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The Community Development Division of Hattiesburg Management Group is hosting another big event, one of the last outdoor events of 2023. On Saturday, October 28, they will host Octoberfest, 3 events in 1 at the San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg, MS. The event will consist of a Food fair with local businesses and chefs preparing food, Fall Festival where local businesses and organizations participate in giving candy to kids in the local community, and a special Halloween fireworks show at night. The event will also feature local businesses who are interested in hiring young people who will be eager to not only hire high school and college students on the spot but also provide hiring information for students as well. For mor info about how to participate in this event email info@hattiesburggroup.com.

M cComb High School Tigers are having an incredible season as they continue to roll through their schedule still undefeated. The Tigers are 6-0 and Friday Night they faced their toughest challenge yet, according to star quarterback Jamarcus Pittman, battling against the Laurel High School Tornados who has 2 extremely talented corner backs, 3 Star Recruit #1 Rashyd Mcgruder and 3 Star Recruit #12 Anthony Rogers. Despite Laurel's star studded defense featuring a feared pair of cornerbacks, the Ole Miss commit Sanfrisco Magee became a dragon himself on Laurel's famed dragon night, as he torched the defense with 8 big catches. Magee has clearly become the go to for Offensive Coordinator Marquis McFarland, who's made the tigers look like an elite college team. Frisco, as he's called by coaches and teammates, has also become Pittman's favorite target as he's proven to do damage to any opponent's field, not only creating space between him and any defender, but he's just that talented to also do extreme harm to an entire defense after the catch, racking up yards after yards all the way to the opposite side of the field where the referees do the usual; hold both arms straight into the air and scream to the top of their lungs "Touchdown!" Only 6 games in, Frisco has recorded 734 yards, including 233 yards from the 8 catches he got against the Tornados. He's on track to having well over 1,000 yards this season, a trophy not many NFL Wide Receivers can claim. Within only 5 games, he's had 7 touchdowns. Add the 3 he scored against Laurel in Game 6, that's a total of 10 touchdowns only halfway through the season. 10 touchdowns and almost 1,000 yards in only 6 games and it's clear why Frisco is not only headed to Ole Miss, but within the next 2-3 year, he's bound to be a star player in the National Football League. He's extremely talented. He's showtime ready. He commands the spotlight & so far, he's owned every defense he's faced.

W eek 6 is completed in high school football sports in Mississippi and for the first time, there's a new school sitting at the Top of the High School Football Throne, Oak Grove High School located in Hattiesburg, MS, lead by its Star Quarterback ESPN #7 Ranked Recruit in the Class of 2024, Aj Maddox. Aj has led his team to a 5-0 start for the season which is tuff for a 7A Division School. It hasn't been easy as 2 out of the 6 games went into over time. That don't include however, two of the Warriors biggest rivals, Hattiesburg High School Tigers (32-14) and Laurel High School Tornados (52-14). Oak Grove has so many talented players, it's hard to compete. Any given night, any player can have a "breakout" night, whether he's a top recruit or not. Take for example Oak Grove's Wide Receiver #4 Damari Jefferson or Running Back #6 Tajii Burkett, two of Aj's favorite weapons who are almost impossible to stop and always gain a lot of yards. Not to mention star Running Back #7 Kylin Champagne who is only a junior, but butchered the Laurel Tornados with his strong ground game. Then there are the star playmakers who you must keep an eye on at all times because they can easily change the dynamics of the game within seconds such as 3 Star Recruit Wide Receiver #1 Nehemiah Taylor and 4 Star Recruit Athlete #11 Pj Woodland. Pj Woodland, similar to Colorado University's star player Travis Hunter, plays both sides of the field exceptionally well. Pj has already committed to Mississippi State which is nothing short of a steal for the Bulldogs. Oak Grove remained at the #2 spot with Tupelo dominating at the #1 spot until they lost to the Houston Mustangs in Germantown, Tennessee 38-33. However, during Week 2, Oak Grove beat its out of state opponent, the Hoover Buccaneers in Hoover, Alabama in what was perhaps one the biggest upset in high school sports. The #1 Quarterback in Mississippi High School Sports, Aj Maddox, a Texas A&M Commit, has all the checkboxes marked to be a NFL Quarterback. With all of the attention and spotlight constantly shining on him, he's very humble, soft spoken, and love his teammates more than anything. He brings the type of leadership to a team that every coach dreams of. His coach, Drew Causey is a Nick Sabin and Bill Belichick combined and has turned Oak Grove High School Warriors in Hattiesburg, Mississippi into a factory for colleges quite like Alabama has become the go-to factory for the NFL, both producing multiple star athletes year after year after year!

