Special to the PRESS The  City of  South Padre Island will celebrate the grand opening of the new Marisol (Laguna Madre) Boat Ramp on Tuesday, July 21, marking the completion of the island’s first public bay access project in more than 30 years. The ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. at 1705 Laguna Blvd. The …

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PRESS Staff Report A Cameron County judge has denied a defense request to suppress cell phone location evidence in the capital murder case against Rogelio Martinez Jr., who is accused in the 2023 fatal shooting of San Benito Police Lt. Milton G. Resendez. Martinez is charged with capital murder of a peace officer in connection …

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By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS A residence at 5804 Yucca Circle and SPI Hardware were named South Padre Island’s July Yard/Landscape of the Month winners during the Parks & Keep SPI Beautiful Committee’s July 15 meeting. The Yucca Circle home received the residential recognition, while SPI Hardware earned the commercial award for improvements …

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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. …

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By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Boca Chica Beach will keep its historic name after a federal committee unanimously rejected a proposal to rename the Cameron County landmark “Cyber Beach.” The U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names Committee voted July 9 to retain the name Boca Chica Beach, citing overwhelming local opposition to the proposed change. …

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By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The Point Isabel Independent School District Board of Trustees has approved its 2026-27 Compensation Plan, providing salary increases for employees across multiple job classifications while raising the district’s starting teacher salary. Under the newly approved plan, administrators and professional staff will receive a 2% salary increase, while clerical and auxiliary employees …

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By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The 86th annual Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT) will return July 29 through Aug. 2, bringing anglers, families, volunteers, sponsors and spectators to Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Organizers describe TIFT as Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament. The event is expected to attract as many as 1,500 …

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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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By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS South Padre Island and surrounding Laguna Madre communities are included in a major statewide transportation planning effort as the Texas Department of Transportation seeks public input on its proposed 2027 Unified Transportation Program. Among the largest projects identified for TxDOT’s Pharr District is the proposed second access to …

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A newly constructed classroom in Los Manguitos, Honduras, was dedicated in memory of longtime Port Isabel resident Mary Gorball through the nonprofit Hands to Honduras. The new school will provide local children with a permanent place to learn while honoring Gorball’s legacy of generosity and community service.    Students arrive by boat for their first day at …

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