Hattiesburg Mississippi News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Hattiesburg officials support National Health Center Week - WDAM-TV

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. received this proclamation from Hattiesburg mayor Johnny Dupree Wednesday recognizing National Health Center Week.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The city of Hattiesburg focuses attention on the importance of community health centers across the country.

On Wednesday, city officials presented administrators and staff at Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. with a proclamation from Mayor Johnny Dupree, recognizing National Health Center Week, Aug. 9-15.

The presentation took place during an annual Health Center Awareness Day at the Hattiesburg Family Health Center. That is a unit of Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc.

"I'm not 65, so I don't have no medical insurance, so I've been coming here, which has been making it affordable for me and the service has been great," said John Roussell, who has been a patient at the Hattiesburg Family Health Center for the last three years. "I get all my medications and everything. Thank God for a place like this, you know."

"(Community health centers) are the answers to the healthcare in America, the healthcare disparities in America," said Geroldean Dyse, CEO of Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative. "Community health centers are here and we're here on the ground level to stay, to care for those patients."

In 2014, Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative helped nearly 37,000 patients.

Hattiesburg same-sex couple part of adoption ban lawsuit - WDAM-TV

Susan Hrostowski (left) and Kathy Garner of Hattiesburg are one of four same-sex couples who are suing the state over it's law banning adoptions by same-sex couples.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Mississippi is facing a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn the state's ban on adoptions by same-sex couples.

It was filed Wednesday on behalf of four same-sex couples.

Mississippi is the last remaining state to prevent such adoptions.

One of the plaintiffs is from Hattiesburg. Susan Hrostowski and Kathy Garner were legally married in Washington D.C. in 2014 and they have a child who is Garner's biological son.

They want the adoption ban overturned, because they said it is unfair.

"For example, social security, this is the best example. If I died today, he would not get my social security," Hrostowski said.

"For our son, to be able to know that this is the right thing to do, that's the strongest thing that we can say to him is that we're standing up for other people," Garner said.

The lawsuit said some couples have been told they could adopt as single people, but there could be no sign of a partner when a social worker visited the home.

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.

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!

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 .

Pink Up: Bladder Cancer - WDAM-TV

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The Nat Geo Wild Channel will celebrate the life and work of Scott Sims, the star of it's show "The Aloha Vet," tonight starting at 6 p.m.

Sims died of bladder cancer almost two weeks ago. The 59-year-old was one of the only veterinarians on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, according to channel.nationalgeographic.com. For one season, viewers got to see the measures Sims would take to care for the animals of Hawaii.

Hattiesburg Clinic Urologist, Dr. Jeff Wilson took the time to talk about bladder cancer for this month's Pink Up edition.

For almost 10 years, Wilson has helped diagnose and treat bladder cancer .

"We deal with bladder cancer almost every week," Wilson said.

The clinic's numbers foreshadows the national statistics.

"Over half a million people in the United States have been diagnosed with bladder cancer at some point in their life time. This year over 74,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer and over 16,000 people will die from bladder cancer," Wilson said.

He said this kind of cancer affects one gender more often than the other.

"It's the fourth most common cause of cancer in men and the tenth most common cause of cancer in women," Wilson said.

Nat Geo Wild "Aloha Vet" star Sims became one of those statistics. After a two month battle with bladder cancer, he lost the fight.

Wilson said if you are over the age of 50, the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, whether you are a man or woman, shouldn't be ignored.

"Blood in your urine. Sometimes you may have some frequency. You may have some burning when you urinate, particularly with more advanced bladder cancers," Wilson said.

He recited some risk factors.

"Smokers are three times more likely to get bladder cancer than non-smokers. Work place exposure to certain chemicals is a risk factor, particularly organic chemicals," Wilson said.

He added a certain chemo therapy drug can cause bladder cancer. Actos, a drug for treating diabetes, is a cause. Wilson advised the following steps for prevention.

"Number one is never start smoking, and if you do stop smoking your risk decreases back to its base line after 20 to 30 years," Wilson said.

Lastly, he said use protective equipment if you are exposed to certain chemicals in your work place, and drink plenty of liquids to flush out any contaminants in your system.

If you can identify with any of the risks or symptoms, Wilson said talk to your doctor immediately. He said the sooner your doctor can diagnose the sooner your treatment can start.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Police enforce Baltimore curfew - WDAM-TV

BALTIMORE (CNN) - Compared to Monday's riots, Tuesday night was calm as thousands of officers and National Guardsmen enforce an overnight curfew.

Baltimore police arrested roughly 10 people Tuesday night, most of them for breaking curfew.

Many protesters refused to leave when the 10 p.m. curfew went into effect, causing a few minor clashes with police.

Police threw smoke canisters and fired pepper balls to disperse the crowds. Only a few holdouts remained.

At one point, a man approached the police line, telling the media to disperse.

With an armored vehicle approaching from the other direction, officers surge forward, taking him behind the police line and into custody.

"We do not have a lot of activity or movement throughout the city, so the curfew is in fact working." Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.

It was quiet night for the most part - and a far cry from the intensity of Monday's riots which left vehicles and buildings burned, businesses looted, and six police officers seriously injured.

Officials brought in roughly 2,000 National Guardsmen Tuesday and more than 1,000 police officers from throughout Maryland and out of state.

"This combined force will not tolerate violence or looting." Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said.

Before Tuesday night's curfew, crowds in Baltimore were loud and energetic but peaceful, continuing to voice their displeasure after the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody.

The curfew will be enforced again Wednesday night. However, the Baltimore Orioles will play their game against the Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards to an empty stadium. Only the players, officials, employees and media will be in the ballpark.