Get News Updates

Let’s say yes to the venue project
Dan Parker | October 16, 2025
I support the proposal to raise the local hotel occupancy tax to fund a venue project to fix up the Community Center, expand the Civic Center and upgrade streetscapes in...
Not laughing
October 16, 2025
Re: Port A’s Eleven Commandments. #11. (Opinion Page, Oct. 2.) Not funny to those who take the Holy Bible seriously. Rudy MartisekBeeville

U.S. saddled with second coming of Roy Cohn
Dick Polman | October 16, 2025
When Trump ran into trouble during his first term, he reportedly cried out, “Where’s my Roy Cohn?!” Alas, his favorite thug-fixer-lawyer had been dead since 1986 (having perished just six...

The peacemaker in chief
Michael Reagan | October 16, 2025
It was fun watching Kaitlin Collins of CNN the other day as she marveled at Donald Trump’s boundless energy and accessibility. Collins recently said Trump – unlike his sleepy and...

‘Young Frankenstein’ continues PACT run
“Young Frankenstein,” a musical with comedic elements and catchy songs, will continue its run at the Port Aransas Community Theatre....

Tourism conference on building sustainable communities set here
Tourism industry professionals, destination marketing and municipality personnel, and parks and recreation representatives from the Gulf Coast have been invited...

Parks and rec to host spooktacular events
Halloween is a big deal in Port Aransas. There are many activities for all ages including a traditional trick-or-treating night...
PAHS, BMS to take the stage
Middle school and high school students’ comedic acting talent will be on display at Port Aransas High School on Thursday,...

Port Aransas runners are district champions
October 16, 2025
The Port Aransas High School boys’ and girls’ varsity cross- country teams ran circles around their competitors at the district...

BMS runners tops at district track meet
October 16, 2025
The Brundrett Middle School cross-country runners were leaders of the pack at the district meet. The eighth-grade boys and girls...
Registration open for youth basketball league
October 16, 2025
Port Aransas youth in first through sixth grades are invited to participate in the Port Aransas Youth Council Basketball league....

Walking the south jetty
October 16, 2025
The Shafer family of Georgetown was visiting Port Aransas for the weekend and took a walk along the south jetty...

McKinney clarifies property tax situation
October 16, 2025
Port Aransas ISD Superintendent Sharon McKinney sent a letter to local taxpayers to provide some perspective on the recent property...

Yellowfin catch
October 16, 2025
Johnathan Berry of Wichita, Kan., left, and Randy Hull, of Burrton, Kan., hold the yellowfin tuna they caught on a...

Strong waterfowl season predicted
October 16, 2025
Good news for hunters preparing for the start of Texas waterfowl hunting season, key duck species are collectively plentiful, showing...
Anglers catch marlin, tuna
October 16, 2025
An 11-foot, 400-pound marlin was brought aboard on a recent 36-hour fishing trip out of Port Aransas, according to a...

Student council guided by PRIDE
Education NotesKaise Burrill
As the newly elected Student Council President of Port Aransas High School, I am honored to represent a student body...

Create a plan in case of fire
State of AffairsTodd Hunter
Every year the month of October is recognized as National Fire Prevention Month. The purpose of this month is to...
Halloween in Port A
Halloween is coming up. Check out some spooky Octobers of Port Aransas past in this slideshow!


Early voting starts Monday in Port A election
Teresita Dominguez and Dan Parker | October 16, 2025
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 20, in an election that will decide whether to increase the city’s hotel occupancy tax rate to pay for a venue project including Civic Center and Community Center remodeling and streetscape improvements. The location for early voting and Election Day voting in Port Aransas will be at William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library at 700...

Proposed amendments on ballot
María Méndez
Texas Tribune | October 16, 2025
On Nov. 4, Texas voters will get the final say on 17 constitutional amendments — usually listed as statewide propositions at the top of the ballot — including billions of dollars in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses. Port Aransas voters that day also will decide a city issue – whether to increase the town’s hotel-occupancy tax rate 2...
Constitutional AmendmentsFree Access
October 16, 2025
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a Texas Tribune story that started on Page 1A in the Oct. 16 edition of the South Jetty. The story describes the 17 proposed constitutional amendments that will be Texas ballots on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 4. Information on early voting and a proposed HOT tax measure in Port Aransas lies...

