HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

clipart courtesy of:

Highway patrol identifies surviving driver from fatal crash

By ROBIN FITZGERALD

rfitzgerald@sunherald.com

The surviving driver in Tuesday night's fatal crash on U.S. 49 in Saucier has been identified as a 34-year-old Indiana man.

Michael D. Agnew, of Vincennes, Ind., pulled in front of a southbound motorcycle at the West Wortham Road intersection around 7:25 p.m., said Master Sgt. Joe Gazzo of the state Highway Patrol.

Michael Haverkamp, 43, of Alto, Mich., died in the collision.

Agnew, driving a 1989 Buick Regal, was attempting to cross the southbound lanes and turn north when the 2004 Harley Davison driven by Haverkamp struck the left rear of his car, Gazzo said.

The crash remains under investigation.

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "Biloxi Shooting on Pass Road Injures Keesler Airman
An airman stationed at Keesler was the victim of a drive by shooting Wednesday morning. It happened just before 7 a.m. near the intersection of Pass Road and Popp's Ferry Road. Police are searching for the shooter."

State Farm Says No New Commercial/Homeowner Policies In Mississippi
State Farm Insurance Cos. is suspending sales of any new commercial or homeowner policies in Mississippi effective Friday, citing in part a wave of litigation it has faced after Hurricane Katrina, a company official said Wednesday. Mike Fernandez, vice president of public affairs for State Farm, said Mississippi's "current legal and political environment is simply untenable. We're just not in a position to accept any additional risk in this homeowners' market."

My daughter, Anita, sent me the following lyrics of a song which we think mirrors not only our feelings but those of the Coast!


OUR TOWN - LYRICS

OUR TOWN - SONG

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars: "Freeze will follow storm "

In Jackson County, the storm cell spawned a tornado in Gulf Park Estates, bringing a tree down across Simmons Bayou Road, but leaving structures undamaged.

Small hail was reported in Pascagoula, Moss Point and at Mississippi 57 and Interstate 10, where a tornado also was sighted.

Around 7:20 a.m. a volunteer firefighter reported the tornado, but it didn't touch down, said Butch Loper, director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency. It was believed to have passed north of the Ocean Springs Wal-Mart on U.S. 90. The firefighter also reported debris on the interstate holding up traffic near where he spotted the tornado.

At 9 a.m., Moss Point reported a major two-car wreck on Mississippi 63, in which a car hit a pole and flipped onto a truck.

As the storm system passed through about 11 a.m., a heavy fog settled on U.S. 90 between Gautier and Pascagoula and several blocks into both cities. At mid-day, visibility was less than 50 yards.

In Jackson County, Singing River Electric Power Association crews restored power by late morning to 1,500 members. The outages were in St. Martin, Ocean Springs and Fountainbleu.

Coast Electric had about 300 customers lose power that was restored by late morning and more than 600 Mississippi Power customers lost power that was restored by noon.

The weather forecaster alerted us last evening to a severe system that would pass through our area. I was up most of the night and not a drop of rain fell. NOTHING! So I fell asleep where I lay, in my recliner. Just before 7:00AM the rain started ... it got pretty wild with wind, lightning and rainfall. My feelings on the weather, since Katrina, is each time I make it through the unstable weather that we are experiencing, is that I have dodged yet another bullet!

My Backyard

Holloway Stresses Biloxi's "Spirit" In His Annual Address
The downtown Biloxi library will be rebuilt on the old Dukate school property. At a speech Monday afternoon, Mayor A.J. Holloway announced the library would be on the third floor of a new Howard Avenue community center. In his State of the City speech, Holloway credited residents for being so resilient. "The spirit of our city is as strong as ever," he said. Brad Kessie reports.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gautier/Vancleave

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gautier/Vancleave: "Northrop Grumman Employees Help Build Habitat Homes In Gautier
Northrop Grumman personnel from around the world hung up their suits and ties and grabbed some hammers and drills Monday. The group traveled to South Mississippi for an ethics conference, but spent this day helping others by working with Habitat for Humanity."

