Kathryn Cargo

Appraisal values in Port Aransas were anticipated to increase by a percentile range in the 20s or more in 2024 over 2023, according to Nueces County Appraisal District officials. Data showed in April that appraisal values were about 13 percent higher in 2024 compared to 2023, said Ronnie Canales, chief appraiser of appraisal district. Canales expected the increase to be […]

In early 2024, the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce gathered public input for its three-year strategic plan called Envision Port Aransas. People had the chance to fill out an online survey and attend community forums to give their opinions about certain aspects of Port Aransas. The focus and scope of the new strategic plan was to be […]

City staff was directed by the Port Aransas City Council at a May 16 meeting to start looking for a location where a new animal shelter could be built. The current shelter building was built in 1984, had no ventilation, had an uneven floor and was not big enough for needs. In May, the shelter had 17 dogs housed in […]

In January 2024, the City of Port Aransas had an “unprecedented” $89.5 million in capital projects that either had broken ground, were in the design phase or were about to be designed, according to City Manager David Parsons. Many of the projects were related to Hurricane Harvey damage such as the new public safety building that was being constructed for […]

Police surveillance and tips helped law enforcement locate and arrest a man wanted in connection with shootings that left one person dead and another injured on the beach in Port Aransas during Spring Break last year. Francisco Espinoza, 26, was taken into custody without incident shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at a home in the 600 block […]

The pace of hammering and sawing remained steady in Port Aransas midway through 2024, according to city building permit records examined by the South Jetty. As of May 15, some 51 residential building permits had been issued so far, and applications for an additional 40 were being reviewed. Assuming those 40 would be approved soon, that would bring the total […]

As of January 2024, volunteers with the nonprofit Salty Paws of Port Aransas, Inc. had fundraised about $9,000 for needed surgeries for animals at the Port Aransas Animal Shelter as well as facility needs. The organization gained its nonprofit status in December 2023. The group officially formed in September, but its members have been volunteering together weekly at the animal […]

The front that put Port Aransas into a deep freeze in January 2024 forced the cancellation of some community events and prompted some businesses to close for a day or two, but no serious incidents were reported. The Winter Sounds concert that was scheduled for the night of Monday, Jan. 15, at the Port Aransas Community Theatre was canceled. Also […]

Port Aransas is known as a birding hot spot where many dozens of species can be seen, from tiny warblers to endangered whooping cranes. But sometimes, even more is in store for birders when they come upon the unexpected: the sighting of birds that rarely if ever are seen here. Such birds that were spotted in spring 2024 in Port […]

In May, the Port Aransas City Council chose the name “Old Town Square” for the name of the park the city had planned to build later in the year on a vacant lot next to the Community Center. The City Council named the park with a unanimous vote at a meeting on Thursday, May 16. Colleen Simpson, Parks and Recreation […]