PRESS Staff Report

Sasha Heller

The Port Isabel-South Padre Press has hired award-winning journalist Sasha Heller to serve as the paper’s managing editor.

The Atlanta native joins the staff after working as the reporter at The Pampa News, a daily in the Panhandle. Heller has also worked as a news editor for The Enterprise-Tocsin in Indianola, Miss.; reporter at The Rio Grande Sun in Espanola, N.M.; and staff writer at the Daphne Bulletin in Daphne, Ala.

Heller won a Best Investigate Series first-place award in 2010 from the Mississippi Press Association. For that series, Heller wrote seven articles covering the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MED) historic audit of the Sunflower County School District (SCSD). The audit uncovered that SCSD had failed all 37 of the state’s accreditation standards. Heller interviewed school officials, teachers, students and parents to provide in-depth reporting of the monumental education scandal.

Most recently, Sasha won a Best Features second-place award in 2012 from the Panhandle Press Association. That award covered two feature articles: one was about a Pampa native who had spent the last few years in Afghanistan helping set up the wartorn nation’s medical infrastructure; and the second feature shared the story of a Vietnam veteran reuniting with a South Vietnamese translator he had served with during the war. The veteran had nearly shot the translator one night by mistake, thinking the translator was a member of the Vietcong. Forty years later, the veteran was speaking about the war with a lawyer from Chicago who asked if he could interview the veteran, to which he said of course. The lawyer later uploaded the video of the interview to YouTube. The Vietnamese translator saw the video on YouTube and then sought out the person who had uploaded it. The lawyer then connected the translator with the veteran and they rekindled their friendship.

Heller is a 2008 graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University.

“I bring a wealth of experience to this paper and am excited about the opportunity,” Heller said.

Sasha is a versatile young, creative editor who understands the meaning of community journalism.

“My journey of self-discovery has led me to your doorstep, Port Isabel and South Padre Island,” he said. “Show me what you have to offer.”

By CHRISTINA R. GARZA
Staff Writer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

Luis Garcia Marin

Yolanda Marin, wife of alleged domestic terrorist Luis Garcia Marin insists he is innocent of the charges.

The Port Isabel-South Padre Press reported online that Garcia Marin was charged with making terroristic threats after reporting a suspicious looking package to Fire Marshall Rodrigo Garcia on Wednesday, April 24.

According to Yolanda, she and her husband had taken one of their sons to the Boys and Girls Pediatric Clinic and her husband had remained outside to smoke a cigarette when he saw the free newspaper stand. He decided to get a free paper and noticed the package, Yolanda said, adding that her husband read “TNT” written on the package and feared for the safety of his wife and child inside the building and quickly alerted authorities. The clinic was evacuated and Yolanda said her husband was called a hero.

The investigators, however, turned their eyes to Garcia Marin. He went in for a polygraph test on May 10 and was sent to Cameron County Jail after investigators reported that he failed the test. It was also reported by police that enough probable cause to warrant the hero-turned-suspect’s arrested was obtained. “This is an injustice, he is innocent,” Yolanda said.

Garcia Marin is undocumented, according to Yolanda, and wouldn’t jeopardize his family, she said. The Marins have three school-age children together and two children from Yolanda’s previous relationship. Yolanda said the incident has affected her children.

“I talked to the Mexican Consulate and they advised me to get a lawyer and demand proof,” she said.

Yolanda also said this has led her to distrust the Port Isabel Police Department. “If I see anyone breaking the law, I will be afraid to report it because I don’t want to be charged with a crime,” Yolanda said.

Still, members of the PIPD Investigation Unit reportedly viewed a recording from the clinic which allegedly shows Marin walking by the front entrance while carrying a box underneath his right arm, that is before walking out of view. Minutes later, Marin is seen walking with Fire Marshal Rodrigo Garcia to the site of the box, according to authorities involved in the case.

By AARIN HARTWELL
Special to the PRESS

Parking issues on the Island dominated the City Council meeting last Wednesday, March 15, at City Hall on South Padre Island.

Discussion of the city’s convention center renovation and expansion and proposed seasonal parking permit brought many spectators to the audience of the meeting.

Business owners and members of the community waited patiently as the mayor and council attended to each item on the schedule with the majority of the onlookers anticipating agenda item 12, the discussion and action regarding the city’s proposed beach user fee (paid parking) and guidance to amend Chapter 22, Dune Protection, Beach Re-nourishment, and Access Plan to include the proposed beach user fee.

