🌱 Juneteenth Parade Recap + Forrest County Sees Record Syphilis Rates

Hey, Hattiesburg. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 93 Low: 70.
• Wednesday: A strong afternoon t-storm. High: 87 Low: 68.

Here are the top three stories in Hattiesburg today:

1. Hattiesburg residents celebrated Juneteenth with a variety of festivities on Saturday, Jun. 17. The celebration kicked off with the Parade of Fellowship in Vernon Dahmer Park, which was followed by activities in the park. Festivities included games, inflatables, food, and music for the whole family. Visit the link to view a video recap of the event. (WDAM)
2. The Community Arts Center in Hattiesburg is hosting a watercolor class with instructor Brett Cummins every Wednesday this month. Students of all skill levels are invited to explore watercolor techniques by completing their own works of art. Classes run from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Click here to register. (Hattiesburg Patriot)
3. Recently published data indicate that Forrest County has one of the highest rates of syphilis in the state of Mississippi. Former State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the current rate of infection in the county is three times higher than that of Hinds County. Covington County was the only county in the state with a higher rate than Forrest County. (Subscription: Hattiesburg American)

Today and tomorrow in Hattiesburg:

Tuesday, June 20

• Give Back Event At Fuzzy's Taco Shop (12:00 PM)

Wednesday, June 21

• Wednesday Fun With Lloyd Munn And The Amigos At Hattiesburgers And Blues (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, house hunters! Here are the latest homes to hit the market in the Hattiesburg area. (Hattiesburg Patch)
• Looking to dine in the sunshine this summer? WJTV has rounded up some of the highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Hattiesburg. (WJTV)
• The Hattiesburg Zoo, All-American Rose Garden, and other attractions were highlighted in a recent roundup of the best places to visit in Hattiesburg. Visit the link to view the full list of attractions. (Nomad Lawyer)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.