I spent the past weekend with my daughter, Peggy, who lives in Gulfport and as she drove me around the areas of cities that are familiar to me, I could look past the destruction and see the cities are coming back. I have mentioned in an earlier post that it is the young people who can bring us back by introducing innovative ideas. Don't "nip and tuck" as we did after Camille. True, we came back after that disaster but this time, we have a chance to put an entirely new face on our area that is up to date with the present times. We were "sitting ducks" for the two big hurricanes that hit us. This time we are building higher and stronger. It didn't take me long to become use to the unique style of our new homes and realize that it is the way to go. It's sad that we the older citizens have lost so much of OUR past but now it is time for the future of ongoing generations. We need to step aside and allow our children and grandchildren to build toward THEIR future. I think Gulfport is doing well. Sure there is much barren land but if you get past the extreme coastal area, there is much activity further inland. Pass Road is bustling. The few pictures below are of Gulfport's beach and downtown area.


The Best Western wasn't demolished, looks like it may be salvageable.


Marine Life is still sitting as it was but I will wager a bet that it will be back to once again house our dolphins who are in the Bahamas.


The picture below is the site of the old Daily Herald building on 14th street. It housed the prominent law firm of Bryant, Dukes & Blakeslee. Founded 1884 as Daily Herald


The next picture is of a building that will be demolished. It was the home for its first five years to a business that would last 36 yrs..... Medical Credit Service, Inc.... who would spend the remaining years of its longevity on West Railroad St. in Gulfport. That building was also demolished.


Okay!!! ... time for me to take a break for a day or so. I will be back with a few more pictures next time.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Long Beach

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Long Beach: "
Last Mass At St. Thomas Catholic Church Before Demolition
A church family said goodbye Sunday to their old home in Long Beach. Members of St. Thomas Catholic Church held their last mass in the shell of their old sanctuary, which was all that was left after Hurricane Katrina wiped out the rectory, the parish life center, and the entire school."

Gautier Motorcyclist Killed In Pascagoula
In Pascagoula's first fatality of 2007, a young man has lost his life in a tragic accident, and police need your help. 33 year old Joseph Danner of Gautier was killed Sunday on West River Bridge in Pascagoula. 37 year old Benjamin Vetra is being held in the Pascagoula city jail charged with felony DUI. Keli Rabon has more on this tragic story.

The Sun Herald | 01/14/2007 | Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Sun Herald | 01/14/2007 | Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day: "Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
SUN HERALD

A Coastwide program today will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born Jan. 15, 1929.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. at the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 4528 15th St. in Gulfport. Keynote speaker will be Rev. James Orange, founder/chairman of Dr. Martin Luther King March/Africa/African American Renaissance, and soloist Lillian Lily of the Mississippi Mass Choir will sing.

On Monday, a parade will begin at 11 a.m. in Biloxi, with formation at 10 a.m. at the Howard Avenue Community Center. After the parade, the Battle of the Bands event will be held at Yankie Stadium in Biloxi.

These Biloxi and Gulfport events are presented by the Committee for Coastwide Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and the city of Biloxi. Details: James Crowell at 326-7143."

Early yesterday morning my daughter who lives in Gulfport came to take me to see her new home and stay the night. It gave me a chance to buy flowers and bring to my husband's grave. She and I removed the flowers that she had put on her father's grave at Christmas and placed the new flowers in the urn. When she was born, I named her Peggy as I thought it suited her. You judge....


Bruce my son in law and Peggy have a daughter named Jordan. She was in and out so many times with her friends that it wasn't easy getting a picture of her. So I took a "picture of a picture" of my granddaughter.


They just moved into their new home in October and I would like to "brag" a little. I think it is beautiful. It is raised 23 ft. and the downstairs is used for a family game room.

Guest Room

I had a very nice relaxing time. There are pictures taken of Biloxi and Gulfport that I will post sometimes tomorrow. Oh I forgot... due to the elevation requirements, the homes on the coast require a "lift".

