Tornado Coverage Part III: USM Student Reactions

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS

Just four days after an F-4 twister passed through the University of Southern Mississippi, students and faculty members return to find the campus much different than they'd left it.

Damaged buildings on the campus include: the Mannoni Performing Arts Center; the Jazz Station; the Ogletree Alumni House; the Fine Arts Building; Marsh Hall; McLemore Hall and the unoccupied dormitory Elam Arms. Several trees, some which were over 100 years old, were destroyed by the storm leaving the front entrance of campus leveled.

Photo by Kelly Dunn

Because of an upcoming Mardi Gras holiday, fewer students were on university's campus than usual. However, some students, like Stephanie Miles, were on campus. As Miles and the cast of Sweeney Todd rehearsed for an upcoming performance, a faculty member received a call informing him of the powerful tornado that was heading toward the campus. The students sought shelter within the basement of the building just in time. There are no reported injuries from the university's campus.

Governor Phil Bryant, a USM alumnus, declared a State of Emergency for Forrest, Lamar, Lawrence and Marion counties. In reference to the damage at the university, Governor Bryant said "it is difficult to see the damage that is here."

Seeing the damage to campus is still shocking to many students, but for Jordan Garrett, seeing the outpouring of support from the campus community and neighboring communities makes him proud to be Southern Miss Golden Eagle.

Tornado Coverage Part II: South MS Red Cross

Hattiesburg, MS

Even though the South Mississippi American Red Cross office on Hutchinson Avenue was leveled to the ground after an EF-4 tornado touched down in Marion, Lamar, Forrest, Lawrence and Wayne counties, that did not stop Red Cross employees and volunteers from helping the residents of the Pine Belt. 

Martha Duvall, Communications Officer for Red Cross South Mississippi says Red Cross is not a building. According to Duvall, "Red Cross is actually a spirit of compassion and a spirit of volunteerism. It's the people. It's our Red Cross volunteers and our Red Cross staff. It's really all about that giving, caring spirit."

When authorities cleared roads, the South Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross organization workers began setting up aid stations throughout the most devastated parts of the Pine Belt. 

American Red Cross South Mississippi Chapter Executive, Jay Huffstatler, says the quick response of the Red Cross is credited not only to sister Red Cross chapters and volunteers, but also to a national 1 million square foot Red Cross warehouse located in South Hattiesburg. This warehouse contains blankets, food, water, cleanup kits, comfort kits, tarps, tools, and many other supplies that aid residents in returning to normalcy after any natural disaster. 

During this time, the Red Cross encourages residents to become Red Cross volunteers just like 10-year volunteer Ann Loveless. 

For more information about becoming a volunteer, visit:

     - American Red Cross

If you're in need of services in Forrest or Lamar counties, call: 601.582.8151

    Behind the scenes photo as I gathered video

    from the South Mississippi Red Cross Chapter.

Follow Me @JournalistJaunt for the latest updates! 

Tornado Coverage Part I: Apartment Damage

Hattiesburg, MS

A tornado ripped through the Pine Belt last Sunday evening (Feb. 10) leaving debris and entire neighborhoods leveled to the ground.

Photo Credit: NWS Jackson, MS

In one Hattiesburg apartment complex, residents could hear the emergency sirens blaring at least 30 minutes before the tornado hit. Residents like Latoya Wallace did not expect the tornado to cause as much damage as it did. During the tornado, Wallace, her friends, and an infant took cover in the bathroom of the apartment just before the tornado's powerful 170 mph winds took the roof off of one  building in the complex. 

Jamal Young, a resident who lives on the opposite side of the complex, came to the aid of all residents trapped in apartments shortly after the tornado passed. He joined Hattiesburg Police officers as they knocked on doors and searched apartments for anyone trapped inside.

I spoke with apartment complex owner Mike McMahan immediately following the storm, and he said that he's working hard to ensure that every resident who lost his/her homes would have a place to stay.

No residents in the complex were injured.

*The name of the complex is not mentioned in this article per request of the owner and apartment manager.

