Texas A & M University-Commerce will hold three public hearings this week to discuss a proposed increase in designated tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Two hearings will take place March 1 on the main campus and at the Metroplex Center in Mesquite with the final hearing to take place back in Commerce. The first hearing will be at 3 p.m. in the Business Administration Building in room 290. The second hearing will be at 6:15 p.m. at the Metroplex Center in room 133. The last hearing will be held March 2 at 10 a.m. in the Traditions Room at the Rayburn Student Center.

Spring is in the air. One thing that means for the Fannin County Children’s Center is that it is time for their annual youth art contest. This local nonprofit organization that helps abused and neglected children is seeking artwork from area children and youth.

Two winning entries which best illustrate the theme “Open Your Heart” will win special ribbons and VISA gift cards donated by Dr. Jim and Valerie Tarpley.  The winning artwork will be reproduced on cards to help the agency raise funds to provide advocacy, counseling and other critical support services for the abused and neglected children of Fannin County.

The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is accepting applications for summer employment with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program, according to Acting Forest Supervisor JaSal Morris.

YCC is a summer employment program for young men and women ages 15 to 18 who work, learn and earn together for eight weeks on projects that help conserve the natural resources of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.

Carson & Barnes Circus the Biggest of the Big Top shows brings its all-new show for 2012 to the Hunt County Fairgrounds on Jack Finney Boulevard in Greenville on Thursday, March 22. Tickets are now on sale locally and online at BigTopShow.com. A portion of sales will benefit the Ridgecrest Hispanic Baptist Church.

Celebrating its 76th year the Carson & Barnes Circus has been traveling the nation since 1937. While the show has changed over the decades, what remains is a solid two-hour show that features classic circus acts, daring high-wire feats and the antics of dozens of clowns. But aside from the clowns, the prancing horses and high-IQ dogs, the biggest stars of the show are the elephants.