Hattiesburg, Mississippi – A boil water notice has been issued for customers who receive their drinking water from the City of Hattiesburg, following a confirmed e-coli contamination in one sample from the city’s monthly screening of its water supply system. “Because we know where the sample comes from and only one of 50 samples is positive for contamination, it is...
CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS
Mayor Toby Barker Announces Leadership Transition for Hattiesburg Police Department
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Wednesday, December 9, Mayor Toby Barker announced that Assistant Chief Peggy Sealy will assume the duties of chief of police, and Major Hardy Sims will assume the duties of assistant chief for the remainder of the term for the Hattiesburg Police Department. This decision comes shortly after Chief Anthony Parker announced his retirement last week, and...
Six Lateral Transfers Sworn In for Hattiesburg Police & Fire
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, December 8, Mayor Toby Barker issued oaths to six lateral transfers in a dual ceremony, four firefighters for the Hattiesburg Fire Department and two police officers for the Hattiesburg Police Department. “We have the two best public safety departments in the State of Mississippi. We train both our officers and our firefighters well and we...
Hattiesburg Mayor Announces Slate for Police Citizen Review Board
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Friday, December 4, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced the first slate of community members who, with approval from the Hattiesburg City Council, will serve on the Hattiesburg Police Citizen Review Board. The board will serve as a liaison between the community and the Hattiesburg Police Department, with a focus on policies and procedures. It was established...
City of Hattiesburg Pay Raises Take Effect for FY 2021
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – In early September, the Hattiesburg City Council unanimously passed the City’s first structurally-balanced general fund budget in 10 years, which included pay raises for several employees across a variety of departments throughout the city. Those pay raises will take effect during the pay period that began on November 28. Specifically, the Fiscal Year 2021 budget addressed pay...
Hattiesburg Chief of Police Announces Retirement
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – After 39 years of service to law enforcement, with five as Hattiesburg’s top cop, Hattiesburg’s Police Chief Anthony Parker will retire at the end of the year. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Hattiesburg’s chief of police. I am grateful to the citizens of this community and for the ability to serve...
Hattiesburg Police Department’s Recruit Class 38 Begins Training
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On the heels of a graduating class in June, the Hattiesburg Police Department began its second academy for 2020 on Monday, November 30 with Recruit Class No. 38. Moving to two academies per year is a continued effort to increase public safety numbers for the department. “Everything we do is dependent on numbers,” said Police Chief Anthony...
November Sales Tax Collections Continue Record-Setting Trend for Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – With the Department of Revenue reporting complete for this month, sales tax collections for the City of Hattiesburg continue to trend up with November’s tax receipts being the highest November figure on record. November 2020 sales tax receipts – $2,073,705.48 (highest November on record) October 2020 sales tax receipts – $1,938,916.97 (highest October on record) September 2020...
Hattiesburg Raises New State Flag
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Approximately 12 hours after the election was called, the City of Hattiesburg raised the “In God We Trust” flag over City Hall ceremoniously in celebration of more than 71 percent of voting Mississippians choosing “yes” to the new state flag design. Before the Hattiesburg Fire Department Honor Guard raised the new flag, Mayor Toby Barker stated, “Today,...
Vernon F. Dahmer, Jr., Selected as Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Wednesday, November 4, the City of Hattiesburg’s Veterans Committee and Mayor Toby Barker announced Vernon F. Dahmer, Jr. as the 2020 Veteran of the Year. Dahmer, 91, served in the United States Air Force from 1951 until 1971 as a subject matter expert in the United States Air Force Telecommunications Center Operations field. After 20 years...
Hattiesburg Establishes Police Citizens Review Board
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, November 3, the Hattiesburg City Council passed legislation establishing a Police Citizen Review Board that will serve as a liaison between the community and the Hattiesburg Police Department, with a focus on policies and procedures. This board will consist of nine community members who will provide feedback and recommendations to the Chief of Police as...
Hattiesburg Prepares for Hurricane Zeta
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Zeta’s track remains steady without much change. Below are key messages from the 11 a.m. update with Forrest County Emergency Management. Be off the roads by 5 p.m. Regardless of what category hurricane Zeta makes landfall at, the Pine Belt area is expected to receive tropical-storm-force winds beginning at 5 p.m. Attached is a wind-timing graphic. The...