FEBRUARY 2022

INSIDE THE FLAGSHIP CITY

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PASCAGOULA

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

I’m a big supporter of the arts and I hope to see it grow in our community. I had the pleasure of attending the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra’s “Colors of Europe” performance at the Performing Arts Center in January and had the honor of meeting symphony conductor Peter Rubardt. It marked the first time that the Symphony has ever performed indoors in Jackson County. We’re so fortunate to now have a magnificent facility in Pascagoula where we can enjoy these types of performances. In 2021, the Friends of Arts, Culture, and Education brought the first “Shakespeare in the Park” performance to Beach Park. It was so successful, they’re bringing it back on May 28. Mark your calendar and be on the lookout for more information about the performance. The Friends of Arts, Culture, and Education is a wonderful organization focused on bringing arts opportunities to our youth and our entire community. I’m so grateful they have chosen to expand their programming into Pascagoula in the last year and I encourage you to see what they have to offer for both kids and adults. The arts enrich our community and we should all be supporters of that. -Mayor Jay Willis

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY 10: Business After Hours @ Fleur De Lis Bar, 4:30-6:30 pm,
FEBRUARY 17: Bellamy Brothers @ Grand Magnolia, 7:30 pm
FEBRUARY 19: Krewe of Little Rascals Children's Mardi Gras Parade, 1:00 pm
FEBRUARY 24, 25, 26: Beauty & the Beast @ Performing Arts Center, 7:00 pm
FEBRUARY 26: Jackson County Carnival Association Parade, 1:00 pm
MARCH 1: Blood Drive @ Pascagoula Senior Center, 1:00-6:00 pm
MARCH 5: Sand Sculpture Class near Beach Park Pier, 11:00 am

CHANGES TO JACKSON COUNTY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION ROUTE

The Jackson County Carnival Association Parade is scheduled for Saturday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m. Due to construction on Ingalls Avenue, this year's parade will start at the corner of Lafayette and Market and will end at Ingalls and Pascagoula. Lafayette Avenue is not part of the parade route. Spectating and parking will not be allowed on Lafayette Avenue. Golf carts will not be allowed on the parade route once the roads are closed. Per city ordinance, dogs are not allowed at the parade. We're glad to see Mardi Gras return to our community this year. Please enjoy the revelry safely and responsibly!

POINT PARK BOAT LAUNCH CLOSURE

Work on improvements to Point Park is underway. The boat launches and piers are closed to allow for work on the piers. The boat launch closure is expected to last eight weeks. Improvement work will also consist of paving the existing gravel parking bays. Residents may still park at Point Park while construction at the Point is underway, but are asked to avoid areas that are being worked on.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS COMING DOWNTOWN

At the January 18 meeting, the Pascagoula City Council unanimously approved the installation of an electric vehicle charging station in downtown Pascagoula. Mississippi Power will install the charging station in the public parking lot behind City Hall on Magnolia Street. It will be mounted on a single pedestal, with the capability to simultaneously charge two vehicles in adjacent parking spots. The charger is universal, meaning all makes of electric vehicles can use them.

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION ON MANTOU ST.

Busby Construction LLC is building nine new homes on Mantou Street, just south of Ingalls Avenue. The houses are now up for sale with prices starting in the low $200,000 range. Amenities include nine foot ceilings, walk-in closets, wood cabinets with soft close hinges, quartz countertops, recessed lighting, tongue and groove porch ceilings, and luxury vinyl plank flooring. Those interested in learning more about the homes for sale can call (228) 205-2931.

VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING FOR POLICE

In an effort to provide superior training for our officers, the Pascagoula Police Department has purchased a Virtual Reality Training Simulator. This VR training will help ensure our officers are applying good de-escalation techniques without negative impacts on our officers or citizens. It also provides officers the opportunity to train and react on a vast number of realistic scenarios ranging from intoxicated individuals, domestic violence and active shooter situations, as well as persons with mental health conditions. PPD is the first agency in Mississippi to use this virtual reality training. We know it will help empower officers to improve the safety and quality of life for our community, even more so than they do now. This training came at no cost to the taxpayers, as it was purchased with funds seized by your local narcotics task force! Click here to watch WLOX's feature story.

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Police officers are an important part of this community and Officer JJ Perez knows that. He didn't realize his body camera was on, but it caught him and a recruit playing a game of pickup basketball with a group of kids at MCC Park. The video has gotten a lot of attention and we can see why. Officer Perez makes us #PascagoulaProud! Click here to see WLOX's coverage.

PARKS & RECREATION CAMPS

Spring Break Camp:

March 21-25 from 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
Children ages 6-12
Field trips & activities
$80 for residents, $100 for non-residents
Click here to register your child.

Summer Camp:

May 31-July 29
$90 per week
Registration will open in March
Applications now being accepted for summer camp staff. Click here for applications.

For more information on camps and programming, you can call the Parks & Recreation Department at (228) 938-2356.

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Please help us welcome Gulf Coast Market Pascagoula! The store located 2803 Market Street, Suite A is a compilation of vendors that sell everything from home décor to homemade dog treats. The store also features a photography studio. Their hours are 10-6 Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. Check them out!

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Pascagoula-Gautier School District:

Teacher Academy and the Career and College Technical Institute celebrate Sophia Cuellar, a second year Teacher Academy student, for being awarded the prestigious Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program scholarship. The METP is an elite program of recruitment and professional teacher preparation, similar to an honors college, and is designed to attract top-performing students in the state of Mississippi, as well as surrounding states, into the field of teaching. Sophia will receive tuition, books, and fees for up to four years as well as many other benefits. We are so proud of Sophia and this major accomplishment! Sophia is also a member of the Pascagoula Mayor's Youth Council.

Resurrection Catholic School:

RCS is pleased to announce that Coach Eric Denmark has been named the RCSHS Head Football Coach. Coach Denmark has been an assistant coach on the football staff for nine years. Coach Denmark is a 1981 graduate of Pascagoula High School and a 1986 graduate of the University of Mississippi where he played football for Ole Miss. Coach Denmark has coached and taught at Pascagoula, Moss Point, Gautier, East Central, and Vancleave prior to coming to RCS. When asked about plans for next football season, Coach Denmark said, "I am excited to have Dr. Randy Roth, Coach Rickey Cannette, Coach Van Bodden, and Coach Scott Sisson as part of the staff again. With these coaches, we get years and years of football knowledge and experience. The athletes are excited about next season! We are going to work hard in the weight room and continue being positive. Our goal is to become not only better football players, but, more importantly, to become better Christian young men. As a team, we will accompany each other on the field, in the church, in the classroom, and in the community in our efforts to grow in our faith." Click here to watch WXXV's story on Coach Denmark being named head coach.

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