Area News

Reader Judy Mann recently alerted the Long Beach Breeze about a special plant that is putting on a show in the area. Those who drive down Red Creek Road past the Shaggy Chic Pet Salon will notice a nearly twenty-foot-tall stalk towering in the sky, which will soon be adorned with pale yellow or white flowers. The…

By: Gabriela Shinskie, USM Communications       The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) honored Mississippi state Rep. Richard Bennett with the 2026 Friendship Oak Award during its annual Gulf Coast Awards Day ceremony held April 29 at the Gulf Park campus. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership and service strengthen the connection between the university and the Gulf Coast…

By Cara Pridemore     The Rusty Pelican, a 41-year-old Vietnamese and American fusion cuisine establishment, is a unique restaurant in Long Beach. The restaurant is owned and operated by Linh Schmidt, a Vietnam native who took over the business in 2024. “I love to cook, and I love to talk to customers,” Schmidt said.…

By Toni Miles     Some served on the front lines in battle, others served food to those lined up in the chow hall, and some served the country in an office processing records and pay. Different roles, but all veterans have played a vital role in the United States military, ensuring the freedoms Americans…

Special to Long Beach Breeze     Just a few years ago, Cortez Tyler was working as an electrician when something small didn’t seem quite right. “I thought it was just my contacts,” he said. Instead, it was something far more serious. After noticing his vision darkening, Tyler went in for an eye exam. What…

By Toni Miles     The City of Long Beach has made a significant investment in safeguarding the community by adding a new fire truck to its fleet, which was on display outside the April 7 Board of Aldermen meeting, allowing residents to check out the new vehicle up close and to meet the firefighters…

By Guest Columnist Renee Rayburn, LBPL Youth and Technology Services     Hello, Long Beach! Summer Reading is just around the corner, and, this summer, our theme is “Unearth a Story.”  Registration begins on May 1 and can be done one of two ways. The first way to register is to visit the library’s website…

Long Beach Breeze       The Rotary Club of Long Beach is hosting a community BINGO Night on Tuesday, April 28, at the Long Beach Activity and Senior Center.   Doors will open at 5:15 p.m., with games set to begin at 6 p.m. Tables can be reserved for $25, and games will be…

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) recently received reaccreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere. “Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Susie Nelson, board chair of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates…