Author: Jeff Easterling

It was sort of gloomy outside with cloudy skies, but the smiles of the children were bright and warm when they heard the sirens and saw the flashing lights of police vehicles and fire trucks as they pulled into Target off of Richmond Road this morning.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has arrested 5 people in investigations to recent string of robberies where victims were robbed of property at gunpoint.

After many years of Study, local researcher Jimmy Roberts has produced a 38-minute documentary film “Guaranteed” to Change the Public’s Perspective of the Red Planet.

The Texarkana Texas Police Department arrested Bennie Jo Horsley, 73, of Texarkana Texas for Driving While Intoxicated after she drove her vehicle more than a quarter mile on railroad tracks.

There are so many people in our area that are true heroes, not just military and first-responders, but teachers, preachers, scout leaders, etc, and there are a lot of awesome volunteers in our area that deserve recognition. So, we want to give them the props they deserve with our TexarkanaFYI Hometown Heroes honor and we need you to submit names of those you feel deserve the honor of being named a “Hometown Hero”.

This is the 11th year that Main Street Texarkana has issued a special Christmas ornament celebrating the history of downtown Texarkana. This year’s ornament features the Kress Building on Broad Street.

It’s time for the 18th annual Bramlett Beans & Cornbread Community Fundraiser event, named for Former Texarkana Texas Mayor James Bramlett. For 2016 the event partners with the Empty Bowls Project to fight hunger.

The University of Arkansas Hope – Texarkana is now able to offer students hands-on training in powerplant technology with the acquisition of a Rankine Cycler steam turbine engine lab for the Technical and Industrial Division.

Copeland’s of Texarkana located at 511 E. 51st Street in Texarkana Arkansas has closed their doors for good. Employees were called in for a meeting on Monday morning and told that as of November 28, the restaurant was closed.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department are conducting a Warrant Amnesty/ Carseat Exchange program offering amnesty for a period beginning December 1st, 2016 through December 16th, 2016 for people who have outstanding warrants for Contempt of court for not paying fines. Bring in a “new in the box”, car seat, and the Texarkana Arkansas District court and the TAPD will waive the warrant fee and reset a payment arrangement without penalties.

A Nissan Altima traveling east on I-30 gets clipped by an 18-wheeler changing lanes and sends the car into a spin. The car then strikes the protective guardrail on the median and through glass and debris an infant child is ejected thru the rear glass of the vehicle and survives with only a small scratch.

First Baptist Church – Midway will be hosting a very special event this holiday season. Enjoy the experience of an interactive, guided “Walk Through Bethlehem”. 

The Texarkana Texas Police Department has made two arrests in the shooting case at the Tri-State Motel that occurred on November 11. Police arrested two brothers in the case, Casey Paul-Aaron Williams, 21, of Garland City, Arkansas and Correy Paul Anthony Williams, 25, of Texarkana, Texas for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The third annual drive-thru live nativity at First Assembly of God Lighthouse Church will take place on Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3 in Texarkana Texas. There will be camels, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, chickens, and more than 100 people in costume.

Saturday December 3, from 12 to 3, Texas A&M University-Texarkana will be having their “Eagle Wonderland” with free admission for children to enjoy games, refreshments, crafts and everybody’s favorite Christmas elf.

State Bank based out of DeKalb, Texas with locations in DeKalb, Clarksville, and Texarkana will be adding a couple of more branches with the acquisition of two buildings left vacant when Capital One closed multiple branches.

A Blevins Arkansas School Board member is in hot water after photos of him dressed in blackface with a protest sign that reads, “Blak Lives Matters” for a Halloween party were posted to social media and quickly went viral. Many are calling for him to resign.

Holiday Shopping is underway and the Texarkana Texas and Texarkana Arkansas Police Departments are stepping up patrols around stores and shopping centers. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind to avoid becoming a victim this holiday season.

Administrators in the Maud School District have determined that due to a drop in classroom productivity and multiple other issues the best course of action is to terminate the use of cellphones and other electronic devices during school hours.

The 2016 Live United Bowl sponsored by local insurance agent Dean Barry takes place Saturday, December 3rd at Razorback Stadium in Texarkana Arkansas. This year’s NCAA Division II match-up puts the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders against the Texas A&M – Kingsville Javelinas. Here is a preview of the excitement to come for 2016!

We had the opportunity to observe and participate in the current Texarkana Texas Police Department “Police Experience” program. With mock traffic stops, the Laser Sight “Judgement Training System”, and live fire exercises with simunition… this is NOT a run of the mill Citizen’s Police Academy, this is SO much more!

The Fine Arts Club at University of Arkansas Hope – Texarkana have been hard at work putting together care packages for U.S. Service Members serving overseas. The students were able to put together 37 packages for troops in Afghanistan, and other locations.

Texarkana Texas Police have issued warrants in connection to Sunday’s shooting at the Tri-State Motel in the 800 block of 7th Street. One for Casey Paul-Aaron Williams, 21, of Garland City Arkansas and another for Hope Ashley Huffman, 24, of Atlanta, Texas.

The Texarkana Texas Police Department is seeking information that will assist in solving a burglary that took place at the AT&T Store located at 25 Richmond Ranch Road. Take a look at the video.

The Texarkana Texas Police Department has begun a new program to aid in the investigations of serious crimes in the Texarkana Area with an innovative new program with local residents and businesses using private security camera systems.

Texas High School Principal Brad Bailey has been named a finalist for “Texas High School Principal of the Year” by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Bailey is the Region VIII Outstanding Principal of the Year, and with that Bailey moves on for consideration at the state level.

Mother Earth Pools & Spas in Texarkana Texas is the area leader in satisfied customers with their line of Hot Springs Spas. In business since 1997, Anne and Maury Taylor are your local pros for inground pools, hot tub spas, above ground pools and accessories.

Construction has begun at the Nash exit from Interstate 30 on a new mega-store convenience center that will offer multiple choices to diners with brands like Golden Chick, Dunkin Donuts, Texas Best Smokehouse and Steak ‘n Shake.

The new Dirt Cheap Store opens for business in Texarkana on Wednesday, November 16! The new 35,000 square foot store is located in the old K-Mart Plaza at 5001 North Stateline Avenue. Just in time for holiday shopping, customers can always find some unique bargains at Dirt Cheap, with savings of 30% to 90% off.

Veterans Day is on Friday, November 11, 2016, and many local restaurants and businesses are offering freebies or discounts to show appreciation to American Military Veterans. We have a list of many that are offering special deals for Veterans and active duty military. We will be updating the list as needed.