Phase one of a local road widening project in Jackson County begins next week Jackson County Supervisor Randy Bosarge said on Facebook that its phase one for the Beachview Drive widening in the Gulf Park Estates area contractors will add sidewalks to Beachview Drive and make drainage improvements The main detour route includes Marina and North 8th Streets along with other side streets in that immediate area There’s no time table as of now as to when this project will be completed Residents of Ocean Springs filed a lawsuit against developers seeking to build a luxury RV park in Gulf Park estates The court did not come to a resolution in this case They will be back after Judge Keith Miller has reviewed both sides there is a lot of information to digest in this case The appellant in the case explains why we’re here “Our group believes that Jackson County did not apply its zoning ordinance and did not follow the law,” said Eamon Muhiuddin RV parks are prohibited on that parcel of land in Gulf Park Estates There is no way to put an RV park on the current zoning.” this is about whether or not the Jackson County Board of Supervisors understands their ordinance stating that because the development will be a resort “The Jackson County Board of Supervisors is a legislative body that gets to create the laws for our county and they are interpreting and acting on the laws they created,” said Adam Dial a developer for Ocean Springs Island RV Resort LLC they will continue with some type of development we are committed to a luxury RV resort,” Dial said “It’s a 30-million-dollar project with a ton of great amenities There’s a real need in the market for an RV resort The state of Mississippi and Jackson County have all shown tremendous support for this project and we are absolutely committed to it.” The Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Monday moved forward with a zoning exception to allow a proposed RV Park in Gulf Park Estates The board voted 4-1 to approve the zoning exception for the RV Park The board also discussed updating the roads around the RV Park The developers of the Ocean Springs Island RV Park LLC committed to not opening anything regarding the park for 12 months to give the county time to update the road Some residents in Gulf Park Estates are not happy about the new development. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to appeal this decision in the courts The City of Ocean Springs gets a win in court in its quest to annex land on the eastern boundaries of the city limits Jackson County Supervisor Randy Bosarge saying the court-approved plan is now taking effect The newly annexed lands are in pink and are located just north and south of the intersection of Highways 90 and 57 Bosarge indicates that no neighborhoods in Gulf Park Estates were annexed just the businesses facing Old Spanish Trail in that area what does this mean for those in the newly annexed areas Ocean Springs fire and police departments will immediately handle calls in the newly-annexed areas The transition to other city services will happen at a later date This is a developing story and we will have more information as it becomes available Ocean Springs Mayor Kenny Holloway said: “The City of Ocean Springs annexation was long overdue  The city only had 11% of vacant land within the city limits which meant the city couldn’t grow This annexation will allow the city to pick up the sports complex and create opportunities for more affordable housing with the city limits The Aldermen and I believe that this is a smart investment in the growth of our city  The Judge said the city is well equipped financially to provide resources and services to the new areas and we are working with the county administration to make sure these residents and business owners will continue to be served Our public safety officers started servicing the new areas on Sunday Residents and Business owners in this area can expect to receive a mailer from the city explaining more about city services.” .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Warren Kulo | wkulo@al.comOCEAN SPRINGS Mississippi -- Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran raised a few eyebrows when she said in a recent interview the sprawling Gulf Park Estates subdivision "has nothing to do with Ocean Springs." Here's the background on her comment: The travel website roadsnacks.net published a list last year of the "10 Snobbiest Places in Mississippi" -- one of those less-than-scientific lists often thrown together by websites located just outside Ocean Springs' eastern city limits Gulf Park Estates covers some 2.8 square miles and has a population of between 4,700 and 6,000 The 2000 census found that 44 percent of the families living in GPE had children under the age of 18 and those children go to Ocean Springs schools make up 22.1 percent of the total K-12 enrollment in the Ocean Springs School District While they are not citizens of the City of Ocean Springs and thus do not pay city taxes residents in the subdivision do pay school taxes which represent well in excess of 70 percent of the total ad valorem taxes collected by the City each year recreate and in some cases work in Ocean Springs While the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and volunteer fire departments have jurisdiction in GPE the Ocean Springs Police and Fire Departments provide assistance with calls in the subdivision Veteran reporter Billy Watkins of Jackson's The Clarion-Leger -- the state's largest newspaper -- obviously came across the roadsnacks.net list and decided to find out what the mayors of the places on the list thought of their inclusion In his column, published Saturday Watkins wrote he had never heard of Gulf Park Estates but was told it was a subdivision in Ocean Springs Here's what the three-term mayor had to say: "Gulf Park Esates has nothing to with Ocean Springs It's probably five miles from downtown Ocean Springs "It's just an area of the county and it's a real mixed bag Some really nice houses on waterfront property but also a lot of rental property and mobile homes It has no sidewalks and they have pit bulls running loose the residents are known as salt-of-the-earth people she sounded as if she wished roadsnacks.net had included Ocean Springs on the list "It think maybe the list-makers meant to pick Ocean Springs," she said "We have one of the highest per capita incomes between Tallahassee and Baton Rouge we've rebuilt a town that is invited to all ages." Watkins also noted Ocean Springs was selected to a Smithsonian magazine list of "20 Best Small Towns to Visit" and has won a Great American Mainstreet Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation "It seems Ocean Springs has snobby potential," Watkins wrote "Maybe it can give (#1) Madison a run for its money next time." Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Kaija Wilkinson(The Mississippi Press/Kaija Wilkinson)Fifty-seven-year old Kathy Bradley and her two young grandsons were injured in a fire Thursday morning at 3200 N Eighth Street in the Gulf Park Estates subdivision Police believe the fire spread from the fireplace OCEAN SPRINGS  -- A woman and her two grandsons were injured in a house fire Thursday morning in the Gulf Park Estates subdivision were transported via ambulance to Ocean Springs Hospital Bradley remains in the local hospital in serious condition and the boys have been transferred to the burn center at Children's Hospital in Birmingham according to Singing River Hospital System Childrens Hospital declined to release any information owns the home and was not there when the fire occurred Bradley cared for the children while their parents were at work Police did not have the name of the father Members of the Fontainbleau and Gulf Park Estates fire departments responded to a neighbor's 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. they found the two-story brick house on fire Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said Bradley was able to get out of the house with the 2-year-old but because of the fire could not reach the infant who was sleeping upstairs Mike Hurring of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Jason Byrd and Steven Dye both of the Ocean Springs Police Department but the extreme heat prevented them from going upstairs They then got a ladder from a neighbors house "I commend these guys for everything they did," Sheriff Byrd said Belton said firefighters had the fire under control in about 20 minutes and that state investigators were on their way to the scene Thursday afternoon Sheriff Byrd said police believe the fire spread from the fireplace One neighbor described Bradley as a "wonderful grandmother" who had lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years She and another neighbor said when they heard screams Thursday morning they initially thought it was children playing "I put the TV on mute and heard 'help "Even when I looked outside I didnt recognize her at first because she was completely covered in soot." The neighbors said that the family's dog South Mississippi House Development Corporation and Gulf Coast Housing Partnership held a ribbon cutting ceremony today for North Park Estates in Gulfport The newly opened community entered the development stage about ten years ago and only began construction in 2020 due to several hardships including hurricanes and COVID is now officially open with 80 affordable housing units and a playground for the kids The complex is currently under construction for phase II which will add 40 more housing units to the area “Today really is a culmination of a lot of hard work and the fruit of many and so today we’re just happy to celebrate We’re ready to come together for the community and the residents who call this home and just celebrate this great accomplishment.” The project costs about $17 million to complete .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By April M. HavensJackson County deputies on Wednesday arrested Kyle John Jimerson and charged him with burglary of an occupied dwelling Sheriff Mike Byrd said today in a news release lives at the 1600 block of Lake Mars Avenue in the Gulf Park Estates community The charge stems from Jimerson allegedly breaking into home in Gulf Park Estates and attempting to take items from the residence Jimerson remained at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center on Thursday morning pending a bail hearing in Jackson County court Jimerson faces 25 years in prison and a $10,000 fine .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Beverly Tuskan, The Mississippi PressView full sizeForrestPASCAGOULA Mississippi -- Ladarrius Forrest was arrested Tuesday on two counts ofpossession with intent to distribute according to Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd A 17-year juvenile also was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm The Jackson County Narcotics Task Force encountered Forrest selling marijuana in the Gulf Park Estates area The agents were given consent to search the residence where Forrest was and discovered several items that had been stolen from a neighbors home Investigators linked the weapon that the juvenile had to a recent burglary in the Gulf Park Estates community The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By April M. HavensJACKSON COUNTY Mississippi -- Jackson County investigators arrested 18-year-old Kyle John Jimerson and charged him with auto burglary and possession of a stolen firearm last week who lives at the 1600 block of Lake Mars Avenue in Gulf Park Estates The sheriff said the charge stems from Jimerson being in possession of a stolen firearm which was taken from a vehicle in Gulf Park Estates The teen remained at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center on Monday morning Jimerson faces up to 12 years in prison and a $20,000 fine Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" A fire engulfed a wooded area in Gulf Park Estates burning hundreds of acres in Jackson County over the weekend No official word yet on what caused the massive blaze It all started at around 2:15 Saturday afternoon and jumped across Fontainebleau Road in several areas No homes were damaged and so far no injuries have been reported News 25 will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available We have transportation changes for the Ocean Springs School District that are effective Monday After a recent inspection of the Simmons Bayou Bridge in Gulf Park Estates OSSD buses will now be rerouted around the bridge This will cause delays in bus drop-off and pickup times for students who live south of Simmons Bayou in Gulf Park Estates and Shelby Lane Students who do not live in Gulf Park Estates or on Shelby Lane can also expect delays as drivers learn their new routes Students should still plan to be at their bus stops at their normal time unless directed otherwise by their bus driver These changes will be effective until further notice .