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Santa Claus lives in us all – if you believe
In keeping with tradition, we again bring you the transcendent column by Francis P. Church, an editorial writer at the...
Blacks backed Trump. Why is his admin so white?
Donald Trump owes his electoral victory to his campaign’s gains with Latino and Black voters. That being said, his second...
The upside-down mentality of the left
The biggest stories in the national media this week both came from the mad streets of New York. The manslaughter...
Wonderettes ends run Friday
“Winter Wonderettes,” a Christmas musical production on stage at the Port Aransas Community Theatre, will close out its run on Friday, Dec. 20. Folks have two more chances, Thursday and...
Early deadline set for Christmas issue
Folks wanting to place ads or submit non-breaking news and letters to the editor for the Thursday, Dec. 26 issue of the South Jetty should take note of the early...
Spots remain for family craft event
A few spots remain for the next family craft session hosted by the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. The crafting event will be time at 10 a.m....
Port Aransas churches set Christmas services
The community and folks visiting for the holidays are invited to Christmas worship services scheduled by three Port Aransas churches. The churches have announced their Christmas worship schedules. Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal...
Municipal offices, facilities close for holidays
Employees at municipal offices and facilities will have time off during the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Christmas City Hall and other municipal facilities’ offices will be closed on...
Garden Club selling tickets to home tour
Tickets for the 35th annual Port Aransas Garden Club Home Tour went on sale on Monday, Dec. 16. Ten distinctive island homes will be on the tour set for Saturday,...
Marlins battle big foes
The Marlins lost four of the five games they played at the Gregory-Portland Wildcats Shootout tournament Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 12 to 14. But let’s put some perspective on that....
Port A crushes Orange Grove
The Marlins’ tough defense and some pretty decent shooting got them a 53-27 win over Orange Grove on Tuesday, Dec. 10. “We played a stifling defense,” Jones said. “That’s our...
Lady Marlins on roll in district
The Lady Marlins are looking good in district play so far. They defeated their Pettus opponents, 46-38, on Tuesday, Dec. 10; and beat the Woodsboro Lady Eagles, 52-38, on Friday,...
Young Marlins, Lady Marlins take on Kenedy teams scoring wins in three of five contests
Brundrett Middle School basketball teams produced mixed results when they faced off with Kenedy on Monday, Dec. 9. The seventh-grade girls from BMS nabbed a 34-4 win. Individual scoringSloan Scaff...
All-American
Addie Miller, a member of the Port Aransas High School cheerleading team, performs during a basketball game at PAHS on...
Marty the Marlin invited to Citrus Bowl
If you have attended Port Aransas High School basketball games this year or last, you likely have seen Marty the...
PAISD earns high ratings from TEA
Port Aransas ISD has received “A” and “superior achievement” ratings in final 2023-23 financial accountability ratings released by the Texas...
Family craft at the library
Annette Anderson, Ellis Library program coordinator, back left, hosted a story time and craft on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Shanklin...
Tuna catch
John Ruiz of New Braunfels caught a couple of nice yellowfin tuna on a recent 36-hour trip aboard the Gulf...
Anglers hook sharks offshore
Anglers in Port Aransas have been catching limits of red snapper, vermillion snapper and even a couple of sharks this...
They called him Emmanuel
Pastor’s PenMy parents named me after my dad, who was named after my grandad. My son, Eli carries part of that hand-me-down name, as well. My name is a simplified immigrant...
We can learn from children
Education NotesWhen we think of education, we typically view it as a one-way street, with adults imparting wisdom and knowledge to children. We guide young minds as they grow, helping them...
Giving spirit
Dozens at nursing home get gifts from Port A womanChristmas is known for being a celebration of togetherness by being around the ones you love and sharing the spirit of generosity. Many see it as a time to spread goodwill by reaching out to those in need. Port Aransas resident Joyce Christensen has been homing in on the act of charitable giving during the season by donating Christmas bags...
Secret Santa distributes $100 bills
Julie Findley was just planning to buy a simple picture frame when she went to the Dollar General store in Port Aransas on Friday, Dec. 13. But she ended up getting quite a bit more. When Findley, a Port Aransas resident, walked out of the store after making her purchase, she noticed someone had tucked a gift bag under one...
Roundup provides gifts for Port A kids
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, organizers distributed toys and gifts to 76 families with 156 kids for this year’s Emergency Services Toy Roundup. For the past 26 years, members of the Port Aransas EMS and police departments have collected toys and cash to ensure that Port Aransas children who might otherwise go without have presents under their trees on Christmas morning....
