HATTIESBURG, Miss. - A Meridian native, Southern Miss alumnus and 10-year member of the Mississippi House of Representatives 102 district. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker has a true calling for public service. “There’s so much opportunity that exists for Hattiesburg to really take. Those opportunities are in education, they are in health care, they are there culturally with the arts. We are capable of so much and we have the talent here to do that. It’s just a matter of can we get everyone on the same page. Can we paint that horizon and all take a step forward towards that?” said Mayor Barker. Serving as mayor for nearly six months, he said his responsibilities and service to residents are not

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Hattiesburg Police Department donated 80 blankets Tuesday through their benevolent fund. The blankets will go to 8 charities across the Pine Belt including the ARC in Hattiesburg. “I’ve always considered myself apart of the Hattiesburg Police Department family. For them to recognize something else that I love so much as the ARC it means a lot. My kids love policeman they are infatuated by them and it means a lot. We need these because we have programs where they spend the night at the ARC house. So, we appreciate it very much," said ARC Board of Directors Member, Debbie Everett. The blankets were packed with other toiletries like soap and other home care items.

(The following press release and photo were submitted from the Mississippi Attorney General's office.) JACKSON—A 24-year-old man will spend two years behind bars for abusing a patient while working as a clinical assistant in Hattiesburg, announced Attorney General Jim Hood. James Haydel, 24, entered an open plea to one count of felony abuse of a vulnerable person on November 8. Forrest County Circuit Court Judge Bob Helfrich sentenced Haydel Monday to 12 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections with two years to serve and 10 years suspended. Haydel must serve the remaining eight years on post-release supervision. Haydel was arrested on October 11, 2016, by the attorn

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - Earlier this year, the Lamar County community filed a petition before the courts declaring its intent to become its own municipality. However, the city of Hattiesburg challenged the petition because it wants to annex a portion of the area. In order to incorporate, supporters had to gather a certain number of signatures from registered voters in the affected area. Opponents of the move claim they were short of the required number of signatures. A recent purge of the Lamar County voter roles prompted supporters to temporarily delay their efforts. “What I want people to understand is, this is far from over” the proposed mayor of Bellevue, John Adcock said. “This is just

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - The Salvation Army in Laurel wanted to make sure that not one child in the community got left out for Christmas. Recently, they collected gifts through their Angel Tree program, and on Monday they distributed those gifts along with food boxes. “It's just fun to see all their faces and you know you make people happy,” a child volunteer, Dohnna Hastings said. Hastings and a few of her friends decided to help give back early Monday morning. The group of little helpers or elves as the Salvation Army would call them, helped carry gifts and food boxes to the cars of parents that applied for the Christmas Angel Tree program through the Salvation Army. “What's special about it

(The following press release and photo were submitted to MyFOX23.com from Belhaven University.) December 18, 2017 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven dance alumni, Leyna Woods ‘14 and Angela Belmonte ’16 were recently invited to the White House to perform for First Lady Melania Trump and honored guests November 27, 2017. Belmonte, a company artist with Vivid Ballet, and Woods, a principal dancer and ballet mistress with the same company, both earned their B.F.A. in dance from Belhaven. The White House didn't finalize the ballet performance until a week before, leaving little time for the dancers to prepare or rehearse. "There was a lot of on-the-spot choreography, but it was a good learning experien

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - This week USM's athletic department and Camp Shelby military base announced that the USM football team will be wearing the Spearhead logo as a decal on their helmet in the upcoming bowl game, when USM takes on Florida State, Dec. 27. “We actually have a lot in common between those of us who wear the uniform and those who wear the uniform of the University of Southern Miss,” the Commander of the 177th Armored Brigade, Colonel Jack Vantress said. “When we put the uniform on and they put the uniform on, they are part of something bigger than themselves.” USM’s head football coach, Jay Hopson sees it as an honor to wear the Spearhead logo. “We're blessed that those gu

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - Ten more days until Christmas and a local organization couldn't be more excited. Christian Services is preparing for its annual “Birthday Party for Jesus,” which happens Saturday, Dec. 16 at noon. Christian Services encourages people to arrive early because there's limited space in the facility, and they're expecting about 500 people to show up. The executive director of Christian Services, Jim Prout says the Birthday Party for Jesus is an opportunity to share the true reason for the season. “We are getting ready for the Birthday Party for Jesus,” Prout said. “Each year we get really excited about this time of year. You got the hustle and bustle of Christmas going o

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Police are investigating an accidental death in The District - Midtown construction area that occurred Friday morning. Authorities have confirmed the death of a 45-year-old male construction worker. According to HPD, there is a possibility the man was working on a live power line in a crane aerial lift. Somehow the live wire touched the man at the time of the accident and killed him. A witness from the local Subway restaurant in the area said she tried to help the man but there was nothing she could do. “I ran out back and the guy was in the machine unconscious. He was smoking and a few minutes later after that he was on fire,” said Subway Manager, Jozly

