Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Were you near Edwards Street when this fatal bicycle crash happened?

Happening soon: Pine Belt MS Chapter Banquet on the Hattiesburg Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Hattiesburg! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Were you near Edwards Street when this fatal bicycle crash happened?
  • What the new Hub City Wesley building means for USM students
  • How will Hattiesburg's new budget and garbage fee hike hit you?

Also on today's calendar: Pine Belt 2026 Whitetails Unlimited Banquet and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Sunny, very warm and humid, with a high of 95 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Sunny, warm and less humid, temps: high: 95, low: 64.
  • Friday: Hot with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 96 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Police investigating fatal Hattiesburg bicycle crash (hattiesburgamerican.com) — A Hattiesburg bicyclist died after being struck by a vehicle on Edwards Street late Saturday night, and police are still searching for the red van involved. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information to contact Hattiesburg Police, as the victim, 45-year-old Jacques Smith of Hattiesburg, has now been identified.
   

2. USM's Hub City Wesley to demolish old campus building, erect larger facility (wdam.com) — USM students and Hattiesburg residents will soon see Hub City Wesley's aging campus building demolished and replaced with a larger, more flood-resilient facility funded through its $5.8 million Space for Grace campaign. Demolition is expected within weeks, with worship services temporarily moving to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute while construction continues toward a planned 2027 completion.
   

3. Hattiesburg adopts $136.2 million FY2027 budget (wdam.com) — Hattiesburg leaders have approved a $136.2 million FY2027 budget that keeps the millage rate flat but raises monthly garbage fees from $17 to $21 to fund truck upgrades and route reliability. The plan also gives all police and fire personnel a $1,200 raise, with officials emphasizing public safety and a structurally balanced budget for the coming year.
   

4. Player of the Week: Sacred Heart ATH Colter Garner (wdam.com) — A standout season from Sacred Heart senior quarterback Colter Garner is putting Hattiesburg high school football in the spotlight, as he earns WDAM 7's Player of the Week honor. Garner's dual-threat play, leadership, and growing command of the offense have powered the Crusaders to a 30-points-per-game attack and raised expectations for what this team can still accomplish.
   

5. Mississippi attendance law brings new rules for student absences (wtok.com) — New state attendance rules now limit Mississippi students to five excused absences per semester and require medical documentation after the third illness-related day, a change Hattiesburg families will feel this school year. Local educators and pediatricians warn the policy could strain parents of children with chronic conditions, even as officials push earlier interventions to curb chronic absenteeism and prepare districts for a November 1 policy deadline.
   

📸 Around Hattiesburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hattiesburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just about to pull out of the gas station on Hardy St and heard something that stopped me in my tracks..
    This little dude was outside practicing his bagpipes, exceptionally well! Myself and everyone outside stopped the daily grind for a few minutes just… (Nextdoor North Main Historic)
  • Anyone using CSpire phone serve and internet service.
    Please tell me your thoughts. I have Xfinity and it is on and off every day. (Nextdoor River Rd)
  • Airgas, Inc. posted a job opening for Plant Shift Supervisor in Hattiesburg. Apply here.
  • TPI Global - Tech Providers, Inc. posted a job opening for Vehicle Operations Logistics Specialist in Hattiesburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hattiesburg here.

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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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