Rio History: Last of the Karankawa Indians of Padre Island

By STEVE HATHCOCK Special to the PRESS Though the basic story line is different from that penned by James Fenimore Cooper, Old Indio’s story is an accurate portrayal of the lives and times of the once proud Karankawa Indians of Padre Island. He was all-Indian and the influence of Europeans did little to change him. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/03/01/rio-history-last-of-the-karankawa-indians-of-padre-island/

Chasing 8 seconds

Cowboys compete at the Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com With a characteristic Southern twang, a rodeo announcer introduced a competitor at the PRCA Rodeo in Los Fresnos last Friday evening. The crowd — sitting in grandstands on three sides of an earthen arena — hummed with excitement while looking …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/chasing-8-seconds/

SPI approves $100,000 in last minute Spring Break funding

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS The allocation of $100,000 for Spring Break related marketing was the subject of two special committee meetings held on South Padre Island on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The item was first decided on during a special session of the SPI Convention and Visitors Advisory Board (CVA). During public comments and …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/spi-approves-100000-in-last-minute-spring-break-funding/

Council again raises Padre Boulevard median proposal

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 19 to discuss the potential for more improvements to Padre Boulevard, including medians, sidewalks and a boardwalk project. Discussion on the project pitted concerns over pedestrian safety and enhancing aesthetics against the potential impact to business owners …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/council-again-raises-padre-boulevard-median-proposal/

LV looking to tighten-up trash ordinances

By MARTHA McCLAIN Special to the PRESS Amid an ongoing code enforcement effort for Laguna Vista property owners to keep their yards free of trash and debris, the first reading of an amendment to an ordinance designed to encourage property upkeep was introduced here last week. At the beginning of the year, the Town of Laguna …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/lv-looking-to-tighten-up-trash-ordinances/

Glenn McGehee, former Island mayor, dies at 88

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Glenn Lawrie McGehee — a businessman, rancher and conservationist who served as mayor of South Padre Island from 1978-1982 — has died. He was 88 years old. McGehee was perhaps most well known as the man who established the first grocery store and liquor store on the Island. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/glenn-mcgehee-former-island-mayor-dies-at-88/

Ballots set in May elections

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com With the filing deadline for prospective candidates in the City of Port Isabel and Point Isabel ISD school board elections closed as of 5 p.m. last Friday, voters now know who will be appearing on their May ballots. Two seats are up for election in the City of …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/ballots-set-in-may-elections/

Island firefighter, lifeguard honored

PRESS Staff Report The Rotary Club of Port Isabel surprised one South Padre Island first responder during a meeting of the City Council Wednesday. Capt. Jim Pigg, of the South Padre Island Fire Department, was recognized by the club for his service to the community and his work with the City’s beach rescue team. “We’ve …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/island-firefighter-lifeguard-honored/

Island gets update on TIRZ contributions

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS Prior to the Wednesday, Feb. 6 regular meeting of the South Padre Island City Council, the Board of Directors of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) met to review their 2017-2018 annual financial report. Island Mayor Dennis Stahl introduced Cameron County Pct. 1 Commissioner Sofia Benavides, who attended, along …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/island-gets-update-on-tirz-contributions/

Pirates sink Tarpons, 67-54

basketball

By LARRY GAGE Special to the PRESS The season has come to an end for the Port Isabel Tarpons basketball team. They were eliminated from the post-season playoffs Tuesday night by the Sinton Pirates, who won the first round, bi-district game, 67-54, at Alice. Port Isabel led 16-15 at the end of the first quarter …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2019/02/22/pirates-sink-tarpons-67-54/