General and Special Elections in Cameron County began on April 22 and runs through April 29 Two commissioner positions are up for election in the City of Port Isabel: Place 1 and Place 2 Candidates for Commissioner Place 1 are Sandra Holland and James A Running for Commissioner Place 2 are Armando Rivera Jr Port Isabel Mayor Martin Cantu is unopposed Early Voting for the Cameron County and the Laguna Madre Water District Special election runs from 9 a.m until April 29 at the SPI Community Center Early Voting for the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District General Election runs from 8 a.m until April 29 at 250 Industrial Drive in Port Isabel Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/24/early-voting-begins-for-general-special-elections/ Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Subscribe  Gift a Subscription not just yesterday,” he added during a later portion of the discussion “I try to look at the glass half full,” he said visit the Cameron County website at www.cameroncountytx.gov Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/05/01/no-property-tax-hike-big-economic-promise-trevino-makes-case-for-proposition-a/ A man is now in custody after jumping off of the Queen Isabella Causeway Monday morning during a police pursuit with South Padre Island Police her team was notified about the man that had jumped the bridge and an air marine operations unit under Customs and Border Patrol was able to recover him Welch said the man was then transported to the Coast Guard station with minor injuries The SPI paramedics were there to treat him on site Port Isabel Police Chief Robert Lopez said the incident happened on the westbound lanes We are expected to get more information on this investigation as it becomes available from the City of South Padre Island Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/14/man-jumps-off-queen-isabella-causeway-during-police-pursuit/ Port Isabel native Armando “Dito” Rivera Jr has officially announced his candidacy for Port Isabel City Commissioner Place 2 in the upcoming May 3 election “With years of experience managing multiple businesses I believe I can be a valuable asset to our city,” Rivera said “I care deeply about our community and pledge to support the sustainable growth of Port Isabel while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our residents.” Rivera said his commitment to public service is inspired in part by his late grandfather a former mayor of Port Isabel known for his contributions to the community The Arturo Galvan Coastal Park was named in his honor A longtime educator at Garriga Elementary and the writer of the school’s spirit song she dedicated over 40 years to teaching in the district “I have deep respect and admiration for the leaders who came before me I am committed to carrying on that legacy,” Rivera said Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/24/rivera-announces-candidacy-for-port-isabel-city-commissioner-place-2/ we proudly recognize 18-year-old Azul Albino as Senior of the Week—and it’s easy to see why Azul has stood out for her academic dedication and commitment to giving back to her community A straight-A student since her freshman year Azul is not only excelling in the classroom but also balancing an impressive list of extracurriculars and currently serves as Treasurer of the Rotary Club Some of those organizations require service hours—over 30 hours of community service—a commitment Azul takes seriously “I’ve gotten a lot better at time management,” she said “Last year was harder because I had more classes but this year I’ve had better opportunities to plan my time.” With all A’s and a thoughtful approach to studying—often working in groups with classmates—Azul has her sights set on a bright future “It’s important for me to make good grades to make myself proud and to make my family proud too,” she said “I want colleges to see that I’m dedicated and that I don’t slack in my classes.” Born in Brownsville but a Port Isabel student since elementary school Azul is blazing a trail as a first-generation college student and she’s determined to honor their sacrifices and I especially want to make them proud,” she said Her little brother already looks up to her and she hopes to set an example he can follow Azul has already been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin where she’ll attend the College of Natural Sciences she plans to get a job to begin saving for her college journey She credits the Upward Bound program at her school for helping her navigate the college application process “There aren’t a lot of college prep programs in the district so Upward Bound made a big difference for me,” she said “They provide tutoring and college readiness workshops which helped a lot since my family didn’t know much about the college process.” She’s especially grateful to her counselor “She helped me stay on track and made sure I had what I needed to succeed.” When asked what advice she’d give to younger students Azul gave a wise response: “Think of the future it’s going to work out at the end,” she said “And take advantage of the resources the district does have—you might not get a second chance.” The PRESS newspaper is proud to celebrate students like Azul Albino—determined and ready to lead the next generation with strength and purpose Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/17/port-isabels-senior-of-the-week-azul-albino-setting-bar-high/ Founder Richard Hitchcox at the prize table preparing to draw names for the much-loved raffle the organization has collected 4,740 pounds of trash in 2025 the upcoming gathering at the “end of the road” on June 21 promises to be a powerful demonstration of community Organized by Richard Hitchcox and the RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups group this event offers a chance for participants to unite for a common cause — keeping the Rio Grande Valley’s waterways clean was inspired by the trash he encountered while fishing with his son Paul “He was my fishing buddy,” Hitchcox recalled “Every place I tried to take him fishing was dirty with trash So I decided to try to do something about that.” His initiative has now evolved into a grassroots movement with a growing number of participants The mission is clear: protecting Rio Grande Valley waterways “Trash in the canals and resacas flows into the Arroyo Colorado River which flows into the Rio Grande and eventually the Gulf,” Hitchcox explained “Cleaning trash from any local waterway prevents it from ending up in the Laguna Madre.” The June 21 cleanup at the “end of the road” is another vital step in the group’s ongoing commitment to improving the region’s waterways Having organized cleanups across the area — including Gayman’s Bridge and other locations — the group is focused on maintaining and protecting the environmental health of the Rio Grande Valley’s diverse ecosystems Participants of all ages are encouraged to join as the event continues to reflect the group’s mission to bring together the local community reflected on the rewarding nature of these events: “People from all walks of life participate After putting in the work and loading up the dumpster Hitchcox always has plenty of donors who support him The prize drawing is a highlight for many participants every participant signs in and gets a ticket,” said Dunkin you get a prize donated by sponsors — ranging from fishing trips to gift certificates Saturday’s prize table at the last event reflected this generous spirit with donations from local businesses and individuals fueling a giveaway that included charter fishing trips emphasized