Two Gulf Coast musicians have partnered up with a local restaurant to help spread joy this Christmas season with the brand-new event ‘Noise for Toys.’ The event will be held tomorrow evening from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Marina Cantina in Gulfport and all proceeds will go to the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence and getting Christmas gifts for…
This holiday season, one Biloxi artist used her talents to create a South Mississippi version of a popular Christmas Eve tale. Children’s librarian and artist Kelly Derouen has had to adjust to a new way of telling stories in the age of COVID-19. Now, Derouen is reaching her audience virtually every week with illustrated stories that feature a South Mississippi…
Southeastern Grocers, Inc., the parent company of Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has given more than $8.25 million back to local communities this year to support neighbors in need. The grocer has continued its dedication to the communities it serves by partnering with more than 4,700 local organizations throughout the southeast, hosting more than 30 mobile food pantries and providing more than…
The Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County is mourning the loss of a friend and ally. James Davis of Pascagoula worked with the Boys and Girls Club for two decades of his life. The 48-year-old, who was lovingly referred to as ‘Beev,’ passed away due to complications of COVID-19. The Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County told News…
Someone could win big this week! The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday, December 23rd is an estimated $321 million. This is the highest the Powerball jackpot has been since January. Also, Mega Millions has an estimated $330 million jackpot for Tuesday, December 22nd. The Mississippi Lottery Corporation completed its November transfer of $7,970,084.81 in net proceeds to the lottery proceeds fund…
Some organizations are getting into the spirit of Christmas by hosting a holiday food drop. This Wednesday at 10 a.m., families in need across the Coast can pull up in the parking lot of the Morning Star Baptist Church and receive free groceries. You won’t even have to get out of your car and the groceries will be placed in…
After originally expecting to receive their shipment of the Moderna vaccine Monday morning to being told the vaccine would come Wednesday to now receiving it earlier today, the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center has finally administered the vaccine to their first healthcare worker. The VA was notified early this morning that their 1,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine would arrive…
The CDC is urging individuals not to travel this holiday season to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. According to AAA, there’s expected to be 60 percent less flights booked this year. They’re also anticipating that 96 percent of all holiday travel will be done by car, replacing other modes of transportation like planes. At the Gulfport-Biloxi International…
Today Mississippi’s State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs held a press conference briefing the public on vaccine distribution. According to Dr. Dobbs, Mississippi is currently in phase 1A of its COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan, where he says the state will remain for several weeks. Phase 1A includes vaccinations of healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents and employees. Dr. Dobbs…
The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 2,191 new COVID-19 cases and 79 new deaths including one in Hancock County, four in Harrison County, and four in Jackson County. This is the single day record for COVID-19 deaths in Mississippi. The statewide total stands at 197,691 cases and 4,490 deaths. Here are the cases by county in our area:…
With COVID-19 cases surging across the nation, anticipation for the distribution of vaccines is rising. The Moderna vaccine was scheduled to arrive at the Biloxi VA Hospital Monday morning with the first vaccine being administered Tuesday. However, the VA was notified early Monday morning that the shipment of the vaccine would not arrive on the Coast until Wednesday. Despite the…
The Mississippi Department of Transportation has some tips for drivers traveling this holiday season. Although South Mississippi may not experience your typical snowfall, weather conditions can change quickly, and they are prepared to respond to any winter weather and extreme cold events. Get your brakes checked to make sure they are functioning properly. Make sure the heater, defroster, and windshield…
One holiday tradition COVID-19 has really shaken up is Christmas Eve church services. While in-person church services have never been shut down by Mississippi’s governor, dozens of churches opted to hold services virtually as a precaution. Gulfport’s First United Methodist Church, located on 15th Street, is one of those churches. However, Senior Pastor Claire Dobbs says it felt important to…
Due to COVID-19, donations to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign this year are a little different with less of the iconic Red Kettles and bellringers outside of local stores and more online options to give instead. For the rest of this week, donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can be given online at SalArmyALMKettle.org. and at the register during checkout…
Local law enforcement is back lending a helping hand to the community, providing a free meal for Christmas. This will be 31 years the Gulf Coast Public Safety Feed the Needy program has been helping feed those in need. One thousand meals were already served at Thanksgiving and a thousand more will be served for Christmas. This year, every agency…
A couple of Santa’s local helpers made sure the Christmas spirit made its way to the Gulf Coast. Christmas came early to the Ardoin family and others across the Coast as Extend a Hand, Help a Friend, Gulfport Police, Morning Star Baptist Church, and Councilman R. Lee Flowers filled in for Santa. Gulfport resident Leo Ardoin said, “I’m not used…
The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 1,167 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths with no new deaths in the southern six counties. The statewide total stands at 195,500 cases and 4,411 deaths. Here’s a look at the cases by county in our area: Hancock County has 1,708 cases and 50 deaths Harrison County has 9,574 cases and…
The Mississippi Department of Corrections said autopsies are being done on two inmates who have passed away. Seventy-seven year-old Ronald Allen Estelle died Friday at a Greenville hospital. He had been taken there from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. The department says 58-year-old Stephon Hudderson died Wednesday in the infirmary of South Mississippi Correctional Institution. At least 99 inmates…
Two detention officers have been accused of attempting to smuggle drugs and cell phones into a Hinds County jail. Hinds County Sheriff’s Department Captain Tyree Jones says that Keirra Clark and Patricia Sandifer were arrested Thursday after the items were found. Jones says the items were discovered during a routine search at the Raymond Detention Center. He says the detention…
Living to be 85-years-old is a milestone to celebrate and the Barnett family couldn’t go without honoring their mother Irene’s special day. The backbone of the family is what they call her and they say she’s the glue that holds everybody together. Since COVID restricted family and social interaction, the Barnett’s hosted a drive-thru birthday celebration for the woman they…
The City of Biloxi hosted its first ever Christmas on Lameuse. This drive-thru holiday treat gifted Christmas bags for children under 11 years old. Cars lined up in front of Biloxi City Hall awaiting a meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children and parents showed up in full Christmas spirit dressed up in Christmas pajamas to receive their bags. The…
The House of Healing Church in Gulfport reached out to the community to feed its hunger needs. The church is doing its part to take care of those in their community. Hot dinner meals were served to anyone who wanted a plate. The drive-thru pick up allowed for cars to come to the church and ride by to grab as…
Leaving families thankful and full of joy, Biloxi High School students helped spread Christmas cheer across the Coast over the weekend. Changing the lives of complete strangers, the Biloxi High School Campus Security Council’s Project Presents Program transforms Christmas dreams into reality. Biloxi resident Samantha Chase said, “I feel extremely blessed. I’m crying. I’m overwhelmed with joy.” This year, the…
Tonight, the Mississippi Aquarium held its first beer-themed event, highlighting a wide variety of brews and aquatic wonders. Featuring selections from more than a dozen area breweries, attendees had the chance to stop by various tasting stations and sip on craft beer and enjoy a cold one with some live music. With unlimited beer tastings and complimentary food pairings, craft…