Matthew Gregory “Matt” Thornton

Matthew Gregory “Matt” Thornton, 43, of Laguna Vista, Texas, entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 1, 2013, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. Matt was born on November 14, 1969, in Austin, Texas, and moved with his family to the Rio Grande Valley as a child. He was a standout athlete at Weslaco …

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NEVER TOO ‘YOUNG’ – 90-year-old takes plunge

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  Russell Louden decided to do something drastic to celebrate his birthday in 2013. He drove his motorcycle from his temporary home in Weslaco to the Island to skydive for his first time last Saturday. Louden said he was an Army brat growing up so he spent time all over the …

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SPI council hosts town hall meeting

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  The South Padre Island City Council hosted a town hall meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn Monday to discuss the Convention Centre Expansion/Renovation Project. Broaddus and Associates presented a plan that would go into action if the expansion/renovation project is approved. Gilbert Gallegos, a representative from Broaddus and Associates, said …

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Task force meets to discuss TWIA plan

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  The Coastal Windstorm task force met at the Hilton Garden Inn to present their plan for TWIA to avoid raising premiums for the 14 coastal counties. The task force said the issue began when Hurricane Ike caused catastrophic damage in Galveston. They said their plan in the beginning was to …

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Surfriders oppose wall

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  The Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter sent a letter to the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court opposing a retaining wall that would be built at the north end of access 6. Rob Nixon, Chairman of Surfrider South Texas, said his organization is against the construction of a wall because it would …

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Malki: Two-thirds of tourists are Texans

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  The South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation held a regular meeting last Wednesday. Dr. Mostafa Malki presented the annual Economic Index and Economic Impact Analysis to the EDC. He said the study had three factors he examined: Performance, projections and external factors. Malki said two-thirds of South Padre Island visitors …

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13th Annual SPI Kite Fest on tap Saturday

Special to the Parade On Feb. 2 and 3, the 13th Annual SPI Kite Fest will take place on South Padre Island. The festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the flats just north of the Convention Centre. Admission is free and you are encouraged to come …

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LMAG invites public to anniversary party

Special to the Parade The Laguna Madre Art Gallery is having a party from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, and you are invited! The gallery opened for business one year ago and members will be celebrating the gallery’s first anniversary with food and entertainment. Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and South …

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SPI takes closer look at ‘mass gatherings’

By CRAIG ALANIZ Reporter/Photographer press@portisabelsouthpadre.com  The South Padre Island City Council held a workshop concerning the mass gatherings ordinance Wednesday. Local businesses, residents and others that would be affected by the ordinance were in attendance. Business owners said the ordinance would deter events from coming to the Island because the subjectivity of the language of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2013/01/24/spi-takes-closer-look-at-mass-gatherings/

CORNERSTONE: Masons anoint convention centre

By RAY QUIROGA Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS rayq@portisabelsouthpadre.com Point Isabel Masonic Lodge #33 Worshipful Master David Gower couldn’t contain his elation Friday afternoon as he addressed those in attendance to witness an age-old cornerstone ceremony dedicating Port Isabel’s long-awaited community and event center on the grounds of the museum complex and Railroad Park. “This is …

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