This writing will contain a personal mixture of happenings in the crazy topsy- turvy world I find myself living in. After being very organized in my life prior to Katrina, the things I do now to take care of situations that arise aren't so well thought out anymore. Why? Because in chaos you have no choice. Take insurance for instance, I renewed my policy for 2007 by sending in my premium this past December. I read the policy just a couple of weeks ago and I have no idea what I am covered for. I do know that I am not covered for mold.. They made a mistake on the age of the roof, stating it was 25 yrs. old. A new one was put on in1999, after Hurricane Georges. So today I called and was informed that I didn't take advantage of paying another $254.00 on my annual premium to allow my deductible to remain at $1000.00 and she said if a hurricane hits, as your policy stands, you will have to pay a $7,000.00 deductible. I asked where was the information and she said in your policy. Not very clear was it? I guess the mold affected my brain. See what I mean .. no choice. I will send the additional money. My new washer and dryer was installed Saturday. Sunday morning I looked out to this. Oh No! Not Again!


There aren't many pictures of new construction that I can take without repeating what I have already taken. Construction is moving but very slowly. The few pictures I have are of homes that were damaged inside by water. Many people are in trailers while their homes are being repaired.






For those of you who may remember, the huge dead pine tree that hovers threateningly over my house has been marked with green paint to be taken down as a danger to property. I will add danger to life also. Mine! Unfortunately, the deadline to clear all the thousands of marked trees is February 28th. Unless the deadline is extended it can't happen.

Snowbirds Make Their Way Back To South Mississippi
They're a unique group of birds who come down each winter to thaw out and get in a few swings on the green. Following Katrina, the snowbirds stopped coming down as frequently as before. But thanks to more lodging, and post-Katrina course improvements, golfers are making their way back to South Mississippi. Krystal Allan talks to some snowbirds who say they're happy to be back on the coast.

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "Mad Potter Comes Home
The Mad Potter has finally come home. After a year and a half of being displaced and packed away, some precious pieces of George Ohr's Pottery are back in south Mississippi. Meggan Gray talks with the Ohr O'Keefe Museum director about this triumphant return. "

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source: "911 and Katrina, Still With Us: An Obituary that Tells a Story of the Loss of a Gulfport Family's Son - GCN"

ARTICLE

It was another pretty day with high's in the low 50's with lots of sunshine. A day to be out and about enjoying it, but I was waiting on Sears delivery to come install my new dryer. It's a long story as most things are but I will make it as brief as possible. Remember I am using this blog to document not only news in our area but in my own life. A diary of a sort.

When I moved into what was not a new home in May 2005. I had just enough time to find out a few drawbacks before Katrina made landfall. One was a washer and dryer that was housed in the garage. It was a selling point to me as the fewer things I had to do would be exactly what I was looking for. I soon found out that the knob that operated the washer didn't work. I cornered a "handyman" that sometimes worked for neighbors and he said, "Oh, it works you have to put your fingers behind the knob to the metal bar and turn." He couldn't fix it and I couldn't find a washing machine "knob fixer". So I made sure I was grounded before I touched those machines. I placed rubber mats before each one of them and I was never barefoot, I wore rubber soled shoes. Then Katrina came ashore and my intention to buy a new set went by the wayside. I forgot to mention that I never could tell what cycle I was on. Many times I went out to remove clothes from washer and although it drained it was full of suds. I went to Sears on the 5th of this month to get new appliances, Didn't need anything fancy as they would be in the garage so I was looking for cheap. The set cost me $1134.00. Where have I been to think they were still reasonably priced. I was told that I would have to purchase a new cord for the dryer or I wouldn't qualify for the one year warranty. "Two or three prong?" they asked. I tried to remember when or if I ever had looked at the cords on a dryer and noted what prong they were. I said I didn't know and to just bring both of them with delivery and I will pay for the one I needed. Yesterday they arrived at 3:30PM and told me I was the last delivery. I got two very tired men and one was very anxious to go. They installed the washer and said sign here and I looked at the dryer still in its box. "What about the dryer"? We can't install that, the anxious one said, as you didn't pay for the cord so we didn't bring it. Well he may have been anxious but I became fighting mad and threatening. You know the usual threats, "I am going to own Sears if they don't make this good." After several phone calls, Sears reps said they would send the cord back with the guys. They came and installed the dryer today. Anita and Dave came later and balanced them for me as the guys should have done. I didn't ask them why they didn't do it as I just wanted them to go. Now I have a bigger problem... they are too nice for the garage. I am thinking about parking the car in the driveway, repainting the walls , the concrete and throw a few scatter rugs around.

