CODE RED EXPANDS TO INCLUDE SEVERE WEATHER

Texarkana Emergencey Management Coordinator Dave Hall says the Code Red System is expanding to include Severe Weather Warnings for anyone in Texarkana, or Bowie and Miller Counties. The new warning system works much the same as Code Red. It will call any residence or business which may be in the path of a Severe Thunderstorm or possible Tornado. Even if you are already registered for CodeRed, you must regsiter for the Severe Weather alerts. You can do so by going to the city web site at www.txkusa.org and clicking on the CodeRed link at the bottom of the page. You may enter both a home or business number and a cell phone number. If you do not have access to a computer you can call (903) 798-3181 to register. Although the web site says to allow up to 2 weeks for your information to be entered, in light of the potential for Severe Weather this weekend they will be entered as soon as possible. The available warnings include Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, and Flash Flood Warnings.

RELAY FOR LIFE TO GO ON INDOORS

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life Activities will be going on this evening despite the prediction for severe storms. All of the events planned starting at 6 pm and running through the overnight hours will go on as planned. However all activities have been moved inside the Four States Fair Entertainment Center to keep participants dry in case of rain.

VEHICLE BURGLAR ARREST

Texarkana, Texas Police have made an arrest in connection with several recent vehicle burglaries around the city. Authorities have arrested and charged 31 year old Jamison Leon Rodgers. Police believe they also recovered a large amount of suspected stolen property some of which has been identified from various other property crimes. The suspect along with 27 year old Erin Underwood was also charged with possession of a controlled substance. The investigation continues and more charges are likely in the case.

CITY GARAGE SALE RESCHEDULED

The City of Texarkana, Texas Parks and Recreation Department has rescheduled their annual Spring Community Wide Garage Sale for Saturday May 15th. The sale is being rescheduled because of the threat of severe weather in our area for later today and tonight. The Garage Sale will be held on Saturday May 15th and will be a one day only sale with over 100 booths. The Sale will be held in Spring Lake Park between Swanger Field and the old swimming pool.

SEVERE WEATHER

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the Texarkana area until 5pm. Weather forecasters are concerned about the potential for severe weather this afternoon and evening and then again later overnight as a second round moves through the area. Heavy Rain, High Winds, Large Hail, Dangerous lightning and isolated strong tornadoes are possible.

COMMUNITY WIDE CLEAN-UP DAY

The City of Texarkana, Texas is holding its April Community Clean-Up Day this Saturday April 24th from 8 am to 2 pm. There will be two collection locations: National Guard Armory on Park Road near Spring Lake Park and the Liberty-Eylau High School parking lot at 2905 Leopard Drive. Roll-off dumpsters will be in place at these locations to allow residents and opportunity to dispose of buldk items such as furniture and appliances. Please note that refrigerators must have had the Freon removed and the certification tag in place. Residents will need to show their valid Texarkana, Texas driver's license and their current water bill to dispose of their items. No harzardous maters or paint will be accepted at any of the collection sites.

BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE MEETING

The City of Texarkana, Texas Blue Ribbon Committee will meet this Thursday April 22nd from 6 to 8 pm at the T.I.S.D. Services Building at 1600 Waterall Street. The Topic for this meeting is the City's Street Department-which includes Streets, Sign & Signal, Engineering, and Stormwater Utility.

SUPREME COURT DENIES NEW TRIAL

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a Northeast Texas man on death row for nearly three decades. Delma Banks contended he did not receive a fair trial when he was convicted of murdering a Texarkana teenager back in 1980. The High Court yesterday left in place the murder conviction of Banks in connection with the shooting death of then 16 year old Richard Whitehead of Texarkana after robbing the victim. A divided federal appeals court in New Orleans, Louisiana had upheld the conviction.

