Category: News

Tourism board recommends Spurs renewal

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Advisory Board voted Aug. 26 to recommend renewing Visit South Padre Island’s marketing partnership with the San Antonio Spurs, advancing a proposed three-year agreement beginning at $400,000 for the 2026-27 season, with a 3% annual escalator, to City Council for consideration. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/tourism-board-recommends-spurs-renewal/

Tarpons defeat Lobos in season opener

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Thursday, Aug. 27 the Port Isabel Tarpons beat the La Joya Palmview Lobos in the season’s opener, 36-21. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but the Tarpons did enough to secure the win in this first-ever meeting between the two schools. The game had barely …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/136836/

FAA clears environmental review for additional starship return path to Starbase

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The Federal Aviation Administration has completed an environmental review that could allow SpaceX to use an additional Starship reentry trajectory back to its Starbase launch site near Boca Chica, a development that could bring more returning spacecraft — and associated temporary airspace restrictions — to the Lower Laguna Madre area. The …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/faa-clears-environmental-review-for-additional-starship-return-path-to-starbase/

Island Art Walk welcomes visitors

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PARADE Visitors looking for something beyond the beach during Labor Day weekend can explore another side of South Padre Island when the First Friday Art Walk returns Sept. 4. Scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., the free monthly event gives residents and visitors an opportunity to move between participating …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/island-art-walk-welcomes-visitors/

House sparrow, our constant companion

By M. Kathy Raines Special to the PRESS “Well, it’s complicated.” That’s one way to describe our checkered relationship with this handsome, ever-present little bird hopping around in our backyards. At times, Americans have celebrated the house sparrow as a friend and ally, one that devours tree-destroying caterpillars and moths. In fact, in 1851, eight …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/house-sparrow-our-constant-companion/

Key to successful treasure hunting

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/2026/09/03/key-to-successful-treasure-hunting/

Sandcastle Days brings family fun

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PARADE Sand, music, family activities and a Saturday night drone show are among the attractions visitors can expect when Sandcastle Days returns Oct. 2-5 to South Padre Island. Clayton Brashear, owner of Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill, said this year’s Sandcastle Days will offer entertainment for the entire family, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/sandcastle-days-brings-family-fun/

September Events in the Laguna Madre Area

By: Dianté Marigny editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Summer may be winding down and school may be back in session, but September is anything but quiet along the Laguna Madre. South Padre Island and Port Isabel have a packed calendar this month, with Labor Day weekend celebrations, outdoor fitness events, fishing tournaments, community gatherings and plenty of reasons to …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/09/03/september-events-in-the-laguna-madre-area/

JAWS DOWN: SPI Jaws Beachworld Shark crumbles

The familiar Jaws BeachWorld shark entrance on South Padre Island is being removed after the structure collapsed over the weekend. No injuries were reported. (Courtesy of Tommy J. Saenz) By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com One of Padre Boulevard’s most recognizable sights has come down after the massive shark entrance at Jaws Beachworld collapsed over the weekend. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/08/27/jaws-down-spi-jaws-beachworld-shark-crumbles/

SPI Council maps Convention Center priorities

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS South Padre Island City Council members met with Broaddus & Associates on Aug. 11 to establish project-management roles, priorities and communication procedures for the proposed Convention Center renovation and annex project, while also discussing expansion options, environmental concerns and financial oversight. The workshop agenda called for discussion of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/08/27/council-maps-convention-center-priorities/