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Main St.- Hattiesburg, MS 39401  | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Hattiesburg, MS – (Contributed) – May 4, 2025 – Arkansas State baseball (23-24, 11-13 SBC) struck first, but 14 unanswered runs for Southern Miss (35-13, 18-6 SBC) sealed a 14-2 defeat on Sunday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park.adButlerLazyLoad("135090188684169933",100,["707873","707873","707873"],"177037"); Jack Hibbard (5-4) made his 12th start of the season, surrendering three runs (none earned) on three hits over 1.0 inning pitched. At the plate, Cason Campbell (2-for-3) led the bats with two hits while Cross Jumper and Patrick Engskov split two RBIs. A-State claimed the early lead when Jumper fired an RBI-single through the right side and a sacrifice fly allowed Wil French to cross the plate uncontested. French tied the program record for career runs scored at 173 on the play and pushed the lead to 2-0 in the opening frame. The Golden Eagles were unable to respond in the bottom of the first, but a six-run second inning turned a two-run advantage into a four-run deficit. The opposition added with an RBI-single before a three-run home run expanded the deficit to eight in the fourth.adButlerLazyLoad("145453189008240018",100,["707873","707873","707873"],"177037"); Southern Miss scored two runs on back-to-back singles in the fifth, while a two-run homer in the next inning made the score 14-2. The Red Wolves could not respond before a run-rule went into effect in the seventh. Camden Sunstrom (2-0) earned the win while Hibbard took the loss. A routine traffic stop near the intersection of East Nettleton Avenue and Stevens Street led to felony drug charges and a $500,000 bond for a Jonesboro woman already out on bond for a separate drug-related offense. Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas is inviting the community to ride against human trafficking in June with its annual outdoor event. Dogs and cats of all ages, breeds and sizes are available through area animal rescues and shelters, as well as opportunities to help homeless animals through foster programs, donations, and help with fundraisers and other family-friendly activities. The most outstanding graduating students in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication were recognized during Arkansas State University’s Convocation of Scholars. ARDOT will host a public involvement meeting on Thursday, May 8, to discuss the proposed widening of Highway 91 west of County Road 132 to West Parker Road in Jonesboro. Your GPS did not respond. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again. © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAMAR COUNTY (WDAM) - Six hours after the initial accident Lamar County Coroner Blake Matherne confirmed that one woman died in a crash on I-59 that involved two 18-wheelers on Friday morning Next of kin was being notified before a name released Matherne identified the victim Friday afternoon as Unique Lee Lee was a passenger in the tractor-trailer with the white cab The crash caused significant traffic delays The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was on the scene after reports of oil and diesel fuel on the road A crew Clinton was also called to assist in the cleanup law enforcement closed I-59 southbound past U.S Hwy 49 and is diverting traffic through exit (Exit 67) The Mississippi Department of Transportation reported the crash at 10:27 a.m the crash involves two 18-wheelers blocking all southbound lanes of I-59 The Hattiesburg Fire Department later reported an entrapment This report was later followed by a confirmation from the Hattiesburg Police Department of one death MDOT maps and cameras showed traffic along U.S Hwy 98/Hardy Street was heavily backed up due to the increased traffic from I-59 MDOT has also reported several minor wrecks Some traffic may continue as the influx of drivers pass through Hattiesburg Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. – Matthew Russo belted a home run to start the bottom of the ninth to lead Southern Miss to a 2-1 Sun Belt Conference victory over Arkansas State Friday night at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field In Mississippi, nearly 350 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty Some of the deaths were documented as early as the 1870s such as the deaths of Hinds County Sheriff's Sgt in February; Summit Police Patrolman Troy Floyd in August 2024; George County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Malone in January 2024; and Madison Police Officer Randy Tyler in June 2023 Every year in May, Police Week is held to remember law enforcement officers who lost their lives Services are held by individual agencies up to the national level to remember the fallen officers Many whose lives were sacrificed while doing their duty to serve and protect their communities are often forgotten Their names become little more than a sign on a highway For those who knew and loved these officers their names and faces are never far from their hearts The Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger visited with a few family members of some of the fallen officers to learn more Patrolman Benjamin "B.J." Deen called in backup for a traffic stop on a Saturday afternoon in 2015 Inside the vehicle was a female driver and a male passenger in the front seat When Officer Liquori "Coco" Tate arrived at the scene to back up Deen on the call, the driver, Joanie Calloway, was leaning against the car, waiting for Deen to return. The passenger, Marvin Banks, got out of the car and immediately began shooting, striking Deen first and then Tate Calloway and Banks were arrested along with seven others in connection with the officers' deaths Banks died in jail before he could be tried The others pleaded guilty to their roles in the double homicide Calloway was convicted at trial in 2017 and sentenced to 25 years in prison A scholarship fund set up in the officers' honor is given to a qualified student This year's memorial will have a little more on the agenda with the 10-year anniversary The public ceremony is held at the officers' memorial near the site where they were killed on Fourth Street near Ryan Street B.J.'s parents Mary Ellen and Dan Deen and Liquori's parents Youlander Johnson and Ronald Tate learned of their sons' deaths the day before Mother's Day 10 years ago "I never thought … I always knew there was that danger but I never thought it would happen to him," Mary Ellen Deen said I cannot believe it's been so long since I've seen my baby boy "It's like we are still there in that time and the world has gone on." Her son's death became a moment forever etched in her memory but she would rather focus on the memories of her son that make her happy his sweet smile that was "just a little crooked." B.J.'s son Walker was a young child when his father died He is graduating high school this year and plans to attend college in the fall His sister Melah would have been 23 this year but she died from complications related to a viral infection just six months after her father's death "I could almost imagine what she would look like now what she would be doing," Mary Ellen Deen said there was the blue one that his art class painted flowers on Then he had a plum-colored bug that he restored to like-new condition B.J.'s brother Josh and sister Candice's families used to live nearby We would get together for meals and swimming at my house It's just good to think back on all that but we still miss it so much." and that's what we have to lean on," Deen said Johnson remembers her son as a loving son and brother