Okay that may have been a totally boring discount but I just wanted you who read my ramblings on a regular basis to know that I just don't drive around snapping pictures.

I put up a few news articles today and as usual it seems we had a couple of murders. Also a man died yesterday as he was cutting a tree down. He had belted himself just where the tree split and fell. A man and his young son died in a mobile home fire. We have been living a nightmare for a long while now and I often wonder what is to become of all of us. How much can people take?

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Two Gulfport Men Charged With Murder

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Two Gulfport Men Charged With Murder: "Twenty six year old Aarien Jorna Burks, and 21 year old William Lloyd Henderson, both of Gulfport, are charged with two counts of capital murder 66 year old Phil Deming and 68 year old Elisabeth New of Gulfport.

Deming and New were found dead in a FEMA trailer Park off Canal Road in Gulfport. Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove says Deming died of hyperthermia and New died of a gunshot would to the chest."

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "
Your Hometown News - Biloxi
Ohio International Guard Help Rebuild On The Gulf Coast
As people along the coast continue to rebuild, one family got help all the way from Ohio. A group from the Ohio International Guard are putting aside their military duties to serve in a different way. Saturday afternoon members of the Ohio International Guard took a break from training to help rebuild a Biloxi home."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: News & Video

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: News & Video: "Two Bodies Found In FEMA Trailer Park
Harrison County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a possible double homicide. Authorities say the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered Friday afternoon at a FEMA trailer park on Canal Road. Major Wayne Payne says the bodies have been inside the trailer for several days. A cause of death is not known at this time, and the victims have not been identified."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Home

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Home: "Ocean Springs Fire Kills Two
A man and his three year old son died in a trailer fire Friday night in Ocean Springs. Captain Louie Miller says the fire broke out about 9:15 last night at a trailer on Gibson Road. The names of the victims have not been released yet, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Ocean Springs/St Martin

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Ocean Springs/St Martin: "Nursing Scholarship Named For Fallen Jackson County Soldier
A Jackson County soldier who died fighting for his country is being honored with a scholarship in his name. Sergeant Sean M. Cooley was a member of The Army National Guard when he was killed in Iraq. As Patrice Clark reports, friends and family are now committed to keeping his memory alive by continuing his legacy of giving."

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars: "Coast offers help to Florida after tornadoes
Before Hurricane Katrina's winds had died down completely, law-enforcement officers from Florida were in South Mississippi to help.
( By MELISSA M. SCALLAN, mmscallan@sunherald.com, 02/09/2007 03:01 AM CST)"

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "Camp Shelby Volunteers Help Rebuild A Biloxi Home
Soldiers from Camp Shelby are wrapping up another successful mission of helping South Mississippi rebuild. But the Shelby detachment is just part of a larger army that's been working to bring Mary Clark back home to east Biloxi."

Warr Tells Gulfport "We Are Traveling Uncharted Waters"
Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr will not let Hurricane Katrina define his city. Warr made that declaration Thursday during a 45 minute state of the city address. The mayor used his annual speech to remind citizens that Hurricane Katrina caused about $155 million in damage to his city. As Brad Kessie reports, Warr said there were lot of things left to fix -- from the messed up waterfront to the parks in Orange Grove.

Community Rebuilds Bayou View Park Tonight, Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr will give his state of the city address. In that address, he'll update his city's hurricane recovery. A recovery that's being helped along by residents pitching in and helping the commmunity heal. One such project is the restoration of Gulfport's Bayou View Park, which started a year ago. With just a few weeks left until the park reopens, organizers say the rebuilding process is far from over.

TOP STORY

Bridge on schedule
Contractors will get $5M bonus if deadlines are met
By TOM WILEMON, tewilemon@sunherald.com
Building a bridge is no simple task. Consider this. So much concrete is being used in the new Biloxi Ocean Springs Bridge that the 86,000 cubic yards would be enough to pour a sidewalk from here to Greenville.

