Dec 26

Dec 26 Top Stories from 2023

COASTAL BEND - Here's a look back at the top stories that captured readers' attention in 2023 from South Texas Community News.

#1 Texas A&M University Kingsville, April 19, 2023. (6,096 views)

KINGSVILLE - The historic H.R. Smith Ranch near Campbellton, Texas, has been gifted to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation for the benefit of and to be managed by the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM). Gifted through the estate of Mary Carroll Sheets Gregory, H.R. Smith’s only child, the ranch and the accompanying monetary gift are the largest in the University’s history, valued at over $30 million.

Artist rendering of the Spanish-style main house of the H.R. Smith Ranch.

#2 Video: Ranch Hand Festival, November 18, 2023 (5K views)

KINGSVILLE - Team roping and old-time cow camp cooking demonstration along with storytelling, and musical entertainment at the King Ranch and downtown Kingsville.

#3 City of Corpus Christi, October 12, 2023. (3,654 views)

CORPUS CHRISTI - The City of Corpus Christi prepared for an influx of visitors to area beaches and attractions in search of prime viewing locations for the annual solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14, 2023. These top viewing City destinations include Downtown, along the Bayfront, and North Padre Island.

#4 CHRISTUS Sphon Hospital, January 1, 2023. (3,032 views)

CORPUS CHRISTI - CHRISTUS Spohn Corpus Christi welcomed the New Year with the birth of Eden Rose Alaniz, the first baby of 2023.

Born January 1, at 12:43 AM and delivered by Dr. Lira, this little firecracker rang in the new year with her parents, Elyssa and Brandon.

Eden Rose Alaniz the first baby of 2023 with parents Elyssa and Brandon.

#5 Mr. Jaime’s Restaurant, April 6, 2023. (2,157 views)

KINGSVILLE - A woman drove her vehicle into Mr. Jaime’s restaurant.

#6 Video: HMK vs Ray – Football, September 8, 2023. (1.9K views)

Football highlights from H.M. King Brahmas vs W.B. Ray Texans.

#7 Nueces County 10 Most Wanted, January 3, 2023. (1,523 views)

Nueces County Sheriff’s Office released the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives for January 2023.

#8 Warrant in Bishop Leads to Arrest of Owner and Manager at Cloud Z, May 4, 2023. (1,183 views)

From left to Right: Jennifer Carabajal and Ramandeep “Raman” Soodan. Photo courtesy of Bishop Police Department.

BISHOP - On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Bishop Police Department, along with other members of the Nueces County Attorney's Criminal Interdiction Unit (NCDA-CIU), executed a search and arrest warrant at the “Cloud Z” smoke shop, located in the 200 block of E. Main Street, in Bishop, Texas.

The owner of the business, identified as Ramandeep “Raman” Soodan, and the manager, identified as Jennifer Carabajal, were taken into custody without incident and later transported to the Nueces County Jail.

#9 Record Alligator Gar Found in Corpus Christi, May 23, 2023. (1,089 views)

CORPUS CHRISTI - A 207-pound alligator gar set a new record for Lake Corpus Christi before being released back to swim. Paul Hefner caught the massive 7-foot, 6-inch fish on April 13.