After a year hiatus, it is time to get back in the saddle in Jackson County come May. The annual Jackson County Sheriff’s Rodeo will kick back up again this year after last year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19. It will take place one weekend in late May at the Conrad Mallette Multi-purpose arena in Vancleave and will feature…
Residents of Jackson and George counties will soon be able to visit their local libraries once again. Beginning on Monday, March 1st, branches in the Jackson-George Regional Library System will reopen at 50 percent capacity after previously only allowing by-appointment and curbside services. Masks and social distancing will be required at all locations and returned books will continue to be…
While the world was being introduced to coronavirus last year, Ansley Gilich was introduced to a different disease: B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Just weeks before the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown, Ansley left St. Alphonsus and would not return for nearly a year. This morning, Ansley was finally reunited with her classmates. St. Alphonsus students with hand-made signs waited patiently for the…
Amtrak is set to make a comeback on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2022. With the return of the passenger train that means cities along the area will see a boost in tourism and more money being brought into the area. Next year Amtrak will run from Mobile to New Orleans, making stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St….
Mississippi’s vaccine distribution rollout continues as teachers and all first responders are next in line to get the shot. For first responders who have continued their work on the front lines throughout the pandemic, the vaccine could prove to be a game changer. Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney says access to the vaccine is a relief for firefighters in his…
The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 920 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths including one in both Harrison and Jackson counties. The statewide total stands at 292,811 cases and 6,613 deaths. Here’s a look at the cases by county in our area: Hancock County has 3,399 cases and 73 deaths Harrison County is at 16,512 total cases…
The head of Mississippi’s prison system says he has started an internal investigation into the death of an inmate. Ronald Frederick Apgar died Friday at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. He was 39-years-old. Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain says an employee at the front gate of the prison has been banned and officials are investigating the response time to Apgar’s death. He…
The Biloxi Police Department arrested 52-year-old Eric Hardy of Gulfport on a charge of simple assault on a police officer. Officers responded to a report of an alleged shoplifting and attempted to arrest Hardy. During the course of the arrest, Hardy allegedly assaulted a Biloxi police officer while attempting to flee. The alleged assault occurred when the officer’s ankle and…
The Gulf Coast’s premier equestrian event has returned after being cut short due to COVID-19 last year. South New Jersey resident Audrey Winzinger has participated in the Gulf Coast Winter Classics for 22 years now and she says it’s especially good to be back in 2021. “It’s the best place for us because there’s plenty of places to ride, and…
The Mississippi Highway Patrol put on a demonstration at today’s Battle of the Badges blood drive that could also help save lives. This vehicle simulates a rollover accident with an adult and child passenger inside. Neither of the dummies is wearing a seatbelt, this demonstration clearly shows the deadly consequences of a rollover accident with a vehicle traveling at just…
Hurricane Zeta caused great damage to our community and the Salvation Army has acquired a grant to provide relief to those affected. The grant money is available to those in need in the lower six counties of Mississippi who received damage from Zeta. These funds are primarily available to those who need rental assistance due to Zeta damages. Applicants must…
Law enforcement, Singing River Health System, Jasper the K9, firefighters, and every day citizens were out in full force today, rolling up their sleeves and donating blood to The Blood Center, which is facing a critical need for donations. The Battle of the Badges blood drive was hosted by the Gautier Rotary Club and will provide life-saving blood supplies to…
The Moss Point Police Department is asking for help finding additional information about a drive-by shooting that happened November 5th, 2020. On November 5th just after 4 p.m., officers responded to Gregory Street regarding an unresponsive man by the side of the road. Local residents reported hearing several gunshots and seeing a silver sedan speed away from the area. Officers on…
With the removal of Mario King from office, the Moss Point Board of Alderman called for a special meeting this afternoon. On the agenda was swearing in Ward 3 Alderman Robert Byrd as the interim mayor Concluding the meeting, multiple aldermen gave comments arguing if they or the city should be taking some blame for Mario King’s actions. Alderman Sherwood…
Who is next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine? Teachers and first responders step right up. Governor Tate Reeves announced the two groups are now eligible for the vaccination. Gulfport High teacher Beth Wilson says she was thrilled when the news broke. Wilson says many teachers were disappointed to not have received the vaccine sooner. “I’m really excited. Actually, I…
The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 669 new COVID-19 cases and 28 new deaths including two in Harrison County and one in Pearl River County. The statewide total stands at 291,891 cases and 6,605 deaths. Here’s a look at the cases by county in our area: Hancock County has 3,386 cases and 73 deaths Harrison County is at…
A company official says Amtrak passenger service along the Gulf Coast is on track to return in 2022 and could come in the early part of next year. Amtrak Spokesman Marc Magliari confirmed that timeline. He says Amtrak contacted railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern in January to inform them “that we intend to begin service in 2022.” The route will…
With February coming to a close so is our Making Black History feature. In the final installment of our Black History Month series, we introduce you to Attorney Kimberly Sweeney. With the help of the law, Attorney Kimberly Sweeney is supporting the black community of South Mississippi by advising clients on financial awareness and financial education. “Unfortunately, the black community…
Today employees at the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort began a special type of training to spot signs of domestic violence. Employees at the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort are gaining new knowledge when it comes to domestic violence awareness this week. Scarlet Pearl CEO Luann Pappas said, “I think it’s an important education again, for not just our associates but their…
Gautier Mayor Phil Torjusen says the city is moving closer to bringing new life, development, and jobs to the Singing River Mall property that’s been vacant for about seven years now. Mayor Torjusen tells News 25 the final hurdle has been crossed as the state legislature recently approved $3.5 million in Restore Act money to help fund the project and…
The Mississippi Lottery Corporation announced today it will be introducing its first $20 scratch-off game, $100 Million Extravaganza at approved lottery retailers starting March 2nd. $100 Million Extravaganza’s top prize of $500,000 is the highest top prize of any Mississippi instant scratch off game to date. It is loaded with thousands of prizes between $50 and $500 along with hundreds…
It’s time for our Pet of the Week! If you’re looking for a best friend who loves the outdoors, Rose is your gal! This is our second time featuring Rose who is a female lab/shepherd mix about four years old. She is great on a leash, good with dogs and kids, sits on command, and shakes paws. Rose also loves…
They’ll be out for blood in Gautier tomorrow, but it’s all for a good, life-saving cause. South Mississippi law enforcement, fire fighters, and other community leaders are setting the stage at Gulf Coast Gas in Gautier for tomorrow’s Battle of the Badges Blood Drive event. Police, the sheriff’s department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, fire fighters, and others were on the scene…
Earlier today, Memorial Hospital continued its vaccination distribution on the Coast in north Gulfport at the Lyman Community Center. The distribution, which went from 8:30 this morning until 3 this afternoon, was open to adults 65 and older, those between the ages of 18 and 64 with certain chronic health conditions, and health care personnel. Over 1,100 out of the…