For more photos from this apartment complex, visit my twitter feed: @JournalistJaunt

NATHAN'S LEGACY PART II

Ellisville, Mississippi

Andy and Lori Key from the Nathan's Legacy Foundation stop at Jones County Junior College to give children more than just candy on Halloween. The Keys gave the children an interactive lesson about school bus safety.

The Keys created a homemade school bus from fabric, PVC pipe, and lights to use as an instructional tool for teaching children about school bus safety. According to Lori Key, the activity helps children understand that "people who drive now should stop when the stop sign is out on the school bus."

The line of children waiting to play the game simulates cars stopping for the school bus as students embark and disembark. The children can only pass the bus to get a prize when they've thrown a ball and completely knocked the stop sign in. Prizes for the event were donated from Wal-Mart in Meridian, MS.

Also, the Keys and other members of the Nathan's Legacy Foundation handed out instructional information to parents and reminded children who ride the school bus of safety rules.

Parents like Shaquita Jones and Kristy Turner hope that the foundation will continue to bring events like this one to children because it's not only informative, but it brings the community together for a great cause - to help another Nathan survive.

NATHAN'S LEGACY PART I

Jones County, MS

On December 11, 2009, a motorist ignored the flashing lights and extended arm of the stop sign on a school bus and killed 5-year-old Nathan Key as he crossed the street to go home.

After Nathan's death, his parents Andy and Lori Key vowed to prevent this from happening to another child. The Keys' first step was to stiffen the penalties for unlawfully passing a stopped school bus. Senate Bill 2472, also known as Nathan's Law, passed on July 1, 2011.

The Keys also started the Nathan's Legacy Foundation, Inc. to keep Nathan's legacy alive. The non-profit organization is the National Association To Help Another Nathan Survive.

Nathan's Legacy Foundation members travel throughout the state to spread school bus safety awareness to children. Along with educating students during school visits, the Keys work with Mississippi's School Bus Safety Task Force to ensure that motorists, bus drivers, and students exercise caution around school buses. Initially, the School Bus Safety Task Force was established to last only one year, but under an executive order from Gov. Phil Bryant, the task force will remain.

The Keys will continue to work with the Nathan's Legacy Foundation and organizations like Mississippi's School Bus Safety Task Force to keep children safe.

EMPTY BOWLS

- Hattiesburg, MS

As of 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 14.9 percent of the nation is food insecure or regularly hungry. Mississippi and Arkansas have the highest rate of food insecurity with a 19.2 percent hunger rate. 

In an attempt to heighten awareness of hunger issues in the state of Mississippi, Main Street Books employees in downtown Hattiesburg host an Empty Bowls fundraiser. Employees first collected over 300 handcrafted and painted bowls from local artists like Elizabeth Huffmaster. Then, the employees sold the bowls for 20 dollars each. 

On opening night of the fundraiser, participants who purchased bowls received a warm bowl of soup. The business also accepted 500 dollars worth of food from Big Star Supermarket to donate to the food pantry. All proceeds and donations from the fundraiser go to the Edward Street Fellowship Center in Hattiesburg.  

The fundraiser, according to Carolyn Critz, is not only only about raising money and collecting donations for the Edwards Street Fellowship Center, but it is also about bringing awareness for the many starving families that are in the state. 

These bowls are not just carefully crafted pieces of art; for those who purchase them, they are a daily reminder that there are families who need food. 

Employees have yet to sell all of the bowls, but they are excited to continue selling them to help combat hunger issues in the state. 

Stay connected with me on Twitter: @JournalistJaunt

ROLLER DERBY: THE SOUTHERN MISFITS

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- Hattiesburg, MS

Team members from the Hub City Derby Dames' Southern Misfits are rough and tough in the skating rink, but when the skates come off, these ladies are compassionate and kind.

Members of the team, like Kristin McNair, live perfectly normal lives outside of the rink. The ladies' occupations range from wives to doctors to army servicewomen to administrative assistants. When the skates are on and the crowd is cheering, these women are anything but ordinary.

