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Hey Longview, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Firefighters scale a 1,000-foot tower for a rescue, Globe of Death stunt show thrills, and a kite festival returns + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Longview protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Inside a perilous operation: Longview Fire Department released the names of two firefighters seen in rescue video after a balloon collision left two stranded 925 feet up a communications tower, a carefully choreographed effort — read the full story.

Perilous heights, swift response: Longview firefighters scaled a 1,000-foot communications tower to reach two balloonists stranded after a crash into the structure. Crews completed a rope rescue, and both were hospitalized — read the full story.

Seasonal fun for families: Spring in East Texas kicks off with fun runs, concerts, and festivals. Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden near Gladewater has opened with millions of daffodils. Some events charge fees benefiting nonprofits — get all the details.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Shop local at Longview Mall pop-up
• Paint to benefit Northeast Texas paralegals
• Get answers on fostering and adoption

🫶 We got your back

Panini mood unlocked: Craving comfort without the snooze? It’ll Do Deli stacks grilled paninis, plus cold sandwiches, salads, and wraps, that taste truly homemade. Think Boathouse chicken salad or Copper Tank veggie… crisp, melty, satisfying. A midweek pick-me-up that remembers flavor.

A calm-green reset: Need a midweek breather? Longview Arboretum & Nature Center offers unhurried paths, shady nooks, and just enough color to nudge your brain into vacation mode. Stroll slowly, silence the mental pings, and feel your shoulders settle back where they belong.

Rediscover your favorites: Piney Woods Vintage Toys is a compact trove of retro action figures and quirky collectibles, including that one toy you swore you’d never see again. Shelves spark instant nostalgia and a grin, often accompanied by a vintage robot you didn’t know you needed.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📖 Spring Break Storytime @ Longview Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:30 AM – If your idea of spring break involves naps and coffee, let the littles burn energy at the main library’s storytime. There’s singing, dancing, reading, and sneaky learning, all free, and perfect for ages 0 to 5. You might even finish a full cup.

🪁 Kite Festival @ Lear Soccer Fields | Wednesday (3/11) at 12:00 PM – Dust off that kite, grab the lawn chairs, and claim a patch at Lear Park for Longview’s free annual Kite Festival. Expect arts and crafts, kid-friendly chaos, and local food vendors at regular prices. Best part, the wind does most of the cardio.

🌃 Friday Night Out @ Electric Cowboy Longview | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – Kick off the weekend at Electric Cowboy and Lone Star Ice, where 21-plus early birds waltz in free and sip $2.25 wells and beers before ten. It’s 18 to get nostalgic, 21 to make it interesting, and yes, your couch will forgive you.

💃 Ballet Magnificat: The Call @ Faith Center at First United Methodist Church | Sunday (3/15) at 6:00 PM – Skip the couch and head to First UMC’s Faith Center off Whaley for Ballet Magnificat’s new work, The Call, inspired by Elisabeth Elliot. It’s free, open seating, and uplifting, the kind of beauty that sneaks up on you. Bring a friend, and your quiet shoes.

🎪 Globe of Death Stunt Show @ Roughneck Harley-Davidson | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Nothing says quality family bonding like watching motorcycles defy physics in a steel ball at Roughneck Harley-Davidson in Longview. The Globe of Death crew is in town, with free admission, food trucks, giveaways, and enough octane to make your PTA group chat blush.

🍽 Behind the Red Shield Luncheon @ The Salvation Army Longview Social Services & Shelter | Thursday (3/26) at 12:00 PM – If you still think there’s no such thing as a free lunch, the Salvation Army is here to prove you wrong, with seconds. Get the scoop on how they serve Longview, enjoy a meal, and poke around on a behind-the-scenes tour. Space is tight, RSVP.

🐣 25th Annual Special Needs Easter Eggs-Stravaganza @ Green Rose Garden Event Center | Thursday (3/26) at 5:00 PM – Quarter century in, this Easter party is still hopping, free for Longview, East Texas special needs folks, caregivers, and families. Expect a live DJ, candy baskets, stuffed bunnies, a meal, Bunny himself, and an egg hunt, so arrive early. No sign-up forms, show up.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Longview report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 90%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Texas but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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This new-construction stunner sits on 1.013 acres in a gated Hallsville ISD community, offering space and convenience. The 4-bed, 3.5-bath layout adds a dedicated office and a 3-car garage. An open great room features hard-surface flooring, a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace, vaulted ceilings, stained beams, and massive sliders to a covered patio with fireplace, built-in grill, and pool bath.

Take a peek inside →