Dolphins cruising in Bahamas

Future home on Coast possible

By JOSHUA NORMAN

jdnorman@sunherald.com

One year after their departure, the dolphins of the Marine Life Oceanarium have met with a mixed fate.

Tessie, the 31-year-old dolphin once left behind without her pod mates in Florida, died after a long illness in the Bahamas about a week ago.

The other 16 are healthy and swimming along in their new confines at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, said Frank Murru, chief marine officer for Kerzner International, which owns the resort.

"All of them are doing very well," said Murru, after returning from a tour of a large facility being built for them. "The whole facility is supposed to be done sometime in May. (Right now) they live in their own social groups. We don't really separate the dolphins into their own pools. The groups that they live in have a series of pools that they call home."

New Modular Housing Offers Storm Resistant Homes
An Australian company says it can bring stronger, storm resistant homes to South Mississippi, and someday jobs as well. "X-Force Homes" is in the process of building its new model home and office off Iron Horse Road in Biloxi. The business will bring an amazing type of modular housing made in Australia to South Mississippi. Meggan Gray shows us the latest rebuilding option to come to the area

Arson suspected in old PHS incidents

Arson suspected in old PHS incidents: "Friday, January 12, 2007
By BRAD CROCKER

PASCAGOULA -- Authorities are searching for suspects in two arson cases resulting from separate fires late Wednesday night.

The first fire occurred in the old Pascagoula High School's band hall at 2903 Pascagoula St. about 9:43 p.m., the second fire intentionally set inside school buildings in less than two weeks."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "
Wisconsin Volunteers Build A Home For A Biloxi Woman
A Biloxi woman is witnessing something this week she's often wondered if she'd ever see again. It's a home of her own right back on the land she grew up on, being built by a group of volunteers from Wisconsin."

It's Booming!

Today on my outing looking for pictures to take, I found some. For those who know Pascagoula, they were in the vicinity of Chickasaw and Choctaw Avenue and others around 11th and 12th streets. There are a couple of trailer shots and damaged houses.

I have to be especially careful as I take the pictures while driving, so sometimes I can't get the shot I want. I felt elated for the people.







You wouldn't know it if I didn't tell you but I just took a break. I was looking out at my yards and they look pretty bad .... leaves everywhere. One thing that hasn't changed here is that it is next to impossible to get help with the yards. The weather doesn't cooperate either... lots of rain and cold. Back to the pictures...

There were houses on both sides of the street in the above pics in colors of yellow and green. All on stilts.

There is definitely a "boom" taking place in these areas. I will continue the remaining pics I have on another post.

More pictures taken on January 11, 06 ..

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Indiana Church Leaders Renovate Two Homes In One Week

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Indiana Church Leaders Renovate Two Homes In One Week: "Two South Mississippi families can soon move back into their homes, thanks to some dedicated church leaders.

The Bishop and district superintendents of United Methodist Churches in the Indiana area are repairing two storm-damaged houses. One is on Bridge View Drive in St. Martin, the other is on Texas Avenue in Gulfport."

Injured 2-year-old may have thumb amputated

Injured 2-year-old may have thumb amputated: "
Injured 2-year-old may have thumb amputated
Thursday, January 11, 2007

PASCAGOULA -- The mother of a 2-year-old Pascagoula boy who was injured on Christmas Eve while in New York City clarified circumstances surrounding his injury.

Sandy Lopez, mother of Michael Gratereaux, said on Wednesday she and her son were in the process of leaving Macy's department store Christmas Eve when Michael injured his thumb while they were going down an escalator.

'A few people fell in the back of us. My son was pushed down. That is how he got his thumb stuck in the escalator,' Lopez said.

The Associated Press originally reported that the toddler had placed his thumb in the escalator himself, a report Lopez emphatically denied."

Feud leads to drive-by shooting

Feud leads to drive-by shooting: "
Feud leads to drive-by shooting
Thursday, January 11, 2007
By BRAD CROCKER

PASCAGOULA -- A simmering feud between three women boiled over Sunday during a drive-by shooting.

