By Scott Harvey

Quinlan man to serve sentences consecutively; Local business perspective on minimum wage hike; Greenville hires new city planner and amends downtown noise ordinance; Hunt Memorial Hospital District approve purchase to aid cancer unit; Hopkins County to house surplus inmates in Rains County; Senator Deuell and Rep. Flynn to seek re-election next year.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – With the resurgence of live music in Downtown Greenville, the city council last night amended its noise ordinance, allowing louder music later in the evening.

The change is for the Central Area, setting a limit of 75 decibels at a property line from 7 a.m. until midnight, and 65 decibels from midnight until 7 a.m. The 10 decibels increase is about twice as loud. Violation of the ordinance would result in a $2,000 fine.

By Brad Kellar

– It may be a bit early, but the region's two Austin representatives say they'll seek reelection in 2010. Republican State Senator Bob Deuell and Republican State Representative Dan Flynn plan to run in the GOP Primary next March.

Deuell serves for State Senate District 2, which includes all of Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, Fannin, Rains and Hopkins counties, along with portions of east and south Dallas counties. Deuell was first elected to the post in 2002.

Quinlan – A Quinlan man will now have to serve his prison sentences consecutively, following a ruling Tuesday.

It appears 31-year-old Harold Donnie Halbrook will now spend the rest of his life in prison, as a judge ordered to stack seven of his eight sentences relating to sexual assault of a child together.

Halbrook was arrested last year after complaints he had assaulted two girls, ages 6 and 8, during the summer of 2007. He was found guilty on the charges earlier this month.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – The Hunt Memorial Hospital District decides to discuss the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year during the board's August meeting, rather than call a special session.

The district's 2009-2010 budget must be set by September.

Last year the HMHD Board of Directors opted to not change the rate from the previous year, which remains at $.2138666 per $100 valuation. Officials felt there was no need to do so last year, due to the local property value increases.

Listen as officials announce plans to target the Master of Science in Management Program, to be instructed by Jack Cooke, L-3 senior vice president and A&M-Commerce alumnus.

A&M-C and L-3 Integrated Systems press conference

Listen as officials announce plans to target the Master of Science in Management Program, to be instructed by Jack Cooke, L-3 senior vice president and A&M-Commerce alumnus.

This Day in History: Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

This Day in History: Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

By Scott Harvey

– Friday's nation-wide minimum wage increase has seemed to evoke more bad than good from this struggling economy.

At least one local business seems to be fairing well. In an effort to better prepare for the wage hike, Brookshires grocery in Commerce began paying the now $7.25 minimum back in January.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – The Hunt Memorial Hospital District is scheduled Tuesday to, among other things, set a time and date to discuss the ad valorem tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.

Last year the HMHD Board of Directors opted to not change the rate from the previous year, which remains at $.2138666 per $100 valuation. Officials felt there was no need to do so last year, due to the local property value increases.

It is unclear what the board may propose for this year, however.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – There could be a settlement Tuesday night in a lawsuit involving Greenville and the City of Bryan.

The Greenville City Council may be preparing to act Tuesday on a pending lawsuit involving the Texas Municipal Power Agency. A settlement of the suit is listed as one of the items under the executive session agenda, as part of the council's regular meeting.