Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, picks the World War I drama "1917" as the likely winner of the "Best Picture" at the Academy Awards presentations Sunday night. Alice also reviews "Birds of Prey," the new DC Comics movie out this weekend.

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital , says February is Pet Dental Health Month. She says dental care is often overlooked by pet owners. And Dr. McCreary reacts to a report that veterinarians are reporting a major problem with pets being overweight.

Paul Voss, the manager of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce , says along with several recent ribbon cuttings, the Chamber is receiving a good many inquiries about new businesses for Commerce, including several possible new restaurants. Paul says the annual Chamber banquet is set for Thursday evening, March 19 in the Rayburn Student Center at Texas A&M-Commerce, with the theme, "the Roaring 20s." The Chamber is now taking nominations for its "Citizen of the Year" award.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, notes that the Texas gross domestic product of 4.7 percent more than doubled the U.S. GDP of 2.0 in the second quarter of 2019, making the Texas economy no. 1 in the nation. The Southwest region (including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizone) was also no. 1 at 4.3 percent. State Comptroller Glenn Hegar said if there was a lessening of trade tensions and approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), the Texas

Angela Roberts of the Commerce Food Pantry and LesLee Lay with the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Commerce discuss plans for the "Souper Bowl of Caring" soup and chili supper from 5-7 p.m. Saturday (February 1) at the Commerce ISD Administration Building, 3315 Washington St. (the former A.C. Williams Elementary School). Donations will help to provide food for people at the two Commerce food banks. The Commerce Food Pantry is located at the First Presbyterian Church on north Monroe Street, and the

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission , relates the tale of the small howitzer that can be seen on the north lawn of the Hunt County Courthouse. Most people probably don't realize it is a Japanese Howitzer from World War II. How it came to be located on the courthouse lawn is an involved, and not completely understood story, but it was apparently a substitute provided by the U.S. government after the county donated a more impressive cannon for a scrap-metal drive in the

Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital , reflects on a new ordinance passed by the Frisco City Council placing extensive new rules on pet stores after the local Humane Association discovered a number of concerns. Dr. McCreary says it is best to buy pure bred dogs directly from a reputable breeder who can show all of the pertinent records on the pet.

Sarah Latham, Hunt County Agrilife Extension Agent, says a workshop on feral hogs will take place at 1 p.m. Friday (January 31) at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center on Highway 69 South in Greenville. Sarah says a workshop for people who own a small acreage and want to produce something on it will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13 at the Kaufman County Fairgrounds in Kaufman.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council has employed a search firm to find the next city manager. Darrek Ferrell recently left for to become an assistant city manager with the city of Victoria, and retired city manager Ned Muse of Pittsburg is serving on an interim basis for a second time.

Pud Kearns, with Housewarmers of Greenville , discusses the regular activities of "Remember for Me," an Alzheimer's support group. Remember for Me is doing a series of seminars. The next is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Greenville. The group holds a regular meeting on the second Thursday of each month, so the next support group meeting will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, February 13 at Hunt Regional Medical Center.