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Keeping the ‘independent’ in ISDs
In Texas, independent school districts (ISDs) were established to give local communities control over their public schools. In Port Aransas, this has been true since the inception of Port Aransas...
Our readers speak
We must act The Trump/Musk regime is making America a diminished nation. We are now weaker, less healthy, less safe, and less free. Our economy has slowed, prices are rising,...
Media should keep up Signalgate coverage
The biggest upside of hunkering down with the fat new bio of longtime SNL producer Lorne Michaels is that it’s veritable Novocaine — it numbs the pain of tracking Team...
Time to shut up about Signalgate
Watergate 2.0 it ain’t. But no one denies that the texting leak in a group chat about an air attack on the Houthi terrorists was an embarrassing screw-up for the...
Voter registration deadline is Thursday
If you have grabbed this edition of the South Jetty hot off the presses, you likely still have time to...
Sign-ups end Friday for Farley Classic
Friday, April 4, is the last day for golfers to register to play in the 2025 Farley Classic. The annual...
Dimensions Exhibit to open at art center
Member artists have been challenged to create artwork in multiple mediums for the April exhibit at the Port Aransas Art...
Playground ribbon cutting slated at park
The public is invited to a ribbon cutting at Turtle Cove Playground, which recently opened at Roberts Point Park. The...
Marlins fly past Refugio, Woodsboro
Winning is getting to be a habit for this Port Aransas High School Marlins baseball team. On Tuesday, March 25,...
Duo takes first at tennis tourney
Port Aransas High School tennis players Caden Meyer and Madeline Stunz won first place in the mixed doubles division at...
Adult summer softball league now forming
Teams are forming now for the 2025 summer coed softball league in Port Aransas. The first games will be played...
Softball team sees another hard week
It was another tough week for the Lady Marlins. The Port Aransas High School softball team lost to Refugio by...
Joining up
A ceremony was conducted on Wednesday, March 26, at Port Aransas High School to honor two students who have decided...
Hey, parents!
The registration process starts now for getting children into pre-kindergarten at H.G. Olsen Elementary School this fall. Parents should start...
Totin’ tuna
A 36-hour trip on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, yielded nice catches of yellowfin tuna. Above, Waylen Meeks,...
Anglers hook tuna, snapper
Tuna and snapper produced good catches this week, according to folks on the Port Aransas waterfront. A 60-hour trip out...
Share Jesus with others
Pastor’s PenHave you ever known someone with an incurable disease? No matter what is tried, no matter how many doctors that...
Practice safety at the beach
State of AffairsDuring the 87th Regular Legislative Session, I introduced House Concurrent Resolution 46 which designates April as Beach Safety & Rip...
Have you seen all the smiles?
Education NotesMonthly, Port Aransas school board members are given the opportunity to watch our students and staff be in the spotlight....
Grocery store to get new owner
The owners of the Family Center IGA in Port Aransas have decided to sell the grocery store to the Lowe’s Market supermarket chain. Co-owners Mike Hall and Jim Magee of Port Aransas confirmed the plans, as did representatives of Lowe’s. “It is true that we are negotiating with and have signed a contract with Lowe’s Supermarkets to purchase our store,”...
Port Aransas in on regional water talks
Water concerns and a possible Port Aransas seat on the Port of Corpus Christi Commission were discussed during this month’s Port Aransas City Council meeting. At the meeting, Mayor Wendy Moore said she was asked by State Sen. Adam Hinojosa to attend a meeting with area leaders and officials who oversee municipal districts that provide water. The meeting was held...
Local merchants say Spring Break rocked
Spring Break kept Port Aransas merchants’ cash registers ringing. “What I’ve heard from most businesses is that the two-week period, as compared to previous years’ two week periods, was up in revenue by as much as 25 percent,” said Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce. “I talked with some golf cart...
Rainy day
Umbrellas come out as students head home from H.G. Olsen Elementary School on a rainy Thursday, March 27. In the foreground, paraprofessional Maggie Steitler walks with first-grader Magnolia Collins. Some 1.99 inches of rain fell from Wednesday to Friday, March 26 to 28, at Mustang Beach Airport, the location where the National Weather Service measures rainfall in Port Aransas.