Marshay Latrease Safford, 21, was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of aggravated assault, charges that stem from allegations that Safford shot at two women and also shot an innocent bystander in the Jefferson Street FEMA trailer park Sunday evening.

Municipal Judge Michael Fondren set Safford's bond at $225,000 -- $75,000 for each count."

The Sun Herald | 01/11/2007 | Broadmoor shaken by burglaries

The Sun Herald | 01/11/2007 | Broadmoor shaken by burglaries: "Broadmoor shaken by burglaries
By MICHAEL A. BELL
mbell@sunherald.com

GULFPORT - Police are investigating a series of burglaries in the Broadmoor neighborhood, one of the city's oldest communities whose residents are still shaken from two homicides and a recent spike in crime.

Brad Hignight on Wednesday morning was getting ready to leave for work when he realized his cobalt blue 2006 Honda Ridgeline truck was missing. He then learned his wife's vehicle and a neighbor's car had been burglarized. The culprits stole spare change."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Pascagoula

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Pascagoula: "New Businesses Popping Up In Downtown Pascagoula
If you haven't been to downtown Pascagoula lately, you may be surprised to see who's doing business down there. Since Katrina, at least ten new shops have opened in the downtown area alone. And the city has plans to add more parking for shoppers."

I am off to a slow start today but I am geared up enough to make a few comments. Most of my entries in the past couple of days have been "blog this" entries on various happenings in our area. I'll admit I am tired as so many of us are. The citizens that are depicted on the news videos show their tiredness but it shows something else too, if you look closer into their eyes. There is a sadness in all of our eyes not only for the losses that occurred but for the treatment at the hands of our government, our state and the cities within the state. When all the good people from all over the United States and around the World sent donations, wasn't it intended to aid the people? It seems to me that with all the time that has passed since the storm that at least one, huge, affordable apartment complex could have been built in each of the cities to get most of the people out of the miserable Fema trailers. The entire time that they have been in the trailers, they receive constant reminders that they will have to get out even though it is known that there is nowhere for them to go.

We are being badgered by those with agendas, like the smoking campaign. I, personally, call it the smoke screen of all smoke screens to take away our rights. Sexually transmitted diseases (we all know how they are transmitted and the health problems they cause) and tuberculosis are on the rise in our area and probably in other states but strangely some are more worried that second hand smoke from a neighbor's house will come through the opened window in their house and give them lung cancer. Years ago, I reacted to a TB skin test and the doctor said it meant I had been exposed but didn't come down with it. I asked, "How did I get it?" He said it was as simple as walking past someone who had active TB who just sneezed and sprayed droplets in the air I was breathing.

We are living with disease all around us. Oh! ... a young woman my daughter knows was diagnosed with thyroid disease as well as two other members in her family. I was diagnosed in September. Hmmm!!

Soon I will scout around and try to take pictures of progress for you.

Kent State Students Once Again Pitch In To Help With Katrina Recovery Efforts
Students from Kent State University are busy with recovery work in South Mississippi. About 30 students and other volunteers associated with the university are in South Mississippi this week. One group helped out with clean up and rebuilding efforts Tuesday in Gulfport, while another group from the university rolled up their sleeves in Biloxi.

The Sun Herald | 01/10/2007 | HOME BLITZ

The Sun Herald | 01/10/2007 | HOME BLITZ: "HOME BLITZ
Volunteers building 3 on Coast this week
By JEAN PRESCOTT
jtprescott@sunherald.com

GULFPORT - St. Peter's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church has decided to stay in downtown Gulfport, and for that reason, 'We knew we had to reach out more into the community,' the Rev. Edward O'Connor said Tuesday. 'This is part of that effort.'"

Carver Village Demolished For New Community Facilities
After more than 40 years of housing thousands of Pascagoula residents, Live Oak Apartments, once known as Carver Village, is no more. Tuesday, crews started to demolish the huge property. The city plans to build new community facilities on the land. Patrice Clark looks at the future of what was once an eyesore.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gulfport

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gulfport: "
College Volunteers Spruce Up North Gulfport
People who live near Turkey Creek consider their neighborhoods the gateway to Gulfport. They also realize many homes near Martin Luther King Boulevard are littered with unsightly debris. This week, college students from places like the University of Maryland helped north Gulfport community leaders bring a dream to life. Brad Kessie reports."

