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Expect rain Monday Morning in Hattiesburg. There will be showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a slight chance of showers between 11am and 1pm. High near 78. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Then Monday Night it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind. Tuesday it will sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday Night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind.

WASHINGTON,- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE , mentors to America’s small businesses and an SBA resource partner, set the dates for the 2025 National Small Business Week virtual summit. The free two-day online event will take place May 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and registration is required . The virtual summit will feature educational workshops presented by cosponsors, access to federal resources, and networking and mentorship opportunities. Participants will be able to learn about a wide range of topics including manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity and AI, cryptocurrency and online business resources. A detailed agenda and list of speakers for the virtual summit will be published soon. “Fostering small business growth is at the heart of what we do, and the National Small Business Week virtual summit embodies that commitment,” SCORE CEO Bridget Weston said. “SCORE is proud to once again co-host this event with the SBA. We’re looking forward to this opportunity to empower entrepreneurs with the timely, useful resources and information they need to launch and grow their businesses.” The National Small Business Week virtual summit is part of SBA’s year-round efforts to leverage technology to reach small business owners in communities across America. An in-person, national award celebration will take place on May 5 in Washington, D.C., and local winners will be recognized at award events across the nation. Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit and registration are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.

Bill Anderson being sworn in as judge. Photo Credits: Hattiesburg American Lamar County Justice Court Judge Bill Anderson set a bond for Andrew David Cook without the accused killer ever stepping foot in a court room. Judge Bill Anderson is a Lamar County Justice Court Judge who set a bond for Donivan Barnes' accused killer, Andrew David Cook, a 23 year old white man, for only $10,000. "Manslaughter and or any other non-capital crime involving loss of human life" bond ranges from $10,000 to $1,000,000 according to the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure. The community and the victim's family have been outraged with such a low amount for a bond considering the fact someone was killed. Donvian, a 26 year old African American, was discovered by his family members dead in a ditch on Westover Drive in Hattiesburg, MS. This is not the first time the judge has outraged the community over a bond. Judge Bill Anderson was found guilty by the Supreme Court of improperly reducing a defendants bond, which led to him being suspended, similar to Donivan's case. However in this case, Donivan's accused killer, Andrew David Cook never stepped one foot in any court room. Judge Bill Anderson set Cook's bond for $10,000 without ever seeing him in a court room after he was charged for killing Donivan. The bond was set after court was closed. There was no clerk in the courtroom. There is no record of what was said or who said what. Andrew David Cook who has been accused of killing Donivan Barnes never spent one night in jail. He only appeared at the Lamar County Jail on Thursday, October19, 2023 for booking and was immediately released, 2 days before Donivan's Barnes funeral, which was held Saturday, October 21, 2023 in downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Out of the 31 cases before Judge Bill Anderson during October 15-21, 2023, accused killer Andrew David Cook was not one of them and did not appear on any court dockets. Out of the 6 inmates appearing before Judge Bill Anderson during October 15-21, 2023 for a bond, accused killer Andrew David Cook was not one of them neither was he on any court record before the court with the other 6 inmates. According to court documents Hattiesburg News has received, Cook was charged with, " Leaving The Scene of An Accident Causing Death ," according to the "Affidavit in the State Case" as seen below. According to the state's statue 63-3-401(4), Cook could only received a maximum of 20 years in prison if he's found guilty. This is not the first time Judge Bill Anderson has sparked controversy in the community or been accused of misconduct, improprieties, or illegal activities as a judge. He was suspended by 15th Circuit Court Judge R. I. Pritchard for 30 days without pay after being charged by the Mississippi Supreme Court with 2 counts of judicial misconduct. The Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance said Anderson failed to issue rulings in cases among issues with setting bonds for defendants. Judge Bill Anderson is up for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 against local attorney Shronda Carter.

