Corpus Christi Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI — An attempt to stop the Port of Corpus Christi’s plan for continuous marine security patrols failed Tuesday in 4-3 vote of port commissioners. The port is acquiring three boats at federal government expense. The port would pay for their operation, estimated at $2.97 million by 2011. The industries along the ship channel have objected to that expense, which would fall mostly on ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Memorial Coliseum drew a crowd Monday night, despite being closed since 2004. About 250 people mostly in green T-shirts with the name Grow! Corpus Christi gathered in the parking lot in a show of support for the aging structure, urging that the City Council revisit a development proposal it rejected two weeks ago. “We’ve elected you to get something done. Now do it,” said ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Texas A&M University System expects to announce Naval Station Ingleside’s first tenant in the next 30 days, a commercial company bringing 600 jobs. The university system has shepherded redevelopment efforts since May for the Port of Corpus Christi. The port will receive about 576 acres from the Navy when the base closes April 30. The port has added 433 neighboring acres for the ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Stein Mart will relocate to Moore Plaza next year. The move of the department store is a big loss to Sunrise Mall, where it is an anchor store. Renovations are under way at the former Circuit City location at Moore Plaza. The tall facade that once bore the electronics store logo is being transformed into an arch that will bear the Stein Mart name. The renovations, which will ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — A community committee recommends larger attendance zones for Miller, Moody and Ray high schools and slightly smaller ones for Carroll and King. The schools haven’t changed boundaries since the 1980s, Corpus Christi Independent School District officials said. Now the district wants input from residents. To get it, the district will organize several meetings in the next few ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Access roads to Padre Balli Park and Port Aransas beaches have been barricaded because of a rising tidal surge from Tropical Storm Ida. “It’s just not safe,” said Scott Cross, Nueces County’s director of the parks and recreation department. He anticipated the closure could last several days. The tide reached the dune line Monday, brought in loads of debris and washed away a ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Corpus Christi residents can expect to see more police officers on the streets as early as Jan. 1, according to Police Chief Troy Riggs. The new chief made the announcement Monday during a news conference to discuss the department’s reorganization plan, based on a consultant study commissioned last year. Internal improvements expected by the new year include: increasing the ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — The National Swim Center Corp. needs to answer some questions, City Council members say, before they’ll feel comfortable considering its plan to redevelop Memorial Coliseum into an Olympic swim center. The council voted to end coliseum redevelopment negotiations with Brass Real Estate at its meeting two weeks ago, which allows the council to reopen its discussions with the swim ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — On average, migrant students change schools about three times annually. Each time, the students have to start over. Meet new friends. Meet new teachers. Catch up with the schoolwork they’ve missed. Educators say many migrant students are in need of school supplies, but most importantly they need a teacher who understands them and helps them succeed. On Wednesday, more than ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Downtown property owners are sitting on 11 undeveloped acres and at least five vacant buildings behind Memorial Coliseum, hesitant to act until they know what the city will do with the aging landmark. For some, plans have been put on hold. For others, plans have been scrapped and moved to another side of town. “I think it’s had a huge impact and, until that is decided, I can’t ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — The scene was festive with balloon hats for kids and music. Still the message was serious Saturday at Heritage Park. Joann Guerrero’s children were having fun with their orange and yellow balloon hats and giggling during the 2009 Holiday Safety Fair. But Jaime, 2, Jovanna, 10, and Juliana, 7, also learned the importance of wearing seat belts after watching a twirling vehicle ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — @1-Graphic head:IF YOU GO What: 45th annual Greek Festival When: noon to 10 p.m. today; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Where: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 502 S. Chaparral St. Cost: Free admission. Information: 883-9843 or 883-0950 Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — A toxic red tide bloom remained along the Corpus Christi Bayfront Friday, state biologists said. Rusty water and dead fish were visible and dense in spots from Cole Park to Ropes Park, said biologist Alex Nunez