Hattiesburg Fire Department welcomes Mystee Dale as first female firefighter in department history

By Haskel Burns, 2,425 Reads
Fri, 07/23/2021 - 3:19 PM
When Mystee Dale set out on her new career path, she had one goal in mind: to become a first responder, in whichever particular field that may have been in.
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Petal School District enters contract to use gym at Calvary Baptist Church

By Haskel Burns, 1,540 Reads
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 11:37 AM
To help accommodate for the large number of athletes and other students who participate in extracurricular activities at Petal High School, officials from the Petal School District have entered into a three-year contract to use the gym at Calvary Baptist Church, adjacent to the high school on Mississippi 42.
- Click Here to Read More about Petal School District enters contract to use gym at Calvary Baptist Church
Supervisors, school district partner on new tennis complex in Oak Grove

By Haskel Burns, 1,373 Reads
Fri, 07/23/2021 - 1:19 PM
Over the past few months, officials from the Lamar County Board of Supervisors and the Lamar County School District have been working on plans to bring the Oak Grove area its first tennis complex.
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Legislators hold meetings to review marijuana options

By Steve Wilson, 1,107 Reads
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 10:18 AM
Lawmakers met for the second time as they evaluate the possibility of medical and even a recreational marijuana program in Mississippi.
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Possibilities still open for vacant 8-acre lot on Central Avenue in Petal

By Haskel Burns, 1,048 Reads
Mon, 07/26/2021 - 1:42 PM
Possibilities are still open regarding development on the vacant plot of land between Subway and BancorpSouth on Central Avenue in Petal, as the owners of that property plan to soon visit the Petal Board of Aldermen to discuss options for the site.
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Photo courtesy of Nick's Ice House Facebook page

State Fire Marshal’s office to investigate fire at Nick’s Ice House

By Haskel Burns, 983 Reads
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 3:32 PM
Officials from the State Fire Marshal’s office are expected to arrive in Hattiesburg this week to investigate the cause of the fire that severely damaged the well-known Nick’s Ice House dive bar on Hardy Street.
- Click Here to Read More about State Fire Marshal’s office to investigate fire at Nick’s Ice House
Photo by Cayla Camp Burns

Petal School District releases Return to School Plan for 2021-2022 school year

By Haskel Burns, 972 Reads
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 6:07 PM
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing schools around the world to adopt alternate learning models, the Petal School District was able to eventually integrate a traditional school setting for the 2020-2021 school year that served more than 97 percent of the district’s students.
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As Delta variant spreads across Mississippi, COVID-19 outbreak reported at Raymond detention facilities

By Brittany Brown - Mississippi Today, 899 Reads
Wed, 07/21/2021 - 4:30 PM
Seventy-four cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Raymond Detention Facility and the Work Center, Hinds County Sheriff Lee Vance said in a Tuesday press release.
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Editorial: Hard truths about Amtrak

READ MORE > 796 Reads
On Sat, 07/24/2021 - 10:00 AM
Maybe it’s time for all Americans — even those who cringe at the trillion-dollar budget deficits of recent years — to admit that there really is no political or popular will to do anything substantial about our runaway spending.
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Petal School District offering free meals for upcoming school year

By Haskel Burns, 772 Reads
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 1:37 PM
Thanks to a waiver from the federal government, meals at all schools in the Petal School District will be free of charge throughout the duration of the upcoming school year that begins on Aug. 3.
- Click Here to Read More about Petal School District offering free meals for upcoming school year

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Pope, Eaton, Jones

Mayor Barker nominates reappointments for city clerk Eaton, city attorney Pope, chief administrative officer Jones

By Haskel Burns, 13,205 Reads
Fri, 07/02/2021 - 4:29 PM
Toby Barker has started off his second term as Hattiesburg’s mayor by nominating his appointments for three key members of his administration: city clerk Kermas Eaton, city attorney Randy Pope and chief administrative officer Ann Jones.
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Newspapers, journalists honored for excellence

READ MORE > 6,482 Reads
On Sat, 07/10/2021 - 5:28 PM
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Attorney general candidate Lynn Fitch speaks during the Madison and Hinds County Republican Women candidate forum at The Lake House in Ridgeland, Miss., Monday, August 26, 2019. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

New boss same as old boss when it comes to AG using private lawyers

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today , 5,894 Reads
Mon, 07/05/2021 - 12:37 PM
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” — Pete Townshend in The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
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C.E. Roy Community Center to host free Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic

By Haskel Burns , 5,085 Reads
Fri, 07/09/2021 - 1:55 PM
While Hattiesburg officials were encouraged by early numbers of COVID-19 vaccinations, the area seems to have hit a standstill in that regard - for example, as of July 8, only 26 percent of Forrest County residents had been fully vaccinated.
- Click Here to Read More about C.E. Roy Community Center to host free Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic
Mississippi casinos are setting revenue records, outpacing pre-COVID numbers

By Sara DiNatale - Mississippi Today, 4,679 Reads
Thu, 07/01/2021 - 4:34 PM
Mississippi casinos are making more money now than they were before the pandemic, and the Gulf Coast is leading the spike.
Mississippi casinos are reporting a nearly 21% increase in gross gaming revenue so far this year compared to the same period in 2019, according to data from the state Gaming Commission.
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Mississippi State faces defending national champion Vanderbilt’s much-feared, soon-to-be-multi-millionaire Jack Leiter.

