SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The beach and dunes have two new experts who will be combing the coastline to preserve and restore the beach quality of life on both sides of the Island.

The city hired two shoreline management administrators who begin work this month. They will be tasked with taking care of all aspects of the Island coastline.

“What I’ve heard from very experienced people who have worked on the shoreline task force beach and dunes projects is everyone is impressed with them,” said Dennis Stahl, a SPI council member. “By having the two of them there, I think they’re going to get a lot of good stuff done.”

Patrick Barrineau joins the city as the new Shoreline Management Director and Brandon Hill joins as the new Shoreline Program/Project Manager.

“They are well educated,” Stahl said. “My expectation of them is to get their feet on the ground the first 45 to 60 days, develop a list of what they feel are priorities and move forward.”

Barrineau is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, and is a graduate of Auburn University with a B.A. in geography. He earned his M.A. in geography from the University of South Carolina and is scheduled to receive his Ph.D. in geography from Texas A&M University this August.

Barrineau has studied coastal systems and coastal management from the Carolinas to South Texas. He has spent a considerable amount of time in South Texas conducting research from the Mansfield Pass to the shore face of the Intracoastal Waterway Land Cut.

“I believe that the ecological, physical and human needs of coastal environments can be met by applying sound scientific principles to maximize the efficacy of conservation efforts while minimizing both direct and indirect costs,” Barrineau said,

Hill is originally from the Columbus, Ohio, area and earned his B.S. in ocean and coastal resources as well as his master’s in marine resource management from Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Hill has worked with the Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Sargassum Early Advisory System since 2012, serving in the role of project manager for the past year.

“My work with SEAS has allowed me to take part in groundbreaking research from New Orleans to Panama, and present resulting research data to various organizations including NASA, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, the Texas GLO and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute,” Hill said.

SAN BENITO — The Resaca Walk project is expected to bring San Benito tourism to the next level.

But for the past few months, it’s been on hold. That could change tonight.

This evening, city commissioners are expected to discuss the project with architects.

The 9.8-acre property is located along the west side of the resaca and along the north side of Business 77.

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Officials said the location could house restaurants and retail shops.

A little more than two years ago, the Economic Development Corporation announced the U.S. Department of Commerce had awarded a $1.2 million grant for the project to fund the land purchase and improvements needed for the Resaca Walk.

The EDC then purchased the property — across from the Heavin Resaca Trails Park — to construct a mixed used, public-private development.

In addition, commissioners will discuss and take action on the Sam Houston Street Lighting project, consider an agreement between the city and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and consider an economic incentive for Southwest Keys.

They also will discuss recent in-house street projects.

The public is invited to attend the meeting.

Close to the end of the meeting, the city leaders will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed amendments to the citizen participation plan.

The plan reflects leaders’ desire to continue their proactive approach to involve as many citizens, nonprofit organizations, community development agencies and other local entities in the planning, decision making and implementation of project-oriented activities in the city.

Kaitlynn McNutt, a first grader at Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary, has qualified to play in the 2016 World Cadets Chess Championships in the Girls Under 8 Section, according to Principal Dilia Cornett.

“We are so very proud of Kaitlynn. She is an outstanding young scholar that is very deserving of this special recognition,” Cornett said. “This fantastic opportunity is a true testament that hard work and dedication pays off!”

McNutt will have the opportunity to compete as a member of an elite team of players and coaches who will represent the United States in Batumi, Georgia – located by Turkey and Armenia, on the Black Sea coast. The event is set to take place Oct. 18-31.

In a letter addressed to McNutt, Jerry Nash, a representative of the FIDE Youth Events, stated, “You are certainly to be congratulated for this milestone in your life.”

“Kaitlynn, as one of the top rated players in your age group in the United States, you can be proud of the results of your hard work,” Nash said. “Imagine the impact on our country by a generation of youth who have the critical thinking skills that this chess team represents.”

HARLINGEN — Lifting a Cameron County tax could help boost warehousing and manufacturing in Harlingen’s industrial park.

City commissioners tomorrow are expected to approve a resolution requesting the county to lift its freeport tax applied to warehoused inventory.

The city and the Harlingen school district already have adopted the freeport tax exemption.

Lifting the tax would help the city lure more industry to town, City Manager Dan Serna said yesterday.

“It will encourage more manufacturing and more warehousing facilities in our areas,” he said.

In Harlingen, about $100 million in warehoused inventory would be eligible for exemption.

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HARLINGEN — The man who police say released a pit bull on officers is facing several charges.

Francisco Javier Gomez, 47, was arraigned yesterday on two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and charges of resisting arrest and interfering with public duties, with bonds set at $206,000.

His wife, Sandra Gonzalez Gomez, 41, was arraigned on a charge of aggravated assault family violence, with bond set at $45,000.

