JW’s News Update-Wednesday March 23, 2011

Good Wednesday- Here are stories making headlines today:
Groundbreaking ceremony being held today  in Texarkana, Texas for the new  Hotel/Convention Center that is slated to be built next to Central Mall.

Dignitaries will be breaking ground on the facility which is being constructed just east of the Mall, east of Cowhorn Creek and north of Kennedy Lane on the Texas side.  The public is invited to attend today's ceremony.  You should park in the east parking lot of the mall and walk across Cowhorn Creek to get to the site.  Officials estimate completion of the project in about 14 months, weather permitting.

Texarkana, Arkansas is also planning a  Hotel/ Convention Center of their own in the CrossRoads Business park, north of Interstate 30 and East of Stateline Avenue, although a ground breaking has not been held for that facility as of yet.

The playing Fore Holly's Miracle Golf  Tournament is to take place on Friday April 1st at the Oak Grove Golf Club at  Red River Army Depot.  There is a morning session with an 8 am tee time and an afternoon session with a 1 pm tee time. Cost is $100 per player, $400 per 4 player team, $100 for hole sponsorship, $500 for team and hole sponsor and$100 for event sponsorship.  There will be a raffle for a Tag Heur Watch donated by Alexanders Jewelers. Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $40. You can purchase tickets by e-mailing Lisa Howell at lisamom2@aol.com or call her at (903) 748-4200. The drawing will be held at lunch on the day of the golf tournament.

The fundraiser is for Holly Norton, wife of Paul Norton and mother of 3. Holly has been diagnosed with colon cancer which has spread to her liver and possibly lymph nodes. Organizers of the event say doctors have told Holly there is no cure and it will take a miracle for her to be cured. By supporting these events you also believe in Holly's Miracle.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport is once again today discouraging any outdoor burning.  Due to dry conditions, low relative humidities and breezy west winds that will gust towards 25 mph this afternoon the fire danger is deemed very high across the area. Yesterday wildfires were reported in several Arkansas Counties including Lafayette and Columbia Counties in Southwest Arkansas.  A cool front heading into the region later today will actually lower humidities increasing the fire danger even more.

The Texarkana College Board of Trustees have selected Mike Sandefur to assume the position 4 seat which was recently vacated by Dr. Andrew Curry who moved out of the district.

The College has also decided to cancel plans for this years Bulldog 100. The mini-nascar race has been held in May in recent years with proceeds going to the Rising Star Scholarships at the College.  The college will instead host a Golf Scramble in May to raise funds. It will be the James Carlow Golf Scramble in honor of the longtime Bowie County Judge