Category: News

Long Island Village proposal draws opposition

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS A packed Port Isabel City Commission chambers, at one point standing room only, heard strong opposition Wednesday from Long Island Village residents over a proposal to designate portions of Long Island within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction as an industrial district. Several residents warned commissioners they would stop shopping, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/long-island-village-proposal-draws-opposition/

SPI expands tourism marketing efforts

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island Convention and Visitor Advisory Board voted Wednesday to advance two changes to Visit South Padre Island’s marketing operations, including negotiations with a new agency focused on Mexico and a renegotiated agreement with its current agency of record. During the Sept. 9 special meeting, the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/spi-expands-tourism-marketing-efforts/

Men’s softball concludes Week 2 games

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS Week two of the Laguna Madre Park’s men’s softball season has come to a close, featuring some close games, blowouts, and plenty of movement in the team standings. Cantu’s and the Hitmen both sit atop the standings with perfect 4-0 records after two weeks of action. Right …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/mens-softball-concludes-week-2-games/

Moments In Time: News from 1866

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/2026/09/10/moments-in-time-news-from-1866/

Causeway Run returns, traffic delays expected

Special to the PRESS Runners and walkers will take over a portion of the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge Saturday morning as the 11th Annual Summer Causeway Run & Fitness Walk returns to the Laguna Madre area. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 6:30 a.m., with participants traveling from Port Isabel across …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/causeway-run-returns-traffic-delays-expected/

Coastal backlash defeats proposed TWIA coverage change

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com A proposal that could have eliminated Texas Windstorm Insurance Association coverage for certain secondary homes along the Texas coast has been rejected following overwhelming opposition from coastal communities, including South Padre Island. The proposal was considered by TWIA’s Legislative and External Affairs Committee as the association develops recommendations for its upcoming …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/coastal-backlash-defeats-proposed-twia-coverage-change/

Bobcats claw their way past Tarpons

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. This past Friday, September 4, the 4A Port Isabel Tarpons hosted their longtime rival, the 3A Rio Hondo Bobcats, in a Week 2 matchup. The teams have traded wins throughout the years, with Port Isabel holding a 39-33-1 overall lifetime record against Rio Hondo entering the game. The Bobcats won lasts …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/10/bobcats-claw-their-way-past-tarpons-2/

Causeway collapse remembered 25 years later

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Twenty-five years after the Queen Isabella Causeway collapse claimed eight lives and temporarily severed South Padre Island’s only roadway connection to the mainland, Port Isabel will gather Sept. 15 to remember those who died, the survivors and those who responded to the tragedy. The City of Port Isabel …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/causeway-collapse-remembered-25-years-later/

PI-ISD to bring back wellbeing platform

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Point Isabel Independent School District will bring back its student wellbeing platform, Pulse, beginning Sept. 9, with parents and guardians being given the option to opt their children out of participating. The district announced the return of the program this week, saying the rollout is being conducted in accordance with Senate …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/pi-isd-to-bring-back-wellbeing-platform/

SPI voters prepare for October Special Election, November General Election

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com South Padre Island voters will head to the polls twice this fall, beginning with an Oct. 3 special election to fill the City Council Place 1 seat, followed one month later by the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting for the special election begins Wednesday, Sept. 16, giving residents more than …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/spi-voters-prepare-for-october-special-election-november-general-election/