The iconic pavilion at Vernon Dahmer Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi was burned down on Thursday, October 5, 2023. No one knows who are why the pavilion was set on fire. The pavilion had been at the park for decades. A new pavilion will most likely be built within the next several months. This is an updating story.

Less Than A Week: There Is Less Than A Week Left To Register To Vote In The 2023 Elections In Mississiappi! Last Day To Register To Vote Is Monday! Monday, October 9 is the last day to register to vote in Mississippi. To vote in Mississippi, you must be 18 years or older. Because there is no online registration in Mississippi, to vote you must go to your local circuit clerk's office. It easy. It only takes a few minutes. Voting is one of the most powerful tools citizens have to change their communities and future. What's Needed To Vote? The only thing required to vote is a copy of a photo id. You may present it to the clerk when you show up to register to vote. Also, you can simply fill the form out at home and drop it back off at the local clerk's office. Who Can Vote? Anyone in Mississippi can vote as long as you are at least 18 years old. You can register to vote in the county in which you are currently living. By registering in the county you are living, you have a say so in what happens in that specific local community. Who Can't Vote? In Mississippi, there are a list of 22 crimes that takes away a person's right to vote if a person is convicted of one of those crimes. Those crimes are: arson, armed robbery, bigamy, bribery, embezzlement, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, forgery, larceny, murder, obtaining money or goods under false pretenses, perjury, rape, receiving stolen property, robbery, theft, timber larceny, unlawful taking of motor vehicle, statutory rape, carjacking and larceny under lease or rental agreement. Can Convicted Felons Vote? Yes! If you are a convicted felon you can STILL vote. If you have been convicted of a crime that's not listed below, then you can vote in the upcoming election. When To Go Vote? The big election also called the general election is coming up on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. At this election, you will have to option to vote for who will lead the State of Mississippi. That ranges from governor of the state to who sits as a local board member overseeing all aspects in the local county you live on what's called the Board of Supervisors.

Photo: The honorable Representative Percy Watson (D) speaks with a supporter as he is keynote speaker of the Steak & Salmon's Meet & Greet. Monday Night was a huge win for democrats as they try to rally their base in hopes of turning out voters on August 8, 2023 for the party's primary election. The Forrest County Democratic Party in concert with the powerhouse consulting firm Hattiesburg Management Group hosted its second meet & greet to kick of Spring Break Week in the Pine Belt, entitled "Steak & Salmon Meet & Greet" which was held at O' Charley's in Hattiesburg, MS. Photo: Dr. Eddie Holloway, Senior Associate Provost for the University of Southern Mississippi walks the red-carpet. The party's biggest stars such as former Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Dr. Johnny DuPree, Representative Percy Watson, & Senator Juan Barnett as well as local celebrities and dignitaries were in attendance including the newly appointed Senior Associate Provost of the University of Southern Mississippi Dr. Eddie Holloway, Dennis Dahmer, son of assassinated Civil Rights Icon Vernon Dahmer Sr, Vice President of the NAACP Milan Hoze, & Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group Dee Moye among others. Photo: Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker pictured with son Jeremy Pollard. Also featured is Civil Rights Leader Attorney Glenda Funchess & Rep. Percy Watson. Democratic candidates and nominees were also in attendance gracing the red-carpet and speaking about their candidacy including the honorable Sharon Thompson of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors representing District 2, the first woman ever elected to the board in county history. "I'm running for re-election. We've made a lot of progress in District 2 but the work isn't finished," Thompson told a crowd of eager supporters. Photo: Democratic Candidate Shelia Angelety speaks with Constable Jennifer Brown (D). Followed behind Thompson was her democratic opponent, Shelia Angelety, who said she's running to "inspire young people democrats and republicans to run for offices not just old folks!" The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Constable Jennifer Brown & Dee Moye, Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group walks the red carpet. Constable Jennifer Brown spoke about how she's passionate about serving the community as a whole. "I love our community and I want to be re-elected to help people when I can and continue to serve our community," the Democratic Nominee for Constable exclaimed. Photo: (Below) Democratic Candidate James Fenton & family walks the red carpet. Democratic Justice Court District 4 Candidate James Fenton