Biloxi supports return of Amtrak passenger trains

The city of Biloxi wants Amtrak to bring back the Sunset Limited service to the coast. The passenger service was suspended following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Biloxi officials now say the Gulf Coast region is isolated from the nation's passenger train system. In late August 2005, service between New Orleans and Orlando, Fla., was suspended following the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina.

By Monica Land

News Briefs From Across The State

Service was cut after Katrina

The city of Biloxi wants Amtrak to bring back the Sunset Limited.

WLOX-TV reports that members of the Biloxi City Council approved a resolution last week. Right now on the coast, train service is exclusively for freight transportation. Biloxi officials say the Gulf Coast region is isolated from the nation’s passenger train system.

In late August 2005, service between New Orleans and Orlando, Fla., was suspended following the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina.

City spokesman Vincent Creel says tracks have been repaired so Amtrak could renew passenger service.

Creel says passenger service could be good for tourism, including the casino industry and offer area residents another transportation option.

Reward offered in murder and abuse of horses

Captain Robbie Linley said there is a $3,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for an attack on three horses back in February.

Linley said on or about Feb. 29, there were three horses shot while they were in a pasture in the 1100 block of Old Lyon Road.

A horse named Buck (a 23-year-old male) was shot and killed. A horse named Pride (a 23-year-old male) was shot in the leg and subsequently euthanized because of his injuries, and a horse named Cotton (a 16-year-old male) was shot in the side and suffered minor injuries.

Crime Stoppers has contributed $500 toward the reward while the remaining $2,500 has come through private donations.

Airport names executive director

Clay Williams has been named executive director of the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport effective as of May 23.

Williams replaces Bruce Frallic who will retire in August after serving as executive director for 26 years.

The airport’s governing board announced the appointment this month.

Williams currently works for Capitol Resources LLC on the Gulf Coast. He has worked for former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott and former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, both Republicans.

Williams received his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University and his master’s degree from Harvard University.

UMC gets sickle cell research grant

Congressman Bennie Thompson said the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention has awarded $298,468 to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) to fund research efforts involving blood safety surveillance among persons with sickle cell disease in Mississippi.

The grant project funding period began Sept. 30, 2011 and continues until Sept. 29, 2013.

Thompson also said the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $372,875 to Washington County Opportunity, Inc. to assist with discretionary operation of the Head Start Projects.

That grant project funding period began April 1, 2012 and continues until March 31, 2017.

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