Friday, May 19, 2017

News Clippings May 19, 2017



State

DuPree asks feds for flexibility for water projects
Clarion Ledger

WASHINGTON – Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree told lawmakers Thursday local communities need more affordable, flexible programs to comply with federal regulations and to fix and improve their aging water systems.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2017/05/18/dupree-asks-feds-flexibility-water-projects/101849284/

Rez spillway anglers face possible access closure
Clarion Ledger

If anglers don't start picking up their trash below the Barnett Reservoir dam, they may be locked out.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2017/05/18/rez-spillway-anglers-face-possible-access-closure/330578001/

NEW DAM TO ALLOW WATER RESTORATION IN VICKSBURG
MPB

Nearly 30,000 people are without water in and around Vicksburg. As MPB's Alexis Ware reports the outage could through the weekend. 
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2017/05/19/new-dam-to-allow-water-restoration-in-vicksburg/


State Ethics Commission rules conflict of interest exists for incoming Pascagoula council members
Mississippi Press

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The Mississippi State Ethics Commission issued a release on Wednesday regarding the possible conflict of interest for candidates involved in local municipal races who have ties to the current lawsuit filed by all four municipalities against the Jackson County Utility Authority.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2017/05/state_ethics_commission_releas.html#incart_river_index

MAYOR GILICH WANTS A SEAWALL IN BILOXI
WXXV

We see crews cleaning up sand on Highway 90, but it always seems to make its way back. Now, Mayor Andrew ‘FoFo’ Gilich says it has to stop and he has an idea.
http://wxxv25.com/2017/05/18/mayor-gilich-wants-seawall-biloxi/

Wildlife rescue center needs help during baby season
Sun Herald
JACKSON COUNTY 

The Wildlife Care and Rescue Center needs your help.
The organization is spending $2,000 a month to feed the birds of prey they are helping to heal, and now it’s baby season.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article151402907.html


Mississippi Forestry Commission eliminates 75 positions
Clarion Ledger

The Mississippi Forestry Commission is laying off 75 workers, and while the agency said it spared firefighting crews in last year's cuts, this year's reorganization includes cutting approximately 50 employees who fight fires.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/18/mississippi-forestry-commission-eliminates-75-positions/330256001/

Six of nine public health district offices are closing
Mississippi Today

The Department of Health plans to shutter six of its public health district offices by June 30 as part of a massive agency-wide reorganization that it hopes will help the department reconcile a $12 million budget cut.
https://mississippitoday.org/2017/05/18/six-public-health-district-offices-are-closing/

SPLC CHALLENGING GOVERNOR'S BUDGET CUTTING AUTHORITY
MPB

A civil rights group is filing a lawsuit against state leaders in Mississippi over education funding.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2017/05/19/splc-challenging-governors-budget-cutting-authority/

See who has the top gas station restrooms in Mississippi
Sun Herald

Just in time for summer road trips, GasBuddy.com has put out a list of its top-rated gas station restrooms in Mississippi and every state.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article151379817.html

Oil Spill

It’s really happening! Watch the Mississippi Aquarium come out of the ground
Sun Herald
GULFPORT 

The Mississippi Aquarium is on schedule for a summer groundbreaking on the main building.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article151435417.html

Coastal restoration gets boost from $47M from BP fines
Houston Chronicle

GALVESTON – A group of Texas agencies overseeing restoration funds from the 2010 BP oil spill has announced a draft plan for spending $45.76 million on 13 coastal restoration projects.
http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/article/Texas-oil-spill-commission-allocates-47-million-11155758.php

UCLA oceanographers embark on voyage to study Gulf of Mexico currents
Daily Bruin

A team of UCLA oceanographers towed a small boat to Louisiana to study water currents in the Gulf of Mexico last month.
http://dailybruin.com/2017/05/18/ucla-oceanographers-embark-on-voyage-to-study-gulf-of-mexico-currents/

BP Promotes Geoff Morrell
PR Week

LONDON: Geoff Morrell is set to take over as group head of communications and external affairs at BP this summer, succeeding Peter Henshaw, who is planning to retire at the end of July after 36 years at the energy company.
Read more at http://www.prweek.com/article/1434022/bp-promotes-geoff-morrell-group-head-comms-external-affairs#z6v02PmX0AvQODDY.99