Green and Yellow Houses

I have posted pictures before of the affordable houses that are being built around Pascagoula. They are not just on the street I depict. There is more of a grouping in this area. I have seen a scattering in other neighborhoods. All are in approximately the same vicinity. The ones below are on Choctaw.


All of this is painfully slow. We have come a long way since the storm but realize that there is much more work ahead of us. Something I would like to see again is pretty landscaping. Market Street's median looks good but thieves have been stealing the plants, especially the small palms. West Beach Boulevard is going to have a facelift in the very near future. So rebuilding is finally taking place all around the coast. There are still too many families in Fema trailers, we must do all we can to get them into a home again.

On the upside, tomorrow's forecast is for one more day of sun and the downside, rain will return!

Pascagoula New Construction

The weather was nice today with a high of 66 degrees. I received my new camera yesterday and learned enough about how it operates to at least take a few pictures to show you. I tried taking a video but I don't think you would be interested in looking at my car's dashboard, my right leg and foot. When I improve, you will be seeing videos. As I drive around I have to remind myself how much it has improved in our area and not focus on what is not good. The most amazing thing to me is the amount of debri that once littered the grounds. People are building their homes again but it is moving slowly. My daughter, Anita, still has an incomplete kitchen. Instead of completing a room the workers go to another room to put up new baseboards That sounds good but they don't finish that either before moving to something else. I have thought perhaps they are bored and they need diversion. It is very difficult for my daughter and the four children to live the way they are. I think the contractors have so many jobs that they may come for two days out of a week and then they are gone for a week to other jobs they also have. You want to tell them to hit the road but you hesitate as they need to stay around to fix the helter skelter messes they have made.

The first picture is of a house that I have been watching for a while. One that is high on pilings. I think you may agree, they have made a very appealing new home for themselves.


The house below was heavily damaged by the storm but it is livable again and nestles nicely under the oaks..


That's about all I have today. Now I am going to watch "Lost" and see if Sawyer is as cute as I thought.

Pay, residency hurt M.P. police

By MARY PEREZ

SUN HERALD

MOSS POINT - Police Chief Demetrius Drakeford told the Board of Aldermen Tuesday night that raising the pay and eliminating the residence requirement could help the city fill the nine vacancies on the police force.

Alderman Shorty Middleton said he's asked at least five police offers who left the force why they quit.

"Pay was their No. 1 concern," he said, and noted that Moss Point police salaries are still under that of Gautier and other neighboring cities.

Alderman Tommy Hightower pointed out, "The police department has a number of officers that have not met the residency requirement, some of them going back to 1994." Members of the force are required to live in Jackson County, but that requirement was waived for a year after Hurricane Katrina.

Drakeford said other cities are moving to allow their police officers to live within a 50 mile radius. When Hightower asked if the board should look at a similar proposal, Drakeford replied: "I think it would definitely help us in our recruiting. It would help us get better applicants."

Hightower said he's been inundated the past three weeks with calls from residents in the Riverwood subdivision who have seen several burglaries and car thefts.

"There's some irate people," Hightower said, and they want to see police patrolling their neighborhood.

The Sun Herald | 02/06/2007 | Six South Mississippi teams in soccer semis

The Sun Herald | 02/06/2007 | Six South Mississippi teams in soccer semis: "Six South Mississippi teams in soccer semis
OLA hosts St. John; winner heads to Jackson
By JAMES JONES
jkjones@sunherald.com

Our Lady Academy meets a familiar opponent in its path to winning a possible seventh Class 1A/2A/3A girls state soccer championship.

The Lady Crescents (15-3-2) entertain St. John (11-4-2) in the 1A/2A/3A South State finals tonight.

OLA and St. John are two of six South Mississippi teams that reached the state semifinals. The state finals will be held on Friday and Saturday at Millsaps College for the second straight year.

'Is the third time the charm?' St. John coach Jackie Wright said. 'That's what we're hoping. We have to score first. Playing on top has helped us this season.'

OLA swept the Lady Eagles during the regular season, winning 1-0 and 2-1 to capture the Division 8-1A/2A/3A title."


My granddaughter, Jordan, is on St. John's team.

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source: "Pascagoula and MDOT to Build $1 Million Beach Promenade - Mississippi Press"

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Seabees Deploy Overseas

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Seabees Deploy Overseas: "'First platoon reports all present,' the officer in charge yelled, as several hundred Seabees prepared to board buses Monday morning.

