BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK – When Bob Armstrong first experienced the rugged majesty of a huge West Texas ranch in 1970, he told its owner that if he ever wanted to sell it, Texas might like to buy it. More than four decades after that conversation, and a quarter century since Texas bought it and doubled its state park […]
Falling in love all over again
Port Aransas may not be the same place it was 15, 20 or 30 years ago, but it’s still a cool place. We found that out last weekend when we saw it through fresh eyes. Newspaper buddies from Beeville, who have been here many times, spent the weekend with us, and thanks in part to them, we fell in love […]
Confronting ISIS — ‘It takes an army’
When liberal Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and the conservative former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich agree on something, attention should be paid. Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said last Friday that the U.S. must confront the jihadists who call themselves the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL). “It takes an army to defeat an army,” […]
Letters to the Editor
Disney idea Folks, here Port Aransas we need a people mover solution to facilitate the movement of day-tripper beach fans and overnight guests. The current $2 million solution is only designed to keep those annoying traffic snarls “out of sight, out of mind.” I suggest a Disney type monorail system to whisk people from the Aransas Pass parking landing to […]
Saddened by beach conditions
Island observerMy demeanor was greatly uplifted on the Gulf beach Monday, Aug. 11, and I’ll tell you why in a moment, but let me tell why I was grumbly and depressed in the first place. I survey the beach from Beach Access Road 1 to 2 every other day and have been doing so for decades. That section of beach is […]
Quartet to play PACT
From Air Force Band of the WestBring the entire family to the Port Aransas Community Theatre for a night of musical entertainment by the Mission Winds, the Clarinet Quartet, from the United States Air Force Band of the West. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24. The Mission Winds ensemble is stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and is comprised of Eb, […]
Facilities commission under review
Over the past few weeks, I have written about a number of state agencies that are undergoing the sunset review process. This is the process in which the state has to identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies. The Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977. The sunset review process is designed […]
Rogue wave slammed boat from Port Aransas
Dave Hamilton of Port Aransas has sailed throughout most of the U.S. coastline and all over the Caribbean Sea over the past 30 years. In that time, he has been hit by two rogue waves. The worst one happened earlier year. Boat travel is Hamilton’s stock and trade. He works on yachts and captains five powerboats in Port Aransas. He […]
PAISD earns distinction
Port Aransas ISD has earned “met standard’ accountability ratings for all three campuses, according to the Texas Education Agency website. On Friday, Aug. 8, the ratings were released and each school – including H.G. Olsen Elementary, Brundrett Middle and Port Aransas High schools, also received distinction designations. But, where do these ratings originate? A TEA website video explains that the […]
Exploration
Colleen McCue, outreach and volunteer coordinator at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, reads to a group including, from left, John Flores, Maya Day and Zoe Love Brooks, all of Corpus Christi, at the institute’s Early Explorers Lab on Thursday, Aug. 7.