According to an interview with Council member Sam Listi, city manager Joni Clarke, and Coastal Resources Manager Reuben Torres, Listi said, “The city is considering paid parking because both county parks have paid parking. This causes guests to bypass the county parks causing overflow parking on Gulf Boulevard.”

Kerry Schwartz, owner of Island Native Surf Shop and President of The South Padre Island Business Owners Association (SPI BOA) spoke Wednesday to the council about the Business’ Owners opinion of the beach user fee (paid parking).

“SPI Business Owners Association is very committed to providing SPI visitors a very friendly, enjoyable, relaxing experience while visiting SPI. Tourism is the only industry on SPI and it is tourism that fuels our economy. It is important for the Island to embrace tourists and provide a very welcoming experience. Anything less it not acceptable,” said Schwartz.

The local BOA’s position against the parking proposal presented to the City Council was believed not to be consistent with what they deemed “promoting tourism.”

Schwartz requested that the Council allow the Business Owners Association to be involved in creating solutions for the parking problem. The issue was tabled pending a meeting with the Business Owners Association.

SPI BOA plans to work with the Property Owners Who Care, Surfrider Foundation and the city to come up with a viable solution.

However, this is no new issue for the City of South Padre. The City Council has sought solutions for the parking problem, such as parking meters and ticket kiosks, for the last four years. After ruling out the options for logistical reasons, the GLO granted permission to charge a beach user fee, pending the details as to the rate and method of implantation. The council proposed its first beach user-parking fee to the GLO in February.

After being denied by the GLO for the plans’ high rates resulting in potential discrimination to the day-trippers, the city discussed new options for rates and general logistics of the parking permit at Wednesday’s meeting.

“The funds collected from the proposed plan will be used for beach walkovers, beach maintenance and improvements for Gulf Boulevard,” said Listi.

Under the Texas Open Beaches Act, it is required that all fees associated with access to the beach are re-invested into maintaining the beach.

“The City Council is looking at all the options and how to best implement the program because our situation is unique being a coastal community, and we have to take into consideration safety issues as well,” said city manager Joni Clarke.

Council member Listi suggested multiple passes can be used.

“If a solution can be reached its going to have to be a daily, three-day or yearly pass, or a combination of those somehow,” said Listi.

According to Councilman Listi, others prefer a flat fee.

Clarke said the Council has already restricted overnight cul-de-sac parking and parking on residential side streets so to ensure safety vehicles have access.

Community member Nikki Charvat, disagreed with the restriction and is concerned that paid parking will worsen the problem.

“I own a condo that was built before contractors were required by a building code to have a parking space for each unit. Before side street parking was restricted, I was able to park pretty close to my home. It’s frustrating that I have to park and walk five blocks to get to my home when I live across the street from both a parking lot and cul-de-sac that remains empty after 9 p.m.,” said Charvat.

Charvat also is concerned about the current building codes.

“They already don’t have enough parking in the town, but are still allowing new buildings to come up without legitimate parking spaces for them. They are not using the standard parking and building codes,” said Charvat.

Charvat suggests that current homeowners be grandfathered in to any new proposition that prohibits property owners from parking in these restricted areas.

Community member Mary Volz asked the Council, “What happens if you sell parking passes and there is no place for the people to park that have passes? Will they get a refund?”

The City has been actively searching for solutions to the parking issue.

According to Torres, there are three to four beach cul-de-sacs that could be improved by development, potentially resulting in 120 spaces if funding was available.

“The problem is we don’t have the funding to commit to this development now. We would first need to implement the paid parking to accrue money for this process,” said Torres.

The Texas Open Beaches Act requires one space per 15 linear feet, which translates to South Padre as 1,620 parking spaces. According to the Beach Parking System Draft sent to the GLO, South Padre has recorded 2,186 parking spaces available for beach goers, which is 34 percent more than what is required by the Open Beaches Act.

“The way we see it approximately 25 percent of the total identified parking spaces would have a beach user fee, leaving 75 percent of parking on the island free,” said Torres.

South Padre is one of the very few beach communities in Texas without a beach user fee. Galveston, Corpus Christi, Surfside, Nueces County and Port Aransas participate in beach user fee parking programs, according to Torres

“Three of the other cities’ beach programs share annual pass programs, which is what we are proposing,” said Torres.

Beginning June 1, the City’s free public transportation bus, The Wave, will begin a designated beach route that will circle remote identified parking lots to enable visitors to different beach accesses. Visitors would be expected to use this transportation to the beach.

Marcy Newman, Public Works Director for South Padre is currently in Florida attending the International Parking Institute Conference.

By CHRISTINA R. GARZA
Staff Writer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

William Thomas Edwards, Jr.

A man is behind bars for allegedly kidnapping and raping a local woman.

On May 16, South Padre Island police officer Manuel Ochoa responded to a call to a convenience store on the 2900 block of Padre Boulevard, where a woman with bodily injuries alleged that a William Thomas Edwards, Jr. – a man whose place of residency has yet to be determined – held her captive for two days while raping and assaulting her.

According to the police report the woman was hobbling due to back pain from injuries she says she suffered at Edwards’ hands.

The woman displayed severe bruising to the right side of her face. The woman alleged that 6 foot, 1 inch-tall Edwards inflicted the injuries on her when Edwards held her captive at her residence starting on Tuesday, May 14.

The woman alleged that during the two-day period Edwards beat her, held a gun to her head and made her fear for her life while he continuously assaulted her. After speaking to the woman, officers made their way to her residence and arrested Edwards. He faces charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. Edwards was transported to the city jail before being transfer to county jail.

By SASHA HELLER
Managing Editor
edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

The Point Isabel Independent School District (PIISD) Board on Tuesday approved a five percent general pay increase for teachers and a five percent from midpoint raise for administrative, professional, clerical and paraprofessional employees and auxiliary personnel.

“It’s the first general pay increase in three years,” said superintendent Dr. Lisa Garcia.

Discussions about a raise initially began at two percent. However, that figure continued to rise during the Board’s talks and they ultimately settled on the five percent figure.

Garcia explained how the negotiations unfolded. She said the Board contracted earlier in the school year with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to conduct a review of the district’s overall salary structure. Garcia said the goal of the study was to ensure PIISD’s salaries were competitive with comparable school districts.

“We started in February in meetings with the Board,” Garcia said, adding that the Board members wanted more for the district’s employees. “The Board of Trustees felt like a robust general pay increase was necessary to retain and attract the best teachers.”

In other business, the Board approved:

• Contracting architectural services with Gignac Architects of Harlingen at a fee of six percent

• Contracting with Gignac Architects to develop a plan for concession stand/restroom facilities and security booth/storage facility

• Contracting with TREMCO Incorporated Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. of Beechwood, Ohio for roof repairs and maintenance program at Darry Elementary

• Purchasing 30 iPads for use by teachers and students

• 2013-14 optional flexible school day program

• PIISD staff to attend and present at the National Council for Community and Education Partnership/GEAR UP Conference in San Francisco, Calif. on July 14-17

• Port Isabel Junior High School’s junior class to visit Texas A&M campus in Kingsville, Texas A&M at Corpus Christi and a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game.

By MARTHA McCLAIN
Special to the PRESS

Laguna Vista’s Veterans Memorial Park stands in quiet stillness at dusk earlier this week while the park’s lights beautifully illuminate its centerpiece monument. (Staff photo by Ray Quirgoa)

The Laguna Vista community will observe Memorial Day on Monday to commemorate the men and women in the US military who gave their lives in defense of their country, and to honor all veterans who have served.

In what has become an annual event, the “Always Honor, Never Forget” parade down FM 510 is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the Laguna Vista Library.

“We encourage everyone to decorate their golf carts, vehicles, bikes, boats and trailers for the parade,” City Manager Rolando Vela said. A police escort will lead the parade to the Veterans Memorial Park where the parade will conclude.

The ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Memorial and will feature various speakers and the performance of Taps. It is located between Taylor Avenue and Santa Isabella Blvd

Engraved bricks to honor the service of all veterans have been installed at the Memorial and may be purchased on Memorial Day at the site. The bricks measure 8 by 8 inches and cost $50.

Space allows for 750 bricks to be placed in the park.

Certain guidelines for wording on the bricks will have been imposed to ensure respectful tributes. Veterans may purchase the bricks, or non-veterans can buy a brick to honor a friend or loved one. Wording on the brick could include the name, military rank, branch of service and possibly the war or campaign in which the honoree served.

The brick tribute was initiated by the Laguna Vista Parks Board, which recommended implementation of the plan to the Town Council. Brick may also be purchased by calling Laguna Vista City Hall at 943-1297.

The Memorial is one of the recently upgraded Town parks in the $1.5 million certificates of obligation program over the past year.