They are mission-ready after months of training. Based in Gulfport, these Seabees come from all over America.

'Long Island, New York,' said Victoria McReynolds, in a strong New Yorker accent.

She's not the least bit nervous about the mission. This mother will be serving alongside Seabees who aren't much older than her 15 year old son.

'This is going to be my second deployment. And I like it. Seabees are awesome. I like the work we do. It's good,' she said, smiling."

Where is the camera I ordered? Amazon at times uses third parties that actually have the desired item in stock and it is their responsibility to get the order to the customer. At the same time I ordered an extra memory card for the camera which Amazon had in stock. It came through the postal service and I have had it for 3 days now. Weren't all the other carriers suppose to somehow do better than the post office? Tracking tells me that FedEx has the camera and it is in transit. So maybe I will find a package propped against the front door tomorrow. Why didn't I just go to Wal-Mart's?

I guess most of you watched the Super Bowl. My bet was on the Colts not because I knew anything about them but since the Bears won over the Saints, I didn't want them to win this one. After watching the Bears and Saints in the playoff, I found out something late in the game of my life, I like football! As for my remark about the Bears, there is no way that I wouldn't like them. My husband was from Chicago.

There isn't much to report in the way of news tonight. It usually takes to about Wednesday for local news to change after a weekend. I was hoping I would find news on the gunshots that I heard. Maybe I will never know what happened but the firing of a gun is serious to me.

It's still cold here, which is very unusual for our area. Since Katrina, I have used the word "unusual" many times. I think I can say with certainty that we ALL live in an unusual time of uncertainty!

See you!

The Sun Herald | 02/05/2007 | FEMA hearing complaints after Florida tornados

The Sun Herald | 02/05/2007 | FEMA hearing complaints after Florida tornados: "FEMA hearing complaints after Florida tornados
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DeLAND, Fla. - Some tornado victims applying for disaster aid Monday said they felt lost in the bureaucratic maze of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has pledged that it is much nimbler after learning from its flat-footed response to Hurricane Katrina.

FEMA chief David Paulison and Gov. Charlie Crist have said the agency was quick to respond to the three central Florida tornados that killed 20 and left hundreds homeless. But scattered complaints drifted in among the 400 people who had registered so far for help."

TIME FOR THE BIG GAME
Despite Urlacher's imposing play, Colts still the favorite
By DAVE GOLDBERG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Forget the perception that the Chicago Bears are mere patsies for Peyton Manning.

We have had a very cold winter this year and I am tired if it. Most of the time the sun refuses to come out from behind really dismal clouds. It seems that the weather has gone awry. Florida took a devastating blow from a tornado yesterday and looking at the destruction brought back painful memories of what happened to us in Mississippi. The most tragic thing about disasters is the loss of life. To lose children and young teens brings horrific pain. Why do these things happen?

We seem to be in a state of lawlessness in our area. Last night I heard four gunshots, fired in rapid succession. At this writing, there has been no news reporting what took place. Today at 11:53AM something hit the roof and rolled. The foyer closet rattled. Usually, even though it is not proven, it is blamed on a sonic boom. This is happening all over the United States.

Reports from around the Country on "Booms"

On the morning that hurricane Katrina was going to strike us, we were standing on the front porch and we heard this eery rumble. What was that? Well, we are convinced that it was obviously the sound of a huge "wave" bearing down on us. Until it is proven otherwise, we stand by our conclusion that Katrina was not a normal hurricane. Remember the Stealth Bomber? Many UFO sightings could have been the airplane the public didn't know about.I have often wondered when the Stealth's existence was finally revealed, what new technology took it's place?

There are no pictures tonight as my new camera has not arrived. If the bad element here is not checked soon, I might get pictures of crimes being committed. Accidentally of course .. I certainly won't be looking for it. I have had enough excitement.

Will be back soon!

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Ocean Springs/St Martin

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Ocean Springs/St Martin: "AJ Giardina Reports On Fire Hydrants That Don't Work
If there was a fire at your house, you'd expect the fire hydrant on your block to work. A St. Martin couple found out the tragic consequences when the hydrants on Bayou Place didn't work. They called Action Reporter A.J. Giardina, who started asking questions and found some disturbing answers."