the importance of awareness: “Events like this cleanup raise awareness of the negative impacts of trash—not only the unsightliness of it While local fishermen are often responsible stewards of the environment Hitchcox noted that much of the trash they collect is washed up from other areas “We are more interested in being part of the solution than pointing fingers,” he said The upcoming cleanup offers another opportunity for everyone stumbled upon the group during a sightseeing trip and joined in without hesitation It’s this openness and community-driven spirit that define the group’s work the group is incorporated as a Texas nonprofit corporation and operates on a shoestring budget Hitchcox credits the group’s growth to the support of generous sponsors who provide cleanup supplies the RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups will continue to protect local waterways and inspire community action—one trash bag (and prize ticket) at a time The June 21 cleanup at the “end of the road” offers a chance for everyone to come together and make a lasting impact on the Rio Grande Valley Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/24/cleanup-at-spis-end-of-road-powers-purpose-prizes/ Port Isabel is in mourning of a local legend responsible for one of the community’s most beloved staples “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to the family We really appreciate your support and hearing how you loved Joe’s Oyster Bar and everything my dad built in his lifetime My dad’s legacy will continue to live on through his hard work and we will continue to make him proud by ensuring Joe’s Oyster Bar continues to thrive.” Cameron County Constable Norman Esquivel stated Castillo’s family during this difficult time “Our deepest condolences to you and your family my father continues to visit Joe’s Oyster Bar and recommends it to everyone to this day He was one of 14 children in an impoverished family and eventually dropped out of high school to help support the household by joining the workforce She says that he made $5 a week at one of his first jobs he wanted to get into the restaurant business so he started gaining experience in the industry working in various eateries on the Island as a busser and a cook He saved money in pursuit of his dream of owning a restaurant the property at 207 E Maxan Street in Port Isabel This caused much disappointment for Joe Castillo Sr. as the owner called him back and gave him an offer on the building her father took all the money that he saved and purchased the property “He had buckets of ice and not much more at the beginning Joe’s Oyster Bar celebrated 42 years of business just a few days after Joe Castillo Sr.’s passing Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/10/legacy-of-joes-oyster-bar-founder-lives-on/ 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 Laguna Madre VetFest will be held for the fourth time at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center in Port Isabel Laguna Madre VetFest was launched in August 2023 due to its overwhelming support from the community with nearly 700 veterans and their spouses attending the three events Though the Laguna Madre VetFest is being held for the benefit of veterans and active-duty military who are residents of the Laguna Madre area all veterans who live or are visiting the Rio Grande Valley are welcome to come Laguna Madre VetFest features over 50 exhibitors offering products and services geared toward veterans Exhibitors will have raffle prizes and other goodies to give away The event will open with a patriotic program followed by live music from acclaimed local musicians and Combined Arms will be firing up the grills and providing free hotdogs and hamburgers to guests Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/13/laguna-madre-vetfest-returns-to-port-isabel/ is more than just a loop around the area — it’s a gathering who arrived on South Padre Island in late December he felt compelled to bring that sense of community with him that could help people feel a little more connected,” Johnson said Johnson had hoped more Winter Texans would participate “My favorite part of the Full Moon Bike Ride was meeting amazing people that welcomed me into a community that then turned into a family,” she said “It was one of the first community events we attended and it just showed me that there is such an amazing vibe and culture on South Padre Island I will never forget the love and acceptance I felt while being there.” Teri Kendhammer also found more than she expected A Facebook post about the event reminded her of the Beer By Bike Brigade back home in La Crosse the brigade began as a casual ride to local bars and eventually grew into a nonprofit with more than 400 participants The group’s mission is rooted in community support having raised funds for school lunch debts and even hosted food tables during the pandemic Kendhammer saw a similar spirit in South Padre “We thought maybe we would find our people,” she said “We noticed that Isla Blanca Campground is not very active after 8 p.m. and were off to meet all of the other campers who like to bike.” What they found was a small but welcoming group “We were surprised there were so few people but we were pleased to have already met one couple and their daughter from karaoke but we continued to get together with two of the couples throughout our February stay at Isla Blanca,” she said “I’m thankful and grateful for that Facebook post that brought fun friendly folks together all because of the full moon!” Her favorite part “Getting out on a bike ride at night is always fun and exciting Johnson was inspired by the positive feedback “It’s cool to see how something that started small can grow into something that matters,” he said While the Full Moon Bike Ride on South Padre Island is still in its early days and maybe a few new friends by the end of the night.” Full Moon Bike Rides are scheduled throughout the summer months Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/17/monthly-full-moon-rides-aim-to-build-island-connections/ Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary employees stumbled across an alligator in a pond in front of their property Not only did the 7-foot male gator not belong there but it had a piece of an arrow lodged in its back The crew from the alligator sanctuary sprang into action he put up a good fight,” said Jacob Reinbolt they called on their neighbors at Sea Turtle Inc. who brought materials and equipment over to help remove the shaft so that the open wound could heal “The head of the arrow was likely embedded in the gator’s bone and it wasn’t going to come out,” Reinbolt said Reinbolt said the crew was “taken aback” because the gator was extremely calm during the process we tried to keep it as non-invasive as possible and he hardly flinched the whole time….it was like he knew he was getting help.” an alligator can only be held in captivity for 72 hours before it must be released the alligator had had time to heal and was released to an undisclosed area “Alligators have a remarkable ability to recover from traumatic injury,” Reinbolt said “He is back in the wild where he belongs.” After the rain event the area experienced in late March Reinbolt said the freshwater contained by a berm behind the center was drained out so the wild alligators that had been living there for decades essentially ran out of water overnight causing them to spread out to seek more freshwater “Our facility sits right next to a water treatment plant that treats all the city’s water before it’s pumped back out into the bay That water treatment plant has