TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

TSA had extra security at Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on Tuesday - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

The FBI is investigating a possible ISIS inspired terrorist threat in the U.S., according to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration alerted law enforcement agencies near airports, but officials have said it is not necessarily aviation related.

Tuesday, at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, travelers may have noticed extra security. There were officers checking cars in the parking garage, standing by the curb and by the baggage carousels.

"We want those who would do us harm to not exactly know when we are going to be at what venue and what time so they cannot plan attacks," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "The idea is to deter but to also detect."

These men and women have various specialties. Some are explosive experts. Others are behavior detection officers. There are teams like these across the country that go to airports and other transportation hubs at different times. They provide extra protection on top of the TSA officers travelers are used to seeing at security.

"Our officers are very well trained. They are actually tested every day by having us put items through to make sure they can see exactly what they are going to look like on the X-ray," Koshetz said.

Koshetz showed us two large cardboard boxes full of items passengers at the airport had in their carry-on luggage in just the last few months. They had things like a knife, stun gun, hand grenade and even some less noticeable, but just as dangerous, items like a credit card knife.

"We might find a knife inside the handle of a brush, or we might find a stun gun that's actually inside of a cell phone," Koshetz said. "We know every day that terrorists are thinking of new ways to harm the American public or the traveling public in general, so our officers are very well trained. They are not just looking for an explosive device. They are looking for a component of an improvised explosive device, because one passenger might have one part and another passenger might have another part, and it can be very tiny parts."

"Whenever I go through security, I know I can't have change in my pocket, can't have my cell phone, so I take everything out of my pockets, put it in my bag. That way, when I walk through the machine, they don't pick up any metal," David Watkins, who is a frequent traveler and knows the drill.

Watkins and other travelers admit even though it may take more time to go through security, they don't mind.

"Anything I can do to help be secure, if it's taken off my shoes or whatever it takes, yes. Let's do that," Watkins said.

"I know they are doing their job, and I always feel safe anyway, but extra security doesn't bother me," Anne Middleton said.

Here's a list of the items you cannot bring in your carry-on luggage: http://ift.tt/10wGUo9 .

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Taste international delights at Ports of Call fundraiser slated for Thursday ... - gulflive (blog)

GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Escape the boring meatloaf dinner this week and go on a journey of international flavors that'll support a good cause.

CLIMB Community Development Corporation and its sponsors, the Port of Gulfport and Gulfport Main Street, will host the 2nd annual Ports of Call International Food and Heritage Festival on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

CLIMB CDC's largest fundraiser of the year will be held at the organization's event centre at 1316 30th Ave. in downtown Gulfport.

There will be tastings from more than 20 local restaurants, and there will be a silent auction and signature drinks.

Entertainment will include music by Jonathan Brennan, Zachery Fellman and Fella Soul. The Gulf Coast Second Liners Mardis Gras Club and Belly Dance Troupe Raq Sufi will also perform.

The event will feature an outdoor Italian grotto and food from other regional and international cuisines, including the Port of Latin America, the Port of Gulf Seafood, the Port of All Nations and the Port of Soul.

Adjacent to the grotto, local artists will display their works for viewing and purchase.

Participating restaurants include: Ms. Audrey's Catering, The Almanett, Aramark, Bacchus Food & Drink, Big Mike's Speak Easy, Chandeleur Brewing, Cheeky Monkey, The Chimneys, El Agave, Gelato De La Costa, Great Southern Club, Half Shell Oyster House, Juan Tequila's, Leo's Wood Fired Pizza, Melissa's Specialty Cakes, Murky Waters, Orchid, Phoenicia, Port City Café, Salute, Southern Flavor Catering and Steve's Marina.

Proceeds from the event will be utilized to support CLIMB CDC's job training programs for Opportunity Youth.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.climbcdc.org or at the door the night of the event. For more information call 228-864-6677.

"The Ports of Call event represents our connection between commerce and the community," commented Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of the Port of Gulfport.

