Singing River Health System names first female CEO
Gulf Live
Warren Kulo | June 30, 2022
After serving as the interim Chief Executive Officer since March 1, Tiffany Murdock has been named the permanent CEO for Singing River Health System. In being tabbed for the post, Murdock becomes the first female CEO in the health system’s history. “On behalf of the board of trustees, we are pleased to have Tiffany continue to lead our health system in a positive direction”, said board president Erich Nichols. “She has a proven track record of strategically leading the health system in a direction that is in the best interest of our staff and community while ensuring the quality of care for our patients comes first.”
Health group expands care in Moss Point
WLOX
Amber Spradley | July 11, 2022
Coastal Family Health Center is expanding its services with the opening of the team’s first pharmacy in Moss Point. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held Monday morning symbolically marked their first day. “Anytime you see the big scissors that look like they’re on steroids, it’s a good sign because it means that something new and exciting is happening in a community in Jackson County,” Chamber of Commerce President Paige Roberts said.
Ocean Springs chamber director added to state board
Gulf Live
Warren Kulo | July 1, 2022
Cynthia Sutton, Executive Director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce/Main Street, has been named to the Mississippi Main Street Association’s Board of Directors, representing District 1. Sutton will serve as one of three district representatives, alongside Senatobia’s Jamie Sowell of District 2, and Booneville’s Lori Tucker of District 3. Sutton will serve a three-year term beginning in July.
Pay increase for Moss Point firefighters
WXXV
Sabria Reed | July 6, 2022
Full-time firefighters will see a $2 per hour increase and part-time will see a $1 per hour increase. Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight said, “Because we’ve had so many vacancies in the department, we’ve been able to accumulate this money over time. So, the chief has come to me and showed me on different occasions where because they have a lot of employed people and fewer positions, they had this money there. My concern was that was it enough to sustain it and we are now knowing that it is and so it came from vacancies that we’ve had over the year. We’ve been watching the budget this year. So, it came from those two resources so we can do this for the guys.”
Rotary Club of Pascagoula presents $40K in scholarships
WXXV
June 29, 2022
This year, the rotary club raised $30,000 through their various fundraisers and the Bacot McCarty Foundation contributed $10,000. Rotary Club of Pascagoula President Stacie Zorn said, “Rotary is a service organization. Our motto is service above self and so through our service efforts of raising funds, we invest back into our community by investing in our students and allowing them to have a little financial freedom to continue their studies so that they will come back and invest in our communities.”
Gautier Police Department in line for federal funds
WXXV
June 24, 2022
A press conference was held today at the Gautier Municipal Court announcing that the Gautier Police Department made the federal shortlist for critical equipment funding. The City of Gautier is in line for almost $507,000 in funding for essential equipment for the police department. The vital equipment includes dispatch radio systems and both body and vehicle cameras to ensure the safety and accountability of officers. Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan said, “It’s just a pleasure for him to come here and announce that funding that he’s able to secure for us for the safety of our citizens, but our patrol officers so they feel safe while they’re keeping us safe.”
Shepard State Park in Gautier makes upgrades to location
WXXV
Rick Gogreve | June 30, 2022
Shepard State Park in Gautier has made several upgrades to the park recently and News 25 was able to catch up with Mayor Casey Vaughan to learn about all the new amenities. One of the most recent renovations at the park is the widening of the roughly ten miles of natural trails. The park has made each trail at least eight feet wide to give more space to hikers and cyclists. This project cost $11,550 with about $8,000 of the funds paid through Tidelands Funds.
Jackson County puts redistricting plans on public display
WLOX
Mike Lacy | June 29, 2022
As next year’s county election cycle gets closer, so do plans for redistricting based on the 2020 census. Jackson County took its turn Wednesday, putting its drafts on public display. The reason for redistricting is pretty clear to everyone. It’s to make government representation fair. How to achieve that is up for debate.
Jackson County Board of Supervisors holds redistricting public hearing
WXXV
Janae Jordan | June 29, 2022
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to give citizens of the county an opportunity to provide input into the process of redistricting for the board of supervisors, election commissioners, justice court judges, and constables. The boardroom was packed with concerned Jackson County citizens interested in viewing the proposed layouts and comment on the redistricting process. District 2 Supervisor Ennit Morris said, “It was a draft for the community to see citizens to understand what we were doing. We didn’t want to change districts, that is just the way it had come up to the census.”
Billy Ellzey sets stage on first day as new superintendent for Pascagoula Gautier School District
WLOX
Mike Lacy | July 1, 2022
It’s orientation day for Billy Ellzey, the new superintendent for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. And the calendar is getting full fast. “In the summer, that means we’re planning with our administrators,” he said. “We’re making sure we’re ready for when those teachers come back on that first day so that their ready when students show up and excited about school and moving forward.” Friday may have been the first official day, but Ellzey, a former superintendent for Kosciusko Schools, has already been welcomed by the community he will serve.
Singing River Health Care Workforce Academy allows participants to work while advancing their careers
Mississippi Today
Allison Santa-Cruz | July 7, 2022
Working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for staff at the Singing River Health Care system — a challenge only made harder by staffing issues. Singing River is hoping to tackle the statewide health care worker shortage directly through its new apprenticeship programs. The Singing River Health Care Workforce Academy is a community-centered program on the Gulf Coast that aims to create more opportunities for people to become qualified health care professionals.
Mississippi Gulf Coast shipyard set to hire 2,000 workers
Associated Press
July 8, 2022
Huntington Ingalls Industries plans to bring 2,000 new jobs to its shipbuilding division on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The shipyard is hosting a hiring event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Ingalls Maritime Training Academy in Pascagoula. Ingalls is looking for pipe fitters, pipe welders, structural welders, and ship fitters. In a news release announcing the jobs, Ingalls said workers would receive “competitive starting wages, day-one benefits, 12 paid holidays annually, and opportunities for advancement.” The company also said employees at the 800-acre facility would have covered workspaces to protect them from the elements.
Consultants advise county leaders to sell Singing River Health System
WLOX
Amber Spradley | July 5, 2022
Huntington Ingalls Industries plans to bring 2,000 new jobs to its shipbuilding division on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The shipyard is hosting a hiring event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Ingalls Maritime Training Academy in Pascagoula. Ingalls is looking for pipe fitters, pipe welders, structural welders, and ship fitters. In a news release announcing the jobs, Ingalls said workers would receive “competitive starting wages, day-one benefits, 12 paid holidays annually, and opportunities for advancement.” The company also said employees at the 800-acre facility would have covered workspaces to protect them from the elements.
Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) departs Ingalls, headed for namesake city
Gulf Live
Warren Kulo | July 12, 2022
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi — Amphibious transport dock ship Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) sailed away from its berth at Ingalls Shipbuilding Monday, headed for the Florida city for which it is named and commissioning into the U.S. Navy fleet. “Watching Fort Lauderdale sail away to join the Navy’s fleet is a very proud moment for our entire LPD shipbuilding team and our skilled workforce,” said Ingalls LPD program manager Mike Pruitt. “Our shipbuilders have done an outstanding job building a mission-capable ship for these sailors and our country.”