City won’t renew Clarke’s contract

BY SASHA HELLER Managing Editor editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island City Council has decided not to renew the contract of city manager Joni Clarke. Clarke started working with the city in January 2009. She began her tenure as city manager in November 2009. To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/25/city-wont-renew-clarkes-contract/

Garriga, Derry to combine

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA Reporter press@portisabelsouthpadre.com Point Isabel Independent School District Elementary Schools will make history this fall. For the first time, third-graders zoned in the Garriga Elementary School area will attend Garriga and second-graders zoned in the Derry Elementary School area will attend Derry. The change is the first of many anticipated at local …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/25/garriga-derry-to-combine/

Hot summer events set for Catholic Church

By MARTHA McCLAIN Special to the PRESS   A busy schedule of activities is underway this summer at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Parish in Port Isabel. With events ranging from entertainment to principle, the entire Laguna Madre community and seasonal visitors are invited to participate. Vacation Bible School continues for grades first …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/19/hot-summer-events-set-for-catholic-church/

City to fine gaming establishments

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA Reporter press@portisabelsouthpadre.com The Port Isabel City Council met Monday to discuss business that was postponed as a result of two previously canceled meetings. Commissioners approved an amendment to city ordinance No. 687 which would provide penalties, not to exceed $500, for gaming establishments. To read the rest of this story, subscribe …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/18/city-to-fine-gaming-establishments/

Council OK’s bond issue for Convention Centre

BY SASHA HELLER Managing Editor editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island City Council on Wednesday approved issuing a 30-year bond, at $2.3 million per year, to finance the long-discussed renovation and expansion of the South Padre Island Convention Centre. The City is ready to enter into the design and development phase as it has already received …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/18/council-oks-bond-issue-for-convention-centre/

What a trip

BY SASHA HELLER Managing Editor editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Hard work, commitment, sacrifice — these words are often spoken by coaches during two-a-day practices or halftime speeches to inspire their teams to victory. But only a champion knows what those words truly mean, a champion like Bethany Martinez. To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/18/what-a-trip/

Tragedy strikes; probe ongoing

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA Reporter press@portisabelsouthpadre.com Authorities are continuing to investigate the deaths of five people who drowned on July 11 when their vehicle became submerged in 25 feet of water at Zimco Marine, located at the Brownsville Shrimp Basin off State Highway 48. Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio identified 14-year-old Debbie Alvarez as the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/18/tragedy-strikes-probe-ongoing/

Truck runs over toddler

BY SASHA HELLER Managing Editor editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com A pickup truck ran over a 2-year-old girl Saturday near County Beach Access No. 5 on South Padre Island. According to the incident report, the toddler stepped out in front of a truck a half-mile north of the popular beach access point. To read the rest of this story, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/18/truck-runs-over-toddler/

Council holds hearing to discuss parking issues

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island City Council on Wednesday held a public hearing to discuss comprehensive parking solutions. Staff Attorney Scottie Aplin of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) presented an overview of the Texas Open Beaches Act. The act requires local governments to establish laws to protect the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/12/council-holds-hearing-to-discuss-parking-issues/

Chief stays focused on drug crackdown

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com Jaime Adrian Nuñez, Quirino Martinez and Adrian Niño pleaded not guilty on June 28 to charges filed after the three were arrested during a drug raid in a Port Isabel shopping center in March. The three men were charged with possession of a substance PG-1 and possession of …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/07/11/chief-stays-focused-on-drug-crackdown/