with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Most of the thousands of dead fish were 1- to 2-inch bay anchovies. Other species included mullet, needlefish, stargazers and ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Port commissioners will reconsider the purchase of two boats for a ship channel patrol strongly opposed by industries because of the expense. If a vote is taken, one commissioner’s vote clearly will change but two would be needed to change the outcome. Commissioner Richard Borchard has placed an item on Tuesday’s meeting agenda to rescind the purchase of two boats approved last ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — An appeals court has reversed a judge’s decision to toss out an accused killer’s videotaped statement in a 2006 stabbing case. The 13th Court of Appeals issued an opinion Oct. 29 reversing an order that had suppressed Luis Aguilar’s statement and remanded the case back to 28th District Judge Nanette Hasette’s court. Aguilar, 30, is accused of stabbing Jose Mosqueda on Nov. 5 ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Donley the dolphin will be moved Sunday to Galveston. The 3- to 4-year-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin has been at the Texas State Aquarium’s SeaLab since stranding Tuesday on Mustang Island. “We’re set up for short-term triage,” said Kristin Ralls, aquarium spokeswoman. “Since he’s so young he’ll need longer term care.” Donley has not been eating, but is being fed ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Two men pleaded not guilty on Friday in a fatal shooting that killed one man and sent three children to the hospital. Rudy Castro, 28, and Joe Angel Madero, 27, each pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated assault and two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity before 148th District Judge Marisela Saldaña. They are two of eight men accused of playing a role in a ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Health officials in Nueces and San Patricio counties on Friday each confirmed a swine flu-related death. The death in Nueces County brings the total of deaths to nine since May. The death in San Patricio County is the first reported swine flu-related death, said Dr. James Mobley, the county health department’s medical director. Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health ... Full Story »

BEEVILLE — Beeville City Council offered its city manager position to a Port Aransas official and hopes to hire him at Tuesday’s council meeting. Tom Ginter, the current interim public works director for Port Aransas, is negotiating a deal with council following the job offer, he said. “They made an offer to me, and I responded with a few things,” Ginter said. “And they told me that they are ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Port Aransas City Manager Michael Kovacs will trade Port Aransas’ beach life for Park City ski slopes as the Utah ski resort’s assistant city manager. Kovacs, 37, who has held the top job at the city of Port Aransas since December 2004, told Port Aransas City Council his plans Thursday night. His last day is scheduled for Dec. 4, although he could leave Nov. 25 with council ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — More than 40 people walked, biked, boated or flew in the area of San Jose Island for more than 10 hours Thursday in search of a missing Navy pilot, volunteer Tawny Novosad said. Novosad said she believes Lt. John Joseph Houston is alive. “We just think God is setting up the stage to let us witness something awesome,” Novosad said. She said the group will use two donated ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — The appointment of a new regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator on Thursday caused a wrinkle in the Las Brisas air permit hearing. The new administrator, Al Armendariz, was slated to testify Friday for the Sierra Club, a Las Brisas opponent. He won’t be able to appear. Judges and attorneys discussed several options, the most extreme of which would be to delay ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — Joe Coco will withdraw his name from consideration for the city’s next available Port of Corpus Christi commissioner appointment. The former refinery manager and preferred candidate of local port industry said a consulting job prevents him from serving. Coco on Thursday confirmed speculation that he would no longer seek a coveted port seat. The City Council on Dec. 8 is ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — District Attorney Carlos Valdez has sent a notice reminding all trial courts in Nueces County that a local attorney under indictment is facing a pending unrelated disbarment. Valdez says in a Oct. 30 letter about David Bonilla that he is providing the information as a courtesy and to “prevent any willful violations of bond conditions” by Bonilla. Bonilla was indicted last ... Full Story »

CORPUS CHRISTI — It was a battle between the Ancients and the Neophytes at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and on Wednesday wisdom came with age. KEDT-TV’s Challenge game show put Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s faculty and students in the academic competition to promote its fifth season, which starts Monday. In the end, team Ancients, umm professors, pulled through with a 220-195 ... Full Story »