He was always making everyone laugh and always made them feel special Johnson went back to school and earned a master's degree She lives in Starkville but works at Cook Elementary in Columbus there is still a big hole left that her son's laughter used to fill Now I dread them because everything happened on a Saturday It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years." So many things bring back memories of Liquori Her grandson reminds her so much of her son with similar mannerisms and likes some of the same things Liquori always wanted to be a police officer She wonders if he hadn't become an officer if he would he still be alive today "But that's the one thing I can treasure," Johnson said We all realize that it's God's will and something that we have to live with moved to Virginia with her husband and son Although she's far from where her brother was laid to rest "I often replay that day in my head," she said "I don’t trust easily and I have heightened anxiety Anytime I see anything about an officer being killed Lane tries to think about the happy memories she has with her brother I remember what he loved most: going to carnivals playing basketball with cousins and neighborhood friends Lincoln County sheriff's deputy killed May 27, 2017Deputy Donald "William" Durr responded to a domestic call that turned into a three-scene rampage in which Durr became one of eight people shot to death on May 27 His killer, Willie "Cory" Godbolt angry that his estranged wife would not let him take their children Durr arrived at Godbolt's mother-in-law's home in Bogue Chitto Godbolt went on to kill four more at two other homes the victims were all Godbolt family members Godbolt confessed his crimes to former Clarion Ledger reporter Therese Apel and he was later convicted and sentenced to death He remains on Mississippi's death row but continues to seek relief in the courts William Durr, who lived in Brookhaven, was a husband to Tressie and father to his son a chair was placed at the ceremony in honor of his father "Nash is now driving his truck," William's mother Debbie Durr said Her son was an ordained minister in addition to working for the sheriff's department "He was a good God-fearing man," Debbie said Coping with her son's death became too hard One thing Debbie has enjoyed since her son's death is hearing from the many people whose lives he touched She said one mother whose daughter was killed in a car wreck was greeted by William at the hospital "He asked if he could pray with them before they went back to see her," Debbie said "Different stories I was told after that — I didn't have any idea He kept stuffed animals in his car so he if a kid got in a wreck or something Brookhaven police officers killed Sept. 29, 2018Patrolman James "Kevin" White and Cpl. Walter Zachery "Zach" Moak responded to an early morning call of shots fired Flowers was a fugitive who had failed to appear in court to answer charges stemming from a high-speed chase in 2017 He pleaded guilty to the officers' murders and was sentenced to life in prison Both men were supposed to be off duty the day they were killed but were called in to work since the department was short-staffed The Brookhaven post office in 2021 was named for White Moak and Durr to honor the fallen officers Moak and White's mothers will be presented with their sons' service weapons on May 9 Before joining the Brookhaven police force, Kevin White was a military man who served in the Mississippi Army National Guard He earned a Purple Heart after he was injured in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 "We had to sign for him (to enlist) because he was too young," his mother Kevin trained at Fort Benning and Fort Knox before he was sent to war "He stayed over there until his tour was over," Laurie said "He always dreamed about being in law enforcement and the military," Laurie said he would tell me how I was supposed to fold his clothes and the military folds it this way Laurie said her son treated people fairly and with kindness she learned from some of the people who reached out to her after Kevin was killed A man who was arrested by Kevin told Laurie her son treated him "more like a human being than any officer had ever treated him before." They still have a difficult time talking about their father's death Laurie's life also has changed dramatically since her son's death watched video footage of their sons' murders because he tried to help Kevin even after he was fatally wounded "I watched that body cam and I was very proud of him," Vicki Moak said but Laurie said she got comfort from seeing her son's last minutes alive "I saw the moment my son was shot and fell to the ground Zach Moak, 31Zach Moak had been a reserve officer with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and worked full time as an auto mechanic He decided he loved law enforcement and worked with Wesson police before joining the Brookhaven department His mother Vicki Moak said Zach and her other son were both soft-spoken so she had to tell him he'd have to learn to speak up if he wanted to be in law enforcement She would question him about crimes she'd hear about around town but he would shrug his unique shrug always tell her he didn't know anything about what happened mostly to shield his mother from the things he saw "He had that knack to make people feel comfortable and at the moment it was all about them," she said Zach and his brother Chris were close in age and close to each other "You almost have to find a new you," Vicki said It was hard to find the strength get through each and every day." but there are moments when the sorrow washes over her In 2019, Vicki Moak started a nonprofit foundation, Warriors of the Badge to help the families of Mississippi first-responders killed or critically injured in the line of duty The foundation comes as close to possible to providing a full month's salary for the families in need "What does a mom do when she's got children?" Vicki said "You don't want to think about it but you've got bills to pay and one less income We can be there with them and help them so they have a little extra time (to grieve) "I look back and I see God's hand in this the whole time Dozens of Pine Belt residents gathered outside Hattiesburg City Hall on a balmy Thursday evening to write postcards and stand in protest of what they say are harmful Trump administration policies The postcards will be mailed to South Mississippi Congressman Mike Ezell Members of the group said they want their elected officials in D.C "They will be deluged with postcards," said Dick Conville of Hattiesburg Protesters who finished their postcards gathered up their signs to hold up for passing motorists some of whom honked their horns in support Howard and Liz Fromkin of Hattiesburg were among those protesting "We live in a red state and We are blue voters," Howard said we need to get a message to our reps that they represent all of us I don't know if they read these cards or not but it's an effort to do it — you've got to do something Tomeka Peters of Columbia is an Air Force veteran protesting in support of veterans and veteran services "What he is doing is cutting our colleagues," she said our mental health care system — everything." She said she's already been impacted by the cuts and so have other veterans across the country "It already takes months to get an appointment," she said "Now it's taken even longer because the staff has been cut All the way around the cuts aren't necessary citizen falls in love with someone from another country The TLC show "90-Day Fiancé" takes a deeper look at how couples — and in this season a "throuple," a couple and