From the Mississippi Department of Health Jackson, Mississippi — Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports the second and third presumptive positive cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in Mississippi. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One case is a Forrest County adult female over 65 who recently traveled to North Carolina. The patient...
CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS
Mayor Toby Barker Pens Letter to Students
Below is a letter from Mayor Toby Barker to students considering Spring Break travel. To our university students, I do not count this as parental advice, as I am not nearly old enough – at least in my mind – to have children in college. So let’s just put me in the “real talk with your cool old brother” category....
FGH Hosts Press Conference to Discuss First Case and Response
From Forrest General Hospital Hattiesburg, Mississippi — The first case of COVID-19 in the state was discussed during a press conference on Thursday at Forrest General Hospital. The State Department of Health confirmed on Wednesday that a 49-year-old Forrest County male resident had tested positive for the virus. At the press conference, Dr. Steve Farrell, chief medical officer for Forrest Health,...
Hattiesburg Discusses COVID-19 with Stakeholders and Restricts Travel

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – While there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mississippi, Mayor Toby Barker convened with external stakeholders in the medical, education and emergency management communities on Monday, March 9 to discuss potential impacts and plans related to coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 10, the City of Hattiesburg’s administrative team issued a memo to employees restricting out of...
MS Department of Health Reports First Case of COVID-19 in Forrest County
From the Mississippi Department of Health Jackson, Mississippi — Tonight the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus or COVID-19. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs will release additional information and guidelines to Mississippians at an 11:00 press conference tomorrow morning....
First Case of COVID-19 for Misssissippi Reported in Forrest County
Jackson, Mississippi — Tonight the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus or COVID-19. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs will release additional information and guidelines to Mississippians at an 11:00 press conference tomorrow morning. READ MORE
March 9 – Daily Update
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — Currently, there are ZERO confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mississippi.
Hattiesburg Bridges Divides and Builds Opportunities with $5.39M Grant

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Saturday afternoon, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Michele Gargiulo – District Director for Congressman Steven Palazzo, members from Hattiesburg City Council as well as local and statewide officials to discuss Hattiesburg’s recent award of $5.39 million in funding from the Department of Transportation to solve one of the city’s biggest transportation...
Hattiesburg Launches Census Campaign – Hattiesburg Counts

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by several community leaders to launch Hattiesburg Counts – the Hub City’s 2020 Census campaign. An accurate census helps ensure that fair representation occurs at all levels of government and it directly impacts the funding Hattiesburg will receive for the next decade. It guides the process of planning for education,...
Hattiesburg’s Mississippi Musicians Day Celebration Set for March 7

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – The City of Hattiesburg and community partners are bringing Mississippi Musicians Day to the Hub City on Saturday, March 7. The day-long celebration will include workshops & seminars, children’s activities and a finale performance by Vasti Jackson, John Wooton and more. Held at the Community Arts Center (825 North Main Street – formerly the Hattiesburg American Building),...
Hattiesburg Announces Three Significant Water Improvement Projects

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by Ward 3 Councilman Carter Carrol, Ward 4 Councilwoman Mary Dryden, Ward 5 Councilman Nicholas Brown and neighborhood representatives to announce water improvement projects for three Hattiesburg neighborhoods: Shadow Wood, Audubon-Westwood and Country Club Road. “For the past two and a half years, our administration and city council have worked...
Hattiesburg Celebrates Black History Month

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Several organizations in the City of Hattiesburg are coming together to celebrate Black History Month through seminars, workshops, community events and more. For details regarding events in Hattiesburg, see the list below.