Lamar County Sheriff's Department asked the public for its help to solve a mystery murder almost 2 weeks after Donivan Barnes' family found him laying in the ditch on Westover Drive in Hattiesburg, MS. Donivan, a 26 year old African American was dead on arrival. Saturday, October 7, 2023, Lamar County Sheriff's Office arrived at the crime scene late Saturday evening. They roped the crime area off with yellow tape. Officers, investigators, Hattiesburg Police Department Crime Scene Unit, and others had determined that Donivan was the victim of a hit and run. However, there was no evidence of a hit and run. There was actually no evidence of a crime at all. All they had was Donivan's lifeless body laying in a ditch. His phone, Yellowstone Hat, and shoes were laying in the grass in the picture below. Typically when there is a wreck or crash, there is debris from the vehicle(s) at the crime scene, a point of area at the crime scene of impact if there was a barrier such as guard rails or concrete blockades, and other materials that would indicate that a wreck had taken place. But there was nothing at the crime scene that indicated a wreck or crime had taken place. According to multiple law enforcement officials, Andrew David Cook, the 23 year old white suspect arrested for killing Donivan, returned to the crime scene with family members the same night of Donivan's murder. Law enforcement stated the family "looked" to see what the accused killer, David Andrew Cook, had admitted he hit, as he claimed he knew he hit "something" but could not find anything when the family went back to search the crime scene. Still no one called the police to report accused killer Andrew David Cook had an accident, wreck, or to report that any crime had taken place despite multiple people being aware that a crime had been committed as multiple family members had spent time at the crime scene the same night of the crime. Almost two weeks later, Andrew David Cook was charged with "Leaving the Scene of a Crime Resulting in Death" with his bond being secretly set very low at $10,000 by Lamar County Justice Court Judge Bill Anderson . No evidence was found at the crime scene of where Donivan was killed. No one else involved was charged. All that remain at the crime scene now are red roses left by community supporters in memory of Donivan right above the area his body was found as pictured below.