created a massive freshwater ecosystem along our boardwalk…you get a mix of saltwater ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems and that freshwater is what makes it so special,” Reinbolt said “The water treatment plant has created a home where the wild alligators can get access to freshwater as well Those water treatment plants are the only reason we have wild alligators here at all.” The center currently has about 30 gators in captivity a number Reinbolt said isn’t something to brag about we wouldn’t have a single alligator in captivity in our facility but as long people continue to feed them and do things like this issued this statement on the teamwork it took to heal the alligator: “I hope that Sea Turtle Inc and the Birding Center can continue to set an example of how to focus on a common goal and provide resources for the greater good of the animals of South Padre Island.” the center is actively trying to restore the berm that held that freshwater in place so that the local wild alligators can live comfortably again Reinbolt advises not to interact with it; instead For more information on alligators in our area the Alligator Sanctuary hosts educational talks every day at 11 a.m. Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/10/alligator-found-with-arrow-in-its-back/ the new editor-in-chief of this wonderful publication Some of you may recognize me from my two years as a Channel 5 News Anchor-Reporter I enjoy spending time with my livestock animals (a mini bull and donkey…they are in Mercedes) I was honored by the Cameron County Judge and Commissioners in an official Resolution for my “outstanding service” and my “commitment to journalistic excellence,” demonstrating “professionalism and a passion for delivering accurate and timely news” This honor was a huge surprise I’m still so thankful for today Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/03/greetings-from-the-new-editor-in-chief/ Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/17/pi-isd-superintendent-scholarship-fishing-tournament-back-for-4th-year/ The first “Senior of the Week” feature goes to 18-year-old Port Isabel High School senior She was born and raised in Port Isabel and went to PI-ISD schools her entire life She is the drum major for the high school band and she participated in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) Not only is she busy with extra-curricular activities but Fleming tells me she is a straight-A student and these A’s she’s making are dual credit classes She will be graduating with her associate’s degree in general studies “Making good grades has helped me learn time management and be more disciplined for anything,” she said “You can transfer that to anything you do in life.” As a part of her discipline she tells me she goes to sleep early and makes sure to prepare herself for success the next day she says being awesome in school (my words She said she is most proud of getting her associate’s degree upon graduation because she started the program her sophomore year and was able to catch up quickly What has given her a bit of a challenge is having to apply for college applications and scholarships “I feel like everything was thrown at me all at once when it comes to the senior stuff,” she said she said her 7-year-old blue healer border collie mix cheers her up “It’s just nice seeing him all happy.” Her dog Marley isn’t the only one responsible for helping her during tough times she said she’s grateful for her parents for helping her financially She said her teachers also played a big role in her success they tell me ‘this isn’t like you…you need to step it up,’” she admitted “They motivate me to do the best I can.” I asked her if there was a specific teacher she wanted to give a special thanks to and she mentioned her calculus/statistics teacher Fleming plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin after graduation with hopes of living with her older sister She said she takes pride in being from such a tight-knit community like Port Isabel and will forever feel honored to call the city home Her advice to other students: “Don’t wait to the last minute to do anything because you never know when it will be gone.” Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/10/point-isabel-isd-senior-of-the-week-nicole-fleming/ “The good news about this plan is that it can happen fast,” said Langston Council member Kerry Schwartz brought up the maintenance portion of the budget and alleged that advocates for the park told him they volunteered to “make sure the park was taken care of.” Jon Wilson Assistant Public Works Director said his crew already performs maintenance duties for the pickleball courts and would be able to do the same for the dog park saying “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow because stuff almost never happens…I know there is some strong opinions on that park there maybe we can look for the funds for something spectacular.” McNulty alleged that public discussion of the park hinders the City’s ability to purchase land due to rising competition “There’s things we can’t discuss with the public,” Schwartz added “We looked at three other properties and lost them because it got leaked out.” Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/20/parks-recommends-larger-space-for-dog-park/ 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 He is also a founding member of the Historical Foundation of South Padre Island and will serve an active role in presenting the history of South Padre Island in the foundation’s new museum opening sometime in late spring/early summer 2025 Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/13/moments-in-time-stage-line-norther-chewing-gum-to-western-front/ I have a couple of items for the museum on SPI The South Padre Island Surf Team placed in this year’s State Surfing Championship The competition was held in Corpus Christi last weekend The team is composed of thirteen competitors won 1st place in both the women’s short and longboard competition “I am very thankful to be on the SPI Surf Team I started this sport young and hope to grow old doing what I love.” “I think it’s a very good surf team,” he said said the SPI Surf Team has had a positive impact on her son “Being part of the team has taught him valuable life skills such as discipline “Surfing is a challenging sport that requires focus and deal with setbacks along the way—important skills that will serve them throughout life.” 9-year-old Kannon Brown out of Surfside Beach Brown started surfing in June 2024 with his brother Bennett He said they fell in love with the sport immediately The two brothers said Hartwell has taught them so much from how to properly wax their board to learning to cross-step on a longboard she’s shown us what it means to be part of a team that feels more like family We’re so thankful for the constant support from our coach and our entire surf family This journey wouldn’t be the same without you all cheering us on and guiding us through every challenge and triumph.” The entire surf squad won 4th place out of 15 other state teams in the TEAMS division which is a combination of points from all team members This was 7-year-old Laguna Vista native Emma Crist’s first time competing in a state tournament said in a heartfelt Facebook post that Emma received her highest scores ever in a heat but it’s not about winning,” the post said “What Emma accomplished…was winning in our eyes.” Jacob Burks is a surf instructor who coaches many of these talented young surfers “My surf career has truly come full swing as God has blessed me with such a unique opportunity