It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Bennie Sellers, who served as the City of Hattiesburg’s Director of Public Services and City Engineer for two decades. Sellers, who was appointed by Mayor Ed Morgan in 1990, played a pivotal role in shaping our city’s infrastructure until his retirement in 2010. Sellers’ tenure coincided with a period...
CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS
Mayor Announces Chief Communications Officer for the City of Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker announced the appointment of John Austin Arender as the City of Hattiesburg’s chief communications officer. Arender has served as the city’s deputy communications officer since January. His former roles include working as director of video production at Noble Motive and media director of The Church at 4Points. He succeeds...
New Intersections on U.S. Highway 49 to Open July 16
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — As the Highway 49/Midtown MDA EDH grant project reaches its final phases, the City of Hattiesburg announces the opening of two new intersections on U.S. Highway 49 near Forrest General Hospital. The intersections and traffic signals at Camp Street and Adeline Street will be fully operational starting at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Beginning this...
Hattiesburg City Council Receives FY 2023 Financial Audit
Hattiesburg, Mississippi—On Friday, June 28, the Hattiesburg City Council held a special meeting to review the Fiscal Year 2023 audit by Topp, McWhorter, Harvey, PLLC. The council approved the audit with a 4-0 vote. This audit marks the ninth completed since 2017, with three conducted within the first 17 months of Mayor Toby Barker’s administration. Highlights from the audit include:...
Community Arts Center Named in Honor of Rebekah Stark Johnson
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Hattiesburg City Council approved renaming the Hattiesburg Community Arts Center to the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center. The building is located at 825 Main St in the former Hattiesburg American newspaper building. The Community Arts Center, established in 2019, serves as a hub for local artists. The 36,000 square foot...
Mayor Toby Barker Announces Judicial Appointments
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced the appointments of Brian R. Bledsoe for Municipal Court Judge Post 1, Gay Polk-Payton for Municipal Court Judge Post 2, and Mary Moore Conville for Municipal Court Judge Pro Tempore. Brian R. Bledsoe has served as a municipal judge since 2017 and has extensive experience including roles...
Hattiesburg Recognizes Historic Preservation Week
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — From May 20 to May 24, 2024, the City of Hattiesburg will recognize Historic Preservation Week. This week will feature daily events to honor and preserve the city’s rich historical heritage. Historic Preservation Week is an annual event that underscores the importance of protecting and maintaining historical sites. This year’s celebration will include activities designed to engage the community...
Hattiesburg Announces $2.2 Million Grant for Next Phase of Gordon’s Creek Development
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Monday, May 13, 2024, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced a significant grant from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund (MOSTF) for $2,246,419 to continue the ambitious development of Gordon’s Creek into a key landmark for eco-tourism. This project enters its next phase with a total project budget of $3,046,419. This phase of the Gordon’s Creek project...
Hattiesburg Celebrates National Infrastructure Week
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – A city’s infrastructure is the foundational piece for which growth depends; 140 years since its incorporation, the City of Hattiesburg understands that deeply. In the last decade, city officials have made great strides in improving infrastructure that impacts the daily lives of all residents and visitors—from miles and miles of paved roads to much-needed investments and upgrades...
Hattiesburg Names USM’s Coach McNelis as Grand Marshal for Parade of Champions
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by local high school and collegiate officials to announce Coach Joye Lee-McNelis as the Grand Marshal for the City’s upcoming Parade of Champions. The parade, which will take place on Monday, May 6, honors Hattiesburg-affiliated schools and college championships across athletics and academics for the current school...
Hattiesburg Judge to Receive National Award for Impacts on the Justice System
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Judge Wes Curry, the Municipal Court Judge for Hattiesburg, is the 2024 recipient of the Judge Stephen S. Goss Memorial Award for Leadership due to his long-term efforts in improving the systemic response for those who enter the justice system with behavioral health needs. Curry has served as Municipal Court Judge since 2017, when Hattiesburg Mayor Toby...
Mayor Declares April 19 – 21 As Busiest Weekend to Be a Hattiesburger
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, April 18, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker joined several event hosts and organizers to make his annual declaration of the “Busiest Weekend to be a Hattiesburger.” This year, that weekend falls on April 19, 20 and 21. “October and April typically provide residents and visitors with several opportunities to enjoy our city through a long list...