AROUND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI

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Four reach safety after tug sinks

MOBILE BAY — The Coast Guard rescued four people Saturday after a 70-foot tugboat sank in Mobile Bay.

The Coast Guard was alerted around 3 a.m. that the Capt. Larry Barkins had partially sunk outside the navigational channel near the Fowl River.

A rescue helicopter picked up three people who stayed with the tug about 5 a.m. and taken to the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile.

The fourth man left the tug in a 14-foot aluminum skiff with no engine. He made his way ashore and notified a fire department he was safe.

A Coast Guard spokesman said the tug had about 600 gallons of diesel fuel in its tanks. A pollution team was sent to deal with a possible fuel leak. The incident is under investigation.

— Robin Fitzgerald

Animal shelter seeks volunteers

HANCOCK COUNTY — The Hancock County Animal Shelter is seeking volunteers to walk dogs and care for animals at the shelter. Those interested may visit the shelter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at 322 Gulfside St., Waveland.

Details: yseagrave@ bellsouth.net.

— Sun Herald

Cancer Society seeks volunteers

GULFPORT — The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to help drive cancer patients to their appointments.

To volunteer as a Road To Recovery driver, one must have a valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and personal automobile insurance. Volunteers may drive as frequently as their schedules permit.

Details: (800) 227-2345.

— Sun Herald

County health agencies have swine flu vaccine

County Health Departments have a limited amount of swine flu vaccines available starting Monday, the state Department of Health said.

Every county Health Department in the state will have the injectable and the nasal mist vaccine.

The injectable doses are limited to at-risk groups such as pregnant women, children ages 6 months to 4 years old, and parents, siblings, caregivers and anyone else living in the home with an infant younger than 6 months old.

State health workers also will be vaccinating students at schools around the state in a project that will take several weeks to complete.

The state’s swine flu hotline is 1-877-222-9FLU. The hotline is staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— Sun Herald