to spread the stoke of surfing to next generations in a multi-faceted way,” he said “I get to experience each new shredder taste the excitement of their very first waves…I get to influence these budding surfers as they advance their skills to a competitive level I get to see this very special group of groms perform their best at each contest My heart is so full of gratitude and stoke!” They give thanks to all their supporters and sponsors Sponsorship opportunities are still open to help with the cost of team gear For more information on how to become a sponsor email Aarin Hartwell at spisessions@gmail.com or call (956) 455-5238 Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/10/spi-surfers-win-in-state-championship/ undergraduates in the marine science program operate out of five portable research buildings that are reaching life expectancy due to “coastal location with longtime exposure to marine conditions.” These buildings will be removed after the new facility has completed construction Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/27/utrgv-approves-port-isabel-facility/ He is also a founding member of the Historical Foundation of South Padre Island and will serve an active role in presenting the history of South Padre Island in the foundation’s new museum which will open sometime in late spring/early summer 2025 The Bravo was partly loaded from the ship Anna from Liverpool and the Norther coming out from the Northwest was unable to make the mouth of the river or the beach and therefore made fast to the stern of the Anna and went down The captain and crew got safely aboard the Anna before the Bravo sunk A few more hurricanes and northerners and Mr Cooper and company will be able to find out how poor folks enjoy life Tom Kenedy arrived from La Parra Ranch last evening having made the trip of 100 miles in 10 hours Located in the so-called “Wild Horse Desert,” it was situated about 100 miles north of Brownsville He named the ranch La Parra after the wild grapevines that were so prominent to the area James and John were active in managing the vast piece of land Thomas died a few short years later and was buried in Brownsville (The Daily Cosmopolitan (Brownsville Texas) Feb Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/06/moments-in-time-lost-in-the-norther/ Although the Tarpons lost their previous game they were not backing down from the challenge the Chargers presented the Tarpons had a big 10-1 win over the IDEA Sports Park Stingrays in the district’s home opener a pass from Acosta to Leon led to another Tarpon score The Stingrays displayed determination and swiftly advanced the ball but the Tarpons defense continued to hold firm Julio Cortez and Leon all went on to score goals in the first half to give PI an 8-0 lead Acosta scored his second goal to give PI a 10-0 lead The Tarpons will be on the road for their upcoming game when they take on Brownsville Jubilee this Friday Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/06/port-isabel-upsets-idea-frontier/ 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] a family owned and operated bead and jewelry shop announced that it would be relocating from the Plaza on Padre Boulevard “We are sad (but excited) to announce that due to our plaza wanting to go in a different direction we will be relocating the store…As of today we are not exactly certain of anything other than the fact we will continue to carry on our K’s tradition for years to come,” the post reads The community took to the comment section to shower the family in love and also shared their memories from the shop Dorothy Kumpe had a daughter of her own just days before the plaza’s property management company delivered the news that they would not be renewing K’s Beads’ lease and that the business would have to vacate the property by the end of July The PRESS reached out to Padre’s Getaways for comment but did not receive a response as of the time of publication It moved into the plaza two years after opening and has been there ever since She says the location “has been like a second home” to the family She was not present at the shop when the news was delivered to her mother late last month It was really hard to take in,” said Dorothy Kumpe “We definitely went through a mourning period There was a week where we were just super down – lots of tears It took us a minute to get out of that shock factor We are ready to expand…We are trying to stay positive.” the property owners were only going to give them until March to move out but their property manager was able to extend their deadline until the end of July Dorothy Kumpe expressed how appreciative her family is for the extension and how determined they are to keep K’s Beads alive she also expressed how much the family has been taken back by the cost of rent at other locations her family is hoping to find a new location by the end of May Some community members have expressed displeasure with the change like Betty Keel Zamorsky Vanzant who commented “I am so sad to hear this…It’s so sad to see 40 years of tradition disrupted the plaza is missing the point that y’all have been a form of art on the Island long before most artists were even here…” stating “Displacing a family’s only source of income causes harm to the very community you wish to support our family’s store has been more than a business – it’s been a place where creativity and community intertwine where generations have gathered to share stories We understand the desire to bring new opportunities to the Island but true community growth honors the roots already planted Progress shouldn’t mean erasing the very heart that has kept this place vibrant for decades.” Mike Luburich and Karen Everett of Karen’s Custom Toe Rings were served the same eviction notice He shared that they have already been in the process of closing their doors after being located in the plaza for 22 years Luburich expressed that they wished they would have had more notice and have a little bit more retirement money He says their deadline to vacate the property is the end of March they had a buyer lined up for the business The potential buyer currently owns a successful toe ring shop in Port Aransas according to Luburich and was offering “several hundred thousand dollars” for the business on South Padre Both families behind the small businesses say that the owners of the plaza are intending to convert the entire plaza to only host art galleries received an upgrade: a new sign that reads ‘Arts District’ We just wish it had been handled maybe more differently,” said Luburich Luburich says he and his wife still hope to sell the business to fund their retirement I would like to thank all of our customers and local people that have supported us all these years,” said Luburich the South Padre Island City Council approved the rezoning the area known as Stillman’s Landing as an “Entertainment and Arts District.” Director of Operations and Deputy City Manager as Sanchez was unable to attend the meeting Delgado told the council that she and Wilson could answer any questions the Council had A motion to approve the item was made almost immediately without further discussion but council member Kerry Schwartz requested a map of the lots at Stillman’s Landing up for rezoning be presented for the public’s viewing since the map was only available in the council members’ packets The map was projected and is available for viewing on the recording of the meeting its between Tarpon and Amberjack Street from Laguna to Padre Boulevard and then when you cross over Padre Boulevard it gets into one or two lots back towards Gulf Boulevard,” explained