South Padre Island Fishing Guide

      By: Dianté Marigny editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com What’s biting this month?  As South Padre Island heads into December, anglers are finding that the late-summer and fall fishing patterns are still holding strong…at least for now. With a recent cold front pushing through the Gulf, conditions could shift in the coming days, but for the moment, …

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New development expected on Marlin St.

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS   The South Padre Island Substandard Structure Review Board (SSRB) convened on November 19, 2025, to review progress on three properties under ongoing enforcement orders. The meeting brought significant updates, including full compliance for one long-troubled site and heightened penalties for another that continues to pose safety concerns. …

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TxDOT urges sober holiday travel

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS   With holiday travel increasing across the Rio Grande Valley and South Padre Island preparing for its seasonal influx of visitors, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reminding drivers to plan a sober ride as part of its Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign. The statewide effort runs …

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Lady Tarpons outlast Cowgirls

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS   This Tuesday, December 2, the 4A Port Isabel ECHS Lady Tarpons hosted the 5A Brownsville Porter Cowgirls in a non-district basketball game. The Lady Tarpons entered the matchup looking for their first win after dropping their first three games to Harvest Christian (98-25), Rio Hondo (77-34) …

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Church brings community together for Thanksgiving at Roloff Park

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS   The basketball court at Roloff Park is usually a place for bounce passes and fast breaks, but last Friday evening it became something entirely different. As the sun set on November 21, the space transformed into a glowing outdoor sanctuary, drawing families, neighbors, and curious passersby as …

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Store manager faces assault charge

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com   The Port Isabel store manager accused earlier this year of sexually harassing a former employee has now been arrested on a sexual assault charge, according to Port Isabel Police Chief Robert Lopez. Thomas Nolan Bainter was arrested on October 24, 2025, on a charge of sexual assault. He bonded out …

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Teen killed in ATV rollover

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com BROWNSVILLE—A 16-year-old Brownsville boy died Sunday after the ATV he was riding on overturned near Boca Chica Beach, authorities said. Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño reports that Joseph Cruz, 18, of Brownsville, was a passenger on the ATV when the crash occurred. Three other occupants suffered minor injuries and did not …

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Holiday shrimping season underway

By JACQI LEYVA- HILL & MARY GRIZZARD Special to the PRESS   The holiday season is officially underway in the Laguna Madre region, and for Port Isabel’s shrimping fleet, December marks one of the busiest and most important periods of the year. As families across Texas prepare Christmas menus and seafood platters, demand for local …

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Navigation District OKs funding, donations

By JACQUI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS   The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District Board held a comprehensive regular meeting, covering topics ranging from financial matters and charitable donations to equipment purchases and long-term planning. After establishing a quorum, the board opened with an invocation asking for guidance and wisdom to make sound decisions for …

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Tarpon basketball picks up first win

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS   This Tuesday, November 25, the 4A Port Isabel boys’ basketball team was on the road as they took on the 5A Brownsville Lopez Lobos in a non-district matchup. The season had just begun, but the Tarpons were  eager  for  a  win after starting 0-2 with losses …

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