MDOT Project Underway To Alleviate Traffic Congestion In Jackson County
Mississippi Department of Transportation leaders say the intersection of I-10 and Highway 609 is one of South Mississippi's most traffic congested areas. A big part of that is due to the destruction of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge after Katrina. Two lanes of the bridge are scheduled to open in November. But MDOT is carrying out a $2 million project to help alleviate traffic problems at the intersection before then.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Pascagoula

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Pascagoula: "'Rebuild Jackson County' Helping Overlooked Residents Recover
Her experience in helping people find jobs and gain education after Katrina set the stage for Michelle Wilson to become a professional at helping people. Now, as executive director of one of Jackson County's most important recovery groups, she has quite a job on her hands. Keli Rabon finds out how even the most disadvantaged residents can trust that help is near, thanks to Rebuild Jackson County."

A Pleasant Surprise

I am sure you all have done this at one time. I put my user name "zeldonia" in Yahoo's search box and a few things about me were there. I decided to try Google and entered my name. Much to my surprise I found this and wanted to share with you.

atlanta.voic.us

Dana Blankenhorn is the editor of VOIC.us. He is a graduate of Rice University and holds a Masters from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. He has worked as a journalist, residing and covering Atlanta, since 1981. He has written for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Chicago Tribune, Advertising Age and Infoworld, among others. He has covered the online world since 1985, starting as one of the world’s first dual coverage journalist, writing for print and web, for Interactive Age Daily. He has also authored a half-dozen books on technology

Pascagoula

The above picture is in the beginning stages of a pavilion at Beach Park. It is larger than the picture depicts as I took it from a side view. We had rain all weekend and I would have been standing in "puddles". At this time, there has been no work on installing the promised "splashpad" for the kids. Please excuse me as I am going to go a little southern on you, "Y"all (spoken Yall not You All) whatever is put back will be an improvement, another empty space filled. I came down Washington Avenue and also looked at the beginnings of my niece's new house that will replace the one that was washed away. If you look closely through the pavilion, you can make out the lines of a slab that is on the other side of Washington Ave.. I loved that house, it was a two story home painted a pale yellow with complementary accents. Sure, there is talk of BIG plans but what we need is a well functioning town again to call home.

Put our movie theaters back that we had when I grew up there. There is no entertainment. I believe they were closed down because of the objectionable movies of the day. Show all Walt Disney then. Are the movies anymore "sinful" than people going to Biloxi, Gulfport etc. and losing money that is needed to take care of their families? I think not. In our really "beaten up" area ... why is anybody gambling? Do they think they will win a million dollars? My husband and I used to gamble and I loved to play the million dollar duck slots. I won't even venture a guess on how much I lost but one night ... I got all three ducks. Bells started clanging and bands playing!!! Then almost miracuously before me stood three Casino guys that sort of looked like Mafia. Where did they come from? Through the glass walls or did they descend from the cameras in the ceiling? I was screaming , "I won, I won"!! They said, "No you didn't, the machine malfunctioned." They coldly reset it and walked away saying, "Have a good night". So you see, any of you gamblers that may be reading this, even when you win, they won't give it to you. Yeah, Yeah!! You name it and I can tell you a story.

Today was sunny but cool so it was nice driving around looking for pictures to take but I only got one. Maybe next time.

The Sun Herald | 01/08/2007 | �2� CHILDREN DIE IN FIRE

The Sun Herald | 01/08/2007 | �2� CHILDREN DIE IN FIRE: "The Womack sisters were watching a Disney show on TV during a sleepover at their 'Pappy's' mobile home Saturday night when one of the girls noticed smoke.