another woman — navigate the complexities of love and immigration as they prepare for marriage Matt and Amani are considering a divorce so one of them can marry Any Other couples on the show experience different challenges as they hopefully work toward marriage Stevi and Mahdi (the show only uses first names) are one of the couples featured on the show's 11th season "The idea was given to me by my students way before (Mahdi and I) ever thought about it," Stevi said because I really wanted to showcase that love can be found anywhere The couple met when Stevi was teaching an online English class They fell in love and worked on plans to get Mahdi to the United States where they could explore their relationship in person the couple said in an interview on the show the couple has 90 days to get married or Mahdi has to leave the country but this show has really helped me stretch my arms a little bit And the support I've gotten from people has been really great." unguarded moments where millions of people are watching can be daunting but Stevi said the experience was worth it I know when you're watching yourself on TV You can see all of your flaws and maybe some things you don't normally see about yourself "I just hope that people can be more vulnerable and live how they want to live and not do what everyone tells them they should do." where they spent a week getting to know each other in real life The show typically films in the fiancés' home countries "I wanted to show that Iranians are not their government," Stevi said making the relationship even more challenging Stevi opted not to meet Mahdi in Iran because of the political climate may not be able to return to Iran after being in the United States or could even face imprisonment if he returns The couple's journey takes them through a range of emotions set in the Hub City landscape Local viewers get a glimpse of familiar places in Hattiesburg "People in Hattiesburg have been really kind to Mahdi." Stevi's father takes Mahdi to a monster truck show and Stevi takes Mahdi to blow glass at Mohawk Steel and Glass with a couple of Stevi's friends is well-known in the Pine Belt and has his own story line that viewers are following "But you'll have to watch to find out what happens," Stevi said Cultural differences become apparent throughout the show Although the discussion is somewhat lighthearted it shows some of the differences between customs in Iran where women have to dress according to a code Perhaps one of the most eye-opening discussions between Stevi and Mahdi took place at Anatomies in which Mahdi said he felt uncomfortable working out with women in the same facility asked Stevi if she would feel comfortable with Mahdi training a female client to which Stevi responded that she wouldn't mind as long as Mahdi acts as a professional "It's definitely different any time you have to blend two different cultures together in a relationship," Stevi said making the couple occasionally question whether their relationship will last but Stevi said the couple was true to themselves as they worked through them you're kinda opening yourself up to judgment," she said "Most people in these surrounding small towns know people are going to talk anyway "I would really want people to know they should just live their lives even if it's not on reality TV Just make your reality one that makes you happy." Stevi said people would stop and watch them filming the show since it's not an everyday occurrence in Hattiesburg In an Instagram post Mahdi shared in February he talks about his first week in Mississippi people are nice even when they find out where I’m from The show "90-Day Fiancé" gets its name from the U.S. immigration policy that says a person who is granted a K-1 visa must marry within 90 days of entering the country If the marriage does not take place within the 90 days the person must leave the country or face possible deportation the fiancé can take the next step toward permanent residency in the U.S For those wondering whether Mahdi and Stevi got married It is available on TLC and various subscriber platforms including Discovery+ and DirecTV In one of the largest protests in Hattiesburg since the start of the year more than 200 people showed up to voice opposition to President Donald J Some came to fight for Medicare and Medicaid Others protested the lack of due process in recent deportations Some protested job cuts and agency defunding Most came because they are concerned about the apparent devolution of democracy "We wanted to provide an opportunity for multiple voices to be heard all at once," protester Rachel Ciraldo said "People in Hattiesburg have been waiting for the opportunity and I think they just needed an organization." Mississippi: 3-day economic blackout starts April 18. New Amazon, Target, Walmart boycotts are soon Ciraldo and others helped put the event together so people in the Pine Belt could be heard "It's obvious that they have a lot to say," she said Catherine Eaker said there are so many different issues that Hattiesburg residents are concerned about and pointed to the divergent messages on the signs people carried at the protest and I think the posters are very representative of a lot of the different issues — and there are so many different issues," she said "What I'm here specifically to protest is (not putting) people over profits that we don't need to have an oligarchy and that we're fighting to see democracy not be ended with this administration." "She pretty much speaks my truth," Ealy said "I am here to support my country and what it stands for We're over here trying to keep this democracy but it's not going to turn out the way (Trump) wants it." Ealy said she is also worried that she won't be able to get Social Security when she is ready to retire but I dare not try and go to apply," she said said people need an outlet to voice their concerns "We wanted to give people a chance to express that to our elected officials." along with many other colleges and universities throughout the nation has a large number of international students Conville said many of them are afraid that they will be taken away without warning and sent to some unknown location "The fear is palpable on campus," Conville said Ciraldo said so many people are afraid of what is happening in the U.S "I am personally afraid of how all of these decisions are going to affect me and my family," she said my friends and my colleagues are also afraid." Conville pointed out that cuts to staffing of government offices include the Judge Advocate General's Corps which he said is the agency that can determine whether Trump's executive orders are legal He added that recent deportations without hearings are eroding the core of the nation's Constitution He fears the loss of due process for immigrants could lead to the loss of due process for all Americans "If he can ship people off with no due process who are immigrants "Due process is the major column of our democracy." Lt. governor: Mississippi needs to plan for lean budget as President Trump 'rights the ship' A few people drove by the protest to show their support for the president on Saturday with Trump signs and Confederate flags waving from their cars who is a soldier in the Mississippi Army National Guard stood a few feet from the anti-Trump protesters saying our country is in distress," Baker said Baker said the protesters have the right to protest under the First Amendment but he doesn't believe the reasons they are protesting are valid "The previous administration and the terrible trade plans they were making and the Trump administration coming in to fix those trade deals and ripping off the Band-Aid