Charter Review Committee.

Mayor Quay Throgmorton opposed a few of the changes, while the rest of council was in agreement on all items. Bob Monday was not present.

– Northeast Texas residents living in poverty may soon become recipients of grant money through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

The Department last week announced they've awarded $30.1 million in funds through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program to 48 nonprofit and local agencies. That will equal more than $1 million in funding for residents in Hunt, Collin, Kaufman, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties.

By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County – A major task force has captured Sulphur Springs resident Miguel Angel Espinal, who was wanted on murder charges out of Gilmer.

Late Monday night, officials from Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Gilmer, Upshur County, plus US Marshals and ICE agents surrounded a farmhouse in the rural Hopkins County community of Dike. Espinal surrendered without incident.

He's accused of stabbing to death 36-year-old Danny Clark and his 35 year old paraplegic wife, Sabrina.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – An attorney has been appointed for a former West Tawakoni police officer charged in connection to a standoff one week ago.

27-year-old Perry Anthony Reed is still seeking a reduction in his $20,000 bond, which will be determined during a hearing Wednesday.

Reed was one of two officers who were recently fired from West Tawakoni PD amid a reported misconduct investigation by the Texas Rangers. He's been charged with assault causing bodily injury family violence.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A lone suspect remains at large following an attempted kidnapping in Commerce on New Year's Day.

Reports indicate a family had just returned home to their apartment complex in the 800 block of Culver St. when a black male, wearing all black with the exception of red shoes, grabbed a four-year-old boy while brandishing a knife.

The boy was found following a brief search with no injuries. Officers, however, were unable to locate the suspect and are asking anyone with information to report it immediately.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce City Council is scheduled Tuesday to consider approval of any of a number of proposed changes to its city charter.

Last month, the Charter Review Committee proposed changes to four of the city's seven charter articles. Council now has the authority to vote for or against any of the four which, if passed, would go before voters in May for final approval.