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Pascagoula: "Gautier & Beach Elementary Schools Will Rebuild
Two Jackson County schools are now on the road to recovery. Katrina caused millions of dollars of damage to both Gautier Elementary and Beach Elementary in Pascagoula. Many students were displaced from their regular classrooms, and a lot of people questioned the fate of the two buildings. Keli Rabon has the latest on work to bring both schools back to life."

Members Salvage Steeple During Gulfport Church Demolition
A long-time landmark in downtown Gulfport is about to disappear. The demolition is underway on First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Highway 90 and 24th Avenue. But before the sanctuary is completely cleared, the congregation is trying to salvage the biggest, and perhaps most precious piece of the 42-year-old church.

Strong Storms Destroy, Kill Overnight - from TBO.com

Strong Storms Destroy, Kill Overnight - from TBO.com - Florida

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source

Gulf Coast News - Your Mississippi Coast News Source: "Three Men Injured in Tuesday Night Shooting in Pascagoula, Investigation Continues - Mississippi Press"

The Sun Herald | 02/01/2007 | Wind pool plan passes

The Sun Herald | 02/01/2007 | Wind pool plan passes: "Wind pool plan passes
House displays rare show of bipartisanship
By GEOFF PENDER
capitalbureu@aol.com

JACKSON - The Coast's House delegation put forth a rare, unified and nonpartisan front in pushing for relief from the post-Katrina insurance crisis and on Wednesday it paid off, with a rare, unified vote of the House to approve the plan.

Perhaps most remarkable, inland lawmakers in the usually territorial House, during an election year, approved a bill to help the Coast that could cost their constituents money on their insurance premiums."

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "Page 13 Tells The Story Of One Family's Katrina Angels
While so many people were robbed of personal possessions by Hurricane Katrina, we keep hearing wonderful stories about people who discovered items amid the debris. A Biloxi family has found comfort in the recovery of pieces in a very special collection. Katrina Angels on tonight's Page 13"

My grandson likes his PC very much and has become quite a "whiz" so I know that he will be at my blog to see if I mentioned his special day. How could I forget? Happy Birthday George!

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Gulfport Student Brings Loaded Handgun To School

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Gulfport Student Brings Loaded Handgun To School: "Gulfport Police say a student brought a loaded gun to North Gulfport 7th & 8th Grade School Tuesday. School administrators found the 22 caliber handgun on campus and called police.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested. He's being held at the juvenile detention center until his first court appearance."

In November 2005, when I began blogging, my intention at that time was to bring awareness to our devastated areas. I hope I have done that. My writings touch on various emotions that I experienced during the storm and living in its aftermath. Although I can't speak for all the people, perhaps through sharing my "ups and downs", you have gained insight into what people are living. I didn't lose my home, so just imagine what so many that weren't so fortunate are going through.

I have taken hundreds of pictures to show you. Although the written word can describe what is taking place, a picture says it all. I have blogged many news reports which unfortunately do not stay around. They do not belong to me and so they may be archived or sometimes deleted. My apologies if you click on a link and it goes nowhere.

As soon as I receive my new camera, hopefully there will be pictures of new construction. Until then ... please remember Mississippi. I will leave you with a song "We Have Only Just Begun"!

Caretaker or just taker?
Volunteer's past has some fearing for safety of locals' financial data
By RYAN LaFONTAINE, rlafontaine@sunherald.com
Kathleen Johnson, the volunteer at the center of a tussle with City Hall, seems to have a troubled past that city officials claim ignited the recent ruckus over files and donations.

Fire Damages Businesses, Sends One to the Hospital
Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire Tuesday afternoon which damaged a trio of businesses on Pass Road near Hewes Avenue. The flames caused heavy damage to the Furniture Ranch as well as to an adjoining FEMA facility. The fire also caused some damage and startled students at J&J Hair Design. Toni Miles talks to witnesses and one of the building's owners who believes a space heater may be to blame.

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gulfport: "Saucier Man Charged In Bank Robbery
A Saucier man is in police custody, accused of robbing the Hancock Bank on Highway 53 Tuesday afternoon. Deputies say Jason Lee Keller, 27, is charged with armed robbery."