and then trying to say (Trump) is defunding Social Security?" Baker said Pollution: Why Mississippi River is top of endangered rivers list. What you need to know The Hattiesburg rally is part of a nationwide effort to protest the Trump administration's policies, under a collective umbrella known as 50501 The movement is gaining support throughout the nation Several nationwide protests have been held this year Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night! Click here for more information about sponsorships Categories: Alumni and Friends Homepage Contact Us Hattiesburg Campus Map Gulf Park Campus Map Our professors care about their subjects and they know their subjects They will convince you to change your major © 2025 The University of Southern Mississippi Southern Miss Eaglepalooza Categories: Alumni and Friends (WXXV)- A Coast business has opened its second location up in Hattiesburg Audrey’s Southern Kitchen and Catering kicked off the opening with a celebration Audrey recently celebrated her ten-year anniversary on the Coast Not many people can say they were alive when Hattiesburg's oldest restaurant Coney Island Cafe opened in downtown Hattiesburg in 1923 It welcomed soldiers from all over the country who trained at Camp Shelby during World War II Hurricanes Camille and Katrina couldn't keep the restaurant down Century-old tradition: Hattiesburg's Coney Island Cafe turns 100. Here's what longtime patrons say The restaurant changed very little in 102 years including the menu and a cash-only business but it stood the test of time with its welcoming atmosphere and family-friendly environment And so it is that Coney Island's time has come to an end after 102 years owned by four generations of the Fokakis family The beloved downtown diner will end an era when its doors close for the final time on Feb "It has been my family’s absolute pleasure to have been privileged enough to serve Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt for 102 years," owner B.J "The rise in food prices among other variables have hurt us over time and has led us to this point." Mississippi restaurants: 5 dining destinations where everyone should eat As news of the restaurant's closing spread hundreds of patrons took to Facebook to share their surprise and sadness "This is heartbreaking," downtown resident DeLisa Bunnell said They shared some of their favorite memories of growing up with Coney Island and bringing their children and grandchildren to enjoy a meal at the diner Fans also shared their favorite dishes they enjoyed at Coney Island over the years: the open faced steak sandwich "I'm 85 and I remember going to the Coney Island and getting a hot dog or a hamburger and they were good," one patron wrote The Fokakis family has one message to share after announcing it was closing the century-old diner: "You have two weeks to come back in and say goodbye and enjoy a Hattiesburg tradition one more time Categories: Homepage Research and it's going to cost you a pretty penny to make it yours The home, just outside of Hattiesburg, called Black Creek Farms can be yours for $14 million According to the Live Water Properties website "Black Creek Farm offers an exceptional opportunity to own one of the premier properties in the Pine Belt region of Southeast Mississippi." and their two daughters have used the property as their primary residence since the late 1990s Black Creek Farm is about 20 minutes south of Hattiesburg sports courts and grounds spanning approximately 20,018 square feet The 465-acre property features forested woodlands pasture and hardwood bottoms along Black Creek creating a habitat for white-tailed deer "Black Creek Farm has been the heart of our family for over 20 years," Favre said in a statement emailed to the Wall Street Journal "It's where we've raised our family and gathered with friends spent summer afternoons by the pool and cookouts by the grill and enjoyed quiet walks through the gated 460+ acres." Water features include two lakes in view of the improvements as well as Black Creek Other structures on the property include a secondary home across the lake from the main house equipment storage and other outbuildings to support the property’s operations A robust internal road network connects the farm and a high fence ensures both privacy and control of access Favre had a storied career in the NFL, with most of his 20 seasons as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers The team made two Super Bowl appearances under Favre's leadership Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHATTIESBURG (WDAM) _ Technology used by Hattiesburg police to issue school zone speeding citations is facing two new legal challenges; one from the Mississippi Legislature and the other from a federal Camera-assisted radar guns being used to catch speeding drivers also have caught the attention of lawmakers like state Senator Joey Fillingane (District 41-R) who said he had heard several complaints from constituents ‘Hey I thought you guys outlawed this a couple of years back’ Let me check into this and see how they are getting around the law,’” said Fillingane A 2009 Mississippi law outlawed automated cameras Hattiesburg city leaders have maintained the new cameras are legal because they are operated by an officer monitoring speeds Fillingane’s SB 2201 aims to tighten the language of the law It passed out of committee this week and heads to the full Senate “When we have a very clear straightforward law that we passed a couple of years ago to avoid this and then to have municipalities going around the spirit and the letter of the law by doing an exception or a loophole that was not cleared with the Legislature at all and clearly violates the spirit and letter of our law State Senator Angela Hill also is opposed to the new technology She said she believes current laws should already prohibit the practice “I have no problem with law enforcement enforcing the laws but they need to follow the laws while they enforce the laws,” said Hill the Hattiesburg City Council voted to contract with a company called IntelliSafe for the technology City leaders said the goal was to keep kids safe in school zones Officers are equipped with a camera-assisted radar gun that allows them to record video of a speeding vehicle a citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle However, dozens of people have contested cases in court claiming they weren’t driving the vehicle or even in the state during the time of the listed offense video recordings did not produce images to positively identify the person behind the wheel Hill said she believes law enforcement needs to make contact with the driver and identify the person who will receive the citation “Let’s just go back to traditional law enforcement where we stop the person and we know who they are writing the ticket to rather than trying to make a quick buck and basically violate the Constitution and just ignoring what the law says,” said Hill Cited drivers can contest the ticket in court or pay $230 as part of a diversion program with IntelliSafe to keep the ticket from being reported to an insurance company city and Mississippi Department of Public Safety According to the contract approved by the Hattiesburg City Council in 2024 the City of Hattiesburg keeps $75 and DPS gets $25 more than 3,000 citations had been issued in Hattiesburg according to a spokesperson for IntelliSafe The citations only come from two school zones: Woodley Elementary and Grace Christian Elementary schools The largest portion of the citations have come from the Woodley Elementary zone along busy Hardy Street The city has previously said it would consider