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 …

Continue reading

The Valley Voices Chorale will bring the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s to the stage with two upcoming spring concerts featuring favorites made famous by the Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and more. Formed in 2011 and based in Port Isabel, the chorale is made up of local musicians and Winter Texans who …

Continue reading

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Community leaders, housing officials and residents gathered this week to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Judy’s Casitas, a new affordable housing development designed to provide stable homes for families in the Laguna Madre area. Speakers emphasized that the project represents more than a new apartment complex ,  it …

Continue reading

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS Port Isabel kicked off its annual softball tournament this past Thursday, February 12. The 3-day tourney featured a variety of competing teams of various sizes from throughout the RGV.  Twelve teams were separated into three pools. Pool One consisted of La Joya Palmview, Roma, Bro. Porter, and …

Continue reading

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Saturday, February 14, the Port Isabel ECHS track teams traveled to Brownsville to compete in the 71st Annual Sams Relays. Although Port Isabel sent a small contingent of athletes, they still manage medal in some events. The men’s division featured 12 schools participate from Brownsville …

Continue reading

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Laguna Vista Community Development Corporation (CDC) and City Manager Victor Treviño are taking steps to create a clearer, more organized process for local businesses seeking city assistance, following a discussion in which local resident Natalie Ruiz pressed for details on how the system would actually work. During …

Continue reading

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com  City officials on South Padre Island are putting short-term rental operators on notice following a rise in guest-related disturbances, approving enforcement measures that could lead to license suspensions for repeat violations. Under the ordinance, property  owners  may  face suspension or revocation of their short-term rental permits if guests accumulate multiple violations. …

Continue reading

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS A legal notice involving the spouse of Laguna Vista Mayor Michael Carter has prompted discussion among residents about online speech and local political discourse. Posts on the public Facebook page Laguna Vista Texas Happenings indicated that page administrator Don Haydon received a cease-and-desist letter from an attorney representing …

Continue reading

Honeycomb Salon owner works Fashion Week By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS What started as a passion for fashion at a young age has led one Port Isabel spa owner to an extraordinary milestone, being featured on the back cover and in a six-page spread of an internationally recognized fashion magazine. Honeycomb Salon and …

Continue reading

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS  The South Padre Island City Council approved event support, public safety equipment and marketing initiatives during its Feb. 4, 2026 regular meeting, while also advancing revisions to the city’s short-term rental enforcement ordinance. After public comments and staff updates, the council approved the consent agenda following brief discussion …

Continue reading