John Fitzhugh
Multimedia Journalist
Biloxi, MS
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/raycom/170cabf0-1e12-4f39-97d5-0c1dec51b2b1.png)
John Fitzhugh has documented South Mississippi for over 31 years as a photojournalist at the Sun Herald newspaper. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism.
He is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He is married with three daughters and two dogs. He is a big soccer fan and loves the Saints.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OLWUNJ5URZANVB443VC43GZD5U.jpg)
Sgt. A. J. Riall was stationed in Iraq when an IED struck the vehicle he was patrolling in, leaving him with chronic back pain. It would be years before he finally was able to get the surgery needed to heal, he said.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/O24K534BGVBKBCPBFG3SDDWU4Q.jpg)
Police Chief Wayne Payne is set to retire next month after more than 47 years in law enforcement.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HQGMCQSJAZHSJDZ7KPPIYGZ6CI.jpg)
When Michael Davison’s house caught on fire on Saturday, he did the most important thing: get his family out safely.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AYRLA52AMJA3XKB6YSVBUNXNCE.jpg)
The state legislature will decide how $1.8 billion of the American Rescue Plan Act funding will be spent, and there’s going to be a lot of competition to see which projects will get the money.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SPF7BIVK7VD5JEMGG3BXKTOTHA.jpg)
When Dick Wilson decided to retire from the Air Force, he began a second life serving South Mississippi.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/G77DTDHIVRFVVOLZSLWGICNWZY.jpg)
Several fires broke out in the woods over the weekend, and authorities believe they were set on purpose.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/M6HR3PZU5JDWPKX6XWJFS4BBQI.jpg)
More than 18% of Mississippi’s total reported COVID cases have been in children age 17 or younger. That’s just below the national average.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/STFH644IMFBSJOKKPBFQ7GJAQA.jpg)
The campus is the last major project funded by the district’s $55 million school bond passed in 2018.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CIQKXYT3ZBGATKC5QPIRPUEKXY.jpg)
What was initially believed to be a shooting was later determined to be a drug transaction that ended with a man suffering severe head injuries, said police.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/E4IMXNQBIVA4LBI7XRMSSS465I.jpg)
Four families are without a home or any belongings after the fire at Coast Village Apartments in Gulfport.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Q2DDJKDXCFD5XLSCT6VDWDFMTA.jpg)
Halter Marine in Pascagoula will double its workforce over the next two years, creating a need for more space beyond the gates of the shipyard, adding to a growing downtown vibe.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VNQFLOEBJNCN3E6ZUL2REPKTBA.jpg)
Creating a road between Highway 609 and D’Iberville north of I-10 has been a vision for Jackson County for more than 15 years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YLL2BZXGJJAWNIYFQCI6WZXGFM.jpg)
As soon as the announcement was made that Ground Zero was opening a location in Biloxi, the calls started coming in. They have come from 33 states. Apparently, a lot of people have always wanted to work for a blues club.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ICUDPKSV3RENNOCNWEEG42PPPU.jpg)
Gulfport Ward 6 Councilman R. Lee Flowers has been trying to get funding to dredge Richards Bayou north of Interstate 10 since he took office more than 12 years ago.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ABZZ4EQVBFHJPMWIC4ZGF5ANFM.jpg)
Corri Howard, 36, was found dead in a swamp after a brief police pursuit in Moss Point.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WWFSKQPDUFFYBL6F3LJAG7NAVY.jpg)
The group’s board of directors wanted to take advantage of being dark during COVID-19 to make some needed repairs. The plan was to mortgage the building to pay for repairs, but a zoning issue tripped them up.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WI2GGWHLJVBPJADGLTCPLBIL4A.jpg)
Waveland officials knew that the permitting process to repair Garfield Ladner Memorial Pier after Hurricane Zeta could slow them down, so they got right on it. However, with permits from the Department of Marine Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in hand, FEMA told them not so fast.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MYACWZZAUVGZRKO2UPQORNQSPU.jpg)
A Coast domestic violence expert spoke to WLOX about how such a horrific crime could have been prevented.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FIRF4UCPYVF2FFUNRP3ZDQ5BU4.jpg)
This past year, the Coalition has seen its greatest success by getting 600 people in the six southern counties off the streets. In addition, they administered the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program which gave $6 million to help keep 1,400 families in Harrison County from being evicted.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/N74HGSXGGBCTXDIT2H7I3HFZXI.jpg)
Life as a paramedic or emergency medical technician is fast-paced. It requires not only medical skills but quick thinking and a willingness to work hard.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TOK7LH77PZFDBD7GIYUV2PAI24.jpg)
Patients were waiting at the door at clinics across the coast Friday morning wanting to get tested for COVID.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/W22FL3AVYRAMLPXD6Y2H3WAMH4.jpg)
After 10 days of uncertainty, a group of missionaries from New Manna International Ministries in Pascagoula is finally back home.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/I6FBFL5F75DHHO4RD34RZAEZAE.jpg)
A boater gave two men some advice on where they could find a good fishing hole, and they paid that kindness back by saving his life.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/42U5BUWUQZCSPDGJLOT5MLMMMU.jpg)
Nearly 2,700 new cases Tuesday marks the biggest jump in cases since the summer surge in September, and some medical professionals expect the trend to continue as we head toward the new year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/G6RZD7EOEZCIPOUP74UH6WLYDM.jpg)
Biloxi has a laundry list of water and sewer projects it needs to get done, but the city doesn’t have enough money.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2LQK6YXCXFEYREQMQ4QYI7G5KI.png)
The members of the New Manna International Ministries in Pascagoula traveled despite warnings about the new Omicron variant that originated in South Africa.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TCRNNGIYSNHKNHXY3R4NBAPE2Q.jpg)
