Coast Residents Honor Veterans on Their Day

GULF COAST -- Numerous community ceremonies, school programs and business offerings honored veterans, their families and supporters on Wednesday, Nov. 11, which was the .. annual Veterans Day across the country.

The day of events was among numerous events that have been held this month to honor American residents who have served in all branches of the nation's military services.

ClaudetteThird Storm of 2015, Hurricane Name 6 Other Years

GULF COAST -- Tropical Storm Claudette is this year's third named weather system for the Atlantic hurricane season. Claudette is also the third time the name has been used for an Atlantic storm.

Claudette caused some damage during other years, and remained a storm at sea during six other years.

Claudette 2015 recently formed off the Virginia coast, and, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving northeast at 15 mph on Monday.

NOAA officials project the storm to hit Newfoundland and skirt the edge of Nova Scotia, but will miss the USA entirely.

Tropical Storm Claudette caused significant flooding in eastern Texas and westernLouisiana in July 1979. The third named storm of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season, Claudette developed from a tropical wave located east of the Windward Islands on July 16. It gradually strengthened and was upgraded to a tropical storm on July 17 and crossed the northern Leeward Islands later that day. As it was neared landfall in Puerto Rico early on July 18, upper-level winds weakened it back to a tropical depression. Claudette remained disorganized and the National Hurricane Center operationally reported that it degenerated back into a tropical wave after crossing Puerto Rico. Late on July 18, the depression struck Dominican Republic, emerged into the Caribbean Seaon the following day. Claudette struck western Cuba on July 21, shortly before reaching the Gulf of Mexico and "regenerating" into a tropical cyclone. By July 23, Claudette regained tropical storm intensity and turned northward toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border late on July 23 as a moderately strong tropical storm. It weakened slowly and drifted over land, lasting until dissipation in West Virginia on July 29.

In the Lesser Antilles, the storm brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to several islands. Minor flooding occurred in Guadeloupe and Saint Croix. Rainfall exceeding 10 inches (250 mm) in some areas of Puerto Rico led to widespread agricultural damage, flooded homes and streets, and one fatality; losses were estimated at $750,000 (1979 USD). Despite its passage over Hispaniola and Cuba, impact in both regions is unknown. Claudette brought record-breaking rainfall to eastern Texas. In Alvin, 42 inches (1,100 mm) of rain fell in one day, which is the record 24 hour precipitation amount for any location in the United States. Significant coastal flooding and up to 15 inches (380 mm) of rainfall was reported in Louisiana. Overall, Claudette was responsible for two deaths and $400 million (1979 USD) in damage.

 (Information from Wikipedia -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Claudette_(1979)

The name Claudette has been used for seven tropical cyclones in the Northern Atlantic Ocean:

• Tropical Storm Claudette (1979), caused moderate damage in Texas and the Caribbean
• Hurricane Claudette (1985), long-lived hurricane that wandered east and grazed the Azores
• Hurricane Claudette (1991), low-end Category 4 that remained at sea for its entire lifetime
• Tropical Storm Claudette (1997), lasted awhile over the open Atlantic
• Hurricane Claudette (2003), hit Puerto Morelos, Mexico, then struck again near Port O'Connor, Texas
• Tropical Storm Claudette (2009), formed south of Tallahassee, Florida, and headed northwest to the Florida Panhandle, where it made landfall on Santa Rosa Island
• Tropical Storm Claudette (2015), today headed toward Newfoundland, not expected to hit USA. 

The name Claudette has been used once in the Southwestern Indian Ocean:

• Cyclone Claudette (1979), caused severe damage to Mauritius and Réunion

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/07/13/brief-window-of-opportunity-for-tropical-cyclone-development-off-the-mid-atlantic-coast/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Claudette

OOPS! DELAY NO MORE. EXPANSION, TOO

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI -- So sorry about the long delay in posts for RiverBeachCities. But here we go again. ....

To reiterate the purpose of this blog, below you will find the original concept, and first blog post, when we started. The purpose is the same, but the goal and work are different -- more photos, more stories, videos, and follower contribution.

The help of visitors and followers is vital. We want you to enjoy this blog and what it offers -- a different approach about the events and lives of people who live along the waterways -- beaches, rivers and ocean fronts -- of all six counties that make up South Mississippi. 

Thanks for visiting -- daily, weekly, whenever. Thanks for participating.

THE ORIGINAL POST:

The goal of River Beach Cities is to highlight the attractions found in Moss Point, Pascagoula, Gautier, and Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and surrounding communities -- established neighborhoods and rural areas of Jackson County.

The hope of River Beach Cities is to serve as a continuing commentary and showcase for this southern area of Mississippi.

The intention is to serve as an avenue to attract tourists, educate the local citizenry, and act as a platform for the hopes and goals of municipal and county leadership. As well, the dreams of residents for themselves and their children

 

Whew! That's a lot to provide in one place.

