Ablene Cooper to Appeal ‘Help' Decision
Attorneys for Ablene Cooper claim Kathryn Stockett used their client's name and image without permission in "The Help." Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green threw out her case this morning, however, saying Cooper did not file her complaint against the author within a one-year statute of limitations. Cooper's attorneys say they will appeal Green's decision.
Millsaps Ranks High; Auto Plant Expands
The Environmental Protection Agency has chosen Jackson to be part of the Greening America's Capitols initiative.
Lucio Miele
Dr. Lucio Miele of University of Mississippi Medical Center is the newest member of the American Cancer Society's Mid-South Division Board of Directors.
Ward 3 Community Meeting Tonight
The city of Jackson hosts a community meeting today at Cherry Grove Baptist Church (1296 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive) at 6 p.m.
Making your move: How to find off-campus housing
Living on campus can be fun, but if you're tired of putting up with late-night study sessions in the hall and always being at school, off-campus housing can be a convenient and cost effective alternative.
Internology 101
As I turned the silver knob on the wooden door with the words "JACKSON FREE PRESS" placed neatly on it, I started to wonder what I was getting myself into. I immediately noticed a bright, lime green room and thought to myself, "I want to work in there."
Community Stands Against Racial Injustice
As more than 500 community leaders, families and public officials held candles and sang "This Little Light of Mine" last night, they walked in unison along Ellis Avenue to honor the life of James Craig Anderson and take a stand against racial injustice.
Simpson Criticizes AG for Not Debating
Steve Simpson, candidate for state attorney general, is criticizing Attorney General Jim Hood for refusing to participate in town-hall style debates before the election.
Amber Thomas
Around 9 or 10 p.m. last Monday, an emotional Twitter conversation was brewing, and student Amber Thomas joined the discussion. Earlier in the day, CNN released the video of the June 26 attack and hit-and-run incident that left 49-year-old James Craig Anderson dead in the middle of the night.
Community Events
Sports League Registrations, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration for the upcoming season from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 601-960-0471.
Jackson Teen Killed on Bike
Jim Hill High School student Tommy Wheaton died last night from injuries sustained from a hit-and-run driver.
Attend a Vigil this Sunday to Denounce Murder of James Craig Anderson
Here is the verbatim press release:
We're thrilled to hear that a diverse group has come together in the metro—include Pine Lake Church, the NAACP, Beth Israel and New Horizon Ministries—to honor James Craig Anderson, who was allegedly murder because he was black by a group of white Rankin County teens. They will hold a vigil this Sunday night at New Horizon International Ministries, one block from where the murder took place, to "call for forgiveness and peace for our city" and to "denounce hates brought to this neighborhood." Let's all show up.
Bringing Civility Back to Online Conversations
Here is what the Des Moines Register told readers today:
It was predictable. Allowing anonymous free-for-alls in online newspaper comments—in a way papers never would do in print—is about to go the way of the Hummer. The Des Moines Register, a Gannett-owned paper whose site looks just like the Clarion-Ledger's announced today that it has started allowing only comments from people logged in through Facebook. This somewhat-extreme measure comes after Gannett papers, and many other websites, operated at the other extreme for way too long: allowing just about anything anybody with a fake name wanted to post on their sites. They clearly thought, for a minute, that this was good for page views. And maybe for a minute it was. But, nowadays, all you hear is how nasty the comments are, and readers are flocking away from sites that allow this level of anonymous vitriol and nasty personal comments. People increasingly are only going to such sites for negative entertainment value—the same reason people watch Jerry Springer or pick up Star Magazine. Real news outlets have to have better sense.
Crime Perception Hurts Jackson Economy
Jackson misses out on booking conventions because of a false perception that the city has a high crime rate, Rickey Thigpen says. Thigpen, executive vice president of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, spoke this morning at the Friday Forum gathering at Koinonia Coffee House.
Back to School
Students began arriving at Timberlawn Elementary School before 7:30 a.m.--early for some older children whose brains were still on a summer schedule. Younger children in brand new, oversized backpacks looked apprehensively at the school's doors, but special education teacher April Washington greeted them with a smile. "Hey! Are you ready?" she asked enthusiastically before directing children and parents to the right classrooms.
Derrick Smith
Derrick Smith has always believed that a haircut can yield a completely changed person. For him, a haircut represents a new outlook, a different way of seeing the world. That is why the 36-year-old barber is hosting Cutting for Confidence, a back-to-school event for young boys.
It's the Weekend!
It's Friday, and this afternoon would be a good time to view an art exhibit. Before you head home from work, take a walk through Anne Dennis' "Despair to Destiny" exhibit at Jackson Municipal Art Gallery. To find other local places to browse art, go to the Gallery Listings. For more ideas on how to start your weekend in a variety of ways, see what the JFP Best Bets are for the weekend.
McMillin Concedes Sheriff's Race
Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin is conceding the Aug. 2 primary election to his challenger, Tyrone Lewis. Read the statement here.
Get Yours
The majority of high schoolers don't seem to know it exists.
"I get it once a week." That is the JFP marketing slogan. It's true; some people do pick up a copy of the paper every Wednesday. However, I'm disappointed by how few of those people are my peers.
JRA Hires Consultant for Convention Hotel
By the end of this month, city leaders should have an independent study to determine whether the city of Jackson should help finance a long-awaited convention center hotel.