Lamar County School teacher Kimberly Walker Yawn, the mother of David Andrew Cook, a 23 year old white man accused of killing Donivan Barnes, a 26 year old African American man, has also admitted to her part in the tragic death of Donivan. Donvian was found in a ditch on Westover Drive in Hattiesburg, MS by his siblings and family during The University of Southern Mississippi's Homecoming Weekend according to the Lamar County Sheriff's Office. As Hattiesburg News continues to investigate this case, we can confirm that Yawn has been interviewed by the Lamar County Sheriff's Office as well as submitted a statement as a part of the investigation. At this time, we don't know what she has admitted to neither do we know the full extent of how Yawn is involved. We can confirm from law enforcement that she was at the crime scene the night Donivan was killed. Here's what we do know according law enforcement and people involved with the investigation: Friday Night, October 6, 2023 On Friday, October 6, David Andrew Cook, the 23 year old white male suspect charged with 'leaving the scene of an accident' said that he was driving on Westover Road at the same time Donivan was walking on Westover and know that he "hit something." He claimed he did not know what he hit and immediately called his mom, not the police. We're told his 2023 Black Toyota 4runner had major damage. Related Story: No evidence found at crime scene where Donivan Barnes was killed. https://www.gethattiesburgnews.com/post/no-evidence-at-the-crime-scene-where-donivan-barnes-was-killed-by-andrew-david-cook Sometime Friday night, Andrew David Cook and his mom Kimberly Yawn went back to the crime scene to find what Cook hit. According to law enforcement, Yawn claimed she "looked" and didn't see anything. Neither Yawn nor Cook called the police to report the incident. Instead, they left the crime scene and went home. Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Almost 2 weeks later with "no leads or evidence," as stated by Lamar County Sheriff's Office, after Donivan had been discovered by his family, the sheriff's office finally released a statement asking for the public's help on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Wednesday Morning, Kimberly brought her son to the sheriff's station and told law enforcement her son called her when he allegedly killed Donivan, but when they returned to the scene, they couldn't find anything. Cook confessed to law enforcement during his interview to hitting what he described as "something" during the same time and in the same place Donivan was killed. However, he was allowed to go home that evening with no charges or arrest. Thursday, October 19, 2023 Thursday Evening, October 19, two days before Donivan's funeral, Cook was charged with only one count of leaving the scene of an accident, bond set at $10,000, arrived at the county jail for processing, and was released immediately after the jail's booking process was complete. Hattiesburg News has confirmed that Cook left the crime scene at least 2 separate times, however, he only is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Related Story: Lamar County Judge Bill Anderson set $10,000 surety bond in secret hearing for Donivan Barnes accused killer Andrew David Cook: https://www.gethattiesburgnews.com/post/meet-judge-bill-anthony-who-secretly-set-bond-for-donivan-barnes-accused-killer-andrew-david-cook As Hattiesburg News continues to investigate this story, we have confirmed that the suspect in Donivan's death, Andrew David Cook, never spent one night in jail neither has he ever appeared before a judge for killing Donivan Barnes. Despite never appearing before a judge, Judge Bill Anderson set Cook a $10,000 surety bond. In a previous story, Hattiesburg News confirmed by Lamar County Justice Court that Andrew David Cook's name didn't appear on any court dockets appearing before Judge Bill Anderson. Hattiesburg News has also confirmed that the Lamar County jail doesn't have any record of Cook spending one night in jail neither are their any monetary transactions or receipts of him paying to bond out of jail, typically at least 10% of what the bond is set for. Cook was released shortly after taking his mugshot. Despite Cook's mom confessing to being at the crime scene and admitting to her part during Donvian's death investigation, Lamar County Sheriff's Office said they will not charge Kimberly Walker Yawn, but instead will leave it up to the grand jury to decide whether or not to charge her and what those charges should be after the case is presented to the grand jury. Possible Charges: Murder According to legal experts, there are a host of possible charges Kimberly Walker Yawn could be facing depending on her role in Donvian's death before, during, or after the crime. Based only on the limited information that has been provided by law enforcement, Yawn charges may include murder or attempted murder, seeing as since one crime was being committed during the act of another crime. Possible Charges: Accessory After the Fact Yawn can be charged with accessory after the fact or also leaving the scene of an accident causing death, considering the fact she had knowledge of the crime as she stated to law enforcement during her interview as well as confessed to being at the crime scene with her son after the crime was committed and did not report that crime to law enforcement. Possible Charges: Tampering with Evidence Yawn could also be charged with tampering with evidence considering the fact she was involved at the crime scene looking for evidence, although she claimed she didn't see anything. The sheriff's office did state there was no evidence at the crime scene to recover after Yawn and family left the crime scene, although no law enforcement official has said The Yawn Family tampered with any evidence. However, a judge on Oct 25, 2023 issued an arrest warrant for a Lamar County deputy sheriff for tampering with evidence in a separate case. Possible Charges: Conspiracy Finally, Yawn could be charged with aide and abetting, obstruction of justice, hindering the prosecution, or conspiracy as she knew for weeks her son had committed a crime and potentially helped to conceal the crime or at the very least did not report it to law enforcement. Donivan's family is looking for support to help with Donivan's legal expenses in a fight for justice by attaining proper legal representation and experts help. If you are interested in supporting you can give through the Community Crisis Coalition MS Strong by clicking here . The Community Crisis Coalition is known for supporting the community throughout Mississippi in times of crisis or dire needs throughout the last decade including donating water to Jackson, MS during its multiple water crisis. We reached out to Lamar County School District several times about this story. Each time, the district's superintendent was unavailable. Hattiesburg News will continue to investigate this story and provide as much news as possible to the general public as quickly as we can. If you have any information about what happened to Donivan Barnes, please report it to law enforcement as soon as possible or dial 9-1-1.

Dequantae Gillette, 24, was arrested on Thursday, November 14 and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center. Thursday, November 14, 2024 there we more than 20 people who arrested and taken to the Forrest County Detention Center. Over half of those people were arrested by Mississippi Department of Corrections Officer Woolman. If you know a single parent that needs help for Christmas, click below so they can sign up for Christmas in the Park in Hattiesburg to receive clothes, shoes, and toys for their kids. Hattiesburg News has not confirmed everyone that has been arrested however most people arrested by MDOC will serve no more than 2-3 days before being released according to Forrest County Sheriff's Department. Kenya Sartin, 32, was arrested by MDOC Agent Chris Woolman on Thursday, November 14, 2024 for probation violation and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center. Delonne Spencer, 33, was arrested by MDOC Agent Chris Woolman on Thursday, November 14, 2024 for probation violation and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center. Jacob Thigpen, 29, was arrested by MDOC Agent Chris Woolman on Thursday, November 14, 2024 for probation violation and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center. Dailan Wilkerson, 21, was arrested by MDOC Agent Chris Woolman on Thursday, November 14, 2024 for probation violation and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center. As of noon by Friday, 10 people so far has been released from the county jail that were arrested by Agent Woolman. The remaining people that were arrested by Woolman will be released on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Never miss a story again. Subscribe to Hattiesburg News to get unlimited news 24/7 including our daily Jail Report. Hattiesburg News reached out to Forrest and Perry County MDOC Office for comment as to why so many people were arrested but no one could be reached. This is a developing story,.

