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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Record state funding for fire gear, a program to reunite vulnerable wanderers, and karaoke night with $2 tacos + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

State support boosts fire readiness: Orange County ESDs and Port Neches Fire Department recently received $25,000 each for protective gear and training after Texas A&M Forest Service approved $14 million statewide, the program’s largest allocation — see which departments received grants.

Peace of mind for caregivers: Nearby Beaumont Police are using the Take Me Home program to quickly identify and reunite vulnerable people who wander, letting families pre-register photos, descriptions, home addresses, and places they frequent — learn how the registry helps.

Specialized support for mobility needs: CHRISTUS Health has opened a podiatry clinic in Beaumont, led by Dr. Frances LaGrone, expanding foot and ankle care across Southeast Texas, with more services and another specialist planned — learn more about services offered.

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:

• Decorate frames at Mom’s Club
• Learn safe infant sleep essentials
• Shop and learn mahjong together

🫶 We got your back

Lunchtime upgrade alert: When the midday slump hits, Katharine & Company quietly rescues your break with creative sandwiches (think Pimento Cheese Melt and Caprese Panini), bright salads, and cozy Mushroom & Artichoke Soup. It’s a quick reset that feels indulgent without overdoing it, a small win on a busy day.

Pirate-ship playground vibes: When the kids have extra energy, Lakefront Park on Pleasure Island delivers: giant slides, swings, and a breezy waterfront loop with Sabine Lake views. Pack a snack, unleash the crew, and call it your midweek sanity check.

Shelf after shelf of fun: Whether your kid’s into superheroes or you’re “buying this for the collection,” The Comics Kingdom is your easy fix, with rows of comics, figures, toys, trading cards, and oddball memorabilia that spark joy. A place to wander, grin a little, and let your inner 10-year-old loose.

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.

🎨 Crafternoon @ Groves Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 3:00 PM – Every other Tuesday, Groves Library turns into a low-key craft party with Orta Gallery, and it is gloriously free. They bring supplies, know-how, and a community project, and you bring patience, that half-finished masterpiece, or curiosity. The only strings attached are hot glue ones.

🎬 Tuesday Trivia @ La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza -Port Neches (Port Neches, TX) | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:30 PM – Tuesday means trivia at Brick Oven Pizza, All Pictures Actors Edition, Bingo style. Free to play, stack as many cards as you like, so those movie nights count as studying, with prizes for at least 10 rounds, plus pizza, cold beer, and best hosts around.

🎤 Taco Tuesday Karaoke! @ The Logon Cafe & Pub (Beaumont) | Tuesday (3/10) at 8:00 PM – Whether you’re here for $2 street tacos, $2 ritas, or $2 well vodka, the real headliner is your off-key masterpiece. Specials land at 6, karaoke fires up at 8, and dignity is optional, community spirit required.

🤱 Lactation Social Hour @ The Medical Center of Southeast Texas | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Second-Thursday sanity check for nursing moms: free advice from lactation pros, real-talk from other parents, and a judgment-free room at The Medical Center. No fees, no forms, just support and a sigh of relief. If you’re in, RSVP so they save you a chair.

🎬 Tuesday Trivia @ La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza -Port Neches (Port Neches, TX) | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:30 PM – Call it cardio and meet me at Brick Oven Pizza in Port Neches for Tuesday’s Action Movie Trivia, Bingo style, free to play. Stack as many cards as you like, rack up prizes across ten rounds, then celebrate with slices, cold beer, and shameless one-liners.

👶 Safe Infant Sleep for Families @ Port Arthur Health Department | Thursday (3/19) at 12:00 PM – Skip the internet rabbit holes and swing by the Port Arthur Health Department for a free safe infant sleep class. Third Thursday each month, you get myths vs facts, safe sleep setups, and a simple plan for the whole crew, Door 3.

☕ Southeast Series: Tea & Sweets @ Port Arthur Public Library | Tuesday (3/24) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’re curious about fostering, kinship care, or you just heard there’d be cookies, swing by Port Arthur Public Library for tea with CASA and Pathways. Ask questions, meet advocates, and chat with neighbors, all while sipping herbal blends and agreeing lemonade counts as self-care.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Port Arthur report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 79°F – Low: 69°F – Precip: 3%

Patchy fog before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 80%

A chance of rain showers between 7am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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

Fully renovated and refreshingly modern, this home shows off designer touches at every turn. The new kitchen pairs sleek cabinetry with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Both bathrooms feature custom tile artistry. New windows brighten airy rooms. Luxury vinyl plank floors run throughout for low maintenance and style, and there is zero carpet.

Take a peek inside →