Christmas dinner drive helped many in Port A
Eighty families and individuals in need received $50 gift cards this year to purchase the makings for their Christmas meals from the annual Care and Share Christmas Dinner Drive. Thanks to the efforts of the Moore-McDonald VFW Post 8967 in Port Aransas, these folks will be able to enjoy Christmas dinner this year. Every year since 1991, post members have...
Another kind of sleigh
Giving his reindeer a rest for the moment, Santa Claus pauses in a helicopter before taking off from Mustang Beach Airport in Port Aransas and landing several blocks away at H.G. Olsen Elementary School, where he was greeted students on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Santa, who bears some resemblance to Port Aransas High School principal David Swartwout, made the trip aboard...
Water use violators may face consequences
With increased water restrictions recently put in place, lots of written warnings are expected to go out to violators in Port Aransas soon. That’s the word from Scott Mack, manager of Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4, the agency that provides drinking water and sewer service in town. Because of a continuing drought, the water district for...
Honoring departed vets
Harold Gage places a wreath as a crowd looks on at Royal Palm Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14. Wreaths were placed at the cemetery in honor of people who served in various branches of the military. It was all part of a National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony.
Changes made to lease with Corpus Christi
A recent change in a lease agreement between the City of Port Aransas and the Port of Corpus Christi represents part of an apparent continued thawing of relations between the two entities. The city leases its marina – known as Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor – from the Port of Corpus Christi. A 30-year lease agreement that went into effect in...
For the kids
Ashleigh Robertson, representing Operation Santa Claus, accepts a $500 check from Kim Winton of the Port Aransas Boatmen on a recent day. Operation Santa Claus is made up a group of local residents who team up with Port Aransas ISD officials to identify students in need of winter clothing. Once the children are identified, community members shop for each child...
Sweet tooth
Nicholas Mays of Port Aransas helps his 2-year-old son, Mason, pick out candy at Winton’s Candy on Friday, Dec. 13. The candy store was one of 20 local businesses participating in the Holiday Shop Around sponsored by the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.
Rifles in a row
Members of the Port Aransas Police Department Honor Guard stand, prepared to fire a salute during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Royal Palm Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14. From left are Diamond Olguin, Jonathan Habel, Brandon Riedel, Emmitt Salinas, Xavier Ledesma, Monty Allen and Scott Grumbles.
Shelters added to Mustang park
Nine new shade shelters were put in place for public use at Mustang Island State Park on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The project cost about $40,000, with the lion’s share of the funding coming from the Phillips 66 corporation, according to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation spokesman. The foundation issued a news release that quoted Joe Taylor, managing director of...
Santa, baby
Santa Claus holds 2-month-old Dahlia Chapman of Corpus Christi during a holiday event held at Fred Rhodes Memorial Pavilion on Dec. 7. The event was sponsored by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. Santa’s visit came courtesy of a close friend, Rick Tinnin of Port Aransas.
Commercial planter for December
Saltwater Gypsies, located at 403 N. Alister St., was named the Commercial Farley Boat Planter of the month for December by the Port Aransas Garden Club. Myra Barreiro, manager, stands with the boat in front of the shop. Heather Maynard is the owner. The planter contains cannas and vinca.
December residential planter
The Farley Boat Planter owned by Delores and Ray Young was chosen as the Farley Boat Planter for December by the Port Aransas Garden Club. The boat is located in front of their home at 202 W. Roberts Ave. The planter includes parsley, basil, oregano and rosemary. They also have three statues that represent their grandchildren.
Event lit up Port A waters, sky
Scores of folks enjoyed the Lighted Boat Parade and a drone show in Port Aransas on Saturday, Dec. 14. The event was hosted by the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.
Poisonous visitors return to beach
This past week brought a fascinating mix of marine life to our shores, including gooseneck barnacles, large chunks of coral, and — surprisingly — fireworms! Yes, the terrifying fireworms are back, also known as bristle worms or polychaetes, have washed up again in December, just as they did back in August. I found four of these worms crawling on a...
Adventures in Alaskan waters
Institute InsightsIn early September, our Texas based lab team touched down in Anchorage, Alaska, after a grueling 10-hour journey. But the adventure was far from over. After a two-hour wait, we boarded a small aircraft for a one-hour flight to Homer,...
Older dribblers
Port Aransas ISD faculty participated in a practice session on Thursday, Oct. 18, 1984, in preparation to take on students in an exhibition basketball game. From left are Dean Willis, Georgia Neblett, Hal Buesing, Donella Tyler, Peter Lawton and Dave Lawton. That’s Russ Miget’s foot and Randy Mayer’s leg in the background. The exhibition game, slated for Nov. 1, was...
