Commander at Keesler Headed to Kuwait

Brigadier General Greg Touhill has been assigned as chief of the Office of Military Cooperation for the U.S. Central Command in Kuwait.

Touhill has been commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base since October 2007.  His replacemant will be named soon.

More information about this announcement, made Feb. 18, may be obtained at www.wlox.com. 

Fundraiser to help deputy who lost home

A fundraiser will be held Friday, Feb. 20, to help a Jackson County sheriff's deputy who lost his home during a fire this past week.

During an interview with WLOX-TV reporter Sylvia Hall, deputy Tommy Howard said he and his wife escaped with their lives through a window. He said they lost everything in the fire.

Howard, 72, is also assistant pastor at New Light Baptist Church in Vancleave.  

The fundraiser is expected to begin at 6 p.m. at the church on Burney Road.

Donations to help the family may be made to the Howard Family Fund at any branch of Hancock Bank.

Residents may call 826-3315 for information. 

FEMA Awards Fire Grant to Moss Point

The Moss Point Fire Department Operations and Safety is among emergency agencies across Mississippi and the nation receiving nearly $19 million in grants from FEMA.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Feb. 12 provided Moss Point with a fire grant for $177,683.

The grant comes from $207,371 in Assistance to Firefighters funds to local fire departments and emergency medical agencies. 

The AFG program provides grants for fire, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, and Fire Prevention and Safety.  

Fire Fund established for Army Guardsman

A fund has been set up at Hancock Bank to help an Army National guardsman replace his home, personal belongings and household furnishing lost during a fire this week in Hancock County.

Randy Ladner just barely made it out of his family home on Firetower Road before flames killed his cat, according to reporter Al Showers at www.wlox.com. Ironically, the feline had alerted Ladner to the blaze.

The guardsman is a member of the 155^th Infantry Battlion, which is about to be deployed overseas. This will be the second deployment for Ladner.

According to the news report, the guardsman lost everything in the early morning blaze, including his uniforms.

Donations may be made to the Randy Ladner Fire Fund at any branch of Hancock Bank.

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http://www.wlox.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3431451&h1=Al%20Showers%20reports%20on%20soldier%20who%20lost%20home%20to%20fire&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=137600&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=21206633

Fire fund established for Army guardsman

A fund has been set up at Hancock Bank to help an Army National guardsman replace his home, personal belongings and household furnishing lost during a fire this week in Hancock County.

Randy Ladner just barely made it out of his family home on Firetower Road before flames killed his cat, according to reporter Al Showers at Biloxi's V-13 www.wlox.com. Ironically, the feline had alerted Ladner to the blaze.

The guardsman is a member of the 155^th Infantry Battlion, which is about to be deployed overseas. This will be the second deployment for Ladner.

According to the news report, the guardsman lost everything in the early morning blaze, including his uniforms.

Donations may be made to the Randy Ladner Fire Fund at any branch of Hancock Bank.