Vandy’s Leiter, soon to be a very rich man, presents hurdle for Bulldogs in game one of national title

READ MORE > 4,017 Reads
On Mon, 06/28/2021 - 4:54 PM
You scratch. You claw. You somehow fight you way through three dramatic, one-run victories to get to the championship round of the College World Series. And then, who do you face?
Why, defending national champion Vanderbilt’s much-feared, soon-to-be-multi-millionaire Jack Leiter, of course.
- Click Here to Read More about Vandy’s Leiter, soon to be a very rich man, presents hurdle for Bulldogs in game one of national title
W. L. Hightower, pastor of New Zion Baptish Church in Louisville, receives the Moderna vaccine, administered by Mississippi State Department of Health Phamacist Kathryn Ward at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. Hightower was among a number of African American faith leaders from across the state to receive the COVID-19 vaccination Monday at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Tower

Delta variant now dominant COVID-19 strain in Mississippi

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 3,603 Reads
Thu, 07/08/2021 - 5:02 PM
As public health experts have warned for weeks, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain circulating in Mississippi, causing a spike in cases and hospitalizations.
- Click Here to Read More about Delta variant now dominant COVID-19 strain in Mississippi
Mississippi State infielder Kellum Clark (11), center, celebrates a three-run home run against Vanderbilt during the seventh inning in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

‘There’s gonna be a big party tonight’: Mississippi State baseball wins national championship

By Rick Cleveland, 3,398 Reads
Wed, 06/30/2021 - 9:34 PM
OMAHA — It began as a baseball game.
It ended as a wild, maroon and white celebration.
- Click Here to Read More about ‘There’s gonna be a big party tonight’: Mississippi State baseball wins national championship
View From the Back Row: Slim is in Texas

By Benny Hornsby, 3,234 Reads
Fri, 07/02/2021 - 10:46 AM
Nick, the astute TV weatherman, has moved away.
I don’t know any details about why – better pay, more exciting weather to predict, in love – who knows? The only thing for sure is that he bailed out at the beginning of hurricane season, just as tropical storm, Claudette roiled up the Gulf and rolled across our shores.
- Click Here to Read More about View From the Back Row: Slim is in Texas
Area Baseball Player of the Year: Sumrall's Kros Sivley puts up big numbers to end memorable career

By Andrew Abadie, 3,233 Reads
Wed, 06/30/2021 - 3:49 PM
Sumrall’s Kros Sivley’s high school career will be one that Bobcat fans remember.
Since he was a freshman, Sivley, in some way, has put up ridiculous numbers every season and has had countless memorable nights against some of the toughest competition.
- Click Here to Read More about Area Baseball Player of the Year: Sumrall's Kros Sivley puts up big numbers to end memorable career

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Wide receiver Tim Jones runs the shuttle run at Southern Miss pro day. Photo by Southern Miss athletics.

Jones and Hemby attract 19 NFL scouts to Southern Miss pro day

By Andrew Abadie, 98,538 Reads
Sat, 03/27/2021 - 9:20 PM
It was only two names that were being showcased at Southern Miss’ annual pro day on Friday.
Defensive back Ky’el Hemby and wide receiver Tim Jones attracted 19 NFL scouts to their workouts.
- Click Here to Read More about Jones and Hemby attract 19 NFL scouts to Southern Miss pro day
Oak Grove alum Drew Boyd threw five innings in Southern Miss' 8-7 Sunday loss to Louisiana Tech. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Golden Eagles lose slugfest to Louisiana Tech 8-7

By Andrew Abadie, 96,803 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 7:14 PM
For the first time of the 2021 season, Southern Miss dropped its first weekend series to Louisiana Tech after falling short in an 8-7 slugfest on Sunday.
The biggest difference in the game was the Bulldogs' ability to capitalize on their opportunities.
- Click Here to Read More about Golden Eagles lose slugfest to Louisiana Tech 8-7
Southern Miss quarterback Trey Lowe hands the ball off to running back Frank Gore Jr. in the Golden Eagles' spring game. Photo by Southern Miss athletics.

