HATTIESBURG (May 31, 2018) —Hattiesburg Zoo has marked “one less straw” – a new commitment to cut back on the use of plastic drinking straws in Hattiesburg and surrounding areas, and is proud to be a partner of the One Less Straw Pledge. Each year, 100,000 marine animals and over 1 million sea birds die from ingesting plastic, and every day, people use 500,000,000 plastic straws. The Zoo will only be giving out straws and lids upon request, and has challenged local restaurants to do the same. “We are presenting this challenge to local restaurants to help show our community that a small change in our everyday lives can have a big impact. By choosing not to use a straw or to use a reusable str

Officials with Sears say its store at Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg will close in early September. The local location has been named among "approximately 100 non‐profitable stores" and will begin a store-closing sale soon. Sears officials add its Auto Center at Turtle Creek Mall will close in late June. More details: https://searsholdings.com/docs/053118-store-closing-list.pdf CBL Properties, the parent company of Turtle Creek Mall, released a statement to FOX 23 News. The company's P.R. director says, "In anticipation of this closure we have proactively engaged in discussions with a number of retailers and other users. We are working on plans to redevelop the Sears building, but at this

(The following is a press release from the Mississippi State Department of Health.) JACKSON, Miss. – In a continued effort to curb the opioid epidemic in Mississippi, a drug proven to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose is now available by request directly from a pharmacist at all Mississippi pharmacies. Through a standing order issued by Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier, pharmacists are now permitted to dispense by request the narcotic blocker naloxone. A prescription from a doctor or other medical practitioner is not required. In an overdose, this drug blocks the brain’s opioid receptors and restores normal breathing in people who have overdosed on fentanyl, heroin,

(The following photos and revised press release were submitted to MyFOX23.com from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.) JONES COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI – On May 25, 2018 Jones County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on Violet Drive in the Pleasant Ridge community for a vehicle burglary. The victim reported his wallet, containing several cards with his name on them and other forms of identity, was missing from his vehicle. The victim was alerted that someone had attempted to use his debit card three different times within 15-minutes. Jones County Sheriff’s Investigators discovered the debit card had been used at a convenience store on Ellisville Blvd. and went to the location to vie

(The following is a press release from the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office.) Jackson, Miss.—Polls open for the 2018 Primary Elections at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Mississippians can cast a ballot for candidates seeking party nomination for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats. Polls close at 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. “Thousands of Mississippi National Guardsmen and women are deploying now for the Middle East. One of the ways we can honor their service and sacrifice is to cast a ballot in the upcoming election,” Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said. Senate and Congressional Primary Elections are conducted by political parties

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - A team of military veterans faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi are starting a new program called “Operation Paws for Patriots” “This opportunity to create this program through the center, we felt like was a win win in regards to pairing up a great dog, a great canine, to help them cope through some of that stress,” said Military Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Doug Robinson. Back in March, Robinson awarded USM veteran-student Gary Crispell with Major, a German Shepard puppy, becoming the first pet-vet duo in the program. “Definitely having major around has been a great benefit to myself and my family – having a new puppy is an added responsibility but it ha

(The following is a press release from the Hattiesburg Police Department.) Hattiesburg Police are investigating an alleged armed robbery that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, May 26. The alleged victim contacted Hattiesburg Police around 7 a.m. Saturday, and stated he was from out of town and was driving around when he stopped at East 8th and New Orleans Street at 5 a.m. to gather his thoughts. He advised that a black male in a red shirt came up to him with a handgun and demanded his money, and he gave him his wallet. The victim advised he had to wait on a service station to open so he could contact authorities. There was no other information available from the victim, and the invest

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services made a new addition to their spiritual grounds Thursday. The new area features Meditative Labyrinth and Fire Circle to help patients feel relaxed during their recovery. Labyrinths help patients focus on a defined goal, like recovery, by offering a set path with a clear destination. Pine Grove’s labyrinth is based on the design of the historically significant labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France and offers patients a relaxing place to concentrate on their personal path to recovery. The fire circle element provides Pine Grove’s patients with a means to spiritually discard of past transgressions and make h

(The following is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Transportation.) JACKSON, MISS. –Cookouts, parades and local fairs are just a few ways that many will choose to celebrate Memorial Day. The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) top priority is to keep motorists safe and informed while providing efficient roadways for summer travel. “Mississippi has a lot to offer and MDOT hopes many will take advantage of their Memorial Day weekend by exploring new places or returning to favorite scenic routes, all the while making wise choices,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT Executive Director. Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer travel season for many people. Accord

LAUREL, MISS. - For over a decade, the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and the county’s Board of Supervisors have sat on opposite sides of the table when it comes to funding the sheriff’s department. Sheriff Alex Hodge has become very vocal about the situation saying the department needs more money. “The president engaged me about the budget process again, and it’s not going to be resolved in the room,” Hodge said. “For eleven years, we tried to communicate. We tried to talk to no avail we are on totally two different sides of the spectrum.” However, the board did applaud the sheriff on the job he’s done in the county, but said they do not have any more money they could give him. “They

This is a press release from Safety 1st. HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Dorel Juvenile, a segment of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) and one of the world’s leading juvenile products manufacturers, today announced the launch of Strolling for a Better America, a Safety 1st initiative to improve parks and play spaces across the country, and inspire families to get involved in improving their own communities. The program kicked off with the revitalization of Trustmark Park in downtown Laurel, Mississippi, the setting for HGTV’s hit show, ‘Home Town.’ Safety 1st teamed up with the stars of the show, Erin and Ben Napier, to redesign and renovate a rundown section of Laurel’s Main Street area. The

An overwhelming majority of voters approved the Hattiesburg Public School District's bond renewal in a special election held earlier today. Absentee votes will be counted tonight. The election should be certified by Wednesday afternoon. FOX23 is working on further details of this developing story.

(The following is a press release from the office of U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.) WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced she has joined several bipartisan Senate caucuses, all of which are focused on promoting national security issues. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has joined the National Guard Caucus, Air Force Caucus, Army Caucus, Navy Caucus, and Special Operations Forces Caucus. “The challenges facing our Armed Forces are increasingly complex. These caucus memberships will allow me to represent the interests of our military operations, installations, and industries in Mississippi, and how they can be part of the sol

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss junior right-handed pitcher Nick Sandlin collected the 2018 C Spire Ferriss Trophy Monday afternoon at a luncheon held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson. Sandlin, who made the transition from closer to the team’s ace starting pitcher this season, has posted an 8-0 record this season in 13 starts and has fanned 122 batters, while having walked just 14 over 86 1/3 innings. His ranks Top 10 nationally in the following statistical categories including No. 1 in WHIP (0.71), second in earned run average (1.25), fourth in hits allowed by nine innings (4.90), eighth in strikeouts and eighth in strikeouts-to-walk ratio (8.71). The preseason Conferenc