DMR samples oyster reefs PASS CHRISTIAN — The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources will be taking an extensive sampling of major oyster reefs to look into the oyster mortalities discovered Wednesday and Thursday during sample dredges, said Scott Gordon, director of the DMR shellfish bureau.

Airport presents budget gift to cities and county GULFPORT — Local governments looking for every possible cut in next year’s budget got a combined $345,000 surprise in the mail.

Ex-union worker accused of embezzling $110,000 GULFPORT — The former office manager of a labor organization in Gulfport has pleaded not guilty to embezzling more than $110,000.

Embezzlement suspect had prior record PASCAGOULA — Former Jackson County accounts payable clerk Ginger W. Lashley’s first run-in with the law came in 1990, when she pleaded guilty to 26 counts of embezzlement, was placed on five years’ probation and ordered to pay $7,451.98 in restitution, according to court records.

One arrested in vehicle burglary OCEAN SPRINGS — Police have arrested one man and are searching for another in a vehicle burglary last month at Suncoast Auto Sales, Ocean Springs Police Lt. John Flowers said.

Man, 82, assaulted; couple arrested BILOXI — Police arrested two Biloxi residents around 12:45 a.m. Thursday after an 82-year-old man was assaulted and robbed in the parking garage at the Beau Rivage Casino Resort.

Home-repair fraud trial delayed GULFPORT — A man convicted of home-repair fraud in state court may go on trial in federal court this fall on 11 counts of wire fraud.

Frustrated Gulf residents still waiting for BP payments Attorney Kenneth Feinberg said Thursday his independent oil-spill claims process already has a better track record than BP’s, despite complaints that payments are far slower than promised, with many claimants still waiting for checks 10 days after Feinberg took charge.

Agency meets with scientists, seeks ideas for Gulf spill cleanup The Unified Command has been meeting with scientists from across the Gulf of Mexico this week to get their ideas on how to find and clean up oil and dispersants lingering in the area.

‘Suitcase Lessons’ brings art to schools JACKSON COUNTY — No paintbrushes ? No problem. As extracurricular activities during the 2010-11 school year here, the “suitcase lady” is bringing the arts to the students.

Coast to be featured on VH1’s ‘Top 20 Video Countdown’ The Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division announced Thursday that “VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown” will feature more than 12 locations along the Coast when it airs at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Bashful artist loved her community BAY ST. LOUIS — Strangers who visited Seymour Jewelry and Gift Store frequently inquired about a bashful artist who signed her oil paintings simply as “Winnie.”

AROUND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI More of Sound reopened for fishing

Port Allen mayor, police chief indicted BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Port Allen’s mayor and police chief have been indicted on federal racketeering charges for allegedly taking bribes.

BP spent $93M on advertising after spill WASHINGTON — Oil giant BP says it has spent more than $5 million a week on advertising since the Gulf Coast oil spill — more than three times the amount it spent on ads during the same period last year.