Tagged News

• How the unreported killing of an American by ICE in South Padre Island shattered two Texas families

  May 4, 2026 9:22 AM

  The last words Joshua Orta heard his childhood best friend utter were “I’m sorry.” Then Ruben Ray Martinez, a slender 23-year-old, slumped back in the driver’s seat. An officer had fired repeatedly through the open window, at least one bullet piercing Ruben’s heart. Josh, 25, saw officers in South... more »

• Tourists celebrating Christmas at South Padre Island Play Video

  December 24, 2025 6:10 PM

  While some people are staying indoors for Christmas Eve, others are celebrating at South Padre Island. Several families from across the country came down to the island and said they wanted to escape the cold in their hometown. Visitors from as far as Canada soaked up the sun... more »

• ‘Jellyfish bloom’ in effect at South Padre Island Play Video

  October 23, 2025 6:41 PM

  Visitors taking a walk along the South Padre Island shoreline have reported seeing the beach dotted with many jellyfish. Melissa Fryatt was among those unlucky enough to get stung. She described what she felt as a sharp pain on her leg. “I brushed it away and then it... more »

• 'Thank you for trying:' Woman seeking stranger who tried to help save drowning husband Play Video

  September 29, 2025 10:29 PM

  A woman is not giving up her search to find a woman who tried to save her husband's life in 1975. Pat Underwood’s husband drowned at South Padre Island on Saturday, Sept. 27, 1975. On the 50th anniversary of his death, Underwood spoke with Channel 5 News about... more »

• Authorities suspend search for missing swimmer at South Padre Island Play Video

  September 12, 2025 8:13 PM

  Authorities have suspended the search for the missing swimmer at South Padre Island. The South Padre Island Police Department notified the U.S. Coast Guard of the missing swimmer on Friday. According to the Coast Guard, the report came in around 2:30 p.m. The missing swimmer was described as... more »

• Fort Worth woman identified as victim in South Padre Island golf cart crash Play Video

  August 19, 2025 5:37 PM

  South Padre Island officials provided more details in a deadly crash involving a golf cart that led to one arrest. David Rivera, 60, was charged with six counts of intoxication assault and one count of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the crash that killed 34-year-old Kaylinn Churchill of Fort... more »

• Man charged with intoxication manslaughter following deadly South Padre Island crash

  August 18, 2025 8:03 PM

  A South Padre Island man was charged with intoxication manslaughter following a deadly two-vehicle crash, according to police. David Rivera was charged following a crash that happened on Saturday, Aug. 9 shortly before 2:15 a.m., according to an incident report obtained by Channel 5 News. According to the... more »

• South Padre Island reports increase in hotel occupancy tax revenue Play Video

  August 4, 2025 11:43 PM

  Before kids head back to school, families are taking advantage of what South Padre Island has to offer by soaking up the sun and cooling off in the water Holiday Inn Express General Manager Billy Schrunk said bookings rose by 20% in July compared to July 2024. "This... more »

• South Padre Island mourning loss of former city council member Paul Munarriz

  July 22, 2025 10:44 PM

  Former South Padre Island City Council Member Paul Munarriz passed away, the city announced on Tuesday. Paul served on the city council from 2015 to 2018 and was described in a news release as “a dedicated public servant and a cherished member of the South Padre Island community.” ... more »

• Volunteers pick up 300 pounds of trash at SPI during beach cleanup Play Video

  July 20, 2025 6:26 PM

  Two organizations came together on Saturday at South Padre Island, where about 30 volunteers spent two hours picking up 300 pounds of trash. “I love to come and enjoy the beach, and it’s kind of sad how much trash there is,” volunteer Dominique Rodriguez said. The event was... more »

• SPI causeway lanes reopen following multi-vehicle crash

  July 10, 2025 3:08 PM

  A four-vehicle crash on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway in South Padre Island is under investigation, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The crash was reported Thursday afternoon on the westbound lanes of the causeway. At 3:20 p.m., DPS spokesperson Sgt. Maria Hernandez said the causeway lanes... more »

• New design unveiled for proposed SPI convention center expansion project Play Video

  July 2, 2025 10:59 PM

  South Padre Island city leaders were met with criticism from the community during a Wednesday workshop to discuss the proposed expansion of the city’s convention center. An updated design of the expansion were unveiled during Wednesday’s workshop. The meeting happened after Cameron County commissioners voted to deny the... more »

• Missing South Padre Island swimmers believed to be false alarm, U.S. Coast Guard says

  June 30, 2025 10:39 PM

  The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for two swimmers at South Padre Island. Officials said their "response came back with needing more information to continue the search" and they believe it may have been a false alarm. The report of the missing swimmers came in on... more »