Andrew David Cook mugshot as he was temporarly booked into the Lamar County Jail on Hattiesburg, Mississippi- All charges were dropped against Andrew David Cook, then a 23 year old white man, who was charged with "Leaving The Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death or Bodily Harm" for killing Donivan Barnes, a 26 year old black man on Westover Drive despite Andrew's confession, his mother's confession, video evidence, witness testimony, and Donivan's blood and DNA all over Andrew's truck that was confirmed by the Mississippi Crime Lab. Lamar County DA Tells Black Victim Family Not Our Job To Represent Your Family After Dropping Charges Despite Confession From Andrew David Cook Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Lamar County DA called Donivan's family to tell them the grand jury chose not to indict Andrew David Cook despite the overwhelming evidence they claim they submitted in the secret grand jury hearing. Donivan Barnes was found dead by his family during USM Homecoming Weekend Saturday, October 7, 2023 laying in a ditch on Westover Drive, in Hattiesburg, MS. Initially, Lamar County Sheriff's Department refused to investigate the case, ask the public for help or bring forth any charges. Click here to make sure you stay up to date about this story and more breaking news stories by Hattiesburg News. Three weeks later after enormous pressure from Donivan's family, a statement went out on TV asking the public for help. The next day, David and his mom, Lamar County School District Elementary teacher Dr. Kimberly Yawn Walker, went to the Sheriff's Office, both confessed to their involvement in the crime including going back to the crime scene multiple times and never calling 911 yet still was released by Lamar County Sheriff's Department. With strong pushback from Donivan's family, the next evening, he was charged with Leaving the Scene of A Crime, temporarily booked in the Lamar County Jail and within a hour or so was released on a $10,000 surety bond, meaning not only did he never spend a day in jail, he never paid one dollar towards his bond, although Morrison Bail Bonding signed for his release. Fast forward to today. Based on how and what was presented by the Lamar County's DA's office, Donivan's family is still left with no answers or relief from the justice system. This is a developing story.