Police said officers were forced to shoot and kill a pit bull after the dog was released on them during a family argument early Sunday morning.

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The Island bus system isn’t called the Wave anymore.

Its new name is Island Metro and the rebranding is one of the reasons why the city’s transit department was named best rural transit department in the state.

City Transit Director Jesse Arriaga and his staff had plans to be at the Texas Transit Association State Bus Roadeo & Conference in Waco last week.

What they didn’t know was they were going to be recognized at the conference as the top rural transit department in the state.

“We work as a team,” Arriaga said. “I thank my staff for all their hard work.”

Island Metro was specifically recognized for its recent rebranding and new logo, and its coordination with Metro Connect, the Valley’s regional transit system with routes that connect from Brownsville, McAllen and the Island.

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HARLINGEN — The official start of the 2016 high school football season is still several months away. However, the Harlingen Cardinals are already hard at work preparing for that day.

On Monday, under the watchful eye of coach Manny Gomez, the Cards began spring practice as they have for the past couple of years.

Gomez did not always allow the Red Birds to take advantage of spring ball since participating in it forces teams to begin practice a week later come August.

However, recently, Gomez has taken advantage of the opportunity to work out his squad before summer vacation begins.

Last season, the Cardinals finished at 10-3 overall and 6-1 in District 32-6A to clinch a share of the league title and advance to the playoffs where they went three rounds deep before losing a hard-fought game to Smithson Valley.

While the Cards will lose a few key players on defense this offseason, including end Charlie Moreno and tackle Travis Barnes, their offense should be in good hands with quarterback Jesse Castro and running back Leo Tienda set to return for their senior seasons.

Full story at RGVSports.com

Cameron County health officials report they have been investigating a probable case of Chikungunya virus infection.

The case was first presented at a doctor’s office in November 2015 and tested in January of this year, officials said. It was not reported to the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services until April.

According to health officials, the case was acquired locally and is being considered the first locally acquired probable case of Chikungunya in Texas.

Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people through mosquito bites and cannot be spread from one person to another person. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Should anyone experience any of these symptoms, a visit to the health care provider should be scheduled.

“While this is the first reported locally acquired probable case of Chikungunya, the overall risk of being infected with Chikungunya virus in South Texas is very low and we have no additional evidence that the virus is circulating in the local mosquito population,” stated James W. Castillo, Cameron County Health Authority. “A critical key point to also remember here is the importance of physicians reporting these conditions. It would have allowed us to work with our local municipalities to assess the mosquito issue and appropriately respond.”

Residents are also being reminded to take preventive measures by practicing the following:

– Apply mosquito repellent that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-m- toluamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Spray exposed skin and clothing with repellent. Another option is to use permethrin , which should be applied to clothing. Be sure to read label instructions on any repellent.

– Dress protectively by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when you are outside.

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BROWNSVILLE — The Military Highway/U.S. 281 Texas Longest Yard Sale is back for a second year and scheduled for May 6-7.

Yolanda Almaguer, the event’s founder and owner of Repeat Boutique in Brownsville, said she’s expecting an even bigger response than last year judging by the volume of people contacting her for information.

“I already see that there’s more participation,” she said. “Our Facebook page has been exploding and my phone has been ringing a lot, and I’ve been getting a lot of text messages.”

Last year’s event ran along U.S. 281 from Brownsville all the way to San Manuel-Linn north of Edinburg, Almaguer said. Again this year, she’s inviting homeowners, churches, businesses and civic organizations along the route to set up shop themselves and make a few bucks, or rent out space to others interested in selling.

A&V Lopez Supermarket and ECG Business Services on U.S. 281 in Brownsville have spaces for rent. Other space — some of it free — is available in communities such as El Ranchito, El Zacatal and Relampago. Go to the event’s Facebook page for complete information on locations and cost.

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RAYMONDVILLE — After more than a year of planning, the city will launch a project to help revive the Raymondville Municipal Golf Course.

City commissioners have awarded Edinburg-based R.G. Enterprises a contract to renovate the golf course pro shop interior.

The company proposed a low bid of $66,724, coming in $23,276 under budget.

The city will pay the company an additional $11,000 to remove asbestos.

For the city, the renovation is part of an economic development project.

Raymondville Economic Development Corporation will fund the remodeling job.

The project aims to help draw golfers to town and Winter Texans to nearby Gateway RV and Mobile Home Park.

The renovation will replace the pro shop’s carpet with tile, remodeling restrooms and painting walls and ceilings.

For years, the city operated the nine-hole golf course, but lost money.

When owner Lupe Serna took over operators eight years ago, the golf course was generating about $80,000 a year.

But steady drops in the numbers of Winter Texans have deeply cut into his revenue.

Now, Serna said, the golf course takes in about $60,000 a year.