Some Coast Residents Worry About How the Coast Redevelops - Clarion Ledger

Volunteers Shoulder Rebuilding on the Coast - MSNBC

FEMA Approves $29 Million for Recovery Projects and Assistance from Florida

FEMA Approves $29 Million for Recovery Projects and Assistance from Florida

New Orleans mayor: Where's the money?

Brrr!! It has been cold here. I am trying to determine if I have the beginnings of a cold or if I am allergic to the fumes of gas heat. I stayed home today not because I feel bad or anything, it was out of respect for my digital camera ... it "died" yesterday. Of course, my dropping it might have hastened its death. Immediately, Amazon received an order from me ... my new camera will be here before the weekend. I love this digital camera craze maybe a little excessively but there is a reason, there always is. As a young married couple with three young children that we referred to as little stairsteps, meaning they were very close in age, we didn't have the money for a good camera. My first camera was purchased for $5.00 and the label off a cocoa product. There were many reasons to not like that camera but the one I hated the most was trying to get the roll of film in without exposing it. Everything was in black and white then which I also didn't like. So drab! The digital is perfect for what I am doing and my new one will operate even better.

On the local news, crime seems to be increasing at an alarming rate, especially in Gulfport. Many homes are under construction in Pascagoula, of a new design in order to comply. We will get use to it in time. I noticed when I took pictures of the Katrina cottage that it was approximately 12 inches off the ground. A heavy downpour would flood the house. Maybe they will be put on ground that has been elevated to the required height. Sure hope so or it would be unfair to the people that elevated 23 ft.. When I drive around taking pictures, I sometimes feel sad. We have been hit with an overwhelming blow but still we are continuing on with our lives.

Mississippi still isn't in the news much except to complain about how much money has come into our state or how uneducated we all are. Civil rights issues from 40 years ago immediately made headlines before our fears calmed and our tears dried. My thoughts on being an underdog may be slightly different from most people but I believe that one day the Last shall be First!

See you soon!

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

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Gulfport: "AJ Giardina Reports On Burglaries At A Gulfport Shopping Center
Burglaries in a Gulfport shopping center have merchants wondering who'll be hit next. Police confirm in the last three weeks, there have been ten burglaries and six attempted burglaries in the Norword Village Shopping Center. But some shop owners say even after they alerted police, the crimes have continued. That's when some merchants contacted Action Reporter A.J. Giardina."

Biloxi Mayor Vetoes Condo Proposal
Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway has vetoed three measures that would have allowed construction of the Tower at Edgewater, a 29-story condominium tower in west Biloxi. Five councilmembers would have to vote in favor of overriding the mayor's veto, within 10 working days. The original council vote on the proposal was 4-3. The location of the Tower at Edgewater is between Edgewater Village, and the 22 story Beau View condo.

How did the main stream get so far off the beaten path?

How did the main stream get so far off the beaten path?: "
How did the main stream get so far off the beaten path?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
By REBA McMELLON The Mississippi Press

It seems the line between right and wrong has switched places. It's not simply an issue of accepting differences and abnormalities; abnormal is becoming the new normal and immoral the new moral."

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars

SunHerald.com : Biloxi and Gulfport News, Casinos, Jobs, Real Estate, Sports and Cars: "U.S. District Court Judge L.T. Senter Jr.
REJECTED
Senter gives State Farm settlement the axe
By ANITA LEE, calee@sunherald.com
Coast policyholders and attorneys roundly applauded U.S. District Court Judge L.T. Senter Jr.'s decision to reject a proposed class-action settlement of State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.'s Katrina claims."

Today was another pretty day with morning lows in the 30's. I intended to just hang around the house as I haven't been feeling well lately ... nothing serious. Just trying to arrive at a correct dosage of a hormone to treat an underactive gland. Funny how quickly we can perk up when something we like to do presents itself. My daughter, Anita, called and asked, "Would you like me to pick you up and we can go sightseeing?" Great idea and I didn't have to drive. Of course, I took a few pictures around Pascagoula of new construction. If you click on the second picture to enlarge, you will see a white crane in the marsh, I couldn't resist.

Beach and Water Cleanup Finds Explosives, Hazardous Chemicals - GCN