Mardi Gras Parking:  Avoid Getting Your Vehicle Towed

The Mobile Police Department closes streets in the downtown area one hour before each scheduled parade. Non-parking areas are designated by signage. Gold and Purple Mardi Gras "No Parking" signs are placed along the parade routes. 

If your vehicle is towed for parking in a non-parking area, it will be taken to a temporary impound lot at Water and Monroe Streets. The temporary fenced lot is located between the former Roussos Restaurant and the Mobile Cruise Terminal under the I-10 roadway.  The lot closes at 11 p.m. each parade night. Vehicles not retrieved by that time will be moved to the  permanent impound facility located behind the Mobile Police Training Academy at 1251 Virginia Street.

Cost to retrieve a vehicle from either of the impound lots is $125. Only cash, debit cards, or MasterCard and Visa credit cards will be accepted.  Motorists picking up their towed vehicles must present a valid driver's license, proof of ownership (registration, tag receipt, etc.), and proof of current insurance. 

The Mobile Police Department List of Tips for a Safe Mardi Gras:

For more information, Click Here to contact the Downtown Mobile Alliance.

Black History Month is an annual observance in the United States that celebrates and recognizes the contributions of black people throughout history . The event focuses on the acknowledgement of the central role of black Americans in U.S. history. It is the result of collaboration between noted historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland. Together they founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an

	Carter G. Woodson, historian and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by black Americans and other people of African descent. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

Mayors in cities across the country began proclaiming this week Negro History Week and by the late 1960's, due in part to the Civil Rights Movement; the week evolved into a month at many colleges in the country and became known as Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month and called upon the nation to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, and each year there is a specific theme. This year's theme is "The Crisis in Black Education" which focuses on the crucial role of education in the history of African Americans.

To learn more about Black History Month and to view 

an archive of videos and pictures Click Here.

Jubilee BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Robotics Wins Awards at Regional Championship

2016 Jubilee BEST Robotics award winners and Hub Director Robin Fenton are pictured above with Commissioners Connie Hudson and Merceria Ludgood.

Chelsey Sayasane, Miss University of Mobile 2017

Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Miss University of Mobile and Miss North Mobile pageants, Chelsey Sayasane and Logan Carter.  Both young women will

	Logan Carter, Miss  North Mobile 2017

advance to compete for  scholarships in June at the Miss Alabama Pageant, held at the Performing Arts Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The winner of the Miss Alabama Pageant will be Alabama's ambassador in the Miss USA Competition next year. Congratulations to Miss Sayasane and Miss Carter on their impressive accomplishments!