Subscribe to Weekly Local Best Of HCS feed
2 months 1 week ago
Photo by Dima Mixon, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
With just 25 days until opening day, Christian Ostrander made it clear Tuesday that Southern Miss baseball is entering the 2026 season energized, competitive — but very much unfinished.
The Golden Eagles returned from break last week refreshed after the offseason, and while several pieces of the roster appear close to settled, Ostrander emphasized that the next three weeks will determine how this team ultimately takes shape.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 1 week ago
Orlando, Fla. – The William Carey Cheer program made history at the 2026 UCA College Nationals, earning silver medalist honors in the Open Small Coed Game Day Division—the highest finish in program history.
Head Coach Laura Lightsey praised her team's performance and perseverance throughout the competition.
"I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of this team," Lightsey said. "This performance was their best, and it was a great feeling knowing that the judges agreed and awarded them the silver medal. It is a great day to be a Crusader."
By Kevin Rosiere on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Those of us of a certain age and background can remember, about 1966, waking up in or around Saigon to the melodious tones of Adrian Cronauer as he daily exclaimed over the radio, “Good Morning, Vietnam!” Much later, the comedian, Robin Williams, popularized the expression in a movie loosely based on the disc-jockey’s life and experiences.
By Benny Hornsby on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Jail dockets for Forrest and Lamar counties are provided to the Pine Belt News as a public records service. Arrest records are current for the week prior to publication.
Hattiesburg Police:
Kymdarious Dynrell Andrews- domestic violence (simple assault)
Aditya Atkuru- DUI (first offense)
Jeremiah Martez Council- probation violation
Dylan Jamir Quali Craft- trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance enhanced with possession of a firearm at crime/arrest
By Staff reports on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Photo special to the Pine Belt News from Southern Miss Athletics
In an indictment obtained by Pine Belt News, former Southern Miss men’s basketball player Arlando "Mo" Arnold was charged in a point-shaving scheme, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Arnold has been charged with three counts of wire fraud, two counts of aiding and abetting, and a count each for bribery in sporting contests, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Photo by Russ Cloy, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Zachary Ladner (above) finished with a team-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the 57-55 win over FCAHS.
BROOKLYN — Road wins rarely come easy, and Tuesday night was no exception for PCS. Short-handed and tested late, the Bobcats stayed composed to edge Forrest County Agricultural High School 57-55 in boys’ basketball.
PCS controlled the tempo early on the road. The Bobcats weathered a rowdy home crowd by setting the tone in the opening quarter and led 13-11 after one. They executed even better in the second quarter, taking a 31-26 lead into halftime.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Photo by Mark Magee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
PETAL – There have been a few bumps in the road for the Petal boys this basketball season, and the Panthers hit another one Tuesday night in Region 3-7A play against Brandon.
The Bulldogs used their superior size to dominate the glass and grind the Panthers’ offense into ineffectiveness, resulting in a 61-53 victory at the Petal High Gymnasium.
Petal dropped to 12-9 overall and 3-2 region play, while Brandon evened its record at 10-10 and 2-2.
By Stan Caldwell on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Cheryll Martin, Hattiesburg High School class of 1974 graduate, was the first female student in the school to take mechanical drawing. Decades later, after building a graphic design company from the ground up, her work has shaped some of the nation’s most recognizable brands.
Cheryll Martin, a freelance graphic designer and owner of CM Design, Dallas, came to Hattiesburg from Little Rock, Ark. when her stepfather, Paul C. Rawlings, took a position as a judge in the Hub City. When she saw that HHS offered a mechanical drawing class, she jumped at the opportunity. Little did she know, she was the first female student to take the course.
By Amanda D. Lee on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Kamarian Mayfield (Waynesboro; Quitman) throws down a one-handed slam against East Central.
The Pearl River men's basketball team extended a pair of impressive streaks Monday night inside Marvin R. White Coliseum, earning its 16th consecutive conference-opening victory and 14th straight win over East Central with a 90-62 decision.
The last time Pearl River fell to the Warriors came Feb. 17, 2017 — just over 3,200 days ago.
"We looked a lot better tonight — we were healthier," head coach Chris Oney said. "Moving forward, we can be more lethal coming out with four guards and playing around different guys.