• South Padre Island leaders to discuss convention center expansion project in upcoming meeting Play Video

  June 30, 2025 6:21 PM

  South Padre Island city leaders are inviting the public to a workshop regarding the SPI Convention Center Expansion Project. The meeting is set for Wednesday, July 2 at 3 p.m. at South Padre Island City Hall. Preliminary designs released in 2024 showed plans to expand the convention... more »

• Sea Turtle Inc. reminds the public that nesting season is underway Play Video

  June 24, 2025 9:56 PM

  Sea Turtle Inc. is asking the public to be mindful during nesting season. According to the organization, there are 108 sea turtle nests at South Padre Island. According to Sea Turtle Inc. CEO Wendy Knight, female Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are nesting during the daytime in the dunes.... more »

• South Padre Island plans annual 4th of July weekend events Play Video

  June 17, 2025 5:26 PM

  Summer fun is in full swing and South Padre Island has so many activities planned for families and visitors. Visit South Padre Island Marketing and Communications Specialist Mauricio Cervantes speaks with Channel 5 News' Dina Herrera Garza on all the events planned at the island. It will be... more »

• Mexican fishermen plead guilty to illegally catching nearly 700 pounds of fish near South Padre Island

  June 10, 2025 9:37 PM

  Four members of a Mexican fishing crew admitted to illegally transporting fish taken from the Gulf of Mexico, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Texas. The men were arrested on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, after leaving Playa Bagdad in an open fishing... more »

• ICE arrests 11 people at Port Isabel construction site Play Video

  June 2, 2025 6:59 PM

  EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated on Tuesday, June 3, after Homeland Security Investigations issued a correction saying the worksite enforcement encounter happened in Port Isabel and not South Padre Island. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested 11 undocumented immigrants in a construction site... more »

• South Padre Island leaders hopeful for increase in visitors during Memorial Day weekend Play Video

  May 26, 2025 7:16 PM

  South Padre Island leaders said they’re expecting to see more visitors this year amid a busy Memorial Day weekend. Blake Henry, SPI’s executive director for the city’s visitors and convention bureau, said the busy weekend at the island is likely because of a year-long promotional campaign that focused on... more »

• Port Isabel police chief asking for change in causeway closure protocols Play Video

  February 29, 2020 10:55 PM

  PORT ISABEL – Traffic stopped on both sides of the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway for more than two hours Wednesday. Automatic gates on the bridge came down due to possible power or weather issues. Chief Robert Lopez with Port Isabel police said protocols by Texas Department of Transportation caused... more »

• Transmission Poles near Valley Coast to be Replaced to Withstand Strong Winds Play Video

  January 8, 2020 6:17 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The next hurricane season is six months away, but two coastal Rio Grande Valley cities are getting ready now. About three months ago, more than half of South Padre Island was in the dark. Dozens of transmission poles were knocked down along Padre Boulevard due... more »

• Wildlife Expert Believes Death of 63 Sea Turtles Linked to Illegal Gillnetting near Coast Play Video

  November 25, 2019 10:03 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Two-hundred yards of illegal gillnetting was pulled from the Rio Grande over the last few days. The Coast Guard says eight sea turtles and five blacktip sharks were caught in it. Only three of those turtles lived and were cut loose. The illegal gillnetting... more »

• Valley Conservationist Release Sea Turtles Rescued during Cold Snap Play Video

  November 19, 2019 6:13 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A crowd of people showed up at South Padre Island to bid farewell to several sea turtles rescued during last week’s cold snap. They were released Tuesday morning back in the Gulf. The turtles are considered endangered. Sea Turtle, Inc. Director Jeff George says... more »

• 3-Phase Project Underway to Replace Transmission Poles at South Padre Island Play Video

  October 21, 2019 10:05 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Outages continuing on South Padre Island nearly 24 hours after storms knocked out power. The damage so bad the governor declared Cameron County a disaster. More than 30 transmission poles were toppled in the storm. Utility crews spent Monday rerouting power to some homes... more »

• Research Continues for Cause of Tumors in Sea Turtles Play Video

  July 31, 2019 7:14 PM

  WESLACO – Researchers are joining an effort to figure out what's causing tumors in sea turtles. "A number of threats out on the water as well as a new virus is bringing these sea turtles here, so that people who take care of them, can figure out what's wrong... more »

• New Ordinance at SPI to Ban Speakers on Golf Carts Play Video

  July 23, 2019 4:30 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – South Padre Island city leaders voted to ban speakers on golf carts. They’re now crafting an actual ordinance. The ban is an effort to quiet thing down. City leaders say they’ve received a number of loud music complaints; safety is also an issue.... more »