"Our support of this event and CLIMB CDC's youth programs also underscores our commitment to the local community, including the creation of jobs for low-to-moderate income families," he said.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Taste international delights at Ports of Call fundraiser slated for Thursday ... - gulflive (blog)

GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Escape the boring meatloaf dinner this week and go on a journey of international flavors that'll support a good cause.

CLIMB Community Development Corporation and its sponsors, the Port of Gulfport and Gulfport Main Street, will host the 2nd annual Ports of Call International Food and Heritage Festival on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

CLIMB CDC's largest fundraiser of the year will be held at the organization's event centre at 1316 30th Ave. in downtown Gulfport.

There will be tastings from more than 20 local restaurants, and there will be a silent auction and signature drinks.

Entertainment will include music by Jonathan Brennan, Zachery Fellman and Fella Soul. The Gulf Coast Second Liners Mardis Gras Club and Belly Dance Troupe Raq Sufi will also perform.

The event will feature an outdoor Italian grotto and food from other regional and international cuisines, including the Port of Latin America, the Port of Gulf Seafood, the Port of All Nations and the Port of Soul.

Adjacent to the grotto, local artists will display their works for viewing and purchase.

Participating restaurants include: Ms. Audrey's Catering, The Almanett, Aramark, Bacchus Food & Drink, Big Mike's Speak Easy, Chandeleur Brewing, Cheeky Monkey, The Chimneys, El Agave, Gelato De La Costa, Great Southern Club, Half Shell Oyster House, Juan Tequila's, Leo's Wood Fired Pizza, Melissa's Specialty Cakes, Murky Waters, Orchid, Phoenicia, Port City Café, Salute, Southern Flavor Catering and Steve's Marina.

Proceeds from the event will be utilized to support CLIMB CDC's job training programs for Opportunity Youth.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.climbcdc.org or at the door the night of the event. For more information call 228-864-6677.

"The Ports of Call event represents our connection between commerce and the community," commented Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of the Port of Gulfport.

"Our support of this event and CLIMB CDC's youth programs also underscores our commitment to the local community, including the creation of jobs for low-to-moderate income families," he said.

Gulfport's Grass Lawn: Boon or bust - WDAM-TV

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

There's no doubt that Grass Lawn sits majestic once again. There's also no doubt that it sits empty most of the time. Despite a goal of having it once again be the scene of plenty of weddings and parities next to an avenue of oaks, that hasn't happened.

Since it reopened almost three years ago, Grass Lawn has hosted just two events in 2013, 12 in 2014 and only three so far this year. It has sat empty for more than 900 days.

“I think it's been underutilized. It's being used more and more for things like weddings and receptions. We're trying to balance the use and the amount of traffic there with the associated surrounding neighborhood as well,” Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes explained.

One of those neighbors has sued the city, claiming it broke its own ordinance by rebuilding Grass Lawn and not classifying the new structure as residential. That case is now in the hands of the state supreme court.

Since it opened in July of 2012, Grass Lawn has generated only about $30,000 in revenue for the city. Hewes defends that number.

“It was not so much built as a revenue generator, as an emblematic icon of the city that is one of the few remaining pieces of architecture along our beachfront,” Hewes said.

Grass Lawn does take money to operate though. Every year, the insurance bill on the home totals more than $10,000, and the power bill runs about $6,000. That's about $48,000 over three years, so Grass Lawn is a drain on the city coffers. That doesn't include maintenance costs, like hiring a crew to pressure wash the home.

That's why one city council member voted against the plan years ago. She is Ella Holmes-Hines.

“I had hoped that we would just put a marker there and not rebuilt it. I was also very concerned also with leasing it out, because I knew that it would not please the neighbors,” Holmes-Hines explained.

That lease is held by Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson, who has been responsible for booking events at Grass Lawn for the past year and a half. For every event held there, the city gets 6 percent of the proceeds, and Stinson pays the city $1,000 a month for the lease. He is confident the future is bright.