Recent testing found lower trihalomethanes in water
The most recent round of testing shows that average levels of trihalomethanes found in samples at one location in the drinking water system in Port Aransas are lower than the maximum allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s an improvement over previous recent levels reported in public notices issued by Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4, the […]
Water district officials ease some restrictions
Water restrictions in Port Aransas and beyond recently loosened up some, but the Coastal Bend still has a long way to go before the drought is broken and restrictions fully are lifted. Port Aransas and surrounding areas have been under Stage 3 water-use restriction rules since December. The City of Corpus Christi approved changes to its Drought Contingency Plan on […]
Port A Day
Port Aransas officials visited the state Capitol in Austin March 5 for Port A Day. The event was designed for local community members to help promote Port Aransas interests at the Legislature. The Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce hosted legislative visits, speakers and a reception Among city officials attending were, in back, from left, council members Charles […]
Beach campfire burn ban lifted
The beach campfire burn ban was lifted on Monday, March 31, according to officials at City Hall. County Judge Connie Scott lifted the ban. The ban, which prohibited campfires on the beach, was put into effect on March 12, due to extremely dry conditions in the dunes. While the ban was cancelled a city ordinance still governs how campfires may […]
New rescue truck
Fire Chief Adam Maldonado brought the Port Aransas Volunteer Fire Department’s new rescue truck to show the City Council during its meeting Tuesday, March 25. They paused the meeting briefly to check out the new truck, just outside council chambers. From left are City Manager David Parsons; council members Kelly Owens, Tanya Chambers, Dale Christianson, Mark Winton and Jo Ellyn […]
Space offered for vegetable gardens
Do you want to grow some vegetables but don’t have the space? The Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department has a solution for you. Parks and rec invites residents to take advantage of the department’s Community Garden Program. Gardeners can register for 4-by-8-foot raised beds that are available, filled with some sandy loam. Folks who rent a plot can fill […]
Celebrating a new park
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday, March 25, to celebrate the opening of the new Old Town Square Park. From left, in back, are Cameron Byas, Thomas Everett, who were involved in the creation of the park; council members Jo Ellyn Krueger and Mark Winton; Corky Moore, who provided the repurposed wood that was used in structures at the park; […]
Texas SandFest seeks volunteers
With Texas SandFest 2025 less than a month away, volunteers are still needed to fill several time slots and positions. The annual sand sculpting festival is set for Friday through Sunday, April 25 through 27. Rhonie Stuart, volunteer coordinator, said they still need help selling wristbands for festival entry, acting as floaters (filling in where needed) and selling merchandise. Help […]
Rain barrels available in discounted price program
Keep Port Aransas Beautiful (KPAB), the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4 and the Port Aransas Tourist Bureau and Chamber of Commerce are offering an opportunity to conserve water resources and protect water quality. Port Aransas homeowners and residents may purchase rain barrels at a discounted price through this program. The rain barrels may be purchased directly […]
Gas house set for demolition
The gas department building that has been advertised to bid on for weeks is expected to be demolished because the City of Port Aransas did not receive any bidders interested in purchasing the building. The deadline for bids to be made on the house was Friday, March 28. City Manager David Parsons said the next step is to demolish the […]
Prettied-up planter
Artist Amberlynn Christian of San Antonio paints a Farley Boat planter on the grounds of the Port Aransas Community Center and Old Town Square on a recent day. The City of Port Aransas hired her to paint the planter.
Passing through
This is one of the times of year when colorful migratory birds pass through Port Aransas. These kinds of birds can be seen at various birding spots around town, but they also can be spotted in backyards.
Marker dedicated
Dignitaries and guests gathered Saturday morning, Oct. 19, 1996 to dedicate a historical marker in Roberts Point Park. The marker replaced one that had been stolen from its earlier location between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas. The marker explained the importance of the Aransas Pass to the Confederate States of America. Among those participating in the ceremony, from left, were...
