🌱 Law Enforcement Memorial Week + The Pocket Museum Heads Tourism

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Hattiesburg Patch newsletter — here to explain everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Thunderstorm. High: 88 Low: 67.
• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 83 Low: 64.

Here are the top three stories in Hattiesburg today:

1. Police Officers Memorial Week established in 1962, takes place annually during the week of May 15, known as Peace Officers Memorial Day or "Police Week." Law enforcement agencies in the Pine Belt region are urging citizens to remember fallen officers and are organizing local events, including the United Way's Breakfast with the Blue in Laurel and the Pine Belt Area Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in Hattiesburg. (WDAM)
2. The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum has been listed in Trip Advisors' top free things to do in Mississippi. Located in southern Mississippi, the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum has gained fame as the smallest museum in the state. Despite its size, it offers a unique experience for visitors with its monthly rotating exhibits. What began as a fun project has evolved into a significant contributor to the local tourism industry, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of Hattiesburg. (WJTV)
3. Hattiesburg has the highest gas prices for a metro area in Mississippi, while the Biloxi metro area has the least expensive per gallon. Around this time last year, gas prices in the region surged to nearly five dollars per gallon, primarily attributed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the current average gas price in Hattiesburg stands at approximately three dollars per gallon, indicating a significant decrease since then. (WJTV)

Today and tomorrow in Hattiesburg:

Tuesday, May 16:

• Blossom By Blossom: A Spring Flute Recital At Hattiesburg Arts Council (5:00 PM)

Wednesday, May 17:

• Forest County Farmers Market At 1200 Corinne Street (7:00 AM)
• Cary Hudson At Hub City Beers (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Farm To Fork Ride or Run raised over $85,000 over the weekend in Lamar County. Proceeds from the event are used to feed thousands of people throughout the state. This is the third annual ride or run and this year’s event also included a high-speed cycle race through downtown Hattiesburg. (WDAM)
• A Hattiesburg team is headed to Harvard! Madison Echols is a senior at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and was one of 161 students chosen for the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. Over 4,000 students across the U.S. were invited to participate. Echols is the sixth student since 2013 from MSMS to receive this honor. (The Dispatch)
• Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation is hosting the HCAC May Art Market Saturday, May 20! The event begins at 10:00 a.m. and will take place at the Community Arts Center off Main Street. (Facebook Events)

That's it 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.