Community college baseball is underway at MGM Park right now, with the Gulf Coast Bulldogs hosting St. Louis Community College. The first game of the doubleheader began moments ago, at 4 p.m., and the second game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The baseball contest, part of the Bulldogs’ 18-game slate this season at MGM Park, kicks off a diverse weekend of activities. You’ll find concerts by Lou Gramm (formerly of Foreigner) and KC and the Sunshine Band, and a host of other pursuits.
See a preview of the Bulldogs doubleheader
See the weekend entertainment lineup
Big week coming up in Biloxi
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, elected 270 days ago today, will be delivering his first State of the City address on Tuesday before a capacity crowd at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
The Biloxi Bay Chamber said the doors to the event will open at 11 a.m. for the nearly 700 ticketholders.
Then on Wednesday, the Biloxi Lions Club will name its Oustanding Biloxian of 2015 during a luncheon at the Biloxi Yacht Club.
On Thursday at 11:21 a.m., the Amtrak Inspection Train, a possible precursor to daily passenger rail service, stops at the Biloxi Transit Center at Reynoir and Esters Boulevard. The city and several partner organizations are planning a huge pep rally to greet the train, which will be carrying the president of Amtrak and the governor of Mississippi, among other dignitaries.
The celebration, complete with second liners, a live band and vendors selling food at an outdoor café, begins at 10:45 a.m. The train, by the way, will be at the transit center – the only transit center, by the way, from New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla., — for a total of 10 minutes, so, says Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, “get their early.”
Flashback: See the mayor’s inaugural address
See background on the Amtrak visit
See the Biloxi Whistle Stop flyer
Police thank public for smooth Mardi Gras
“The word’s getting out that we have a really nice family-oriented Mardi Gras,” Biloxi Police Chief John Miller says of the two Biloxi parades, which collectively attracted as many as 80,000 people with a record-low number of arrests.
“On behalf of Mayor Gilich and the City Council, we want to thank the public for making this such an enjoyable Carnival season for us,” said Miller, noting that Biloxi officers arrested only four individuals at the Neptune parade on Saturday night and 11 others at the Gulf Coast Carnival parade on Fat Tuesday.
Capt. Harold “Butch” Windom. who coordinated the police department’s 100-plus Mardi Gras force, said that the chillier weather Tuesday morning and a “force-multiplier” from the Alcohol Beverage Control agents helped reduce issues. ABC agents, who work in plainclothes, cited 45 individuals for alcohol-related offenses.
Biloxi Police have arrested as many as a hundred individuals for various offenses in years past.
“We know where the problem areas typically area,” Windom said, “and we’re able to work to reduce issues in those areas. We were pleased with the way things turned out, and we want to thank the public for helping things go smoothly and enjoyable for everyone.”
See a two-minute, rapid fire video of GCCA by videographer August Taconi
See GCCA photos from before the parade to the Mayor Gilich’s toast to royalty
See GCCA photos from Aris Taconi
City Desk: Inside Mardi Gras security by BPD Capt. Harold Windom
News and notes
Daddy-Daughter Dance: The Parks and Recreation Department is inviting all fathers and daughter to dance the evening away this evening from 7 to 9 at the Donal Snyder Community Center for the third Annual Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance. Admission is free. Cookies and punch will be served and a king and queen will be chosen. To see the flyer, click here.
Learn to swim:Â Due to a high demand for beginner swimming lessons, the Biloxi Aquatics Division has added an additional beginner level class to its Spring Swimming Lessons. Â The class, which replaces an intermediate class, will be held from March 14 through 24 from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Â Lessons are currently being held at the Biloxi Natatorium, 1384 Father Ryan Avenue, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Â To sign up for swimming lessons and for more information including fees, click here.
Development report: The weekly Community Development report, which typically appeared each Friday, will be published each Monday now, along with the Police and Fire departments weekly reports.
City Council agenda: To see the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday afternoon, click here.
