Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Turtle Creek Mall went into lockdown Friday afternoon
And on the Hattiesburg Patch calendar - Jenna McClelland @ Grill & Grocery
Hey there, Hattiesburg! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Turtle Creek Mall went into lockdown Friday afternoon
- What a $2.1 million grant means for Southern Miss students
Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Hattiesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 80 and low of 46 degrees.
- Monday: Cooler; a few morning showers, temps: high: 52, low: 31.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and chilly, with a high of 47 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Turtlecreek Mall in Hattiesburg reopens after lockdown (wapt.com) — Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg is back open after a lockdown prompted by multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired Friday afternoon. Hattiesburg police and other agencies searched the mall and nearby hospitals but found no victims or shell casings. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities say they’ll share more details with the public as they learn more. 
Find out what's happening in Hattiesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Southern Miss Awarded $2.1 Million U.S. Department of Education Grant (hubcityspokes.com) — Students at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg stand to benefit from a new five-year, $2.1 million U.S. Department of Education grant aimed at boosting degree completion. The funding will enhance advising, faculty development, data systems, and career-readiness tools like Coursera access, all designed to remove barriers from recruitment through graduation.
📸 Around Hattiesburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
📣 Hattiesburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Jenna McClelland @ Grill & Grocery
Grill and Grocery , 121 E Pine St , Hattiesburg
10:00 am - Saturday After Next
84 Recreational ATV RV Park , 3 Herrington Ln , Prentiss
10:00 am - Frozen Falls
Painting with a Twist , 6555 US-98 Ste 4 , Hattiesburg
2:00 pm - Wizard Whimsy
Painting with a Twist , 6555 US-98 Ste 4 , Hattiesburg
4:30 pm - 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 - 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 - Rock 320âs Wrecked NYE FEST
Jones County Chamber of Commerce , 320 W 5th St. , Laurel
9:30 pm - 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
Sunday December 28
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Hattiesburg PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- LUCY LOO HAS BEEN FOUND.
THANK YOU We are looking for our Lucy Loo. She got out with all the Christmas fuss and hasn't been seen since last night. Please help! call 601-434… (Nextdoor The Oaks) - I'm looking for a good home for Bear Bear.
He is a 3 year old. Schnauzer, who loves to run and play. He is very devoted, loving and protective. He is under Service Dog title. I've moved to a… (Nextdoor Kamper Ave)
- Hattiesburg Public School District posted a job opening for Insurance Clerk in Hattiesburg. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Hattiesburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hattiesburg here.
🗞 Nearby News
Petal
- Petal task force grateful for donors in 2025, more needed for 2026 (wdam.com)
- ‘Just be safe': Fireworks vendors stocking up for sales rush ahead of New Year (wdam.com)
Laurel
- Ford Dealership Wrecks Woman's Car: ‘I'm A Hundred Percent Certain Y'all Depreciated My Vehicle Well Over $700' (motorbiscuit.com)
- Popular HGTV stars not allowed to host spinoff of their show due to legal restrictions (syracuse.com)
- Basketball Recap: Josiah Jackson's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Brandon over Gulfport (maxpreps.com)
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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.