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Hey Wichita Falls, hope your week’s off to a good start! A national championship parade, still life drawing with animal bones, a USPS postmark change, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Aspirations in healthcare education: Twenty-year-old first-generation student Dajah Holt moved from Georgia to MSU to study radiologic technology, using tutoring and counseling resources and excited for an ethics and law class in medical imaging — read the full story.
Comanche legacy and community spirit: Between Wichita Falls and Amarillo on US 287, the small town of Quanah offers friendly shops, local eats, and a nearby state park for an easy day trip — read the full story.
Frigid weather compounds firefighting challenges: Prolonged cold can worsen damage from structure fires in Wichita Falls, the Fire Department says. Icy roads slow crews, while chimneys and space heaters lead risks. Officials urge chimney inspections — learn what officials recommend.
Local food and finance updates: BlueMound Cafe is expanding into Wise County at the former Brandy’s/Ritzy B’s site, serving breakfast, burgers, and specials. Reports of a Bridgeport Chick-fil-A. Investar finalized a Wichita Falls bank deal — get all the details.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Rule change stirs controversy: UIL now restricts which noisemakers fans can use at high school baseball and softball games. Only small handheld cowbells, clappers, shakers, and inflatable thunder sticks are allowed. Air horns, whistles, propane tanks, and drum-like instruments are out. Some fans, including in Iowa Park, question whether it targets certain teams. See what’s allowed and banned.
Small change, big consequences: USPS changed how it applies postmarks, shifting to the date mail is processed by automated sorters rather than when it is dropped off. That means time sensitive bills and tax forms from Wichita Falls could be marked late and trigger penalties if mailed too close to a deadline. Get all the details.
Serious mac comfort: Firefly Bar & Grill brings bite-sized bliss with Bacon Jalapeño Mac & Cheese Bites and a creamy mac side that complements anything on your plate. Ideal for a low-key dinner when you’re craving cozy crunch and soothing, molten cheese.
Instant party upgrade: For office shindigs, fundraisers, awards banquets, tradeshows, or family get‑togethers, Ron Wilson Magic brings interactive fun that gets people laughing and talking, no awkward icebreakers. Expect genuine wow and those “wait, what?” moments guests talk about long after the plates are cleared.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
This week
🦴 Still Life Drawing with Animal Bones @ Wichita Falls Museum of Art | Tuesday (2/3) at 5:30 PM – Take a break from the grind and settle into a still life drawing workshop with animal bones. You’ll explore line, proportion, texture, and shadow under gentle guidance, all levels welcome, all materials provided. Quietly meditative, slightly macabre, and a great excuse to slow down.
🍪 Love is in the Air Cookie Decorating Class @ 6th Street Winery | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:00 PM – Ready to trade doomscrolling for frosting? 6th Street Winery is hosting a love-themed cookie decorating class with all supplies provided, plus wine and charcuterie to buy, so you can sip, snack, and leave with brag-worthy cookies, no experience or heart-shaped apron required.
🎨 Watercolor: Valentine’s Day Cards @ 9th Street Studios | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:00 PM – Valentine’s cards that don’t look like aisle 7? Yes please. Settle into a cozy, beginner-friendly watercolor night at Whimsical Inkspirations Studio, for adults, all supplies included. It’s upstairs, so the stairs count as cardio, and register by the night before.
This weekend
💐 Mommy & Me Art Project: Heart Hands Bouquet @ 9th Street Studios | Saturday (2/7) at 10:30 AM – Got a kiddo who thinks finger paint is a food group? Head to Whimsical Inkspirations for a Mommy and Me where tiny hands make Valentine heart bouquets, you make a keepsake, and they handle the mess. Ten bucks per child, stairs involved, bring stroller arms.
🍪 Valentine’s Day Cookie Class @ Velvet Rodeo Saloon | Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 AM – Give your Valentine skills a low-pressure upgrade at Velvet Rodeo Saloon’s cookie class, where you’ll decorate six heart-ready cookies with icing bags, sprinkles, and all the gear, plus a take-home tray. Grab the drink special, leave outside snacks at home, and skip the supermarket cupcakes.
🥂 Galentine’s Day Brunch @ Savage Boards | Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 AM – Skip the crowded prix fixe and do Galentine’s right with brunch at Savage Boards downtown. Mini cake decorating, a bloom bar, charm trinkets, craft sodas, a grazing spread, and photobooths, plus BYOW. Tickets are advance-only, limited, and likely to disappear faster than macarons.
🥂 Women’s Galentine’s Brunch @ Pelican’s | Sunday (2/8) at 10:00 AM – Pelican’s is leaning into Galentine’s with a three-course brunch by Chef Patrick Street, love-soaked tunes, a photo booth, and a pop-up for earrings, cards, and permanent jewelry, because Cupid loves carbs and sparkle. It’s $50 including food, reserve for $10, sip from disco sipper cups.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Wichita Falls report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 63°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 63. North northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. East northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 57°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 12%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
This house is wild
Custom-built and featured in the 2011 Parade of Homes, this home centers on a kitchen with granite, gas range, double ovens. Two living areas include fireplace. The primary has a steam shower, jacuzzi, and access to a climate-controlled gym. An upstairs flex 5th bedroom with balcony overlooks Lake Wichita Trail, and the covered patio includes a built-in grill and fireplace.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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