• SPI Police Arrest Driver Connected to Hit-and-Run Involving Golf Cart Play Video

  July 15, 2019 10:14 AM

  UPDATE (9:00 p.m.): Authorities have arrested 28-year-old Gregorio Gonzalez at the South Padre Island Police Department. Gonzalez is suspected of driving the white four door vehicle that fled the scene of the accident involving the golf cart. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. ----- SOUTH PADRE... more »

• Near Drowning Incidents Prompt Warning from SPI Beach Patrol Play Video

  June 19, 2019 5:18 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A young swimmer is recovering in the hospital after a near drowning incident off South Padre Island. Cameron County Beach Patrol Chief Art Hurtado says the swimmer was unresponsive when pulled from the water. Over the span of three days, there have been three... more »

• CON MI GENTE: 52 Alligators Now Call SPI Home Play Video

  May 28, 2019 8:46 AM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The South Padre Island Birding Center is the new home to 52 alligators. The birding center is now a gator sanctuary. The alligators came from Gator Country in Beaumont, Texas. The sanctuary is open to the public. Watch the video above for the... more »

• New Sanctuary Brings in 51 Alligators to South Padre Island Play Video

  May 15, 2019 6:13 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – It has been four days since the opening of an alligator sanctuary in South Padre Island; the organization behind it says safety is their priority. The South Padre Island Birding Center is focusing on educating the public about alligators. They introduced 50 juvenile alligators... more »

• K-9 Arson Dog Joining SPI Fire Dept.

  May 10, 2019 11:00 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A K-9 arson dog is joining the South Padre Island Fire Department. Liberty, the new accelerant detection K-9 will make his debut at a press conference on Wednesday. These K-9’s are trained to sniff out traces of elements which may have started a fire.... more »

• Sea Turtle Inc. to be Featured on Texas Travel Program

  May 9, 2019 3:36 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A local turtle rescue center will be feature on a state travel program. The Texas Bucket List will highlight the impact Sea Turtle Inc. is making to treat, care for and release injured sea turtles. On Saturday, host Shane McAuliffe will get out of... more »

• Body of Man Found along SPI Shoreline Play Video

  April 22, 2019 4:50 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – An investigation is underway after a body washed up on shore at South Padre Island. Officials are warning about the dangerous surf conditions and rip current risks after the body of a man was discovered near Beach Access 5 Monday morning. The chief of... more »

• SPI Officials Expecting Fewer Travelers for Semana Santa Play Video

  April 18, 2019 10:30 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – South Padre Island officials aren’t expecting as many visitors for Semana Santa as compared to last year. The manager at Dirty Al’s Restaurant says the crowd at SPI seems to slow down every year. "Last year, because we had more holidays together, like, spring... more »

• National Tropical Weather Conference Taking Place at SPI Play Video

  April 4, 2019 6:15 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The National Tropical Weather Conference is taking place at South Padre Island. Weather experts are meeting to discuss the upcoming hurricane season. The conference is taking place at the Brownsville International Airport. Hurricane hunters brought their C-130, the plane used to fly into... more »

• Cameron Co. Reopens 3 Beach Accesses Play Video

  March 14, 2019 9:51 AM

  UPDATE (3/17): Cameron County officials announced the reopening of county Beach Access 5 and 6, along with Boca Chica Beach Sunday morning. -- SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Cameron County will be temporarily closing three beach accesses to vehicular traffic on South Padre Island. According to a press... more »

• SPI Looking to Bring in Millions of Dollars in Outstanding Warrants

  February 27, 2019 1:03 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The city of South Padre Island is looking to bring in millions of dollars in outstanding warrants. Police say if you owe on old citations, you can avoid arrest by paying at the SPI Municipal Courthouse by March 8. Payments options are available and... more »

• Date Set for Election of SPI Mayor Play Video

  February 21, 2019 5:00 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The date for a special election for mayor of South Padre Island is set. The election will be held on May 4; the same day as city and school elections across the Rio Grande Valley. The deadline for residents who wish to file their... more »

• Cameron Co. Reopens 3 County Beach Access Areas Play Video

  February 18, 2019 4:54 PM

  UPDATE (2/20): The three county beach access areas have been reopened. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. requested the reopening of County Beach Access #5, County Beach Access #6 and Boca Chica Beach. It is advised to use caution with the potential presence of high rip currents and... more »

• Rare Bioluminescence at SPI Explained Play Video

  February 14, 2019 5:11 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The waves are glowing on South Padre Island. This takes place in the rare moment when the plankton are able to form into groups; the blue glow is called bioluminescence. The ripple of the surf tosses them around, excites them and causes them to... more »