Longtime resident Bruce Furlow is mourned
Dan Parker
Editor and co-publisher | October 16, 2025
Bruce Furlow, a longtime Port Aransas realtor who led efforts to build a library here and was elected repeatedly to the school board and local water district board of directors, has died. Furlow, 93, succumbed to congestive heart failure at his Port Aransas home on Monday, Oct. 13, according to son Bill Furlow. A funeral has been scheduled for Wednesday,...

Up in the sky
October 16, 2025
Dozens of kites were being flown at the beach in Port Aransas during the Fall Kite Fly on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Publication changes in motion at the South Jetty newspaper
October 16, 2025
Starting with this edition, the South Jetty is changing its weekly publication schedule because the newspaper has switched to a printing press with a different schedule. Up until now, the South Jetty hit newsstands around Port Aransas at midday on Wednesdays, and the paper was delivered to subscribers’ mailboxes on Thursdays. Beginning this week, the newspaper will go on newsstands […]

Regatta race
October 16, 2025
Sailboats racing in the 38th annual Harvest Moon Regatta travel through Port Aransas on Friday, Oct. 10. That’s the north jetty in the background. Dozens of boats in the regatta raced from Galveston to Port Aransas.

UTMSI study tracks Texas nurdle pollution
October 16, 2025
A recent study led by Port Aransas scientists has helped develop a source-tracking method for plastic pollution that could reportedly be applied to global prevention efforts. The study, led by Jordan Cisco, a graduate student at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI), revealed that Texas is likely the source of nurdle pollution on Mexican coastlines. Nurdles are tiny […]

Free trees
October 16, 2025
Amanda Jacoby, left, and Caitie Christina, both of Port Aransas, pose with a redbud that Caitie chose at the tree giveaway event at Roberts Point Park on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The Arbor Day Foundation donated 400 native Texas trees and shrubs for the event. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve, the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Gulf Region Cooperative […]

Help for VFW
October 16, 2025
The Parrot Heads of Port Aransas group presented a check for $4,800 to the members of Moore McDonald VFW Post 8967 on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Port A Beer Hut. From left are Karen Davidson of the VFW auxiliary; Mike Garrett, VFW senior vice commander; Cindy Muir, Parrot Heads president; Abby Gilliam, junior vice commander of the VFW; Harold […]

Trash to treasure
October 16, 2025
Kenneth Anderson holds some of the items he purchased at the Tony’s Trash to Treasures event conducted by the Friends of the ARK organization on Saturday, Oct. 11. The fundraiser, held in the parking lot of the closed Moby Dick’s restaurant, hauled in $1,511.55 for the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK). The items that were sold had washed up on local […]

Memorial Services
October 16, 2025
Peter Greer Gainey A celebration of life will be held for Peter Greer Gainey, on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Aransas. Gainey 39, died on Aug. 14, 2025. Boats will line up in the ship channel at 3:30 p.m. for the memorial. The celebration will be held at 6 p.m. following a memorial at sea. The family […]

Aid for animals
October 16, 2025
The Parrot Heads of Port Aransas group presented a check for $4,800 to members of the ARK at the Port A Beer Hut on Thursday, Oct. 9. From left are Paula Baker, ARK volunteer veterinarian; Cindy Muir, Parrot Heads president; Andrew Orgill, ARK staff supervisor; and Kylan Petty, ARK rehabilitation technician. The Parrot Heads of Port Aransas raised the money […]
Account opened for Shelton celebration
October 16, 2025
An account has been opened at American Bank Port Aransas to help defray expenses for a celebration of life for Lisa Shelton. Shelton, 61, died Sept. 6 of complications from a stroke. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Fred Rhodes Pavilion in Roberts Point Park. The account is in the name […]

Sunset cruise
October 16, 2025
Members and guests of the Port Aransas Garden Club wave as they set off on a sunset cruise on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from Fisherman’s Wharf. The cruise took the attendees through the jetties, to the Lydia Ann Lighthouse and to surrounding areas.

Night out fun
October 16, 2025
The community came out to Roberts Point Park on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for National Night Out, an event to meet and thank first responders, enjoy food, fun, music and fellowship with others.

Robot masters
The Port Aransas High School Island Robotics team poses with the team’s creation, Marlin Advanced Technology Transporter (MATT), at Robotics Day in Port A, held on Oct. 5, 2007. Standing are, from left, sponsor Monica Sonier, students John Eggleston, Jordan Butterfield, John Sanchez, Evan Arnold and Jessica Ethridge, and sponsor Kate Prejean. Kneeling are, students Chloe Tugwell, Joseph Fries (in...