A host of firefighters, individuals and businesses will be recognized this evening during the Biloxi Fire Department annual awards ceremony, a public event at the Biloxi Civic Center.
In all, 11 acts of bravery and gallantry will be cited during the ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m. Doors to the civic center open at 6:30 p.m.
The event will conclude with the Phil McCabe Five Bugle Award, also known as the chief’s award, where Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney will recognize a firefighter or firefighters, “based on observed behavior and attitude.” The award is named for the first chief of the Biloxi Fire Department, who served from 1883 to 1894 and is credited with helping establish the city’s first fire company, Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, on Sept. 19, 1883, a date generally considered the birthdate of the Biloxi Fire Department.
Lighthouse reminder: The Lighting of the Biloxi Lighthouse takes place this evening in a ceremony from 5:30 to 7 at the Biloxi Lighthouse.
See the program for the awards ceremony evening
See background on the Lighthouse event
Gilich, Hewes lead trade mission to Colombia
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich and Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes led a Coast trade mission to Rionegro and Medellin Colombia earlier this week in hopes of luring a major floral exporter to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
While in Colombia, the mayors’ group met with Santiago Cock-Rada, president of Carmel Flowers, and visited his extensive farm operation in Rionegro. Cock-Rada currently is the leading floral importer to the United States, sending his products northward through Miami International Airport.
The mayors hosted a visit from Cock-Rada and Colombian officials earlier this year, convincing them of the benefits of importing flowers into Gulfport through Gateway America LLC. Gateway offers irradiation treatment at the Coast airport for imported goods.
Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers, Gateway America President Frank Benso and other Coast leaders joined the mayors on the trip to the Antioquia province of Colombia. They met with local government and business leaders to discuss various trade opportunities.
On Monday, Gilich and Hewes signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rionegro Mayor Andrew Rendon that states the parties’ intent to continue developing trade opportunities in business, education, culture and tourism.
Gallery: Photos from Rionegro
News & Notes: Crosswalk installation, movie theater ribbon cutting
Pedestrian bridge installation: Contractors will be installing the pedestrian bridge crosswalk just south of MGM Park on Tuesday night. Detours on U.S. 90 will begin at midnight and are expected to end by 5 a.m. on Wednesday. For background information on the project, click here.
Theater ribbon cutting: A ribbon cutting was held at the new movie theater, Premiere Lux Cine & Pizza Pub, located in the Edgewater Mall, on Wednesday evening. Guests were able to tour the facility and see the amenities. To hear more about the new state-of-the-art theater from Edgewater Mall Manager Terry Powell, click here.