passionately spoke to the congregants about the "broken legal system that only works for the rich, well connected, and smart folks," he exclaimed. Fenton, the only justice court candidate who participated in the well attended event went on to say, "It's time to put the Justice Court back in the hands of ordinary people. It's an ordinary court for ordinary people to fix everyday problems. It's not working for us ordinary people!" Also speaking were two men both chasing history to become the first African American men elected. The Democratic Nominee for Forrest County Sheriff Kenny Johnson spoke to the crowd about his motivation of being the First African American Sheriff of Forrest County. Photo: The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Sheriff Kenny Johnson & family walks the red carpet. "I'm running not only to protect our civil rights and serve our community, I'm also running to educate our community about their rights and the police in general," Johnson said. "I want to restore the Sheriff's Office as the People's Office and be known as the People's Sheriff!" exclaimed Johnson. The Democratic Nominee for Forrest County Coroner Greg Fluker briefly spoke about running for office. He's known throughout the party as the most shy candidate, but has one of the biggest support bases in the entire county. Photo: The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker & family walks the red carpet. Notably not speaking but had one of the biggest presence in the room was the City of Hattiesburg's 1st First Lady to be elected to public office, Johniece DuPree, who served as the city's first African American First Lady. She is running unopposed for District 2 Election Commissioner. Also running unopposed are Senator Juan Barnett and Representative Percy Watson. All 3 public figures are considered well loved and respected leaders both in their party and the Greater Pine Belt Community. Photo: Democratic Supporter Gia Croom poses with Democratic Nominee for District 2 Election Commissioner Johniece DuPree as she walks the red carpet. The key guest speakers for the event were Senator Juan Barnett and the Honorable Representative Percy Watson, arguably considered two of the most powerful political figures in the State of Mississippi, both representing Forrest County. Bringing out the heavy hitters early was key to making this event a success according to Hattiesburg Management Group, who organized the event. The firm's Group Chief Executive Dee Moye, spoke briefly about the event. "Our firm has been working on this event for months. We typically have it once a year. We're fired up about two of the biggest icons in the democratic party, Rep. Watson & Sen. Barnett, both of whom I have an enormous amount of respect for serving as our keynote speakers which definitely made the difference in making sure the event was a success." Photo: The honorable Senator Juan Barnett (D), Chair of Mississippi Department of Corrections & Dee Moye, Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group walks the red carpet. Barnett, chairman of Mississippi Department of Corrections, spoke about just getting folks registered isn't good enough. "I know some people may get mad at me for saying this but it don't matter how many people you get registered to vote if the folks registered to vote don't actually go out and vote on election day! We've got to do better. We deserve better. Together, we all can do better to getting our friends and love ones out to the polls on election day!" Photo: (Below) University of Southern Mississippi President of College Democrats Stephon Ward poses with Dennis Dahmer, son of assassinated Civil Rights Icon Vernon Dahmer Sr. walks the red carpet. Moye went on to say, "Working with both Chairman Brad Parker, Chair of the Forrest County Democratic Party and President Stefon Ward, President of the Young Dems at the University of Southern Mississippi was simply a delight. Both guys worked extremely hard in making sure this event was well put together with candidate participation, rolling out the red-carpet & all. The awesome staff at O' Charley's always accommodate us every year with the very best staff, great food, & even better service!" The event was a red-carpet local star studded evening that featured a 5 course meal including O'Charley's famous steak and salmon. The first meet & greet was sponsored by Hattiesburg Management Group firm. This event was in concert with the firm. Known mostly throughout the community influentially as 'Mr. Hattiesburg', Moye excitedly talked about the arrival of whom he considers community heroes. "To see so many big names & community icons, Mr. Milan & Mrs. Stephanie Hoze, Mr. Vernon Dahmer, The Wayside Church Family, Civil Rights icon Glenda Funchess, Dr. Holloway, The DuPree's & so many many others as well as so so so many young people just warm my heart knowing our community is fired up and changing & that's what our firm is all about, building a better community!" Photo: Jeremy Pollard, son of Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker, excitingly greets Hometown Hero Dee 'Mr. Hattiesburg' Moye, HMG's Group Chief Executive, as he walks red carpet.

