Texarkana, Texas—Bowie County announced today, they have engaged in the process to become a certified ACT® Work Ready Community (ACT® WRC). This practice demonstrates their commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, desirable to employers, economic developers, and current and future citizens of the county. Earlier this year, Miller County began the process and now Bowie County is on board to work with the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce and Miller County to enhance our workforce in the Texarkana Region. “Bowie County is excited to work with the Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce and Miller County to become a certified ACT® Work Ready Community. This is a regional effort to develop a talent pipeline for our employers, and Bowie County is excited to support this initiative. The ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) is the basis for industry-driven efforts that link education, workforce, and economic development,” said Judge Bobby Howell, Bowie County Judge. Continue Reading →
Bowie County
Recent Articles
TWU Director J.D. Phillips to Retire
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TEXARKANA, USA—The Director of the Texarkana Water Utility J.D. Phillips intends to retire on August 30, 2021. Phillips has worked for TWU for 31 years, beginning his career in February of 1990. Phillips began his employment for TWU as the Engineering Manager, and was named Interim Executive Director in 2015. His title as Executive Director became official in May of 2016. Texarkana, Arkansas City Manager Jay Ellington compliments Phillips on his career. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County, Miller County, Texarkana
TWU -Temporary Change to Water Disinfection Procedures
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Texarkana Water Utilities (TWU) will begin a temporary change to the method of disinfecting our drinking water beginning July 19 and lasting about eight weeks. The water will remain safe to drink throughout the process. TWU normally uses chloramine, a mixture of ammonia and chlorine, to disinfect water. Beginning Monday, July 19 and for approximately eight weeks TWU will use chlorine only, also known as “free chlorine”. The periodic temporary conversion from chloramine to free chlorine is a widely used preventative maintenance procedure for municipal water systems in both Texas and Arkansas. TWU previously performed this procedure in March-April 2015 and February-March 2018, October-November 2019. Over time minerals may attach to pipes and release when there are changes in pressure that may result in discoloration. Other processes such as nitrification and the growth of biofilm may also occur in water distribution pipes. The biofilm growth can cause a reduction in the effectiveness of residual disinfectants over time. The use of free chlorine will help cleanse the lines, reduce the occurrence of nitrification and biofilm, and ensure that we provide quality water for the customers served by TWU. Citizens may see more flushing of fire hydrants by TWU staff during this process. Certain water lines with low flow must be flushed more often to ensure the free chlorinated water is adequately moving through the water distribution system. Free chlorine is a stronger disinfectant than chloramine. As a result, some water-users may experience a slight change in the aesthetics of their water during the conversion, including a noticeable “chlorine odor” and slight discoloration. This should lessen after a couple of weeks and does not affect the safety of the water supply. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County, Miller County, Texarkana
Reporting Damage from Flooding in Bowie County
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TEXARKANA, TX— Texarkana, Texas and Bowie County residents who have been affected by the recent flooding event need to report damages to the State of Texas Department of Emergency Management so that a total damage cost estimate can be calculated. If you experienced damage due to flooding after May 17, 2021 until the present, please visit https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/ and Click on “May 17-TBD, 2021 Severe Weather”. The objective of this survey is to identify damages across Texas, to help emergency management officials across the state gain an understanding of damages that have occurred during recent natural disaster activity. For more information about disaster relief, resources and recovery, follow @texarkanaoem on facebook. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County
Bowie County Courthouse to Remain Closed Rest of Week
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Bowie County, TX: The Bowie County Courthouse will remain closed the rest of this week. Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell indicated that current plans are for the courthouse to reopen Monday. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County, Disaster Response
Bowie County Courthouse Closed Due to Weather
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Bowie County, TX: Judge Bobby Howel made the decision to close the bowie County Courthouse Tuesday, February 16. The county will continue to monitor the weather and make a determination regarding reopening for Wednesday and the rest of the week depending on power outages, weather, and road conditions. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County, Disaster Response
Western Connection Needs Assessment Study Seeking Public Comments on Findings
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This study assesses regional mobility needs and potential improvements for the Western Texarkana area. Texarkana — Bowie County, supported by the Texas Department of Transportation Atlanta District office, is seeking public comments on a recent study conducted to identify mobility needs in the Western Texarkana area. The study area is defined by I-30 on the north, I-369 on the east, US 59 on the south, and the Red River Army Depot / United States Army Corps of Engineers property to the west. Bowie County is conducting a virtual Opportunity to Comment for the Western Connection Needs Assessment and wants to inform the public of the study findings. Comments and questions can be submitted online or mailed with a printable comment form by February 26, 2021.
The interactive survey will ask participants about their priorities for regional transportation and help identify areas of concern. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County
Bowie County Update on Vaccinations for COVID-19
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According to Texas Department of State Health Services, Bowie County has been allocated 6,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations as of 1/13/21:
1,700 doses of Moderna4,500 doses of Pfizer
To date, 1,708 people have been vaccinated in Bowie County according to the Texas DSHS website with at least one dose, and 123 people in Bowie County have been fully vaccinated with two doses. Please note there is a lag in this reporting.
There are 29 facilities in Bowie County registered to receive supplies of the vaccination, either to vaccinate their employees or the public. To date, nine of those facilities have received shipments, as determined by Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas is currently in Phase 1B of the vaccination plan, which makes vaccinations available to individuals to people 65 and older, or 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Bowie County, Disaster Response
Application Deadline for Coronavirus Relief Funds Looms for Local Texas Governments
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Carrington Coleman: Funds will help offset COVID-19 payroll pressure
The deadline to request Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allocations is Oct. 16, a deadline of critical importance to Texas counties and municipalities seeking assistance in offsetting COVID-19-related payroll costs. “It is important for counties and municipalities to meet this deadline as the state has made it clear there will be no extensions,” said Dallas attorney Bruce Hendrick, who leads the team at Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal assisting governments with the preparation of their applications requesting their initial 20 percent funding allotment. “If there is any question about the need for the funds, we recommend going forward with the request,” Mr. Hendrick said. “If a decision is subsequently made not to use the funds, they simply must be returned to the state by December 15. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Atlanta, Bloomburg, Bowie County, Cass County, De Kalb, Disaster Response, Maud, Mt. Pleasant
Bowie County First COVID-19 Case Identified
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TEXARKANA, TX- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Bowie County, TX has been identified. We are awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. More details will be released as they become available. The Bowie County/City of Texarkana, TX Emergency Operations Center has been opened and will operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The public telephone number is (903) 255-5560. Continue Reading →