By Scott Harvey

– Federal regulators on Friday officially shut down Austin-based Guaranty Bank, the third largest failure of a U.S. bank this year and the 81st overall in 2009.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver.

Guaranty is the second-largest publicly traded bank in Texas, with about $16 billion in assets, according to its website. Guaranty's closest locations include McKinney, Garland, Richardson and Kaufman.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – Investigators are still working to determine what caused a fire that destroyed two homes in south Hunt County over the weekend.

Firefighters battled the blaze inside the Shawnee Shores addition for nearly five hours Saturday. There were no major injuries reported. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – Three construction projects in Commerce are on the path to completion, which will assist both local businesses and A&M-Commerce students.

Officials with Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores expect to be done in middle to late October. The new 5,700 square foot building along Highway 50 will feature a drive thru and the businesses' traditional fresh market and food and dining area. It is being constructed by Confederated Builders, based in Derby, Kansas.

By Scott Harvey

Wolfe City – Hunt County Commissioners on Friday unanimously approved two petitions for alcohol sales from Wolfe City residents.

Voters will now have the opportunity to vote for or against the measures on November 3.

The petitions are for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only, and for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders. 128 and 121 signatures were received for each petition, respectively. 119 were required for each.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – A few people have reportedly expressed interest in operating the Iowa-based Maid-Rite franchise in Commerce, according to a company executive.

The proposed location, at the corner of Monroe and Hunt St., is owned by Mike Oglesby with Oglesby and Associates. Oglesby has constructed space for two separate businesses there, and says one location could soon be occupied with a job-placement firm. The location also features eight new apartments, seven of which were filled as of Wednesday.

By Mary Lou Hazal

Commerce – A pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk warning system at Texas A&M University-Commerce's Whitley Hall and another at the crosswalk with Highways 24/50 are expected to be ready by mid-September.

The installation of the crosswalks is the result of several months of work by A&M-Commerce officials, City of Commerce, and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Blake and Brock from www.lscscoop.com provide a season preview to A&M-Commerce football. Each Friday, they'll preview each game and discuss the rest of the LSC Conference on KETR.

Blake Perkins, Brock Callaway

Blake and Brock from www.lscscoop.com provide a season preview to A&M-Commerce football. Each Friday, they'll preview each game and discuss the rest of the LSC Conference on KETR.

Alice speaks with The Morning Blend on Friday, August 21 to discuss the weekend movie lineup.

Alice Reese, Movie Reviewer

Alice speaks with The Morning Blend on Friday, August 21 to discuss the weekend movie lineup.

This Day in History: Friday, August 21, 2009.

This Day in History

This Day in History: Friday, August 21, 2009.

By Scott Harvey

KETR Newscast 8-21-09