Guest Viewpoint: Steve Jent - WDAM-TV

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Hi!  I’m Steve Jent, Tournament Director for the Sanderson Farms Championship PGA TOUR tournament.  From November 2nd through the 8th the Century Club Charities organization and Sanderson Farms will again host the top professional golfers from around the world as they compete at the Country Club of Jackson for a 4.1 million dollar purse in front of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers around the world.

The mission of the Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club is to generate funds for charity, and our primary charity is Friends of Children’s Hospital and Batson Children’s Hospital for Children, our state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children and teens.  Last year, the tournament generated $1.1 Million for Batson.

If you are a business owner, opportunities exist for your company to host clients in hospitality venues or on pro-am teams or for you to market your products or services.  

It also takes almost one thousand volunteers to put on the event, and there are a variety of volunteer opportunities still available.   And for spectators, a daily grounds ticket is only 25 dollars, and children ages 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. 

Information about tickets, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities can be found on our web site http://ift.tt/10uFQ5s, or call our tournament office at 601-898-GOLF, 601-898-4653.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in November at the Sanderson Farms Championship!

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

2015-2016 Spirit Girls - WDAM-TV

Forrest General’s Spirit of Women Announces 2015-2016 Spirit Girls

This is a news release from Forrest General Hospital.

The 2015-2016 Spirit Girls, a program sponsored by Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, held their first meeting on August 9 introducing 146 young ladies to the opportunities and fun offered by this program.  Spirit Girls, a program of Spirit of Women, is designed to reach young women through events targeted at promoting self-esteem and encouraging healthy lifestyles.    Spirit Girls participate in a wide range of activities and community service projects for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, The Arc of the United States (The Arc), Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary and Waiting for a Cure Foundation. Spirit Girls also participate in Spirit of Women events.  The young ladies selected are in grades 7 through 12 and reside in Forrest General's 19-county service area which includes the following counties: Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Wayne and Walthall.   The program offers an opportunity for young ladies to learn the importance of taking action for their health and giving back to the community. The hours of community service contributed through various events provides a chance to make lasting contributions to their community as well as lasting friendships.  “The goal of our Spirit of Women program is to empower women with information so they can make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Millie Swan, chief marketing & medical staff services officer at Forrest General. “We feel it is important for young ladies to develop healthy habits and start making good decisions early in their lives. The Spirit Girls program gives young ladies the opportunity to give back to the community, participate in fun events and at the same time, along with their mothers, focus on education and important issues, which we hope helps them to mature into healthy and informed young women.”  During the school year, the Spirit Girls also host and assist with events to help them develop a broader perspective and lifelong social skills while contributing to the community.  Spirit of Women is a national network of American hospitals and healthcare providers that ascribe to the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education, and community outreach.  With more than 8,000 members, Forrest General is the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital for South Mississippi, having attained Premier status in recognition of strong efforts in moving women to take action for their health!  For more information call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visithttp://ift.tt/1gCUMqp .

 Copyright WDAM 2015.  All rights reserved.

Judge removed for misconduct - WDAM-TV

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

A Lee County Justice Court Judge will stay off the bench. The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld its decision to remove Judge Rickey Thompson for misconduct.

An order was issued back in May to get him off the bench, but Thompson kept his job during his appeal.

He actually won in the Democratic primary, but a nominee will now be selected to replace Thompson on the November ballot.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Crossgates Lake drained - WDAM-TV

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

BRANDON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

Water is being drained out of Crossgates Lake in Brandon. Thursday many people took advantage of the low water levels and were catching fish.

Longtime residents said they want the lake to be back to normal.

"Me and my family and my parents, we always come down to my mom and my dads on weekends, Sundays, and fish and enjoy ourselves," said Randy Owens. "Now it smells and the lake looks terrible."

"In thirty years, we've seen a lot of fish belly up because there is not enough oxygen or maybe the lake wasn't deep enough," added Owens. "Several times we have seen just hundreds and hundreds of fish just die."