VEHICLE BURGLAR ARRESTED

Texarkana Texas Police have arrested a Texa side man on burglary charges. Authorities were called to the 4300 block of Mall Drive on a vehicle burgly in progress. Officers saw a person matching the suspect description running from the area. 18 year old Devan Wade Lewis was apprehended and police allege items taken from vehicles from the area was recovered. Lewis charged with Evading Arrest, Burglary of a Vehicle and Theft of a firearm. The suspect was booked into the BI-State Justice Center Jail and bond set at $45,000 thousand dollars. The case if still under investigation. Texarkana Texas Police remind citizens that items of value that are left in vehicles make tempting targets and they ask that you remove valuables such as purses, GPS Devices, cell phones, etc. or lock them in the trunk out of view.

VEHICLE FATALITY

Texarkana Texas Police are investigating a fatality. Authorities were called to the 7600 block of University Avenue on a vehicle that had been driven into Bringle Lake. Officers were told by witnesses that a blue Ford Taurus that was traveling eastbound on University Avenue failed to stop at the end of a boat ramp and have went into the lake. Fire department rescuers located the vehicle submerged in approximately 7 feet of water with the driver still inside. Rescure personnel removed the driver who was identified as 51 year old Starlet Hazelwood of Texarkana, Texas. She was transported to Christus St. Michael Hospital where she was pronounced dead. This case is still being investigated at this time.

ANNUAL FISH FRY

The Rondo United Methodist Church is having its Annual Fish Fry this Saturday April 17th at the church from 4 pm to 7:30. All you can eat Farm Raised Catfish for $8 per person. Take Highway 82 East then turn north onto Highway 237 beside the Baptist Orphanage then go 1 mile. For more information phone (870)772-6704.

AMTRAK REVIEW

Amtrak is re-examining timetables and finding other ways to improve its 15 national routes to bring in more riders and revenue. Routes under review this year include the Texas Eagle which runs between Chicago, Illinois and San Antonio, Texas through Texarkana. Amtrak is on pace in 2010 to top its record ridership of 28.7 million passengers set in 2008. The agency sites an improving economy and high fuel prices as factors in the increased ridership.

RICHMOND ROAD CONSTRUCTION

The Texas Department of Transportation is doing prep work on the Richmond Road Overpass over Interstate 30 this week. They are preparing for the demolition of the old bridge during the last weekend of April. Various lanes on the overpass will be shutdown during the nighttime hours this week between 9 pm and 6 am.

BENEFIT FISH FRY

The Arkansas Masonic Lodge #341, located at 4102 East 9th Street in Texarkana, Arkansas is holding its Annual Scholarship Fund Raising Fish Fry this Saturday April 10th from 12 Noon until 3 pm. Its $5 dollars to eat in or take out and kids under 6 eat free. Each plate helps toward the Lodge's Scholarship Recipients College Tuition.

VEHICLE VANDALISMS

The Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department is currently seeking information regarding the suspect or suspects in a rash of recent vehicle vandalisms. During the most recetn on April 4th during the nighttime hours several vehicles were vandalized in the parking lot of a local apartment complex. If anyone has information regarding this crime they are asked to call Texarkana, Arkansas Police at (903) 798-3154.

E-MAIL & TEXT SCAM

Guaranty Bond Bank is advising both customers and non-customers of fraudulent e-mails and text messages that appear to be from the bank, but are not. The scam e-mails and texts are telling people to click on a website link to update your debit card information. Text messages are also being sent stating that your account has been frozen and gives a specific phone number for you to contact. Please be aware that these are fraudulent communications, and do not under any circumstances release any information. Guaranty Bond Bank will never ask fro account information in an unsolicited telephone call, e-mail, or text message. If you have proveided thsi information in response to an e-mail or text message, please contact the Guaranty Bond Bank location nearest you.

TEXARKANA GOES GREEN

Waste Management is elated to report with the new Curbside Recycling Program in Texarkana, Texas, residents are recycling 500% more than in 2009. That equates to 117tons of recycled materials being diverted each month from the solid waste stream. In addition, residential green waste is now being diverted from the waste stream and transformed into rich compost. The company says this program is having a tremendous positive impact in Texarkana, Texas.