Hattiesburg Mississippi- More information is coming out of Hattiesburg, as the state of Mississippi continues to grow more and more unsettled after Lamar County drops all charges against a 25 year old white suspect name Andrew David Cook, despite overwhelming evidence including both he and his mother confession, in the killing of a 26 year old black man name Donivan Barnes. Andrew David Cook temporary booked in the Lamar County Sheriff's Jail on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. In a phone call between Donivan's family and the DA's office on Thursday evening, March 6, 2025, Donivan's Barnes family immediately demanded answers with a family member telling the prosecutor, "I thought that the district's attorney's job was to represent the {victim's} family and I don't understand how they representing the family if we're not in communication!" in which the prosecutor interrupted saying "No sir, our job is to present the evidence that we have!" in which the family member responded back in shock, "It's not to represent the family?" in which the prosecutor said, "No!" Oak Grove Elementary School Teacher Dr. Kimberly Yawn Walker Confesses to Her Part In the Killing of 26 Year Old Black Man Donivan Barnes. This comes as Hattiesburg News learns Donivan's family was angry that there was no communication between the victim's family and the Lamar County District Attorney about Donvian's case before the case was closed or before the grand jury, which is why this back and forth on the phone call took place. Typically, the DA's office stays in contact with the victim or victim's family about updates on the case, ask for their input, and provide other resources as they try to bring justice for the family and the community. Lamar County prosecutor's told the victim's family that's not their job. Subscribe to stay updated with more breaking news about the Donivan Barnes murder investigation. The victim's family cannot hire outside counsel to represent themselves before the grand jury or in any criminal preceding because they are typically represented by the District Attorney. However in this case, Donivan Barnes family had no voice in how this case was presented, the charges presented, or any opportunities to be heard from the DA's office because Lamar County DA Office refused to meet with the victim's family. Hattiesburg News will continue to investigate this story.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi- In a stunning turn of events, on Tuesday, March 11, 2024, Lamar County Sheriff told Donivan Barnes' family he will review the case by Wednesday, March 12, 2025 to see if other charges apply, including homicide and manslaughter. Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel told the victim's family he will meet with county attorneys, investigators and others to review the entire case, see what statues may apply, and if other charges can be brought against Andrew David Cook. This comes as a sense of hope to thousands of both white and black people who've expressed their frustration and disappointment with this case sense hearing all charges have been dropped. This past Friday, March 7, 2025, the Lamar County District Attorney's office dropped all charges against 25 year old Andrew David Cook for the killing of Donivan Barnes despite mounting evidence including a confession from both the suspect and his mother, Dr. Kimberly Walker Yawn, Donivan's blood and DNA all over Cook's truck, video evidence and more. Lamar County DA Tells Black Victim's Family "Not Our Job" To Represent Your Family After DA Drop All Charges Against White Murder Suspect Andrew David Cook Despite Confession This sparked wide spread outrage not only throughout Mississippi, but in other places around the country, with a call for unity and justice from white and black people alike who felt like the justice system failed with many noting Donivan is black and the suspect, Andrew David Cook is white. Many legal scholars who are familiar with the case said that according to Mississippi statue, suspect Cook should have been charged with homicide or at the very least, manslaughter since Donivan died in the act of either an accident or a crime, misdemeanor or felony. Others argue the charge could be upgraded to attempted murder or murder like in the exact same case as David Breland, a Forrest county man who was convicted of murder in the same city for the exact same crime. Donivan's family, community, and people around the country are awaiting the Sheriff's decision to see if Donivan Barnes will get any justice in Hattiesburg, MS. This is a developing story.

MISSING PERSON: Hattiesburg Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. Kathryn “Alanna” Walker, 41, of Hattiesburg, was reportedly last seen on Jan. 16, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., walking southbound on South 28th Avenue. Walker has brown hair and hazel eyes and is approximately 5’10” and roughly 150 lbs. She was last seen wearing a light pink jacket, blue jeans and a hat. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact Hattiesburg Police or Crime Stoppers by dialing **Tips. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com .

Hattiesburg, MS- 41 year old Anthony Morley was arrested by Hattiesburg Police Department 's Officer Anthony McBryde for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Saturday, November 23, 2024. He was booked into the Forrest County Detention Center at 2:47pm. Currently he doesn't have a bond. It's unclear what the charges are stemming from. Don't miss another jail story. You can get unlimited crime & jail news, arrests, convictions and more by signing up today for as little as $1.50 - Yes you heard us! Unlimited news for $1.50 so click the picture or click this link NOW! But according to the legal experts, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon typically means someone was shot, stabbed, or physically hurt using some type of tool. It is a higher offense than regular aggravated assault because in this case someone has a greater chance to lose their life. Again, we do not know any of the facts or circumstances in this specific case. Anthony is facing up to 20 years in prison according to Mississippi State Statue 97-3-7 which states if Anthony is convicted, he   "shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year or sentenced to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than twenty (20) years." However, it's important to remember that although Anthony Morley has been charged for this crime, he is still innocent unless he is proven guilty in a court of law. We are unaware if Anthony has any legal counsel. Hattiesburg News will be following this story to give you all of the very latest updates.

Hattiesburg, MS- Hattiesburg Police arrested a man on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 for failing to register as a sex offender in Hattiesburg, MS. 60 year old Danny Naylor was arrested by Hattiesburg Police Officer Jason Palmer and booked into the Forrest County Detention Center at 2:38pm Wednesday Afternoon. Danny was convicted of sexual battery in 1986 when he was 22 years old. Failure to register as a sex offender is a felony offense. Danny has not yet appeared before a judge.