Biloxi relief team headed to Hattiesburg, Petal

The disaster relief team from the city’s all-volunteer fire museum, West End Hose Co. No. 3, will be responding next week to a call for help from Hattiesburg and Petal tornado victims, and residents of Biloxi be a part of the effort.

Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney, whose team from West End Hose Co. No. 3 has helped recovery efforts after natural disasters across the country, said the museum has received requests from the Hattiesburg and Petal area to help first responders with their personal recovery efforts.

“So many of these first responders have their hands full with helping the public right now that they can’t take care of their own recovery,” Boney said. “That’s where we come in. We initially called to let them know we’re here, and they initially said no, as most firefighters do, but now we’ve received a call for help on their behalf.”

The West End Hose Co. No. 3 volunteers, made up primarily of retired and off-duty firefighters, will work from daybreak to sunset daily, from Tuesday through Friday or Saturday of next week.

Play your part: Residents in Biloxi and the surrounding area, meantime, can help the effort by donating online through the West End Hose Co.’s secure GoFundMe account. The money will be used for fuel costs and relief supplies.
Listen to the Boney on this week’s City Desk podcast
Visit the GoFundMe account

 

Biloxi getting in the Mardi Gras spirit

Applications are now available for the annual Biloxi Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade, which is open to those ages 12 and under. This year’s theme is The Luck and Lore of Superstition. Participants can walk, bike, skate or be pushed in strollers or wagons in this parade, which takes place Saturday, Feb 18. 

After the parade, the Biloxi Mardi Gras Museum will host a free Mardi Gras celebration which includes arts and crafts, pictures with 2016 King d’Iberville, James Hardaman and Queen Ixolib, Kimberley Rushton, refreshments, and a costume and float contest.  Applications are being distributed this week through Biloxi schools and can also be picked up from the Biloxi Visitors Center or at Biloxi recreation facilities.

Get your shirts: To help get everyone looking ready for Mardi Gras, the Biloxi Visitors Center is now selling their annual Mardi Gras in Biloxi Shirts.  This year’s design features a picture of the 1971 King d’Iberville, Sam Alman, on his float passing the Biloxi Lighthouse. These long sleeve T-shirts are $20 (tax included). Says Visitors Center Manager Bill Raymond: “Quantities are limited and do sell out every year.”
See the children’s parade application
See the commemorative Mardi Gras shirts
See the 2017 parade maps
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News and notes

Podcasting: In this week’s “City Desk” podcast. hear about the big issues at this week’s City Council meeting, namely the proposed Belle La Vie planned community project; progress on the State of the City presentation; and Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney discusses a relief effort in the works for tornado victims in the Hattiesburg and Petal area.  To listen to the podcast, click here.

Traffic update: To see the latest status on roadwork throughout the city, click here.

Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance: The fourth annual Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance, a production of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, takes place on Friday, Feb. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Donald M. Snyder Sr. Community Center. To see how you can be a part of the free affair, click here.