The name River Beach Cities is appropriate for this area and blog. Nearly every village, town and city in South Mississippi -- considered to include the counties of Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George, Stone and Pearl River -- community is located somewhere near, on and/or served by a river or ocean beach.

For all intents and purposes, South Mississippi is located on drained swamp land.

My desire is to present a mostly pictorial view, along some with news and features, of the people and places of South Mississippi.

There are plenty of other websites and blogs about this area, so some posts may be redundant. I will strive to give you some unique offerings, that is assured, but there are no guarantees that will happen every day. But I will try.

Feel free to make suggestions and comments when desired.

(Please refrain from negativity, profane language, and comments and information that may constitute libel, slander, plagiarism, and inaccuracy. Provide documentation where necessary.)

Photos provided by www.nature.org and www.srh.noaa.gov

Summer Reading Takes Kids, Adults on Science Adventures

Sue Ellen McNabb presents Naturally Sue Ellen program on June 19

 

MOSS POINT -- Summer Reading Program 2014 came to an exciting end Wednesday and Thursday mornings for students participating in Fizz, Boom Read for grade-schoolers and Spark a Reaction for teenagers, and Literary Elements at Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

The last adult event will be held at 6 tonight featuring ABC Recycling and Michael Pierce.  

                 Mark LaSalle with Pascagoula River Audubon Center presented June 26 program for adults.

3                                                    Dr. Michael Shields, dentist, presents June 5 program
 

The Jackson-George Regional Library System presented the programs based on science as part of the national summer reading program. The adult program was entitled Literary Elements.

 

    

                                         Janet Beatty presented a  June 12 event on Technology for Grandparents. 




Noel Lamey, science teacher at Pascagoula High School, discussed habitats for marine plants and animals, on July 3. 

During their last programs preschool, school-age and teenagers time competing in fun contests and just having a party based in science.


Watch for updates about the adult program and the activities sponsored for children and teenagers. Photographs provided by Moss Point Library personnel.

Moss Point Library Promotes Volunteerism at Cinco de Mayo Party

Moss Point students and parents enjoy Cinco de Mayo celebration May 5 at city library.

Mark LaSalle with the Bacot/MccCarthy Foundation talks about volunteerism to students celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the Moss Point Library. The foundation gives several scholarships each year, and LaSalle said foundation members consider community activities as well as grades when looking for scholarship recipients.

AG, Contractors Board Warn Victims of Post-Storm Dangers

 

Jackson, MS (April 30) —Attorney General Jim Hood reminds recent storm victims of the dangers that come from crooked contractors following disasters and storm damage like the State has recently seen.

Following the cycles of recent storms, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office (MSAGO) and the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) are joining forces to send a message to crooked contractors that bad business will not be tolerated in the Magnolia State and violators will be prosecuted.

“Our thoughts go out to our friends and neighbors around the state who have been impacted by the recent storms,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “As usual after such widespread damage occurs, crooks will be on the prowl looking to take advantage of the misfortune of vulnerable homeowners. Before you hire someone to repair any damage to your property, be sure to educate yourself on how to best protect yourself.”

“We caution storm victims to know who you are dealing with and do not hire the first contractor who comes along,” said Stephanie Sills Lee, Executive Director for the MSBOC. “Take your time and protect yourself against con artists who will take your money and run or from unskilled contractors who will perform careless work.”

Most of the common "after-disaster" scams involve tree damage caused by the storm. Here are some tips to protect yourself from fraudulent tree cutters:

· Check out the company and make sure the company is insured.Contact our Consumer Protection Division or the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi to see if they have complaints against the company.Ask for several local references that are recent of at least one year-old and make sure to follow through on checking them. Look online at reviews of their work. If a tree removal service claims to have insurance, contact the insurer directly and ask them to send you a copy of the tree removal service’s certificate of insurance.

· Take time to shop around and be suspicious of any price that seems unusually high or low. Get written estimates from more than one company and check with friends or family who’ve had tree work done recently to see what they paid and who they would recommend.

· Ask how the job will be done and if they will perform the work according toindustry standards. Pay attention to their “lingo” such as, “topping a tree,” “lion’s-tailing” or “using climbing spikes to prune a tree” If you hear these sayings, the company more than likely does not follow industry standards. “Topping” is drastically cutting back the major limbs of a tree to reduce its size. “Lion’s tailing” is an extreme stripping out of most of the interior branches of a tree. Such practices can injure or kill your tree. Sometimes these techniques will be presented as a way to save money by removing more of the tree at one time. However a tree pruned by one of these methods usually requires more expensive restoration work in the future in order to save it.

· Ask about cleaning up and the debris removal after the job is done. Before the job is started, ask ifthe company will remove the tree from your property as well as cut it down because if they don’t, it could lead to you having to also pay for debris removal.