Four key takeaways from Southern Miss' spring game

By Andrew Abadie, 95,392 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 5:28 PM
First-year Southern Miss football coach Will Hall closed out his spring football with his annual spring game program.
- Click Here to Read More about Four key takeaways from Southern Miss' spring game
Charlie Fischer flies out in Southern Miss' second game against Louisiana Tech as the Golden Eagles could only compile three hits in their 4-0 loss in Saturday's second game. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Southern Miss baseball splits Saturday doubleheader against Louisiana Tech

By Andrew Abadie, 94,010 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 9:38 AM
It was a tale of two games for Southern Miss baseball's first conference doubleheader of the season, as the Golden Eagles split the Saturday games against Louisiana Tech.
After having an offensive explosion with a 14-6 win in the day's first game, the Golden Eagles were then shutout by Louisiana Tech 4-0.
- Click Here to Read More about Southern Miss baseball splits Saturday doubleheader against Louisiana Tech
Ryanne Hornsby struck out eight batters and allowed one earned run off four hits. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Oak Grove rallies from 3-run deficit to defeat rival Petal 8-4

By Andrew Abadie, 89,658 Reads
Wed, 03/31/2021 - 3:02 PM
Tuesday night’s softball game between Oak Grove and Petal was everything the average sports fans could expect in the classic rivalry. The top teams of Region 5-6A entered the matchup, knowing that one win between the two teams could be the difference in obtaining the region title.
- Click Here to Read More about Oak Grove rallies from 3-run deficit to defeat rival Petal 8-4
Second baseman Ty Little robs a potential base hit in Sumrall's 6-0 win over Greene County. Photo by Richard Thompson for The Pine Belt News.

Sumrall throws third consecutive shutout in 6-0 win over Greene County

By Andrew Abadie, 89,324 Reads
Fri, 04/02/2021 - 8:55 AM
Before the start of the high school baseball season, Sumrall coach Andy Davis knew that his pitching staff had a chance to be special. After a 6-0 win over Greene County on Thursday night, the Bobcats' staff has now thrown three straight shutout games and has kept opponents off the scoreboard for 24 consecutive innings.
- Click Here to Read More about Sumrall throws third consecutive shutout in 6-0 win over Greene County
Zach Jones resigns from Lumberton, heads to Magee

By Andrew Abadie, 88,183 Reads
Thu, 04/08/2021 - 5:14 PM
Lumberton is now searching for a new football coach as Zach Jones has resigned to take the head coaching position at Magee.
The move comes after Jones helped guide the Panthers to a 1A state championship win over Biggersville.
- Click Here to Read More about Zach Jones resigns from Lumberton, heads to Magee
Remembering my pal Ben Rodgers Lee, a turkey calling legend

By Phil DiFatta, 86,929 Reads
Sat, 04/03/2021 - 7:00 AM
The big gobbler was less than 75 yards downhill and closing. That’s when Ben slowly turned to me, raised his headnet and mouthed, “I’ve got to shoot.”
- Click Here to Read More about Remembering my pal Ben Rodgers Lee, a turkey calling legend
Charlie Fischer finished 1-for-2 with one RBI in Southern Miss' 7-2 win over UAB. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Golden Eagles take care of business with 7-2 series opening win over UAB

By Andrew Abadie, 86,612 Reads
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 7:50 PM
Southern Miss pulled together a successful offensive performance to open its series against the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a 7-2 win on Friday.
- Click Here to Read More about Golden Eagles take care of business with 7-2 series opening win over UAB
SMITH: I love life on the river so much that I missed my senior prom

By Ben Smith, 86,255 Reads
Sat, 04/03/2021 - 7:00 AM
As long as I can remember, I’ve been fishing rivers all over the states of Mississippi and Alabama for catfish. By the time other kids my age were learning how to tie their shoes, I was learning how to drive a boat on the Alabama River. I’m fortunate to have had family that made sure that I knew how to do this, you know, just in case.
- Click Here to Read More about SMITH: I love life on the river so much that I missed my senior prom

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Wide receiver Tim Jones runs the shuttle run at Southern Miss pro day. Photo by Southern Miss athletics.