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The recent death of a longtime 74-year-old Hattiesburg business owner has brought light to texting while driving. According to Hattiesburg police, a 25-year-old Hattiesburg man, Robert Johnson, is charged with homicide while committing a misdemeanor. He was involved in a car crash that killed 74-year-old Robert Popwell, a longtime local business owner. HPD Spokeswoman, LaTosha Meyers, wants to remind people of the dangers of texting while driving. “There is a charge associated with being reckless when you drive as reckless driving, careless driving...If you’re being reckless taking risks, texting, face-timing, snap chat, taking pictures, selfies while you are driving – t

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - For many people, pets are like another member of the family. The Hub City Humane Society is currently participating in a fundraiser that will help hundreds of animals find a good home. “Animals need the same things we need,” the director of the Hub City Humane Society, Virginia Cheatham said. “They need food water, they need warmth, they need shelter, and they need attention.” That's why the Hub City Humane Society started a fundraiser to help animals across the Pine Belt. “We have the Pretties for Kitties calendar and we have the Hunk for Hounds. We did the Hunks for Hounds last year and it was really successful, so we're trying it again,” Cheatham said. “The Pr

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Mayor Toby Barker presented the key of Hattiesburg to USM Alumni and Minnestoa Twins Baseball Second Baseman Brian Dozier Thursday at City Hall. "I hearby proclaim on this 14th day in December, that I, Toby Barker, grant Brian Dozier a lifetime key to the city of Hattiesburg. For his many years of accomplishments and claiming Hattiesburg his home,” said Barker. The Southern Miss Alumni was named freshman All-American and selected to the Conference USA All Freshman team. In 224 career games at Southern Miss he hit 55 doubles, seven triples, 16 home runs, and 152 runs batted in. He later attended the college world series in 2009 with USM. "When you surround yourself with p

This is a press release from the University of Mississippi. OXFORD, Miss. – Several University of Mississippi theatre arts students are spending the end of the semester making a difference by sewing dresses that will be distributed to young girls in need. Donna Buckley, instructional assistant professor of costume technology, has been teaching students the basic techniques of sewing in THEA 272: Introduction to Costumes for the Stage so they learn the process of how to design a costume. Buckley said she’s always wanted to participate in a sewing outreach program and when she found out about the Little Dresses Ministry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, she knew she wanted to get her

Hattiesburg, Miss. - Caters Market in Meridian played host to a book signing of A Mississippi Palate. “We’re touring around with it right now," says co-author Robert St. John. "It started at the end of October. And next week is the end of the book tour.” Robert St. John and Wyatt Waters are tow local Mississippians who wrote a cookbook called A Mississippi Palate. It’s full of recipes and watercolors that are sure to keep your mouth salivating. “It’s our 4th collaboration together. It’s his water colors and my recipes and it really covers the entire state. We’re Mississippi themed. And this dynamic duo, became a team, almost two decades ago. “Robert and his wife Jill showed up to the g

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art revealed a new sculpture Wednesday. The sculpture revealing happened at the Keg & Barrel Dog Park at the intersection of West Pine and 4th Ave. Hattiesburg artist Ben Watts made the sculpture and believes that art can have a positive impact on the city's economy. “You can look at statistics on cities and small towns that have public art, and it gives a rise for economic development,” artist, Ben Watts said. “When people come around they're thinking about putting a factory in town or bringing a business, and you got public art it ups the advantage. So, it's good for education. It's good for public image, and it's good for econ

HATTIESBURG, MISS - Soldiers from the Camp Shelby military base hit the ground moving early Wednesday morning. These men and women participated in a 10k march carrying 35 pounds of nonperishable items to a drop off point located at the Clyde Depot Station on the Longleaf Trace trial. “In midst of running with all this weight on their backs they were bringing us joy, and the gift they are giving to the community is huge for families who are hungry and don't always know where their next meal is coming from,” Executive Director for the Edward Street Fellowship Center, Ann McCullen said. “This is a tremendous blessing.” Soldiers from Camp Shelby’s military base saw today's march as a uniqu

(The following is a press release submitted to MyFOX23.com from PRCC.) POPLARVILLE - The offices of the Pearl River Community College Development Foundation and Alumni Association have been named in honor of Verlene Cole of Oak Grove. College officials announced the decision Dec. 7 at a dinner sponsored by the Development Foundation. “She means the world to us,” said foundation director Ernie Lovell. Cole, 85, was a Pearl River student in 1949-51. “You will live on our campus forever,” PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood told Cole. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” The announcement took Cole by surprise. “I feel very honored,” she said. “I never thought an old lady like me deserved an