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Beverly Tuskan, The Mississippi PressView full sizeSkylar Salmons Mississippi -- Investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department have arrested two suspects and are seeking two others in connection to a series of burglaries throughout the St who are charged with armed robbery and two counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling The two others still being sought on charges related to these crimes are Joshua Correy Young Young and Sanders also will be charged with armed robbery and two counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling the sheriff said the suspects encountered a resident in Gulf Park Estates who was checking on his home The suspects pulled a gun on the resident and then hit him in the head "The resident was taken to Ocean Springs Hospital where he was treated and released keys and other items out of the resident's truck during the robbery; however investigators were able to local the property in Gautier Investigators executed a search of a house in Gulf Park Estates where it is believed that the suspects have been staying It is also where the investigators recovered several items from the burglaries Both Skylar Salmons and Shandon Salmons list their current address as 908 Martin Luther King Blvd Skylar Salmons was currently out on probation from a previous charge of burglary Byrd is urging anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Joshua Young and Jack Sanders to call the Jackson County Sheriffs Department 228-769-3063 in Pascagoula or 228-875-6963 in Ocean Springs If convicted of armed robbery and two counts of burglary the four suspects will face up to life in prison and a fine of $20,000 .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Warren Kulo | wkulo@al.comsex offenders collage.jpg (Mississippi Sex Offender Registry photos) Mississippi -- They are predominantly white they also come from at least 20 other states They are the 236 convicted sex offenders currently registered in Jackson County Using information from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Sex Offender Registry The Mississippi Press compiled extensive data on the county's registered sex offenders Jackson County ranks fourth among Mississippi's 82 counties Jackson County also ranks fourth in sex offenders per capita Moss Point has the most offenders with 80 -- 33.9 percent of the total that in some cases the offenders may have postal addresses of a particular municipality Registered offenders in the Gulf Park Estates area Six others offenders have the Jackson County Adult Detention Center as their listed address Moss Point Police Chief Art McClung told The Mississippi Press he was unaware of the number of sex offenders in Moss Point but he also noted it's likely not all are actually residing inside the city limits "I wasn't informed of that," McClung said about the sex offenders in or near his city "I didn't know there were that many The sheriff's department is in charge of tracking that but it's something I'm certainly going to inquire about." 161 of Jackson County's offenders are white three are Hispanic and one is of "unknown" race Many of them have aliases listed on the state registry it is estimated that 80 percent of all addresses in the U.S have at least one registered sex offender living within one mile Vicki Spiers is the Sex Offender Coordinator/Investigator for the Jackson County Sheriff's Office all convicted sex offenders must register with the sheriff's office in the county in which they will reside even if their residence is inside a municipality Spiers noted the constant fluctuations in the number of offenders residing in the county at any given moment (Note: since research for this story began four more sex offenders registered in Jackson County) "Sex offenders frequently do not stay in one place," Spiers said Those who don't are generally living at their childhood or family homes." When convicted sex offenders register with the county they are also required to provide a DNA sample which is sent to the Mississippi State Crime Lab Once all requirements with the sheriff's office are met the offender must go to a Department of Public Safety office where he or she is issued an ID card which they must carry on their person at all times Those ID cards must be renewed every 90 days the offender goes into "non-complaint" status after a 10-day grace period and their driver's license is automatically suspended Spiers noted that Jackson County currently has four offenders who are non-complaint but one is currently hospitalized and two others have moved to other states which do not require sex offenders to register meaning Mississippi has no way to officially document their whereabouts The one other non-compliant offender has a warrant out for his arrest In 2011, Spiers started the county's own sex offender registry where the public can view or search for Jackson County registered offenders She updates the registry "at least" three times a day adding that the number of registered offenders in the county has grown steadily over the past five years there are four registered offenders who currently list their address as "homeless," a point of consternation for local law enforcement officials "It's very disturbing that the Department of Corrections will release a sex offender with homeless as their registered address," said Ocean Springs Chief of Police Mark Dunston "I don't like it any more than anyone else does but that's the way it is," she said "The trouble with homeless offenders is how do I verify them They may be living in a homeless camp somewhere but there are five or six homeless camps in Pascagoula alone." Spiers said she used to require the homeless offenders to report to the JCSO once a week but was told that was a violation of their civil rights she has learned it is not a violation and is about to reinstitute the once per week check-in for homeless offenders Spiers also said the transient nature of the homeless has her working very closely with her counterparts in Harrison County to track the movements of homeless offenders Dunston said that while sex offenders are not required to register with his department his personnel routinely monitor the sex offender registry and receive notifications when an offender registers inside the Ocean Springs zip code Municipal police departments are also notified when the Department of Corrections releases a sex offender from their custody if the offender is from the local area the 236 sex offenders in Jackson County have combined for convictions on 334 sex-related charges Sexual battery/assault is the most frequent mental defective or helpless person for lustful purposes with 56 convictions What follows is the complete list of offenses on which Jackson County's sex offenders have been convicted but worded differently depending on the state in which the crime occurred: Members of the public can register to receive notifications when a sex offender registers to reside in a particular area through the state's sex offender website