Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a Nashville bond failure ended in a Hattiesburg life sentence
Happening soon: Take Twelve on the Hattiesburg Patch calendar
Morning Hattiesburg! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Nashville bond failure ended in a Hattiesburg life sentence
- Why Serengeti Springs is becoming Hattiesburg's hottest summer hangout
- Planning a family day? Here's how to conquer Hattiesburg Zoo
Also on today's calendar: Monthly meeting & Program and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What gets bigger the more you take away? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Hattiesburg Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Hattiesburg Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Hattiesburg. 
- Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 92, low: 71.
- Tuesday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 93 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Bricen Rivers pleads guilty to killing ex-girlfriend Lauren Johansen (newschannel5.com) — A Forrest County judge in Hattiesburg has sentenced Bricen Rivers to life in prison without parole after he pleaded guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Johansen. The case exposed serious breakdowns in Nashville's bond and GPS monitoring system that allowed Rivers to return to Mississippi despite prior assault charges. Local families following the case now have a final verdict, but lingering questions remain about interstate oversight. 
• 8 Exciting Mississippi Waterparks Where Kids Can Escape The Heat And Have Endless Fun (takingthekids.com) — Families in Hattiesburg now have a major new way to cool off at Serengeti Springs, the animal-themed water park beside the Hattiesburg Zoo with nine slides, a lazy river, and a huge play structure. It's one of eight Mississippi waterparks highlighted, ranging from big coastal destinations to small-town splash pads and campgrounds with water play. Locals can pair a morning at the zoo with an afternoon of slides just off Hardy Street.
• This Beloved Mississippi Zoo Has Spent 75 Years Growing From 12 Quiet Acres Into A Modern Wildlife Destination (takingthekids.com) — Hattiesburg's 12-acre zoo in Kamper Park has grown over 75 years into a compact, affordable wildlife destination with more than 75 species, rides, a splash pad, and ropes course. Families get close-up encounters with giraffes, sloths, and wallabies, plus train rides and budget-friendly food at Safari Grill and Ladha's Cantina. The zoo runs mainly Tuesday–Sunday, takes cards only, and rewards early-morning visits when animals are most active.
📸 Around Hattiesburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Hattiesburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Take Twelve →
Brewsky's, 3818 W 4th St, Hattiesburg
7:00 pm
Saturday September 5
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- OGMS Volleyball @ PCS
Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
5:00 pm - 9th & JV Football VS Wayne County/Stadium
Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
6:00 pm - JV/V Vball @ Meridian
Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
4:30 pm - Monthly meeting & Program →
South Mississippi Genealogical & Historical Society
7:00 pm - Regular monthly meeting, guests welcome →
South Mississippi Genealogical and Historical Society Genealogy Library, 307 2nd Ave, Hattiesburg
7:00 pm - JV/V Vball vs Pearl/ VBall Facility Senior Night
Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
5:00 pm - FCA mtg in gym
Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
7:40 am - Varsity Football VS Germantown/Stadium
Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
7:00 pm
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
📣 Hattiesburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Matthew Broussard →
Brewsky's, 3818 W 4th St, Hattiesburg
7:00 pm - OGMS Volleyball @ PCS
Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
5:00 pm - 9th & JV Football VS Wayne County/Stadium
Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
6:00 pm - OGMS Volleyball @ Meridian
Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg, MS 39402
4:30 pm
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- If you live in the city call sanitation department and request a blue trash can for recyclables delivered to your residence.
There is a monthly fee that is added to your water bill. If you live in the county call your supervisor. (Nextdoor Timberton) - Looking for an affordable licensed contractor to provide a quote for installing luxury vinyl plank flooring in several rooms.
The job also includes replacing drywall in the hallway area due to water damage, taping and mudding, matching the texture, priming and painting,… (Nextdoor Oak Grove Road Lakeshore)
- Elwood Staffing posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Hattiesburg. Apply here.
- Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Hattiesburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hattiesburg here.
🗞 Nearby News
Petal
- Mississippi Football Scoreboard: Aug. 28, 2026 (vicksburgpost.com)
Sumrall
- Oak Grove drops Top 10 season opener to Starkville, 17-15 (hubcityspokes.com)
Ok Hattiesburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A hole (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.