Manatees Succumb to Cold Weather on Coast

GULFPORT -- A manatee found in Mobile Bay died en route to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport on Christmas, and another manatee was found dead along the Pascagoula River in Moss Point on Tuesday.

Moby Salangi, IIM director, said crews from the Moss Point Police Department were helping his staff load the manatee on the trailer. A necropsy will be performed today to try to determine the cause of the manatee's death.


Full Story: Sun Herald
Manatees in Mobile Bay, Pascagoula River Die in Cold Weather

The Little Red Kettle and Its Workers

Tasha Patterson said sometimes it gets annoying having that bell ringing in her ear all day long, but she enjoys being a bell ringer for her Salvation Army. She gives each donor an enthusiastic "thank you."

LaFont Liquidation Brings Inn Biggest Crowd Ever

PASCAGOULA -- LaFont Inn is seeing the largest number of people to ever come through its doors now that the landmark hotel is within months of demolition, which should begin in early 2011.

Owners of the hotel plan to add several features that will include a Hilton Garden Hotel, senior citizens living complex, and entertain-
ment center. Out parcels will be sold for retail outlets.

Within about 15 minutes some 200 people entered the hotel Dec. 9 for the first day of the liquidation sale, which is expected to continue January.

Residents and visitors along the Gulf Coast and across the state picked up bargans of historical and economic value -- fine china, sign for "The Den" lounge, inside doors and 25-inch color television sets for $49 plus state tax and a 10 percent liquidation premium (fee) that totaled $57.67, as well as armoire for $65 plus tax and premium.

Beth Johnston visited the hotel over several days, several times a day on the days she picked up crystal and other treasures, taking memories of times spent at the hotel.

"It's every sad," she said. "We ate a lot of meals here. We stayed in here for a lot of hurricanes."

While making her purchases, Johnston said her daughter-in-law put herself through college working at the receptionist desk.

Johnston was among the many people who wanted to purchase the LaFont Inn sign that graced the wall above the check-in desk in the front lobby. However, Dr. Jack Hoover, a co-owner of the hotel until earlier this year, bought the sign on day two of the liquidation.

It's been seven months since hotel owners served the last meal at the hotel, which had been the quarters of presidents and high-ranking military personnel, national statesmen .

Lighthouse Work Continues at Bridge Entrance

Work continues on the Round Island Lighthouse, located at the western city limits of Pascagoula at the base of the high-rise bridge. Workers were set to move the base into its permanent place by this weekend.

Habitat Conducts Open House for Cottage

PASCAGOULA -- Residents viewed a Habitat for Humanity cottage on 11th Street during an open house that allowed residents to the floor plan for homes built to

(The front door entrance leads to a kitcken, long hall with a living room, outdoor deck and master bedroom.)
(Amenities include stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer, bathroom, walk-in closets in the three bedrooms.)


to restore housing in Pascagoula following Hurricane Katrina.
About 12 people walked through the cottage, which stands off the ground in the Chipley neighborhood just blocks away from the Pascagoula beachfront.