Plenty to Do

PG bond vote kicks off a busy Saturday in Texarkana

Today Pleasant Grove voters will go to the polls to determine the fate of a $19.9 million bond proposal to build a new elementary school and provide technology and security upgrades districtwide.

Paying for the bonds will require an increase in property taxes. If approved, the new tax rate of $1.455 per $100 valuation would increase the levy on a $100,000 home by about $15. Residents age 65 or older with a homestead exemption would not pay the increased rate. The current rate is $1.44. Judging from the letters we have received and published, there certainly appears to be more than a little interest in the election.

And that’s good. We won’t tell you how to vote. That’s up to you. But we are happy to see the interest.

There are also school board races in Maud and New Boston.

We encourage every eligible voter to go to the polls and cast their ballots. But today has more to offer area residents.

As morning turns to afternoon, relax and enjoy a bit of fun. The Kentucky Derby will be run today and many enjoy watching the fabled race with friends and family or at parties where fancy hats and mint juleps are a staple. One party in particular, Hats and Horses: A Day At The Derby, benefits the Eagle Impact program at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. It’s from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Northridge Country Club.

It’s also Cinco De Mayo, so you can expect plenty of good times at local restaurants, whether they normally serve Mexican food or not.

And finally there is the annual Twice as Fine Texarkana Wine Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Spring Lake Park. Benefitting the Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State Area, more than 25 wineries will be offering samples, plus there will be vendors offering food, snacks and more.

Today will be a full day in Texarkana. From the serious business of voting to more lighthearted fun in the afternoon. We hope you make the most of it.