Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the state is offering $15.3 million in state funds to bring SpaceX’s commercial rocket launch facility to Cameron County. Contingent upon final approval of local agreements and receipt of additional required permits, the facility will create 300 jobs and pump $85 million in capital investment into the local economy. “SpaceX is excited to expand our work in Texas with the world’s first commercial launch...
U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Forrest Taylor was reapplying sunblock beneath the hot South Texas sun when a man in a white car drove up to where his group was setting up camp at the bay access point near the South Padre Island Convention Centre. “You here to protect the border?” the motorist asked. “No sir,” Taylor said, replacing his cover and explaining that his group was performing its monthly...
Taylor Kucia had just weighed his redfish and trout on the third day of the 75th annual Texas International Fishing Tournament. Kucia, 16, had come from McAllen to partici-pate in the event which included 1,245 anglers both children and adults. The junior division, which had about 300 entries, was divided into three categories, including children ages 7 and under, and 8 to 12-year-olds. Kucia had...
While summer days are perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying a fun read on the beach, teens in the Cameron County Junior Lifeguard program spend afternoons learning life-saving skills. The Cameron County Beach Patrol will hold its third and last training session of the summer for Junior Lifeguards on Aug. 11. According to Beach Patrol lieutenant and Junior Guard program coordinator Myrna Casillas, the program is...
Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts on the development of a second-access causeway to South Padre Island at community workshops on Tuesday at the SPI Convention Centre and Wednesday at the Port Isabel City Hall. Both meetings will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. The SPI Convention Centre is located at 7355 Padre Island Blvd. and the Port Isabel City Hall at 305 E....
Renowned chef and TV personality Robert Irvine and his crew recently traveled to South Padre Island to film an episode of the very popular series, ‘Restaurant: Impossible.’ Padre Rita Grill, owned by Michael and Kathy Laferty, was the lucky recipient of Irvine’s expertise, receiving a $10,000 makeover and a new menu courtesy of the show. The renovation took place over a two-day period, with scores of local volunteers pitching in...
Cameron County Commissioners Court on Thursday voted to proceed on the terms and conditions discussed behind closed doors regarding incentives and an economic development agreement with SpaceX toward development of a spaceport at Boca Chica Beach. The court unanimously voted to proceed, following an executive session during Thursday’s regular meeting. Details of the proposed incentives and agreement could not be revealed at this time. Commissioners Court Chief Legal Counsel Bruce...
The Gladys Porter Zoo is now home to not one but two white rhinoceroses. Julie is joining Tilly as the second white rhinoceros at the zoo. “White rhinos are really social, they’re not like other rhinos,” said Walter Dupree, the zoo’s curator of animals. The white rhinoceros is also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros and is the largest species of rhino that exists. The herbivores are found in grasslands and...
SpaceX’s proposal to develop a launch site at Boca Chica Beach took giant leaps forward with the submission to Cameron County of applications for commercial building permits, the Star found. On Monday, SpaceX’s Dogleg Park LLC submitted an application for a permit to install small solar panels off-grid in the vicinity of the proposed launch control center at the potential launch site. The contractor is SolarCity. Elon Musk, founder of...
The largest single event saltwater fishing tournament in the state of Texas begins this week on South Padre Island and Port Isabel with as many as 1500 anglers expected to compete. The 75th Texas International Fishing Tournament or TIFT is set for July 30 thru August 3. Lots of things have changed since J.A. Doc. Hockaday founded the tournament 75 years ago.Originally billed as The Rio Grande Valley Fishing...
