2022 A Year in Review
As we come to the end of the year, inevitably our focus will begin to shift toward our goals for 2023. But before we make our New Year’s resolutions, let’s pause to look back and appreciate all that 2022 has brought us. Building, dreaming, and improving are the tenets of our community and this year did not disappoint. In celebration of our many accomplishments, we have put together a list of some of the most exciting things that have happened in Texarkana this year.
COMMUNITY
Raining Fish Phenomenon—Australian researchers believe the “raining fish” phenomenon came from nervous birds.
Texarkana Recreation Center officially opens after renovations.
Rose Hill was named Neighborhood of the Year Finalist by USA Neighborhoods.
Leadership Texarkana graduates largest class in program history.
Literacy Council earns three of five state awards and honored at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock.
Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce wins national award from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) for their Beyond the Line print publication.
The inaugural Pitch It Texarkana entrepreneurial competition was held in March.
Caleb Bolden, a Pleasant Grove ISD graduate, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
Gateway Farmers Market celebrates 25th anniversary.
Bird scooters arrive in downtown Texarkana.
New Veterans Affairs Clinic opens on Summerhill Road.
EF-3 tornado blew through the area on November 4.
EDUCATION
Pleasant Grove ISD passes $39.9 million bond.
DeKalb ISD and New Boston ISD begin four-day school week.
Arkansas High School was selected as the 5A State Honor Band.
Texas High School Student Council was named State President of the Texas Association of Student Councils for 2022-2023.
Pleasant Grove High School earns 4A UIL Theatrical Design State Championship.
Pleasant Grove High School robotics team claims UIL State Championship and competes in World Robotics Championship.
Texas High School Culinary Arts Academy unveils new food truck, the only culinary arts program in Northeast Texas operating a food truck.
Texarkana College was recognized by Achieving the Dream as a leader college of distinction.
Trinity Christian School (TCS) announced the appointment of Phil Nash as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director.
Arkansas High School “Cyberhogs” placed as runner-up in E-sports state competition.
Keniyah Bryant, Arkansas High School student, wins 200 meters 5A State championship.
Redwater ISD wins Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) District of Distinction Award.
St. James Day School middle school students win two Best in Show categories in international “Plant the Moon” competition.
Texarkana Arkansas School District had grand openings for four of the District’s Smart Labs located on the Fairview Elementary School, North Heights Community School, Harmony Leadership Academy, and Arkansas High School campuses.
Texarkana ISD voters pass $189 million bond.
Daymon Finigan, a member of the Liberty-Eylau High School Band, was selected to the ATSSB Texas 4A All-State Band.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s online MBA program was ranked the 4th most affordable online MBA in the United States according to College Consensus.
Texarkana College’s choral students perform at Carnegie Hall.
Texarkana ISD was awarded the 2022-2024 Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant (ISSA), with a grand total over $5 million.
The Liberty-Eylau girl’s powerlifting team sent several qualifiers to the state competition, and Indiyah Aldridge won the state title in the 97’s weight class.
Dr. Marilynn Harris Wallace Endowed Scholarship established at UAHT.
LEADERSHIP
Gary Smith named Texarkana Water Utilities Executive Director.
Theresa Cowling named Redwater Elementary Principal.
Sidney Harrist, longtime superintendent of Atlanta Independent School District, retired after 48 years in education.
J.C. Allaire named Domtar Mill Manager for Ashdown, Arkansas.
US Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven retires from the federal bench after 24 years of service.
Denis Washington named interim president of Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Miller County elects Wayne Easley as new sheriff in runoff election.
LifeNet CEO and president, David Baumgardner, retires after 24 years.
Police Chief Kevin Schutte and Director of Public Works Dusty Henslee take on additional duties as city of Texarkana, Texas assistant city managers.
Vashil Fernandez named Director of Planning and Community Development for the city of Texarkana, Texas.
JW Bramlett named Director of Administrative Services for the city of Texarkana, Texas.
Lane W. Simmons, a Cass County native, appointed as the Texas Department of Transporation’s chief engineer.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, part of the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, expanded cancer care across the Ark-La-Tex and Oklahoma with the addition of Essam Malaty, M.D. to the oncology team at the only comprehensive facility of its kind in the region.
Col. Jonathan W. Meisel assumed command of Red River Army Depot.
LifeNet named Dave Snavely new CEO.
Michael Kramm named Texarkana, Arkansas Police Chief.
Chris Black named interim Chief, Texarkana, Texas Fire Department.
BUSINESS
Arkansas-Texas Regional Economic Development Inc. (AR-TX REDI) Site Certification by Arkansas Governor Hutchinson.
Summit Utilities closes on the purchase of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texarkana, Texas.
Wadley Regional Medical Center received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll quality achievement award.
TexAmericas Center ranked fifth US industrial park in the nation by Business Facilities Magazine.
Rob Sitterley, president and CEO of Arkansas-Texas Regional Economic Development Inc. (AR-TX REDI), was named one of North America’s top 50 economic developers of 2022.
CHRISTUS Health ranked best employers in Texas by Forbes Magazine.
TLC Burgers & Fries reopens after fire.
COMING IN 2023...
Thanks to a Farmers Bank Foundation donation of $100,000 to the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana a new workforce education center located on the Texarkana Campus will be completed and called the Farmers Bank and Trust Workforce Center.
Monjuni’s restaurant is making a comeback to Texarkana.
$150,000 project will bring lights to downtown Texarkana’s Federal Courthouse.
