Coast schools preparing for upcoming year

Schools across the Coast are gearing up for a productive school year as registration continues. Gulfport School District is preparing for their first day this Friday while others are looking forward to starting between next week and the beginning of August. Teachers are preparing creative learning environments as parents ensure their children are set up for success. Vancleave Middle School…

South Mississippi schools preparing for return of students

Summer break is winding to a close for many Coast students as some schools start this week. School gets back in session for Gulfport students this Thursday. Administrators and teachers are ready to welcome students with open arms at Anniston Avenue Elementary. Returning to school means students need to be prepared with enough supplies to last the school year. Assistant…

Mississippi, under judge’s order, starts allowing religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations

BY EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi is starting the court-ordered process of letting people cite religious beliefs to seek exemptions from state-mandated vaccinations that children must receive before attending day care or school. In April, U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden ordered Mississippi to join most other states in allowing religious exemptions from childhood vaccinations. His ruling came in a lawsuit…

Local hair salons provide free haircuts for back to school

A hair salon in Vancleave is making a positive impact by offering free haircuts to children as they prepare for the first day of school. More than 20 children gathered in Vancleave Middle School’s cafeteria to receive their free haircut. The owner of Magnolia Way Salon, Lauren Phillips, partnered with the owner of Hidden Gem Salon, Brook Hilton, to offer…

Meet the Candidates Forum in Harrison County

Mark your calendars for next week! Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is holding a forum to give residents a chance to meet the candidates for the upcoming election. The forum is being held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 25th at the Orange Grove Community Center on Dedeaux Road. Candidates for sheriff and circuit clerk, district 4 supervisor, and district…

Missing 77-year-old George County woman found

A bit of good news from the weekend over in George County. A 77-year-old woman missing since Friday was found safe. Myrtle Waltman was examined by first responders and greeted by friends and family after being found. Waltman had last been seen around 4 Friday afternoon on Vestry Road in George County. Multiple agencies worked on search and rescue through…

Morning Business Report: July 17th, 2023

A new study finds people are more likely to say ‘yes’ to requests for help than you might think and United reached a preliminary new contract with its pilots. Joya Doss is at the Nasdaq with those stories and more in today’s Morning Business Report. Categories: Business Tags: business, morning business report

22nd annual Community Breakfast

North Gulfport Civic Club is hosting its 22nd annual Community Breakfast this week. Here to tell us more about the event is Valerie Hill. The 22nd annual Community Breakfast takes place Thursday, July 20th at 7 a.m. at the Good Deeds Community Center. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Community Breakfast, North Gulfport Civic Club

Woodside Wildlife Rescue in Pass Christian seeks permit

Woodside Wildlife Rescue is another step closer to receiving permits to help rehab birds of prey. A group of Seabees, along with other volunteers, are helping with phase two of expanding Woodside’s habitats by erecting cages for migratory birds. Those birds include hawks, eagles, owls, and other federally protected species. Once these bird cages are complete and comply with the…

CASA of Hancock County hosts annual Poker Run

It’s halfway to Mardi Gras and CASA of Hancock County let the good times roll with a poker run Saturday. The event started at noon with the poker run taking off at 4 p.m. from Dan B’s Restaurant and Bar. Guests made stops at more than a dozen locations across Hancock and Pearl River counties, bidding on auction items along…

7/17 – Chris’s “Rain Chances Decrease” Monday Afternoon Forecast

This afternoon temperatures will be in the low 90s, however heat indices will remain below advisory level. This is due to sea-breeze activity that will form coupled with daytime heating especially to the south of I-10 this afternoon. Activity will be brief and sparse with only a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow temperatures will warm to the mid…

Two local preschoolers raised $1,000 for St. Jude by hosting a lemonade stand

St. Jude Children’s research hospital has encouraged people to take part in the lemonade stand in July challenge in efforts to raise funds and support St. Jude’s mission, and two south Mississippi girls taking part in the challenge are hitting the ground running.  Lola and Elliott from Saucier set up their precious lemonade stand in their neighborhood Saturday afternoon. The…

Possible drowning victim at Broadwater Marina found safe

A possible drowning reported on Saturday has a happy ending. On Saturday, Biloxi Police received a call about someone jumping into the water at Broadwater Marina and not resurfacing. Biloxi Police, Biloxi Fire and the Coast Guard responded to investigate, but did not find anyone. On Sunday about 3 p.m., first responders learned the person who was seen going into…

7/16 – Jeff Vorick’s “Very HOT Week Ahead” Sunday Night Forecast

Any remaining thunderstorm activity this evening will come to an end by midnight or so. Clouds will gradually clear out towards daybreak. Some clouds will be possible to start your Monday but sunshine will provide for a very hot start. The weather pattern is going to become dominated by strong high pressure this week. Some isolated thunderstorms are possible tomorrow…

Ribbon cutting for beach volleyball courts in Long Beach

The City of Long Beach, alongside the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, held the ribbon cutting for its newly created beach volleyball courts. The courts were financed through the legislature from funds given to the county. The facility has nine courts with built-in lights for recreational and amateur athletes. Officials hope to grow the sport of beach volleyball in the…

NCBC hosting Change of Command

The Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport will host a change of command Friday, July 28th at 10 a.m. Captain Jeffrey Powell is retiring from the United States Navy after 28 years of service.  He served as the commanding officer of NCBC for the last three years, reporting for duty in August 2020. The new commander is Captain Ana Franco…

7/14 – Jeff’s “Hot & Unsettled At Times” Weekend Forecast

Thunderstorm chances this evening will move out and skies will also clear somewhat. Humidity will remain uncomfortable to start your weekend. A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 10 AM until 8 PM due to heat indices of 105-110 degrees expected. Some thunderstorms could be possible tomorrow afternoon and evening but rain chances remain isolated. Sunday has the potential…

Expert explains shark sightings on the Coast

Summer is a time to be outside and enjoy time on the water along the Gulf Coast, but it’s a time to be careful and stay aware of your surroundings. Sharks play a very important role in our Coastal ecosystems by keeping the waters clean, making sure the species are in balance, and ensure we have a healthy dynamic. During…

Dolce Bakeshop celebrates Christmas in July

Are you ready for the season of giving? Because Christmas came early for a few locals thanks to a bakery in Long Beach. Dolce Bakeshop in Long Beach is having its annual Christmas in July special that ends Saturday. There will also be a city-wide early bird Christmas celebration in the town green. The special ran all week with some…

Mississippi Aquarium offering free admission to teachers this weekend

Southern Miss and the Mississippi Aquarium are teaming up to show their appreciation for teachers this weekend. Saturday and Sunday, teachers and school staff will receive free admission when they present their school ID at the ticket area. There will be opportunities for teachers to take guided tours of the aquarium and its classroom, along with information about field trip…