By CHRISTINA R. GARZA

Staff Writer

pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The Olympic Games call on the best athletes in the world to compete and inspire the next generation to achieve their own greatness and it is safe to say no one ever won an Olympic medal without practice.

At 8 a.m., Saturday Port Isabel High School Stadium will play host to the South Texas Elite Throws and Jumps Clinic. USA Track and Field Olympic thrower and motivational speaker Michelle Carter will speak to students. Carter came in 15^th place at the 2008 Olympics.

Students from 8 years of age to 18 will be accepted to the clinic. There will be a separate division for coaches who want to enhance their skills.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA

Staff Writer

pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

A perfect childhood summer includes fun with friends and making memories.
For kids with special needs, a classic summer vacation can be daunting as their disabilities can hold them back from participating in summer sports.
But Little League coach Joe Cantu has seen a positive change in his son, Evan, since he joined the Laguna Madre Little League Challengers Division Adoptive Baseball Program for Children with Physical and Mental Challenges (LMLLCD).

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

BY SASHA HELLER

Managing Editor

edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The show must go on — or so they say.
Interim Convention Visitors Bureau Director Sylvia Soliz at the South Padre Island City Council meeting Wednesday reported that the City lost approximately $186,000 from last weekend’s Summer Concert Kickoff at the South Padre Island Convention Centre.
Expenditures for two days of concerts totaled $253,246 while total revenues added up to only $67,238 — a difference of $186,008.
Mayor Robert Pinkerton cited negligence and poor advertising as the reasons for such a shortfall.
“The entertainment part was great,”Pinkerton said. “(But) there will be a meeting coming up shortly. There were many mistakes made.”website.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

BY SASHA HELLER
Managing Editor
edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Christ’s Harbor Church on Monday welcomed community members to an open house for the church’s new Christian school, set to open Aug. 26, in conjunction with the Point Isabel Independent School District.
During its initial year, the Christ’s Harbor Christian School will serve 5-year-olds in kindergarten; advanced 4-year-olds will also be considered.

The school will add a new grade each school year as the inaugural class continues to matriculate.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

Special to the PRESS

Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel and South Padre Island play host to Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament—the Texas International Fishing Tournament.
Founded by Doc J.A. Hockaday in 1933, the tournament was designed to tell the story of phenomenal fishing in the Rio Grande Valley to anglers from around the world.
Now entering its 74th event, TIFT offers the best of bay and offshore fishing to enthusiasts of all ages. Scheduled to be held July 31 to Aug. 4, TIFT is expected to attract as many as 1,500 anglers and more than 500 boats during its two days of fishing activities.Fisherman young and old will compete in one of three divisions: Bay, Tarpon and Offshore.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

What is your name? Nicholas Haritakis

How old are you? 29

Where are you from? I am a mainlander.

How long have you been bartending?

Six years

How long have you bartended at D’Pizza Joint?

Six years

Why do you like bartending here at D’Pizza Joint?
I like working with the staff, the camaraderie.

What sports are you into?
Running.

What is your favorite dish at this location?
The Barbecue Chicken Pizza is excellent and the grilled chicken.

What would you say keep the locals coming back? 
The familiar staff and the good food, of course.

What is your favorite part of working with the customers?
I just like dealing with people.

What sets D’Pizza Joint apart from other places?
It’s one of the originals on the island

What drink gets ordered the most?
Shiner Draft

What do you like least about bartending?
Drunk people
If you could make a drink for any historical figure, who would it be and why?
I’d like to enjoy a Coors Light with Benjamin Franklin because, why not?
To recommend a bar or bartender for the Beach Bar Beat, please email b...@portisabelsouthpadre.com or visit our Facebook page.
After summer, bartenders featured in the Beach Bar Beat will be rounded up to compete to be this year’s champion. To participate, you can vote for your favorite in the second annual South Padre Parade’s Beach Bartender Competition.
Feel free to join me for a drink when you see me working the Beach Bar Beat.

The Remembering Nora Walk-a-thon will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday at Heavin Memorial Park, San Benito. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Family Crisis Center, Inc., the Crime Victims Compensation Program and scholarships in the memory of Nora L. Saucedo. For more information, call (254) 548-4918.

BY SASHA HELLER

Managing Editor

edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The Cameron County Sheriff’s Department has released a composite sketch of the body of a woman found last October on South Padre Island near Beach Access No. 6.

