Good morning, Longview.

Local holiday events across East Texas aim to boost business and provide unique shopping experiences for residents this season.

Tyler will host its Holiday Open House on Nov. 20 at the historic Bergfeld Center while Longview’s Museum of Fine Arts holds a Holiday Tea Room and Market Dec. 9-12, and downtown Kilgore will hold Mingle and Jingle on Nov. 29—providing a chance to support local stores and artists.

ETX View’s November/December Holiday Issue is available online today, featuring stories about local holiday traditions, shopping, seasonal performances and an entrepreneur inspired by East Texas.

The printed edition is available to home delivery subscribers (Longview and Tyler) while the digital stories will be posted on news-journal.com and tylerpaper.com.

Longview ISD officials and community leaders broke ground Thursday at Longview High School for new campus facilities.

The construction—funded by a $456 million bond—will add a multipurpose indoor facility, a career and technical education center, and a natatorium to be completed in the second quarter of 2027 for students and community use.

West Rusk FFA members Leah Eggen and Emily Bynum cared for their breeding sheep all year and won multiple awards at the State Fair of Texas on November 14, with Eggen earning Reserve Supreme Grand Champion in the Pan American Breeding Sheep Show + Bynum winning Reserve Hampshire Breeding Sheep and placing first in the Wether Dam Show.

Many families and hunters have been busy at deer camps this fall as the rut season boosts deer activity and hunting chances.

A Texas study shows that deer in southern areas peaked on November 12 while Pineywoods deer will hit their peak on November 22—giving hunters a shot at mature bucks.

Last Thursday, the Longview Housing Authority's waitlist for housing vouchers received 1,685 applications in a four-hour window, compared to 900 in 2022, showing high demand for affordable housing.

City officials have hired Matrix Design Group to conduct a housing study + launched three surveys for residents, employers and developers to guide a future housing plan.

The Longview Lobos opened the playoffs with a 63-7 win over Rowlett last Friday at Homer B.

Johnson Stadium, with Mason Hamilton throwing for 228 yards and four touchdowns and the team rushing for 281 yards. The Lobos improved to 7-4 and will face DeSoto next Friday — continuing a 3-0 playoff record against Rowlett.

Thursday’s playoff football action saw Woodville win 56–41 over West Rusk on a late kickoff return and Daingerfield claim a 48–6 victory over Harmony with Isaiah Parker throwing six touchdowns, while Beckville edged Paul Pewitt 21–14.

Carlisle beat Valley Mills 24–8 and Edgewood advanced 42–39 on key plays by Treston Turner and Tony Smith — with Pleasant Grove defeating Brownsboro 56–13 as Yancey set a passing record, setting the stage for next-round matchups.

The Pine Tree Pirates beat the Lumberton Raiders 35-0 last night in the Class 4A Division I playoffs at Raider Stadium in Lumberton.

Colton Croft and Rashaad Wofford connected on touchdown passes while Ja’karius Timmons scored twice, moving Pine Tree to a 7-4 record and setting up a future contest against unbeaten Houston Yates.

Longview Mall Christmas Tree Lighting

2-6 p.m. — Longview Mall — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with a festive tree lighting, local vendors, and family fun.

Peppermint Land Holiday Expo

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Longview Exhibit Center — Free entry with RSVP — Celebrate the festive season with shopping, food, and enchanting holiday characters.