"There were are record number of people here tonight!" There was standing room only at the Forrest County Democratic Kickoff Monday Night held at the Forrest County Chancery Court Building in downtown Hattiesburg as elected officials, democratic candidates, democratic party officials, and supporters gathered to kickoff what appears to be an exciting 2023 election season for the Democratic Party. Some of the biggest stars in the Forrest County Democratic Party were in attendance as attendees seemed excited about the new party's transformation. Among the party stars who were featured as guest speakers were soon to be District 2 Election Commissioner Johniece DuPree, the 1st African American First Lady of the City of Hattiesburg, who ran unopposed, Constable Tommy Joe Cook, a retired police officer who's running for reelection and City of Hattiesburg City Councilman Nick Brown who's running for District 4 Board of Supervisors in what is anticipated to be one of the biggest primary races this year against current supervisor Rod Woullard. The night was filled with optimism and hope as newly democratic candidates graced the podium introducing themselves for the first time to the democratic party. Among the new democratic candidates were Justice Court District 2 Candidate Brenda Roberts of Petal, MS & Forrest County Board of Supervisors District 2 Candidate Shelia Angelety, who's running against current District 2 Board of Supervisors Sharon Thompson, who although was out of town in Washington, D.C. felt the night was so important that she sent her campaign manager, Dr. Peggy Answorth, to passionately speak on her behalf. Interestingly, in perhaps what's expected to be another huge democratic primary battle, both Pastor James Fenton, a Financial Advisor & bail bondsman and Attorney DeCarlo Hood, Former Senior Assistant District Attorney, both fresh faces in the democratic party, spoke empathically at the kickoff giving a glimpse at what could be a very heated exciting judicial debate as both are running to unseat Democratic Judge Robert Davis, The Senior Judge at Forrest County Justice Court. A taste of history was also in the air as two democratic nominees addressed the enthused crowd. Forrest County Sheriff Democratic Nominee Kenny Johnson faces off against the current Republican Sheriff Charlie Simms in what is expected to be a very close re-match between the two law enforcement officers. Forrest County Coroner Democratic Nominee Greg Fluker, owner of A & A Memorial Funeral Home, humbly introduced himself to the party, as the crowd erupted in screams, applauses and cheers. If either Johnson or Fluker win, they will become the first African American to hold either position in more than 100 years. Visibly still excited and thrilled about the monthly meeting that was created into a 3 in 1 event, the new party leader spoke about the positivity of the party. "We're just concluding a really great February Monthly meeting for the Forrest County Democratic Party. We've got some really exciting things happening. We've got some great candidates coming up for this election cycle!" said Brad Parker. The Forrest County Democratic Kickoff was sponsored by a familiar firm, Hattiesburg Management Group, a powerhouse consulting firm that's already set numerous of records in the Pine Belt for large events, such as the annual Summer Job Fair, the biggest job fair in Hattiesburg's history, the annual Black History Celebrations, the biggest black history event in Mississippi, as well as the Mississippi March, the largest march in Hattiesburg's history. The event included music, food, fun, and fellowship. Other big names in the community that was among the featured local stars in attending the kickoff included former Congressional Candidate Pastor David Sellers, and Hometown Hero Dee Moye, known affectionally as Mr. Hattiesburg. Moye, who serves as the Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group, says he was overjoyed to see so many people come out in support. "Our firm worked so very hard on this project. We're humbled so many of the party leaders and stars came out and supported this event. The Democratic Party has an awesome new Chairman, Brad Parker, who also was very supportive of this event to reenergize the democratic party by connecting it with the community. And just to see so many people here, from kids to college students to senior citizens, men and women, blacks and white, diversity at its finest, I'm speechless!" he exclaimed. "Really thrilled to see how many new faces we had; how much excitement there was!" Brad said after the meeting. During the end of the meeting, he passionately spoke about being apart of the party for years but never seen a turnout like this. "I've been apart of this party for a few years and I've never seen this many people participate with the party!" Former Forrest County Dem Chair was also very excited about the kickoff. "We had a record number of people here tonight!" said Forrest County Democratic Chair Emeritus Lakeylah White. White exclaimed, "Our membership is here! It's up here for our Forrest County Democrats and we're excited about it!" She concluded by offering everyone to come out and participate, "Come and join the party!"

