Weighing, watching



Seeing STAARs

Port Aransas schools meet state standards


Port Aransas Independent School District met standards for all three campuses and received six out of nine distinctions for the Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness tests. The STAAR test has done away with previous designators and now classifies accountability results in two categories; “met standard” and “improvement required.” To meet standards, the state looks at four indexes. The first is […]

Terrific tuna



City staff proposes $8.43 million budget




With input from the city council, Port Aransas city staff has put together an $8.43 million 2014 budget that would include two additional positions for the police department and a new code enforcement officer’s position. The council went over the proposal during a budget workshop Monday, Aug. 12, and asked that a few new expenditures be added. Councilman John Price […]

Fees for using school facilities?

PAISD trustees debate charging non-profits, for-profits


The Port Aransas Independent School District school board debated the merits of charging fees for school facilities for both non-profit and for-profit organizations at a meeting, Thursday, Aug. 8. PAISD is looking at changing things when it comes to for-profit organizations that use the district’s equipment and facilities for free. But, where do they draw the line? Nonprofit organizations such […]

Shrek’s a wrap!

Musical ends run

“Shrek the Musical” wraps up its run at the Port Aransas Community Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 17. Tickets are still available for the remaining shows according to Darlene Secich, theatre manager. Show times are Thursday- Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Response has been great and the audiences nearly sold out for most of the shows, according to Secich. In the all […]

Smiley’s book is pick



‘A Thousand Acres’ by Jane Smiley is the Ellis Memorial Library’s book club pick for September. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. The website readinggroupguides.com provided the following synopsis of the book: “A successful Iowa farmer decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his […]

Walk the beach on Aug. 23



Spend a morning looking for “treasures” on the beach on Friday, Aug. 23. A free-guided beach walk led by long-time Port Aransas resident Shirley Fisher begins at 9 a.m. Meet at the purple flag near Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street. During the walk, Fisher teaches participants facts about shells, wildlife and even trash that can be […]

Stuff to do and see

Parks and Rec Roundup

The following are upcoming events and activities sponsored by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. For more information or to register for events, call 749-4158 This week ‘Free Friday’ Tennis Friday, Aug. 16. Schedule a complimentary tennis lesson with tennis pro Rob Peterson and his wife, Becky. Call 361-790-8455 to schedule. Island Fishing Workshop Friday, Aug. 16. Free fishing […]

Microchip clinic slated

Saturday at the animal shelter

Many pet owners fear their beloved pet getting lost and not being able to recover it. The Animal Friends of Port Aransas wants to ensure that pets and their owners are reunited if they should ever become separated. The AFPA is holding a micro chip clinic on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Port Aransas […]