Jones County, MS

Alabama State

Laurel, MS

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - Trinity Baptist Church of Laurel is doing its part to help tornado victims. The church is collecting donations of water, canned food, baby supplies, adult hygiene products and cleaning supplies for people in North Mississippi impacted by the storm. It hasn’t yet made a decision on which community will receive the donations.

Trinity Baptist Church in Laurel collecting relief supplies for tornado victims

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - A vacant structure received major damage after a fire early Monday morning. The Laurel Fire Department received a 911 call of a fully involved structure fire at 978 Popular Drive at approximately 1:30 a.m. B- shift Commander Cpt. Robert Armond dispatched three engine companies: E-1, E-4...

LFD responds to early morning structure fire Monday

Hattiesburg, MS

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Police in Hattiesburg are asking for the public’s help in locating a teenager who has reportedly run away. According to the Hattiesburg Police Department, 15-year-old Gavin Bradley of Hattiesburg was last seen on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at his home in the 3400 block of West 7th Street.

Police in Hattiesburg asks for help in locating runaway teenager

Forrest County, MS

Pearl, MS

FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - A driver was killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Forrest County on Monday morning. The Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to the crash on U.S. Highway 49 at approximately 8 a.m. According to MHP, a 2015 Nissan Frontier, driven by 65-year-old Barbara White of Pearl, Miss.,...

MHP: Pearl woman killed in 2-vehicle crash on US 49 in Forrest Co. Monday

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Police Department has announced a teenager who reportedly ran away has been found. HPD says 15-year-old Zyren Bradley has been located and is safe. Bradley was reported as a runaway Tuesday by HPD after it was reported he was last seen on Thursday, March...

Runaway Hub City teenager found safe, according to police

The Laurel Police Department now has a new face on the force – K-9 Officer Hank. The first wave of donation collection will end Thursday, and the items will be delivered to affected areas on Friday. Jones County couple aids in tornado recovery; here’s how you can help.

Tornado relief efforts in the Pine Belt

Marion County, MS

Columbia, MS

MARION COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - A Columbia woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash while traveling on State Route 13 in Marion County this past Friday. According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, troopers responded to the crash around 4 p.m. on March 24. MHP Troop J Public Affairs Officer, Taylor...

Columbia woman killed in 2-vehicle crash on MS-13 Friday in Marion Co.

Ellisville, MS

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - This weekend, there was a shooting incident in Jones County at a 4-H skeet shooting event. According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, 39-year-old William R. Pruitt of Ellisville reportedly drove to the event intoxicated and ended up shooting toward participants and parents. Upon...

Man arrested after allegedly opening fire at 4-H competition

Mississippi State

Bassfield, MS

BASSFIELD, Miss. (WDAM) - A suspect in a fatal Thursday shooting in Bassfield has been named after turning himself in on Friday morning. According to a post on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, 25-year-old Diawon Gray came into the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 9 a.m. and turned himself in. He is being charged in connection to the shooting death of 25-year-old Keenan McLaurin.

Suspect named in Bassfield shooting after surrendering to sheriff’s office

Gulfport, MS

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) -Several people lined the streets as the riders of Bout’s Routes made their way into the City of Laurel for the third annual Autism Awareness Ride. The group made the100-mile journey from Ocean Springs down 16th Avenue in Laurel to residents eager to show their appreciation.

‘Bout’s Routes’ rides from Coast to Pine Belt for autism

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - A suspect wanted by the Hattiesburg Police Department in connection to a New Year’s Eve armed robbery has been apprehended. According to HPD, 26-year-old James Shanks Jr., who is originally from Laurel, was taken into custody over the weekend in Harrison County with the help of Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.

Man wanted for armed robbery in Hub City arrested in Harrison Co.

Rolling Fork, MS

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Volunteers from the Pine Belt made their way to Sharkey County to help with relief efforts following Friday’s devastating tornados. Jones County residents Larry and Laura Sappington said they helped coordinate the trip because of their personal connection to the city of Rolling Fork. Larry served as a pastor in the community from 2014 to 2019.

Jones County couple aids in tornado recovery; here’s how you can help

Heidelberg, MS

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (WDAM) - In the Pine Belt, one auto body shop owner in Heidelberg is left picking up the pieces after Sunday’s storm. Strong winds ripped the tin roof off Jerry’s Auto Sales, tossing debris across South Pine Avenue. The owner, Jerry Waddell, said the damage didn’t...

Damage from Sunday’s storm in Heidelberg

Petal, MS

PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - To keep its students and faculty safe, the Petal School District is looking to expand its security teams by currently hiring full-time and part-time certified police officers. Dr. Matt Dillon, Petal School District superintendent, said holding this position means more than just wearing a badge. “We...

Petal School District looking to hire more police officers

Rankin County, MS

Braxton, MS

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - No video evidence exists of the January encounter between Rankin County deputies that lawyers allege led to torturing, tasing, and the unprovoked shooting of a man, according to exclusive documents obtained by the department. The incident took place on January 24 at a home in...

Exclusive documents confirm no body camera footage exists of Rankin Co. deputies shooting man in January

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Zoo takes calls daily, but not from people asking about admission prices. Hattiesburg Zoo animal curator Kristen Moore said the calls frequently come from people trying to get rid of exotic pets, rangi9ng from snakes to lizards and even monkeys. “So, a lot...

Exotic pets require another level of responsibility from owners

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Police Department needs your help locating a woman wanted in connection to a stolen vehicle and credit card fraud investigations. According to HPD, 30-year-old Halie Nestle of Petal has active warrants for grand larceny auto and credit card fraud in connection to a vehicle reported stolen from the 6300 block of U.S. Highway 98, on March 17, 2023, as well as a reported stolen credit card.

HPD: Suspect wanted in connection to stolen vehicle, credit card fraud investigations

PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - There’s no question the City of Petal has seen an increase in residents over the last 10 years. With more people taking spots in the Friendly City, Petal Mayor Tony Ducker said it’s time to make some changes. During the last Petal Board of...

City of Petal plans for redistricting of ward lines

A Severe Weather Outbreak is expected across central and southern Mississippi. The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas north of Hattiesburg under a Level 4 High Threat for severe weather. Areas south of Hattiesburg remain under a Level 3 Medium Threat. WHAT’S NEW: New runs of the models show that...

FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Severe Weather Expected in the Pine Belt this evening

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Nearly two dozen educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics gathered for a special event at the University of Southern Mississippi Tuesday. A biennial T.W. Bennett Symposium, at the Shelby Thames Polymer Science Building, brought together many different educators from various STEM backgrounds.

USM hosts STEM symposium

A Severe Weather Outbreak is expected across central and southern Mississippi. The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas north of Hattiesburg under a Level 4 High Threat for severe weather. Areas south of Hattiesburg remain under a Level 3 Medium Threat. ACTIVE WARNINGS & WATCHES: Stay up to date with...

FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Here’s what you need to know Sunday night

NewsBreak

Sharon VFD firefighter receives heroism award

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - A Sharon Volunteer Fire Department firefighter was honored for his bravery during a dangerous situation that happened last year. On September...

Sharon VFD firefighter receives heroism award

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