Laguna Madre VetFest returns to Port Isabel

Special to the PRESS Laguna Madre area veterans once again will have the opportunity to learn about services that are available to them without having to travel outside their community. On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, from 3-6 p.m., Laguna Madre VetFest will be held for the fourth time at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural …

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Powerlifters are ‘back on track’ after Rio Hondo Meet

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Thursday, Feb. 6, the Port Isabel powerlifting teams traveled to Rio Hondo to compete at the Bobcat Powerlifting Invitational. The meet featured the following eight schools: Port Isabel, PSJA North, Santa Maria, Hidalgo, Valley View, Lyford, La Feria and Rio Hondo. The following are the …

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FROM THE SANDBAR: Hard fighting pompano are in season

  David Woods is a South Padre Island fishing guide with over 20 years of experience. He is the author of three books offering expert fishing advice. It’s still pompano season out there! Although the official name is the Florida Pompano, they are more than comfortable to call it home here in Texas too. But …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/13/from-the-sandbar-hard-fighting-pompano-are-in-season/

MOMENTS IN TIME: Stage Line-Norther-Chewing gum to western front

Steve Hathcock has an extensive background in historical preservation and writing focused on South Texas. He has served as Chairman of the Cameron County Historical Commission for two terms and Vice Chair for two terms, having been a member since 2004. He is also a founding member of the Historical Foundation of South Padre Island …

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Legacy of Joe’s Oyster Bar founder lives on

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Port Isabel is in mourning of a local legend responsible for one of the community’s most beloved staples. Joe Castillo Sr, founder of Joe’s Oyster Bar, took his last breath on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at 4:50 p.m., surrounded by family, according to his son, Joe Castillo Jr.   “He went …

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PIISD reflects on 100th day of school

By ARABELLA SERRATA Staff Writer This past week, Point Isabel Independent School District [PIISD] celebrated its 100th day of the school year. Victor Barrera is a teacher at Port Isabel Early College High School [PIECHS], an assistant coach to the school’s basketball and football teams, Distributed Education Clubs of America [DECA] Chapter Advisor, and head …

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K’s Beads announces relocation after 40 years

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The community is witnessing the end of an era for two local small businesses and the beginning of a new one for the first “Arts and Entertainment” district on South Padre Island [SPI]. K’s Beads, a family owned and operated bead and jewelry shop, announced that it would be relocating from …

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USS JFK passes SPI on final voyage

By ARABELLA SERRATA Staff Writer On Sunday, Feb. 2 The Navy ship John F. Kennedy [JFK] CV-67 passed by South Padre Island on its final trip to the Port of Brownsville for scrapping. According to a Naval Sea Systems Command press release, the ship was commissioned on Sept. 7, 1968. It was the first ship …

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Therapy center opens on Hwy. 100

By ARABELLA SERRATA Staff Writer Surge Mobile Physical Therapy has recently opened a new location in Port Isabel at 1765 Highway 100. On Saturday, Jan. 25, Surge held its grand opening at the new location. Co-founder Dr. Sergio Martinez said the event had “a good turnout,” and saw the whole Surge team and past patients …

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LMWD’s LATEST: Congressman supports desalination project

  U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzales was in the area last week and one of his scheduled stops was in Port Isabel to visit the Laguna Madre Water District [LMWD]. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, Congressman Gonzales, joined by staff Laura Matamoros and Victor Garza, met with General Manager Carlos Galvan and staff members Roberto Gomez, …

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