Silva Looks ahead after falling short at regionals

By LARRY GAGE Special to the PRESS Port Isabel Tarpon hurdler Omar Silva is already looking to the future after falling short of his goals at last week’s UIL Region IV Track and Field Meet in Kingsville. Silva had qualified for regional competition in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles races by placing in the top …

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Aggravated robbery suspect captured

By ESTEVAN MEDRANO Port Isabel-South Padre Press press@portisabelsouthpadre.com Paul Scott Watts is in police custody after allegedly robbing a local taxi with a knife in Laguna Heights. He is charged with a first degree felony. The robbery occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21. The suspect received a ride from South Padre Island and …

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Injunction granted: Court decision temporarily reinstates ousted city commissioners

By ESTEVAN MEDRANO Port Isabel-South Padre Press press@portisabelsouthpadre.com A court hearing was held last Friday at the Cameron County 444th District Court regarding a temporary injunction being sought by Port Isabel commissioners Juan Jose “J.J.” Zamora and Martin C. Cantu to allow them to continue serving on the city commission. Zamora and Cantu were dismissed from …

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Port director discusses proposed LNG facilities

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Eduardo Campirano, director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville, spoke during the general meeting of the Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, discussing the industries and services the Port provides. During the nearly hour-long presentation, which included a visual presentation, Campirano also addressed the recent controversy regarding …

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HB 1717 passes State House, heads to Senate

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Monday, live-streaming the event online as the company set a communications satellite into geosynchronous orbit. Falcon 9 rockets are one of the vessels the space tech company hopes to launch from in the future from facilities currently under construction at Boca Chica …

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Early voting underway

By ESTEVAN MEDRANO Port Isabel-South Padre Press press@portisabelsouthpadre.com Early voting has commenced for elections to fill seats on the Laguna Vista Town Council, the Port Isabel City Commission and the Point Isabel Independent School District Board. One of the fiercest Port Isabel elections in recent memory is between incumbent Commissioner Guillermo “Memo” Torres and Jeffery Martinez …

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Writer’s Block: Time Flies

By DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com It seems like only yesterday I was waking up with echoes of Auld Lang Syne twinkling in my ears while the warm scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, but, looking down at my desk calendar I see that it’s already May. The year is almost halfway …

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Sales taxes down, revenue still up overall for the year

By ABBEY KUNKLE Special to the PRESS Although recent months have been down in terms of sales tax compared to last year, with inclement weather being cited as a major factor, revenue remains 4.25 percent higher for this fiscal year, according to discussions at the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) regular meeting Tuesday. …

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SHORT TERM RENTAL TAX: City of South Padre Island City Ordinance No.15-03 FAQ

To download the Short Term Rental tax registration form, click here. Special to the PRESS What constitutes a Short Term Rental? Short term rentals are residential dwellings; single family residence, apartment, residential condo, or other residential real estate rented for less than 30 days. When can I register? The on-line registration form will be available …

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Iconic dragon sculpture stolen

By ESTEVAN MEDRANO Port Isabel-South Padre Press press@portisabelsouthpadre.com An dragon carved from an ivory tusk was stolen from the front lobby of the former Port Isabel Yacht Club building, which is currently being renovated and repurposed into a culinary school. The elaborately painted carving is worth an estimated $5,000 to $6,000. City Manager Edward Meza noticed …

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