expanding to additional schools WDAM 7 asked an IntelliSafe representative for updated numbers WDAM 7 also submitted a records request to the city of Hattiesburg for the new totals class-action lawsuit filed in January 2025 “I’d say there’s over 100 that we’ve talked to or know about who have challenged this here locally in the area as well as individuals from out of state,” said Rome Johnson an attorney for Deakle & Johnson in Hattiesburg In addition to the class-action lawsuit, Johnson also represents another individual who has filed a lawsuit against the city Johnson has asked for an injunction to stop the practice while the process plays out “We believe it is very important to get this stopped because it is spreading to other municipalities,” Johnson said trying to get other municipalities signed up and then other people stand to have their constitutional rights infringed upon.” You can read the lawsuit in it’s entirety below: City of Hattiesburg Class Action Lawsuit by Ame Posey on Scribd Moss Point and Oxford followed Hattiesburg in contracting with IntelliSafe The City of Natchez also considered the technology but the police chief there told WDAM 7 that city leaders tabled the decision because the municipal court was already busy with current cases Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker issued a statement about SB 2201 to WDAM 7 A spokesperson later declined a request for an on-camera conversation we’re going to continue doing all we can to protect our children.” senators like Fillingane received text messages from members of the Mississippi Municipal League The MML is a private organization with representatives from cities and towns in Mississippi Barker was last year’s president and is currently listed as the legislative co-chair for the group A notice about SB 2201 now appears on the MML website While opponents of the technology agree on the importance of slowing down careless drivers in school zones many don’t think the cameras are the right solution “This is no excuse for people to break the law and drive dangerously in any part of this town but there are ways of curbing that with current manpower that doesn’t violate everyone’s civil rights and privacy,” said Fillingane Fillingane believes HPD officers should be pulling over drivers and making contact with offenders “This really doesn’t help the city with manpower issues because in order to avoid the current law which is saying you have to have a stationary device you have to take it off the pole and put it into the officer’s hand And that officer could just as easily be pointing a radar gun and pulling the person over instead of standing there swiping every car that goes by,” said Fillingane SB 2201 now heads to the full Senate after being voted out of committee Fillingane is optimistic the measure will have support noting that no one spoke out or voted against the proposal during the committee hearing It’s unclear when it may be brought up on the floor Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter City of Hattiesburg Class Action Lawsuit by Ame Posey on Scribd (WDAM) - A juvenile is dead after an incident at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hattiesburg on Tuesday afternoon the Hattiesburg Police Department confirms first responders arrived at the 300 block of Pine Street in reference to an unresponsive juvenile but the juvenile was pronounced dead at the scene Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker issued a statement regarding the incident firefighters and Hattiesburg police were spotted at the scene More information will be provided once it is made available Visit the group’s Facebook page or email for more information Categories: Arts and Sciences a black jaguar that has called the Hattiesburg Zoo home since 2016 The 21-year-old jaguar developed kidney disease and has not been on public display while zoo staff oversaw her treatment “Maya lived a long and wonderful life,” Dr “It is rare for a jaguar to have that long of a life and her team of keepers have truly provided her with the utmost in quality care.” Maya also began to exhibit other age-related health issues Jaguars typically live 16 to 18 years in captivity Within the past week Maya became less interested in her outdoor activities and her behaviors pointed to rapidly declining age-related symptoms "End of life decisions are never easy for the animal care team," said Kristen Moore director of wildlife for the Hattiesburg Zoo MacGregor has been heavily engaged in observation of Maya reviewing her medical test results and considering the effectiveness of ongoing medical treatments decision that it was in Maya’s best interest and welfare to administer life-ending treatment this morning." Maya was completely black — a trait called melanism meaning she had increased amounts of dark pigmentation Roughly 10% of jaguars around the world are black Meet genets Monarch and Lacey: Hattiesburg Zoo introduces two new residents in 2024 zoo staff helped Maya celebrate an early birthday with a special jaguar-friendly birthday cake and Taylor-Swift-themed decor “We wanted to celebrate her and let her know how much we loved her so the early birthday party was perfect,” Moore said Zoo officials said guests are welcome to place flowers and photos in front of Maya's exhibit to memorialize their experiences with the beloved jaguar visitors who have previously spent time at Maya's exhibit began sharing their thoughts after learning of her death "Maya has always been one of my favorites … She is forever prowling in the stars now," one fan said "She’s always held a special place in my heart," said another When and how much? As prices go up, Hattiesburg Zoo adjusts rates, goes cashless. Take a peek! Hattiesburg Zoo welcomes birth of two zebras this month. Mississippi's municipal elections will take place in June the Republican and Democratic parties will hold primary elections to narrow down the field of candidates for some offices The party primary races will be held April 1 if a race has more than two candidates and none meet the required 50%-plus-one votes to secure the candidacy only Wards 2 and 5 will hold Democratic primary elections this year Candidates in Wards 1 and 3 will face each other in the general election Incumbent Mayor Toby Barker and Ward 4 Councilman Dave Ware are running unopposed and will take office again in July Hattiesburg Democratic primary candidates: Full candidate list: Hattiesburg will see some old and new faces in office after the June 3 election Only Republican candidates are seeking office in Petal so the municipal races will be determined in the April primary election or runoff The mayor's office and Ward 1 alderman positions are challenged this year The incumbent candidates will be sworn in to a new term in July Petal candidates in the Republican primary: incumbentPurvisIncumbent officers currently serving the city are all running unopposed so the city will not hold an election this year The following officers will be sworn in for a new term in July so Sumrall will not hold a primary election There are no Republican or Democratic challengers so Lumberton will not hold a primary election Look who's running: Find municipal candidates in Petal, Purvis, Sumrall and Lumberton Hattiesburg will see some new faces in July after two incumbent council members decided not to seek reelection this year served as council president twice during his 28-year tenure Ward 2 Councilwoman Deborah Delgado has served her community on the council since 2001 Delgado has worked on urban renewal efforts in her ward with Twin Forks Rising She also is the founder and chairperson of the Historic Mobile Street