Dallas – The new Master's in Science in the Art of Teaching at Texas A&M University-Commerce allows for Master's and Teaching certificates to be earned in one year. It is the newest program offered at the Universities Center at Dallas.

By Brad Kellar

Celeste – Early voting is about to start in an election to decide next year's property tax rate for the Celeste Independent School District.

Officials with the Celeste ISD are asking voters to approve a 13-cent increase in the rate in a Sept. 18 tax ratification election.

Early voting for the election is scheduled to begin Wednesday and continue between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 14 at the Hunt County Voter Administration Building, 2217 Washington Street in Greenville.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A final pre-trial hearing for Tracy Danielle Alphin is scheduled Thursday, with the start of about two weeks of jury selection beginning September 27th.

Alphin is one of two indicted for the shooting death of Jason Herrington of Quinlan.

Officials are not seeking the death penalty for Alphin.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – City Manager Steven Alexander has announced the appointment of Daniel J. Busken as Greenville's next Police Chief. Appointments to the position of Police Chief require confirmation by the City Council. The item is expected to be on a future City Council meeting agenda.

By Brad Kellar

Celeste – Officials with the Celeste ISD are asking voters to approve a 13 cent increase is the district's property tax rate is a September 18th election. Early voting begins Wednesday.

By Kevin Jefferies

Fannin County – A Whitewright man was sentenced Friday to four 99-year sentences for aggravated sexual assault of a child and a 20 year sentence for indecency with a child. A Fannin County jury spent less than two hours returning the verdict for 76 year old William Albert Schatte, who pleaded guilty to all four counts more than a year ago, according to The Paris News.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce will kick off the fall 2010 semester with two weeks of Lions Roar, which gives students the opportunity to participate in multiple events and mingle with other students across campus beginning Monday.

"Lions Roar is two full weeks of great events, giveaways, free food, and valuable time to get to know fellow students, faculty and staff members," said Lisa Martinez, A&M-Commerce assistant director of marketing and new media.

By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County – The group Women Helping Others has awarded the Hopkins County Meal-A-Day program has a $10,000 grant.

Patricia Fisher applied for the grant through her contacts with Beauty Control Spas. The money will be used to work on the kitchen.

Meal-A Day provides meals for elderly and disabled people throughout the county.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Greenville's Graham Park is the recipient of a $1 million outdoor recreation grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Department.

The matching grant requires half from the City and will provide for a number of leisure and amusement activities.

Funding will cover projects including but not limited to a splash park, disc golf, a walking trail, new volleyball courts and playground equipment and improved basketball courts.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Federal officials will be returning to Greenville soon to deal with racial issues in the City.

Reatta Fort with the Department of Justice's Community Relations Service is scheduled to be back next month.

In June, Forte met with members of the City's minority community as the federal agency sought to restore racial stability and harmony.