By Scott Harvey

Cumby – A high number of student illnesses continue to plague area schools, as the Cumby ISD has closed for the remainder of the week.

Reports show 18 percent of Cumby students were out sick Tuesday.

Schools will typically wait until they've reached a 15 percent absentee rate before determining whether to hold classes. Earlier this month, five other area school districts had to close its doors for several days.

By Brad Kellar

Hunt County – There were few Hunt County residents that took advantage of early voting Monday.

Only 35 people voted early, according to Hunt County Elections Administrator Mina Cook.

Early voting continues through Oct. 30 in all of Texas where residents, in addition to some local items, can vote on 11 proposed state constitutional amendments.

Residents of Quinlan and Wolfe City will be deciding whether to allow beer and wine sales and the community of Cash could become incorporated.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce City Council is slated to address a possible crosswalk agreement and water contract with A&M-Commerce during tonight's meeting.

The city and university, along with TxDot have partnered to create a pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk warning system to improve safety at the intersections.

Failure to secure a water contract was one of a number of items that came under scrutiny during council's September meeting.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – An alleged aggravated assault charge has a Greenville man seeking a bond reduction.

40-year-old Jack Allen Stoneking was arrested Friday and is currently in custody at the Hunt County Jail Monday in lieu of $35,000 bond. A hearing concerning a possible bond reduction is set for Tuesday.

Stoneking is alleged to have threatened a woman with her life while carrying an ice pick at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of Industrial Boulevard.

By Brad Kellar

Caddo Mills – Trial has been scheduled for a Caddo Mills man, charged with assaulting a Hunt County Sheriff's deputy.

36-year-old Sonny Gann is alleged to have led officers from at least three law enforcement agencies on a February chase which lasted an hour. Gann is alleged to have hit a deputy with his elbow following the pursuit.

The indictment indicated Gann was previously convicted of assault against a public servant in 2005. He has pleaded not guilty.

An interim trial date has been set for January 4.

By Scott Harvey

Lone Oak – Funeral services are set for Thursday for a Lone Oak woman, killed following a one-vehicle accident Monday.

40-year-old Carmen Cooke was reportedly driving on FM 1567 just east of town when she left the road and overturned. Cooke would later die from her injuries after being transported to Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville.

Services for Cooke are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday through Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home in Emory.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A weekend police chase leads to the arrest of a Paris man, charged with multiple felony counts after ramming his pickup into an SUV.

32-year-old Alejandraro Perez Rivera is alleged to have intentionally run his truck into an SUV occupied by his wife and four children, all less than 15 years of age.

Police observed both vehicles run a stop sign, but could not get them to stop before the truck, driven by Rivera, hit the SUV.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – Sulphur Springs Police have arrested a Greenville man on several charges following a traffic stop Saturday.

Authorities say 49-year-old David Wall had to be subdued after he became combative with officers. A search of his vehicle found illegal narcotics.

Wall was taken into custody on a charge of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt, Hopkins County – Two separate traffic stops over the weekend lead to drug busts in both Hunt and Hopkins Counties.

A stop on I-30 in Sulphur Springs led to the arrest of a Texarkana man, after a state trooper found a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray of his vehicle. Upon further investigation, baggies of suspected pot were found under the driver's car seat.

At the 101 mile marker, a trooper became suspicious of the driver, where he then conducted a search and located 84 grams of heroin in the suspect's jacket.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The GEUS board of trustees has scheduled a public hearing next week, in order to receive comment about the utility's plan to issue up to $25 million in debt to pay for two big projects.

The hearing is to be included as part of a special session, starting at noon next Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The funds would be broken down to approximately $20 million for the power plant, $3 million for the new customer service center, with the rest going toward the estimated costs of issuance and a reserve fund.