Author: Jeff Easterling

Such a sad loss for the family and friends of Captain Joe. This has just been a tragic time in history for everyone that has lost a loved one, with quarantine and all. However, TTPD Chief Schutte gave us the information to share.

The most recent numbers seem to be leveling off in the Texarkana area when you look at the number of positive cases to recoveries. As more testing is done it appears that those numbers are improving.

One of the worst things about storm season is the storms that come in the dark. That is the case tonight. Texarkana proper skirts the “moderate” danger region and a line of storms is expected to come through that can bring dangerous lightning, high winds, large hail, and heavy rains. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

One man is dead, and another in a local hospital after police were called to a domestic situation at Park Ridge Apartments on Price Lane. Upon arrival, police discovered Courtland Luckey, 40, with multiple gunshot wounds. Courtland was pronounced dead at the scene.

As everybody wants to get back to “normal”, there is going to be some awkwardness in finding out just what “normal” is anymore. Here are some details on how Governor Abbott will re-open Texas beginning this Friday, May 1, 2020, with Phase One. All retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls are permitted to reopen on Friday, but with some restrictions.

The Atlanta Texas Police Department is giving children charges of “Happy Birthday”, but it does have to be premeditated. With kids forgoing birthday parties from restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, officers with the Atlanta P.D. are among many across East Texas that are doing what they can to spread some joy.

The latest numbers released from the Bowie and Cass County COVID-19 Joint Operations Center shows a slight increase in positive cases, but also rising recovery numbers. Bowie County reports a total of 89 positive cases, with 40 recoveries and six related deaths. Cass County has a total of 15 with 7 recovered. In the last report from Miller County, they had 32 positive cases, with 9 recoveries and 1 death.

On Friday, April 17 just after 7:00 pm, these trucks were captured on video vandalizing Smith Park in Miller County. Authorities are seeking the identities of the culprits. If you recognize the vehicles in this video, you are asked to contact the Miller County Sheriff’s office.

The Ark-Tex Council of Governments and the Area Agency on Aging will be receiving a grant in the amount of $276,803 to help with delivering meals to those in need in East Texas. Press Release: Home Delivered Meals for Seniors Impacted by COVID-19 Governor Greg Abbott announced on March 25, 2020 that Texas has received a $16.2 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older adults. The grant was part of a $250 million dollar outlay authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed…

Head of Biology at TAMU-T says a lot but as we have gotten to know Dr. Ben and learn more about him we have become huge fans. Fans of not only his knowledge and great understanding of coronaviruses, but also his great attitude, cheerful way about him, and really cool shirts.

From the Joint Operations Center, these are the updated numbers of COVID-19 cases in Bowie and Cass Counties. These numbers do not reflect the number of hospitalized patients or the number of recovered cases.

Elgin Demoryea Hollignsworth, 49, of Texarkana, Texas has been arrested and charged with murder in the stabbing death of his son, Demoryea Marquise Hollingsworth. The suspect is currently being held in the Bi-State Jail and no bond has been set.

The Texarkana Texas Police arrested Aaron Swenson, 36, or Texarkana Arkansas after a police chase ended on Highway 82 in Hooks, Texas. Swenson has been charged with Terrorist Threats Against an Officer, Evading Detention with a Vehicle, and Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon. Swenson is currently being held in Bi-State and bond has not been set.

The Texarkana Joint Operations Center on April 10 reported positive case numbers for the Texarkana rising, but slowly. Bowie County reports 41 positive cases, Cass County reports 5 positive cases, and Miller County last reported 20 positive cases for a total of 66 positive cases in the Texarkana region.

The number of positive COVID 19 cases in the Texarkana area continue to grow. There are 14 cases reported by Bowie County in Texas, 4 in Cass County Texas, and there are 7 cases in Miller County, Arkansas including a Miller County official.

With all of the panic buying and the true threat of COVID-19 in our area, a lot of local elderly and at-risk people have been left without the ability to shop for basic necessities, like toilet paper and bottled water. Those that usually help them, for different reasons, are unable to chance exposure to their loved ones at this time. So, some local folks have teamed up to meet the needs.

Texarkana Texas Police have arrested and charged a brother and sister, Demarious Taylor, 20, of Ashdown Arkansas and his sister, Bosnia Taylor, 21, of Texarkana Arkansas in the murder of Notorious Crabtree, 16, on Tuesday night in Texarkana.

The Texarkana Texas Police Department reports that a 16-year-old boy was killed in an overnight shooting near Meadowbrook Lane and Westlawn Drive.

From the Texarkana Emergency Joint Operations Center at 4:30 pm on March 30, 2020 it is reported there are a total of 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 being treated in Texarkana. With 9 cases in Bowie County, 2 cases in Cass County, and 1 in unincorporated Miller County. There has been one death from the novel coronavirus in Bowie County.

Bowie County Judge, Bobby Howell, has issued a “Shelter in Place” order for Bowie County Texas. The order will go into effect at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 27, and remain in place until at least April 13.

Texarkana Texas Police have arrested Jimmie Hock, 39, of Texarkana Texas after he created a fake news report and posted to social media that there was a COVID-19 case in the Bowie County Jail annex. Hock was charged and booked for Creating a False Alarm or Report then released from the Bi-State Jail after posting a $5,000 PR Bond.

One man is dead and a suspect is in custody as investigators work through details at Rosehill Ridge Apartments this afternoon.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hitchinson as issued new mandates to his state’s disaster declaration that includes closing bars and restaurant dining rooms, gyms, and K-12 schools until April 17. All in the state’s efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Texarkana Arkansas City Hall has announced that they will be helping residents aged 65 and older with acquiring necessities during the panic-induced buying from fears of the COVID-19, novel coronavirus.

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott addressed the state on Thursday announcing broader steps to combat the spread of COVID-19, including closing the dining rooms of restaurants, gyms, and schools until at least April of 2020.

The order to boil water before consumption has been lifted and is now safe by standards set by TCEQ. The city has set standards for retail food establishments. It may be a good idea to do these things at home also. Media Release: Boil Water Notice Rescinded March 17, 2020 On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Texarkana Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required the Texarkana Water Utilities Public Water System (PWS ID# Arkansas 360, Texas 0190004), to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which…

Among the many school closings in an effort to create social distance with the threat of COVID-19 The University of Arkansas campuses in Hope and Texarkana will be closed through March 29. Employees will report to work on Monday as usual.

The City of Texarkana Texas has issued a Boil Order for water used for drinking or cooking until further notice. Expect the order to remain in effect for 24 hours.

Crews are searching for what is believed to be a major water line break somewhere between Texarkana and Lake Wright Patman. There is no boil order at this time, but could be issued at some point.

The student that had been in quarantine out of concerns that they had come in contact with the COVID-19 virus. The University released a statement that the student had tested negative for the virus.