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Port A from the outside looking in
We became tourists in our own town a few weeks ago when friends from Beeville, who have been here many...
Our readers speak
Deepening dread The Corps of So-Called Engineers – what are they engineers of, the Chattanooga Choo-Choo? – have found after...
The ex-prosecutor versus the felon
The presidential race has just received an historic reboot, thanks to Joe Biden’s selfless decision to stand down in the...
Dems and Joe Biden: A classical lesson in betrayal
One of the most famous phrases in history is one that my high school Latin teacher Sister Mary David intoned...
‘Males Order Brides’ end run Sunday
The melodrama, “Males Order Brides or Big Harry Deal’s Scandalous Scheme,” will end its run this weekend on the Port Aransas Community Theatre stage. The production will run Thursday through...
Hot summer fun!
The City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department is hosting two outdoor events for all ages to take place on Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26. Glow Ride...
Library summer programs to wrap-up
It’s a wrap this week for summer programming hosted by the William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library. The upcoming events will begin at 10 a.m. in the library meeting room....
Benefit set for Balcoms
Meals, a silent auction, a raffle and more will be on tap during a benefit for Patsy and Paul Balcom on Saturday, July 27. The fundraiser is to offset medical...
Sunset Sounds Jr. set Aug. 1
A free kids’ concert is set for Thursday, Aug. 1, at Roberts Point Park. Juan C and the Keylimes will take the Patsy Jones Amphitheater stage at 7 p.m. The...
PAISD preps for new year
Several events are being planned as preparations begin for the start of the 2024-25 school year at Port Aransas ISD. The first day of school will be Tuesday, Aug. 13....
Dennin ‘Denny’ Peterson
Dennin (Denny) Peterson (77) passed away in Duluth, Minnesota on June 11, 2024 while on his annual hunting and fishing...
Billy Gray Carpenter
With heavy hearts, we announce Billy Gray Carpenter passed away July 18, 2024. He was 95. Billy was born in...
Michael Stephen Farley
Michael Stephen Farley, age 82, born on September 22, 1941 in Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on Monday, June 17,...
Ask the Father for help daily
Pastor’s PenAnother week, another historical event, and so it goes for us alive in 2024. It seems like we cannot go more than a week or so without something historically significant...
Massive dredge project approved
Federal authorities have approved a permit for the Port of Corpus Christi to dredge its ship channel in Port Aransas far deeper, prompting criticism from a citizens’ group concerned that the project will harm the environment. The dredging would deepen the existing channel from its currently authorized depth of 54 feet to 77 feet, according to the U.S. Army Corps...
City plans wetlands purchase
The City of Port Aransas is in the process of buying about 4 acres of undeveloped land that mostly consists of wetlands northeast of the Family Center IGA. The Port Aransas City Council unanimously voted to purchase the land for $1.185 million after being in executive session during a meeting on Thursday, July 18. The council has met in executive...
Nebletts’ work has reached throughout Port Aransas
It’s hard to find a facet of life in Port Aransas that hasn’t been touched by the work of Georgia and Duncan Neblett Jr. since they moved here in 1976. Duncan, 82, has been employed for decades as an attorney, municipal court judge and justice of the peace here in town. Georgia, 76, is a former Port Aransas mayor who...
Port Aransas Surf Rescue Team overall winner of competition
Members of the Port Aransas Surf Rescue Team won several first places during the 2024 United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Regional Competition on the beach in Port Aransas on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16 and 17. They competed against members of Galveston Beach Patrol, Padre Beach Patrol and Cameron County Lifeguards. Events included rescue board races and relays; swim races...
Grass fire burns San Jose Island
A grass fire started at the southern end of San Jose Island and burned for hours on Thursday, July 18, producing towering of plumes of smoke that could be seen all over Port Aransas. The fire apparently was out the following day, though it was unclear whether it burned itself out or was extinguished by firefighters or ranch workers. San...
Memorial fund set up for victim in boat-ship accident
Contributions are being accepted for a memorial fund that has been set up for Jared Hunt, who was killed in a boat accident in Port Aransas on Saturday, July 13. Multiple goals have been set and already exceeded in the fundraising effort. As of Monday, July 22, $79,689 had been raised toward the newest goal of $100,000, according to a...
Atkinson fundraiser established
A fundraiser has been established to help Port Aransas resident J.B. Atkinson defray expenses as he recovers from injuries he suffered from a fall, according to a GoFundMe post. Atkinson, 42, was putting up a storm shutter to prepare for a possible strike on Port Aransas by Hurricane Beryl on July 6 when he fell from a ladder, breaking his...
