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Back off the jingle bells! Give thanks, and give!
Mary Henkel Judson
Our daughter’s favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it’s about family and food – and our menu is pretty much the...
Our readers speak
A veteran’s thanks Today was a very special day in my life. Nov. 11, and I attended the very meaningful...
Harris remains inspiring, even after loss
Elwood Watson
It’s been over a week since Election Day, and we’ve heard what pundits think cost Vice President Kamala Harris the...
Democracy outvoted the Democrats
Michael Reagan
The Democrats did not do a good job of dealing with their terrible loss. In fact, they and the liberal...
Painting with partners set Thursday
A few spots are left for the free Paint Your Partner event slated on Thursday, Nov. 21. The City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the event...
Early deadline set for Nov. 28 issue
Anyone wanting to place ads or publish non-breaking news or letters to the editor in the Nov. 28 issue of the South Jetty newspaper must submit them by noon Friday,...
Legos and a movie are on tap at library
Some fun activities will be hosted for kids of all ages by the folks at the William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library. Library Legos Kids of all ages are invited...
Fun run slated Nov. 26, 27
Folks are invited to lace up their running shoes and take part in the third annual Port Aransas Turkey Trot on Wednesday, Nov. 27. All proceeds from the event will...
Marlins win one, lose one
The Port Aransas High School Marlins scored a win over a team from a bigger school, then fell to another larger foe last week. The loss, on Friday, No. 15,...
PAHS JV boys win tournament
The Port Aransas High School boys’ JV teams conquered all. The school’s JV white team won all three of its games, and so did the JV blue team during the...
‘Perfect’ tourney for Lady Marlins
The Bob Ducroz Tournament was a great opportunity for the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins, and the girls took full advantage of it, according to their coach, Stephanie Cowen....
BMS Marlins take big wins against Pettus
Brundrett Middle school basketball teams administered drubbings to their Pettus foes on Thursday, Nov. 14. The seventh-grade boys triumphed, 38-8. Individual scoring Parker Whitfield – 5 Slayde Mayfield – 9...
Marlin Classic offers three days of basketball
Three days full of basketball action are coming in the form of the annual Marlin Classic tournament at Port Aransas High School from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 21 to 23....
PAHS team engages in conference
November 20, 2024
Port Aransas High School sent a team of students to take part in the Central Texas Model United Nations (CTMUN)...
Homecoming events begin on Wednesday
November 20, 2024
Port Aransas High School homecoming festivities will include a parade on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Participants are expected to include students,...
Thanksgiving lunch
November 20, 2024
Among folks having Thanksgiving-style lunches at H.G. Olsen Elementary School on Friday, Nov. 15, were, clockwise from front, second-grader Jett...
Spots remain open in tournament fundraiser
November 20, 2024
If you’re reading this before Saturday, Nov. 23, there might still be time to sign up for a three-on-three basketball...
William Tyre (Bill) Mussett
November 20, 2024
Bill Mussett, a thirty-two year resident of Port Aransas, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in Corpus Christi, TX,...
Big redfish catch
November 20, 2024
These anglers had a great time fishing and caught some big bull redfish on Saturday, Nov. 16. From left are...
Anglers hook big yellowfin
November 20, 2024
This last week anglers have brought aboard plenty of vermilion snapper, a couple of Atlantic sharpnose sharks and a 123-pound...
Federal red snapper season is now open for charter boat trips
November 20, 2024
Head boats at the docks along the Port Aransas waterfront have started booking red snapper trips into federal waters after...
‘Sacred clown’ John the Baptist calls us
Pastor’s PenJames Derkits
John is out there in the wilderness calling me, calling you. I love teaching our day school children about John the Baptist in chapel. He is such a complex character....
Protect mental health during holidays
Education NotesKatie Patteson
I feel like I blinked and it’s already Thanksgiving. Wasn’t it just Halloween yesterday? Ready or not the holiday season is upon us. For some, it’s their favorite time of...
Featured Video
Kim and David Glover have illuminated their Port Aransas home with 500,000 Christmas lights. That’s 200,000 more than they put up last year. The three-story house is at 520 Ocean View. (South Jetty staff video © 2024 by Lee Harrison.)
Surf Pics
Surfing has been popular in Port Aransas since the 1960s. Here are some of the best surfing photos that have run in the South Jetty in past years.
Whoopers land in Port A
Dan Parker
Editor | November 20, 2024
The Port Aransas whoopers are back! Two adult whooping cranes and a “colt” arrived at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture on Thursday, Nov. 14, according to Rae Mooney, manager of the preserve. A few whooping cranes have wintered at the nature preserve each of the past several years. The main flock winters at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge,...
Many bond projects complete
Teresita Dominguez
Reporter | November 20, 2024
Workers have finished a large chunk of the projects involved in a $6.5 million street and drainage bond project voters passed in November 2022. The bond provided for work on 27 streets in Port Aransas. Construction started in mid-January and continues this month. The street projects involve milling or removing part of the surface of the existing roads and failed...
Pond planned where huge hole has been dug
Teresita Dominguez
Reporter | November 20, 2024
While driving on State Highway 361, you have probably noticed heavy equipment has graded a large area just north of The Texan store. That work area includes a hole that at one recent point was approximately as long and wide as a football field and nearly 15 feet deep. As workers continued moving dirt after that, the hole may have...
