By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission has voted to recommend limitations on where commercial kennels can operate.

While the rules would apply to any new businesses planning to open locally, the proposed amendment to the city's zoning ordinance would not impact any existing kennels. However, City Planner Lance Estep said additional regulations are being considered for kennels already in operation.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A Commerce man is out on bond after attempting to elude officers during a high speed chase over the weekend.

Robert Alan Parker allegedly fled from police after an attempted routine traffic stop. The chase led through several city streets and then northbound on highway 50 with speeds sometimes reaching 100 mph.

Parker would later pull over near a county road, jump out of his vehicle and attempt to kick in the door of a residence. Officers would later take him into custody after Parker ran into a pasture.

By Scott Harvey

Leonard – A disturbing discovery over the weekend leads to the arrest of a Fannin County man.

Deputies and a rescue team from Habitat for Horses were called to a property near Leonard where they found 23 dead donkeys and two dead horses. Nearly a dozen such animals were still alive, but reportedly emaciated.

Property owner Lee Epperson told police he's been out of work and didn't have money to pay for the animals. Epperson is charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Paris resident receives a 25-year prison term after pleading guilty to several counts of arson.

23-year-old Roger Lee Robinson admitted to burning down a number of buildings, including the abandoned Cherry Street Manor nursing home.

One Paris firefighter received second degree burns to his ears, face and back while another received minor burns and a badly cut hand fighting the blaze.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission may take action tonight to determine whether commercial kennels can operate inside city limits.

No regulations currently exist in the city's ordinances regarding such kennels.

City Planner Lance Estep explained how Animal Control officers have received a variety of complaints regarding the boarding and keeping of domestic pets. Upon an examination of the zoning ordinance, it was discovered that commercial kennels are not regulated.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Commerce residents are being warned against a possible scam involving Wal-Mart gift cards.

Police say a woman speaking with a foreign accent has been calling residents and telling them they've won a store gift card. The woman then proceeds to ask for a bank account number or a credit card number to pay for the shipping of the credit card.

Alice joins The Morning Blend on Jan. 8 to talk about the weekend movie lineup.

Host Scott Harvey speaks with a local CPA to discuss the upcoming tax season, plus our Friday feature focuses on one of the many departments at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The Lead: Friday, January 8. 2010

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A hearing is scheduled in connection to an attempted murder case in Greenville.

17-year-old Lola Danielle Cherry, of Greenville, is alleged to have assaulted a newborn child on Halloween night.

Cherry is now seeking a reduction in her $200,000 bond, the appointment of an attorney, or both. A hearing on both items is scheduled for Friday.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – A candlelight vigil was held in Bonham yesterday to pay respects to fallen Fannin County Deputy Rahamy Arden Mitchell, who was killed three years ago.

Mitchell was traveling to Leonard to back up an officer there on a family disturbance call when his vehicle hit a slippery patch on state highway 11. He lost traction and overturned the vehicle and was killed at the scene.