Local track athletes compete at AAU South Texas

  By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS On June 13, the local summer track team, “Coastal Heat” competed at the AAU South Texas – South District Qualifier. The Track & Field meet was held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Brownsville, TX, and featured hundreds of athletes from throughout South Texas. The youngest of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/19/local-track-athletes-compete-at-aau-south-texas/

Community cleanup returns to end of road

By TRINA ‘INDI’ JOHNSON Special to the PRESS Huge prizes await at area cleanup. Dolphin watch tours, handcrafted jewelry, metal art, hotel stays, and even guided fishing trips are just a few of the rewards up for grabs at Saturday’s End of the Road Beach Cleanup. The prize table looks more like a coastal festival …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/19/community-cleanup-returns-to-end-of-road/

‘This Could Kill My Business’: Construction chaos forces Grouchy Gringo to cross the Causeway

  By TRINA“INDI” JOHNSON Special to the PRESS South Padre Island is set to welcome Grouchy Gringo, the Southern Coastal Cajun-inspired restaurant, as it prepares to bring its bold flavors and offbeat charm across the causeway. Owner Lance Deaton expressed excitement about the move. “I am looking forward to the opportunity presented by soon being …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/12/this-could-kill-my-business-construction-chaos-forces-grouchy-gringo-to-cross-the-causeway/

Preparing your landscape for summertime

    By Roberto Gaitan Special to the PRESS It is true that our native plants have evolved over thousands of years to survive our summers in the Rio Grande Valley. Though we can water all we want, assuming we do not experience extreme watering restrictions, the heat may still be too much. But there …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/12/preparing-your-landscape-for-summertime/

Where Are They Now: Joseph Ian Torres

    By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS 2017 Port Isabel High School alumnus, Joseph Torres, just finished up his first season playing semi-pro football for the Tomball Bobcats. During his time at PIHS, Torres participated and competed in Band, Football, and Track & Field. He was also a member of the National …

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Summer track athletes set new personal records

  By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS Summer track has begun, and a local Track & Field team, “Coastal Heat,” is making headlines as they competed in two T&F meets this past weekend. The team is comprised of the following athletes: D’Anthony Howard, Jordan Badillo, Elle Wall, Escarlet Urrutia, Jayda Howard, Layla Mata, …

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Praise on Padre returns with full day of baptism, worship, family events

By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON Special to the PRESS Pastor Clark Ortiz, from Center Church in Pharr, calls it a “joyful celebration of life,” and this Saturday, he’s inviting the entire Rio Grande Valley to join him at Beach Waterpark for Praise on Padre, a day-long event combining worship, music, baptisms, and family activities. “We are …

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SPI: Gold Star Affiliate

  Special to the PRESS Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide nonprofit dedicated to environmental sustainability and community improvement, has recognized the City of South Padre Island as a Gold Star Affiliate- its highest honor for community affiliates. Gold Star status is awarded to affiliates that demonstrate exceptional commitment to keeping their communities clean, green, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/12/spi-gold-star-affiliate/

Life Saved on Sand: SPI EMS makes history

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com A patient treated near Beach Access #3 on Friday, May 30, received what may have been a life-saving intervention, thanks to a cutting-edge emergency capability now carried by the South Padre Island Fire Department EMS. The patient was administered a unit of Low Titer O+ Whole Blood (LTOWB) on-scene—the first time …

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New $13M state fund could be lifeline for SPI Animal Shelter

By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON Special to the PRESS A newly approved $13 million spay-and-neuter fund from the Texas Legislature has opened a door of hope for shelters across the state—and for Friends of Animal Rescue on South Padre Island, the timing could not be more urgent. “Friends of Animal Rescue will definitely pursue funding from …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/06/12/new-13m-state-fund-could-be-lifeline-for-spi-animal-shelter/