By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners set cleanup deadlines for a tenant, authorized potential legal action involving the Laguna Madre Yacht Club and South Point Marina, and granted preliminary approval for a new warehouse project during its March 12 meeting. During public comment, tenant Daniel …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/19/port-isabel-san-benito-navigation-district-board-sets-cleanup-deadline/
Mar 19 2026
Guitar Bandit Strikes: Port Isabel man seeks answers after theft
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com What began as a routine trip to the store turned into a nightmare for local resident Dallas Smetter, whose prized guitars were stolen from his home in an incident that remains under investigation months later. “I was at Walmart,” Smetter said. “I found out where I was once my neighbor showed …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/19/guitar-bandit-strikes-port-isabel-man-seeks-answers-after-theft/
Mar 19 2026
Council candidates share visions for town’s future
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Voters in Laguna Vista will choose among six candidates running for three Town Council seats in the upcoming municipal election. The mayor’s seat is also on the ballot this year; candidate responses for that race were previously published in the Press. Each race for Town Council features …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/19/council-candidates-share-visions-for-towns-future/
Mar 19 2026
Residents question SPI Convention Center Plans
South Padre Island City Council Member Joe Ricco, right, presents proposed convention center expansion plans as architect Raymundo Gignac, left, stands on stage during a March 3 open house at the South Padre Island Convention Center. By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Residents gathered at the South Padre Island Convention Center on March 3 …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/19/residents-question-spi-convention-center-plans/
Mar 19 2026
Moments in Time: Drifting shrimper towed to Port
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 …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/19/moments-in-time-drifting-shrimper-towed-to-port/
Mar 12 2026
Port Isabel women launch new full-contact football team
Port Isabel Sirens suited up for a scrimmage on Sunday, March 8, in Mercedes. (photo courtesy/Iris Horner) By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com What started as a small group of women looking for a chance to play football has grown into a new team bringing full-contact women’s football to the Laguna Madre area. The Port Isabel Sirens, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/12/port-isabel-women-launch-new-full-contact-football-team/
Mar 12 2026
Another cease-and-desist letter received
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS A second administrator of a Laguna Vista community Facebook group has confirmed that she also received a cease-and-desist letter related to statements posted in the online forum. Natalie Ruiz, an administrator of the “Laguna Vista Texas Happenings” Facebook group, said the letter from an attorney representing Olga Vega …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/12/another-cease-and-desist-letter-received/
Mar 12 2026
Officer builds fitness community
Officer Christina ‘Tina’ Esquivel poses in Infinity Fitness merch. (Courtesy photo/Tina Esquivel By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS For more than a decade, Christina Esquivel has served the Rio Grande Valley in law enforcement. Today, the Port Isabel native continues that service as a police officer with the Harlingen Police Department while also leading …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/12/officer-builds-fitness-community/
Mar 12 2026
Point Isabel ISD board approves campus improvement plan
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The Point Isabel Independent School District Board of Trustees approved campus improvement efforts and facility work during its March board meeting and public hearing. One of the key agenda items included approval of a local improvement plan for Garriga Elementary School for the 2025–2026 school year, which administrators say is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/12/point-isabel-isd-board-approves-campus-improvement-plan/
Mar 12 2026
Council members question $250K consulting contract
Proposed development area Ken Medders questioned during March 4 SPI city council meeting. X marks spot of proposed site. (Courtesy photo/Ken Medders) By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Questions about consulting expenditures tied to a proposed development concept and feasibility study were raised during the March 4 South Padre Island City Council meeting. During …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/03/12/council-members-question-250k-consulting-contract/
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