• Bioluminescence Visible at SPI for a Few Days Play Video

  February 6, 2019 7:03 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The surf at South Padre Island might have a glow to it the next couple of days. KRGV’s Chief Meteorologist Tim Smith explains this glow is called Bioluminescence. This phenomenon is created by small plankton and algae. Watch the video above for more... more »

• Man Allegedly Smuggles Drugs through Gulf of Mexico to SPI Play Video

  February 1, 2019 5:09 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Border Patrol officials say drug smuggling activity is holding steady in the lower Rio Grande Valley areas. Criminals are utilizing the Gulf of Mexico to get their loads across. One of those loads made it all the way to South Padre Island this week.... more »

• 18 Years of High Flying Fun at South Padre Island Kite Festival Play Video

  January 31, 2019 9:56 AM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – If you’re heading to South Padre Island this weekend, be sure to look up at the sky. You may find yourself in the middle of the 18 th Annual Kite Festival. Bill Doan started the festival and he and his wife, Susie, own B&S... more »

• Appeal Denied for Man Convicted in Connection with Decapitated Body at SPI Play Video

  January 28, 2019 4:58 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A man who was convicted for dumping a body has been denied for an appeal. The body was decapitated when it was dumped off the coast of South Padre Island. Eduardo Luna was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the killing of ‘Franky’... more »

• SPI Accepting Applications for Spring Break Jobs

  January 8, 2019 11:58 AM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The city of South Padre Island is accepting applications for employment during Spring Break. The city says there are several temporary and part-time positions available throughout the month of March. The job postings are posted to the city’s website. If you’re interested in... more »

• RGV Cities Asking Residents to Recycle Christmas Trees Play Video

  December 26, 2018 2:59 PM

  WESLACO – Several Rio Grande Valley cities are asking people to recycle their trees this year. Some of the Christmas trees will be used for mulch, which works as a natural insect repellant. The city of Harlingen is taking the trees to South Padre Island where they’ll be... more »

• Park Rangers on Alert, Residents Advised to Take Precautions during Holidays

  December 18, 2018 6:16 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Cameron County park rangers say residents should take precautions to protect their property during the holidays. Park Ranger Police Chief Horacio Zamora says during this season they keep a watchful eye on parks like Isla Blanca Park. "The northern part of the beach is... more »

• Dirigible Tiene Conexión con la Guardia Costera

  October 4, 2018 9:25 PM

  ISLA DEL PADRE SUR - Los vacacionistas y residentes de South Padre Island están cuestionando sobre un dirigible visto en el cielo. Aprendimos que el dirigible es una pequeña aeronave de observación del gobierno. El dirigible sale de los terrenos de la Guardia Costera. "He recibido algunas llamadas de los... more »

• SPI Officials Say Bag Ordinance Won't Be Enforced Play Video

  July 16, 2018 6:24 PM

  UPDATE (7/19): South Padre Island officials have not repealed a bag ordinance that bans plastic bags. City officials explain the council wants more time to research their options. They explain the ordinance won't be enforced for now. ----- SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The City of South Padre Island could repeal... more »

• SPI Officials Host Meeting to Prepare for Spring Break Play Video

  June 13, 2018 11:02 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – South Padre Island officials say Wednesday’s town meeting will give a better idea of how they plan to prepare for next year’s spring break. SPI mayor Dennis Stahl says he and other officials including police and fire departments, and state partners looked at data in regards... more »

• South Padre Island Officials Urge Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Play Video

  June 5, 2018 5:58 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Officials in South Padre Island are urging residents to sign up for their emergency alerts in case of a hurricane. The city has a notification system called ‘Swift 9-1-1’. The warnings can be sent to homes phones, cellphones and emails. To sign up, visit their website... more »

• SPI Fire Department receives arson dog scholarship

  November 17, 2017 3:24 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - The City of South Padre Island Fire Department has received a scholarship from State Farm to add an arson dog as a community and regional asset. The new, four-legged firefighter will begin serving our community in May 2018. Accelerant detection canines, also know as arson dogs,... more »

• Traffic Plan for South Padre Island Marathon

  November 8, 2017 4:00 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - South Padre Island is excited to welcome back the South Padre Marathon which is scheduled for Sunday,Nov.12,2017.Both races will begin at 6:30 a.m.SPI Police Dept. along with other City departments will be working together to manage crowds and traffic control.Barrels and cones will be placed in... more »

• SPI Veterans Day Celebration

  November 7, 2017 3:06 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - The city of South Padre Island will be hosting it's 7th Annual Veterans Day Celebration and the 6th Anniversary of the Purple Heart Trail.Join Us in celebration. The event will be held at the convention centre on Sat Nov 11 at 2 p.m. at 7355 Padre... more »