CORPUS CHRISTI - Law enforcement stepped up security for the 38th annual Beach to Bay relay marathon in light of last month's bombing. While there were no eminent threats, it was in place to keep runner's, spectators, and our city safe from any terror.

As runners took their mark, law enforcement continued to stand on high alert. This annual relay marathon draws in a large crowd every year, so there was some concern it could be targeted like the Boston Marathon. But police say no threats were ever received.

Yet still US Marshals, the FBI, ATF agents, and various other county law enforcement made their presence known Saturday.

"I can say that all the participants all the spectators were very patient, very calm, very well manured, were very appreciative of our presence," said Captain Dave Cook ,Commander Emergency Response Unit.

Captain Cook says by the end of the day his men lost count of all the 'thank yous' they received.

Only one minor incident had his team on guard, when an abandoned bag was found by Bob Hall Pier.

"When that came in we called our resources that were out on the island at the time, they found the package, they were able to determine the package had an owner and determine the package was safe. That all happened it came to my attention and was resolved with in about 8 minutes," said Captain Cook.

Captain Cook believes beefed up security like at today race will become part of the norm.

"I think it's unfortunate that it is a result of today's environment and concerns for terrorism activity both international and domestic," said Captain Cook.

Law enforcement closely guarded the fenced in finish line Saturday. They credit the patient participants and flexible coordinators for making this year's race successful.

 

Permalink| Comments

(CORPUS CHRISTI) - A 32 year old San Antonio man is dead after the current swept him away. The man was in town running in the Beach to Bay Marathon. Police say his friends pulled him out of the water. The first responding officer tried to revive him, but it was too late. The man was transported to Bay Area Hospital where he later died. Officers say alcohol could have played a role, but they're still investigating his death. 

Permalink| Comments

(CORPUS CHRISTI) - A Corpus Christi woman celebrated a major milestone on Saturday. Etna Scott celebrated her centennial birthday surrounded by family and friends. The party was held at Oak Park Church where Scott plays the violin every Sunday. She says the secret to living a long and happy life is, "Always do right... we make mistakes but we can always try to do better."
Scott moved to the area in 1949 with her husband.

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI -- About 25,000 people turned out for the 38th Annual Beach To Bay Marathon.

Onlookers cheered as the runner made the 26.2 mile journey from North Padre Island to McCaughan Park on Shoreline Drive.

Security was a lot tighter in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings last month. Police had bomb-sniffing dogs on hand. Helicopters provided aerial surveillance.

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - It is lotto fever across the Coastal Bend. Powerball jackpot is at an estimated $600 million.People have been out at local convenience stores to get their tickets.

It is rivaling the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. History, last November it was advertised at $550 million, but ended up being $587.5 million increase from last minute sales. But this time lotto officials says they will not change the jackpot winnings.

For those who purchased a ticket, they have a one in 175 million chances of winning.

If the drawing yields no winner, all records will be shattered as the jackpot for Wednesday would go to $925 million.

 

 

 

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - Children gathered at the Texas State Museum of Asian Culture to Celebrate Japanese Children's Day.

Kids took part in a sing along, they also had a chance to make oragami and paper flowers. There were even some traditional Asian clothes kids could try on.

Organizers say the purpose of the event is to help people understand Asian culture.

"Just overall day of culture music and food so that they can learn asian people are not smarter they work hard and study hard and we want our children to be like that," said Katherine Lacroix, Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures.

The museum plans on doing this again next year.

 

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - It was graduation day at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. About 900 students walked across the stage at the American Bank Center. There were two separate ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. the 2 p.m.
Getting your diplomas is a huge accomplishment, but for Tiffany Hamlin, who attended all her classes with a service dog, graduating was even more special.

"The ability to start a new life and overcome things that have been in the way of me getting here and being able to pursue the career I want," says Hamlin.

Mayor Nelda Martinez was this year's keynote speaker.

We congratulate all this year's grads for their accomplishments!

 

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - A woman wanted for a contempt of court charge fled a constable who tried to pull her over on a traffic violation this evening. We're told she led the constable on a winding chase down Ayers, McArdle, Kostoryz and the Crosstown Access Road before stopping in someone's front yard.

The constable stuck with Shawna Atchley, 21, as she reportedly reached speeds up to 70 miles per hour. The constable was the only one involved in the chase as Corpus Christi police officers did not arrive in time to help.

The woman took out a stop sign when she pulled onto Alejandro, just off of Sacky Drive. We're told she jumped a fence to get to the next street over. By the time the constable got onto that street, Atchley was sitting on someone's porch acting cool as a cucumber.

Now, she's facing more than just a traffic ticket and a possible short stint in jail on the contempt charge.

According to online court records a judge issued a warrant for her arrest. Those records state she was to serve 22 days in jail for not completing a work release program following a theft conviction.

Based on today's events, she could be charged with evading arrest and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

Permalink| Comments

All of the children affected are less one year old which is younger than the vaccination age.

Just last week in the Gregory-Portland Independent School District announced six children from the same family became ill with chicken pox. tThe health department says the two outbreaks are not related.

The health department is advising anyone who has not had the chicken pox vaccine to get one. The shots are available to anyone 12 months of age or older at the Health District's Immunization Clinic on Horne Road.

