Hello Victoria! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Wind farm plans, breakfast with Bowser, and Disney trivia night + 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.
Safety measures take effect: Victoria County has lowered the speed limit on two roads after safety concerns from county leaders. The change is already in effect, with new signs being installed to curb crashes -- check the new speed limits.
Small businesses under pressure: Victoria’s Chopping Block Meat Market is closing as rising costs and big chain competition bite. Owner John Tyrna urges neighbors to support small businesses that keep local jobs and dollars here -- see why locals are hurting.
Major energy project ahead: A 20,000-acre wind farm is planned at the Victoria-Calhoun county line. Power will supply ERCOT and possibly a data center. Construction will begin in October, expected to end in 2028 -- see the wind farm plan.
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.
Plant it like a local: If your yard is begging for a refresh, Earth Works Organic Nursery is a family-owned haven for coastal-friendly plants, herbs, pond plants and organic fertilizers, plus helpful guidance. Got a bigger project brewing? They also handle landscaping and bulk materials so your weekend plans actually take root.
Local hangout alert: Ethel Lee Tracy Park delivers some wiggle room this week for everyone... splash pad for the littles, a 9-hole disc golf course for friendly bets, sand volleyball and tennis for quick games, plus a fishing lake and picnic shelters. Pack snacks, claim a shelter, and breathe a little.
Where to burn some energy: Outlaw Pass is the dependable, please-let-them-sleep-tonight solution. Rip around the go-kart track, settle a mini golf rivalry, try the Euro-Bungee or Rio Coaster, then duck into the arcade when the weather acts up for quick, local fun that turns an ordinary week into brag-worthy memories.
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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.
💎 Glam Girl Day @ Life's Celebrations | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Need more sparkle in her life, but not ground into your carpet? Life’s Celebrations hosts a five-hour craft camp for girls 9 to 13, creating five take-home projects with patches, jewels, paint, and sparkles. Breakfast, lunch, and bragging rights included, $55.
🧒 Summer Kids Club @ Victoria Mall | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Got little ones climbing the walls? Head to the mall for Summer Kids Club with Victoria Public Library, where weekly June sessions churn out animal masks, kazoos, paper plate guitars, and fairytale towers, all indoors, all imagination, and mercifully in air conditioning.
🧱 LEGO Club @ Cuero Municipal Library | Friday (6/26) at 2:00 PM – Your kid gets dinosaurs, bricks, and permission to obsess, and you get floors free of surprise foot traps. LEGO Club is back for ages 6–11, building on the same baseplate each week to grow a proper dino world, Fridays in Cuero all summer.
❓ Disney Trivia Night @ Adult Softball Complex | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and flex that Disney brain at trivia over at the Adult Sports Complex. Teams are just $10, costumes are welcome, and questions span Disney Animation, Pixar, and the Disney Channel years you watched with the kids, or without.
🚗 Cars & Stripes Car Show @ Historic Downtown Goliad | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats a free car show in historic downtown Goliad, where chrome outshines the summer sun and snacks are within strolling distance. Expect 100-plus classics, hot rods, and trucks, plus music, food, games, and small-town pride. Bring a chair, some shade, and your best oohs.
🍳 Breakfast with Bowser @ Pattie Dodson Public Health Center | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Weekend breakfast gets a power-up with free grab-and-go bites, Mario Kart shenanigans for dads and kids, and photo ops with Bowser, Yoshi, and the crew. First 50 dads snag gift cards, then let Parks and Rec's pop-up park wear the kiddos out.
⛳ Junior Tour @ Victoria Country Club | Monday (6/29) – Think your short game still scares the kids? The Junior Tour hits our classic 1924 Victoria Country Club, a par-72, 6,358-yard track from the whites, where the youngsters prove you wrong. Expect crisp swings, proud sidelines, and porch chat that runs longer than regulation.
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 Victoria report Weather forecastToday — High: 92°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Heat index values as high as 97. South southeast wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 91. South southeast wind 3 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South southeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. This house is wildThis 4BR/3.5BA estate spans +/- 5.2 acres in Lakeview Subdivision, with a detached 1BR/1BA casita adding extra charm. High ceilings, exposed wood beams, dark-trimmed windows, and crown molding set a refined tone. The open living area, luxe wine-sitting room, infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, and lake access make this property truly unforgettable.
Take a peek inside → |
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