Crossgates Lake sits on private property, but the city of Brandon is taking remediation to capture top soil to use in other places throughout the city and eventually deepen the lake. Mayor Butch Lee wants residents to know they are taking inexpensive actions to help the future of the lake and prevent any more fish kills.

"We don't want it to go," said Owens. "We want it to always be here till time goes."

Many people take advantage of the water being drained and are filling their nets with fish. While others came out to save turtles.

"We are volunteer wildlife rehabers for the department of wildlife, fisheries and parks and we deal strictly with turtles," said Christy Milbourne. "So, when we heard they were draining the lake, we got concerned about the turtles that were left behind. So we are out here to snatch them up and relocate them to better waters elsewhere."

Mayor Lee said the re-established lake should be complete in about one year.

"We all love fishing and enjoy this lake more than anybody in the world and it's wonderful," added Owens

Mayor Lee says they hope to deepen the water about four feet.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration - WDAM-TV

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration Set for Aug. 22 in Vicksburg

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

This is a news release from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Hannah Roberts, Miss Mississippi 2015, will preview some of the gowns she plans to wear for the upcoming Miss America pageant as part of a special send-off celebration set for Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Vicksburg City Auditorium. The event will begin at noon.

Tickets are $25, which includes lunch and a fashion show. Seating is limited and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve seats by Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Fashions will be modeled by the Top 15 Miss Mississippi 2015 contestants and the Top 20 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen contestants. The event is sponsored by the Miss Mississippi Corporation and the Mississippi Local Directors.

A Mount Olive, Miss., native, Roberts graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in May with an undergraduate degree in chemistry. In 2013 she was one of only three Mississippi students awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, which recognize the nation’s next generation of top research scientists.

An accomplished violinist, she been accepted into medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

For more information about the send-off celebration, contact Tammy Wells at 662.542.2862 or 662.260.0711 or email at: naborsdesigner@yahoo.com. Tickets can be purchased through the Miss Mississippi office at 601.638.6746.

The Miss America competition is set for Sunday, Sept. 13 in Atlantic City, N.J.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, Southern Miss students have collected seven Goldwater Scholarships, three Truman Scholarships and 14 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. OurCenter for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of a select number of institutions in the nation accredited in art, dance, music and theatre, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.

Copyright 2015 WDAM.  All rights reserved,

Hattiesburg wins redistricting lawsuit - WDAM-TV

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

Fairley and others claimed the city's redistricting plan violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by "diluting the voting power of Hattiesburg's African-American citizens such that they have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice."

The court, however, ruled that the current ward plan in Hattiesburg does not diminish African-American voters' voting or political power under the Voting Rights Act.

Since the city went to a mayor-council form of government in 1985, the five-member city council has been made up of three white members and two black members, reflecting the racial makeup of those wards. Wards 1, 3 and 4 are predominantly white, while wards 2 and 5 are predominantly black. However, the city's 2010 census shows just over 53 percent of Hattiesburg citizens are "single-race African-American."

Those census numbers are why Fairley and the supporting plaintiffs believe the population is large and geographically compact enough to have a majority of the wards, rather than just two. In addition, the plaintiffs challenged the number of University of Southern Mississippi students registered to vote in Hattiesburg, who are primarily situated in Ward 1, according to the lawsuit. 

Fairley filed the lawsuit in February 2013.

To read a copy of the opinion, click here.

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

Guest Viewpoint: Steve Jent - WDAM-TV

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Hi!  I’m Steve Jent, Tournament Director for the Sanderson Farms Championship PGA TOUR tournament.  From November 2nd through the 8th the Century Club Charities organization and Sanderson Farms will again host the top professional golfers from around the world as they compete at the Country Club of Jackson for a 4.1 million dollar purse in front of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers around the world.

