Jan 01 2026
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS South Padre Island Councilwoman-elect Aarin Hartwell says her recent experience at a City Council meeting on December 17 reinforced her concerns about transparency, public participation, and the city’s approach to committee appointments. Hartwell said she observed “zero eye contact” during Councilman Ken Medders’ swearing-in ceremony and described the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/hartwell-hits-ground-running-at-spi-city-council-meeting/
Jan 01 2026
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Sea Turtle Inc. is inviting residents to give their natural Christmas trees a second life this holiday season by donating them to support dune restoration and sea turtle conservation efforts. The organization has been recycling Christmas trees for more than a decade, using them to help build up …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/sea-turtle-inc-encourages-recycling/
Jan 01 2026
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Cameron County Constable Precinct 1 Office continued its annual holiday tradition this year with the 5th Annual Toy Drive, bringing Christmas cheer to children and families across the community, including Laguna Heights. According to Constable Norman Esquivel, more than 500 toys were distributed in Laguna Heights alone. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/toy-giveaway-port-isabel-kids-receive-gifts-from-cameron-county-constable/
Jan 01 2026
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. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/moments-in-time-pharr-man-is-shot-4-times-through-back/
Jan 01 2026
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS Port Isabel Early College High School recently had their 2025-2026 Fall Sports Recognition Night. The banquet started off with Team Tennis head coach Maria Ramon recognizing the team members: Angelina Delgado, Kalleigh Elkins, Maya Garcia, Justin Garza, Noe Hernandez, Diego Lara, Dannai Limon, Jade Marquez, Yeshua Martinez, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/port-isabel-mid-year-sports-review/
Jan 01 2026
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS Local semi-pro full contact women’s football team, Port Isabel Sirens, is currently looking for more players to join their team. Women 17+ can join with zero membership fees, and no experience is needed. All equipment will be provided to the participants. Furthermore, the program will be offering …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/01/01/port-isabel-sirens-looking-for-recruits/
Dec 25 2025
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS South Padre Island is widely known for its beaches, warm climate, and outdoor recreation, but visitors and residents now have the chance to enjoy an unexpected seasonal activity along the shoreline: ice skating. The Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island is offering a beachfront ice skating rink that …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/12/25/oceanfront-ice-skating-comes-to-south-padre-island/
Dec 25 2025
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The holiday season will be brighter for hundreds of children in the Laguna Madre community thanks to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which is providing Christmas gifts to families in need through the Port Isabel Service Unit in Laguna Vista. Angel Tree is a long-standing holiday tradition …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/12/25/angel-tree-program-brings-holiday-joy/
Dec 25 2025
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has awarded a $17,725 community grant to Laguna Vista Fire-Rescue, funding the purchase of modern breathing equipment that will significantly improve firefighter safety during emergency responses. The grant, awarded through LCRA’s Community Grants program, will be paired with $5,909 in matching …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/12/25/laguna-vista-fire-rescue-gets-17k-grant/
Dec 25 2025
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Friday, December 19, the (5-9) 4A Port Isabel ECHS Tarpons hosted the (17-6) 6A Harlingen Cardinals in a non-district basketball game. Entering the game, both teams were coming off losses as the Tarpons lost to McAllen STX 71-59, while the Cardinals loss came at the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/12/25/basketball-tarpons-fall-to-cardinals-79-54/
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