Ellington

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them:

1. Crews began paving what will become a new entrance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center earlier this month. UMMC spokesman Jack Mazurak told the Jackson Free Press that the crews will likely complete construction on the entrance road in mid-January. Read more here.
2. Community Animal Rescue and Adoption is participating in a nationwide adoption promotion called "9 Lives for $9," aimed at encouraging adopters to bring home a feline older than kitten-age. Those looking to adopt cats nine months or older can do so for only $9, instead of the regular $75 adoption fee. Read more here.
3. Plans for a new animal shelter in north Jackson have drawn protests from some neighborhood residents. About 20 gathered at the site Thursday to protest the upcoming opening of the shelter by the Animal Rescue Fund, which is moving more than 300 dogs and cats into the facility at an old warehouse.
4. Hank Bounds will get at least four more years as the head of Mississippi's public university system. The College Board voted unanimously Thursday to extend Bounds' contract as commissioner of higher education. Bounds had about 18 months remaining on his original four-year contract signed in 2009.
5. On Thursday morning Sandy Middleton, executive director of The Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl, and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood joined together to announce the beginning of services at the center's Sexual Assault Crisis program. It will encompass a comprehensive group of services designed to support victims, increase the rates of reporting sexual crimes and prosecute offenders.
6. Hundreds attended the kickoff event Wednesday for a new marketing campaign aimed at promoting the city of Jackson's culture, food and commerce to potential visitors. The "Celebrate Jackson" campaign was launched with a program that included 35 students from the Mississippi School for the Blind marching band performing outside City Hall.
7. The Mississippi Opera opens its 68th season with “A World of Opera.” The Mississippi Opera Gala is Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Wesley Biblical Seminary (787 E. Northside Drive).
8. The city says construction will continue as planned on the project to make Capitol Street a two-way downtown thoroughfare, despite canceling the groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning. The ceremony, which the city had scheduled for 10 a.m., was supposed to kick off the major construction project that will begin with water and sewer 
line improvements.
9. The first salvo in the coming battle over charter schools in Mississippi came this week when House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, shuffled the pieces of a key legislative committee. Gunn reassigned Rep. Linda Whittington, D-Schlater, a longtime House Education Committee member, to vice-chair the Tourism Committee.
10. Thanksgiving is almost here. If you just can't stand the thought of cleaning up 12 different pots, pans and casserole dishes, let local Jackson restaurants take care of you Thanksgiving Day. Here are the restaurants and caterers offering Thanksgiving service.

Remember: Check the JFP Events planner for everything to do in the Jackson metro area. You can also add your own events (or send them to [email protected])! See JFPEvents.com

Read staff and reader blog posts at jfp.ms/weblogs (yes, you can register on the site and start your own blog!)