AROUND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI

Small fire reported at school

HURLEY -- A small electrical fire broke out in a dryer in a classroom at East Central Middle School on Friday afternoon, with minimal damage reported and no injuries, a school official said.

The students were on a school field trip, officials said, and not in the room when the fire broke out. The student body exited the building, but the fire was quickly extinguished by East Jackson County firefighters.

-- Margaret Baker

Gautier police, fire depts. holding bicycle drive

GAUTIER -- The Gautier Police and Fire departments are holding a continuous bicycle donation drive. The Bicycle Recycle program is seeking used bicycles to be refurbished by Gautier firefighters, who will distribute them to abused and neglected children in the Jackson County Youth Court system via the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. Any bicycles will be accepted, regardless of condition. Drop bikes off at Gautier North Fire Station, 7510 Martin Bluff Road; Gautier Central Fire Station, 2502 College Circle; or Gautier South Fire Station, 1905 Ladnier Road.

Details: Diane Schmid, 497-2486 or Tim Fortney, 497-8024.

-- Sun Herald

Jackson County harbor project has begun

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Jackson County has launched a $4 million project to enhance the beauty and safety of the Small Craft Harbor in Ocean Springs.

The groundbreaking was Thursday.

Funding comes from tidelands money and hurricane Katrina and Gustav grants.

Plans are to replace the harbor’s bulkhead with a vinyl and composite material, replace the boardwalk and install new raised platforms with quick-release power pedestals at each boat slip, among other features.

Project manager Nick Worden said work will take about a year.

Officials said the harbor will be open to shrimpers and others during the work.

Last year the county opened a new $830,000 harbor house, also funded with FEMA recovery money.

-- Associated Press

3 Moss Point schools could become charter schools

MOSS POINT -- Three of Moss Point’s schools could become charter schools unless they receive improved accountability labels this fall.

Accountability labels are based on factors such as achievement on state tests, academic growth and graduation rates.

Moss Point East Park Lower Elementary, Magnolia Junior High and Moss Point High School are under watch by the state because they’ve been labeled “low-performing” or lower for the past two years.

If they don’t get at least an “academic watch” label this year, Laura Jones, who heads the state office of school improvement said, local parents could petition the state board to turn them into charter schools.

-- Associated Press

Police records linked in data-sharing project

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI -- Officials on Friday said police departments in Gulfport, Biloxi and D’Iberville have connected their records-management systems, which will allow officers instant access to information from all three departments.

Officials said arrest information, booking pictures and information on outstanding warrants will be accessible.

Officials said the partnership will help the departments work more efficiently and will save taxpayers money. A statement released by the Gulfport Police Department said it will cost each department about the same as a residential power bill for one year.

The data-sharing capability is provided by Tyler Technologies Record Management Systems.

-- Robin Fitzgerald