By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Construction on the new A.C. Williams Elementary School in Commerce is now 90% complete, and less than a month from substantial completion.

Claycomb Associates and W.B Kibler Construction Company presented to update to the CISD School Board during Monday's meeting.

Crews are finalizing the cafeteria area and have nearly completed the corridor connecting the classroom wings. The first set of classroom furniture is scheduled to be delivered in early July.

By Scott Harvey

Mineola – A 65-year-old pilot survives a crash of his small plane into an East Texas pond.

The plane, flown by Johnny Hearon, of Mineola, did however strike and kill a cow in a pasture on the way down.

Tuesday's crash happened near Mineola Wisener Airport. Witnesses say Hearon tried to land twice, and on the third attempt the plane stalled. The single-engine Cessna apparently struck trees on the way down.

A spokeswoman at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler said yesterday that Hearon was in good condition.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Greenville's W. Walworth Harrison Library has been awarded the 2009 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award.

The award, presented by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association, is one of only 33 received in 2009, out of 565 public libraries statewide.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The Greenville Fire Department was a focal point of Tuesday's City Council Meeting.

The Council voted to authorize Fire Chief Doug Caison's efforts to seek out federal stimulus funds to pay for a combined new Greenville Fire Station No. 1 and administration building, as well as grant funding for additional equipment.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Not guilty pleas are entered in connection to an alleged robbery and kidnapping last year in Greenville.

24-year-old Jackie Lawrence Scott, of South Fredericksburg, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping. An interim hearing date has been set for August 10.

Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell joins the Morning Blend to talk about the city's July 4 celebration.

Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell joins the Morning Blend to talk about the city's July 4 celebration.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The Commerce ISD Monday approved its budget for the upcoming school year, plus took steps toward hiring a firm that will help save the district millions for years to come.

The current tax rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation will not change and no additional taxes will be imposed on citizens. The district does, however, face a budget deficit of over $313,000; which will be paid for through its fund balance (savings account).

By Kevin Jefferies

Sulphur Springs – Two people were arrested after two different car chases in Sulphur Springs over the weekend.

The Sulphur Springs News Telegram reports 45 year old Dallas resident Dwight Wilson was arrested Sunday night for felony evading arrest and endangering a child his 13 year old son.

By Kevin Jefferies

Paris – A Lamar County jury has sentenced a man to two life terms and three 20 year terms for aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.

53 year old John Clawson Jr. was found guilty after just 12 minutes of jury deliberation, according to the Paris News.

Clawson's daughter testified her father had sexual relations with her from 2000 to 2003, when she was nine to twelve years old.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – The death penalty is not being sought in a Hunt County capital murder case.

David Earl Hickman of Royse City will not face death penalty if convicted in the shooting death last October of Jason Herrington of Quinlan. Hickman will face automatic life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors will also not seek the death penalty for Tracy Danielle Alphin if she is convicted of Herrington's death. Each defendant blames the other for the man's death.