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1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Brittney Mangum, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Clarke County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce Rustic Freeze and Rustic Couture as the Business of the Month SPOTLIGHT for January 2026.
For about five years, they have provided quality service to their customers at each store, and they combined the stores last year to create more space to better meet the needs of their customers.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months ago
Great Southern Bank recently donated over $86,000 to Hope Village for Children in partnership with the Mississippi Charitable Tax Credit Fund. Through this fund, the state allows businesses to make contributions to qualifying organizations and receive a tax credit. Hope Village qualifies for this partnership through three programs managed at their facilities. Those programs are the Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCCO), the Eligible Charitable Organization (ECO), and the Eligible Transitional Home Organization (ETHO).
By Submitted on
2 months ago
Over ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS will be used to abate opioids and other substance use disorders in Mississippi. The fifteen-page document produced by the advisory council (MOSFAC) outlines a broad range of actionable issues. Mississippi’s Attorney General Lynn Fitz was the first A.G. to file a lawsuit against opioid producing companies. This settlement is the result of her work and other Attorneys General from states around the country.
By Eddie Fulton on
2 months ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
At the Chamber Banquet on Monday, January 26, Rhonda Kelly made her first executive decision as incoming chamber board president and invited Jim Potuk to present a second Citizen of the Year Award to another deserving individual, Greg Jackson.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
At the Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Monday, January 26, Rhonda Kelly was proud to announce this year’s Citizen of the Year, Don Moore.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
This year, the chamber included a Board Member of the Year Award. Retired Judge Tobey Bartee was thrilled to present the award to none other than Lynnita Bartee.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months ago
The Pat Harrison Waterway District held their monthly meeting in Hattiesburg on January 20 and 22, 2026. Committee members and the Board of Directors from all counties were present.
Many issues were discussed, voted on, passed, or tabled from all parks throughout the district.
The Archusa Creek Water Park dam repairs were discussed and information shared at his time was the building of a cofferdam around the break in the dam and damage to the weir dam.
By Submitted by Tommy Hamrick on
2 months ago
The arrest records are published weekly and information in the records is obtained directly from the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department Docket Book. Names of those arrested are not and will not be withheld by request or fee. The arrest docket book is public record and is permissible to view by the public.
By Submitted on
2 months ago
The third week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded, with the Mississippi House focusing its floor activity primarily on health care and regulatory matters. On Wednesday, the House considered and passed four House Bills following debate and discussion among members.
House Bill 314, the Ibogaine Drug Development Clinical Trial Act, authorizes the establishment of clinical trials to study the use of the psychedelic drug ibogaine as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance addiction.
By Rep. Troy Smith on
2 months ago
Benny Robinson, 84, of Stonewall, Mississippi, passed away on January 26, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on August 31, 1941, to Talmadge and Inez (Jones) Robinson in Stonewall, MS.
Benny didn't go anywhere without his beloved dog, Hayden. He was overall an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, especially turkey hunting, and to fish. Benny enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden during the summer.
By Submitted on
2 months ago
“If you know me personally, you know I always say I’m ‘in my healing era’ or ‘working on my inner peace.’ The self-work is never ending. Progress can always be made,” advised Ashton Woodard. “It is important that we never stop growing and changing. It is important that we expand our minds and think outside the box so that we can become someone we are satisfied with. Find your passion, let go of the negativity, and let peace and love into your heart. Always remember that even if you fail, you are enough.”
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months ago
Gerald Harmon Sanders, 73, of Enterprise, Mississippi, passed away on January 19, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on January 30, 1952, to Harmon and Nina (Williams) Sanders in Clarke County, MS.
Gerald was a longtime member of Souenlovie Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon at the church.
By Submitted on
2 months ago
Jesse Jacobs, 82, of Quitman, Mississippi, passed away on January 23, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on March 25, 1943, to Earl and Thelma (Huddleston) Jacobs in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Jesse spent the majority of his life hunting and fishing.
By Submitted on
2 months 1 week ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Medical marijuana was legalized a few years ago, but there are still many misconceptions and misunderstandings about what really goes into it. While most people know that a medical card is required to purchase any form of medical marijuana at a dispensary, they do not know all of the regulations that are in place to cultivate the marijuana that is used.
While many in Clarke County are aware of 18/45 Wellness around the intersection of Highway 45 South and Highway 18 West, most people are unaware that Clarke County is also home to a cultivator facility as well.
By Staff on
2 months 1 week ago
The second week of the 2026 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature has concluded. The House continued its work on a variety of issues, with education remaining the main focus. Lawmakers engaged in discussions and committee work on several measures related to schools, families, and educational policy, while also considering legislation regarding judicial structure and state funding.
By Rep. Troy Smith on
2 months 1 week ago
FOR SALE: 41 acres +- in Quitman, MS perfect for recreational and residential hobby farm use. Road frontage on both CR 110 and Ridgewood Drive. Access to Archusa Creek Water Park and very close to the Quitman Country Club. Ideal for Hunting, fishing, golfing and more. Listed at $229,600. The owner will subdivide. Contact Hill Real Estate Group LLC ( 601-282-5261) for more information. Call agent Cathy Haguewood 601-604-4040.
By Submitted on
2 months 1 week ago
New Hours - The Clarke County Baptist Association Building will now be open from 8-12 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We will no longer be open from 8-3 p.m. as has previously been the case. Please be aware if you are planning to come to the office.
By Submitted on
2 months 1 week ago
I read a story not too long ago in Rick Ezell’s book, Cutting to the Core. It was about a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston in the summer of 1987. Henry Dempsey, the pilot, “heard an unusual noise in the rear of the aircraft. He turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went back to check it out. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. That’s when he discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had not been properly latched before takeoff and it fell open.
By Glenn Lafferty on
2 months 1 week ago
The arrest records are published weekly and information in the records is obtained directly from the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department Docket Book. Names of those arrested are not and will not be withheld by request or fee. The arrest docket book is public record and is permissible to view by the public.
By Submitted on
2 months 1 week ago
J. L. Dearman was born to Leonard and Myrtle Dearman on April 27, 1943, in Clarke County, MS. J. L. passed from this life surrounded by his loving family on January 22, 2026.
J. L. was full of life and always had a sense of humor. He enjoyed playing jokes and making his family laugh. He enjoyed making sure his family was always smiling.
J. L. also was a jack of all sorts of trades. He built a grill and even a whole car port. He could fix anything. He was also very hardworking and took good care of his family.
By Submitted on