The mission of the Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club is to generate funds for charity, and our primary charity is Friends of Children’s Hospital and Batson Children’s Hospital for Children, our state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children and teens.  Last year, the tournament generated $1.1 Million for Batson.

If you are a business owner, opportunities exist for your company to host clients in hospitality venues or on pro-am teams or for you to market your products or services.  

It also takes almost one thousand volunteers to put on the event, and there are a variety of volunteer opportunities still available.   And for spectators, a daily grounds ticket is only 25 dollars, and children ages 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. 

Information about tickets, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities can be found on our web site http://ift.tt/10uFQ5s, or call our tournament office at 601-898-GOLF, 601-898-4653.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in November at the Sanderson Farms Championship!

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

2015-2016 Spirit Girls - WDAM-TV

Forrest General’s Spirit of Women Announces 2015-2016 Spirit Girls

This is a news release from Forrest General Hospital.

The 2015-2016 Spirit Girls, a program sponsored by Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, held their first meeting on August 9 introducing 146 young ladies to the opportunities and fun offered by this program.  Spirit Girls, a program of Spirit of Women, is designed to reach young women through events targeted at promoting self-esteem and encouraging healthy lifestyles.    Spirit Girls participate in a wide range of activities and community service projects for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, The Arc of the United States (The Arc), Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary and Waiting for a Cure Foundation. Spirit Girls also participate in Spirit of Women events.  The young ladies selected are in grades 7 through 12 and reside in Forrest General's 19-county service area which includes the following counties: Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Wayne and Walthall.   The program offers an opportunity for young ladies to learn the importance of taking action for their health and giving back to the community. The hours of community service contributed through various events provides a chance to make lasting contributions to their community as well as lasting friendships.  “The goal of our Spirit of Women program is to empower women with information so they can make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Millie Swan, chief marketing & medical staff services officer at Forrest General. “We feel it is important for young ladies to develop healthy habits and start making good decisions early in their lives. The Spirit Girls program gives young ladies the opportunity to give back to the community, participate in fun events and at the same time, along with their mothers, focus on education and important issues, which we hope helps them to mature into healthy and informed young women.”  During the school year, the Spirit Girls also host and assist with events to help them develop a broader perspective and lifelong social skills while contributing to the community.  Spirit of Women is a national network of American hospitals and healthcare providers that ascribe to the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education, and community outreach.  With more than 8,000 members, Forrest General is the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital for South Mississippi, having attained Premier status in recognition of strong efforts in moving women to take action for their health!  For more information call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visithttp://ift.tt/1gCUMqp .

 Copyright WDAM 2015.  All rights reserved.

Judge Removed For Misconduct - WDAM-TV

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

A Lee County Justice Court Judge will stay off the bench. The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld its decision to remove Judge Rickey Thompson for misconduct.

An order was issued back in May to get him off the bench, but Thompson kept his job during his appeal.

He actually won in the Democratic primary, but a nominee will now be selected to replace Thompson on the November ballot.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Crossgates Lake drained - WDAM-TV

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

BRANDON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

Water is being drained out of Crossgates Lake in Brandon. Thursday many people took advantage of the low water levels and were catching fish.

Longtime residents said they want the lake to be back to normal.

"Me and my family and my parents, we always come down to my mom and my dads on weekends, Sundays, and fish and enjoy ourselves," said Randy Owens. "Now it smells and the lake looks terrible."

"In thirty years, we've seen a lot of fish belly up because there is not enough oxygen or maybe the lake wasn't deep enough," added Owens. "Several times we have seen just hundreds and hundreds of fish just die."

Crossgates Lake sits on private property, but the city of Brandon is taking remediation to capture top soil to use in other places throughout the city and eventually deepen the lake. Mayor Butch Lee wants residents to know they are taking inexpensive actions to help the future of the lake and prevent any more fish kills.

"We don't want it to go," said Owens. "We want it to always be here till time goes."

