J.W.’s News Update: Monday May 16, 2011

Good Monday, here are some stories making headlines today:

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Recapping Saturday's election results from Texarkana, Texas and Bowie County:

Bowie County voters passed a bond issue which will allow for the widening of  U.S. Highway 82 between DeKalb and New Boston. The measure passed by a 51% to 49% margin.

In Wake Village the new Mayor is Jim Green. Green handily beat the incumbent Mike Huddleston by a 70% to 30% margin. Huddleston finishes over a quarter of a century as Mayor of the Texarkana suburb.

In Texarkana voters rejected the proposal to allow beer and wine to be sold at grocery and convience stores as it is on the Arkansas side of town by a 55% to 45% margin .  Beer and wine continues to be legally sold at restaurants and private clubs on the Texas side.

Meanwhile voters turned away city leaders efforts to change the city charter voting against that measure by a 65% to 35% margin.

Also two city council races were decided by close margins. In Ward 5,  Bill Miller defeated his closest challenger Aaron Tatum by just 30 votes and in Ward 3 Incumbent Tina Veal-Gooch won by 64 votes.

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The investigation into the deaths last week of  three  Bowie County Texas residents at their home on FM 991 just west of Texarkana continues today.  All three deaths are considered Capital Murder and authorities say a fire which completely destroyed the home was deliberately set to try and cover up the homocides.

Authorities are asking the public for any help they may lend in furnishing information concerning the case, possible suspects, and possible motives. A reward has been set up and if you have any information on this crime you are asked to call the Bowie County Sheriffs office or Texarkana Area Crimestoppers.

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In Sports;

Its the Dallas Mavericks versus the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. The Thunder eliminated the Memphis Grizzles winning the deciding seventh game in Oklahoma City yesterday. The Western Conference Final Game #1 is slated for tommorrow (Tuesday) night in Big D.

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