National

EPA to set aside $12 million for buyouts in coming months
Washington Post

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to set aside $12 million for buyouts and early retirements in coming months, as part of an effort to begin “reshaping” the agency’s workforce under the Trump administration.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/18/epa-to-set-aside-12-million-for-buyouts-in-coming-months/?utm_term=.675b034563b8

Trump admin delays greenhouse gas measurement rule for highways
The Hill

The Trump administration is delaying enforcement of an Obama administration regulation that would have required state and local officials to measure greenhouse gas emissions related to the use of specific highways.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/334123-trump-admin-delays-greenhouse-gas-measurement-rule-for-highways

Court pauses lawsuit over Obama methane rule
The Hill

A federal court on Thursday formally paused a lawsuit over an Obama administration methane regulation. 
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/334143-court-pauses-lawsuit-over-obama-methane-rule

EPA sued a second time over Lake Erie's toxic algae problem
AP

Environmental advocates have filed a second lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over whether enough is being done to address the toxic algae problem in Lake Erie.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/epa-sued-time-lake-eries-toxic-algae-problem-47492693

Press Releases

MS Seafood Cookoff to be held May 25

BILOXI, Miss. – Twelve of the top chefs from across the state will compete Thursday, May 25, to be the king of Mississippi seafood.
The eighth annual MS Seafood Cookoff will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. at CLIMB CDC, 1316 30th Ave. in Gulfport. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Each chef will present a signature dish featuring fresh, sustainable Mississippi Gulf seafood to a select group of judges. The winning chef will represent Mississippi in the Great American Seafood Cookoff in New Orleans and at the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Ala., in November.
The 2016 winner of the state competition, Alex Eaton of The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen in Jackson, also won the national competition in New Orleans.
“The Mississippi Seafood Cookoff brings together some of the most talented chefs across the state,” said Jamie M. Miller, executive director of the Department of Marine Resources. “This annual event also gives us a chance to tell people why they should use wild-caught Gulf seafood, which is important to our economy and our culture.”
Tickets are $25 each and two for $40. They can be purchased by going to the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mississippi-seafood-cook-off-2017-tickets-33283415592.
Those who attend will get to watch the chefs prepare their dishes and will enjoy food from local restaurants, including Half Shell Oyster House; Bacchus on the Beach, Pass Christian; Petie’s Eats; The Chimneys; Captain Hooks Seafood; Island View Casino and Quality Seafood. Dishes include boiled shrimp, oysters, marinated crab claws, crab au gratin, seafood pasta, shrimp-stuffed potatoes, crabmeat bisque, seafood gumbo, as well as dessert.
Drinks will be provided by Mitchell Distributing, Chandeleur Brewing Company and Cathead Vodka. All food and drinks are included in the price of the tickets.
David Crews, owner of Crews Culinary Investments, planned the event and said he believes those who attend will enjoy watching the chefs prepare their dishes.
“These are some of the best chefs in the state, and they are committed to using wild-caught Gulf seafood,” Crews said. “The people who come to the cookoff will be able to watch them at work while enjoying some of the most delicious seafood in the Gulf.”
This year’s chefs are:
Billy Cresswell, Scarlet Pearl Casino, D’Iberville
David Dickensauge, Corks & Cleaver, Gulfport
Cole Ellis, Delta Meat Market, Cleveland
John Fitzgerald, Restaurant Tyler, Starkville
Michael Greenhill, Walker’s Drive In, Jackson
Matthew Kajdan, Estelle Wine Bar and Bistro, Jackson
Louis LaRose, Lou’s Full-Serv, Jackson
Jean-Paul Lavallee, Oak Crest Mansion, Pass Christian
David Leathers, Forklift, Tupelo
Mitchell McCamey, Kermits Outlaw Kitchen, Tupelo
Nick Reppond, Grit, Tupelo
Robert Tushton, Local463, Madison
This year’s judges are: Chef Vishwesh Bhatt, Oxford; Chef Jim Smith, Montgomery, Ala.; Chef Alex Eaton, Jackson; Chef Alexei Harrison, Jackson; Jeff Clark, Biloxi.