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2 months 4 weeks ago
Photo by Joaquin Chavez, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The transfer portal is officially open and will continue through Jan. 16. This is the first year of the single, condensed 15-day period, with no separate spring window, aiming for more order in college football.
While that may seem far-fetched — because college football is as crazy as ever — Southern Miss is going to be very active in this portal window, giving fans an early glimpse of Blake Anderson’s first team.
By DIMA MIXON on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Elijah Jones is a proud Hattiesburg native who enjoys writing. Email him at edjhubtown@aol.com.
I'm not a big fan of fast food. Well, not since the days back in the 1970s when I topped out at nearly 500 pounds anyway. During my college days at the University of Southern Mississippi, I hadn't quite reached my peak weight; I still had some growing to do. And, boy, was I ever lucky, attending college on a campus surrounded by burger joints. There was Burgertown, Burger King and, of course, McDonald's, all right there on Hardy Street, within walking distance of campus. And did I ever take advantage of the convenience.
By Elijah Jones on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) celebrates after the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
NEW ORLEANS — Trinidad Chambliss continues to write one of the most fascinating stories in college football history. If this wasn’t football, you’d call it a fairy tale. All that’s missing are magic beans and silver slippers.
Here Thursday night at the jam-packed Superdome, one of the world’s most famous sports venues, Chambliss willed the Ole Miss Rebels to a scintillating 39-34 Sugar Bowl victory over the proud Georgia Bulldogs. He did it with his strong right arm. He did it with his legs. He did it with courage and with uncommon flair.
By Rick Cleveland on
2 months 4 weeks ago
If I said, “Let’s take a “fast cruise,” you might think I meant four days out of Mobile, hardly time to make it to Cozumel and back. No, I would have been referencing the Navy’s practice of scheduling a ship for a mock underway period alongside the pier before a long deployment overseas.
By Benny Hornsby on
2 months 4 weeks ago
Funeral homes may submit obituaries to obits@hubcityspokes.com. Death notices are printed free of charge; obituaries with photos and detailed information will incur a charge. For assistance, call (601)-268-2331.
Elvana Delores “Lorsey” Bolin (63) of Lumberton passed away on December 21, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
John A. Butler (85) of Petal passed away on December 20, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Glenn A. Clinton, Sr. (84) of Hattiesburg passed away on December 26, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
By Staff reports on
2 months 4 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:
Jameer La’Trelle Arrington- stolen firearm (first offense)
Jeremy Boothe- domestic violence (simple assault)
Justin Forrest Burton- disturbing public peace (public place), drunkenness or profanity in public place, malicious mischief (value < $1,000)
Rodney Cooper- DUI (first offense)
Christopher Dabney, Jr.- armed robbery, criminal street gang activity
By Staff reports on
3 months ago
Professor Jacob Cotton led students into the Great Smoky Mountains, visiting Cades Cove, the Ogle Homestead, Cataract Falls and attending a Cherokee bonfire with storytelling by the Warriors of AniKituhwa.
Students in The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors College expanded their academic experience this year through eight faculty-led educational trips across the country, as part of the College’s required two-semester Honors Colloquium sequence.
By Gabriela Shinskie on
3 months ago
Rick Turner speaks about workforce development challenges and opportunities in Mississippi during an interview outside a local business.
As Mississippi prepares for growing workforce shortages, Gov. Tate Reeves is proposing a change that would put the state — rather than the federal government — in charge of overseeing registered apprenticeship programs.
By Morgan Gill, RHCJC News on
3 months ago
Southern Pines Animal Shelter is thrilled to announce that in 2025 they were awarded an $18,329.57 Mightycat Innovation Grant from the Orphan Kitten Club. This grant has been lifesaving for the shelter’s most vulnerable residents over the course of the 2025 kitten season, supporting the creation of the Bitty Beans Nursery, a newly outfitted, more efficient foster space dedicated to neonatal kittens (0-8 weeks old).
By Staff Report on
3 months ago
For the third year in a row, Keesler Federal Credit Union once again is being recognized by Newsweek as one of the nation’s best regional credit unions.