“Since our honest builders are so busy after disaster strikes, many people are hesitant to demand all of the suggested information for fear of losing the builder,” said Attorney General Hood. “That’s why we are joining forces with the Board of Contractors to offer these guidelines and suggestions to help consumers avoid possible misunderstandings about tree cutters and home repair contractors.”

Some tips recommended by both agencies to protect yourself from crooked contractors:

· Hire only licensed and bonded contractors. Ask to see the license and verify the bond.

· Use Mississippi contractors if you can.

· Verify the contractor’s license by checking online atwww.msboc.us

· Be wary of supposed contractors who come to your home soliciting business. Most reputable contractors will be busy and won’t need to solicit business.

· Always get more than one estimate. Three bids are recommended.

· Request references and talk with those references.

· Put all your terms in writing. A copy of a “model contract” can be found atwww.agjimhood.com

Attorney General Hood reminds consumers that the most effective way to prosecute a fraudulent home repair contractor is by taking photo or video of them. “At the very least, record your conversations when you discuss the terms of the contract and during all transactions. Usually, a con artist will take off at the mere mention of a video recording, but either way, you will have better peace of mind to be able to identify them if they do turn out to be a fly-by-night operation.”

A conviction for Home Repair Fraud could result in up to ten years behind bars. The MSAGO and the MSBOC both intend to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, anyone caught committing home repair fraud.

In the aftermath of any storm or any other time, if you suspect home repair fraud or think you may have been conned by a scam artist, please contact the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 601-359-4230 or 1-800-281-4418 to file a complaint. Consumers can check a contractor’s qualifications or file a complaint with the MSBOC by calling 1-800-880-6161 or by visitingwww.msboc.us. A copy of the Attorney General’s “Consumer Tips for Storm Victims” can also be downloaded atwww.agjimhood.com. More resources and tips can be found on both agencies’ websites.

 

 

Pascagoula Makes 1 Weird Things List About 50 States

An article on HuffingtonPost.com about weird things in each of the 50 states has been online for a few days, but I didn't read it until today.

Low and behold,  Pascagoula made the list for Mississippi.

Here is the story from Huffington. I never knew.

Mississippi
A "Phantom Barber" once broke into people's homes and cut their hair while they were sleeping.

During WWII, the town of Pascagoula was plagued by a series of mysterious nighttime haircuts. A panic erupted when girls, particularly blondes, would wake up to find part of their hair had been cut, or in some cases, their whole heads had been shaved. The "Phanton Barber" was never caught, so not too much is known beyond a few scattered clues, including a man's footprint found in a victim's room.

You can read the rest of the weird things from each state at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/weird-facts-states_n_4869798.html

The Phantom Barber story and more unsolved mysteries are online at http://listverse.com/2013/02/05/10-strange-little-known-unsolved-mysteries/

Pascagoula’s Phantom Barber 1942

In June 1942, after a population boom brought about by the increased manufacturing of warships in the area, the citizens of Pascagoula, Mississippi were stalked by more than the specter of war—a hair cutting phantom terrorized the night.
The man nicknamed the Phantom Barber by newspapers worked in the darkness made more profound by the Army’s blackout regulations. On Monday or Friday evenings, he slit a window screen to gain access to a house, crept inside, and cut the hair of sleeping occupants, particularly blonde girls. Not necessarily one lock or two, but sometimes shearing as much as a full head of hair. He took nothing else from the home except his prize.
He began with two young girls in the convent of Our Lady of Victories, followed by a six year old female child visiting another family. That time, he left a clue—the print of a man’s bare foot in sand on an unoccupied bed in the room. The police were baffled and offered a $300 reward for information. The public was in a panic. Women refused to go outside at night. Men applied for pistol permits. Bloodhounds were brought in to track the bizarre intruder, but the efforts failed. The Phantom Barber continued his hair cutting incursions.
At last, the phantom broke his pattern, or so it seemed. A window screen was slit in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Heidelburg, and the intruder came inside their bedroom. However, rather than cutting hair, he brutally assaulted the couple. Mrs. Heidelburg lost her front teeth and was knocked unconscious, while her husband was beaten with a metal bar. Both survived the attack. Two months later, the police chief announced the arrest of a suspect, William A. Dolan, a chemist, who was charged with attempted murder.
A connection between Dolan and the Phantom Barber came with the discovery of human hair allegedly found near his residence. He continued to deny he was the phantom, and while convicted of the attack on the Heidelburgs—he bore a grudge against Terrell’s father, a judge—was never charged with the phantom’s acts. Since the Phantom Barber never touched his victims other than their hair, it would seem no meaningful tie exists between Dolan and the Phantom Barber, whose break-ins ended as mysteriously as they began.

It's been 39 years since the events of 1942, but it's fasinating history. No doubt, it's bad memories for many Pascagoula residents who lived though the events of that time, especially since the country was already seeing trying times during WWII. Still, it proves that real life is stranger than fiction.