SPI Mayor Patrick McNulty it’s taking the commercial on the east side of Padre Boulevard between Amberjack and Tarpon and then it’s bringing in all of that area between Padre and Laguna.” There was no further discussion and the motion passed unanimously another begins as the seeds planted for the Arts and Entertainment District begin to grow Artists already in the plaza have shared their belief that the quantity of art galleries on the Island generates “a lot of excitement and interest,” and is beneficial to the area “The rezoning to create an arts district is an important step for us in achieving our ultimate goal of creating an arts destination The arts and cultural district allows us now to apply for grants to support our work and our new art businesses,” stated JoAnn Evans Director of the Arts Business Incubator South Padre Island Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/10/ks-beads-announces-relocation-after-40-years/ The fans that made it out to the game were treated to a Friday night with temperatures in the 60s The Mustangs reached midfield in their next possession Port Isabel called up a reverse play to receiver Anthony Garcia and it paid dividends as he dashed for a 27-yard gain into Ingleside’s territory QB Bryan Martinez had a nice ten-yard gain on a quarterback keeper running back Michael Finona rumbled his way into the endzone on a 19-yard TD run as the Tarpons took a 14-7 lead into halftime The Tarpons’ “Seawall Defense” also stepped it up as linebacker Bryan Cinfuegos got a sack and then another big hit on the QB Ingleside got back into the game with a 78-yard touchdown punt return that made it a 21-14 game with 1:21 left in the third quarter The Tarpons responded with an 11-play scoring drive of their own capped by a nine-yard TD run by Ramos The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard run by Green head coach Tony Villarreal sees them as a formidable foe and considers them one of the top three teams from the region “They’re ranked 30th in the state I believe Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2024/11/21/port-isabel-emerges-as-bi-district-champs/ At the latest City of South Padre Island [SPI] commission meeting on Jan the board alerted the public in advance of the cold weather that occurred earlier this week encouraging citizens to pick up debris and be prepared Laguna Madre Water District [LMWD] representative Charles Ortiz delivered a presentation on the Seawater Reverse Osmosis Facility [SWRO] It will be on the consideration bond for the May 3 LMWD plans on implementing a Seawater Desalination Treatment Facility as a modification to Water Treatment Plant No It will be an alternative supply to the Rio Grande and produce up to five million gallons of potable water daily The project will cost $72,750,000 according to the presentation the December 2024 City Manager’s Report was presented The report declared the fire department’s toy drive a success and showed that their application for the Assistance to Firefighters grant is complete; it is for a $250,000 grant to support the acquisition of a fire suppression vessel The report also showed that the fire department’s beach patrol office is nearing completion and air conditioning units have been installed on various floors at the station the SPI Police Department participated in community events They also ensured some of their officers had ALERT level one training which allowed them to teach other officers and assisted the Port Isabel Independent School District interns Public Works has completed manhole and inlet modifications and made strides in installing lighted bollards limestone road base and concrete for Retama Street The environmental health section of the report shows that the City was awarded the “Texas Our Future Grant” to receive reusable beach bags and reduce litter on the beach and the Isla Grand held the 21st annual TEHA-STC Educational Conference information technology in the City has also made strides The email security platform for City employees has been put in full effect Tyler Technologies and ESO Fire Integration allow Fire Software to transfer call sheet information Currently underway is the addition of Starlink Internet Service for first responders in the city The IT and SPI Fire Department are currently working to add the service to emergency incident response units to allow communication in remote areas The report showed that human resources hosted an awards ceremony to honor 22 staff members for their years of service the Municipal Court implemented a new law mandating the courts establish a “youth diversion plan.” It is officially called the Texas Youth Diversion and Early Intervention Act and will help those identified as “at-risk youth” or accused of certain Class C misdemeanors Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/23/city-reviews-managers-report/ much of the RGV woke up to the rumble of thunder and heavy rainfall According to the assistant Public Works Director the Island was slammed with 9.17 inches of rain In a meeting with Army Corp Engineers out of Galveston the Public Works team learned that because of that heavy rain the Island experienced its 100-year rain event That means there is only a 1% chance every year of that much rain falling the RGV experienced more rain between March 26-28 than several other major rain events including tropical cyclones such as Labor Day in 1933 The reason so much water pooled on the Island streets is because it was just too much rain in such a short amount of time “The amount of development on South Padre Island tends to affect how fast the rain water accumulates on our streets and to our storm drain systems.” Because SPI is flat with very little elevation it took about 2 hours for the flood water to drain into the bay “Drainage is measured by the volume of water being moved by gravity,” said Wilson we could make the storm water runoff much faster.” Although high tides play a factor in flooding the SPI Public Works Department is working on adding more storm water pipes throughout the island This includes a 24-inch storm water pipe designed by Public Works Director Alex Sanchez This new pipe is a part of the reconstruction to West Lantana street and will provide additional capacity leading from inlets along Padre and Gulf Blvd. Wilson says he is proud of the drainage efforts thus far on the Island and his team is prepared for all future rain events Island residents are encouraged to use Gulf Blvd Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño posted online encouraging residents to report property damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management The City of South Padre Island sends this message to the rest of the Valley affected: “Our hearts and prayers go out to all the surrounding cities still affected by last week’s rain event We hope for a swift recovery and relief for everyone struggling with the flood’s impact.” Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/04/03/record-breaking-rainfall-swamps-padre-blvd/ the Port Isabel Tarpons traveled to La Feria for a district showdown and came away victorious as they managed to shut out the Lions The win marks the second district win on the road as the Tarpons had previously beaten Rio Hondo (5-1) earlier in the week The Tarpons had a rough start to the season but with a week off to prepare for district play the team put in some hard work during practice and finally broke their losing streak Several returning Tarpon players have changed positions and taken on new roles this season the team was still trying to find the right combination on the field coach Ortiz believes his players “have grown and matured as a team” and have “shown significant promise.” Regarding differences between last season and now We communicate better and stay calm under pressure Spectators should see how we’ve improved since last year and be impressed by our teamwork My expectations are to win games and play like a team but that’s only possible if we play together I’m confident we’ll win district and make a deep playoff run.” The Tarpons look forward to continuing their winning streak when they take on IDEA Riverview on Friday Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/30/soccer-team-improves-to-2-0-in-district/ PIECHS cheerleader Issabel Cuevas traveled to England to participate in theLondon New Year’s Day Parade Port Isabel Early College High School [PIECHS] student Issabel Cuevas recently traveled overseas to represent Port Isabel [PI] and perform at the London New Year’s Day Parade an annual event that brings people from around the world together to kick off the New Year Cuevas has been a cheerleader for three years on junior and regular varsity teams technique and confidence grow stronger,” said Gonzalez Gonzalez ensures that the cheerleaders “set a good example as spirit leaders” and maintain school spirit at all events “I hope Issabel learns that when you love doing something and you work hard at it it can take you places you’d never imagine it would go Some opportunities are once in a lifetime,” said Gonzalez Cuevas called the parade an “amazing” time She was sorted into the group called “The Greatest Show,” and spent the early hours of parade day practicing before the Parade officially began Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/16/cuevas-represents-port-isabel-overseas/ The men’s division saw 47 lifters compete from the following five schools: Port Isabel Brownsville Riverview IDEA and Brownsville Lopez Michael Finona won bronze with a total lift of 1,145 lbs (Squat:485 Finona had the team’s highest improvement from the previous meet with a 110 lb increase in total lift Arnulfo Hernandez made his season’s debut securing the bronze with a total weight of 1,175 lbs (Squat:475 Brownsville Riverview IDEA 36 points and 3 Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/23/port-isabel-competes-at-pace-powerlifting-meet/ the Port Isabel women’s powerlifting team traveled to La Feria to compete at the Lionettes Invitational Powerlifting Meet The meet featured the following eight schools: Port Isabel Natalissa Arambul** came in eighth place with a total lift of 425 lbs Stacey Suarez* won gold with a total lift of 710 lbs Dead Lift:225) and is currently #5 in the regional rankings for her class Daniela Alonso* came in fourth with a total lift of 765 lbs Emma Villarreal* won gold with a total lift of 780 lbs Iyairy Guzman* won gold with a total lift of 860 lbs Also qualifying for regionals was Kelly Flores who competes in the 198-weight class The men’s team have a week off as they prepare for their upcoming qualifier hosted by Port Isabel Early College Highschool on Feb The next women’s powerlifting meet will be the 4A Girls’ Regional meet held at the Bert Ogden Arena on Feb Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/20/port-isabel-womens-powerlifting-team-finishes-first-at-la-feria-meet/ Cities and establishments around the Laguna Madre are preparing for local elections Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/27/city-elections-solidify-candidates/ Robert and Rosa Sanchez donated a banner commemorating Port Isabel Lady Tarpon Emily Burrage’s 1000th point presented Burrage with the banner after the Lady Tarpon’s most recent game Burrage assisted the Lady Tarpons in securing a 56-31 win over the Valley View Lady Tigers with 31 points the Port Isabel Lady Tarpons took on the Valley View Lady Tigers in a crucial district matchup The Lady Tarpons entered the game hoping to break their three-game losing streak including their first district loss to La Feria (59-38) the previous week the Lady Tigers were also looking to break their losing skid after losing their last game to Bro The Lady Tarpons got off to a slow start as they trailed the Lady Tigers for most of the first quarter Port Isabel’s [PI] Emily Burrage was fouled during a layup but she was able to make the basket and the free throw to tie the game up at 9-9 The Lady Tarpon shooting woes continued as Valley View regained the lead and closed out the quarter with a 12-9 lead Burrage snatched up her third steal of the night and passed the ball to her teammate who proceeded to score and tie the game up at 15-15 The Lady Tarpons played solid defense the rest of the quarter going on a 7-0 run and taking a 22-15 lead into halftime PI’s Burrage had a big night on both sides of the ball as she finished the game with 31 points Polo Sanchez presented with a banner celebrating her 1000th point achievement Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/09/lady-tarpons-cruise-to-56-31-win-over-tigers/ The Art Lounge’s Art Deco opening reception is right around the corner many people have inquired about purchasing the poster for the event which was created by artist Cristina Piecuch and one preparing to dive off of a sunbeam the piece was inspired by her time learning to surf on South Padre Island Piecuch’s journey with art began when she was a child She was born in Peru; her family later moved to Michigan when she was a teenager Her parents were supportive of her passion enrolling young Piecuch in art classes and encouraging her to “work with her hands,” which she loved to do “I was a kid who really enjoyed building things What I loved about art was that it is an excuse to do all those things,” said Piecuch She continued to further her art education at Grand Valley State University where she was formally introduced to the Art Deco era According to the New York Public Library’s Art Deco Research Guide Art Deco was an international decorative style popular from 1919 to 1939 initially known as “le style moderne” or “Jazz Moderne.” It was first born in France and attracted international notice in 1925 bold colors and often luxurious materials Piecuch says her ever-changing artistic style is heavily influenced by the Art Deco era which is why she is so excited about this upcoming show at the lounge She explained that the amount of skill needed to create the intricate designs of the era she enjoys combining intense graphic forms and detailing with a flourish of bold stark color and intricacy She also likes to play with different mediums but consistently gravitates to her favorite themes one of her favorite influences is Alphonse Mucha an artist whose career spanned through the sinous and dynamistic Art Nouveau era into Art Deco and he too displayed a similar fondness for painting the female figure in pieces like Gismunda and Princess Hyacinth “I loved the ornate use of gold and decorative elements,” said Piecuch “I love the drama of the time…I think that’s what really inspired me.” The Art Lounge has held several exhibits with lively opening receptions since its inception in May 2022 all of which have included Piecuch’s artwork The lounge’s artists create pieces tailored to the particular assigned theme but find ways to incorporate the landscape and/or culture of the Island to cultivate a relevancy with its residents When embarking on the creation of her Art Deco pieces Piecuch asked herself what she loved about South Padre This led to the creation of her piece Shrimp Cocktail which features a woman from the Roaring 20s She says this piece is the one she’s most excited to display for the public “I wanted to create a