By Staff Report on
3 months ago
Dr. Mark Yeager addresses attendees at the 4th Annual Autism & Neurodiversity Conference, held Feb. 18 at William Carey University.
Starting in January, William Carey University will offer a PhD in Neurodiverse Studies – the first and only program of its kind in the United States.
“The term ‘neurodivergence’ is expanding a conversation that has typically been confined to autism spectrum disorders. This field has become very complex because each neurodivergent person is different and needs a different set of solutions and supports,” said Dr. Mark Yeager, chair of WCU’s Department of Exceptional Education.
By Staff Report on
3 months ago
Photo by Brandon Shields, © 2025 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
It was all Gulfport from start to finish.
Behind a fast start along with sting defense the Admirals raced past Oak Grove 69-17 to claim the Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Holiday Classic Boys Championship on Saturday night.
By Brandon Shields on
3 months ago
Tammy Allhoff (standing, second from right) is pictured with her final Surgical Tech class.
It has been a little more than 30 years since the late Dr. Cecil Burt hired Tammy Allhoff at Pearl River Community College as a part-time instructor in the Surgical Technology program.
The job quickly changed to a full-time position, leading to her completing the Associate Degree.
Now, after having been a part of more than 500 graduating surgical technologists, the 60-year-old Allhoff is moving onward with a new chapter in her life: retirement.
By Charles Abadie on
3 months ago
The former Hattiesburg attorney, Cory Ferraez, is back in custody after Special Judge Forrest Johnson revoked his bond for failure to appear at a status conference. Ferraez turned himself into the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 17, 2025, according to the Forrest County jail docket. He was indicted by a grand jury in October of 2021 on five counts of embezzlement, conspiracy, fraud by mail/phone/newspaper/etc. and obtaining a signature of value with intent to defraud.
By Amanda D. Lee on
3 months ago
Clark Hicks is a civil litigation attorney and Hattiesburg resident. Write him at clark@hicksattorneys.com.
Do you believe in Jesus and UFOs? If you do, I want to know how you reconcile the two.
By Clark Hicks on
3 months ago
Beloved by generations of University of Southern Mississippi students for his wicked wit and wisdom, Dr. Joseph Balfour Parker was equally revered by news media seeking his expert political commentary and by politicians for his wise counsel on policy matters and campaign strategy.
By Staff Report on
3 months 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. Due to an early press date, the Lamar county arrest records were not available.
Hattiesburg Police:
Louis Earl Berry, Jr.- domestic violence (aggravated by strangulation)
Myla Yvette Boone- simple assault
Galen Terrell-Lashaun Cochran- possession of marijuana (enhanced with possession of firearm), possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm at crime/arrest
Fendi Alexis Coffil- contempt of court (arbitration/failure to appear)
Jeremiah Martez Council- possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle
By Staff reports on
3 months 1 week ago
Funeral homes may submit obituaries to obits@hubcityspokes.com. Death notices are printed free of charge; obituaries with photos and detailed information will incur a charge. For assistance, call (601)-268-2331.
Charles Hubert "Chuck" Carter, Jr. (77) of Hattiesburg passed away on December 12, 2025. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Yvonne Delort Cooper (84) of Sumrall passed away on December 17, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Robert Ernest "Bob" Des Rosiers (79) of Hattiesburg passed away on December 15, 2025. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
By Staff reports on
3 months 1 week ago
Photo by Jesse Johnson, © 2025 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
In a way, the New Orleans Bowl transpired just like the 2025 season did for Southern Miss — it started dominant and ended in collapse.
Southern Miss controlled the opening half, holding a 13-6 lead at halftime with the score closer than the actual game flow indicated. But everything shifted late in the second quarter when Western Kentucky starting quarterback Tisdale was injured.
By DIMA MIXON on
3 months 1 week ago
It was another widely successful football season in the Pine Belt.
Eight of the nine area teams reached the postseason, continuing a trend of consistent success across the region, while Hattiesburg’s run to the state championship game for the second consecutive season stood out as the defining storyline of the fall.
With the season now complete, it is time to recognize the top performers from across the Pine Belt.
By DIMA MIXON on
