Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How did a “rebuilding” Hattiesburg team storm back to the title game?
Make time for Story Time at the Laurel-Jones County Library on the Hattiesburg Patch calendar
Hi Hattiesburg! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How did a “rebuilding” Hattiesburg team storm back to the title game?
- Which Hattiesburg streets and parks just got major 2025 upgrades?
- How a Hattiesburg dad helped reshape Mississippi’s opioid spending debate
Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Hattiesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer, with a high of 79 and low of 56 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 76, low: 54.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 59 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• No Rebuild Required: Kendall Lacey wins Pine Belt Sports Coach of the Year (hubcityspokes.com) — Hattiesburg High football fans can celebrate as first-year head coach Kendall Lacey has been named Pine Belt Sports Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to an 11-3 record and a return to the Class 6A title game. Despite early blowout losses and a young roster, the team ripped off 10 straight wins, secured another South State crown, and reinforced Hattiesburg’s status as a state power. 
Find out what's happening in Hattiesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• A look back: 2025 Hattiesburg infrastructure projects (wdam.com) — Hattiesburg leaders are highlighting a busy 2025 that brought major road, drainage, and park upgrades across the city, including the Hall Avenue West Overpass and Midtown Streetscape. Funded by local, state, and federal dollars, these projects improved streets and recreation spaces like Sims Row Boat Ramp and Timberton Park, with more neighborhood upgrades already planned for next year.
• Mississippians who made a difference in 2025 (mississippitoday.org) — One of the Mississippians highlighted for making a difference this year is James Moore of Hattiesburg, a bike shop owner who turned his son’s overdose into a mission to fight addiction. His advocacy around how Mississippi spends opioid settlement money now reaches from the Pine Belt to the state Capitol. The piece also spotlights other residents tackling education, prisons, health care, climate, and justice issues statewide.
📸 Around Hattiesburg
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📣 Hattiesburg Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Story Time at the Laurel-Jones County Library
Laurel-Jones County Library , 530 Commerce St , Laurel
10:00 am - Storytime at the Library: 10 AM -11 AM
Jones County Chamber of Commerce , 153 Base Dr , Laurel
10:00 am - Landrum's Homestead & Village: Candlelight Tours 25
Landrum's Homestead & Village , 1356 MS-15 , Laurel
4:00 pm - The Nutcracker - Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Saenger Theater , 201 Forrest St , Hattiesburg
7:00 pm - Baby + Me @ELL
Ellisville Public Library , 201 Poplar St , Ellisville
9:00 am - Storytime @ELL
Ellisville Public Library , 201 Poplar St , Ellisville
10:00 am - Storytime at the Library: 10 AM - 11 AM
Jones County Chamber of Commerce , 153 Base Dr , Laurel
10:00 am - FRIYAY KARAOKE NIGHT: 7 - 11 PM
Jones County Chamber of Commerce , 320 5th St. , Laurel
7:00 pm - Jenna McClelland @ Grill & Grocery
Grill and Grocery , 121 E Pine St , Hattiesburg
10:00 am - Columbia Wildcats vs Petal
Columbia High School , 1009 Broad St , Columbia
4:30 pm - Seminary Bulldogs vs Purvis Tornadoes
Seminary High School , 200 E Main St , Seminary
5:00 pm - New Year's Eve @ Wilson's
Wilson's Commissary , 332 Front St. , Laurel
8:00 pm
Tuesday December 23
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Sunday December 28
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Will, Jamie... Jones? —Global Greatness Group Read on Patch
- Osa is missing from the downtown area, specifically the Walnut Circle/Live @5 area.
Osa is a small cat and still looks like a kitten. She is a gray, orange and white tabby. Osa is a very sweet girl but is definitely scared!!! Please… (Nextdoor 28th and Jamestown) - Please can someone please help I’m running out of time to rehome the dogs.
I must leave Saturday morning. Can someone please help rehome these two dogs, I have a crate for each one, the jack is neutered and has shots. … (Nextdoor Kensington Woods)
- Hattiesburg Public School District posted a job opening for Insurance Clerk in Hattiesburg. Apply here.
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Hattiesburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hattiesburg here.
🗞 Nearby News
Petal
- Petal church hosts giveaway for annual Joy Toy Drive (wdam.com)
Ellisville
- Saying ‘Merry Christmas' gets dozens of motorists a free turkey during Ellisville drive-thru giveaway (wdam.com)
Laurel
Ok Hattiesburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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