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Dr. James Morris brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his work in Texarkana, and his financial expertise serves him and the community well. However, James said that his foundational ethic does not require an MBA to understand.
“I live by what I call ‘the anti-poverty program,’” he said. “‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was naked, and you gave me some clothes.’”
Texarkana USA is on the move, and it’s a sight to behold. A gleaming new airport terminal welcomes newcomers, a fiber optic network will soon pulse underground, and three megasites stand ready to redefine the future. In 2024, the Arkansas Manufacturing Center earned a rare Silver Grade from the Site Selectors Guild, the East Texas Logistics Center landed a $1.5 billion data center prospect, and the TexAmericas Center was ranked third nationally by Business Facilities Magazine. This isn’t just progress—it’s transformation, and Texarkana’s people are driving it.
In a cozy office in Texarkana, a unique insurance agency thrives—not just on policies and premiums but on trust, loyalty, and a deep-rooted sense of family. For Teresa Smith and her son, Malachi, partners at Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services (formerly known as Barry Insurance Agency), running a business together has been more than a professional journey. It’s been a personal one, strengthening their bond while serving their community.
Friends Jasmine Cree and Madeline Haak are both proud to call Texarkana their hometown. Their bond blossomed on the volleyball court at Pleasant Grove High School, where they quickly became inseparable. Over the years, their connection has only deepened.
Jasmine and Madeline, who both hold master’s degrees in communication, now work together at a local business. When Jasmine had the idea for a pro-Texarkana social media page, she asked Madeline to help.
For decades, the sports complexes of Texarkana, Texas, have been more than just ball fields—they’ve been beloved spaces where friendships are forged, rivalries take shape, and generations of athletes create lifelong memories. From the excitement of youth league games to the roar of regional tournaments, these facilities have shaped generations of athletes and fans alike. Now, after years of dreaming, planning, and securing the necessary funding, the City of Texarkana, Texas, is in the final stages of a long-anticipated transformation of two of its well-loved sports facilities: the Swanger Baseball and Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complexes.
Jo Ann Rice’s family moved to Texarkana when she was just 2 years old. She graduated from Dunbar High School, earned her associate’s degree from Texarkana College, and later obtained both a bachelor of science and a master of science from East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M University–Texarkana. Jo Ann has been lending her strength and energy to the Texarkana community her entire adult life.
After 15 years as the executive director of Leadership Texarkana (LT), I will be stepping away from that position on June 1st. It’s time, and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my life. At the same time, I’m extremely proud of the tenfold transformational growth Leadership Texarkana has experienced since 2010.
American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” No matter what language you speak or where you come from, music can resonate with any soul. This concept has driven Texas High School senior Ryker Meadows to become a bassoonist and aspiring professional musician.
The Sullifarm Chateau, a charming home and part-time AirBnB, boasts a backstory steeped in simplicity. Annemarie Sullivan, the owner, transformed her grandfather’s old dairy barn into a peaceful retreat set amidst the serene Piney Woods of East Texas. After a decade of dairy farming, James Davis, Annemarie’s grandfather, retired the barn from its agricultural duties, and it sat unused for the next 35 years. Annemarie saw something greater for the barn.
Claude Marshall Freeman served in the United States Army on the frontlines of World War I in France and Germany. After all he endured and experienced during the war, Claude was grateful to return home to his hometown of Simms, Texas, with a plan. After seeing beautiful gardens in Europe, Claude felt inspired to start grafting fruit trees and growing different varieties of plants back home in Texas. So, in 1925, Freeman Nursery launched, and 100 years later, the family business is still blooming.
The yearly Home & Garden Show brings together builders, remodelers, suppliers, and various companies from the home and garden industry in the Texarkana area. If you’re looking for inspiration and guidance for your home improvement endeavors, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Open to the public at no cost, this year’s show is scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crossties Event Venue.
Growing up in Louisiana, Clare Oliver was always surrounded by animals and spent much of her time outdoors. Her family members grew gardens, and those early years helped her see agriculture as a labor of love. Today, she and her family have built Vesta Homestead, a small working farm in Genoa. Through this growing business, Clare takes pride in her work and in the community she serves.
Texarkana’s own Katelyn Dobbins Clayton has garnered quite a bit of attention online for her pictures of 2024 solar eclipse.
Two Texarkana ISD educators have earned National Board Certification. Morriss Elementary School second grade teacher Lisa McCloskey and Texas Middle School Assistant Principal Ashleigh Bridges join the over 130,000 teachers across the United States who are Board-certified.
The James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades will hold a hunting knife course from January 19 through January 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System is proud to announce the certification of its cardiac rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana has announced a new partnership with TexAmericas Center (TAC) that will allow center employees as well as employees of tenant businesses to receive discounted tuition towards classes at the university.
Texas Statewide Network of Assessment Professionals (TSNAP) selected TISD District Testing Coordinator Sherry Nelson as TSNAP DTC of the Year.
The University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana honored graduating students from the Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program with a special pinning ceremony on Monday, December 11, at 4:30 p.m. in the Texarkana Campus Center commons area.
December 8th, 2023, marks the 150th anniversary of the sale of the first Texarkana city lots. This milestone “birthday” deserves a celebration, and to that end, volunteers from the twin cities have been anticipating and planning a huge event for years.
The 10th Farmers Bank & Trust LIVE UNITED BOWL game will be played Saturday, December 2nd at Texarkana Arkansas School District’s Razorback Stadium with a noon kick-off.
Arkansas High School Razorback EAST has been awarded a $30,000 grant to establish an on-campus food pantry, providing crucial support to students and the local community.
The Texarkana Home Builders Association presented the 2023 Texarkana Home & Garden Show on March 25th.
Molly Minter enjoys a night of gourmet cuisine at Dannie's Cafe located in Shover Springs, AR