Good morning, Longview.

Farmstands are thriving in East Texas as local bakers at Whistle Stop Farm — Hallsville, The Bread Barn — Longview and Pink Door Farmery — Hallsville offer fresh, seasonal treats for regulars.

They operate on set days with flexible hours and provide quality, sustainable goods to the community.

Tommy Spell crafts unique epoxy tables at his Jacksonville workshop using hardwood slabs and resin that takes over a month to cure—he recently opened a storefront in Tyler where customers can view his work and learn the craft.

Romel Igaya and his wife will open a new Pacific Asian Market location at 400 E.

Loop 281 in late June or early July that will include a restaurant serving fried noodles and Mongolian beef+ replacing Bubbly’s Bubble Tea at Longview Mall.

The Longview Fire Department’s Special Operations Division, with 24 members, rescued two people from a February hot-air balloon incident and now dedicates 60 to 80 extra training hours annually for emergencies (including hazardous materials and structural collapses) to serve the community.

Titus Regional Medical Center, the last independent hospital in Northeast Texas, officially joined the Christus Health system and is now called Christus Health – Mount Pleasant Hospital on Monday, May 4.

A celebration was held Friday — Christus officials said the merger will support local patients with improved care.