(Councilman Nick Brown stands with his son affectionally called "Jr" as he officially sign papers to run for Forrest County Board of Supervisors District 4 downtown at the Forrest County Circuit Court.) "What about Sheeplo? What about Palmer's Crossings? What about the other communities that need help? In what appears to be the biggest local race on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 is also the biggest fight of current Forrest County Board of Supervisor Rod Woullard's political life as he now faces the young two term City of Hattiesburg Councilman Nicholas Brown, both democrats! What makes this race even more interesting is both men are undefeated, neither having lost a race in their political career. But Nick, as he's known in the community, isn't willing to wait another twenty years, the amount of time Mr. Woullard has been supervisor, and thinks the time is now for Forrest County to move forward. Speaking exclusively with Hattiesburg News, Nick says, "I will continue to serve the community I am already serving. But what about Sheeplo? What about Palmer's Crossing? What about those other communities that need help and there's basically nothing I can do but pray for them. Now, I'm praying for them, with them, and together, with God's grace after I win this election, we'll implement change and growth by adding them to the other communities I already serve." Nick decided to run for Board of Supervisor's because he says there's a greater opportunity to help more people and greater resources to make sure those people actually get the help they need. He's betting on relationships he's built at The City of Hattiesburg the past 6 years serving as the highest ranking elected African American, will help in this new role. "Working together with city officials who I have a personal relationship with is a plus for our community. It creates a natural partnership. Now the city and the county can come together to not only support the community, but to improve the community with new infrastructure and new developments that our communities so desperately need," Councilman Brown said. Brown tells Hattiesburg News, "This race is not about a single person. This race is about where we are now and where we want to be. I don't think our community is satisfied with where we are now. Over these next few months, I'm going to work as hard as I can to make sure I'm in a position to help push our community where we want to be. That starts with me being elected as District 4 Supervisor of Forrest County!" This race is expected to be the biggest race in the primary election as two of the most powerful African American men in Forrest County fight to see who the community wants to take it to the next level of progress! This race will ultimately go down to the wire.

(Democratic Candidate Kenny Johnson answers questions from a registered voter while filing to run for Forrest County Sheriff at Forrest County Circuit Court.) "Soon I hope to be the 'People's Sheriff!" Kenny Johnson has entered the race for Forrest County Sheriff demanding a rematch to the race he unsuccessfully competed for 4 years ago. This time, Johnson, who has over 20+ years as law enforcement, has leveled the playing field by running as a Democrat, the way in which he's voted his entire life. Johnson says this race however is bigger than politics and is more about all the people of Forrest County as his supporters are now describing him as "The People's Sheriff!" Speaking exclusively with Hattiesburg News, Johnson says he intends to make Forrest County, "A county for everybody" in which "everybody has a seat at the table and everybody's voice is heard." Johnson, like many candidates kicking off their campaigns this year, says it's time to move Forrest County forward. "This race is not about how bad one individual is doing as an elected official, but how much better we can be doing as a community as a whole," Johnson said, reflecting on his time as a law enforcement at the Sheriff's Department. Forrest County is a great place to live, play, and work. We've made tremendous progress as a county but there's way more progression still to be made!" the democratic candidate exclaimed. Making this race more serious and much more interesting is the fact that Johnson is now a democratic candidate, leveling the playing field in which he previously ran as a independent, losing to a big running well financed republican machine. “I’m humbled by the gravity of the historic opportunity to serve as the First African American Sheriff in the place where my heart lies, Forrest County. I simply desire to make a change in the community that I love tremendously. My ticket say democrat but my blood bleeds Forrest County. I'm a people's guy. Soon I hope to be the People's Sheriff!" an excited Johnson told Hattiesburg News. If Johnson wins, he will be only the second African American to win a county wide election, behind Judge Carol Jones Russell who was the first African American to be elected to a county wide position. Will Forrest County elect its first African American Sheriff? Now, sticking true to who he is running as an actual democrat, this race is a toss up at best.