Doug Byrd, their grandfather, said he ran outside to grab a water hose, and within maybe 30 seconds, by his estimation, it was too late to reach them. The fire at Byrd's home in the Bond community north of Wiggins spread so quickly that the girls were trapped inside. They died as neighbors also frantically tried to get them out."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Yorkers Revisit Coast To Help With Recovery

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Yorkers Revisit Coast To Help With Recovery: "Livingston Cares is a group comprised of volunteers from Livingston County New York and students from Geneseo College. The group adopted the city of Biloxi shortly after the storm."

Another tip on how to navigate around my blog. At the top of the page on the left there is a small search box. You can enter a city by name and anything I have about that city will appear. Enter crime and everything I have blogged on the subject will appear etc. Also pay attention to the labels at the bottom of the posts, they can be very helpful.

Bo Diddley

Biography of "Bo Diddley" born in McComb, Mississippi

Bo Diddley performing on Ed Sullivan Show

Why New Year Blues?

I believe that a new year brings many chances to change not only our way of life but also a chance to reconcile ourselves to the things we can not change. Yes, I believe all of that ... so "Why the heck am I having trouble this year accepting the life I live now"? Is it because I think that if emphasis had been put on the "people" from the very beginning of this disaster that there wouldn't be such an increase in crime, especially amongst our young people. The last major disaster (Camille) happened 36 yrs. ago and the young of today weren't here to know that things can get better. Desperation seems to be the driving force that make some do things that are not of a criminal nature but, nevertheless, are dishonest or downright unprofessional. For instance, I had a "fender bender" in late November of 2006 and brought my car in to have the bumper replaced. I gave the manager all the necessary info as well as the insurance adjuster's quote minus the deductible. Just before their closing, I got a call that my car was ready after two weeks without it. On pickup they charged me for the entire job. I asked, "What about my insurance?" Manager said, "What insurance?" Happy to say that insurance went after them and all was righted.

There were many things that happened in 2005 obviously but one stands out in my mind. In October 2005, a local doctor that was supposedly treating me banned me from his entire office as I voiced aloud how bad I felt. My search for a new doctor was of a frantic nature as many of our doctors had left the Coast. In December 2005, I found another. It took a while but he was sincerely interested in finding what was wrong with me. He found it in late September of 2006, a thyroid problem. As of today I feel better.

In March 2006, I hired painters to paint the entire outside of my house in order to get backporch damaged Katrina screens fixed as job was too small, other workers would say, when I called. I got a written contract from the foreman that any rotted wood would be replaced. Yep, you got it.... rotten wood everywhere.

I suppose what I am saying, is that I have entered 2007 with a feeling of distrust. If your own won't help you... who will?

I am constantly finding different things on this newer version of blogger that may take an explanation to those readers who may care to leave a comment. When you click to leave a comment you will see Google/Bloggers, Other, and Anonymous. If you are not a blogger yourself, check the anonymous circle and you can leave a comment. I am certain I will approve it. Thanks.

Injuries, Damage Occur In Mississippi Storms; Emergency Declared
Nine people suffered injuries ranging from critical head trauma to broken bones early Friday when a powerful storm system packing a tornado plowed through rural areas of Kemper County on Friday, officials said. There were no reports of fatalities during the storms that began late Thursday and left scattered damage in Harrison, Jones, Kemper, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, and Stone counties, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Well Said Rheta!

Katrina aftermath carries over to the new year

By RHETA GRIMSLEY JOHNSON

HENDERSON, La.

Our friend in the FEMA trailer in the churchyard behind us doesn't know how long into 2007 she'll get to keep the little rig she calls home.

Everyone in authority she asks gives her a different answer.

Meanwhile, Louella works regular hours at a nearby Piggly Wiggly, plus all the overtime she can get. She lost her apartment in Cameron, La., when Hurricane Rita hit. Her daughter and grandsons lost their Cameron home, too. Louella's mother lost her home there as well.

Cameron, for all practical purposes, was destroyed. Louella isn't going back. She's planted flowers around the trailer and likes her job. She'd like to keep the trailer until she saves enough money for more- permanent housing. She'd like to stay near her daughter and help with the child care.

