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Call us at our voice messaging system, '228-467-5474; or directly by cell phone: Randy Ponder, 256-504-0814;	Geoff
Belcher, 228-332-0257; Bennie Shallbetter, 228-332-02 55; John ;ew, 228-216-6272; or ace Ponder, 228-332-K)27.
Volunteers for ree removal
Volunteers are avail-ble to help cut, but ot haul, downed ees. If you need this ;rvice call the nergency Operations enter at 228-466-!10.
BA grants mailable now
Grant dollars may available through ; Small Business miri istration to help all businesses re-;n. Apply through VIA at 1-800-621-AA.
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Complete jral, Cemetery i Mausoleum Arrangements
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Echo staff photos by Bennie Shallbetter
Melissa Macuick stands at the door of the tent issued to her for temporary shelter after Hurricane Katrina. She and her family have applied for a FEMA trailer, and were told they’were put on a special-needs “fast track” on Sept. 8, but as of Wednesday, had received no further word.
Hancock family endures after hurricane destroys home
BY BENNIE SHALLBETTER Staff Writer
Melissa Macuick says she isn’t looking for any special treatment for herself and her family, her partner Shawn Coker and his daughter Kayla. After nearly a month, she is just looking for a place to live other than in a tent in their field. S - .••vv'ore >he can get ready lor ^	,
the sweat pounng Jo* r her face, she says.
The family lost everything when their mobile home was destroyed by a tornado, picked up and set down again, just about ripping the home in half and spilling out the contents. The family lived in the field without cover for a few days until someone gave them a tarp.
Just recently they were given a tent at the emergency operations center after a traumatic visit there, Macuick said. The woman I tried to get help from there was very cold and uncaring, she said.
“I was told to go there to inquire about a FEMA trailer and when I got there the person that I asked for help told me
TENT-PAGE 9
HMC ‘operating’ at full speed after Hurricane Katrina
BY BENNIE SHALLBETTER Staff Writer
Hancock Medical Center, or at least part of it should be up and running early next week, Monday, in fact, hospital administrator Hal Leftwich says, give or take a day. The
first branch of the hospital to open will be the emergency room, said Leftwich, with a plan to open the rest of the hospital in phases.
It will take a while to get x-ray and other equip-
OPERATING-PAGE 6
Medical instruments are stacked outside of Hancock Medical Center after
Hurricane Katrina filled most of the first floor of the hospital with water.
Echo staff photo by Bennie Shallbetter
Caft os at The Sea Coast Ecttt at om voice mars messaging: system: (228) 457-5474