Director of "The Female Odd Couple" joins The Blend, along with the two co-stars of the play, which begins showing this weekend.

Angela Cushing, University Playhouse

Director of "The Female Odd Couple" joins The Blend, along with the two co-stars of the play, which begins showing this weekend.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A new partnership between Texas A&M University-Commerce and L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is scheduled to be announced today.

The agreement is expected to include a new master's level-degree aimed at developing future business leaders. Additional details are to be made public at a press conference Monday afternoon on campus.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – A vote by the Greenville City Council could allow more noise later downtown.

Main Street Manager Doyle Dick is to ask the council Tuesday to consider amending the city's amplified noise ordinance during the early morning hours. The ordinance currently prohibits any "loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise" from disrupting the peace of local residents, between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily.

By Brad Kellar

Quinlan – A lengthy prison sentenced ordered for a Quinlan man could get even worse.

A judge will decide Tuesday whether to stack 31-year-old Harold Donnie Halbrook's four life sentences on convictions for aggravated sexual assault of a child, along with maximum punishments for convictions on four additional felony charges.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The City of Greenville is to consider a household hazardous waste site this week.

The City Council intends during Tuesday's meeting to show support for a proposed sustainable Hunt County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

A 2009 class of Leadership Hunt County recommended all Hunt County cities join together to develop the site. Hunt County would be the first county within the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to establish a permanent and sustainable collection program.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A ribbon cutting is scheduled in Commerce Monday for Bowen Family Homes on the downtown square.

The home building business has establishments in Texas, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. They are located at 1215 Alamo St. Dale Stotts serves as president.

Monday's ribbon cutting for Bowen Family Homes begins at 10:30.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The City of Commerce will meet for the second of five budget workshops Monday evening in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. All meetings will start at 6:00 p.m.

On the agenda for Monday, July 27 is fire, utility fund revenue projections, public works, public utilities and dept service - general fund and utility fund.

For Thursday, August 6, the parks and recreation department will be discussed, along with community development and municipal court.

By Scott Harvey

Hopkins County, Rains County – Hopkins County Commissioners Monday are to consider a contract to house inmates in Rains County, another possible solution to jail overcrowding.

Commissioners already have agreements with both Franklin and Titus Counties that allows the housing of inmates in those facilities when the count exceeds 95.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Communities in Schools program Dallas Region, in cooperation with the Commerce ISD is holding a school-supply drive both this weekend and next.

You can drop off items in the parking lot of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Learning Center, located at the intersection of Highway 50 and Culver Street. Donations times are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 1.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Communities in Schools program Dallas Region, in cooperation with the Commerce ISD is holding a school-supply drive both this weekend and next.

You can drop off items in the parking lot of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Learning Center, located at the intersection of Highway 50 and Culver Street.

Donations may also be delivered to the CISDR office at the Commerce Middle School. Donations of "gently used" standardized-dress clothes will also be accepted at the CISDR office.