Along with team members' balancing work while skating circles around the competition in the rink, they are also community service volunteers. Team members have collected Toys For Tots and have worked to build homes for habitat build projects. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, team members joined with The Grand Theatre in Hattiesburg for a screening of Derby Baby with all proceeds being donated to the Pink Ribbon Fund. The team was able to donate over 500 dollars to the cause. Southern Misfits' Coach Lee Chambliss says that team members will continue their involvement with philanthropic events because it's good for team morale and the personal growth of each of the members.

As the derby season progresses, the Southern Misfits are dedicated to making the best of the season while they display their dedication to community service.


Follow me on Twitter: @JournalistJaunt

USM QUIDDITCH

- University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg

A mystical game flies off the pages of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and lands on the intramural field at the University of Southern Mississippi.

In 2011 Nicolas Kubicki decided that he wanted USM to have a quidditch team. He says that getting the team up and running was tough, initially, but once he got the ball rolling, the team seemed to blossom. The co-ed team now has over 30 consistent members, and USM is the only university in the state of Mississippi to have a team registered with the International Quidditch Association.

To play the game:
     Each team has seven players on the field. Three members are the chasers who throw quaffles through the opposite team's hoops to score points; each team has a goalie who protects their team's hoops. Two members from each team are beaters who use bluggers to protect team members. One player from each team is a seeker who tries to catch the snitch to not only end but also win the game!

The USM Quidditch team has yet to host an official match on the University of Southern Mississippi's campus, but they hope to host a game in the near future.


Stay connected with me via Twitter: @JournalistJaunt

GARAGE SALE PERMITS

- Hattiesburg, MS

The city of Hattiesburg requires residents living within the city limits to obtain a permit before holding a garage sale. 

According to the City of Hattiesburg's website: 

"Garage sale permits may be obtained after completing a brief application. The applicant must be the legal owner or occupant of the property where the sale will be held. Two sales per calendar year are allowed without a fee. Each permit, when issued, shall authorize a sale not to exceed two consecutive days and must occur only on the dates specified on the permit. No sales are allowed on Sunday or before 8 a.m."

After the two free permits issued within a calendar year, the city charges 50 dollars for the third, 100 dollars for the fourth, and then it will level off at 200 dollars. The city limits the number of garage sales so residents will not run small businesses from their homes in areas of the city that are not zoned for that type of business. 

Hattiesburg residents do agree with the policy because it keeps homeowners from holding too many garage sales within a calendar year, but many believe that driving downtown to get the permit is an inconvience. They also expressed that the city should look into providing the application online for easier access.

Follow me on Twitter: @JournalistJaunt 
Subscribe to the blog for updates: Leslie Nash 

SERVICE DOGS

- Hattiesburg, MS

September is National Service Dog month, and I investigated what role guide dogs play in their owners' lives.

Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center, in Madison, MS, is a non-profit organization that specializes in providing guide dogs for the blind. The Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center's Executive Director is Rebecca Floyd. Floyd has utilized her guide dog, Lucy, for a little over three years. Kathie Curtis works with Floyd as the Director of Kennel Operations and the Puppy Program.

At Gallant Hearts, it currently costs about 17,000 dollars to breed, raise and train a guide dog. In the Gallant Hearts program, there are currently 16 dogs in the puppy raising program, 3 dogs in training and 4 dogs in the breeding program, and Gallant Hearts is expecting the graduation of their first guide dog in the coming weeks.

The guide dog trainer for Gallant Hearts is Ryan Burley. Burley believes that guide dogs can give their owners more freedom by serving as their eyes.

Mac David, a University of Southern Mississippi student, utilizes his guide dog, Cy, to help him navigate campus. David says that it is very important for guide dogs to have a great relationship with their owners.

Floyd, Curtis, Burley, and David all agree that if you see a guide dog working that you shouldn't pet him/her without consent from the owner. Guide dogs are not just pets for their owners, they are working as their eyes.

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HURRICANE ISAAC: BOATS ASHORE

- Pass Christian, MS

I visited the MS Gulf Coast just days after Hurricane Isaac touched down. I stopped by the Pass Christian Boat Harbor and found three boats that were removed from the water by Isaac's powerful winds.

