Bobby Aikin Breakdown: Thursday, August 20, 2009.

Bobby Aikin Breakdown

Bobby Aikin Breakdown: Thursday, August 20, 2009.

By Scott Harvey

KETR Newscast 8-20-09

Three Commerce children reportedly kidnapped are returned home more than a day later; Sealed documents issued in Hunt County murder case; Molina's Mexican Cuisine in Commerce to reopen; Greenville ISD to lower tax rate; Sulphur Springs woman sentenced to one year in prison for tax fraud; City of Commerce seeking new Parks and Recreation Director

By Scott Harvey

Three Commerce children reportedly kidnapped are returned home more than a day later; Sealed documents issued in Hunt County murder case; Molina's Mexican Cuisine in Commerce to reopen; Greenville ISD to lower tax rate; Sulphur Springs woman sentenced to one year in prison for tax fraud; City of Commerce seeking new Parks and Recreation Director

By Scott Harvey

Wolfe City – Hunt County Commissioners will revisit Friday two recently submitted petitions for alcohol sales from Wolfe City residents.

Approval of the petitions was previously postponed at a meeting two weeks ago.

The petitions are for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only, and for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders. 128 and 121 signatures were received for each petition, respectively. 119 were required for each.

By Scott Harvey

– The Texas Department of Public Safety, beginning September 1, will begin enforcing a number of notable traffic and criminal laws approved during the recent state legislative session.

HB 55 makes it illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. Cities or counties wanting to enforce this law must post a sign at the beginning of each school zone to inform drivers.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – The Greenville ISD plans to lower the property tax rate for the 2009-10 school year, and will soon hold a public hearing on the matter.

The hearing is set for Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Wesley Martin Building on Moulton Street.

The proposed rate is $1.1844 per $100 valuation. The current rate is $1.1925 per $100.

While the tax rate will decrease, the Hunt County tax appraisal office estimates that the average home value will increase based on recent appraisals in Greenville.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – A Sulphur Springs woman will serve one year in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax crimes.

47-year-old Donna J. Nelson entered the plea in January. The punishment hearing was held Wednesday.

Nelson reportedly filed a fraudulent tax return from 2002 through 2006. During that time, she underreporting her adjusted gross yearly income by nearly $180,000, representing additional taxes owed of just over $135,000.

By Brad Kellar

Commerce – A bond reduction is granted in a bizarre armed robbery case in Commerce.

24-year-old Eddie Charles Hines Jr. is alleged to have threatened to shoot and kill a man at a residence in June unless Hines was paid his monthly rent. Hines, however, is apparently not connected to any rental agency, and the person whom he allegedly held at gunpoint is buying, not renting, the home.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, which occurred in the 1300 block of Hunt St.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Sealed documents have been issued in a Hunt County murder case, in which the defendant is facing a possible death sentence if convicted.

Jury selection had been scheduled next month for 27-year-old John William Trotman III, of Mesquite. He has been charged in the stabbing death of Ryon Rhoden, of Greenville, in November, 2007.

Trotman was arrested following what the police claim was a combination robbery and homicide in the 3700 block of Bourland Street.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Molina's Mexican Cuisine in Commerce is scheduled to reopen Friday, nearly three weeks following a failed inspection.

A representative with the Hunt County Health Department was unavailable for comment Wednesday, but an employee with the business confirmed the reopening following a recent check by the health inspector.

Molina's had initially posted signs on its doors indicating a temporary close of the business for remodeling in late June.