Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Texarkana, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Contractors rebuild after scam, TRAHC Honors Gala honoring Clay Mills and Ben McGinnis, and Amazon delivery station boosts jobs + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Texas drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Compassion rebuilds after scam: Texarkana contractors are rallying to renovate Jenn Billingsley’s home after contractor fraud. A new roof is on, interior work continues, crews will finish the bathroom flooring, and painters are repainting cabinets — see who’s pitching in.

A night for hometown pros: TRAHC’s Honors Gala will celebrate Texarkana-raised Clay Mills and Ben McGinnis on March 21 at ArtSpace, with a performance by Gracie McGraw and live music — get all the details.

Investment in last-mile capacity: Amazon’s new delivery station in Texarkana, Arkansas opened in September, boosting local delivery speeds and adding about 100 jobs. The site takes packages from Shreveport for final neighborhood deliveries — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Shop handmade at Central Mall Texarkana
• Paint ‘Fluffy Professor’ at Redbone Magic
• BBQ and baggo benefit neighbors with disabilities

💎 This week’s top finds

Lunch that actually hits: When you need something fresh and unfussy, Julie’s Deli delivers craveable sandwiches (hello Reuben, chicken salad croissant), a solid grab-and-go case, and bakery treats for the mid-afternoon slump. Keep your week moving without another sad desk meal.

Slurp-worthy weeknight save: Craving a cozy night in? Ritz Bento Japanese Restaurant serves slurpable ramen, soothing udon, and tidy bento boxes that travel well, ideal for nights when cooking feels like a chore. Satisfy picky taste buds, then enjoy tomorrow’s leftovers… an easy win without leaving the couch.

Personalize your gear: If your kid’s team needs jerseys, your business wants sleek polos, or you just love a monogram, Sew Fancy turns logos into clean embroidery, custom T-shirts, team uniforms, and promo items, all crafted by a family-owned crew in Texarkana.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧘 A Matter of Balance – Fall Class @ Ark-Tex Council of Governments | Tuesday (3/17) at 10:00 AM – Texarkana’s free 8-week balance class at Ark-Tex Council of Governments helps locals trade wobbles for confidence, and coffee table collisions for steady steps. Learn practical fixes, set goals, and build strength safely. Spots are limited, so call and claim your seat before gravity does.

💻 Computer Classes @ Texarkana Public Library | Tuesday (3/17) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats finally making peace with Word, Google, and video calls that freeze at hello. These friendly, no-jargon classes cover computer basics, Windows 10, Canva, Facebook, and online safety. Bring questions, leave confident, and save the family group chat one more tech emergency.

🎨 “Northern Glow” Paint and Sip @ Redbone Magic Brewing Company | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:00 PM – Redbone Magic is swapping bar stools for easels with ColorHype TXK, and your first drink’s on them. No experience, no pressure, just paint, laugh, and pretend your Northern Glow was intentional. Come early for dinner, claim a spot, and call it self-care for adults.

🎉 2nd Anniversary Expo @ The Canvas Special Events Center | Thursday (3/19) at 3:00 PM – Grab your reusable tote and swing by the 2nd Anniversary Community Expo for a neighborhood tune-up: health fair, small business and vendor fair, and nonprofit info tables. Get your blood pressure checked, meet the folks behind your favorite mom-and-pop, and collect brochures you’ll totally read.

🥞 Local Scholarship Fund Pancake Breakfast @ Border Lodge #672 | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Let the griddle do the talking at Border Lodge No. 672, where the Freemasons are flipping pancakes, pouring coffee and juice, and raising money for local scholarships. Open to everyone, free to attend, donations go right to the kids, no secret handshake required.

🏡 2026 Texarkana Home & Garden Show @ Crossties Event Venue | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Ready to quit guessing between mulch and marble? The Texarkana Home & Garden Show brings local builders, landscapers, and fix-it pros to Crossties in historic downtown, so you can compare ideas, touch the materials, and plan that porch, kitchen, or forever lawn with actual humans.

🏆 TRAHC Honors Gala @ TRAHC’s ArtSpace | Saturday (3/21) at 7:30 PM – TRAHC’s gala goes Hollywood meets Broadway as we toast hometown heavy hitters Clay Mills and Ben McGinnis, Emmy nods and all. Expect one-night-only Twin City Sound set, bites and sips from Emmie P’s and MK Distributors, and a fundraiser that feels fun, not homework.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Texarkana report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 80°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 66%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy. High near 80, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 3%

Sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Most popular house this week

This TISD gem spans 3,503 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, plus a private guest house with a garage apartment for added flexibility. Multiple fireplaces set a cozy mood. Outdoor living shines with a screened porch, sprawling decks, and a fenced backyard. A two-car garage, two-car carport, and golf cart access to Northridge Country Club add ease.

Take a peek inside →