Many people take advantage of the water being drained and are filling their nets with fish. While others came out to save turtles.

"We are volunteer wildlife rehabers for the department of wildlife, fisheries and parks and we deal strictly with turtles," said Christy Milbourne. "So, when we heard they were draining the lake, we got concerned about the turtles that were left behind. So we are out here to snatch them up and relocate them to better waters elsewhere."

Mayor Lee said the re-established lake should be complete in about one year.

"We all love fishing and enjoy this lake more than anybody in the world and it's wonderful," added Owens

Mayor Lee says they hope to deepen the water about four feet.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration - WDAM-TV

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration Set for Aug. 22 in Vicksburg

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

This is a news release from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Hannah Roberts, Miss Mississippi 2015, will preview some of the gowns she plans to wear for the upcoming Miss America pageant as part of a special send-off celebration set for Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Vicksburg City Auditorium. The event will begin at noon.

Tickets are $25, which includes lunch and a fashion show. Seating is limited and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve seats by Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Fashions will be modeled by the Top 15 Miss Mississippi 2015 contestants and the Top 20 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen contestants. The event is sponsored by the Miss Mississippi Corporation and the Mississippi Local Directors.

A Mount Olive, Miss., native, Roberts graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in May with an undergraduate degree in chemistry. In 2013 she was one of only three Mississippi students awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, which recognize the nation’s next generation of top research scientists.

An accomplished violinist, she been accepted into medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

For more information about the send-off celebration, contact Tammy Wells at 662.542.2862 or 662.260.0711 or email at: naborsdesigner@yahoo.com. Tickets can be purchased through the Miss Mississippi office at 601.638.6746.

The Miss America competition is set for Sunday, Sept. 13 in Atlantic City, N.J.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, Southern Miss students have collected seven Goldwater Scholarships, three Truman Scholarships and 14 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. OurCenter for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of a select number of institutions in the nation accredited in art, dance, music and theatre, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.

Copyright 2015 WDAM.  All rights reserved,

Hattiesburg wins redistricting lawsuit - WDAM-TV

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

Fairley and others claimed the city's redistricting plan violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by "diluting the voting power of Hattiesburg's African-American citizens such that they have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice."

The court, however, ruled that the current ward plan in Hattiesburg does not diminish African-American voters' voting or political power under the Voting Rights Act.

Since the city went to a mayor-council form of government in 1985, the five-member city council has been made up of three white members and two black members, reflecting the racial makeup of those wards. Wards 1, 3 and 4 are predominantly white, while wards 2 and 5 are predominantly black. However, the city's 2010 census shows just over 53 percent of Hattiesburg citizens are "single-race African-American."

Those census numbers are why Fairley and the supporting plaintiffs believe the population is large and geographically compact enough to have a majority of the wards, rather than just two. In addition, the plaintiffs challenged the number of University of Southern Mississippi students registered to vote in Hattiesburg, who are primarily situated in Ward 1, according to the lawsuit. 

Fairley filed the lawsuit in February 2013.

To read a copy of the opinion, click here.

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

Guest Viewpoint: Steve Jent - WDAM-TV

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Hi!  I’m Steve Jent, Tournament Director for the Sanderson Farms Championship PGA TOUR tournament.  From November 2nd through the 8th the Century Club Charities organization and Sanderson Farms will again host the top professional golfers from around the world as they compete at the Country Club of Jackson for a 4.1 million dollar purse in front of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers around the world.

The mission of the Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club is to generate funds for charity, and our primary charity is Friends of Children’s Hospital and Batson Children’s Hospital for Children, our state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children and teens.  Last year, the tournament generated $1.1 Million for Batson.

If you are a business owner, opportunities exist for your company to host clients in hospitality venues or on pro-am teams or for you to market your products or services.  

It also takes almost one thousand volunteers to put on the event, and there are a variety of volunteer opportunities still available.   And for spectators, a daily grounds ticket is only 25 dollars, and children ages 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. 

Information about tickets, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities can be found on our web site http://ift.tt/10uFQ5s, or call our tournament office at 601-898-GOLF, 601-898-4653.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in November at the Sanderson Farms Championship!

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

2015-2016 Spirit Girls - WDAM-TV

Forrest General’s Spirit of Women Announces 2015-2016 Spirit Girls

This is a news release from Forrest General Hospital.

The 2015-2016 Spirit Girls, a program sponsored by Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, held their first meeting on August 9 introducing 146 young ladies to the opportunities and fun offered by this program.  Spirit Girls, a program of Spirit of Women, is designed to reach young women through events targeted at promoting self-esteem and encouraging healthy lifestyles.    Spirit Girls participate in a wide range of activities and community service projects for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, The Arc of the United States (The Arc), Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary and Waiting for a Cure Foundation. Spirit Girls also participate in Spirit of Women events.  The young ladies selected are in grades 7 through 12 and reside in Forrest General's 19-county service area which includes the following counties: Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Wayne and Walthall.   The program offers an opportunity for young ladies to learn the importance of taking action for their health and giving back to the community. The hours of community service contributed through various events provides a chance to make lasting contributions to their community as well as lasting friendships.  “The goal of our Spirit of Women program is to empower women with information so they can make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Millie Swan, chief marketing & medical staff services officer at Forrest General. “We feel it is important for young ladies to develop healthy habits and start making good decisions early in their lives. The Spirit Girls program gives young ladies the opportunity to give back to the community, participate in fun events and at the same time, along with their mothers, focus on education and important issues, which we hope helps them to mature into healthy and informed young women.”  During the school year, the Spirit Girls also host and assist with events to help them develop a broader perspective and lifelong social skills while contributing to the community.  Spirit of Women is a national network of American hospitals and healthcare providers that ascribe to the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education, and community outreach.  With more than 8,000 members, Forrest General is the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital for South Mississippi, having attained Premier status in recognition of strong efforts in moving women to take action for their health!  For more information call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visithttp://ift.tt/1gCUMqp .

 Copyright WDAM 2015.  All rights reserved.

Judge Removed For Misconduct - WDAM-TV

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

A Lee County Justice Court Judge will stay off the bench. The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld its decision to remove Judge Rickey Thompson for misconduct.

An order was issued back in May to get him off the bench, but Thompson kept his job during his appeal.

He actually won in the Democratic primary, but a nominee will now be selected to replace Thompson on the November ballot.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Crossgates Lake drained - WDAM-TV

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

Source: WLBT

BRANDON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

Water is being drained out of Crossgates Lake in Brandon. Thursday many people took advantage of the low water levels and were catching fish.

Longtime residents said they want the lake to be back to normal.

"Me and my family and my parents, we always come down to my mom and my dads on weekends, Sundays, and fish and enjoy ourselves," said Randy Owens. "Now it smells and the lake looks terrible."

"In thirty years, we've seen a lot of fish belly up because there is not enough oxygen or maybe the lake wasn't deep enough," added Owens. "Several times we have seen just hundreds and hundreds of fish just die."

Crossgates Lake sits on private property, but the city of Brandon is taking remediation to capture top soil to use in other places throughout the city and eventually deepen the lake. Mayor Butch Lee wants residents to know they are taking inexpensive actions to help the future of the lake and prevent any more fish kills.

"We don't want it to go," said Owens. "We want it to always be here till time goes."

Many people take advantage of the water being drained and are filling their nets with fish. While others came out to save turtles.

"We are volunteer wildlife rehabers for the department of wildlife, fisheries and parks and we deal strictly with turtles," said Christy Milbourne. "So, when we heard they were draining the lake, we got concerned about the turtles that were left behind. So we are out here to snatch them up and relocate them to better waters elsewhere."

Mayor Lee said the re-established lake should be complete in about one year.