Jones and Hemby attract 19 NFL scouts to Southern Miss pro day

By Andrew Abadie, 98,538 Reads
Sat, 03/27/2021 - 9:20 PM
It was only two names that were being showcased at Southern Miss’ annual pro day on Friday.
Defensive back Ky’el Hemby and wide receiver Tim Jones attracted 19 NFL scouts to their workouts.
- Click Here to Read More about Jones and Hemby attract 19 NFL scouts to Southern Miss pro day
Oak Grove alum Drew Boyd threw five innings in Southern Miss' 8-7 Sunday loss to Louisiana Tech. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Golden Eagles lose slugfest to Louisiana Tech 8-7

By Andrew Abadie, 96,803 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 7:14 PM
For the first time of the 2021 season, Southern Miss dropped its first weekend series to Louisiana Tech after falling short in an 8-7 slugfest on Sunday.
The biggest difference in the game was the Bulldogs' ability to capitalize on their opportunities.
- Click Here to Read More about Golden Eagles lose slugfest to Louisiana Tech 8-7
Southern Miss quarterback Trey Lowe hands the ball off to running back Frank Gore Jr. in the Golden Eagles' spring game. Photo by Southern Miss athletics.

Four key takeaways from Southern Miss' spring game

By Andrew Abadie, 95,392 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 5:28 PM
First-year Southern Miss football coach Will Hall closed out his spring football with his annual spring game program.
- Click Here to Read More about Four key takeaways from Southern Miss' spring game
Charlie Fischer flies out in Southern Miss' second game against Louisiana Tech as the Golden Eagles could only compile three hits in their 4-0 loss in Saturday's second game. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Southern Miss baseball splits Saturday doubleheader against Louisiana Tech

By Andrew Abadie, 94,010 Reads
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 9:38 AM
It was a tale of two games for Southern Miss baseball's first conference doubleheader of the season, as the Golden Eagles split the Saturday games against Louisiana Tech.
After having an offensive explosion with a 14-6 win in the day's first game, the Golden Eagles were then shutout by Louisiana Tech 4-0.
- Click Here to Read More about Southern Miss baseball splits Saturday doubleheader against Louisiana Tech
Ryanne Hornsby struck out eight batters and allowed one earned run off four hits. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Oak Grove rallies from 3-run deficit to defeat rival Petal 8-4

By Andrew Abadie, 89,658 Reads
Wed, 03/31/2021 - 3:02 PM
Tuesday night’s softball game between Oak Grove and Petal was everything the average sports fans could expect in the classic rivalry. The top teams of Region 5-6A entered the matchup, knowing that one win between the two teams could be the difference in obtaining the region title.
- Click Here to Read More about Oak Grove rallies from 3-run deficit to defeat rival Petal 8-4
Second baseman Ty Little robs a potential base hit in Sumrall's 6-0 win over Greene County. Photo by Richard Thompson for The Pine Belt News.

Sumrall throws third consecutive shutout in 6-0 win over Greene County

By Andrew Abadie, 89,324 Reads
Fri, 04/02/2021 - 8:55 AM
Before the start of the high school baseball season, Sumrall coach Andy Davis knew that his pitching staff had a chance to be special. After a 6-0 win over Greene County on Thursday night, the Bobcats' staff has now thrown three straight shutout games and has kept opponents off the scoreboard for 24 consecutive innings.
- Click Here to Read More about Sumrall throws third consecutive shutout in 6-0 win over Greene County
Zach Jones resigns from Lumberton, heads to Magee

By Andrew Abadie, 88,183 Reads
Thu, 04/08/2021 - 5:14 PM
Lumberton is now searching for a new football coach as Zach Jones has resigned to take the head coaching position at Magee.
The move comes after Jones helped guide the Panthers to a 1A state championship win over Biggersville.
- Click Here to Read More about Zach Jones resigns from Lumberton, heads to Magee
Remembering my pal Ben Rodgers Lee, a turkey calling legend

By Phil DiFatta, 86,929 Reads
Sat, 04/03/2021 - 7:00 AM
The big gobbler was less than 75 yards downhill and closing. That’s when Ben slowly turned to me, raised his headnet and mouthed, “I’ve got to shoot.”
- Click Here to Read More about Remembering my pal Ben Rodgers Lee, a turkey calling legend
Charlie Fischer finished 1-for-2 with one RBI in Southern Miss' 7-2 win over UAB. Photo by Andrew Abadie for The Pine Belt News.

Golden Eagles take care of business with 7-2 series opening win over UAB

By Andrew Abadie, 86,612 Reads
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 7:50 PM
Southern Miss pulled together a successful offensive performance to open its series against the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a 7-2 win on Friday.
- Click Here to Read More about Golden Eagles take care of business with 7-2 series opening win over UAB
SMITH: I love life on the river so much that I missed my senior prom

By Ben Smith, 86,255 Reads
Sat, 04/03/2021 - 7:00 AM
As long as I can remember, I’ve been fishing rivers all over the states of Mississippi and Alabama for catfish. By the time other kids my age were learning how to tie their shoes, I was learning how to drive a boat on the Alabama River. I’m fortunate to have had family that made sure that I knew how to do this, you know, just in case.
- Click Here to Read More about SMITH: I love life on the river so much that I missed my senior prom