Navy wants new destroyer with lasers, hypersonic missiles
AP
David Sharp | September 7, 2022
The stakes are high when it comes to a replacement for the backbone of the fleet as the Navy faces a growing threat from China, whose numerical advantage becomes greater each year. The first design contracts were awarded this summer to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Mississippi for a large surface warship that would eventually follow the production of the ubiquitous Burke destroyers.
Military vessels are rolling out of Gulf Coast shipyards
WorkBoat
Ken Hocke | September 7, 2022
Down the road in Pascagoula, Miss., Ingalls Shipbuilding is constructing the Coast Guard’s 418’×54′ Legend-class national security cutters (NSC). Ingalls is the sole designer and provider of the cutters, which cost about $670 million each. NSCs, which have 22’6″ drafts, are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft. NSCs have proven to be successful platforms for drug interdiction, illegal fishing enforcement, disaster relief and defense support operations.
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Honors Employees for Continuous Service
News Release
September 7, 2022
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division is honoring 27 employees who have achieved 40 years of continuous service in 2022. HII refers to this elite group as “master shipbuilders,” a designation reserved for individuals whose careers in shipbuilding span four decades, nearly half of Ingalls’ 84-year shipbuilding legacy.
Mississippi Export Railroad marks 100 years in business
Progressive Railroading
September 6, 2022
MSE acquired one of Mississippi’s first diesel-electric locomotives in 1940 as customer demand grew from nearby plants in the paper, fishery, chemicals and pet food industries. In the late 1990s, the railroad helped develop the Helena Industrial Park in Moss Point. The railroad’s only subsidiary — Alabama Export Railroad — began operations in Mobile in 2019, according to the MSE website. MSE was recognized in 2011 by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce through the Anchor Award, which is given to companies with exceptional customer service, efficiency and community leadership.
Cartoon artist stands out with his designs at Ocean Springs Artwalk
WXXV
Jazell Ladner | September 5, 2022
Many vendors and artists participated in the art walk in Downtown Ocean Springs, but there was one particular artist that caught a lot of attention. Cartoon artist Spencer Gray Jr. gave people a lot to smile and laugh about his latest designs as they passed his vendor spot. Gray tells News 25 ever since he was a little kid he had dreams of becoming a syndicated cartoonist, but did not make it down that career path.
Modest pay bump, creative job functions help Ocean Springs firefighters stay put
WLOX
Bill Snyder | September 6, 2022
Getting the maximum out of the minimum is what the Ocean Springs Fire Department is doing these days with a continued 3% salary increase from the city. “So back in 2019, the City of Ocean Springs adopted a pay scale for all city employees,” said Derek McCoy, Ocean Springs Fire Chief. “And that affords them a 3% step increase each year. They make it a priority to stick to that pay scale, which is the most important part. It’s easy to adopt one, it’s much harder to stick with it. It gives our guys a reason to look ahead and see that they are progressing as far as there pay goes.”
Jerry Lee’s grocery stores sold to Pine Belt-based retailer
WLOX
September 7, 2022
A Jackson County grocery institution is changing hands. The Lee family is selling its two Jerry Lee’s Grocery stores. Mark Lee confirmed to WLOX News the Pascagoula and Gautier locations will close at the end of the day on Saturday, Sept. 17, and reopen Monday, Sept. 19, as Jubilee Foods. Jerry Lee’s has been in business for 64 years. The patriarch and namesake Jerry Lee died in February. Mark Lee said closing the stores his father built has been a difficult decision for the family, but it is now time to make the change.
America’s best employers by state 2022
Forbes
August 24, 2022
Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to compile their fourth annual list of America’s Best Employers by state. The list is complied by surveying 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees. Surveys were conducted anonymously, allowing participants to freely share their opinions. In Mississippi, Jackson County-based Ingalls Shipbuilding was ranked as the #2 best employer.
Jackson County takes next step to sell Singing River Health System
Singing River Health System is one step closer to a new owner. During a brief meeting Friday afternoon, Jackson County supervisors voted unanimously to move forward with selling the county-owned healthcare provider. Jackson County residents had an opportunity to petition for a public vote on the sale, but proponents of a referendum didn’t collect enough signatures in time to get the matter on the November ballot. That means the next step is for county supervisors to put out a request for bids. Raymond James, a third-party healthcare-focused advisory firm, will help facilitate the request for proposal (RFP) process.
City of Gautier unveils new seal, logo
In what was described as an attempt “to bring new life and build excitement for what is to come in Gautier,” the City of Gautier recently unveiled a new official logo and seal. The new logo/seal “pay homage to the ecology and wildlife located within Gautier, prominently featuring a Sandhill crane,” according to a release from the City.
Gautier city leaders discuss Martin Bluff road construction plans
WLOX
New information is coming out on the long-awaited project on Martin Bluff Road in Jackson County. City leaders release an estimated completion date and status report on the project. There’s work to do as Martin Bluff Road remains under construction, but there’s some good news. Mayor Casey Vaughan said drivers will have a smoother trip as early as next year.
Gautier town commons plans on city council agenda
WLOX
A facelift may be in the cards for Singing River Mall. Gautier city council members will discuss a long-awaited design plan on Tuesday’s agenda. City leaders are developing a new Town Commons location, and they’ve got their remodeling vision set on the empty parking lot at the Singing River Mall.
Moss Point honors new medical commander at Keesler
WLOX
Moss Point native Col. Ada Collier was honored on Thursday as the new commander of the Aeromedical Unit of Keesler Airforce. Her team was alongside her and had nothing but praise for the new commander. “Look at all your women and men from her unit that’s here to support her because we believe in what she can do,” said Keesler Superintendent Ingrid Anderson. “To be able to fall under someone that looks like me for the first time in my career is definitely a wealth of motivation, inspiration and it allows me to want to dig deeper and go further in my career,” said MSgt. Octavia Cooper.