🌱 Hattiesburg Community Pools Open Monday + USM Receives $335K grant

Hey, neighbors. It's Saturday in Hattiesburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 92 Low: 65.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 93 Low: 67.

Here are the top three stories in Hattiesburg today:

1. While the Hattiesburg Zoo's new water park opening was delayed, Hattiesburg's three public pools will open this upcoming Monday, Jun. 5. The pools will be open during the summer on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the Ben McNair Center, CE Roy Community Center, and Vernon Dahmer Park. Pools will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. during the week and from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. (Hattiesburg American)
2. The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Construction and Design recently received a $335,000 grant from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors that will go towards funding new projects and courses to empower students to improve their entrepreneurial skills. Beginning in the fall of 2023, the new courses will allow students to earn a master’s degree in construction. (WDAM)
3. Hattiesburg man Michael Bonner was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography. Bonner was also ordered to pay $11,000 to victims, a $5,000 fine, and $5,000 under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act. (WHLT)

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Today and tomorrow in Hattiesburg:

Saturday, June 3

• Forrest County Farmers' Market At Forrest County Farmers' Market Curb Store (7:00 AM)
• Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony At Vernon Dahmer Park (10:30 AM)

Sunday, June 4

• The Cognac And Cigars Experience At The Mint Julep Patio (2:00 PM)
• The (Not So) Silent Movie At Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Splash Days — where the Hattiesburg Fire Department supplies water for pop-up splash pads — have returned. Every Thursday in June and July, the splash pads will pop up at parks throughout the area from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. See the full schedule here. (WDAM)
• The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum has a new exhibit displaying classic works of art... shrunken down to "pocket size" and embellished with a twist. The shrunken exhibit features an entire tiny museum including sculptures, a staircase, and back lithopanes that have all been 3D printed. (Hattiesburg Pocket Museum via Facebook)
• In case you missed it, FestivalSouth 2023 is in full swing, featuring over 50 events from Broadway and live music, as well as a 5K and events for families through Saturday, Jun. 24. You can purchase tickets to events for the annual, multi-week arts festival online here. (FestivalSouth via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.