Splash Dash

Attendees disappointed after event headliner no-shows By ROBERT COHEN Special to the PRESS All the hallmarks of a classic Splash were in place last weekend:  the beautiful sunset bayside boat ride, the friendly staff at the Upper Deck, and queens and queers from all over,  but one very important person was missing, Aja, the headliner …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/splash-dash/

Candidate, marina amendment on ballot

Laguna Vista

By MARTHA McCLAIN Special to the PRESS The General and Special Charter Amendment election in Laguna Vista culminates here on Saturday. Voting will be conducted on May 5 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at City Hall. Early voting ended Tuesday. On the ballot for the Place 5 position is Councilman Victor Worrell and challenger Abel Delgadillo. Two …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/candidate-marina-amendment-on-ballot/

Island seeks public input for city’s future plans

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Dozens of people showed up to the City of South Padre Island’s Comprehensive Plan open house Tuesday. Surrounding the perimeter of the City Council chamber were large maps of the Island displaying various information, such as land use, flood zones, transportation infrastructure and more. Beside each were several …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/island-seeks-public-input-for-citys-future-plans/

Housing Authority responds to voter intimidation allegations

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The Port Isabel Housing Authority (PIHA) Board of Directors held a special meeting Wednesday to discuss allegations that a PIHA employee has engaged in voter intimidation. The bulk of the meeting was held in closed session, where the board discussed the matter with their attorney, Francisco Zabarte. After …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/housing-authority-responds-to-voter-intimidation-allegations/

Community mourns Rick Ridolfi

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island and Laguna Madre communities are mourning the loss of a former City leader — Rick Ridolfi. The former Town Alderman died in his home on Wednesday, April 25. Ridolfi was a stalwart pillar in the Laguna Madre community, having served on the Island’s board …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/community-mourns-rick-ridolfi/

CVA holds off on reef project funding request

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Advisory Board (CVA) considered a funding request for the Friends of the RGV Reef project during a meeting held on Tuesday, April 24. The SPI Economic Development Corporation (EDC) met on April 17, and approved a similar request for $26,000. As she …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/cva-holds-off-on-reef-project-funding-request/

Legislative committee mulls post-disaster worker shortage

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com What would happen to the Rio Grande Valley if a powerful storm like Hurricane Harvey made landfall here? How quickly could the area recover, and what obstacles, specifically within the construction industry, would hinder that recovery process? Those were the questions the Texas House Business & Industry Committee …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/legislative-committee-mulls-post-disaster-worker-shortage/

Island revenues up, despite HOT tax decline

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS During a special session held on Tuesday, April 24, the SPI City Council was presented with a mid-year budget review by the City’s Chief Financial Officer Rodrigo Gimenez. The CFO began by reporting that the City is in compliance with its required reserve funds. “We need to keep a …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/island-revenues-up-despite-hot-tax-decline/

Hill talks dune mitigation, beach nourishment

By KEVIN RICH Special to the PRESS The SPI Shoreline Taskforce considered a pair of beach and dune permits, heard a report on shoreline projects, and created a subcommittee to explore the issue of shoreline restroom facilities during their Monday, April 23 meeting. Shoreline Management Director Brandon Hill provided the Taskforce with an update on the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/hill-talks-dune-mitigation-beach-nourishment/

Soliz signs with CMU

By LARRY GAGE Special to the PRESS Port Isabel student-athlete Olivia Soliz has signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at Central Methodist University in Missouri.  The signing took place Wednesday afternoon with family, friends and classmates looking on. Soliz was a three-year varsity volleyball player for Port Isabel High.  She was named …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/05/04/soliz-signs-with-cmu/