The Cruisin’ credo: Take your time, enjoy the sights

OK, it’s here again.

More than 7,200 registered Cruisin’ the Coast vehicles, along with an untold number of unregistered vehicles, will be motoring along our beachfront highway and on adjoining thoroughfares, while hundreds line the beachfront to view the passing parade.

Recreational vehicles began showing up on vacant lots in West Biloxi last week, setting up for a weeklong, front-row seat to an event billed as “America’s largest block party.”

So, what’s new this year?

“This year, there are events in Gautier and Pascagoula, which is something new,” said Biloxi Police Chief John Miller, “so that may spread the traffic out at little more. But the thing to remember is what we say every year:

“When in traffic, be patient. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. It’s more of a party atmosphere during Cruisin’, so be patient and realize that you’re not going to get anywhere in a hurry. Enjoy the sights.”

Biloxi’s Downtown Block Party will also have a few changes this year when thousands of Cruisin’ take over the downtown area Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Several downtown streets will be closed beginning early Wednesday morning to allow for the display of vehicles throughout the downtown area.

The Town Green will not have an entertainment stage this year, but instead will be full of Cruisin’ cars. The area in front of City Hall will be the focal point of entertainment, with a stage offering an array of performances, headlined by an 11 a.m. performance by Elvis Impersonator George Thomas.

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is also taking advantage of its beachfront location to host Cruisers.On Wednesday, museum will host the George Ohr Pit Stop from 2 to 7 p.m.  Cruisers and spectators are invited to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and watch the antique cars cruise along U.S. 90. Hamburgers, hot dogs, arts and crafts and free admission to the museum will all be part of the event. To visit the museum website, click here

A word about obeying the law: “We’re asking people to please obey the posted speed limits and drive carefully. We know what happens when we ignore people speeding or drive recklessly,” Miller said. “Accidents occur and people get hurt. We have too many vehicles and too many pedestrians to allow that to happen.”
See the Cruisin’ the Coast Biloxi Block Party flyer
See the Cruisin’ the Coast Biloxi Block Party map
See the Ohr Pit Stop flyer
See the Cruisin’ website
See photos from last year’s event

 

HCUA, Team Waste playing catch up on pickups

Today is Day 1 of the new garbage, trash and recycling contracts for residents of Biloxi, but the Harrison County Utility Authority reports that much of the work in the next several days will be focused on catching up of missed pickups.

Team Waste, whose contract began Oct. 1, will be “allocating additional resources to retrieve garbage that was missed by Waste Pro,” HCUA Director Donald Scharr said in an email earlier today. “Starting this morning, one truck will be working the north D’Iberville route and moving west into the Woolmarket area.  Team Waste will bring in another truck and crew coming off of another route, which will be deployed around lunchtime along the Atkinson Road route in Biloxi.”

HCUA. through field assessments and online complaints, estimates significant numbers of missed garbage pickups in Woolmarket, off Atkinson Road and in the D’Iberville area.

Scharr also said in an email to the city: “As areas are identified, Team Waste will be assigning crews coming in later today off of other contracts to assist in catching up missed HCUA routes.  We will keep you advised on the progress of these efforts.”

About those Waste Pro carts: Waste Pro, which now serves only Gulfport is supposed to be retrieving its green garbage carts and recycle bins this week. Residents should leave them by the roadside for pickup.

Your new garbage and recycling carts: If you do not have a brown garbage cart, please call Team Waste now at (228) 328-1820.

Have a service issue? The Harrison County Utility Authority has set up a one-call number for missed trash or garbage pickups or other issues. The number to call is (228) 701-9086. 

 

Firefighters want your attention on fire prevention

The Biloxi Fire Department is preparing to observe October as Fire Prevention month by dousing residents with fire safety information.

Firefighters from the city’s nine fire stations will be canvassing neighborhoods this month in an effort to make sure Biloxi homes have working smoke detectors.

The Fire Prevention Month effort, called “Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention,” is a project of the Biloxi Fire Department and enhances the department’s proactive goals of educating residents on precautions to prevent potentially harmful fires and ways to survive them.

“Our firefighters will go out into neighborhoods on Saturday, Oct. 14, 21, and 28 to offer free fire safety tips to homeowners,” Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney said. “We’ll also be checking smoke detectors and have free smoke detectors for those older homes that need them.”

Those Biloxi residents interested in having a home visit or a free smoke detector should call the Biloxi fire chief’s office at 228-435-6200.

Said Boney: “This is not just about smoke detectors. This is about fire safety.”
See the Smoke Detector Program form
See a fire safety check list
See a smoke alarm safety sheet

 

News and notes

The week that was:  Last week in the city, the Fire Department answered 119 calls for service, including 73 for medical and four for fires; the Police Department answered 2,151 calls for service; the Community Development Department issues 64 building permits with a construction valuation of more then $1.2 million; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city.  To see the complete reports, click here.

Lifeguards needed:  The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department is hiring for part-time lifeguards.  Individuals must be at least 16 years of age and have current certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED; and Lifeguard training from the American Red Cross or YMCA.  For more information, click here