By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Lamar County jury has sentenced Randy Dale Barnett, of Paris, to 50 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say the 46-year-old Barnett was at a Paris restaurant when he began cursing loudly at a woman at his table.

The altercation escalated when the victim told him to take the argument somewhere else and then reached for her cell phone. Barnett reached for a pocket knife.

The jury's sentence was influenced by Barnett's history of violence.

By Scott Harvey

– The two East Texas church arson suspects have been formally indicted.

20-year-old Jason Bourque faces five arson and three attempted arson charges, while 22-year-old Dainel McAllister faces two arson and two attempted arson charges.

Bond for each has been set at $10,000,000 a piece.

More than a dozen regional churches were either destroyed or badly damaged during a month-long ordeal earlier this year. No one was injured.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Greenville will soon have a new manager. There was a lot of discussion Tuesday before the Greenville City Council voted 5-1 to create the position of Venue Manager for the Auditorium.

The 1,700 seat facility currently plays host to events such as the Greenville Entertainment Series, Greenville Dallas Symphony Orchestra Series and the Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – One returning and two new members of the Paris Junior College Board of Regents were sworn in Monday evening.

Taking the oath of office was returning regent Carlton Grant and newly elected Berdie Gibson and Louise Taylor.

The Board also received a financial report from Vice President of Business Services John Eastman.

State funding to PJC will be cut by approximately $920,000. Eastman stated it is still unknown if there will be a five percent cut this year or a ten percent cut next year.

By Scott Harvey

Leonard – Authorities have identified the four people charged with animal cruelty after dozens of dogs and cats were seized from a Leonard property last week.

54-year-old James Soaring Eagle Vonda, 47-year-old Yolanda Duke, 22 year-old Cody Sims, and 46-year-old Melinda Pappa, were believed to be living in tents outside the house.

The alleged abused animals were seized by the SPCA, who were acting on an anonymous tip.

By Scott Harvey

Bonham – Fannin County officials are waiting to receive bids on the construction of a new animal shelter, which would replace the existing facility.

According to Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander, the construction costs will come primarily from a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Another grant and private donations will also help with funding, but participating cities will be responsible for maintaining the shelter.

Paris – An Oklahoma pharmacist, formerly of Paris, has been sentenced to prison on multiple drug charges in what federal law enforcement described as a multi-state drug conspiracy.

Jack Henderson received five months in prison and five months of home detention after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance.

The Paris News reports the 64-year-old Henderson, now of Elgin, was considered the primary source of supply for illicit prescription drugs to several others indicted in the case.

By Scott Harvey

Sulphur Springs – The license of Sulphur Springs physician Dr. Don O'Neal has been temporarily suspended by the Texas Medical Board.

A panel determined that his continued practice of medicine posed a threat to public health and safety.

O'Neal is facing a total of 55 felony drug charges stemming from his two arrests in April. He is currently out on bond.

The Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Dr. O'Neal due to a pharmacist's report of suspicious prescribing.

By Brent Lyday

Commerce – Lauren Booe, a Texas A&M University-Commerce junior psychology major from Sherman, Texas, has been awarded the 2010-2011 Gallup Higher Education intern position by the center for applied leadership at A&M-Commerce. The university was one of 15 institutions throughout North America selected to nominate a student for the position in the program's inaugural year.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Bond reduction is denied for a Wills Point murder suspect. Lanny Dean Campbell will remain in the Hunt County Jail on $1 million bond following Monday's decision.

Campbell has not yet been indicted for the shooting death of Quinlan-area resident James Michael McKinnis.

The incident took place Jan. 30 when sheriff's deputies and Quinlan Police responding to a call of shots fired at a home in the 2400 block of Cottonwood in the Waco Bay subdivision.