Hattiesburg's Former First Lady Johniece DuPree moments after filing to run for public office at the Forrest County Circuit Clerk's Office in Hattiesburg, MS. "My main goal as election commissioner is protecting the right to vote!" All smiles. For the first time in her life, Hattiesburg's first African American First Lady has decided to run for political office, making this decision another historic moment given the fact that her husband, Dr. Johnny DuPree, served as Hattiesburg Mississippi's first African American Mayor for 16 consecutive years, becoming the longest serving mayor in Hattiesburg's history. A famous quote reads, "Behind every great man there's a great woman!" That quote serves true to Johniece DuPree, as she has been the secret weapon behind her husband's successful political campaigns and whom yesterday, filed to run for Forrest County Election Commissioner District 2 to replace current Forrest County Election Commissioner Katie McGee who's not seeking re-election. Mrs. DuPree is not the first First Lady to serve in a political office. Dating back since Oliver Hazard Perry Jones served as Hattiesburg's first mayor in 1865, the first First Lady to hold a political office was First Lady D. W. Holmes, who was provisionally appointed to serve as Mayor of The City of Hattiesburg after her husband, Mayor D. W. Holmes was killed in office by a drunk driver on December 18, 1950. However, Mrs. DuPree is the 1st First Lady of Hattiesburg to actually run for a political office. Making the occasion even more historic, given the fact that Mrs. DuPree served as the first African American First Lady, is her purpose for running in which she tells Hattiesburg News is to ensure the equal right to vote for all citizens of Forrest County, especially African Americans; a right that had to be federally enforced by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on June 16, 1965, not only after then Forrest County Circuit Clerk Theron C. Lynd refused to allow black people to register to vote but also because the United States District Court refused to grant an injunction to let black people register to vote in Forrest County, Mississippi. This case, United States of America, Appellant, v. Theron C. Lynd, Circuit Clerk and Registrar of Voters of Forrest County; and the State of Mississippi, Appellees, 349 F.2d 785 (5th Cir. 1965), set precedent and changed American history by enforcing the right that all African Americans could freely register to vote without discriminations anywhere in America including in the deep South, and more specifically in Forrest County, a county named after the founder & first Supreme Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan, Nathan Bedford Forrest. According to former first lady, she is running to preserve that freedom that blacks actually got only 58 years ago, compared that to the fact that America itself is 247 years old. Reflecting on that history, Mrs. DuPree tells Hattiesburg News, "My main goal as election commissioner is protecting the right to vote!" Asked how she plans to protect the right to vote, she says she will introduce her 3 V strategy: "Voter Education, Voter Registration, & Voter Participation." Asked by Hattiesburg News how she will explement her strategy, she softly whispered, "Well, God's willing, we have to win this election first!" Mrs. DuPree went into great detail about how humble she is by the opportunity to seek public office to continue serving the people in her community. "Although this is my first election, I'm in love with the great people for Forrest County. I'm in love with helping people. I'm in love with serving people. I'm humbled and excited that God has blessed me with this opportunity to continue to do what I love to do best, helping all God's children," candidate DuPree passionately expressed. A very well respected pillar in the community, Mrs. DuPree is poised to run unopposed. Her passion to ensure the freedoms that so many have sacrificed their lives to make possible, made her actions yesterday, filing immediately after the Martin Luther King holiday, that much more significant. Mrs. DuPree was accompanied by her daughter, Dr. Monica DuPree, a university professor, and her husband, Mayor Emeritus Dr. Johnny DuPree, a decorated public servant. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook @TheHattiesburgNews.

The Martin Luther King Community Development Cooperation isn't having a Martin Luther King Day parade, but it is having a big Martin Luther King Weekend. Here's the lineup sponsored by the organization: Saturday, January 14 5K Healthy You Walk/Run Sawmill Square Mall, Laurel Registration starts at 7:00am. The event kicks off official at 8:00am. Sunday, January 15 Memorial Service Morning Star Baptist Church The event kicks off at 6:00pm Monday, January 16 MLK 2023 Annual Prayer/Scholarship Breakfast Sanderson Farms Headquarters 127 Flynt Road, Laurel, MS The event kicks off at 8:00am. The MLK Community Development Corporation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet, which has been conducted over the years, has been an evening of celebration and awareness that showcased the young people and the MLK CDC’s Annual Prayer Breakfast has been a time of prayer and focusing on community togetherness. This year, the group will combine the activities and allow the young people to be showcased during its Annual Prayer Breakfast/Scholarship Event that will be held at 8 a.m. on , Dr. King National Holiday, at the Sanderson Farms Headquarters on Flynt Road. Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker will be the keynote speaker at this year’s event. The theme for this year is “The Color of Unity.” The event will include youth presentations, speeches about unity and working together and live music and entertainment. Throughout the years, the group has obtained prominent speakers for this important occasion that also includes the showcasing of young talented students from within the community. Among the previous keynote speakers for this event are Mississippi Supreme Court Judge Leslie King, former Hattiesburg Superintendent James Bacchus and Forrest County Justice Court Judge Gay Polk-Payton, Former Hattiesburg Mayor and state candidate Johnny Dupree and the Jefferson Davis County Justice Court Judge Ronald “Ronnie” Barnes. This year’s speaker at the Prayer Breakfast/Scholarship Event will be the Right Reverend Stafford J.N. Wicker, the Presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (which consists of the AME Churches in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana). James said the MLK CDC is encouraging all residents to participate in its activities. Anyone needing more information concerning the list of events being sponsored by the MLK CDC can contact any member of the committee or call Rev. Jerry James Sr. at 601-480-1954.

