Author: Jeff Easterling

This COVID 19 pandemic just has had everything up in the air but now we are finally getting in some of our favorite events. The annual Drawdown and Casino night to benefit Temple Memorial Pediatric Center will take place Thursday, August 6 at Crossties in downtown Texarkana.

With the COVID 19 pandemic, so many of our favorite summertime activities have been cancelled, including the Hope Watermelon Festival. However, we are all doing our best to carry on, and that is what we are going to do with the annual Watermelon Eating Contest… virtual style.

Bowie County reports a total of 543 positive COVID-19 cases, with 226 recoveries and 31 deaths. Miller County reports 363 total cases, 276 recoveries, and 2 deaths. Cass County reports 94 cases with 50 recovered and two deaths. In the Texarkana region, there are currently 413 confirmed active cases being tracked.

It is shameful but the scammers are out in force around the pandemic. One of the most recent scams is by email. Con artists send emails that appear to be from the Texas Department of State Health Services saying that the receiver has been exposed to COVID 19. Texas DSHS will NOT contact you by email.

For the Texarkana area, Miller County reports 360 total positive cases, 272 recoveries, 2 deaths and are tracking 86 active cases. Bowie reports a total of 511 positive COVID-19 cases, with 226 recoveries, 31 deaths, and tracking 254 active cases. Cass County reports 92 cases with 50 recovered and two deaths. Cass County currently has 40 active cases.

This is one of those stories that just breaks your heart. These two women are accused of stealing almost $50,000 in just 3 months while working as caregivers for the two women, a mother, and daughter. Police believe there may be other victims in the area, if you recognize these two and know of elderly they may have been in contact with contact TTPD.

The Texarkana Texas Police Department held an awards ceremony on Monday, July 20 to recognize some of our local officers for their exceptional work and named some new promotions within the department.

As a youngster, a ton of great memories were made at Camp Preston Hunt, just outside of Texarkana Arkansas. On Saturday, August 8 the Caddo Area Council, BSA will host a shooting sports derby with BB Guns, Archery, and Slingshots. Lunch will be provided. Must be a registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelo to participate.

Fingers crossed, creeks don’t rise, and all of that the 15th Annual Songwriters on the Edge of Texas golf tournament concert to benefit CASA for Children Texarkana will take place on September 27.

Today was one of those days, mostly like the others we’ve been going thru, stressful, and frustrating. Then you see something that touches you, a “live” video in the Facebook group Texarkana Cheers & Jeers. The next thing you know differences fade and we are people caring for each other again, we love Texarkana.

Bowie County has a total of 439 positive COVID-19 cases, with 187 recoveries and 29 deaths. Miller County reports 304 positive cases with 148 recoveries and 2 deaths. Cass County has a total of 80 cases with 46 recovered and two deaths.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has released a statement regarding Governor Asa Hutchinson’s executive order on facemasks in public places to slow the spread of COVID19. However, they will respond to businesses that call for assistance with customers that refuse to wear one. Here is the press release.

Miller County reports a total of 293 positive cases with 144 recoveries and 2 deaths. Bowie County reports a total of 431 positive COVID-19 cases, with 187 recoveries and 29 deaths. Cass County has a total of 75 cases with 44 recovered and two deaths.

In his daily address to the state, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has issued an order that requires residents to wear face masks in public places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID 19. The order takes effect on Monday, July 20 and can carry a penalty of up to $500.

Texarkana Texas Police have arrested Adam Post of Wake Village for an alleged sexual assault that occurred on July 3, 2020. Post is currently in the Bi-State Jail with a $100,000 bond.

This Saturday, July 18, Gateway Farmer’s Market in Texarkana Arkansas will be recognizing National Farmer’s Market Day with special demonstrations from the Red Dirt Master Master Gardeners of Miller County, Arkansas, and more.

Here are our current numbers. Bowie County reports a total of 408 positive COVID-19 cases, with 186 recoveries and 28 deaths. There are currently 194 active cases being traced in Bowie County. Miller County reports 291 cases, 139 recoveries, and 2 deaths. Miller County Currently has 150 active cases. Cass County reports a total of 72 cases with 42 recovered and two deaths.  Cass County currently has 28 active cases.

Due to the continued spread of the COVID 19 virus, officials with Texarkana Texas have decided to cease the Saturday farmer’s markets downtown, but have an option for buyers to still get fresh, locally grown produce from local growers.

The 76th Annual Four States Fair and Rodeo will not happen this year. The parade, Demolition Derby, Carnival, PRCA Rodeo, and exhibits will all be postponed until April 2 – 11, 2021. Many of the livestock events will still take place this September.

Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank will be hosting its third Texarkana Mobile Pantry, Wednesday, July 15th, from 8 am to noon, at the Four States Fairgrounds.

Here are the current locally kept numbers for the Texarkana area. Bowie County reports a total of 407 positive COVID-19 cases and from that number 186 recoveries and 28 deaths. There are currently 193 active cases being traced in Bowie County. Cass County reports 70 positive cases, and from that 42 recoveries and 2 deaths. Miller County stands at 280 total positive cases and from that 132 recoveries, 2 deaths, and tracing 146 cases.

On Monday, July 13, 2020, our current COVID 19 numbers for the Texarkana area… Bowie County reports a total of 391 positive COVID-19 cases, with 186 recoveries and 28 deaths. Cass County has a total 62 cases with 35 recovered and two deaths. Miller County has a total of 265 positive cases, 128 recoveries, and 2 deaths.

The Bowie County Health Authority will be conducting no-cost COVID 19 testing on Monday, July 13, 2020, at two locations with one in Texarkana and another in New Boston.

The curve is no longer flat in our region. Bowie County reports a total of 353 positive COVID-19 cases, with 181 recoveries and 26 deaths. Cass County has a total of 57 cases with 39 recovered and three deaths. Miller County Arkansas reports 237 positive cases, 120 recoveries, and 2 deaths.

The two largest health providers in our region along with Bowie and Miller County Health Authorities have released a joint announcement regarding current conditions locally, and are asking for your support in combatting COVID 19 as we move forward with this very real disease in our community.

Updated Texarkana numbers show that Bowie County reports a total of 340 positive COVID-19 cases, with 181 recoveries and 26 deaths. Cass County has a total of 57 cases with 39 recovered and three deaths. Miller County currently reports 233 positive cases, 112 recoveries, and 2 deaths.

An early morning explosion and fire at the Tyson Foods Plant in Nashville Arkansas has reportedly injured some employees. Emergency personnel and firefighters from around the region are working the scene.

This morning in a long time traditional ceremony with a virtual twist Colonel Stephan York relinquished command of Red River Army Depot to Colonel Jack Kredo. The crowd was small due to pandemic restrictions.

Bowie County reports a total of 340 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Due to the recent surge of numbers in Bowie County, efforts have been focused on tracing active cases and they are in the process of updating the number of recoveries. Cass County reports a total of 57 cases with 39 recovered and three deaths. Miller County reports 232 positive cases, 108 recoveries, and 2 deaths.

For the first time since World War II, the Texas State Fair for 2020 is cancelled. Officials are cancelling the fair because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Fair officials are still working to find a way to still have the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and other educational programs.