Renaissance Festival Mayor Toby Barker and Ward 4 Councilman Dave Ware are running unopposed The candidates filed their intent to seek office by the Feb Their candidacies need to be certified before they become official and their names placed on the ballot the Republican and Democratic parties will hold elections to narrow down the field of candidates only Democrats in wards 2 and 5 will hold primary races this year A runoff will not be necessary since there are no more than two candidates in each of the primary races Here are the candidates who are in the running for city offices this year: (WDAM) - A pedestrian was hit and killed by a train in Hattiesburg on Thursday afternoon the Hattiesburg Police Department confirmed officers were dispatched to the railroad tracks near Highway 49 and West Pine Street after receiving reports of a collision involving a train and a pedestrian they found a 33-year-old man deceased on the tracks The individual’s identity is being withheld until the next of kin is notified More updates will be provided once they are made available (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Police Department responded to reports of shots fired near the intersection of 4th Street and 25th Avenue officers responded to the 2400 block of West 4th Street Multiple police cars were at the scene and police tape was set up in the area HPD confirms that no injuries were reported Information on suspects is not available at this time Witnesses on the scene reported that they heard multiple shots in the area and described the incident as a “drive-by.” If anyone has any information about the incident or possible suspects they are encouraged to call Hattiesburg Police Department or Crime Stoppers by dialing **Tips Anonymous tips can also be submitted online HERE Charles Brown spent most of his life doing things to benefit the people of his hometown who always had a smile and a helping hand to lend but his legacy will continue for generations Brown's name is engraved on many plaques on public buildings around the Hub City including City Hall (as the first Veteran of the Year); the Library of Hattiesburg Petal and Forrest County; the Lake Terrace Convention Center and other Hattiesburg Convention Commission entities including the Saenger Theater In 2024, Brown established an endowed scholarship fund at his alma mater to help Hattiesburg High School graduates who plan to go into the field of education Brown was exactly the kind of graduate we want at William Carey University," WCU President Ben Burnett said in an email his community for decades and his legacy will live on to serve this university for generations to come." Long before making a lasting commitment to WCU Brown was a founding member of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission where he contributed to the guidance of the commission's entities beginning with the Lake Terrace Convention Center and ending with the Sixth Street Museum District which puts a spotlight on the city's African American struggles and successes I have had the privilege of working with Mr Brown for more than three decades,” Rick Taylor executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission Brown was instrumental in helping guide and transition the Commission from its initial mission of creating and managing the Lake Terrace Convention Center to becoming what it is today which is a catalyst and developer of attractions that not only improve the quality of life of the people who enjoy them but also grow the economy of our city.” The Convention Commission also operates amenities such as the city's zoo “Our community should be forever grateful for his service,” Taylor said Education: Hattiesburg's Charles Brown endows scholarship at Carey. 'So much has been given to me' The African American Military History Museum at the historic USO and the Historic Eureka School were among Brown’s favorite restoration projects of the HCC They held sentimental value to him because of the role they played in his personal life Brown meant to me and the District," said Latoya Norman director of museums for the Sixth Street Museum District "I began working with the Commission in 2008 with very little military history knowledge Brown with his kind of experience was a bit intimidating but I will always remember him welcoming me with open arms and offering unwavering support from the very beginning "He was much more than a commissioner and committee member — he was our family and we will miss him tremendously.” Brown attended the historic Eureka School before graduating from L.J and worked as a janitor at the local community center formerly known as the East Sixth Street USO Brown was a sergeant first class in the Army He was honorably discharged in 1969 for medical reasons but not before he earned two Purple Hearts two Bronze Stars for valor and many other citations while with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam Brown returned to Hattiesburg and attended William Carey University he joined the Mississippi Department of Employment Security Brown was a lifelong member of True Light Missionary Baptist Church "One of the many times I was honored to hear Mr he talked about the journey that brought him to William Carey University," Burnett said "He said that he chose William Carey because it was somewhere he could pray." Brown is survived by his three children: twin sons Visitation for Charles Brown will begin at 8 a.m Memorial donations may be made to the Charles J. Brown Scholarship Fund at William Carey University at gowcu.info/brown Forrest Funeral Home of Hattiesburg is handling arrangements Bobby Walters has been a customer at Coney Island Cafe since 1955 it's been his go-to spot for breakfast and lunch every day Walters sat in the back booth up against the wall filled with paintings he's made over the years Walters said he will be taking the paintings home to add them to his estate now that the restaurant is closing its doors for good Another customer in the booth in front of Walters wiped his eyes as he looked around at the pictures on the walls soaking up memories along with the scenery who has been a patron of Coney Island Cafe for more than 50 years wandered up to the back booth and sat next to Walters "It was more of a get-to-see-people than a food thing," Little said Donna Turner walked in and hugged chef Dave Shepherd across the counter of the little diner that has made perhaps tens of thousands of meals in the last century Friday in a way was unlike any other day at the restaurant even though all the usual people did all the usual things Friday was the last day for customers to enjoy a meal at the downtown Hattiesburg diner Owner B.J. Fokakis announced Feb. 17 on Facebook that the 102-year-old restaurant which had been owned and operated by four generations of Fokakises would be closing for good on Feb. 28 patrons have been flocking to Coney Island for one last meal one last look at the photos and paintings on the walls "My dad worked there," one man said as he pointed to a photo on the wall and leaned over a booth to take a picture of it 1923-2023: Coney Island Cafe in Hattiesburg turns 100 The last day at Coney Island was filled with laughter and tears hugs and handshakes — and a favorite meal from the grill Shepherd sat down with the early customers — the regulars roll in around 6 a.m — to take their orders before cooking their meals helped him before the regular wait staff arrived Dave Shepherd already knew what most of the patrons would order but writing it down was part of the routine Turner said she has been a regular customer at Coney Island for about 12 years since she started going there with