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Despite best efforts, ladies lose in Bi-District, 12-0

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons traveled to Calallen to take on the Wildcats in a softball bi-district playoff game. The Lady Wildcats proved too much for the Lady Tarpons as Calallen won by a score of 12-0 in five innings of play. Even though PI pitcher Celina …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/despite-best-efforts-ladies-lose-in-bi-district-12-0/

Hockema and Hinojasa share update on Colair case

By MICHAEL PETTY Special to the PRESS Gazing upon the beautiful building that became the Port Isabel Cultural Events Center, it is difficult to fathom that its creation could lead to an ugly, protracted legal battle stretching back years. The Port Isabel South Padre Press has been following this story since the suit was filed …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/hockema-and-hinojasa-share-update-on-colair-case/

Gabriella’s is more than just a pizza place

By TESS FICCAGLIA  We all know the name ‘Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria,’ but have you been there?  I had not, and I was so pleased to change that. There is nothing negative I can say about this Italian restaurant. I sat at the bar and ordered a drink from Michelle Rutkowsi, the bar manager.  …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/gabriellas-is-more-than-just-a-pizza-place/

American Legion Post 498 celebrates over 75 years

By TESS FICCAGLIA Soldiers of WWI, the ones lucky enough to make it home, have passed.  Not many from WWII are still around either. There is an organization that is alive and thriving to honor those who fought and died for the freedom we citizens of the United States enjoy every day.  The American Legion …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/american-legion-post-498-celebrates-over-75-years/

Flores hits the road with Ethun Hawk

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY Derek Flores is not your average rockstar, and Ethun Hawk is not your average band, so audiences can expect the upcoming tour to be anything but boring. Frontman Flores describes himself as the “project manager” of his band Ethun Hawk, which he perceives as a collaborative effort. The band’s songs are a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/flores-hits-the-road-with-ethun-hawk/

Native plants are ‘tough enough to take it’

By R. LEWIS Landscaping in our region of the lower Laguna Madre, consisting of Laguna Vista, Port Isabel and South Padre Island, requires plants that are basically tough enough to take it. Our region is considered a hyper-saline region and the lower Laguna Madre waters are saltier than most other regions along the Gulf Coast. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/native-plants-are-tough-enough-to-take-it/

The Spinybacked Orbweaver is a backyard jewel

By KATHY RAINES A spiky, ornate gem sat amid an expansive web projecting from the fence, arresting me in my tracks. I feel privileged whenever this decorative creature, the spiny-backed orb-weaver, sets up camp to ensnare tiny insects in my backyard. Common to gardens, orchards and woodland edges in South Texas and much of the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/05/04/the-spinybacked-orbweaver-is-a-backyard-jewel/

Capistran nominated for Superintendent of the Year

By KREIG KOHL Special to the PRESS The Point Isabel Independent School District [PIISD] held their regularly scheduled meeting on April 18 2023. The first item on the agenda was announcements which began with Superintendent Theresa Capistran letting parents know that the period of state examinations was beginning the next day, April 19, with the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/04/27/capistran-nominated-for-superintendent-of-the-year/

SpaceX grounded after Starship launch

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Jared Hockema, Port Isabel City Manager since 2015, shared that the city closely monitored the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse during SpaceX’s unprecedented test-launch of the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket on April 20, 2023. According to Hockema, the launch and following explosion had no discernable harm on the lighthouse. “We …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/04/27/spacex-grounded-after-starship-launch/

Wilson gives update on Island parks

By ALEXANDREABAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com According to Jon Wilson, South Padre Island Assistant Public Works Director, the installation of a drip irrigation system at the pickleball courts, located at 610 Padre Boulevard, is underway. Sod is also being installed, despite it being “hard to get in the Valley,” according to Wilson. This information was given to the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/04/27/wilson-gives-update-on-island-parks/