MARCH 2022

INSIDE THE FLAGSHIP CITY

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PASCAGOULA

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

This month, I’m excited to share with you that we’ll be unveiling a 15 foot metal art sculpture in downtown Pascagoula. The best part about it, is that it was designed and built by students at PGSD’s Career & College Technical Institute. It’s a three semester program by the school district and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art called the Pascagoula Public Art Enterprise. Students spent time speaking with different community members about what Pascagoula means to them in order to spark inspiration for the design. The sculpture that will be unveiled on March 18^th at the corner of Delmas Avenue and Pascagoula Street is the first of three art sculptures that will be placed throughout our downtown. This is a wonderful program that allows our students to make their mark on our community while taking an active role in the revitalization of the downtown area. I hope you’ll join us for the unveiling on March 18^th at 5:00 pm, which is right at the start of Main Street’s Third Friday event! -Mayor Jay Willis

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 11: John Ford Coley @ Grand Magnolia, 7:30 pm
MARCH 12: Comedy by the Tracks, 8:30 pm, Jack's by the Tracks
MARCH 15: Industrial Suppliers Group meeting, 8:00 am, Chamber of Commerce
MARCH 18: Art Unveiling, Third Friday, & St. Pat's Parade, 5-8pm, Downtown
MARCH 19: Comedy by the Tracks, 8:30 pm, Jack's by the Tracks
MARCH 25: Pascagoula Area Council, 8:30 am, Chamber of Commerce
MARCH 26: Comedy by the Tracks, 8:30 pm, Jack's by the Tracks
MARCH 31: Ribbon Cutting @ Clary Sage & Apothecary, 4:00 pm

BUENA VISTA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

You probably noticed digging along Buena Vista Street. The work being done is the first phase of a drainage improvement project in the area. This first phase is expected to be completed in the next 60 days. Work on the second phase of the project should begin within the next year. The large drainage improvement project is being paid for with $915,000 in GOMESA funding.

MUNICIPAL COURT AMNESTY DAY

The Pascagoula Municipal Court will host an Amnesty Day on March 24, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. This is a chance for anyone with outstanding warrants and failure to appear/comply charges to pay fines in full without the risk of being arrested or obtaining extra fees. Judge Fondren will be on site to take pleas. If you have questions, contact Court Personnel at (228) 762-2424.

CALL FOR RESUMES: PASCAGOULA REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The Pascagoula City Council is accepting resumes for a seat on the Pascagoula Redevelopment Authority. The PRA is the City's urban renewal agency that offers incentives for investors to develop downtown properties. A term on the PRA is five years. Resumes can be sent to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall (603 Watts Avenue) or emailed to kkennedy@cityofpascagoula.com. The deadline to submit resumes is March 15. Applicants must live in Pascagoula.

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Eric Heidelberg, Gary Randall, and Brenden Green are a three-man beautification and maintenance team for the Parks & Recreation Department. Eric has been with the city for seven years. Brenden and Gary have been part of the team for two years. They are dedicated to their work and take pride in what they do. These three go above and beyond to also assist with event set-up, programs, and athletic events. They are always willing to pitch in with a positive attitude. It is a pleasure to have them as part of the Parks and Recreation team and we are appreciative of all they do to improve our city!

SUMMER CAMP 2022

Registration for summer camp is now open! Camp will run from May 31-July 29. The cost is $90 per week for Pascagoula residents and $110 per week for nonresidents. Click here to register a child for camp. We're also hiring for summer camp staff. We are in need of counselors, assistant counselors, pool managers, and lifeguards. Click here for job applications.

PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS

Karate: Join us at the Parks & Recreation Center for karate classes every Monday and Thursday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm. The class is open to both kids and adults. The cost is $60 per month.

Swim Lessons: Registration for summer swim lessons will open on March 15. Swim lessons are available for kids ages 3 and up. There will be two sessions: June 14-24 and July 12-22. Classes will be held at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, and 10:00 am. Cost is $35 per child.

Adult Volleyball: Our adult athletic programming is growing! Our adult volleyball league will start on March 17. The league features co-ed teams for 6v6 volleyball. Games will be played one night a week at the Andrew Johnson Recreation Center. Be on the lookout for more adult athletics later this year!

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

ST. PATRICK'S NIGHT PARADE

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! Main Street Pascagoula and the O'Blarney Society are teaming up once again to host a night parade in downtown Pascagoula! This year's parade will coincide with Third Friday on March 18 for a full night of fun! Third Friday will start at 5:00 featuring live music from Gram Rea as well as food and drink specials at your favorite downtown spots. The parade will roll at 7:30 pm. The parade will start at the corner of Watts and Magnolia, travel west on Watts, north on Pascagoula Street, west on Delmas, and south on Magnolia, finishing where it started. If you're interested in riding in the parade, click here to register. We can't wait to see you there!

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

In February, there was a ribbon cutting for BenchMark Physical Therapy on Jackson Avenue. BenchMark is part of the Upstream Family of Clinical Care. The Pascagoula location is owned by Zach Moorer who decided to open this business in his hometown and give back to the community. BenchMark offers physical and occupational therapy evaluations and visits. Learn more about them by visiting their website. Welcome to Pascagoula!

SPACEX RIG AT HALTER MARINE

The road to Mars runs through Pascagoula! A second SpaceX oil rig is at Halter Marine. The shipyard has been contracted to do conversion work on the huge rig named Deimos. Click here to read more about Deimos and the project.

INGALLS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF TOP US EMPLOYERS

Huntington Ingalls Industries, which includes our very own Ingalls Shipbuilding, has been recognized by Forbes as one of best large employers in the U.S. HII is the only defense/aerospace contractor to make the top 40 list. We are so proud to have them in Pascagoula! Click here to read the Forbes article.

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Pascagoula-Gautier School District:

The Pascagoula-Gautier School District is the winner of the Governor’s Award from the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education for Outstanding School District-Community Partnership for its efforts in addressing the social and emotional needs of all students. Kristin Sims, PGSD Whole Child Coordinator, has led the initiative for the school district.

The Pascagoula High School NJROTC Air Rifle Team will represent the Navy and Pascagoula against the Army, Air Force and Marine Corp.’s best air rifle teams at the All Service JROTC National Championship in Port Clinton, Ohio March 17-20. Only the top seven schools in each branch of the service earn this opportunity to compete.

The Pascagoula High School Lady Panthers Basketball Team and the PHS Boys Basketball Team clinched the Region 7, Class 6A District Championship. PHS Lady Panthers Head Basketball Coach Crisla Herchenhahn was also selected as the Region 7 6A Coach of the Year.

All 42 PGSD Athletic Teams have been named Scholar-Athlete Teams for the 2021-22 school year.

Resurrection Catholic School:

Resurrection Catholic School has had a busy start to 2022! Both campuses celebrated Catholic Schools Week with many activities such as participating in a Living Rosary and leading a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Downtown Pascagoula. RCS also celebrated their 77^th Annual Carnival Ball where Queen Victoria LXXVII Abby St. Pe and King Victor LXXVII Jack Thomas Schnoor were crowned. This year’s Carnival Ball raised another record breaking amount that will go directly back to the school.

RCS has also continued its excellence in sports. For the second year in a row, the boys’ bowling team were the region champs and marched their way to the State Championship final where they came in 2^nd place. On the hardcourt, the boys’ basketball team advanced to the second round of the State Championship playoffs and Coach Andrew Pickens was named MS Class 1A, Region IV Coach of the Year. Great job Eagles!

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