Latest Biloxi, Mississippi Stories

By Pam Firmin, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 22--Songs and video clips from past productions of KNS Theater will highlight its 20th anniversary program of "Any Dream Will Do" at 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Saenger Theater in Biloxi. This is KNS' first major fundraiser since Katrina. Proceeds will help replace some of the props, costuming and equipment lost to Katrina. Sponsors are the IP and Beau Rivage casinos. The Saenger's big movie screen will form the stage backdrop, with...

By Anita Lee, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 21--Beach vendors said business is unlikely to rebound for another three to five years, not because of high gas prices, but because post-Katrina issues continue to keep tourists away. Business is better than it was in the summer of 2007, they agree, but still slow since the 2005 hurricane, said Jet Blast owner Duke Middleton. "The repair service is the only thing keeping us going," said Middleton, whose Gulfport company also...

By Doug Barber, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 20--The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has released the schedule of hunter education classes in District Six. All classes are free. Participants are required to attend the entire class and pass a written examination. Hunter education is mandatory for all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1972 and who plan to purchase a Mississippi hunting license. For information on the seating availability of upcoming classes,...

By J.R. Welsh, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 19--HANCOCK COUNTY -- Senior citizens will have a chance to learn more about hurricane preparedness and Alzheimer's disease at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday at the county complex on Longfellow Road. The event will be held by TRIAD, "The Right Information and Direction," a public-information effort coordinated by the Hancock County Sheriff's Department and the SALT Council. Brian Adam, director of the Hancock County Emergency Management...

By Mary Perez, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 19--BILOXI -- After the Biloxi Planning Commission voted 7-6 Thursday to deny rezoning of 81 acres in East Biloxi to Waterfront, the commissioners rescinded that vote and will revisit the issue at the Aug. 7 meeting. "It's not something that happens very often," said Executive Planner Edward Shambra. He's seen the commission rescind the vote only once before, but said it is within the commissioners' rights as long as they do it...

By Jean Prescott, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 18--The calendar's packed with things to do this weekend, lots of community theater, a high-interest movie opening, Joan Rivers and Jay Leno at casinos. So much to do, so little time. Let's start with something that sounds like fun, and it also benefits a worthy cause. The 4th Annual Martini Shakedown -- a whole lotta good food, live music and classy items to bid on -- will be happening at the Beau Rivage for the sake of the...

By Mary Perez, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 18--BILOXI -- After 16 years with Harrah's Entertainment, Karen Sock is leaving her position as senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Grand Biloxi Casino at the end of the month. "I was pleased to be able to support our staff during the recovery," said Sock. "Now it's time for me to go on to other things." She plans to move to her home in the Tradition community and take a trip with her family to South Africa. She intends...

By Mary Perez, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 17--BILOXI -- Casino revenues tanked in most cities across the country but Biloxi smashed its June record, jumping almost $11 million above June 2007. Biloxi's report of $91.6 million in gross casino revenue for June comes ahead of the Mississippi State Tax Commission releasing its figures within the next week for the combined revenues of the Coast, river and state casinos. Biloxi casinos are offering strong incentives to attract...

By Lisa Monti, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 16--GULFPORT -- 27th Avenue Bistro has closed its doors at 1310 27th Ave. downtown. Owner David Vickers, who took over the restaurant six months after Hurricane Katrina and did a complete remodel on the bistro, blamed what he described as the city's slow recovery, more competition and the faltering economy for the restaurant's demise. "There's been nothing, zero, in downtown improvement whatsoever since the storm," he said....

By Mary Perez, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Jul. 16--BILOXI -- Rates for city sewer services will likely rise this year because of a $2 million account shortfall. That was one of the hot topics from a marathon of three morning workshops and a regular afternoon meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, when Bill Stallworth was elected as the new council president. Mike Fitzpatrick was elected vice president. Paula Myers, an accountant with Culumber Fletcher Harvey & Associates in Biloxi,...