Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Veteran in Corpus? Here’s how to claim a free Christmas tree.
You won't want to miss Dads Day on Campus on the Corpus Christi Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Corpus Christi? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Veteran in Corpus? Here’s how to claim a free Christmas tree.
- How Michael Hunter’s port appointment could reshape Corpus Christi’s economy
- How will Corpus Christi’s new $4.85M detention center affect you?
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Corpus Christi? Post it to Corpus Christi photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Corpus Christifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Corpus Christifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 70 and low of 62 degrees.
- Thursday: Warmer; fog in the morning, temps: high: 81, low: 52.
- Friday: Sunny, cooler and less humid, with a high of 68 and low of 56 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Veterans, claim your free Christmas tree this holiday season! (kristv.com) — Veterans in Corpus Christi can claim one of 41 free, fully decorated Christmas trees from Veterans Memorial High School’s annual Parade of Trees, available first-come, first-served. Students and staff design themed trees to honor local veterans and their families, and interested veterans can reserve one by contacting organizer Tatum Hagen by email or phone. 
2. Former councilmember, mayoral candidate Michael Hunter appointed new Port Commissioner by Corpus Christi City Council (kiiitv.com) — Corpus Christi City Council has appointed former councilmember and mayoral candidate Michael Hunter as the city’s newest Port Commissioner in a 7–2 vote. His role comes as the Port of Corpus Christi completes major channel deepening, nears Harbor Bridge completion, and plans expansions that could drive jobs, exports, and long-term infrastructure needs across the Coastal Bend.
3. Corpus Christi approves $4.85 million for new detention center construction (kristv.com) — Corpus Christi City Council has approved a $4.85 million contract to expand and upgrade the City Detention Center on Leopard Street, adding new holding cells, a courtroom, and enhanced security. Construction is slated to begin in January and wrap up by July 2027, aiming to improve how local arrests are processed and reduce reliance on leased downtown space.
4. Por Vida Academy principal reacts to alleged misuse of funds honoring fallen Officer Vicente Ortiz Jr. (kristv.com) — Corpus Christi readers should know that a local officer is accused of misusing funds tied to a scholarship honoring fallen CCPD Senior Officer Vicente Ortiz Jr., who long served Por Vida Academy. The alleged misuse involves money raised by community groups, and the officer is now facing felony charges while on paid administrative leave as investigations continue.
5. Port Aransas, Corpus Christi rank among top fishing trip destinations in Texas (kiiitv.com) — Corpus Christi just ranked third in Texas for fishing trips, with Port Aransas taking second, in a new statewide analysis by booking platform FishingBooker. The study highlights Corpus Christi’s strong guide community, diverse bay and offshore options, and consistently high customer reviews, underscoring how important local fishing is to the city’s tourism and economy.
📸 Around Corpus Christi
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Corpus Christi
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Dads Day on Campus
Brundrett Middle Port Aransas, TX 78373
7:30 am - OES Christmas Performance
Olsen El Port Aransas, TX 78373
9:45 am
Thursday December 18
📣 Corpus Christi Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- 5th Grade Self-Responsibility Class
Austin El Portland, TX 78374 - Early Release Day
Ingleside ISD Ingleside, TX 78362 - Boys/Girls Basketball Away vs. CC Miller
Miller High School
5:00 pm - JV/V Girls Soccer Scrimmage vs Victoria East
Ray Akins Stadium , 4600 Athletic Facilities , Ingleside
5:00 pm - Varsity Girls Soccer Scrimmage vs McAllen
Ray Akins Stadium , 4600 Athletic Facilities , Ingleside
6:00 pm - Winter Break
Ingleside ISD Ingleside, TX 78362
8:00 am - Boys and Girls District Basketball Game vs Ray
High School/CTE
1:00 pm - Girls District Basketball Game vs Ray
High School/CTE
1:00 pm - Boys District Basketball vs Ray
High School/CTE
1:00 pm - Varsity Girls/Boys Soccer Scrimmage vs Alumni
4600 Athletic Facilities "Ray Akins Stadium" 4600 Athletic Facilities "Ray Akins Stadium "
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Monday December 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Our dog got out this afternoon, Unfortunately she dug a hole under our fence.
She was not wearing her collar but her name is Sadie. Her hail has grown some since this pic, but if you find her pls msg me! Airline & Lipes area! (Nextdoor Manhattan Estates) - This little girl is on Star Gazer Drive in Rancho and bleeding on her neck.
Looks like she recently had surgery. Please come get her, she’s cold, & uncomfortable. She won’t stay still to take a face pic. Update, my daughter… (Nextdoor Rancho Vista)
- TradeJobsWorkForce posted a job opening for Custodian in Corpus Christi. Apply here.
- Oakview Group posted a job opening for Guest Services Event Staff | Part-Time | Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Corpus Christi here.
Ok Corpus Christi! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.