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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: AI data center power plant deal, Wizard of Oz on ice, and game night with live snakes + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Lufkin 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

Energy infrastructure growth strategy: AI developer 1606 Corp signed a non-binding term sheet to buy a 55MW power plant and 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Lufkin for a data center, expected at $11.67 million — see the financing breakdown.

Medicare-certified since 1992: Lufkin’s A Pineywoods Home Health Care earned a 4 out of 5 rating from U.S. News in a February 23 report, recognizing strong quality of care and patient satisfaction — see how ratings are determined.

Spotting unhealthy teen relationships: With teen dating violence a concern, the Family Crisis Center of East Texas is raising awareness in area schools, and counselors urge parents to speak up if they notice signs — read the full story.

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:

• Enjoy a free crafternoon for adults
• Experience Wizard of Oz on ice
• Celebrate youth achievements at Angelina County Fair

🫶 We got your back

Chicken salad, sorted: Roost Chicken Salad & Deli makes midweek lunch easy, with scratch-made chicken salads, classic Southern sides, and comfort that hits just right. When you want fresh without the fuss, this spot delivers simple, satisfying flavor that keeps you coming back.

Fresh-air reset: Need an easy, smile-inducing outing? Ellen Trout Park has a shady lake loop, two playgrounds, a fishing pier, and wide lawns for blanket lounging. Perfect for a weeknight wind-down or a Saturday stretch before errands call you back.

Bring the fun to you: Cabin fever? Texas Sized Virtual Reality pulls up with a VR trailer packed with simulators, an instant party with zero cleanup. It’s a low-effort, high-wow fix for your crew, right here in Lufkin. From space battles to rhythm games, everyone gets a turn.

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.

💉 Mobile Blood Drive @ Lufkin Pharmacy & Co. | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:00 AM – If your good-deed quota needs topping off, roll up a sleeve at this community blood drive. We’re teaming with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to boost the local supply, you’ll help neighbors, score a free power bank, and yes, bring a friend.

📖 Tiny Tots Storytime / Cuentos Para Pequenos @ Kurth Memorial Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 11:00 AM – Give the diaper bag a victory lap and bring the littles to a free bilingual storytime, English and Spanish, with a simple craft to keep tiny hands busy. It’s sweet, low-pressure, and you get bonus points for cultural enrichment before naptime.

👶 Tiny Tots Storytime @ Kurth Memorial Library | Thursday (3/12) at 11:00 AM – Give the living room a break and let the kiddos soak up free Tiny Tots Storytime, complete with a simple craft and plenty of giggles. You get a few quiet minutes, they get stories, glue sticks, and bragging rights for their fridge masterpiece.

🎨 Paint N’ Potatoes @ Timberland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship – TUUF | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Paint N’ Potatoes is serving a free craft night, a baked potato bar with all the fixings, and zero pressure to color inside the lines. Queer Craft Club brings supplies, you bring your appetite, tolerance for glitter, and your favorite brushes; all ages welcome.

🎬 Maker’s Matinee: The Notebook @ The Pines | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – The Pines is going full cozy with a free Makers’ Matinee screening of The Notebook, so yes, bring tissues. Pack your dry, non-messy craft, or snag a little yarn there, and stitch, bead, or sketch through the swoons. Girl time in downtown Lufkin, upgraded.

🐍 PAL Game Night @ Timberland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:30 PM – St. Paddy’s in Lufkin means board games, green food, and, naturally, live snakes from the East Texas Reptile Club. It is a potluck, so bring something green and edible, not a houseplant, and settle in for friendly competition. Free, open to all, and surprisingly lucky.

🐉 Kids D&D Night @ Kurth Memorial Library | Wednesday (3/18) at 4:30 PM – Let the kids quest for treasure while you quest for silence. This free D&D night gives them dice, imagination, and teamwork without cleats or carpools, and space is limited, so reserve a spot before the dragon hoards them.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lufkin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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Tomorrow – High: 77°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 90%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind 5 to 15 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.

This house is wild

On over 9 acres inside Lufkin city limits, this renovated 4-bed, 3-bath hilltop home surveys rolling pasture and a private pond. Updates from 2022 include a full-house generator, electric gate, and circular drive. Sunlit open-concept living pairs with a sleek island kitchen, a luxe primary suite, a two-car garage, golf cart bay, and a fenced backyard under a century-old oak.

Take a peek inside →