Latest news with #CorpusChristi
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2 days ago
- Entertainment
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Plans set to move forward with Cinergy Entertainment Center in Corpus Christi
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution to provide a tax rebate of up to $4.15 million over a 15-year period for the development of a Cinergy Family Entertainment Center in Corpus Christi's Southside. During a council meeting July 22, a presentation showed the new development is projected to generate almost $2 million in property taxes over 15 years after completion. Almost $7 million is estimated to be generated for Nueces County, Del Mar College, the Nueces County Hospital District and the Corpus Christi Independent School District collectively during the same period. In 2024, Corpus Christi collected $722 in property taxes on the 10 acres, and other taxing entities collected $2,616 total. The 10-acre center is set to be located near the intersection of Rodd Field Road and South Padre Island Drive. It is estimated to be completed on or before Sept. 30, 2028. Cinergy is a Dallas-based organization specializing in luxury cinemas and entertainment centers with locations in Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Illinois. Planned amenities of the $40 million project include at least six movie screens, at least 10 bowling lanes, more than 100 arcade games, food and beverage service, a bar area, virtual reality simulators and more. Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn said she is excited for the new center and made a jab at a July 14 article published by a local news outlet on a study claiming Corpus Christi was the third most boring city in the United States. Mayor Paulette Guajardo echoed her words and said the new center will show Corpus Christi is "on the map." "It just shows that those silly things about 'boring' this or that — that's nothing," Guajardo said. "We have so much to offer, and this just adds to it." RELATED COVERAGE More: Corpus Christi City Council public comment rules have changed again. Here's what is new. More: These two downtown Corpus Christi businesses could see big curbside changes John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Cinergy Entertainment Center to receive tax rebate from Corpus Christi Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
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Corpus Christi City Council approves 2026 budget for crime control, prevention
The next fiscal year budget for the city of Corpus Christi's Crime Control and Prevention District will increase from the current budget in part for fund more police officers, though planned expenditures are projected to exceed sales tax revenues that support the district. The district, established by voters in 1997, collects a portion of sales tax revenue to help fund law enforcement efforts in the city. The fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which the Corpus Christi City Council adopted on July 22, includes about $9.75 million in spending to support 78 sworn police officers — a $400,000 increase from about $9.27 million spent last year, according to a budget presentation made by Corpus Christi Assistant Police Chief David Blackmon. It also includes $1.4 million for public safety vehicles and equipment and $7,876 for increases in overtime pay. Most of the budgeted revenue derives from one-eighth cent sales tax, which accounts for almost $9.3 million in the proposed budget. With more than $11.2 million in proposed expenditures exceeding a total of about $9.36 million in total sales tax revenues, the board will dip into an ending fund balance of $1.88 million to pay for officer salaries. 'The previous council had agreed that we were going to pay additional officers out of this Crime Control budget and spend out of the fund balance, so that is what we're doing — which will leave us an ending balance of $2,128,858,' Blackmon said. During the meeting, several council members and Corpus Christi residents commented on the budget presentation and the police department's decision to invest in more uniformed officers as a crime prevention tactic. District 2 Councilwoman Sylvia Campos said that she would like to see the police force spend crime prevention funding on community programs offered through the Corpus Christi Police Athletic League and activities that engage people, such as the police department's bike patrol unit. 'I think it does make a difference when the police officers are actually in the community — not in their cars, but engaging with the community,' she said. Marilena Garza, a resident of District 1, said during public comment in the council meeting that funding would better be spent on lighting installation, drone programs or social services for people struggling with homelessness. She said that after attending meetings of the Crime Prevention Board, she'd been disappointed to find that local community organizations didn't have enough of a voice there, and that some advisory board members have not been aware of crime prevention programs offered by service providers in the area. 'I'm not against adding police officers — we need to assist the police,' she said. 'The police are not in control of reducing or increasing crime. It takes the entire community.' Police Chief Mike Markle acknowledged the importance of social programs in preventing and addressing crime, noting that the department dipped into the fund balance to 'catch up' with the department's needs, and that when the general fund pays for officers in the next few years, Crime Control funding could be spent on community programs. More: How is a recently formed police unit trying to reduce violent crime in Corpus Christi? More: Seeking to attract officers, Coastal Bend police departments increase pay, incentives This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpuc Christi crime prevention funds to support more police officers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Corpus Christi police rule out foul play after finding body near Oso Creek
(This story was updated to add new information.) Corpus Christi police say there was no foul play involved in the death of a man whose body they found near Oso Creek on July 22. Officers from the Corpus Christi Police Department arrived in the area of Ranch View and Thor drives at 6:48 p.m. in reference to a man down call, according to a news release published by the department. The resident who called 911 to report the body stayed at the location and walked the officers to a trail near Oso Creek, according to officer Madeline Vaughn and senior officer Antonio Contreras. They found the body of the deceased man in the brush off the side of the trail. The Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Mikael Garcia, 42. Vaughn said police don't know if any items were found lying around the man's body. The Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office is determining the man's identity and what led to his death. MORE LOCAL NEWS More: Corpus Christi police officer fatally shoots man while responding to assault call More: Child on skateboard dies after being struck by vehicle, Corpus Christi police say This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi police find body near Oso Creek July 22 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's the next nonstop flight out of Corpus Christi International Airport
