Dr. Janet Cunningham (right), executive director of Citizens for Educational Excellence in Corpus Christi, with former second lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, at a National League of Cities briefing in Washington, D.C., in May. Biden is currently honorary co-chair of The Biden Foundation. Cunningham sat on a panel at the briefing on Workforce Success to discuss Corpus Christi’s plans to ensure all residents have access to postsecondary education and meaningful employment. Courtesy photo

Dr. Janet Cunningham (right), executive director of Citizens for Educational Excellence in Corpus Christi, with former second lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, at a National League of Cities briefing in Washington, D.C., in May. Biden is currently honorary co-chair of The Biden Foundation. Cunningham sat on a panel at the briefing on Workforce Success to discuss Corpus Christi’s plans to ensure all residents have access to postsecondary education and meaningful employment. Courtesy photo

Corpus Christi locals are honored and promoted while an old hotel sees its final days in this month’s Coastal Bend news roundup.

CCPD HONORS OFFICER

The Kiwanis Club’s Officer of the Year Award was given to senior Officer Samantha Baldwin for her outstanding work in driving while intoxicated law enforcement. In 2017, the Corpus Christi Police Department veteran of six years made more than 1,000 traffic stops and 461 arrests — 379 of which were for DWIs.
NEW CEO AT KLEBERG
Gabe Guerra is the new top executive at Kleberg Bank after the retirement of Joe Henkel, who had served in that position since 1998. Guerra, a former chairman of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, has been with the bank since 2008. He has been the president of the Corpus Christi market since 2014. Now the president/CEO of Kleberg Bank, Guerra will continue to be based in Corpus Christi.

MORE KLEBERG NEWS

The Kingsville-based bank has opened a new headquarters for its Corpus Christi market at 5350 S. Staples St. The three-story building replaces its former headquarters at 4211 Ayers St. That location will continue to operate as a drive-through bank and financial center. An independent community bank, Kleberg Bank was founded in 1905.

LOCAL FILMMAKERS GO GLOBAL

WorldFest International Film Festival honored two locals with Special Jury Remi Awards in Houston on April 28. Filmmaker Nikola Knez and scriptwriter Dorothy McClellan were recognized for their work in the film “Tito’s License for Genocide.” Out of 4,500 entries from 74 countries, the film placed in the top 10 selected for the festival.
“Tito’s License for Genocide” is a documentary following the story of thousands of Croatian refugees who were killed and buried in mass graves near the end of World War II.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD FOR PORT CC

The Port of Corpus Christi received the 2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Award in Pollution Prevention last month in Austin. The annual award is considered the state’s highest environmental honor. The port was recognized for a recently approved environmental policy that states it must consider the impact on air quality, water quality, soils and sediments, wildlife habitat, and environmental sustainability before embarking on new developments or operations. The award also highlighted the port’s commitment to green energy, reuse of dredge material, and strong educational, training, and outreach components.

BAYFRONT INN’S DEMISE

Hurricane Harvey was the last straw for the 54-year-old Bayfront Inn at 601 N. Shoreline Drive in Corpus Christi. Heavy equipment showed up in May and began the process of tearing down the 1964 vintage building. Demolition of what was once the Ramada Inn-Bayfront motel will take several months to complete.