You have to wonder what the government will do with all the used travel trailers when it takes them up like so many overdue library books. You have to doubt that the same stooges who brought us the messed-up distribution of FEMA trailers will perform efficiently and wisely.

A few days before Christmas I dropped by to see my sister-in-law in Pascagoula. Her little house, located about six blocks from the beach, has been gutted and restored. She was lucky. She had some flood insurance, and her church helped with the reconstruction.

St. Stanislaus Students Pray For Classmate's Recovery
Five days after being hit in the head with a baseball bat, Tyler Gardner is still in a coma. The 16-year-old St. Stanislaus student is on a ventilator as family and friends pray for his recovery. Gardner was hurt in some kind of brawl with five friends in Diamondhead. He was found unconscious near the Diamondhead entrance on Golf Club Drive. As Al Showers reports, the incident has left the St. Stanislaus community in shock.

Students Remember Teammate Killed In Shooting
Just two days after her death, the man accused of shooting 17-year-old Tiffany Talley made an appearance in front of a judge. Friday afternoon, a Gulfport judge set 18-year-old Jonathan Barfield's bond at $1 million. Meanwhile, Talley's friends say they're still trying to deal with her tragic death.

Biloxi Family Gets Modular Home
Three months ago, Mississippi lawmakers reduced the sales tax on modular homes. The hope was that a three percent tax instead of a seven percent tax would be an incentive to solve Mississippi's housing crunch. Yet, when WLOX News contacted the five cities in Harrison County Wednesday, we found out that about 60 people have become modular homeowners since the hurricane. One of those people is Linda Hornsby. Her modular home showed up Wednesday morning. Brad Kessie has her story.

Body found on Mobile Causeway is Long Beach man

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPANISH FORT, Ala. - Police have identified the body of a man who was found dead on the Mobile Bay Causeway Wednesday.

Micah Settles, 21, of Long Beach was found on a rock seawall near the Interstate 10 overpass.

Investigators said the cause of death is blunt force trauma. Spanish Fort police chief David Edgar said they're still treating the case as a possible homicide.

Early Morning Accident Claims One Life
Parts of Franklin Creek Road in east Jackson County remain closed this evening. Crews are continuing to clean up the wreckage of an early morning accident involving a gasoline tanker. It happened around five this morning. Meggan Gray was on the scene shortly afterwards and has the story.

Illinois Volunteers Make Rebuilding Homes Top New Year's Resolution Have you broken your New Years resolution yet, or are you taking the right steps to make sure you stay on track? One group has traveled nearly 1000 miles, wasting no time in making sure they're following through with their 2007 promise to help others. They're also vowing to help Katrina victims in Moss Point start this year off in newly repaired homes.

We are just beginning our second day of the New Year and I find myself at a standstill on subjects to write about without singing the same old song. Since November 2005, I have documented many articles that pertained to Hurricane Katrina and wrote personally on my perspective of what was happening in our areas, especially Pascagoula, my hometown. I have spent many hours taking pictures of damage and new construction to "backup" my words. My daughter has a blog with pictures of the damages in her home and the slow process of repairing. She and her husband's determination to rebuild their lives, and that of their children, is commendable. Anita's Blog

I watched news about people online that are blogging, making their own videos and I smiled as I am a minute part of that phenomenon. The news only says so much, sometimes it paints a picture with words for us to believe that is how things are, when in actuality, they are not. Who would have thought just a short time ago that we would be able to communicate with one another as I have with you. Up until now, we have only seen dignitaries and celebrities on the news when there is a vast world of people who have something to say. I am one of them. I was present when Katrina came ashore and experienced overwhelming terror. I struggle in the aftermath on a different level than most people. I have said many times that I didn't lose anything. I didn't in the way of possessions but to lose your functioning cities and landmarks is a loss to me. My travel to Biloxi and Gulfport is curtailed by the lack of a bridge which may have two lanes opened by November of this year. Why not just say maybe sometime in 2008?

I predict a rough year for all of us everywhere. We have lost 3000 of our american soldiers to the war in Iraq, Saddam has been executed. So I say to all of you .... hang on!