By Dylan Dunaway on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Pearl River women's basketball held its opponents under 50 points for the seventh time this season Monday night in its season-opener, taking down East Central 53-40 inside Marvin R. White Coliseum.
"I am proud of our effort." head coach Shanae Govan-Williams said. "I don't think we shot it well, but when it counted, I think we stepped up when we needed to put it in the basket. I think it was an overall tough, gritty win."
By Grant McLeod on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Russ Cloy, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Everyone remembers the 2022–23 season for Southern Miss basketball.
It was one to remember for sure. The Golden Eagles won 25 games — the most under head coach Jay Ladner — and claimed 14 conference victories, including the regular-season league crown.
But even that team didn’t begin conference play as hot as Ladner’s 2025–26 squad has started.
After beating ULM 70–60 on Saturday afternoon, Southern Miss is off to its best start in league play since joining the Sun Belt, opening conference action at 5–1.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 3 weeks ago
The “Greatest Show on Dirt” returns to Hattiesburg Feb. 6 and 7 for the 40th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo. The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Campus Recreation will host the event at The Center at Forrest County. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
By April Jordan on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker addresses the crowd at the 20 Under 40 Celebration.
The Pine Belt News and Signature Magazine are proud to announce the fifth annual class of “20 Under 40.” The initiative was conceived to recognize the best and brightest in this very important demographic, representing the future of our community. The 2026 class of 20 Under 40 was celebrated Thursday evening. Their stories will be told in The Pine Belt News on January 29 and in the February edition of Signature Magazine.
By Staff Report on
2 months 3 weeks ago
The Pine Belt News and Signature Magazine are proud to announce the fifth annual class of “20 Under 40.” The initiative was conceived to recognize the best and brightest in this very important demographic, representing the future of our community. Too often talented young people leave the Pine Belt for larger cities with seemingly unlimited opportunities. Honoring those young people who elect to make the Pine Belt their home is the mission of “20 Under 40.”
By Staff Report on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Dima Mixon, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Southern Miss senior right-handed pitcher Colby Allen (Louisville, Miss.) collected preseason second-team All-America honors by Perfect Game Wednesday.
By Jack Duggan on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo special to the Pine Belt News from Sacred Heart Athletics (Joe Venus)
After former Sacred Heart football head coach Ed Smith announced he was stepping down in December, the Crusaders began the search for their next leader.
That search lasted just over a month, but the answer ultimately came from within the program. Sacred Heart Catholic High School announced Drew Dewease as the Crusaders’ next head football coach, beginning with the 2026–27 school year, turning to a longtime assistant who has spent more than a decade helping shape the program’s identity.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Jail dockets for Forrest and Lamar counties are provided to the Pine Belt News as a public records service. Arrest records are current for the week prior to publication.
Hattiesburg Police:
Andrea Roachell Atterberry- probation violation
Kamaurion Jayteize Dillon- possession, sale, etc. of a stolen firearm (first offense)
Amanda Latrece Fairley- DUI (first offense)
Patrick D. Fairley- possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle
Senqtez Session Franklin- DUI (second offense), possession of a controlled substance (two counts), contempt of court (failure to appear)
By Staff reports on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Amanda D. Lee, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Deacon Felix Diaz blesses the baby box with holy water at Friday morning’s blessing and opening of Hattiesburg’s first baby box.
Five cities. Two counties. This first week of 2026 The Pine Belt News looks back at some of the top events from 2025, including this story originally published September 18, 2025
By Amanda D. Lee - Reporter on
2 months 3 weeks ago
The Pearl River men's basketball team battled to the final buzzer against a talented Shelton State squad but came up short, falling 78-71 in its first game back from winter break.
"We've got to clean up those plays that kill our momentum. We've got to figure out how to do a better job with that," head coach Chris Oney said. "The idea was for us to play our way back into shape this week, but that's a really good team.
By Dylan Dunaway on
2 months 3 weeks ago
The Pearl River women's basketball team pushed No. 11 Shelton State to the bring in its first game back from winter break, but fell in the hard-fought contest 62-49.
"We started flat, and it took us some time to get stops," head coach Shanae Govan-Williams said. "I was proud of our effort in the second half. We've just got to put four quarters together. If we do that — I don't care who we play — I like our chances. Hopefully, we can get hot in conference play and see Shelton State again.
By Dylan Dunaway on
