Good morning, Longview.

Longview Animal Care Center is partnering with Longview PAWS and Toyota of Longview to offer a free microchip pop-up event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Toyota of Longview on 1400 W Loop 2821—this event uses the first community microchip scanner available to reunite lost pets with their owners and includes a raffle for a new television or discount on a new vehicle.

Oncor filed a request with the Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday to raise monthly rates by about $7 for a home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours, saying the change will cover storm costs + rising expenses.

The review is set to take six to nine months, and the company plans a partial interim adjustment while the case is pending.

On Wednesday, children danced and learned about pirates at the Pine Tree Elementary School auditorium during Longview Public Library’s pirate dance party—an event held as part of the library’s Summer Reading Club.

Registration remains open for the club’s daily summer activities including story time and video game hangouts.

The Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $4 million to 18 Texas organizations, including the City of Longview (which got $1,181,667) as part of its Community Forestry Grants program.

The grants, explained Texas A&M Forest Service expert Alison Fulton (Regional Urban Ecologist), will support training, workshops and courses to improve community forest management and boost local economies.

Longview Police Department will use grant funds to add two officers to the team that helps the homeless.

The unit, set up in 2018, breaks up camps and connects people to housing so other officers can focus on their duties.

Longview and Gregg County officials are preparing for America’s 250th anniversary by planning a parade next summer and local celebrations with community input — Mayor Kristen Ishihra and County Judge Bill Stoudt stressed the event’s personal importance for residents.

Longview audiologist Ken Martin has launched an East Texas branch of Hearing the Call to provide free hearing aids to patients who complete volunteer work.

The program, which held its first event on June 13, helps patients like Dre—with severe hearing loss—upgrade old devices so they can better connect with modern technology.

East Texas Comic Con

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Longview Exhibit Center — Tickets available soon — Show and meet special guests, browse vendors and artists, participate in panels, and showcase your cosplay skills.

City of Longview Fireworks & Freedom Celebration

4-10:30 p.m. — Maude Cobb Convention Center — Free entry — Celebrate Independence Day with a free concert and the biggest fireworks show in East Texas.

Bags & Bling Bingo Night

5:30 p.m. — Maude Cobb Convention Center — Individual tickets $50, tables for eight $400 — Win luxury handbags, boots, and jewelry while supporting Habitat for Humanity.

Dog Dock Diving Trials

8 AM — Maude Cobb Convention Center — Free entry — Watch canine athletes jump and dive for the prize in exciting dock diving competitions.

LONGVIEW Trail Runs - Summer

7-10 a.m. — Maude Cobb Convention Center — Buy Tickets — Participate in exciting trail races including 5K, 10K, 15K, and 20K.

Garden Yoga and Sound Bath Experience

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Longview Arboretum and Nature Center — $15 for Members, $20 for Non-Members — Experience a soul-nourishing blend of Vinyasa yoga and immersive sound therapy beneath majestic pines.