By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A number of initiatives aimed at helping outgoing Zurn Pex employees gets underway Tuesday in Commerce.

Texas Workforce Solutions out of Greenville will visit the plant, where they'll hold five sessions instructing individuals on a number of items such as how to accurately apply for unemployment, how to go online to apply for jobs, and access other online sources as well. The classes are being held during normal business hours so they can guarantee 100% participation.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – City Manager Steven Alexander announced Friday that he is recommending the appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Claude D. (Doug) Caison as Greenville's next Fire Chief. Appointments to the position of Fire Chief require confirmation by the City Council. The item is expected to be on the April 28th City Council agenda.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The First United Methodist Church of Commerce launches a non-traditional Sunday evening worship service called "The Bridge" this weekend.

Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the worship service at 6:30 in the church's new Family Life Center.

According to Associate Pastor and A&M-Commerce Campus Minister Aleze Fulbright, The hope is to fulfill the need of those looking for something different at church with casual dress, live contemporary music and a relaxed atmosphere.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – An bizarre story out of Paris, where police on Thursday evening find during a routine traffic stop a man trying to consume the very drugs he was in possession of.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Friday marks the beginning of the sixth annual Relay 4 Life event at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

391 participants and 41 teams had registered for the event at last report. Speaking with the Morning Blend Friday, Chairperson for Relay 4 Life Holly Brown said the committee has raised just over $40,000, with a goal of $80,000.

By Scott Harvey

KETR NEWSCAST 4-17-09

By Jerrod Knight

KETR Sportscast 04-17-09

Jerrod Knight

Commerce, TX – Rangers were off last night - they pick up today; Mavs play the spurs in the first round of the NBA playoffs; John Madden announces retirement; A&M-Commerce senior Lyndon Wise wins Athlete of the Week; and an update from the Greenville lions golf team and Greenville Christian softball.

This Day in History: Friday, April 17, 2009.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY, 4-17-09

This Day in History: Friday, April 17, 2009.

Commerce – An investigation is underway in connection to a reported break-in on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

University Police are investigating the incident at one of the school's athletic department offices.

Lieutenant Jason Bone says the crime was reported Thursday afternoon, but is believed could have taken place anytime since Tuesday at 3 p.m. A laptop computer and two computer projectors were reported stolen from an office at Whitley gym. The door to the office appeared to have been forced open. No additional details were immediately available.

By Brad Kellar

Commerce – A not guilty plea has been entered in a Commerce robbery.

George Washington Sharper, one of three men indicted for a reported 2007 armed hold-up at a Commerce residence, entered the plea Thursday. Sharper also entered not guilty pleas in connection to a reported aggravated robbery last year in Greenville along with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. A tentative trial date has been set for June 18 on all charges.