her husband "He introduced me to all these fellas and they became my family," she said Hot dog! It comes with chili and pickles and a Hub City cafe's been serving it longest in the state Turner said the group of regulars would talk about anything There would be trivia and history lessons mixed in with the conversations "That's true — I learned that crows are the smartest birds," Miranda Brewer said "You don't come here just for the food," Turner said but they live on with their photos on the walls and the love shared by the friends who still gather despite their dwindling numbers "All of the laughter and all of our tears will soon be turned into a yesteryear We will look back on the memories we've made We will cry as we relive all those bygone days." "Nothing will ever be able to fill that space who has breakfast at Coney Island every morning They stopped at the ATM outside the restaurant to get cash to pay for their meals Coney Island has always been a cash-only business and still operates with an old-fashioned cash register "It's about getting up early in the morning to get my day started and having a good relationship with Dave the cook and Bobby Walters." Dave Shepherd brought the men their breakfasts "They're going to come see me when I open my new place," he said Shepherd began looking for another place to work He is going to begin serving breakfast at Big Q's Barbecue inside Dandy Dan's convenience store at 853 U.S Shepherd said the breakfast service will begin March 10 "I've got to take care of Bobby (Walters)," he said We celebrate our birthdays together every year now We make a big spectacle for Bobby out of it." Shepherd said he started his career as a breakfast cook at Waffle House and rose up through the ranks to manage the Waffle House in Petal before coming to Coney Island he feels the camaraderie is the best part about working at the restaurant "I met all of these people (at Coney Island) and somebody's got to take care of this crowd," he said and one that already saw him running low on eggs and other supplies "My wife's about to run to the grocery store to get more eggs," he said "It's not even 7 yet and I've got one flat of eggs left Shepherd's voice trails off as he turns away to welcome more visitors to the restaurant I'm going to get a server over to y'all in just a second." Hattiesburg is ready for a big weekend downtown with the return of Eaglepalooza and the annual HubFest arts and music festival baseball fans can take in a game or two with their favorite hometown teams presented by the University of Southern Mississippi will bring a celebration of live music to Main Street beginning at 7 p.m “Eaglepalooza has always been a cornerstone of the Southern Miss spirit,” Southern Miss President Joe Paul said in a news release “Bringing this event back underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant student life experience both on campus and throughout our community.” Eaglepalooza was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 lockdown This will be the first event since the global pandemic erupted Singer-songwriter Briston Maroney will headline Eaglepalooza on the Interstate" "Chaos Party" and "Bottle Rocket." Maroney’s career includes performances at major music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Osheaga as well as television appearances on CBS Saturday Morning and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Warming up the crowd ahead of Maroney will be local favorite Grits and Greens "best described as a formidable quartet epitomizing the essence of rock and roll." DJ Kujho will keep the dance music flowing energetic style that is always a crowd pleaser Food and beverage vendors will have a variety of snacks and treats available The annual daylong event will be Saturday throughout the streets of downtown Hattiesburg This year's featured musical artist is Chayce Beckham HubFest is hosted by the Area Development Partnership To round out the weekend with a little something for everyone sports fans can take in a game or two with baseball at Southern Miss and William Carey University The Crusaders will take on Georgia Gwinnett College at 6 p.m The Golden Eagles will play the University of South Alabama Following Tuesday's primary elections in Hattiesburg and Petal leadership in those cities are shaping up ahead of the June 3 general election None of the races in Hattiesburg or Petal require a runoff as all winning candidates secured the minimum 50%-plus-one votes The winners of the primaries also secured their positions in their respective cities since they have no opponents in the June 3 general election Eric Boney was able to secure the Ward 2 City Council seat defeating his opponent Carlos Wilson with 506 votes or 69% Wilson received 226 votes or 31% of the total votes in Ward 2 It will be Boney's first term on the council replacing longtime Councilwoman Deborah Delgado Ward 5 Councilman Nicholas Brown will return to office in July having defeated his opponent Ashley Perkins with a narrower margin Brown secured 447 votes or 56% to Perkins's 338 votes or 44% This is what to expect on the ballot for the June 3 general election in Hattiesburg: Mayor Tony Ducker took a strong lead with a lion's share of the votes in the three-way Republican primary Miller's 89 and Emily Dawn Escolas' 25 votes Ward 1 Alderman Gerald Steele also cemented his return to office with 147 votes or 79% to his opponent Josh Gipson's 40 votes or 21% Petal will not hold a general election in June since the remaining candidates were unopposed Returning to office in July with Ducker and Steele are Alderman at Large Mike Lott Ward 5 Alderman Drew Brickson and Ward 6 Alderman Craig Bullock There were no primary races held in Lamar County cities all of the city's current leaders are running unopposed so the city will not hold elections this year Returning to office for a new term in July are Mayor Roger Herrin Ward 3 Alderwoman Jerry Smith and Ward 4 Alderwoman Deborah Ferrell candidates are running as independents in the June 3 election Ward 4 Alderman Darrell Hall and Ward 2 candidate Shanna Istre have uncontested races Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Lee Granberry is not seeking reelection Click here for more information about University Forum Categories: Honors College Many happy motorists traveling through downtown Hattiesburg might be singing "Train Go Away" as they travel the Hall Avenue overpasses and enjoy a train-free journey The Hall Avenue East overpass will open Wednesday morning after a ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday afternoon which is expected to eliminate lengthy delays caused by stopped trains in the downtown area Plans to build overpasses over downtown Hattiesburg's railroad tracks were approved in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to many projects because of a lack of supplies and workforce inflation and the rising cost of construction with Mayor Toby Barker and City Council members working to secure additional funding much of which came from use-tax revenue and federal grants State lawmakers also worked to make the project happen the Hall Avenue West project cost $24 million "A lot of people worked really hard to see this thing through," Barker said Barker said for more than a century, motorists and first responders have been caught by trains, forced to wait for long periods while the trains pass through town "We're glad that future generations will not have to live with it," Barker said The west overpass runs from West Pine Street near Hall Avenue over the railroad tracks and onto Hall Avenue The road will take travelers to a roundabout at the public safety