WDAM - 01 - Local News Page

Head of Jackson-based think tank speaks in Hattiesburg

Charles Herrington — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:45:00 EDT

Forest Thigpen, the president of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, says expanding Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act would be a costly mistake for Mississippi.

Hattiesburg Zoo unveils animal medical and quarantine facility

Jeff Daley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:32:00 EDT

The Hattiesburg Zoo officially opened its new Forrest General Animal Medical and Quarantine Facility Tuesday morning.

More details emerge on the device found at Marion General Hospital

Christopher Harkey — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:06:00 EDT

Investigators from Columbia, Marion County, ATF, MBI, and the Highway patrol responded to a possible explosive device at Marion General Hospital on Thursday.

MS community colleges expect tuition hike by fall

Rachel Beech — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:01:00 EDT

Average tuition is expected to rise to $2,377 annually, which is an increase from $2,247 in the 2012-2013 school year for community colleges across Mississippi.

Pine Belt Lawmakers say they are ready to debate Medicaid

Ontario Richardson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:57:00 EDT

On Monday, Pine Belt lawmakers said they were prepared to go back to Jackson if and when the Governor calls a special session to deal with Medicaid.

New gun law raises eyebrows, concerns

Rachel Beech — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:24:00 EDT

Mississippi sheriffs can ban people from openly carrying guns into courthouses, according to state Attorney General Jim Hood.

Christian Services, Pine Belt step up to help Oklahoma

Jeff Daley — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:35:00 EDT

Thanks to Christian Services and the generosity of many in the Pine Belt a truck full of relief supplies is headed to Oklahoma tornado victims in Oklahoma.

Log truck overturns on I-59 in Jones County

Doug Morris — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:07:00 EDT

A log truck overturned on I-59 in Jones County Friday afternoon spilling its cargo.

Hattiesburg mayor says his team will also examine ballot boxes

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:08:00 EDT

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny Dupree and his team will examine the ballot boxes and their contents following the conclusion of opponent David Ware's examination of those same items, officials said on Friday.

State authorities arrest Greene County surveyor on fraud charges

Doug Morris — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:43:00 EDT

The Attorney General's office says Billy Eugene Brewer, 69, was arrested at his home. Brewer faces four counts of false pretense and four counts of fraudulent use of identity.

Badly decomposed body discovered in abandoned Hattiesburg house

Randy Swan — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:48:00 EDT

The badly decomposed body of a man has been found in an abandoned house on Willis Avenue in Hattiesburg.

Hattiesburg mayor discusses his staff, new public officials, the election

Rachel Beech — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:42:00 EDT

As Johnny DuPree plans his fourth term as the mayor of Hattiesburg, he is starting with appointing a new fire chief following the retirement of Chief David Webster.

Authorities searching for missing Greene County woman

Doug Morris — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:36:00 EDT

Officials say Shannon Deanna Bryan, 34, has not been seen or heard from since June 9.

Craig Wiseman to perform at Festival South

Rachel Beech — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:27:00 EDT

If you're a Hattiesburg native, you might run into an old friend on Friday night wearing his signature Hawaiian button down with his toenails painted red.

Despite raging wild fires back home Colorado volunteers stay to help

Jeff Daley — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:26:00 EDT

A church group from Colorado has been in Hattiesburg this past week helping several residents in Hattiesburg and Petal with recovery from February's tornado.

Suspicious device discovered at Marion County hospital, suspect in custody

Christopher Harkey — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:18:00 EDT

Law enforcement agencies from Marion County and Columbia converged on Marion General Hospital Thursday morning after receiving a disturbance call.

One injured in two-vehicle accident in Jones County

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:04:00 EDT

A Jasper County man was injured Tuesday afternoon, June 18, in a two-vehicle accident with one vehicle rolling over on its side after the collision. Shortly after 4 p.m. a 911 call came into the Jones

USM to kick off 2nd phase of the landscape restoration campaign

Christopher Harkey — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:33:00 EDT

USM is moving on to the second phase of landscape restoration resulting from the February 10th tornado. The first phase of the $3 million project involved planting trees, laying sod, and securing irrigation.

5-year-old girl's lemonade stand draws ire of Westboro Baptist Church

DeAnn Smith — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:23:00 EDT

A 5-year-old girl set up a lemonade stand across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church compound, and now the group is targeting her.

Physicians warn against giving sleep aids to kids

Thu, 2 May 2013 14:00:00 EDT

Many adults turn to sleep aids like melatonin, but now more parents are giving them to their kids, too. We talked to physicians to see what they had to say about how it could affect your child's development.

2 Simpson Co. inmates recaptured

WLBT Staff — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:49:00 EDT

Two Simpson County inmates who walked off a work detail site Monday morning have been recaptured.

SLIDESHOW: Marion County Drug Bust Mugshots

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EDT

Tina Thomas Hobgood, Sale of a Controlled Substance within 1500 ft of a church, $100,000 bond Kelly Jerome Sones, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, $100,000 bond Bradley Bynum, Sale of a Controlled

Lamar county deputy arrested by Forrest county deputies

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 17:46:00 EDT

A Lamar county deputy sheriff has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest.

Jackson Co. supervisors eye local limits on Open Carry Law

Patrice Clark — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:37:00 EDT

Some Jackson County supervisors don't want to see people carrying guns in parks and other public areas despite a new gun law in the state. As WLOX has reported, starting July 1st Mississippians will be able to openly carry a gun and other weapons with or without a permit. Some Jackson county leaders want to create a local ordinance to keep weapons in check.

Carey Dinner Theatre presents "Route 66"

Doug Morris — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:02:00 EDT

Performances take place July 9 through 20 at the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre on the main Hattiesburg campus of William Carey University. "Route 66" is a musical journey along the famous highway and featuring the music of the 1950s and 1960s. For reservations, call 601-318-6221.

ACS Support Groups

Doug Morris — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:54:00 EDT

For details on support groups offered by the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345 or 601-594-6415.

Stride Rite issues recall of Joanna sandals for girls

Doug Morris — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:15:00 EDT

Officials say the flower can come off of the Joanna sandals and pose a choking hazard. Visit http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/joanna_striderite for more details on the recall.

Choctaw Indian Fair

Doug Morris — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:57:00 EDT

Takes place July 10-13 in Choctaw, Mississippi. For more details, visit http://www.choctawindianfair.com/ or call 601-650-7450.

Safe Families for Children

Doug Morris — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:33:00 EDT

The organization provides host families for children age 0-18. For more details, visit http://www.safe-families.org/ or call 601-366-4282.

HAAR Fundraiser for DAFS

Doug Morris — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:59:00 EDT

The Hattiesburg Area Association of Realtors is hosting a fundraiser for the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter June 14 and 15. Visit http://hubcitypokerrun.webstarts.com/ or call 601-466-2805 for more details.

Sales of "Big Brother" book spike by 7,000 percent

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:06:00 EDT

Sales of "1984" are spiking, perhaps due to revelations over National Security Agency data-collection programs.

SCRMC: Community Health Fair

Doug Morris — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:56:00 EDT

Takes place June 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at South Central Place in Laurel (2260 Hwy. 15 North). For more details, call 601-399-0503.

Mission At The Cross: 5K Race/2 Mile Walk

Doug Morris — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:56:00 EDT

Takes place June 22 at 8:00 a.m. at the Mission (324 South Magnolia Street, Laurel). Visit www.missionatthecross.com for more details.

Life Support Cares

Doug Morris — Wed, 5 Jun 2013 12:55:00 EDT

Visit http://lifesupportcares.wix.com/lifesupportcares and http://www.facebook.com/LifeSupportCares for more details of the organization.