A blog posted Friday by the Sears Chairman and Chief Executive Officer announced that the store in Paris will be closing down. The move will cost about 40 people at the store their jobs. All affected workers will be eligible for severance pay and may apply for open positions …

  The Dallas Mavericks all-time franchise player and sixth leading scorer in NBA History, Dirk Nowitzki has signed a two-year contract worth $10 million to stay in the DFW. The Mavs turned down a team option that would’ve paid Dirk $25 million, and instead opens up cap space. The season …

  Paris Fire Department is investigating after a hay barn caught fire in the 1000 block of West Cherry. Witnesses told investigators that three boys were seen running from the barn just as the fire was starting. The barn is believed to be a total loss.

  Ashley Endsley has been named the new coach of the North Lamar Lady Panthers softball team. She is a graduate of North Lamar and UT-Tyler, and previously coached in Brownsboro and Winona. She was also a graduate assistant coach at UT-Tyler.

  Madilyn Hallford and Sierra Faulkner, of Lamar County, are hosting a lemonade stand today from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the Chisum Trading Company located in the downtown square in Paris. They hope to raise $2000 for childhood cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national fundraising …

Officers responded to a robbery complaint in the 300 block of NE 6th. Officers were told that earlier in the day the complainant had been robbed at knifepoint by two known suspects. No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing. Paris Police made contact with 34-year-old  John Smith …

  The Texas Rangers avoid the sweep after beating Boston, 8-2. It was Roogie Odor getting the scoring started for the good guys with a two-run blast in the 2nd inning. Starting Andrew Cashner picked up the win on the mound, giving up no earned runs in seven innings. The Rangers …

  The Paris Community Theatre is holding auditions for the Musical “Oliver” on Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00 pm the PCT Brown Center. Show dates are September 29-October 8 and all ages are needed. For a complete description of roles, ages and singing/reading requirements visit pctonstage.com/auditions.

  The man found dead in a vacant lot on North H Street in Hugo has been identified as 27-year-old Emanuel Churchwell of Tulsa. Investigators say a glass mirror was found by the body, and Churchwell may have been struck by a car. His body has been sent for an …

  The public is invited to attend a  local working group meeting next Wednesday morning by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Lamar County and the Lamar Soil and Water Conservation District. The meeting will set local conservation priorities and other topics. For more information, call District Conservationist Steve …