Ocean Springs back in court for annexation hearing

The next hearing in the Ocean Springs annexation case is Friday afternoon.

The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Chancery Court in Pascagoula, with retired Scott County judge David Clark presiding.

City and county leaders, as well as residents affected by the potential annexation, showed up at a hearing last month to make their cases.

Another strong turnout is expected Friday.

At stake in the annexation proposal is Ocean Springs’ desire to annex two parcels of land on the eastern edge of the current city limits — taking an additional 1,500 residents and adding Ocean Springs High School to the city limits.

That proposal has met with backlash, though, from affected residents and Jackson County leaders opposed to the annexation, adding an extra element to the case.