"To say no trauma (died} of natural causes, nah! We're still waiting on stuff to come in!" says Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict in new exclusive one on one interview. In one of the biggest high profile missing person cases in Mississippi, longtime respected Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict speaks out in an exclusive interview, after the community was shocked and outraged when the media begin reporting a statement released from his office that Johnnie Bennett, 50, the reported missing father of 8, who was found dead on the banks of the Bouie River on Sunday, December 4, 2022, died of natural causes and ruled NO foul play involved. Here's what we know based on investigation reports, family members, and witnesses familiar with the case: A few days before Thanksgiving, Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Johnnie Bennett was reported missing to the Hattiesburg Police Department by his wife, Allison Pugh, who claimed in her report, no one had last seen Johnnie in over 2 weeks since Friday, November 4, 2022, since leaving the hospital. She claimed she was immediately court ordered to mandatory rehab in Jackson, MS after she and her new born baby tested positive for drugs and hadn't seen her husband since leaving the hospital for rehab. Allison stated she tried reaching Johnnie several times, but he didn't answer her calls or respond to her text messages once in rehab. When she couldn't reach Johnnie, she claimed she reached out to a friend name Ronnie Martin, whom they had been living with, in which he told her that he hadn't seen Johnnie since they had an argument. It was later discovered the argument was over how Johnnie was treating Allision, according to Ronnie. Allison claimed she was kicked out of rehab and left Jackson, MS from rehab on Friday, November 18, 2022 and instead of going back home to Ronnie's house were she had been previously living, she instead went back to her parents home in Petal, MS. According to family, Allison told a family member on Saturday, November 19, 2022 during a facetime call that Johnnie had just left and went to work and everybody was doing fine when the family member called to speak to Johnnie so that Johnnie's one year old daughter could wish him a happy birthday, which would have been the following day, Sunday, November 20. The next day, Sunday, November 20, 2022 on Johnnie's Birthday, Allison "hacked" his Facebook account and posted a "Happy Birthday" post to Johnnie, shockingly, never mentioning Johnnie was missing or that she hadn't heard from him since Friday, November 4. A month later after he was reported missing, Johnnie's body was found on Sunday, December 4, 2022 on the outskirts of Hattiesburg, Mississippi by local residents in a community known as Glendale, while they were out fishing in the Bouie River. The residents discovered what they thought was a manakin from a distance, then thought perhaps it was a white person as they got closer, only to discover it was the missing dad of 8, Johnnie Bennett. Forrest County Deputy Coroner Lisa Klem issued a statement a few days later that sent shockwaves through the community; there was "no foul play" involved in Johnnie's death and he died of "natural causes." The coroner also noted that Johnnie's body had been in the river for weeks as the body began to decompose, but shockingly, said he didn't drown. By the 1,000's, the community was outraged. How did Johnnie end up in the Bouie River? If he didn't drown, how then did Johnnie actually die? With so much confusion in the community, Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict speaks out during an exclusive one on one interview with Johnnie's oldest son, Derrian Moye, the University of Southern Mississippi's 'Hometown Hero' Lifetime Achievement Honoree, in which the longtime coroner explains he can't rule out foul play or professionally say Johnnie died of natural causes and pleads with the public for help. We begin our special investigative report with this exclusive interview with the coroner and the victim's eldest son as both search for answers of what really happen to Johnnie Bennett.