Corpus Christi Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI —A federal agency issued a scathing report Wednesday morning of a Citgo refinery’s emergency response to a July explosion and fire that critically injured one worker.The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued what it called “urgent recommendations,” which are made before the final investigation report in cases where board members believe an imminent hazard may be present, board ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The nearly empty two-bedroom house stood quiet as Hannah, 6, and Michael, 8, waited patiently at the dinner table as their mother prepared dinner.The children already know this Christmas will be different. In past years, there were presents and a tree. Both Hannah and Michael say it’s the lack of a tree they’ll miss the most.“I feel sad and mad all at the same time. It’s always ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Some cried. Some had trouble sleeping. At least one admitted to being physically ill. Jurors in the trial of Parker Sharp watched hours of footage showing Sharp sexually abusing four girls, ages 6 to 9.After their job was complete, the 12 jurors and one alternate told 148th District Judge Marisela Saldaña what she already had suspected — that they were profoundly affected by the ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The city and National Swim Center Corp. are $5 million apart in negotiations for redeveloping Memorial Coliseum, with two City Council members saying the Jan. 12 deadline shouldn’t put an end to the talks.That’s the day the council has chosen to decide either to push forward with redevelopment or demolish the empty event center.In the next two council meetings, the council needs ... Full Story »

INGLESIDE —Ingleside City Council voted unanimously to dismantle the implementation Ingleside Local Redevelopment Authority at its meeting Tuesday night and delayed sending the Navy a letter expressing interest in purchasing a piece of Naval Station Ingleside.The implementing branch of the redevelopment authority was supposed to be in charge of gaining the title to and then redeveloping 155 ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Former Citgo plant manager Bob Kostelnik is the next commissioner of the Port of Corpus Christi.A bare-majority five City Council members Tuesday put Kostelnik into the highly coveted position. The port commission sets policy for the port, acknowledged to be the area’s largest economic engine.Kostelnik will replace Ruben Bonilla, the port’s current chairman, who vacates in ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Corpus Christi Independent School District officials suspended a Woodlawn Elementary School teacher with pay for allegations of misconduct.CCISD spokeswoman Lorette Williams said she could not elaborate on the allegations but could confirm that CCISD is investigating. The teacher was suspended with pay last week, Williams said, and the teacher’s name could not be disclosed ... Full Story »

PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE —With red tide neurotoxins killing canines, people must keep their dogs away from Padre Island National Seashore beaches, officials urged again Tuesday.Necropsy results from dead coyotes confirmed that canines are highly susceptible to the neurotoxin found in the decaying fish.“We’ve told people it’s a bad idea to bring their dogs, and we’re turning them away at ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The task was to tell the story of World War II using the Texas Hill Country as the backdrop.Two years ago, Corpus Christi’s Richter Architects was selected to tell that story for an expansion at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. On Monday, David Richter and Elizabeth Chu Richter were among the 4,000 who watched Former President George H.W. Bush use gold ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —University art student Josh Goldson says his recent work is scaly, spotty and striped — all to help raise money for the Art Museum of South Texas. The 20-year-old sophomore at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi recently airbrushed leotards for university dancers to resemble a lion, zebra, python and gazelle among other African creatures for the museum’s Silver Safari fundraiser ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Corpus Christi residents will get 41 additional police patrol officers on the streets Jan. 4.The 41 officers will be transferred from other divisions to the Uniform Patrol Division in an effort to help the Corpus Christi Police Department become more focused, centralized in command and engaged in the community, Chief Troy Riggs said.“That’s what modern policing is about,” he said ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The company that manages American Bank Center could spend up to $150,000 of sales tax dollars this year on repairs for the 5-year-old arena.The repair fund, which would use money collected from the one-eighth-cent sales tax earmarked for the arena, will go before City Council for approval during its meeting Tuesday.It was recommended by the city’s Business and Job Growth ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The city is beginning discussions about when to build a new 40-mile water pipeline, a decision that will affect how much the project costs ratepayers.Figures from the city show the rate for raw water could increase by 36 percent to nearly $1.20 per 1,000 gallons of water. The raw water charge is one of two categories on a water bill; the other is for treating the water. The ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce is working to establish a new property tax to help the Port of Corpus Christi Authority increase revenue. A port official said the port didn’t ask for this help.The port has the ability to tax with the approval of Nueces and San Patricio counties. It has not done so since the mid-1980s when it used the money to buy property to establish ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —A petition to save Memorial Coliseum was short by nearly 4,000 signatures after city staff analyzed the paperwork to see if those who signed their names were registered city voters.Rey Madrigal, a local veteran who was leading the effort, turned in 9,040 signatures on Nov. 17. If at least 7,362 of the signatures belonged to registered voters in Corpus Christi city limits, a ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The Jingle Bells BBQ Cookoff, colored bulbs on the Tree of Lights and older kids in the children’s parade were some of the firsts Saturday at this year’s 28th AEP Texas Harbor Lights Festival.It was the first time 10-year-old Alexi Benavidez danced along Shoreline Boulevard with the Club Estates Dance Club. Her 1-year-old brother, Leonard, was there for the first time, as was ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Donors to the Caller-Times Children’s Christmas Appeal give more than money. They give hope, organizers say.So far the money totals $17,347.Officials hope donors’ generosity will take the campaign all the way to its $190,000 goal.“We want to make sure we’re helping as many children as possible,” said Steve Arnold, Caller-Times vice president of marketing and Children’s Christmas ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —Of the almost 50 applicants looking to be named the next commissioner of the Port of Corpus Christi, two names have risen to the top — bank CEO Al Jones and former Citgo plant manager Bob Kostelnik.The City Council will appoint a new commissioner during Tuesday’s meeting and it remains unclear whom that will be.Jones, CEO and chairman of American Bank, has long influenced local ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —A title opinion clears the way for developing the property that includes Memorial Coliseum, a city consultant said.What the City Council will choose to do with the land remains unclear. The council is set to discuss redevelopment options Tuesday.The title opinion uncovered only one restriction on how the land can be used, said attorney John Bell, a city consultant. An 85-foot ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —About 2,000 people Saturday, more than 400 in the first hour, packed the first City Wide Health Fair seeking services from 69 health care vendors, organizers said.“The turnout looks like a mass funeral or huge sale,” said Terry Mills, president of hosting local chapter of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “It shows the incredible need in our community ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —State recognition of former Caller-Times publisher Ed Harte came in the house that Ed built — the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, read a resolution from the Texas Legislature honoring Harte for his environmental activism and philanthropy. The resolution was co-authored by Reps. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, and Solomon ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —One by one on Friday, loved ones of girls sexually abused by a man who filmed the acts took the stand.They all made the same plea to jurors: send Parker Sharp away for life.One mother cried as she told jurors how her now 10-year-old fears sleeping alone and never feels safe.“She shouldn’t have to live like that,” she said. “How is she going to know what trust is?”The testimony ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —The Corpus Christi Police Department has reached a milestone in its history with its first national accreditation.The department was awarded law enforcement accreditation Nov. 21 from national accreditation organization, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.This means the department is closer to becoming more standardized with its procedures from how ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI —You probably saw sleet Friday morning in Corpus Christi.Believe it or not, it also snowed, weather officials said. It wasn’t very much, just a trace.After a wintry mix with near freezing temperatures hit the Coastal Bend and the state, local school districts sent students home early, flights were canceled at Corpus Christi International Airport and events Saturday were called off ... Full Story »

COASTAL BEND —While Corpus Christi didn't see snow on the ground, the wet, cold weather made for some excitement on Friday and will lead to a record-cold start to Saturday.Only trace amounts of snow accumulated in Bee, Calhoun, Goliad, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Victoria counties, where the National Weather Service said up to three inches was possible Friday ... Full Story »