"We all love fishing and enjoy this lake more than anybody in the world and it's wonderful," added Owens

Mayor Lee says they hope to deepen the water about four feet.

Copyright 2015 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration - WDAM-TV

Miss Mississippi Send-Off Celebration Set for Aug. 22 in Vicksburg

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

This is a news release from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Hannah Roberts, Miss Mississippi 2015, will preview some of the gowns she plans to wear for the upcoming Miss America pageant as part of a special send-off celebration set for Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Vicksburg City Auditorium. The event will begin at noon.

Tickets are $25, which includes lunch and a fashion show. Seating is limited and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve seats by Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Fashions will be modeled by the Top 15 Miss Mississippi 2015 contestants and the Top 20 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen contestants. The event is sponsored by the Miss Mississippi Corporation and the Mississippi Local Directors.

A Mount Olive, Miss., native, Roberts graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in May with an undergraduate degree in chemistry. In 2013 she was one of only three Mississippi students awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, which recognize the nation’s next generation of top research scientists.

An accomplished violinist, she been accepted into medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

For more information about the send-off celebration, contact Tammy Wells at 662.542.2862 or 662.260.0711 or email at: naborsdesigner@yahoo.com. Tickets can be purchased through the Miss Mississippi office at 601.638.6746.

The Miss America competition is set for Sunday, Sept. 13 in Atlantic City, N.J.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, Southern Miss students have collected seven Goldwater Scholarships, three Truman Scholarships and 14 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. OurCenter for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of a select number of institutions in the nation accredited in art, dance, music and theatre, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.

Copyright 2015 WDAM.  All rights reserved,

Hattiesburg wins redistricting lawsuit - WDAM-TV

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit against Hattiesburg resident Reverend Kenneth Fairley, Sr. for its redistricting plan.

Fairley and others claimed the city's redistricting plan violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by "diluting the voting power of Hattiesburg's African-American citizens such that they have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice."

The court, however, ruled that the current ward plan in Hattiesburg does not diminish African-American voters' voting or political power under the Voting Rights Act.

Since the city went to a mayor-council form of government in 1985, the five-member city council has been made up of three white members and two black members, reflecting the racial makeup of those wards. Wards 1, 3 and 4 are predominantly white, while wards 2 and 5 are predominantly black. However, the city's 2010 census shows just over 53 percent of Hattiesburg citizens are "single-race African-American."

Those census numbers are why Fairley and the supporting plaintiffs believe the population is large and geographically compact enough to have a majority of the wards, rather than just two. In addition, the plaintiffs challenged the number of University of Southern Mississippi students registered to vote in Hattiesburg, who are primarily situated in Ward 1, according to the lawsuit. 

Fairley filed the lawsuit in February 2013.

To read a copy of the opinion, click here.

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.

Guest Viewpoint: Steve Jent - WDAM-TV

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Hi!  I’m Steve Jent, Tournament Director for the Sanderson Farms Championship PGA TOUR tournament.  From November 2nd through the 8th the Century Club Charities organization and Sanderson Farms will again host the top professional golfers from around the world as they compete at the Country Club of Jackson for a 4.1 million dollar purse in front of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers around the world.

The mission of the Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club is to generate funds for charity, and our primary charity is Friends of Children’s Hospital and Batson Children’s Hospital for Children, our state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children and teens.  Last year, the tournament generated $1.1 Million for Batson.

If you are a business owner, opportunities exist for your company to host clients in hospitality venues or on pro-am teams or for you to market your products or services.  

It also takes almost one thousand volunteers to put on the event, and there are a variety of volunteer opportunities still available.   And for spectators, a daily grounds ticket is only 25 dollars, and children ages 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. 

Information about tickets, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities can be found on our web site http://ift.tt/10uFQ5s, or call our tournament office at 601-898-GOLF, 601-898-4653.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in November at the Sanderson Farms Championship!

Copyright 2015 WDAM. All rights reserved.