Tag Archives: local

Summer Hot Spots Close to Texarkana

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Meagan Garrison

With summer just right around the corner, vacations are a much needed break from class but students do not have the funds to go on extravagant vacations.  Fortunately for Texas A&M-Texarkana students, there are some places close to home that are located near or here in Texarkana.

On May 4, 2013, Texarkana is opening its’ very own water park Called Holiday Springs.  It will consist of 5 water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, 2 children pools, a sand castle area and an adult pool.  “It’s going to be a very good tourism spot for Texarkana,” said Dr. Hiren Patel of Texarkana Hotels LLC,  which she stated to arkansasmediaroom.com.

If you need to get out of town for a little bit, just about an hour and a half down the road in Shreveport, LA is the Splash Kingdom water park.  The park consists of 9 different fun filled attractions.  Since being remodeled their new saying is, “It’s like a whole new place.”  So this is an option to check out to get some sun while still getting out of town.

If you want to travel a bit further, three hours away, in Dallas, TX there are many different attractions.  But one in particular is the Dallas World Aquarium.  “It’s not just a place for children, I really enjoyed myself and plan to go back,” says TAMUT student Heather Dickens.  The aquarium consists of exhibits of animals in their own environments throughout the world.  “The Dallas World Aquarium does have an aquarium part but I was really surprised to see all of the other animals they had in only 3 levels.  They had Monkeys, birds, alligators, sloths and so much more,” said Dickens.

These places are just some of the many gems in close proximity to the Texarkana area.  Admission for all three locations is less than $30.00 per person.    After working hard through the semester, these places are ideal for students to have a cheap but fun summer getaway.  So do yourselves a favor and treat yourself to one of these hot spots this summer.

Local Athletes Join NFL Teams

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Shelby Mustain

Dreams became reality for two Texarkana natives Saturday, April 27, 2013. University of Arkansas football players Cobi Hamilton and Dennis Johnson were welcomed to NFL franchises on the third day of the annual first year player draft.

Hamilton, a former multi sport star at Texas High School, was drafted in the fifth round, 197th overall, by the AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton was a four year starter at wide receiver for the Razorbacks and holds the school record for single season receptions and receiving yards He was a 2012 All-SEC selection his senior season. Hamilton finished his college career with 175 receptions, 2,854 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Saturday, Hamilton took to Twitter to express his thankfulness to fans and his new team.

cobi hamilton

Former Arkansas High School running back Dennis Johnson, who helped lead the Hogs to back to back high school football state championships in 2006 and 2007, was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, following the draft. Johnson ran for 2,036 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his four years at Arkansas. He missed most of the 2010 season after sustaining a bowel injury during a game against University of Louisiana-Monroe and saw limited action under interim head coach John L. Smith during the Razorbacks 2012 season.

Like Hamilton, Johnson chose the social networking site to voice his excitement in joining the Texans and learning from Houston’s current running back Arian Foster.

dennis johnson

 

International Library Week

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Kendall Barajas

All across the world, librarians celebrated International Library Week during the month of April. TAMUT held theirs from April 15-April 19. Their first event was the edible book festival. Students and faculty entered a cake that best resembled their favorite book. All attendees were able to try a piece of each cake. The competition was based on overall appearance and taste as well.

The global event has been celebrated since 2000 in various parts of the world, where “edible books” are created, displayed, and small events are held like ours. The event was inspired by art librarian and curator Judith Hoffberg (1934-2009). Over 21 countries participate yearly in this world wide festival.

There were over 15 participants in the TAMUT festival but only 3 received a prize. The first place winner was Marlena Ballard (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie). “I really enjoyed making the cake with my mom! If you give a mouse a cookie is one of my favorite books from childhood. It was so fun to participate in the contest,” Ballard said. The second place winner was Neisha Federick (Charlotte’s Web). The third place winner was Barbara Mackey (James and the Giant Peach).

The second event of the week was free books for the students. The free books consisted of education lesson plans, how to books and teaching books. “I just grabbed 3 new books that I know I can use to help me with my lesson plans when I’m a teacher! I’m so glad they did this for us,” Education Major Amy Soileau says.

The librarians also held a raffle for the end of the week giving away a large fuel for finals basket. The basket consisted of snacks, drinks, pens and more. While promoting the raffle the librarians caught more attention by dressing up as their favorite book characters. The TAMUT Librarians had a successful and are already making plans for next year’s events.

 

TAMUT Coach Escapes Boston Marathon Bombings

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Meagan Garrison

Texas A&M-Texarkana’s very own track coach Jeff Haynes was in Boston on Apr. 15, 2013 competing for the first time in what many runners feel is the hall of fame of marathons, the Boston Marathon.

After recovering from an injury, Haynes ran some but then walked most of the way from mile 21 to 24.  “At mile 25, I was reenergized and didn’t walk another step until I crossed the line,” said Haynes.  As he crossed the finish line Haynes recalls giving children high fives and a man taking his picture on the side of the street once he got his medal.

Haynes finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 52 minutes. “If God had not pushed me through that last mile, I would have walked in about 15-17 minutes later,” said Haynes.  “The bomb went off at 4 hours and 9 minutes.  17 minutes!”  The bombs would kill 3 people and injure more than 140.

“According to the news, the bombers were spotted on surveillance being at the finish line 15-20 minutes before the bomb went off, this means that my family and I were there at the same time,” said Haynes

Haynes, along with his wife and daughter were about a half block away when they heard the first bomb go off.  “After hearing the second bomb go off, my wife and I knew we needed to get out of there and get our daughter to safety,” said Haynes.  After many attempts to get a taxi, they saw a man get out of one and they grabbed his.  The Haynes’ family saw many police cars, fire trucks and ambulances fly by and head towards the finish line.  “We asked the taxi driver what was going on and he said it was the Boston Marathon, its Patriot’s day,” said Haynes.  He then replied, “I know that I just ran it, and then that’s when we heard over the taxi’s radio that there were two explosions that went off at the finish line.”

“God is good and he ain’t done with me! He protected me and my loved ones. Better get it right before you get it wrong,” said Haynes.

When asked if he would ever compete in the Boston Marathon again after experiencing this, Haynes replied, “You bet!”