An officer-involved shooting includes any incident where shots are fired either at or by law enforcement.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YXMDZC4G35FKTBNV2XXMHE7NB4.jpg)
The 52-year-old semi-retired merchant marine has operated the raccoon sanctuary north of Pass Christian for the last two years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H5IGZK2HK5CC5BMG7F3ZZZKBPA.jpg)
The bridge will improve pedestrian safety and make Jones Park more accessible to downtown visitors.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VDUHPKHV5NF4RAXV2G3OSYIA7A.jpg)
It’s a week before Christmas and all through Ocean Springs shoppers are busy looking for special gifts, and merchants are busy ringing up sales.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GSLCS75NAZAW7HMHXLDV3V6MHI.jpg)
Holiday travel can be hectic and the Travel Security Administration is offering some travel safety tips to help keep your trip on track.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/J2WUSJNKGVD4TBRQU64ZLMSFB4.jpg)
The Harrison County Development Commission held a celebration of the year’s success and the significant growth seen at the Industrial Park.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OG7F4U2H2ZFI7PDC2HEDFTRGQQ.jpg)
It only costs a few cents a month, but when it is multiplied by 72,000, it adds up quickly. The Coast Electric Roundup program provides grants to dozens of organizations helping their communities.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AHLWPABBEFH3DPCPFZ2OSMJTKE.jpg)
The building now known as The Hall was built in the 1930s where it served students from first through eighth grades in just two classrooms.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/V5LFFJXKERELBDFSKM2B6TH3B4.jpg)
Their sign-in sheet for prospective employees at their job fair was blank. For Mark Williamson, CPS Director of Workforce Well Being it was frustrating.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NO3WIRAA5RA7XIHBXBLUX77SIY.jpg)
A new research-based approach to help children cope with that trauma and re-establish trust is called Trust-Based Relational Intervention or TBRI.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MIRPFDNEOZCBJH5GRH5VEI2GF4.jpg)
Wednesday’s announcement about Loaves and Fishes moving temporarily to Back Bay Mission brought that comment out from Back Bay’s James Pennington, but it was much more about the future home of the Biloxi soup kitchen.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/A5LB4HJYRVHA3AAAWMMIYO7ZKM.jpg)
If approved, 16 multi-story houses would be built, with nine of those being directly on the beach.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EMJNMYFXHRG6BGJFOSUYB4NZUA.jpg)
The omicron variant is forcing preparations for one of the largest health care providers on the Gulf Coast. Memorial celebrated opening a new clinic in Pass Christian, where it didn’t have a presence before.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ME5UAS3U2BC23D2B3BK3FKDOJM.jpg)
You may be seeing more masks when you’re out shopping this winter, after recommendations from the Biden administration Thursday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/L6DX6DBDV5HZXMP5PDG53DRYHQ.jpg)
Restaurateur and developer Jourdan Nicaud’s 902 Howard Avenue project is renovating the old Josette’s building into 21 apartments with a restaurant plus retail space.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5GVJ7AWTURGRDEUKFXNQFDYGNI.jpg)
It took Stephen Davis two years to complete the monument that captures who his son Nicholas was and the things he loved the most.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VPSWAHNRZFDKJKUHKMRYZUUN7E.jpg)
Pass Christian has a unique quality, defined by the stately mansions on the beach. On Second Street where it meets Menge Avenue, residential merges with commercial, and the latest development there checks both of those boxes, literally.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ITZRXTMZNZDH7E63UHRF5FGSPU.jpg)
Renovations at the Salvation Army in Gulfport are taking longer than expected, and that has the group worried about providing cold-weather shelter for the homeless this winter.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NJPIPWMVYZBRLBSVRN3F6GIQAM.jpg)
Gulf Coast Against Mandates has called for a rally for health care workers on December 4, two days before workers nationwide would have to get their first COVID shots in order to be fully vaccinated by the January deadline.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KV5YLVFEKRFIZL5QPMPGCPAZLM.jpg)
The sound of broken glass is not often associated with progress. But it is to the people who are working to restore the old Turkey Creek Head Start Center on Rippy Road in Gulfport.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HCIC7ECI2NCPXE3EMVYJR2V5IU.jpg)
The club teamed up on Thursday with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks to put 25,000 young bream into the Tchoutacabouffa River.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IZ522VOTIFDN3NO2JQTM3X7PYY.jpg)
Bay St. Louis is investing in itself with the help of a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority. City leaders just approved $300,000 match for an MDA grant to improve their Depot District.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/E7YAVU43XBAMJOEWCCQBR36DXQ.jpg)
Now that President Joe Biden has signed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, states will begin to decide how to spend it.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OOOG3VJRJFGQNNO4QGRBNMYVCU.jpg)
It was a day of celebration for the veterans who have bravely served our country. But it also served as a reminder that women are a minority in the military that is not always welcome.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TKNLZAJVR5HJZGQHY6J7BDY4QA.jpeg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7UO4N2QR7ZDW3GGXV7JX2WX4DM.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5V2HKFNFKRBNDM627TUSPA3F2Y.bmp)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FEVMPS5EWBHSDOMGHDLX2SDCAI.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5PBVPIX5CBGYRHHUC3CJEWJTB4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ATKW4N5QEVDJ5PRORN55YRPFKE.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EZAVJOUQSRBMXCWGNKP2PIQWAE.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EP7FMEAXLVCYDEVWOQAS7CUFHA.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MAEVPSX4WFGAJPMAFUYRRL5CTM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/22ZBMJCJUBAAHHGM7UBX7OJC6Y.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2NLRFJ6P3BGYFP7FHW3ONTVC4U.jpg)