Andrew Bell is a general assignments news reporter for the Texarkana Gazette. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana Tech University in Communications, with a concentration in journalism. Andrew lived in Louisiana for 21 years, before becoming a Texarkanian in May 2020. He has a passion for sports, but will write about anything to help keep the public informed.
How local schools will deal with end of mask mandate | TC plans on still requiring masks on campus
With school districts and colleges in Texas shuffling to adjust after Gov. Greg Abbott's ending of the statewide mask mandate starting March 10, Texarkana College communications said they with continue their current policies of masking and screening.
Mar. 3 2021 @ 10:31pm
A&M students to take part in DHS Challenge
Texas A&M University-Texarkana is one of 25 schools in the country invited to participate in this spring's Department of Homeland Security Collegiate Invent2Prevent Violence Challenge.
Mar. 3 2021 @ 10:28pm
Read Across America | Mayor shares Seuss with first-graders
Socially-distanced first grade students gathered at the Trice Elementary lunchroom Tuesday morning to listen in on Mayor Allen Brown, as he read to them to celebrate National Read Across America Day.
Mar. 2 2021 @ 11:19pm
TAMU-T to hold citywide scavenger hunt for students
The Texas A&M University-Texarkana Office of Admissions will be holding a city-wide scavenger hunt for local high school juniors and seniors from March 8 through March 13.
Mar. 2 2021 @ 8:37pm
Applications now open for AHS Collegiate Academy
The application to apply for the Arkansas High School Collegiate Academy, which provides opportunities for high school students to earn college credits in a college environment, is now open.
Mar. 1 2021 @ 10:47pm
Local PR directors recognized at banquet
Two communications directors at local school districts were given awards for their services recently from the Texas School Public Relations Association at the annual conference in Denton, Texas.
Mar. 1 2021 @ 10:45pm
Pioneer among us | Vernon Murphy's historic path from the hardwood to the ministry
First setting foot on the University of Arkansas campus in the late 1960s, Vernon Murphy said he never really considered the history he was making.
Feb. 26 2021 @ 11:31pm
Church gives large portion of food to Harvest
Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank will receive a truckload of food from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a response to last week's winter storm.
Feb. 26 2021 @ 11:28pm
Small amount of school cases reported this month
There were a low number of COVID-19 cases reported among Texas school districts since Feb. 8, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, largely because of student holidays and weather complications.
Feb. 26 2021 @ 11:25pm
Ashdown band members named as Four States Bandmasters
Five members of the Ashdown High School Band were recently selected to be a part of the Four States Bandmasters Band.
Feb. 25 2021 @ 8:18pm
Arkansas High media students earn national recognition for RTV
Arkansas High School's Razorback TV News has been recognized by the Student Television Network for earning the program's third consecutive Broadcast Excellence Award.
Feb. 24 2021 @ 11:38pm
Atlanta Elementary 1 of 13 campuses nominated as Blue Ribbon schools
Atlanta Elementary School is one of the 13 campuses in Texas to be nominated for 2021 National Blue Ribbon school honors as Exemplary Achievement-Gap-Closing Schools.
Feb. 24 2021 @ 10:11pm
Texas health official: Third vaccine could be coming soon
A third COVID-19 vaccine could be on its way soon, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported in a press briefing Thursday morning.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 10:13pm
'I just didn't want to chance anything' | Rural schools set to return to campus after dealing with water safety issues
School districts around the Atlanta, Texas, area have had to extend student holidays into this week because of water safety issues stemming from the winter storms of last week.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 9:16pm
DSHS reports a third vaccine could be coming soon
A third COVID-19 vaccine could be on its way soon, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported in a press briefing Thursday morning.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 5:04pm
Rural schools set to return to campus after dealing with water safety issues
School districts around the Atlanta, Texas, area have had to extend student holidays into this week because of water safety issues stemming from the winter storms of last week. But those schools in areas under a boil advisory should be set to open campuses back up to students Wednesday.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 4:25pm
TASD unveils new WiFi bus
TEXARKANA, Ark. — The Texarkana Arkansas School District introduced its new WiFi-outfitted bus before a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees Monday evening.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 1:18am
TC board re-ups truck driving academy
TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texarkana College board of trustees approved a contract agreement to renew its Professional Driving Academy training program in a regular meeting Monday morning.
Feb. 23 2021 @ 1:01am
Multiple districts extend school closures due to poor road conditions
Multiple school districts locally have extended school campus closures for students through today because of poor road conditions and water safety issues, while Hope Public Schools has extended virtual instruction through Tuesday.
Feb. 22 2021 @ 11:08am
Texarkana College looks to renew driving academy
At a regular meeting this morning, the Texarkana College Board of Trustees will look to renew the Professional Driving Academy training program contract.
Feb. 21 2021 @ 10:41pm