Category: News

Moments In Time: Loss of US Steamer Dragon

Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley. Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regular columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. He has spent many years collecting and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/02/05/moments-in-time-loss-of-us-steamer-dragon/

Laguna Vista welcomes new library director

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS At the Special Meeting held Monday night, January 26, the Laguna Vista Town Council began with positive community updates before moving into decisions that will shape several major city projects. Early in the meeting, council members welcomed the town’s new Library Director, Penny Perales, who expressed excitement about …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/laguna-vista-welcomes-new-library-director/

Mayoral election puts leadership path in the spotlight

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS As Laguna Vista prepares for the May 2, 2026 mayoral election, voters are weighing not only the candidates’ visions for the city’s future but also the unique path that brought the current mayor into office on various social media sites. Mayor Mike (Michael) Carter and challenger Darla Jones …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/mayoral-election-puts-leadership-path-in-the-spotlight/

Cold-stunned sea turtles rescued in Laguna Madre

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com   Emergency response teams have been activated following a sudden drop in water temperatures that has caused a cold stun event among sea turtles in the Laguna Madre. Water temperatures fell below the critical threshold at 1 a.m. Tuesday, putting the turtles at risk. Sea turtles are cold-blooded, meaning their body …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/cold-stunned-sea-turtles-rescued-in-laguna-madre/

PIECHS hosts powerlifting meet

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS   This past Thursday, January 22 the Port Isabel Early College High School hosted their annual Noah LeBlanc Memorial Girls Invitational powerlifting meet. The meet had 14 different programs competing from throughout the RGV and featured a whopping 135 lifters. After coming in second place in the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/piechs-hosts-powerlifting-meet/

Tarpons fall to Titans, 72-52

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS On Friday, January 23 the (10-14) Port Isabel ECHS hosted the (12-5) Jubilee Brownsville Titans in a key district game. The Tarpons entered the matchup coming off a two-game win steak with wins over La Grulla (56-46) and Hidalgo (58-57). Similarly, the Titans were coming off a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/tarpons-fall-to-titans-72-52/

Moments in Time: Tale of a Mammoth Oyster

By Steve Hathcock Special to the PRESS Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley. Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regular columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/moments-in-time-tale-of-a-mammoth-oyster/

SPI Chamber holds luncheon

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Community leaders and business members gathered Tuesday, January 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn Beach Resort for the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Luncheon, sponsored by Ruby Red Hospitality. The featured speaker, Texas State Representative Todd Hunter, delivered an in-depth legislative update focused on issues …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/29/spi-chamber-holds-luncheon/

Galvan retires from LMWD after 40 years

Special to the PRESS The Laguna Madre Water District is marking the end of an era as General Manager Carlos J. Galvan, Jr. retires after nearly 40 years of service, concluding a career that began on the plant floor and rose to the district’s highest leadership position. Galvan’s career with the district spanned from August …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/22/galvan-retires-from-lmwd-after-40-years/

Troy Giles named Realtor of the Year

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island Board of REALTORS® (SPIBOR) recognized veteran Island broker Troy Giles as its 2025 REALTOR® of the Year, honoring a career marked by decades of leadership, civic service, and contributions to the Island’s development. The award was presented during the South Padre Island Board of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/22/troy-giles-named-realtor-of-the-year/