Sheriff Omar Lucio on Monday said investigators analyzed the woman’s remains and dental records to create the composite image. Lucio hopes the public will be able to identify the woman from the sketch to aid the CCSD in its investigation.

The corpse of a woman reportedly clothed in green shorts and a purplish-colored shirt, with no identification on her person, was discovered around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, by a passerby who reportedly observed coyotes eating something in the sand. The individual then alerted the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department of the situation.

The Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers Evidential and Facial Identification Division has provided a clay reconstructive photograph of a female with similar characteristics resembling that of the body recovered from the beach. The female victim has her lips and eyebrows cosmetically tattooed. The female was wearing blue/plaid shorts with pink stars and a sleeveless purple shirt.  The female is about five feet, 100 to 120 pounds with black hair.

Lucio said all inquiries about the case should be directed toward the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department by calling (956) 550-6700. If someone from the public has information about the case, they can also call Crimestoppers at (956) 350-5551.

BY SASHA HELLER
Managing Editor
edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

At around 9 p.m., Monday South Padre Island police officers were waved down by several subjects in the parking lot of condominiums at 5400 Gulf Blvd.
The responding officer found a male subject in the passenger side of a 2004 Ford truck with a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities located a .357-caliber revolver handgun at the scene. EMS responded to transport the victim to the landing zone for air evacuation in Laguna Vista but by the time they reached the scene, the subject had already died.
“(The) initial investigation has revealed the subject died of a self-inflicted gunshot but we are awaiting autopsy results to conclude the investigation,” said public information officer Naida Robles.

BY SASHA HELLER
Managing Editor

edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

South Padre Island Fire Chief Burney Baskett will leave the Island’s Fire Department after five years to serve as the Fire Chief for the City of Copperas Cove near Ft. Hood and Killeen.

Baskett cited a need to be closer to his family as the reason for his decision to step down.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA
Staff Writer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

On Tuesday, City officials hosted a workshop at City Hall to discuss the possible annexation of Laguna Heights into the City of Port Isabel. According to city manager Edward Meza, the City is considering the expansion of Port Isabel up to Roy Avenue in Laguna Heights. Meza said the City would have to carefully consider the costs and benefits for the annexation.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA
Staff Writer

pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Trisha Harmon, a 2012 graduate of Port Isabel High School, has spent the last year in the city of brotherly love. Harmon moved to Philadelphia in July of 2012 to work with an AmeriCorps program called City Year that aids middle-school students who are at risk of dropping out of school.

After choosing not to attend college in Dallas in the fall like she had previously planned, Harmon decided to move back to the east coast where she had lived for three years before returning to Port Isabel. Harmon’s sister, Megan, mentioned the City Year program and Philadelphia had an open position. The position would offer experience working with children and an educational award at the end of the 10-month term which started in August and ends June. The $5550 award would go toward tuition or other educational expenses.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

What is your name?
Lizbeth Farfan
Where are you from?
Veracruz — but I became a citizen last year.
Why do you like working at Big Boys Bar and Grill?
The good food, atmosphere, good friends and we have a lot of locals. I just love my job.
What are your favorite dishes at Big Boys Bar and Grill?
California Chicken Sandwich, Mushroom Swiss and the new barbecue ribs. The barbecue ribs are awesome. We get a lot of compliments on those.
What is your favorite drink to make?
Pink Floyd and the Blue Hawaiian, and of course the Sexy Mama which is my favorite.
What do you enjoy about bartending?
My favorite part is the challenge, meeting new people and making everyone comfortable. I want people to come in and say, ‘I like this bar, I like this bartender, and she’s awesome.’ I get a lot of compliments.
What do you least like about bartending?
It’s difficult when there are so many people and I want to serve everyone at the same time but I can’t.
If you could make a drink for anyone, living or dead, celebrity or historical figure, who would it be and what would you make?
It all depends on the person. Some like strong drinks or sweet drinks, it just depends.

To recommend a bar or a bartender for the Beach Bar Beat, email b...@portisabelsouthpadre.com or visit our Facebook page.
After summer, bartenders featured in the Beach Bar Beat will be rounded up to compete to be this year’s champion.

BY SASHA HELLER
Managing Editor
edi...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The identity of the individual who committed suicide June 10 on South Padre Island has been made available to the public for the first time.
The victim was Adam Nicholas Ditta, 20, of Dallas, a white male, with brown hair, blue eyes and around six feet, five inches tall.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.