Hello Longview! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Photo contest winners, a Jeep light show, and a reptile expo + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Annual photo contest honors: Texas Bank and Trust’s 44th annual photography reception and awards will be held in Longview on June 28, with winners in four categories and photos on display through July 9 -- see the winning entries.
Community support effort: Longview’s Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls drive is underway, aiming to collect 2,000 new, closed-toe athletic shoes at churches and businesses. Volunteers will offer haircuts, eye exams, and school needs -- read the full story.
City projects nearing completion: Several 2018 bond projects in Longview are wrapping up, with the largest pool set to reopen in July. Work continues at MacArthur Park on soccer fields and on water-quality improvements -- see the bond project updates.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Gift hero status, unlocked: Shop Barron's has been a Longview staple since 1972, packed with pretty things for her, him, and the kiddos, from Jellycat plush to candles and jewelry. Pop in, pick a wow-worthy present, then reward yourself at Cafe Barron’s because you earned it.
Your midweek reset: Spring Hill Park has a kiddo-approved splash pad, baseball fields for pickup catches, and the city’s only universally accessible playground, so everyone can join the fun. Grab a snack, claim the pavilion shade, and let the energy burn off while you get some quiet back.
Go-to backyard upgrade: Feeling the yard giving you side-eye? The Home & Garden Center is East Texas’ big plant playground, from trees and shrubs to pottery and soil, plus ride-along golf carts and a super-helpful Plant By Numbers guide so your beds look planned, not panicked.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📚 Storyteller, Sue Kuentz - Summer Reading Club @ Pine Tree Elementary School Auditorium | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Remember when stories held your attention without a screen? As part of the Library’s Summer Reading Club, award-winning Sue Kuentz brings folktales and fairy tales to life with music, puppets, and audience play, delighting kids and grown-ups at Pine Tree Elementary, no batteries required.
🏴 Future Pirates Splash Pad Playdate @ Longview Splash Pad | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Bring the little pirates to Jack Mann Splash Pad for a playdate with Pine Tree Primary folks. Let them splash, meet future classmates, and you can trade school intel, enrollment tips, and which sunscreen actually works while you guard the towels.
🧸 Ages 6+ Kids Camp Squishy Animal & Candle Making @ Painting with a Twist | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – Whether your kid loves all things squishy or just likes making a mess you do not have to clean, this ages 6+ camp has them crafting squishy animals and candles with an artist guiding them. All supplies included, parents drop off, you reclaim some quiet.
🚜 Lets Talk About Tractors - Tiny Thinkers @ Gregg County Historical Museum | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Bring the kiddos to Tiny Thinkers at the WHEELS exhibit, all about tractors. They’ll learn how tractors work, what they do, and why they matter. Hands-on tinkering, story time, and wheel-fueled fun, so there’s something with wheels they can touch that isn’t your lawnmower.
🏛 Gregg County Historical Museum Block Party @ Downtown Longview | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Over at the Gregg County Historical Museum, it is a block party with a Historical Marker display, the only shindig where plaques get star billing. Expect porch-swing vibes, neighborly ribbing, and more hometown lore than your uncle at Thanksgiving, only fact-checked.
🚙 Jeep Light Show @ Sam's Club | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 PM – Sam’s Club parking lot is turning into Longview’s sparkliest cul-de-sac, a Jeep Light Show lighting up the night for Children’s Miracle Network. It’s $20 if your rig wants to strut its LEDs, and free if you prefer to admire, sip coffee, and judge.
🦎 HERPS Longview Exotic Reptile and Pet Expo @ Longview Exhibit Center | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Whether you can tell a ball python from a garden hose, or you just need to wow the grandkids, the HERPS expo slithers back to Longview with thousands of reptiles, amphibians, and feeders. Think mini safari under AC, plenty of scales, zero judgment.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Longview report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. This house is wildThis 2,989-square-foot new build in Hallsville ISD spreads across 8.9 fenced and gated acres with a private pond, wide porches, and sweeping country views. Inside, vaulted ceilings, a panoramic glass accordion door, a rock fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen with a 10-foot quartz island set the tone. The primary suite adds serious wow factor, with its own fireplace and spa-style bath.
Take a peek inside → |
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