Country's Queen
Tammy Wynette once said, "I believe you have to live your songs," but too often the life of this country-music superstar takes a backseat to her hit, "Stand By Your Man."
Priester Wins Runoff
Melvin Priester Sr. won a seat as Hinds County Court Judge in yesterday's runoff election.
Priester, who faced Jackson attorney Brent Southern in subdistrict 1, will take the seat of Judge William Barnett, who did not seek re-election, after a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 3. Priester received 61.9 percent, or 6,083 votes, and Southern 38 percent, or 3,376 votes, according to the Hinds County Election Commission's unofficial returns.
An Ache in Our Souls
A few years ago, I made what was, for me, a radical step: joining the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson. For a minute or two, I was on the board and even sang in the choir.
Earmark ‘Kings' Pledge Ban
Mississippi's two U.S. senators signed onto a pledge last week by fellow Republicans to refrain from requesting earmark funds for their home state during the upcoming 112th Congress. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker--ranked as the No. 1 and No. 3 "earmark kings" in the U.S. Senate--announced they would go along with the Senate Republican Conference's call to temporarily halt federal "pork-barrel" spending, which is the long-time practice of sending congressionally budgeted funds to specific local projects from highway construction in the Delta to Hurricane Katrina restoration projects. Pork accounts for about 1 percent of the federal budget.
Rev. Bruce Wimberley
Rev. Bruce Wimberley is a man with fierce, brown eyes. Despite his intense gaze, he exhibits a calm demeanor. His leather sandals reveal his casual nature and appreciation for comfort, while his age-chiseled face testifies to a life of service and sacrifice.
City Defends Fee Hikes, Lay-offs
City officials and Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. stressed cost increases as the reason for water and sewer fee hikes and JATRAN employee cuts yesterday at Jackson City Council session.
Business News: Renovations and Closings
Eley Guild Hardy Architects celebrated the opening of its downtown Jackson office Nov. 18. The firm moved into the former Union Planters Bank building at 329 E. Capitol St. this fall after a $1.7 million renovation. The building had been vacant for several years after Regions Bank acquired Union Planters in July 2004.
Gwendolyn A. Magee
Textile artist Gwendolyn A. Magee never intended to tell stories through intricate needlework, but after taking a quilting workshop to make quilts for her family, she discovered an outlet for her creativity.
[Balko] Draconian Gun Laws
Sue Aitken called the police because she was worried about her son, Brian. She now lives with the guilt of knowing that her phone call is the reason Brian spent his 27th birthday in a New Jersey prison last month. If the state gets its way, he will be there for the next seven years.
Run Off Election Today
County and circuit judicial candidates are on the ballot for today's runoff election.
In Hinds County, voters will chose between Brent Southern and Melvin Priester for county judge. In Madison County, Will Longwitz and Steve Ratcliff face each other for county judge.
Bluntson and Lumumba Square Off
Council President Frank Bluntson claims allegations that he pressured city employees to take off work and campaign for his daughter-in-law, unsuccessful Madison County Justice Court candidate Barbara Ann Bluntson, are a political maneuver to remove him from his position as council president. Bluntson claims Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba is retaliating after Bluntson removed Lumumba as the council's Budget Committee chairman, in part because Lumumba pushes so hard for minority contracts.
JSU, Alcorn Presidential Picks Unveiled
The board of trustees for Mississippi's universities announced its preferred candidates today for the presidencies of Alcorn State University and Jackson State University. M. Christopher Brown, executive vice president and provost at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., is the board's pick for president at Alcorn. The board selected Carolyn W. Meyers, former president of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., for the Jackson State post.
Dr. Clay Hays
As the grand marshal for the city of Jackson's annual holiday parade, Dr. Clay Hays is using his time in the limelight to promote healthier living in the city.
Community Events and Public Meetings
5 p.m., Credit Training at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), in the Community Meeting Room. A BankPlus representative gives tips on improving your credit. Call 601-982-8467.
2010 Capital City Classic Preview and Prediction
This Saturday, Jackson State and Alcorn State will battle for yearly bragging rights in the 2010 Capital City Classic. As usual the game will be played at 1PM in Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Councilmen Address Store Shooting
Addressing tension between Indian storeowners and their African American clientele, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes called for dialogue between the groups at a public hearing on crime yesterday evening.
Jackson Local Business Alliance Gains Support
Several Community members supported the idea of of forming a local business alliance today during a presentation by American Independent Business Alliance co-founder Jeff Milchen.
It's the Weekend: Live it Up
The weather might be getting colder, but don't let that stop your weekend fun. When you get off work today, head to the Handworks Holiday Market at the Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.) and start your holiday shopping. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, and children under 12 get in free; call 205-991-9840 for more information. When you finish your shopping, head to Millsaps College Galloway Halls of Residence (1701 N. State St). and see sculpture and digital-arts students' collaborative performance at 7 p.m.; free. You have plenty of other entertainment options to get your groove on this week. Tonight, Amalgamation performs at Underground 119 at 9 p.m.; Sherman Lee Dillion plays the blues at F. Jones Corner until 4 a.m.; and Mia Borders plays at Martins at 10 p.m. For the city's best happenings check out Best Bets and the JFP Music Listings for your weekend entertainment.
Terry Sullivan
As a former executive for a global food retail operation, Terry Sullivan saw first hand the adverse effects marketing and large portion sizes have on public health. He is currently using his past experiences to get Jacksonians in shape.
Jackson Major Crimes Up 5.3 Percent
Download JPD's weekly crime report (PDF)