🌱 Patch AM: What does the Homewood Suites ruling mean for Corpus taxpayers now?

Hi Corpus Christi! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What does the Homewood Suites ruling mean for Corpus taxpayers now?
• Who stole this Westside taqueria’s Christmas tips—and how you can help
• How a Corpus Christi mom is shaping the fentanyl crackdown

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Warmer; fog in the morning, with a high of 80 and low of 50 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 68, low: 56.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Law enforcement agencies not pursuing criminal charges in Homewood Suites case, developer's attorney says (kristv.com) — Corpus Christi officials have confirmed no criminal charges will be filed against developer Phillip Ramirez in the controversial $2 million Homewood Suites downtown incentive, though a civil lawsuit still challenges the deal. The case has spotlighted allegations over altered FEMA documents, sharp disagreements among hoteliers, and split City Council votes, while construction on the subsidized hotel across from Executive Surf Club continues.
   

2. Taqueria Los Tres Potrillos suffers a Christmas tip theft, leaves staff without hard-earned holiday tips (kristv.com) — A Corpus Christi taqueria on the Westside is asking neighbors for help after a man stole all the cash tips from its Christmas tree, dashing workers’ holiday plans. Staff say business has already been slow, and they’re urging residents to stop by the Horne and Prescott location, enjoy a meal, and help rebuild those hard-earned holiday tips.
   

3. South Texas mother pushes for stricter fentanyl penalties as Trump labels drug a weapon of mass destruction (kvue.com) — From Corpus Christi, a South Texas mother who lost her son to fentanyl is doubling down on calls for tougher penalties on traffickers. As President Trump’s new executive order labels fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction, she’s urging Coastal Bend parents to stay vigilant, keep Narcan at home, and talk openly with teens about the drug’s dangers.
   

4. Corpus Christi native serves with U.S. Navy amphibious command (kristv.com) — A Flour Bluff High School graduate from Corpus Christi, Hospitalman Apprentice Rafael Velez, is serving as a Navy hospital corpsman with Assault Craft Unit 4 in Virginia Beach. He credits the work ethic and resilience he learned growing up in Corpus Christi for helping him through boot camp and training, and hopes his story inspires others here to keep chasing their goals.
   

5. Former Uvalde schools police officer to stand trial in January over Robb Elementary response (kens5.com) — A high-profile trial over the Robb Elementary shooting response is set to unfold in Corpus Christi next month, after a judge moved the case from Uvalde. Former school police officer Adrian Gonzales faces 29 felony counts tied to his actions that day, while grieving families plan to travel to Corpus Christi daily, hoping the proceedings bring long-awaited accountability.
   

📸 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!

📣 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

Thursday December 18

• 2025 NJROTC Annual Military Inspection
  Aransas Pass High School , 450 S Ave A , Aransas Pass
  7:00 am
• Wine on the Water | Wine & Cheese Sunset Cruise
  Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures , 440 W Cotter Ave , Port Aransas
  4:30 pm

Friday December 19

• 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
• Big Red Sleigh Parade & Movie Night — South Texas Community News
  Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds , 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd , Robstown
  6:00 pm
• Varsity Girls Soccer Scrimmage vs McAllen
  Ray Akins Stadium , 4600 Athletic Facilities , Ingleside
  6:00 pm
• Will Rhodes Band: Texas Takeover Tour
  Railroad Seafood & Brewery - 624 , 15701 Northwest Blvd , Robstown
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Chicken Bingo
  The Gaff , 323 Beach St , Port Aransas
  3:00 pm

Monday December 22

• 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

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

• UPDATE: She’s home!
  Her owner got her FOUND HUSKY: Keeping her safe in my yard for now, she was running around in traffic on Waldron, no identification, just an AirTag (Nextdoor Caribbean Park)
• Hello, everyone!
  I found this dog last Saturday morning at the Whataburger on Leopard and Rand Morgan. I've had her with me since then, I've taken her to the vet to… (Nextdoor Leopard and Mckinzie Rd)

• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for British Airways Baggage Handler in Corpus Christi. Apply here.
• InTown Suites posted a job opening for Housekeeping 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 haven’t heard the last report.
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.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook