Jim Williamson is a reporter and photographer for the Texarkana Gazette who covers Southwest Arkansas. Williamson is a graduate of University of North Texas in Denton. He interned at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, worked at the Arlington, Texas, Citizen-Journal and helped start the Grand Prairie Urbanite, both owned by the Star-Telegram. In 1976, when his uncle wanted to retire as publisher and editor of the Little River News in Ashdown, Ark., none of his children was interested in the business. Jim worked with him and purchased the newspaper in 1978. He was co-publisher and editor of the family-owned publication, with his brother-in-law as ad manager and his sister as a reporter. Jim was hired by the Gazette in 2003 when the family sold the Ashdown newspaper.
Visitors posting welcome numbers
Tourists stopping at the Texarkana, Ark., Welcome Center has increased to 304,021 during 2018 said Melissa Adams, manager of the center.
May. 11 2019 @ 4:49am
Alligator spotted near Ashdown along highway
An alligator was spotted on Arkansas Highway 32 on the west side of Ashdown about 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday.
May. 9 2019 @ 3:06am
Police: Sex offender arrested after allegedly telling officials he would 'rape the first woman he sees'
A convicted Level 3 sex offender who is homeless was arrested in Hope, Ark., on Monday after being in a Little Rock hospital for a mental evaluation, according to officials.
May. 7 2019 @ 5:25pm
Sevier County officials propose sales tax to fund new hospital
Sevier County voters may consider approving a sales tax to fund the construction of a new hospital after De Queen Medical Center Inc., shuttered its doors last month, officials say.
May. 3 2019 @ 3:58am
Counting the cost
The cost to repair damages to two Miller County bridges will be about $125,000 per bridge, said Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin-Harrison.
May. 2 2019 @ 3:33am
Sevier County inmate substance abuse program receiving positive feedback
An area sheriff is gaining statewide attention for a program that helps prisoners fight substance abuse—or as he calls it, a 'dark night.'
Apr. 29 2019 @ 10:41pm
Meeting called a 'new beginning' for Miller County Volunteer Fire Department
After two hours of discussions Monday, the Miller County Volunteer Fire Department budget committee chairman said the meeting was a "new beginning."
Apr. 24 2019 @ 4:00am
Ogden crossing made safer after fatal accident
ew safety measures to prevent collisions between vehicles and trains have been installed in Ogden, Ark.
Apr. 22 2019 @ 1:58pm
Hope library inherits $1.4 million
The story of the late Milton and Mary Campbell reads like a nonfiction book in the Hempstead County Library in Hope, Ark.
Apr. 17 2019 @ 4:12am
Celebrating local libraries
Libraries serve as a temple of information.
Apr. 13 2019 @ 4:32am
Adding some color
Major events from the Bible and Jesus' life are reflected in several new stained glass windows at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
Apr. 11 2019 @ 3:55am
Former state representative pleads guilty in Ashdown
Fonda Hawthorne, a former Arkansas state representative, pleaded guilty this week to a theft of property charge for making several thousand dollars in unauthorized purchases on the Little River Chamber of Commerce debit card, an official said.
Apr. 11 2019 @ 2:48am
Woman pleads guilty to theft of PTO money
Kiley Huddleston pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a theft of property charge for making more than $25,000 in fraudulent purchases from an Ashdown Parent Teacher Organization debit card, an official said.
Apr. 11 2019 @ 2:35am
Miller County residents donate almost $3,000 for furry friends
Miller County taxpayers have voluntarily paid $2,850 since March 1 to benefit Miller County Animal Control.
Apr. 3 2019 @ 1:16am
Group hopes to resuscitate medical center
A group of public officials intend to develop a plan to resuscitate the De Queen, Ark., Medical Center.
Mar. 30 2019 @ 4:00am
DPS: Man dies after walking onto Interstate 30 and being hit by vehicle
A pedestrian is dead after being hit by a GMC Denali pickup truck about 6:40 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 30, according to Lonny Haschel, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Mar. 28 2019 @ 5:27pm
Army Corps to study Red River navigation
A coming study represents progress in making the Red River navigable through Southwest Arkansas, but it could be a long time before that goal is realized, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman told a Texarkana audience last week.
Mar. 24 2019 @ 2:34am
Town celebrates state champions with a parade
The Ashdown High School basketball state champions were honored with a parade Friday afternoon, which included eight four-wheel drive pickups clean, polished and shining—just like the pride of the Panthers.
Mar. 16 2019 @ 4:53am
Center numbers show an uptick in state tourism
The mottos "tourism and you" is "The Perfect Blend" and the numbers prove tourists travel Arkansas.
Mar. 16 2019 @ 4:28am
Miller County Volunteer Fire Department aims to build relationships
The Miller County Volunteer Fire Department worked to build bridges during a 90-minute meeting Wednesday in the courthouse in Texarkana, Ark.
Mar. 14 2019 @ 3:33am