By Brad Kellar

Commerce – A wrongful death suit filed by the family of a slain Commerce code enforcement officer may be headed to federal court.

A notice of removal was filed in the case Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether the plaintiffs or the defendants had made the filing.

The City of Commerce has denied all allegations in the suit and has also claimed sovereign immunity from liability.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Commerce ISD Superintendent Blake Cooper has been given approval to appoint a selection committee as part of the district's Hall of Honor induction process.

Board members Monday voted to proceed with the selection, which they feel is a great way to honor former students, faculty and staff of CISD.

The inaugural selection will include two students from CISD, one student from Norris School and two faculty/staff members. All inductees will be honored during next year's homecoming football game.

By Brad Kellar

Wolfe City – It will be another ten months before five people from across North Texas will face a jury in connection to a Wolfe City oil and gas fraud.

Donald Joseph Dean, of Tyler; Michael Day Lamont, of Frisco; Carl Tinsley Ratner, of Dallas; and Kevin Michael Hays, of Euless; have all received indictments for engaging in organized criminal activity, acting as an unregistered dealer and selling unregistered securities. Chad Michael Hays, of McKinney has also been charged with several counts.

By Brad Kellar

Kaufman County – A Kaufman County man is given prison time after his probation for intoxicated assault is revoked.

Billy Jack Richardson, of Terrell, was placed on probation in 2005 and sentenced to a term in jail for pleading guilty to being intoxicated at the time of a traffic accident which injured two people.

By Scott Harvey

Idabel – After several days of interviews and forensic testing, Oklahoma authorities have arrested who they believe responsible in the death of Paris teenager Sharonda Bronner.

Bronner's body was found last Monday in the bathroom of the Idabel Community Center with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Arrested on Tuesday was a 16-year-old boy from Idabel High School whom authorities claim knew Bronner.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A proposed amendment to the City of Commerce's Charter would give council the authority to remove its city manager by a 3/5ths, rather than a 4/5ths majority vote.

The proposed change was one of several recommendations presented to council Tuesday by the City's Charter Review Committee, led by Committee Chair Jason Cunningham.

Other changes/additions outlined criteria relating to a council members forfeit of office, new regulations on the passage of ordinances and resolutions, plus the annual budget.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD is moving forward with a new policy aimed at awarding good student behavior with special incentives.

During Monday's regular meeting, High School Principal Verdie Montgomery proposed a volunteer program where students who are in good standing with the district would be issued a "Tiger card." Any student who obeys day-to-day school procedures would be considered in good standing.

By Scott Harvey

Como – A man whose name is synonymous with veteran's affairs in Northeast Texas has passed away.

Como resident Tom Miller died Monday afternoon at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas after battling a long illness.

For nearly 50 years, Miller was active in state and local VFW's and charitable activities benefitting not only veterans, but children, the elderly and the needy.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – A San Antonio man is arrested in Sulphur Springs after police were called to a report of counterfeit $20 bills being passed out.

44-year-old Mark Anthony Merryman was located inside the Quality One Inn, where police discovered a printer and large quantity of bogus bills in his room. He's been charged with forgery and the Secret Service has been notified.

Area businesses and residents who feel they may have been victimized should contact Sulphur Springs PD.

By Scott Harvey

Idabel, OK – Oklahoma authorities are continuing to investigate the death of Paris teenager Sharonda Bronner, whose body was found in an Idabel community center bathroom last week.

The 15-year-old Bronner was a former student of Paris ISD, but had withdrawn from classes several months ago. Grief counselors have been available at district campuses.

There has still been no word on how Bronner died. Instead, investigators need that piece of information to help identify possible suspects.