series that paid homage to that era of graphic design…but also making it about here According to Piecuch she spent a week each creating her six her pieces that will be displayed as part of the Art Deco exhibition alongside Anavey Donae’s silver ring collection Angel Loo’s mesmerizing oil-on-canvas pieces Vie Dunn-Harr’s signature floral designs with a 1920s flair and Jeanna Pena’s Coral Crescendo series which consists of instruments encrusted in coral Piecuch expressed her admiration for how her fellow artists tackle the exhibitions’ changing themes utilizing their own unique styles and mediums which I am really excited for” said Piecuch In the days prior to the opening reception the artists are busying themselves with final touches and preparing to transform the lounge into a modern day speakeasy Drapery and decadent chandeliers will add to the ambience and a live jazz band will complete the boisterous atmosphere Guests are encouraged to adorn Great Gatsby-Esque attire “I am always looking for an excuse to dress up and since we are literally a hundred years away from this period We are living in the 20s again!” said Piecuch “Who does not love to dress up in a flapper dress?” Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/20/art-deco-piecuch-reimagines-spi-as-le-style-moderne/ Chapel By The Sea Pastor Dave Boughter will be staring in a one-man show next weekend a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley recently wrapped up production on Niel Simon’s I Ought To Be In Pictures debuting Abigal Crum and also starring veteran actor Peter Quentin Smith and Boughter’s wife the Director of the Art Business Incubator this production is “set in the clubhouse of the cathedral of baseball” as it chronicles Yogi Berra’s return to Yankee Stadium after a 14-year absence to throw the opening pitch It will show at the South Padre Island Convention Center for three nights Boughter grew up in Southern California as the youngest of three kids He graduated from Southern Hills High School in 1979 and went on to receive a degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1985 and she met his father doing summer stock theater in Illinois He says that doing theater today makes him feel connected to his parents She would have been so happy that I was in this,” said Boughter Boughter says he dabbled in acting in high school but took a long break from the art until he moved to South Padre Island with his wife and two children in 2001 to work as a golf course superintendent This was four days before the collapse of the Causeway Memorial Bridge which provided quite the shocking start in the Lower Laguna Madre It wasn’t long before Boughter became a youth pastor again this time in Laguna Vista at what is now known as Cross Church He also operated a youth church catered to junior high and high school-aged kids for nearly ten years with the help of Julie Door Youth Church was located in the Shell Harbor Center in Port Isabel and was funded by local businesses They had nearly 100 kids involved and even had their own band he’s the full-time pastor of Chapel by the Sea El Paseo Arts Foundation came into his life after Julie auditioned for a play with her friend Brenda Bailey The following year he took the stage in the melodrama Curse You Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/16/pastor-dave-takes-stage-in-one-man-play/ Under the buzz and glow of the metal halide flood lamps the surface of the water popped and crackled like frying bacon as speckled trout greedily fed I first tried my spinning rod and threw to the edge of the light I tried a few more times before setting the rod down in mild frustration and getting out my fly rod set-up The drag clicked and peeled the line out into the channel I was surprised by the strength of the fish I unhooked the fish and measured it at just under 22” and then flipped it back into the water to go eat more shad catching quite a few more once I had figured out they wanted the small fly I was offering I am amazed at how fast the trout population responds to changes in regulations the creel limit was ten trout at a minimum length limit of 15 inches Catching a limit wasn’t easy and generally only one or two of the fish would be over 20 inches I remember fishing all night long sometimes and catching only a trout or two over 22 Most of the fish I caught the other night were around that size with one near 26 Trout fishing in the lights did not use to be like that I never will cease to be amazed by the forces of Mother Nature either Those trout turn all that shad into massive gains in seemingly no time at all I think a few things combined to create the situation we have with good rains last year and the new regulations shaping a bloom population after recent freeze events Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/03/20/from-the-sandbar-trout-fishing-remains-excellent-for-foreseeable-future/ Tarpon fanatics made their way to Kingsville to watch their (9-2) Port Isabel [PI] Tarpons go up against the (8-3) Lago Vista Vikings in an Area Round matchup the rowdy PI nation outnumbered the opponent fans in what seemed to be a three to one ratio The game turned into a defensive battle as both teams stood their ground ending in a 0-0 score after one quarter of play Port Isabel got their first good field position on a punt out of bounds at the Vikings’ 41-yard line The Tarpons’ offense was once again shut down as they had yet to pick up a first down in their first five possessions Lago Vista’s offense gained momentum as they went on a 40-yard scoring drive capped by a three-yard TD run the Tarpons picked up their first first down on a 19-yard pass play from QB Bryan Martinez to wide receiver [WD] Anthony Garcia a personal foul by PI and another sack by the Vikings erased any gains the Tarpons had and the teams headed into the locker room at the halftime break The Vikings took the second half kickoff and had a big return down to the PI 28-yard line Quarterback Henderson found his receiver open in the endzone for the TD pass play as Lago Vista extended their lead to 21-0 the Viking’s coaching staff virtually eliminated the Tarpons’ special teams play by punting the ball out of bounds or kicking the ball into the endzone during kickoffs With about five minutes to go in the third quarter things started to get heated between the teams which led to several players being involved in a brawl and ultimately game ejections Lago Vista went on to outscore PI 17-0 in the second half on their way to a 31-0 shutout win over the Tarpons as their football season came to an end the Tarpons’ offense struggled all game long The Vikings stacked the line of scrimmage with nine players and outmuscled the Tarpons’ offensive line as they contained the PI rushing game the PI QB wasn’t given enough time to find his receivers Possibly implementing some modern-style football formations would’ve given the PI QB time to be more successful but throwing the ball from under center was doomed from the start of the game Lago Vista will be playing Sinton for the Regional Championship with the winner possibly playing Wimberley in the Region IV Quarterfinals Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2024/11/27/port-isabel-eliminated-from-football-playoffs/ The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley [UTRGV] School of Earth and Marine Science’s Coastal Studies Lab is closing out its Winter Seminar Series with dual talks on Saturday Admission is free to the entire public and refreshments are provided Online registration is required by visiting www.utrgv.edu/coastal-studies-lab under the “Education Services” tab