Credit union plans meet-and-greet event
To celebrate its one-year anniversary in Port Aransas, Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union will host a meet-and-greet with its local branch team on Friday, July 26. The event will be from 3 to 5 p.m. The branch is at 1726 State Highway, Suite A, next-door to the South Jetty newspaper. Refreshments will be provided. Folks who attend can register for...
Sales tax allocation drops
The sales tax allocation to Port Aransas for sales made in May took a slight drop compared to the same period last year. The return to the city was down .88 percent for the reporting period, but allocations for the year to date still were up by 6.21 percent. This year’s monthly allocation was $342,350.42. The allocation from sales made...
Burroughs recognition
Meeting on Wednesday, July 17, Nueces County commissioners approved a resolution recognizing Scott Burroughs for his law enforcement career and his recent retirement. His career included serving as chief of the Port Aransas Police Department for 15 years. Burroughs retired as chief on June 30. In front, from left, are Nueces County Judge Connie Scott; Burroughs’ wife, Shirlene; Burroughs; and...
Limits may be placed on fishing charters
Over six passengers would be picked up outside city marinaThe City of Port Aransas is taking steps to help with heavy traffic issues at the Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor. At a meeting on Thursday, July 18, the Port Aransas City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance designed to prevent charter vessels carrying more than six passengers from picking up customers in the ramp area of the...
Homes wanted
Photographed on Thursday, July 18, B.J. Grimes, animal control officer with the City of Port Aransas, holds three kittens that he was planning to put up for adoption at the Animal Shelter. They kittens were being treated for ringworm and were scheduled to be neutered next, then put up for adoption. From left, the kitties are Tyrone, Milo and Pete-ee,...
Taking shape
New University of Texas Marine Science Institute student housing remains under construction, as seen in an aerial photo shot on July 4. Fourteen cottages for up to 24 students are being built adjacent to Cotter Avenue. Completion is expected by October if no delays come up. Work on the $8 million complex began in April last year.
Summer camps keep kids busy
Just because school is out doesn’t mean kids have just been sitting around, looking at their phones. Summer camps in Port Aransas have kept children engaged in everything from art to marine science.
Sigsbee Deep is Pachanga champ
A record payout of $845,000 was set at the 2024 Billfish Pachanga Tournament held Wednesday through Saturday, July 17 through 20, according to organizers. Anglers caught and released 187 billfish during the three days of fishing. In all, nine blue marlin, eight white marlin and 170 sailfish were caught and...
Best meat fish
Zack, left, and Jade Gueldner of Port Aransas pose with their son, Gavin, with fish they caught aboard the Sashimi as part of the Billfish Pachanga fishing tournament that took place in Port Aransas from Thursday, July 18, to Saturday, July 20. The Sashimi took first place in the tuna,...
Made it snappy
Showing the red snapper they caught during a recent trip out of Fisherman’s Wharf are, from left, Hayden Anderson, 6, of Crowley; his friend, Rowdy Walker, 12, of Venus; and Hayden’s father, Travis Anderson.
Nice blackfin
Showing off the 30-pound 36-inch blackfin tuna he caught is Shawn Vogel of Saint Jo. He was on a private charter trip aboard the Tica Rica with Capt. ‘Cowboy’ Tyler Davis. He was fishing in federal waters.
New amberjack rules go into effect Aug. 1
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Friday, July 19, the implementation of the final rule for recreational and commercial greater amberjack management measures in the Gulf of Mexico. Regulations modifying the recreational fixed closed season will become effective on Aug. 1, 2024, the release said. The final...
Life was simple, joyful in Rag Town
Port Aransas PastWe have some interesting folks on our island and always have. When you can combine interesting folks, an interesting place and an interesting era, you might be on to something. Rag Town might just fit the bill. Imagine a time when residents didn’t want to have a water view from their home. Until the 1950s, that pretty much was the...
Lighthouse display
Throwback ThursdayPort Aransas native Mary Vivian Denton poses with her collection of framed cross-stitch patterns of 19 Gulf of Mexico lighthouses. Mrs. Denton, who lived in Center Point after leaving the island in 1978, donated the artworks for display in the Port Aransas Civic Center foyer in 1987. She said she got the idea after seeing a photo of a lighthouse...