The Harbor Master, Willie Davis, said the boats that came ashore were ones owners left after mandatory evacuation. He continued to explain that when hurricanes are set to come to the mainland that boat owners are given a call and told that boats must be removed from the water. With that, he mentioned that boat owners were charged a 500 dollar per day fine until the boats are picked up. Davis also mentioned that the owners of boats that washed up would also have to pay for any and all damages caused by the boats as well as the crane that would be needed to return the boats to the water.

I also got the chance to meet boat repairman Don Simmons. Simmons was working on one boat that landed next to an electrical platform. He was quickly trying to repair the boat so it could be put back in the water. He was thankful that the boats did not cause more damage than they did.

Shaggy's Harbor Bar and Grill workers were also thankful the boats did not hit the building.

As hurricane season continues, Willie Davis asks that all boats be removed from the water when a mandatory evacuation is in place to prevent damage in the future.

RAISE YOUR PINTS

Mississippi -

Beer connoisseurs are thrilled The Craft Beer Bill - SB 2878 has passed.

Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law a bill raising the alcohol by weight in beer from 5 percent to 8 percent.

The law does not change the amount of alcohol in currently marketed beers; it allows for a wider selection of imported beer. According to the Raise Your Pints non-profit organization:

"The 5% ABW limit excludes approximately 1/3 of the world's beer styles, some of them the finest, highest quality beverages on earth. Entire styles of specialty beers fall above this limitation, such as barleywine, a strong ale with a typical ABW between 8-13%. Barleywines are elegant and expensive, sometimes cellared and aged for years like a fine Cabernet. Another elite group of beers, those brewed by Trappist Monks in Belgium (considered by many to be the greatest beer in the world) is comprised almost entirely of beers above 5% ABW. These "Dubbels" and "Trippels" are currently illegal in Mississippi."

Beginning July 1st of this year, Mississippians will have access to craft beers with an alcohol by weight of 8 percent.

Butch Bailey, President and Founder of Raise Your Pints, believes that people who are interested in craft/gourmet beers will now have a wider selection of those beers.

Mississippi residents like David Campbell and Hattiesburg's Keg & Barrel owner John Neal are excited about the law change. They believe the availability of more craft beers will increase tourism and revenue to the state because people will no longer have to cross state lines to get their favorite craft beers.

For more information about the Raise Your Pints movement, visit the organization's website:

http://raiseyourpints.com/about-ryp

You can also follow Raise Your Pints and the Keg & Barrel on Twitter: 

Raise Your Pints: @RaiseYourPints

Keg & Barrel: @TheKegandBarrel

Follow me on Twitter: @JournalistJaunt

Day In The Life: USM Police

I spent a day with University of Southern Mississippi Police Captain, Charles Chandler.

Captain Chandler believes that the University Police Department (UPD) and the campus community work hand-in-hand to keep the campus safe.

One student, Stacey Roberts agrees that the campus is safer because of the strong presence UPD provides.

One staff member also agrees.

The multiple levels of security that the police provide give students a safe and enjoyable learning environment.

If you are a University of Southern Mississippi student or faculty member, you can join the university's Eagle Alert system for notifications about campus emergencies.

Irish-Italian Festival: St. Thomas Aquinas

- Hattiesburg, MS

This year marks St. Thomas Aquinas' 11th annual Irish-Italian Festival. The festival is a community-wide event that brings Irish and Italian traditions to the city.

The St. Tohmas Aquinas church family begins the celebration with a parade that comes down 4th Street and ends on the University of Southern Mississippi's campus.

Following the parade, the church hosts a festival where the food, music, and fun keep going until the sun sets. With the sounds of jazz saxophonists and traditional bagpipes in the background, there are activities for both children and adults.

Father Tommy Conway, Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, says that the event gets bigger and better every year and that he looks forward to the festivals to come. Visitors also agree that it is one of the best Irish-Italian festivals that they've ever attended.

Part of the proceeds from the Irish-Italian festivities will be donated to a local children's shelter.