Clinic hours are as follows:
Monday: Walk-in basis, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: by appointment only 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday : by appointment only 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Friday : by appointment only 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Older residents should also keep in mind that the same virus that causes chicken pox can lead to Shingles. Anyone who has recovered from chicken pox is at risk of developing Shingles.

The Shingles vaccine, recommended for those 60 years of age and older, is not available at the the clinic. You should contact their pharmacist or physician for more information.

 

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Corpus Christi Hooks organization says the pending purchase of the team by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane will not affect the AA-club's long-term future at Whataburger Field.

Crane announce his intent to purchase the team this afternoon during the same news conference in which Reid Ryan was officially named as the new president of the organization. The deal to purchase the Hooks still requires the approval of shareholders of Ryan-Sanders Baseball.

The current deal between the Hooks and the Astros expires in 2016.

"Over the last 10 years, the Astros-Hooks affiliation has been one of the best in baseball. There's always been great synergy in the relationship. Corpus Christi was an Astros town for 40 years before the advent of the Hooks, and the entire Coastal Bend and South Texas are critical to the success of both clubs," said newly named Astros President Reid Ryan.

Ryan takes over a few days after George Postolos resigned his post as president of the organization.

Hooks President Ken Schrom said of Reid, "The Hooks are his baby; he created this franchise. No one cares more about our people and this ball club than he does."

"We have the ability and means to do more for our fans in both Houston and Corpus Christi," Ryan explained. "Whether it's taking Hooks sponsors on trips to Houston or Astros sponsors on junkets to Corpus Christi, or crafting ticket plans involving both the Astros and Hooks, or creating opportunities for fans in both markets to attend special events in the other city, it's all about building and strengthening relationships."

As Reid Ryan moves to the Astros, his younger brother Reese will take over the helm of Ryan-Sanders Baseball. The organization owns the Round Rock Express, a AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers, and the Corpus Christi Hooks.

 

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - A woman was arrested for DWI after crashing her truck into a house along the Crosstown Expressway access road Friday afternoon.

As 54 year old Lisa Mareck was being led away in cuffs she told us, "I am stone sober, completely sober gentlemen."

Police say Mareck was headed Southbound on the Crosstown Expressway when she lost control of her truck, drove off the freeway and onto the access road. Her truck then flipped and slammed into a house on Betel Street.

Joe Cortinas lives in the home. He told us the truck hit the bedroom where his children sleep. Cortinas also said this isn't the first time something like this has happened and he worries that if something isn't done, his kids will be killed.

"I believe the city should put some kind of barricade here. If my kids were at home and she did go inside the house my kids would have really been injured or possibly even dead." said Joe Cortinas.

The truck didn't go through the home, but did leave a dent in the siding. No one inside the house was hurt.

Police say Mareck was out of the truck when they arrived. They say she told them she wasn't hurt, but she was taken to the hospital to get checked out and then taken to jail. She's charged with DWI.

Permalink| Comments

PORT ARANSAS - There are two big events taking place at one spot this weekend in Port Aransas.

The 8th Annual Artfest will be held Saturday from 10am to 5pm then Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robert's Point Park.

Local artists will set up shop to display and sell their orginal work, including: paintings, photography, shell art, metal sculptures, pottery, home accessories, and stained glass.

Then on Sunday bring your picnic baskets and own beverages to the 30th annual Songwriter's Showcase that starts Sunday at 7 p.m. at Robert's Point Park. Admission is only $7.

Permalink| Comments

CORPUS CHRISTI - Fire investigators are looking into a case of arson after a fire broke out early Friday morning at the old Pharaoh Valley Country Club. One long time resident, Carl Kuehn living near the clubhouse says it's no surprise to him that this fire may have been set on purpose.

"This is my eyesore, I have to look at everyday when I leave," Kuehn said.

The crumbling country club has been taking cosmetic hits for three years and Kuehn says for last 25 years, the property has slowly lost it's luster.

"It was really nice, we had beautiful tennis courts, and good clubhouse, lots of activity, great place, unfortunately it's fallen on hard times," he said.

Friday morning's fire didn't help and investigators believe homeless people set the fire on purpose inside the building. Crews were able to put out the hot spots within minutes and sadly Kuehn says he's not surprised by any trespassers.

"Homeless people get in there, in the winter time they'll start a fire and you can see all the brush around there, look at the proximity to the houses to the club," Kuehn said

Worried neighbors say they've taken the safety issues up with city hall and hoping for a solution.

"We've been hounding the city and we're really getting on it hard right now to try to get something done with this," Kuehn said.

Neighbors say the city plans to have crews board up the buildings and clean up the clutter, then send the bill for those services to the property owner, who Kuehn says blames residents for the rundown club.

"He blames the neighborhood for his failures, he says you didn't join the club you didn't support it and that's why I'm going under I can't afford to keep the place up," he said.

Some association members say they occasionally cut the grass and even trim the trees but maybe leveling the place is the best thing for it.

"If nothing more then just take it all down and make a park out of it that'd be better than having this to look at," Kuehn said.

The fire is still under investigation. Officials say luckily there's no electricity running through the building, which may have kept it from spreading. The owner checked out the damage to the property but had no comment.

 

Permalink| Comments