Sgt. Milton L. Johnson of Tuscaloosa, left, and Spec. Michael T. Collins of Northport, members of the Military Police Security Section in Headquarters Company of the 31st Armored Brigade, Northport, are armed with an M-60 machine gun and an M-16 rifle as they guard the entrance of the brigade's tactical field headquarters at Camp Shelby. Hattiesburg American file photo

A police snowman at the Petal Police Department. Neighbors near Petal's Police Department built a police officer out of snow. From left, Robbie Clark, Keneth Elwin, and David Roberts. Special to the American

Kevin Ishea of Hattiesburg prepares to throw a large chunck of snow he removed froma car at the University of Southern Mississippi. The area received five inches of snow March 13, 1993. Hattiesburg American file photo

Tom Rhea Phillips, left, and Warren Dale prepare suggestion boxes for Hattiesburg's new slogan campaign. The boxes will be placed in local grocery stores around the city. Hattiesburg American file photo

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project on Gordon's Creek at McLeod Street provides for using gabions, wire baskets filled with rock, to stabilize eroded banks in Dec. 1990. The gabions are used when banks have eroded to the point where they are verticle and the normal means of stoping erosion-the placement of rip rap, or broken rock, against the wall-is not workable. Hattiesburg American file photo

Lee Walker is preparing to do some star gazing. The inflatable planetarium will be exhibited during a fundraiser for Interaction Factory at the Coca-Cola plant. People are able to see constellations and planets in the portable dome. Hattiesburg American file photo

Darin Cole, a University of Southern Mississippi senior majoring in advertising, starts his spring break with Sandy Parker, an Indiana University senior majoring in German. The two were at USM's Pride Field in March 1990. Hattiesburg American file photo

Lacy Evans Jr. (striped shirt) gets assistance from USM employees after the pig he bought that morning jumped out of his truck at the corner of Hardy Street and U.S. 49. The pig ran toward Lake Byron on the USM campus, where the employees helped catch it and drag it back to the truck in May 1990. Hattiesburg American file photo

Parked in a lot on the University of Southern Mississippi campus, three balloons await the signal to launch Saturday morning in on of several balloon events held in Hattiesburg over the weekend in conjunction with the Old Time Festival in May 1991. Hattiesburg American file photo

Three-year-old twins Heath, left, and Quinn Richards takes a snowball break at a stand on the corner of Adeline and 11th Avenue in Hattiesburg during a hot day in June 1990. Hattiesburg American file photo

Petal Middle School teacher Debra Herrin, standing left, Charles Walker, middle, and Petal School Superintendent Mike Walters watch Petal students practice checkers games they play in the Soviet Union in March 1990. Hattiesburg American file photo

New York Jets player Stevon Moore, left, and University of Southern Mississippi signee Howard McGee work together to overcome knee injuries at the Wellness Center in Hattiesburg in March 1990. Hattiesburg American file photo

Jennifer Ingram, left, a Hattiesburg High graduate, shows pictures from the past year's Presidential Classroom to Dorie Yontz, right, and other students who will participate in the 1990 trip to Washington D.C. Hattiesburg American file photo

Sharde Mark, from left, Brittney Johnson, and Janna Houze, try to keep dry during a thunderstorm while on their way to a Girls State function on the University of Southern Mississippi Campus in June 2003. Hattiesburg American file photo

Sgt. Chuck Branson of the Region 3 NCO at Camp Shelby casts a shadow on the American flag at the 75th Anniversary ceremonies at Camp Shelby May 8, 1993. The opening of the Armed Forces Museum was a major part of the weekend festivities at the National Guard Training Base. American file photo

A group of students are seen taking advantage of the new trolley line in Hattiesburg. In 1913, the trolley line was extended from downtown Hattiesburg to the campus of Mississippi Woman's College. Special to the American

The soldiers pictured in this photo from Kentucky train to fire British-made Lewis machine guns from the prone position. Machine guns represented new technology, and soldiers with this specialized training operated as detachments from the regular infantry. Images of America: Hattiesburg