Smoking in Cars With Children

- Mississippi

In Mississippi, a new piece of legislation could prevent individuals from smoking in vehicles with children.

The proposed bill, SB 2016, would make it illegal to smoke in cars with children under the age of 17. The bill is proposed by Senator Frazier. 

Senator Billy Hudson weighs in on the potential piece of legislation.

Some Mississippi residents give their opinion about the bill.

Also, a Political Science professor at the University of Southern Mississippi gives her opinion on how this issue could cause conflict between Mississippi residents.

Cyber Bullying Epidemic

With the growth of social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and Youtube, taunting and harassment of individuals has greatly increased. Newer social media outlets are allowing for bullies to harass their victims with a few strokes of a keyboard on any computer.

A staff member at Hattiesburg High School sits down to tell us exactly what cyber bullying is and how individuals having more access to the internet contributes to the growing epidemic.

Also, we see how one college student was forced to move from her home and change her entire life because of interactions with a cyber bully.

Mississippi's cyber bullying law does not directly outline the punishment for cyber bullying. But Lt. Prouix from the Hattiesburg Police Department encourages victims of cyber bullying to speak out to solve problems before law enforcement ever gets involved.

DREAM of Hattiesburg

I had the pleasure of visiting the D.R.E.A.M tutoring center in Hattiesburg, MS.

The D.R.E.A.M organization is nonprofit agency. The organization helps students succeed by not only helping students with homework assignments, but they also stress the importance of preventing alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse.

The DREAM organization works with local high school and elementary students. Also, they have partnered with the University of Southern Mississippi to start a campaign against alcohol abuse. Throughout the city of Hattiesburg and surrounding areas, billboards and park benches are covered with the DREAM's campaign posters which read - "party, party, party... let's not all get wasted."

The organization's goal is to promote a better Hattiesburg by inspiring the youth to take a stand against alcohol, drugs and substance abuse.

For more information about the DREAM center or to volunteer, contact the organization at  601.545.2102.

C-SPAN Digital Bus: Politics in Motion

The Campaign 2012 C-SPAN bus hit the streets, and stopped at the University of Southern Mississippi's campus. The interactive bus is currently making trips across the US to educate students and the general public. The bus contains a sitting area often utilized for video conversations - question and answer sessions with politicians and top students from schools across the nation. The marketing representatives aboard the bus, like Jenny Marland, allow visitors to take a self-guided tour, and they are there to offer helpful hints and knowledge about navigating the network's multiple channels, website, and applications. Look for the bus coming to a town near you! 

Leave your comments, critiques, or questions! 

My First Package - Pink Ribbons

This was my very first news package. The package shows what local businesses in and around the Hattiesburg area are doing to support breast cancer research. This video is provided by Hub City TV's (University of Southern Mississippi TV station) YouTube page, HubCityTVUSM. 


My current broadcasting professor encourages us to not give any excuses. NO EXCUSE will be acceptable when the news is running and there is a black screen where your/my story should be.This package isn't perfect, but I'm learning. Stay with me and feel free to give me your feedback on future stories!


This package was completed in October 2011. 

Everyday is a journey for journalists

I have to admit something. I wish I would've started this blog earlier in the semester (I was encouraged to do so, but I got so preoccupied with other things-shame on me, I know.) The journey to become a journalist has been a very long one, and it still continues. Even after I graduate, I know that I'll still be learning. After encountering several bumps throughout this semester while performing interviews and even getting lost on the way to shoot, I understand that being a journalist isn't about perfecting the techniques we've been taught in class, but it's learning how to utilize what we've learned in class to fulfill the stories that we should be covering. Even if a journalist goes into the field armed with textbook knowledge, it does not mean a thing if you can't utilize those techniques in the field! 

So, here's my journey! I hope you all enjoy it! Next semester I'll make an attempt to post as I cover a story instead of bombarding the blog with the videos simultaneously (no promises though!) When I'm up against various deadlines, I may not be able to post the videos immediately! 

I hope you all enjoy the blog! Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to leave comments! Opinions matter to me. I hope that I can successfully share my progress with you all!