Chapel to receive historical marker
November 20, 2024
The public is invited to attend as The Chapel on the Dunes receives a historical marker. Unveiling of the marker will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. The chapel is at 203 S. 11th St. in Port Aransas. Folks attending the marker presentation should park where signs indicate parking is allowed or on the street. The marker...
Register for Farley Planter Lights Contest
November 20, 2024
Port Aransas residents, business owners, condominiums and RV parks that own Farley Boat planters are invited to compete for cash prizes in the annual Farley Boat Planter Lighting Contest. This is the fifth year that the Port Aransas Garden Club (PAGC) has sponsored the contest. Farley Boat planter owners are asked to decorate and illuminate their planters with a Christmas...
Ready to ride
November 20, 2024
Folks prepare to take part in the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department’s Poker Chip Pedal on Saturday, Nov. 16. Departing from the parking lot at parks and rec, participants cycled around town and drew chips from ‘chip stops.’ Chips were assigned varying point values. Prizes were awarded to the people with the most points. Participants who got first through...
Sales tax allocation drops
November 20, 2024
The sales tax allocation to Port Aransas for sales made in September dropped compared to the same period last year, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The return to the city was down 13.18 percent for the reporting period, with allocations for the year down 0.75 percent. This year’s monthly allocation was $300,695.49. The allocations from sales made...
Christmas decor and more
November 20, 2024
The annual Christmas Bazaar was held by Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Saturday, Nov. 16. Showing off some of the many hand-made holiday items are from left, Lynn Tinnin, Rev. James Derkits, Mallory Kollaja, Karen Bentley and Diana Vondra.
VFW accepting cash, gift cards
November 20, 2024
Each year, members of Moore-McDonald VFW Post 8967 collect cash donations for the annual VFW Care and Share Christmas Food Drive. Post members accept cash donations and gift cards to provide gift cards to be distributed to Port Aransas families in need for their Christmas meals. There’s an easy way to make donations to the drive. While shopping at the...
Broken up
November 20, 2024
Heavy equipment demolishes the foundation of a building that once stood on the east side of State Highway 361, immediately north of Whataburger. The building, which has been gone for some years now, once housed a medical clinic. The property is owned by Rooftop Capital LLC. The company has five side-by-side lots that together stretch from the highway east to...
New, unwrapped toys needed
November 20, 2024
Collections continue for the annual Port Aransas Emergency Services Toy Roundup. For the past 26 years the annual drive’s mission has been to make sure that children who might not otherwise wake up on Christmas morning with gifts under their trees get to experience the joy of the holiday. Children who are Port Aransas residents up to the age of...
Planter of the month
November 20, 2024
The Farley Boat Planter owned by Anita and John Krampitz at 536 Aransas Channel was named the Residential Planter for November by the Port Aransas Garden Club. Anita painted the planter and John is the gardener. The planter contains lantana and multiplying onions. They also have it decorated for fall with pumpkins.
Umps needed to step up to plate
November 20, 2024
Organizers of the Port Aransas Little League are looking for umpires for the Little League and Minor League baseball and softball programs as they prepare for the 2025 spring season. The minimum age requirement to be an umpire is 16. Positions are available for both paid and volunteer umpires. Umpire training is available both locally and through the littleleague.org website....
Wreaths Across America seeks sponsors for cemetery event
November 20, 2024
Remember and honor fallen veterans buried at the Royal Palm Cemetery in Port Aransas by sponsoring wreaths to be placed on their graves. For a third year, a Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at the cemetery. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. “We are reaching out to the community to ensure that...
Nautical themed cut-outs available for city lights display
November 20, 2024
Individuals, families, organizations and businesses are invited to decorate nautical themed cut-outs to be displayed at Roberts Point Park. The decorated cut-outs will be placed around the loop at the park for the Nautical and Nice Community Drive-thru Holiday Light Display sponsored by the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. The public can view the displays from Saturday,...
Surprises await at preserve
Staff photo by Dan Parker | November 20, 2024
You never know what you’ll find when you visit the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture. On Saturday, Nov. 16, thousands of ducks flew over, a snake turned out to not be a snake and a man observed a big milestone in his life with an outing at the preserve.
Stars of the ocean wash up
Jace Tunnell | November 20, 2024
Recently, high tides have exposed some fascinating finds on Texas beaches, including pear whelks, chunks of brain coral and gray sea stars. Normally, I spot sea stars during extreme low tides in the winter, but November’s high- and- low- tide swings provide an additional chance to see them. The most common species I find are the banded sea star, the...
Unearthing deep-sea treasure
Institute InsightsKathryn Appler | November 20, 2024
Since scientists first drew the Tree of Life, they have used it to map life’s biodiversity and explore its connections. Over the past five years in the Baker Lab at MSI, I have focused on some of the trees’ unresolved...
Tribal gathering
November 20, 2024
Members of the South Central Tribe of the International Comanche Society flew into Port Aransas in their Comanche planes, built between 1958 and 1972 by Piper Aircraft Co. They shopped, they visited and they enjoyed swapping information about Comanches. Here a group of the flyers check the planes parked at the Port Aransas airport. This photo originally appeared in the...