One of Hattiesburg area's earliest industries was turpentine extraction. Bark was removed from the trees, workers would hack a V-shaped mark and a bucket was affixed below to collect the resin. The resin was collected, then distilled in copper stills. Images of America:Hattiesburg

Susan Spear, a journalism major at the University of Southern Mississippi, took advantage of the mild fall weather and a break in classes recently to do a little cloud watching while relaxing in Oct. 1991. American file photo

Luke Conoly, 4, of Hattiesburg enjoys lunch with Christopher DeBoard, 3, of Hattiesburg during a Brown Bag Lunch sponsored by the city of Hattiesburg at City Hall Plaza in Oct. 1991. American file photo

A special section printed by the Hattiesburg American in March 1961 shows a portion of downtown Hattiesburg flooded. The rain started Feb. 23 and continued for a week dumping over a foot of rain in the area. The Leaf River crest at 31.53 feet, nine feet about the 1961 flood-level and caused around 4,500 refugees into shelters and thousands more into homes of friends and neighbors. Hattiesburg American

Presidents of sororities and fraternities at Mississippi Southern College campus during the 1949-50 school year that were involved in a Red Cross fundraising campaign. Submitted photo by Hubert Reynolds

This photograph circa 1920 shows a Fourth of July parade, featuring several men riding in a flatbed vehicle and waving US flags. They surrounded a man dressed as Uncle Sam. Images of America: Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg High School Seniors Lea Matthews, left, and Linda Lee McDowell perform a DNA test in their advanced placement biology class. The students were trying to solve a mock murder using test results. American file photo

Forrest County Superintendent of Education Walt Cartier welcomes "The Magic Fish" to Earl Travillion School on Thursday Nov. 9, 1990 to celebrate the national Reading is Fundamental Program. American file photo

Former USM and NFL star Ray Guy, right, and playing partner Hobart Worley size up a putt on the 18th green at the Hattiesburg Country Club in the annual Ray Guy Boy Scouts of American benefit golf tournament. Guy's foursome finished fourth in the 18-hole scramble. American file photo

A couple of graduating students seem to be nodding off during commencement ceremonies Thursday at Jones County Junior College. About 1,500 people attended the ceremony at the Ellisville college. American file photo

Petal High student Chad Speed, left, helps load a suspect into a police cruiser while working with Neighborhood Enhancement Team officer Frank Misenhelter during a shadowing day in Feb. 1998. American file photo

Vendor Clarence Duncan, right, raises a barbecued turkey leg in to the air to attract customers as Jessie Harper, left, places more meat on the grill during Juneteenth celebrations at Vernon Dahmer Park in June 2003. American file photo

Sarah Blackwell, 6 months, listens intently as she is "sentenced" by Barry Doleac in this week's Musclar Dystrophy Lock-Up. Sarah's mom, Grace Blackwell, paid the $200 fine to MDA as part of Doleac Realtors-Better Homes and Gardens participation in the annual pre-telethon event in Sept. 1991. American file photo

Pete French of Hattiesburg, Miss. tosses water on the windows of his van at a local florist Saturday March 13, 1993. The Hub city area received between 4-6 inches of snow and was the first snow since 1987. American file photo

This 1920 photograph shows Hattiesburg Bottling Company on Mobile Street which was built in 1915. The plant closed in 1960 and the building remained vacant until 2004. Photo courtesy of McCain Library & Archives.

Hattiesburg's Leaf River Chapter of the Woodmen of the World pose on the steps of the Forrest County Courthouse circa 1927. The Woodmen of the World was a benevolent fraternal organization formed in 1890 to help young pioneer families become financially independent. Images of America: Hattiesburg

In the early years of Mississippi Woman's College, the Hattiesburg trolley line did not reach the campus. Students and faculty were met at the train station by a horse, Nellie, and a buggy. Submitted photo

Stephanie Walsh, 4, enjoysa Viewmaster as the Petal School District's Parenting Center on Main Street. The center has education tools such as books, games, and computers for parents to check out for their children to use at home. American file photo