Headed to Denver? Starting in October, Corpus Christi International Airport will be able to take you there — nonstop. In a July 22 news release, city officials announced Denver-based Frontier Airlines as the company that will be providing the service. 'This significant addition marks the first mainline new nonstop route for CCIA since 1997, a testament to the airport's recent growth and dedicated focus on air service development,' states the email. Flights will run weekly on Thursdays and Sundays beginning Oct. 9, according to the news release. The airport also offers direct flights to Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, its website shows. More: Corpus Christi International Airport opens new bar and patio More: These two downtown Corpus Christi businesses could see big curbside changes More: 'Forever chemicals' were found in the Inner Harbor. What does that mean for desalination? This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi International Airport launches new nonstop flight Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
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Back to school: What to know about calendars, resources and new rules in Corpus Christi
As summer comes to a close, it's time for Corpus Christi families to start thinking about school buses, backpacks and books. The first day of school for Corpus Christi Independent School District students is Aug. 11. Other area school districts return shortly afterward, including the West Oso Independent School District on Aug. 12 and the Flour Bluff and Calallen districts on Aug. 13. If you have a child awaiting the start of the school year, here are a few things to know: When does the school year start? Where can I find the calendar? Corpus Christi ISD's 2025-26 calendar is available online at under the "school calendar" tab. The year starts for students on Aug. 11 and ends May 28. Corpus Christi ISD offers a fall intersession Oct. 13-17. Other school districts have different calendars. This means that in addition to different first and last days, each district also gives students different days off for holidays and intersessions. Exact dates might vary, but federal holidays, Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks are recognized by each district. A handful of districts also give days off during the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show. West Oso ISD returns on Aug. 12. The school year lasts until May 28. The full calendar is available online at It includes a fall intersession Oct. 13-17. Flour Bluff ISD's school year lasts from Aug. 13 until May 28. The calendar is available at Calallen ISD returns Aug. 13. The school year lasts until May 29, though seniors will finish on May 21. The Calallen calendar is available online at Other school districts have already gotten back to the classroom, like London Independent School District, which returned July 23, and Tuloso-Midway Independent School District, which started on July 16. Tuloso-Midway ISD's calendar is available online at The school year lasts until May 21. Tuloso-Midway ISD's extended school year calendar includes several intersessions scheduled for Sept. 2-5, Oct. 27-31, Feb. 23-27 and March 30-April 2. London ISD's school year lasts until May 22, which is an early release day. The calendar includes intersessions scheduled for Oct. 20-24, Feb. 16-20 and March 30-April 3. How to attend back-to-school resource events: Get backpacks, haircuts, immunizations, sports physicals and more LEAD First is hosting its annual Happy Health back-to-school fair from 9 a.m. to noon on July 26 at Miller High School. The event is open to students of any age from any school. The fair will offer backpacks and school supplies while supplies last, health screenings, food bags donated by the Coastal Bend Food Bank, sports physicals, hearing and vision tests, diabetes tests, blood pressure checks, fatty liver tissue screenings and immunizations, as well as information about health services. Nueces County's Operation Health and Wellness is ongoing. The free event began July 21 and will continue through July 26. The event runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26. Veterinary services are available at the Johnny S. Calderon Nueces County Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 24-26. The initiative offers the following health services at Mission of Mercy, West Oso Junior High School and the Calderon Nueces County Center: Mission of Mercy: optometry and dental services. West Oso Junior High School: general medical, immunizations, diabetes screening, behavioral health, back-to-school physicals, women's exams and pharmacy. Calderon Nueces County Center: immunizations, general medical, diabetes screening, behavioral health, back-to-school physicals, women's exams, pharmacy and veterinary services. The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend is hosting a Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26 at 3902 Greenwood Drive. The event features school supplies, free and low-cost eye exams and glasses, free haircuts, free sports physicals, limited free clothing and shoes, food, drinks and games. Operation Safe Return, hosted by the Corpus Christi Police Department, will provide 4,000 backpacks, school supplies, food bags, health tests and screenings, immunizations, sports physicals and safety information from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the American Bank Center. For immunizations, a parent or legal guardian must be present with a valid ID. Families should bring the child's immunization record and proof of health insurance. The event is designed for students of any age from any school. Students need to come with a parent or legal guardian to receive featured items. What to know about school cell phone bans This spring, Texas lawmakers approved legislation banning student cell phone use in public schools. The new law directs school boards to ensure schools comply with a written policy prohibiting students from using personal communication devices while on school property during the school day. This includes personal cell phones, smartwatches, pagers, radios and tablets. Students are still allowed to use electronic devices provided by their school. The law allows schools to either prohibit students from bringing cell phones to school or designate a method for storing cell phones while students are at school. Exceptions include if a student has a documented need based on the directive of a qualified physician or if a device is needed to comply with individualized education program plans for students with disabilities. Adult education programs are also excluded. Corpus Christi ISD announced in mid-July that district officials are studying the legislation, and the school board is expected to adopt a new policy on July 28. The district previously limited cell phone use last year, requiring middle and elementary students to keep devices turned off during the school day and allowing high school students to only use devices between classes and during lunch. 'We had overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding our updated cellphone rules for the 2024-2025 school year,' Superintendent Roland Hernandez said in a news release. 'While we understand the new legislation may necessitate further habit changes by our students and families, we appreciate the Legislature's desire to support schools in keeping the school day a focused learning environment." Other area school districts are having similar discussions. Here's the next nonstop flight out of Corpus Christi International Airport Corpus Christi police rule out foul play after finding body near Oso Creek Plans set to move forward with Cinergy Entertainment Center in Corpus Christi Corpus Christi City Council approves 2026 budget for crime control, prevention This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: What to know before Corpus Christi heads back to school Solve the daily Crossword
