Waveland Begins New Police Station

WAVELAND -- By next fall this city will have a new public safety complex that will include a police station and Waveland City Court, according to media reports.

Waveland breaks ground on new police station

www.wlox.com

The new building, which will be located on McLaurin Street, replaces the police station lost during Hurricane Katrina.

Work starts on library, police station

www.sunherald.com

The $5.9 million building will be named for a 27-year officer, Donald Dorn, who was Waveland's first police chief, and the late Mayor Johnny Longo. James Varnell is the current police chief.

At the above and other links hear what police officials and Mayor Tommy Longo said about Waveland's new public safety complex as well as the city's new public library. Groundbreakings for both building will be held this weekend.

Fire station land swap

Read about the city of Gulfport's plan

to rebuild the Cowan Road fire station destroyed

by Katrina while trying save jobs and trim the budget.

Gulfport Will Swap Cowan Road Properties to Rebuild Fire Station

www.wlox.com

Colonel Promoted to Brigadier General

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE -- Col. Ian Dickinson was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on July 20 at the Dragon's Lair.

Dickinson is commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base.

Keesler personnel were invited to the ceremony and a promotion party at the marina park. The party included free food and drinks, music and a "bouncy dragon" for children. Civilian attire was allowed.

A shuttle transported people home to Thrower Park, West Falcon and Bay Ridge housing areas.

Staff Sgt. Donnie Levens

Today marks the third anniversay of the death of Staff Sgt. Donnie Levens.

Levens, who as born July 10, 1980, was killed Feb. 17, 2006. He was 25 years old.

A 1998 graduate of Long Beach High School, Levens was a member of the U.S. Marines.

(Family and friends of Sgt. Levens may contribute photos, family and personal information, as well as military service details for this memorial: E-mail to memoriesalways@gmail.com)

Killers of 2 state troopers denied parole

Anita Krecic is one of two people convicted of killing South Mississippi trooper Bruce Ladner in 1987.

Charles Montgomery Jr. was convicted in the death of trooper Billy Langham jn 1981.

Distinquished Service Award to Joe Ford

GULFPORT -- According to www.sunherald.com, Sgt. Joe Ford will receive a Distinquished Service Award from the Department of Justice on July 2.

See video: SunHeraldTV

The award is for work done during 2007 while Ford was stationed in Iraq, according to the publication.

The presentation will be made at 9 a.m. at the 890th Engineer Battalion Armory on Hewes Avenue in Gulfport.

Donald Louis Bentz

June 28 marked a year since the death of Donald Louis Bentz, 28.

The Long Beach resident died in Pass Christian.

Bentz was buried at Alphonse Malley Cemetery after a separate visitation at Riemann Family Funeral Home and a Mass of Chrisitan Burial at St. John Catholic Church.

Another Fire Station For Bay St. Louis

BAY ST. LOUIS -- Construction of the second of two new fire stations to be built here has officially begun now that groundbreaking ceremonies have been held for the No. 2 building.

Bay Breaks Ground on New Fire Station

www.sunherald.com

City officials turned dirt for the new facility to be located on Misssissippi 603 north of U.S. 90. The new main station is under construction at Main Street and U.S. 90, according to local media.

296th Transportation Gets Big Sendoff

MOSS POINT -- Army Reserve personnel with the 296th Transportation Company spent tonight with their families and city residents during a Red, White and Blue sendoff at the downtown river boardwalk.

Last Night in Mississippi

www.gulflive.com/Mississippi Press

The Road Warriors from Brookhaven, Miss., leave Tuesday for Camp Shelby to train before they spend a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq, according to local media.

Moss Point Sendoff Set for Soldiers Headed to Iraq

June 19, 2009 www.gulflive.com/Mississippi Press

The sendoff, held as part of Moss Point's summer Waterfront Cafe series, included a concert by the Centre Stage band. The concert followed a dinner and other activities to thank the soldiers for their service.

Patriotic Sendoff for Mississippi-based Troops

www.wlox.com

Memorial for Stephen Bond

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Family, friends, city officials, and fellow officers paid tribute June 20 to police Officer Stephen Bond.

A memorial service, held at downtown First Baptist Church, was an official goodbye to the Ocean Springs policeman and former Marine.

Surviving family members include his Bond's wife, Angela, and their son Ethan, 7, and 9-month-old daughter Rhilee.

Family and law enforcement personnel have spent the past four weeks searching for Bond, 32, who has been missing since May 17, when a 21-foot boat capsized with him, two other Ocean Springs officers and their companions aboard -- reserve Officer Jonathan Navas and wife Whitney, Officer Michael Green and girlfriend Becky Welch .

Memorial Service Set for Missing Officer

June 16, 2009 www.gulflive.com/Mississippi Press

The five plunged into the Mississippi Sound when their boat toppled in stormy weather conditions. The four others were rescued after about 24 hours floating in the Mississippi Sound. Bond has not been found since they last saw him clinging to Navas' boat that overturned near Horn Island, where the officers and friends had attended the annual Horn Island Blowout.

An account has been established at Hancock Bank, and a fundraiser is set for July 11 to help the Bond family with expenses. Residents may call Ocean Springs at 875-2209 for information.

Community help for Bond family

Public Safety Center in Ocean Springs

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Emergency personnel will soon see the results of several years of work by city officials to bring a new Public Safety Center to this city.

A groundbreaking today officially began the start of construction for a 4,000-square-foot building.

The Ocean Springs Public Safety Center will house police station and jail, fire department, and courtroom activities.

About two years ago, 66 percent of Ocean Springs residents approved a 2 percent sales tax to pay for the center.

Mississippi's Fallen Honored For Memorial Day

MOSS POINT – During late May veteran Charles Roithmayer delivers to local media outlets a list of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I feel it is just appropriate for all of the service men and women who died in Afghanistan and Iraq to have their names published,” he said this morning.

It's something he started two years ago to commemorate Memorial Day, something he wanted to do for the military personnel of South Mississippi.

Roithmayer, who served in Germany and Austria during the post occupation of WWII, said his aim is to bring public attention to military personnel across the state who have given their lives since March 2003, when the U.S. launched Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Roithmayer served two years in the Army and was a staff member for the adjudant general's office.

The Moss Point man's tribute was among many made to American troops this Memorial Day Weekend in honor of military service personnel who have died or were wounded during numerous American wars, military conflicts and operations foreign and domestic.

Commemorations have included special ceremonies, concerts, and roll calls of soldiers' names. Flags, flowers, crosses and other memorabilia have been placed at gravesides, and dozens of military leaders and family members have given speeches to pay homage to the fallen. 

Celebrations started as early as Thursday, May 21, when ROTC students in Bay St. Louis dedicated the Veterans Memorial Garden they built at Bay High School.