complex The Hall Avenue East overpass opened in November who has been instrumental in helping the city bring the $15 million project to fruition who worked with the city to secure major grants to fund the overpasses Construction update: New Hall Avenue East overpass in downtown Hattiesburg will eliminate many traffic delays Barker said Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District Rep Mike Ezell helped push the project across the finish line by securing the last $3 million needed The congressman said he was proud to be able to help Hattiesburg since the city's leaders and residents work together to improve their city "What I see is people that are committed to their town How to get around: New Hall Avenue East overpass in downtown Hattiesburg will eliminate many traffic delays there are 22 rail crossings without alternate paths if they are blocked by trains Some neighborhoods were cut off from the rest of the city because of the stopped trains The overpasses will not only ease traffic problems but allow first responders to get to an emergency situation much more quickly This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page A Hattiesburg group is holding an informational meeting to tell residents about the possibility of Hattiesburg getting a new seat in the state Senate in the 2025 redistricting plan a federal court ruled the state's current lines dilute Black voting power specifically in three districts — two Senate districts and one House district The legislative districts were adopted by the state in 2022 but a challenge to the racial distribution brought the adopted plan under federal review A lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Conference of NAACP and others claimed that the state is currently in violation of the U.S Voting Rights Act because it diluted Black voting power in the Legislature Details: What are Mississippi lawmakers' redistricting plans in 2025? It was the first time since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was implemented that the state was allowed to decide its own redistricting plan without federal preclearance The federal preclearance mandate was lifted in 2013 The state currently has a Black population of about 38% there are 42 Black majority districts in the 122-member House (34.4%) and 15 Black majority districts in the 52-member Senate (28.8%) American Civil Liberties Union and civil rights attorney Carroll Rhodes will talk about how a new district could impact the Hattiesburg community Registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/49pprhbd Grant McLaughlin is reporting from Jackson Lici Beveridge is reporting from Hattiesburg The first Fat Boy's Pizza restaurant in Mississippi has closed its doors for good bringing an end to the company's history in the state "It is with a heavy heart that we have made the very sad decision to permanently close our Hattiesburg location," a note posted on the restaurant's door said "We would like to thank you all for your support we have made some incredible memories with our guests and team members alike." The restaurant opened in Hattiesburg in late 2021 in the former La Fiesta Brava location on U.S The Hattiesburg location employed around 45 people in the 7,000-square-foot facility Fat Boy's Pizza was started in 2019 by Gabe and Karen Corchiani in Metairie The company expanded to six locations in Louisiana and two in Texas The restaurant chain is known for its giant slices of pizza and welcoming atmosphere Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPINE BELT (WDAM) - The National Weather Service has revealed its rating for the tornado that hit North Hattiesburg and Petal the tornado reached peak winds of 115 miles per hour and ran for 6.45 miles The tornado reached a maximum path width of 400 yards snapping trees and causing damage to a billboard near the interstate 0at3Southern Miss Mississippi State Falls in Hattiesburg February 18 The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing driving up prices for affordable properties The typical home value in the United States was $359,741 in March Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth But some areas are still seeing price jumps compared to the year before Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area using data from Zillow Charts show the monthly typical home value since January 2018 - 1-year price change: -$7,450 (-6.5%)- 5-year price change: +$850 (+0.8%)- Typical home value: $108,034 (#14 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: -$2,126 (-1.9%)- 5-year price change: +$4,541 (+4.3%)- Typical home value: $109,589 (#13 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$1,228 (+0.9%)- 5-year price change: +$18,704 (+16.2%)- Typical home value: $134,305 (#8 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$4,038 (+3.5%)- 5-year price change: +$25,164 (+26.5%)- Typical home value: $120,151 (#11 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$4,619 (+4.1%)- 5-year price change: +$22,893 (+24.2%)- Typical home value: $117,550 (#12 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$5,509 (+4.4%)- 5-year price change: +$10,691 (+8.9%)- Typical home value: $130,850 (#9 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$5,963 (+3.0%)- 5-year price change: +$46,895 (+29.3%)- Typical home value: $207,194 (#4 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$6,400 (+3.1%)- 5-year price change: +$48,902 (+30.1%)- Typical home value: $211,474 (#3 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$7,470 (+4.6%)- 5-year price change: +$37,430 (+28.6%)- Typical home value: $168,126 (#6 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$8,818 (+5.4%)- 5-year price change: +$45,582 (+35.8%)- Typical home value: $172,958 (#5 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$8,883 (+3.5%)- 5-year price change: +$70,016 (+37.0%)- Typical home value: $259,134 (#1 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$9,121 (+4.1%)- 5-year price change: +$66,110 (+39.6%)- Typical home value: $232,885 (#2 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$9,856 (+6.7%)- 5-year price change: +$37,195 (+31.1%)- Typical home value: $156,825 (#7 most expensive city in metro) - 1-year price change: +$10,332 (+8.6%)- 5-year price change: +$36,329 (+38.5%)- Typical home value: $130,767 (#10 most expensive city in metro) The Hattiesburg Zoo is moving into the digital age and will soon be cashless while simultaneously upping the price of admission the facility will only accept digital and card-based payments and at the various food vendors’ locations the Hattiesburg Zoo has a reverse ATM on site for guests who bring cash which can be used at any location that accepts MasterCard and Visa “We believe the change will enhance the overall experience for our guests,” Demetric Kelly Hattiesburg Zoo director of retail and guest experience “Becoming a cashless venue is also safer for our employees as they are not moving money throughout the facility or between the Zoo and bank.” zoo admission prices will increase by $2 per person The price bump is expected to help cover rising operational costs and improvements to the zoo’s facilities and exhibits Zoo officials encourage prospective patrons to purchase their tickets online as they are $2 cheaper than ones bought at the gate Online tickets can be purchased up to 9:00 a.m. on the same day of one’s visit. Additional ticket information, pricing, and hours of operation can be found here Copyright 2025 SuperTalk Mississippi Media Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly SuperTalk Mississippi Media is Mississippi’s leader in news SuperTalk Mississippi Media covers every inch of the state