“I think it will be successful, and I intend to make it that way, so I really hope that we get the chance to follow through for another year or two and show what we can do for the bottom line,” Stinson said.

Help could be on the way for that bottom line, according to the mayor.

“We're going to turn a portion of Grass Lawn into a tourist information center in concert with our CVB, our convention and visitor's bureau, so folks can come right off of 90 and learn about the beautiful facility,” Hewes said.

While almost every city official insists that Grass Lawn is crown jewel for the City of Gulfport, they also admit that the marketing effort to make people aware of that has not been very good.

How do I know that? Just take a look at the city website, and it's very hard to find Grass Lawn. Grass Lawn is on the city seal, but not on the website's front page. Click on city attractions. It's not there either. You have to click on city events, then click on community centers and then scroll to the bottom of the page to find Grass Lawn.

David Parker is the city economic development director, and he says change could be on the way.

“I think there are plenty of things that we can do better, and that's definitely one of them. Not just promoting Grass Lawn on our website, but promoting economic development,” Parker said.

Brent Warr was the mayor when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, washing Grass Lawn out to sea. He spearheaded the effort to rebuild it using FEMA money, a state grant and insurance proceeds. For him, there's no looking back.

“It was the right thing to do. If we had to do it over again, we'd do the same thing. It needs to be used, and I'm certain that it will be. I understand that there is an energy now to get it used, and that's all that really needs to happen,” Warr said.

Despite the questions surrounding Grass Lawn, many people who use the beach are glad it's back. One of them is Sam Maschinski.

“I think it was a great idea. Anytime you can restore the past is a good idea. I think it's well maintained, and it looks historically accurate. I think they did a great job,” Maschinski said.

Stinson added that his company has created a new website to help promote Grass Lawn. It's called historicgrasslawn.com.

Meanwhile, a date has not been set by the state supreme court to hear the lawsuit involving the reopening of Grass Lawn.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Taste international delights at Ports of Call fundraiser slated for Thursday ... - gulflive (blog)

GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Escape the boring meatloaf dinner this week and go on a journey of international flavors that'll support a good cause.

CLIMB Community Development Corporation and its sponsors, the Port of Gulfport and Gulfport Main Street, will host the 2nd annual Ports of Call International Food and Heritage Festival on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

CLIMB CDC's largest fundraiser of the year will be held at the organization's event centre at 1316 30th Ave. in downtown Gulfport.

There will be tastings from more than 20 local restaurants, and there will be a silent auction and signature drinks.

Entertainment will include music by Jonathan Brennan, Zachery Fellman and Fella Soul. The Gulf Coast Second Liners Mardis Gras Club and Belly Dance Troupe Raq Sufi will also perform.

The event will feature an outdoor Italian grotto and food from other regional and international cuisines, including the Port of Latin America, the Port of Gulf Seafood, the Port of All Nations and the Port of Soul.

Adjacent to the grotto, local artists will display their works for viewing and purchase.

Participating restaurants include: Ms. Audrey's Catering, The Almanett, Aramark, Bacchus Food & Drink, Big Mike's Speak Easy, Chandeleur Brewing, Cheeky Monkey, The Chimneys, El Agave, Gelato De La Costa, Great Southern Club, Half Shell Oyster House, Juan Tequila's, Leo's Wood Fired Pizza, Melissa's Specialty Cakes, Murky Waters, Orchid, Phoenicia, Port City Café, Salute, Southern Flavor Catering and Steve's Marina.

Proceeds from the event will be utilized to support CLIMB CDC's job training programs for Opportunity Youth.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.climbcdc.org or at the door the night of the event. For more information call 228-864-6677.

"The Ports of Call event represents our connection between commerce and the community," commented Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of the Port of Gulfport.

"Our support of this event and CLIMB CDC's youth programs also underscores our commitment to the local community, including the creation of jobs for low-to-moderate income families," he said.