As the countdown continues towards the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision on SpaceX’s request for permits to launch rockets from a site in Cameron County, Elon Musk’s space exploration firm continues to purchase property at Boca Chica Beach. The most recent purchases made June 2 come nearly two years to the day when the first purchase of land was made June 6, 2012. Dogleg Park LLC, on behalf of the California-based...
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted an illegal fishing crew from Mexico near South Padre Island on Monday afternoon during a routine patrol. A USCG aircrew spotted the four-member crew aboard a 25-foot lancha about 30 miles off of South Padre Island and 18 miles north of the maritime border, according to a news release. The vessel was at anchor with its outboard engine out of the water and had fishing...
Registration is now open for three of the largest fishing tournaments of the summer season along the Texas Gulf Coast. Starting out the Big Three is the Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament on July 24-27 with bay and offshore divisions for adults and youth. Hosted by the Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, this tournament is that organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Registration forms can be downloaded at portmansfieldchamber.org....
The U.S. Coast Guard made a large catch Sunday when it arrested a Mexican crew with 450 illegally caught red snapper, officials said. The interception of the boat started at 12:30 p.m., 30 miles offshore and about 70 miles north of the U.S. and Mexican border, the USCG reported in a news release. A HU-25 Falcon jet crew spotted the 25-foot Mexican fishing boat, and a helicopter air crew from...
The Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), are collaborating to provide SPI the 2nd Access. The proposed project consists of three major factors: the mainland roadway, the Laguna Madre crossing bridge, and the island roadway. The route under consideration includes a mainland roadway consisting of a four-lane road, crossing across Laguna Madre with about 8 miles...
SpaceX on Thursday told the Valley Morning Star in an email that the company is cautious but “hopeful” about its chances to build a launch site on Boca Chica beach. “Although Cameron County remains a finalist for the development of a commercial orbital launch complex, the decision will not be made until all technical and regulatory due diligence is complete. “Following the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, the...
The Port Isabel Yacht Club Hotel is among the 12 sites that Preservation Texas, Inc. has named to its eleventh annual list of Texas’ Most Endangered Places. Preservation Texas officials announced the selections outside the Texas State Capitol on May 20. “The 2014 list is a diverse group of sites that reflect the range of preservation issues that historic places throughout the state are confronting,” said Evan Thompson,...
Another young ocelot has been found at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, making it the second juvenile ocelot discovered this year. Officials at the refuge said the young male is believed to be 12 to 14 months old. He was recently captured on the refuge. This ocelot seems to appear healthy, wildlife biologist Hilary Swarts said. The refuge has about 50 cameras on the refuge that are used to...
Spring is a time of renewal when flowers bloom, trees sprout new greenery, butterflies abound and Rio Grande Valley birds show off their offspring. I always enjoy seeing and photographing the children of spring. Whenever I see the latest batch of black-bellied whistling ducks, baby gallinules begging mom and dad for food, or day-old black-necked stilts trying to walk on those oversized gangly legs, for a moment it makes...
Another U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is coming to the Port of Brownsville for dismantling. The U.S. Navy announced Friday that it has awarded the contract to ESCO Marine for one penny to dismantle the USS Saratoga. The aircraft carrier is currently housed at the Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. It is expected to depart this summer and be towed to Brownsville. The USS Saratoga was decommissioned Sept. 30, 1994, after...
