The SS Sultana was a Mississippi River steamboat that tragically exploded on April 27, 1865, near Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history. The explosion was due to boiler failure, likely caused by overloading, poor maintenance, and excessive pressure. The ship was grossly overcrowded, carrying around 2,300 people—mostly Union…

The Texas Crab Festival is adding a new dimension to its auction lineup this year! In addition to the traditional silent and live auctions, attendees and online bidders can now compete for autographed sports and music memorabilia through a convenient online bidding system. Browse & Bid Online: Visit the auction website to place bids anytime…

Gasoline and gasoline fumes are dangerous and can easily explode. Gasoline vapors are denser than air, meaning these vapors will sink and collect at the lowest point. Effective air circulation may help disperse gasoline vapors. An open flame is not necessary to ignite gasoline vapors; one spark can cause gasoline vapors to ignite. Boaters need…

Surface water temperature 77 degrees. As in previous weeks, if you see active bait the fish are close by. Anchor or PowerPole down and fan cast the entire area, as this week we were able to catch multiple limits of trout from just a couple of small areas. If you get into an area and…

High Island ISD is asking voters to approve a $27.9 million bond to address aging infrastructure, including replacing the district’s 76-year-old elementary school and demolishing unsafe buildings. The aging elementary school, built in 1948, has outdated systems and requires costly repairs, while the condemned buildings pose safety concerns. If passed, the bond would fund a…

This week spans centuries of dramatic turning points, from political milestones to moments of conflict and human achievement. On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office as America’s first president, shaping the young nation’s future. Just over two centuries later, on May 2, 2011, U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden, marking a…

By Shannon Williams I came to the peninsula full time in 2013, we got married that year a few days before what would have been my first Crab Fest, we had planned to go and see what it was all about, but the rain was coming, so we decided to drive to West Texas and…

Every year around this time, I begin worrying “am I going to have enough vendors.” And, every year, we finally fill up. We stop the process of applications and considerations about now, but every year, someone backs out and we sort of start again from scratch. We go back through the ones we’ve rejected for…

Beachgoers along the coast have recently noticed an increase in sargassum seaweed washing ashore, prompting local officials to monitor the situation closely. While the seaweed is a natural occurrence, its accumulation can sometimes require intervention to maintain beach accessibility and ecological balance. The county follows strict guidelines for sargassum removal to protect both the environment…

Brace yourselves—nature’s tiniest divas are on their way. Yes, hummingbirds, the sugar-fueled aerial acrobats of the bird world, are migrating north again. After wintering in sunny Central America (where they no doubt sipped nectar out of coconuts and flexed their wings on the beach), these feathered dynamos are flapping their way back to our neck…

The Cliff Notes Version of Protesting Your Value A robust real estate market is wonderful for your financial statement or when selling but not when it comes to taxes. CADs mail appraisal notices in mid-April. The deadline to call for an appointment, mail the formal notice or file an online protest is May 15th or…

The Peninsula Sports Park (PSP) Watermelon Crawl is an eagerly anticipated annual event on the Bolivar Peninsula combining community spirit with creative fun to support local youth athletic programs and scholarships. Participants are encouraged to decorate their golf carts, Jeeps, and themselves in vibrant watermelon-themed attire, competing for prizes in categories such as Best Decorated…

I read a local news post regarding a collision between a bass boat and a pontoon boat that resulted in the death of the pontoon boat operator and serious injuries to two other occupants of the pontoon boat. The news post noted that the operator of the bass boat was indicted by a grand jury…

Surface water temperature 76 degrees. Water clarity is good for the majority of East Galveston Bay, especially on the South shoreline, with stained water East of Marsh point. This week we fished shell beds in the 2′ – 3’ depth range and found good numbers of Trout and a few reds, and flounder. As in…

A Look Back at April 22–28, this Week’s Historical Milestones: Pivotal Moments That Shaped the World April 22 – Earth Day & the Oklahoma Land Rush 1970 – First Earth Day Observed Over 20 million Americans participated in the inaugural Earth Day, a grassroots movement that galvanized environmental awareness and led to the creation of…

By Linda Elissalde Amaryllis is the only genus in the sub tribe Amaryllidinae. It has two species: Amaryllis Belladonna and Amaryllis Hippeastrum. The colors vary. Amaryllis Hippeastrum can be grown inside during winter months. Amaryllises are bulbous plants. With care, bulbs can produce flowers for many years. (Thank you, GOOGLE.) I once had a piano…

Always makes me remember Steel Magnolia. It’s Clairee: “Well, you know what they say: If you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!” I need to watch this movie again, maybe this weekend. Easter Sunday, we joined up with the Friendswood gang after mass on Sunday at this cutest restaurant,…

By Shannon Williams This month makes six months ago that I retired, so what has changed in my life, what does my life look like today? I had several people tell me that the work detox could be as long as 6 months to a year. I used that train of thought for the first…

The Bolivar Point Lighthouse, standing tall for 152 years, has weathered countless storms, witnessed historic events, and served as a steadfast guardian for generations. Thanks to the tireless work of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to historical preservation, this iconic structure is being lovingly restored to its former glory. [Excerpts from…

By J. Lee Austin, MD If a Blockhead Could Block Traffic Remember that crazy power cord explosion made famous in our last episode? Well, that was just one of many blunders stinking up my otherwise illustrious RV career. Other examples of extreme incompetence or lack of discernible cognition include such crap-cidents as cutting a corner…