Amit Raysoni will kick off the morning with his talk regarding air quality in the RGV at 9 a.m Findings from his ongoing air pollution research will be the focus of Raysoni’s talk He’s an assistant professor and researcher of air quality at the UTRGV He says in the past his work has focused on characterizing air pollutant levels caused by traffic his focus has been on transboundary air pollution He and his team of graduate and undergraduate students have worked on projects regarding the effects of sugarcane burning in the Valley included the installation of air quality sensors throughout the RGV as well as the use of NASA satellites to further gather data “The citizenry on both sides of the border could lessen the burden of the exposure of air pollution,’ said Raysoni Raysoni has worked with UTRGV since August 2018 teaching and researching environmental science The Coastal Studies Lab is located at 100 Marine Lab Dr unless one has purchased a year-long county park pass Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/23/air-pollution-researcher-to-talk-at-isla-blanca/ Laguna Madre residents were given quite the shock when the familiar blimp that usually hovers above the bay began doing summersaults last Monday This blimp is a multi-million dollar Air and Marine Operations [AMO] Tethered Aerostat System owned and operated by U.S broke free from its tether at approximately 3:15 p.m Residents reported witnessing the cable dragging through residential areas resulting in multiple power outages on South Padre Island “We watched the whole thing from our site just inside the park sparks and [a] black cloud of smoke just above the Chapel sign then went out of site and east over the gulf,” wrote Sue Rukamp Hoogland in an Isla Blanca Park resident Facebook group Chapel by the Sea Pastor Dave Boughter confirmed that the tether did strike the chapel’s sign were also served quite the shock when an “unidentified object” fell from the sky The aerostat landed just north of Quinlan’s city limits A local new source mistook the aerostat for an airplane crash The aerostat had become entangled in powerlines after traveling 624 miles; it was brought down by Benson Brothers Heavy Durt Wrecker service early in the morning on Wednesday Fox News reported that NASA was investigating the incident Argos is the third aerostat to be deployed over South Padre Island Argos was designed to collect information about cross-border traffic and associated activities they stated that it was not intended to interfere in non-criminal activity and that the data would be transmitted to law enforcement entities but would be “stored and protected in accordance with all legal regulatory and policy requirements for privacy.” Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/03/06/cbp-loses-its-aerostat-lands-600-miles-north/ Sea Turtle Inc [STI] has worked relentlessly to save sea turtles impacted by the cold stuns that rippled through the Laguna Madre This monumental task was not done alone; STI had the help of many volunteers get into the winter chill and help affected turtles get out of the cold into the hospital and released back into the Gulf of Mexico Some of the volunteers were local fishermen Renya has been helping STI with these cold stun events frequently in the past four years going so far as to include his whole family in the activity and everyone is saving a life,” said Renya Gibson says he volunteered for STI because he had the time and resources he tried to help independently but contacted Renya for help “He came out and helped me put turtles on the boat,” said Gibson Gibson was loaned a boat by Captain George Strader owner of Towboat US for Arroyo City and Port Isabel and monitored water temperatures and picked up more turtles he was assisted by STI Director Of Animal Care Chris Gorman I’m out on the water taking fish out all the time It’s just good to help out and help the resources as well,” said Gibson Gibson added that he tries to be conservative with how much fish he takes out of the water he does everything he can to ensure only the bare minimum of fish are taken to limit the overconsumption of local resources Gibson encourages the public to volunteer with STI “I think more people should get involved and help out,” said Gibson According to his official listing on fishingbooker.com Renya has been fishing since he was a young child and has had a successful career in fishing in his adulthood giving back to Laguna Madre helps me on my personal journey as a fishing captain,” said Renya Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/30/fishermen-rescue-cold-stunned-turtles/ Not Facebook posts or using your retirement or social security check to supplement your fishing guide business To many bought and paid for rookie guides Lillian was arraigned the following day at the South Padre Island Courthouse equipped with an electronic monitoring device an order to not leave Cameron County and a $100,000 bond a number much lower than the $1-million dollar bond initially requested by the state She is facing a charge of “interference with child custody,” a state jail felony the maximum punishment she could face is two-years in a state jail facility Lillian’s attorney “reminded” the court that “This evolves originally from a domestic issue – from a divorce gone wrong.” she voluntarily agreed to surrender Rilee to Dakota’s possession In an interview with the PRESS in early September 2024 Junior also shared concern that his sister and niece may have been injured Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/01/02/rilees-return-missing-child-found-in-panama-mother-ordered-to-house-arrest/ Port Isabel finished the regular season as district 16-4A Division 2 Tri-Champs due to a three-way tie with Kingsville and La Feria Port Isabel Tarpons secured the number-one playoff seed and is set to face off with number-four seed The Mustangs finished last season with an 11-2 overall record losing in the third round of the playoffs to eventual State Semifinalist Although the Mustangs lost their star quarterback [QB] The Tarpons will have their hands full with dual-threat QB Sawyer Chalk he is 98-of-182 with 1341 yards and 14 touchdowns His main targets will be Javier Solis III (24 rec. Anthony Garcia and the Smith twins will have to go stride for stride with the Mustangs receiving corps The secondary will have to resist letting their receivers free if they see Chalk attempt a run because Chalk often throws the ball at the last second for big gains “Our secondary needs to really step up on coverages,” said Tarpon defensive coordinator All eyes will be on Chalk as he is the Mustangs’ leading rusher after rushing for 1292 yards on 160 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns and an 8.1 rushing average Mustangs’ have three running backs with double-digit carries but Chalk is by far their most dangerous runner He is fast and elusive,” said Barbarena III the Tarpons rush defense has been much improved and will need to continue to improve Key players on the Tarpons front seven include Edward Garza (68 tackles) Steven Martinez (23 tackles) and sophomores Michael Finona (24 tackles) and hard-hitting Ryan Cinfuegos (44 tackles) has been improving his passing skills all-season long but Port Isabel’s ‘bread-and-butter’ is its run game The Tarpons’ offense is based around their running back group and leading the charge is speedster Luis Ramos who has amassed 1121 yards on 129 carries Other runners to watch out for include Finona and Cinfuegos Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2024/11/08/port-isabel-faces-ingleside/ © 2025 Port Isabel-South Padre Press.