News

‘We Can Stop This'

A few weeks ago, the Center for Violence Prevention received a phone call from a hospital employee in Yazoo City. The hospital was about to release a woman who had been stabbed by her husband and needed assistance.

Cory Maye

Cory Maye will finally be a free man after serving 10 years in jail for a twisted murder conviction. Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell of the 15th Judicial District of Mississippi agreed to a plea deal July 1 from Mayes for manslaughter for the 2001 death of Ron Jones Jr. After pleading guilty to manslaughter, Maye was sentenced to 10 years in prison, time he had already served.

It's the Chick Ball Weekend!

With the JFP's 7th Annual Chick Ball Saturday night, this is one of the hottest weekends of the summer. Dresses, hair, music, friends--and, yes, of course that includes the men. It's going to be fun to see the good-looking man who wins the Arm Candy award. You might as well make a full weekend of it and take your man out for a test run tonight, starting off with great music. Jackson's own Zac Harmon plays tonight at Underground 119. If you missed his show at Jackson State last night, here's another chance to catch the popular blues artist. Burgers and Blues has music by the Justin Moreira Trio, Dreamz JXN hosts Can't Feel My Face Friday, Shaun Patterson is at Fenian's, and Poison Control Center and The Passing Parade play at Ole Tavern . Need more options for music, dancing and socializing? Go to JFP Music Listings.

Choctaws To Hold New Election

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is having a new election after a tribal member appealed the June 14 election.

[Column] Climate Change: Follow the Scientists

James McClintock, a renowned University of Alabama-Birmingham marine biologist who has conducted research in Antarctica for more than 25 years, told me the following story.

Luckett, DuPree Push Education, Business Help

Mississippi's two leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates found much to agree on yesterday during their first one-on-one debate. Clarksdale attorney and businessman Bill Luckett and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree both touted education as the key to the state's long-term economic success and promised support for small businesses to spur job creation.

City Breaks Ground on New JATRAN Facility

The new JATRAN facility at the corner of Highway 80 and Valley Street will be an important stepping stone in the revitalization of the Highway 80 Corridor, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said this morning.

Will Grossenbacher

At 22, Will Grossenbacher is already the owner and proprietor of Union Street Books in Canton with a classic, antique atmosphere.

Women's Commission Welcomes New Members

The Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women welcomed five new members yesterday at the state Capitol.

JFP Chick Ball Auction Guide

Shopping never felt so good! The JFP Chick Ball will feature a silent auction on donated items to raise money for the Center for Violence Prevention. A definite highlight of the evening, the silent auction features amazing donations from fellow Mississippians. View our silent auction guide to get a sneak peak of what will be featured 6 p.m to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 9.

New Laws Help Abuse Victims, More

Judges can add an extra level of protection for victims of domestic abuse under House Bill 196, which Gov. Haley Barbour signed in March.

Woman on a Mission

Standing an easy 6 feet tall in her fashionable beige wedge sandals, Sandy Middleton strode into the Copiah County sheriff's station. She breezed past the unmanned reception desk, barely pausing, pushing her sunglasses up into her blonde hair and out of the way.

[Hero of the Year] Sgt. Reginald L. Cooper

Following a childhood incident in which he encountered a police officer with a terrible attitude, Sgt. Reginald L. Cooper vowed that he would become a police officer himself and would never behave like the officer he met that day.

Men of Character

The JFP's Chick Ball's Men of Character live auction gives bidders a chance to compete for Jackson's finest men while supporting a good cause. The men are donating the talents and services they are famous for, so expect high offers for these capable guys. The bidding begins at 7:55 p.m. July 9 at Hal & Mal's.

JPS Budget Full of Unknowns

With all the attention surrounding Superintendent Lonnie Edwards' departure from Jackson Public Schools last week, one could be forgiven for missing the district's budget passage for the 2011-2012 school year.

Mobile Food Vendors May Serve Soon

Mobile food vendors may be serving tacos and burgers in the downtown area by the end of July.

Ben Ellard

Last week Ben Ellard assisted a victim through the court system so she could get a protective order against her abusive husband. The woman's spouse had prevented her from having her cell phone, car or friends.

New Study Uncovers Lagging State Response to Autism

A new advisory committee calls on Mississippi to establish intervention programs for children with autism or suffer higher costs as autism sufferers enter adulthood.

Belhaven Park Wins Award; Hinds Branding Meetings Set

During its annual awards ceremony June 28, the Mississippi Main Street Association named Belhaven Park the best public-private project is the state.

Cindy Hughes Meehl

Hauntingly awe-inspiring is one way to describe the story of Buck Brannaman, known to the world as the inspiration for "The Horse Whisperer." One Jackson native has set out to tell his story.

State Gets More AmeriCorps Volunteers

About 70 corps members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Southern Region will arrive in Mississippi tomorrow to begin 10 months of community service and leadership development.

Victims May Monitor Abusers Under New Law

New bills passed during the 2011 legislative session are going to officially kick off this month, and will likely have powerful effects on the state this year.

Perkins Shares His Faith and Passion

No one tells the story of John Perkins quite like Perkins himself. This morning, the author of nine books shared his story about growing up black in rural Mississippi in the 1930s and his passion for justice that still drives him today.

Zakiya Summers

Zakiya Summers knows what's happening at the Jackson Medical Mall. "Call us the landlord," Summers said as she described her role at the Medical Mall. As the internal relations coordinator of the mall, she works on news releases for the tenants, coordinates events, works on problem solving and even gives tours of the facility.

It's the Fourth of July Weekend

Today is an uplifting start to the Fourth of July weekend if you plan on visiting Celebrate American Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall, an event filled with music, food, and hot-air balloons. Admission is free. If you're looking to enjoy some music, tonight comes loaded with talent and tunes. Blue Party and e.company and are playing at the Ole Tavern's New Orleans music night. At Hal & Mal's, Swing d' Paris is playing in the restaurant, as well as Southern Komfort Brass Band playing in the Red Room. Find more local music at JFP music listings.

City Sets Public Hearing for Gates

Read the ordinance

JPD To Buy License Plate Readers

The Jackson Police Department is purchasing an automatic license plate reader for the four major police precincts this year. The Jackson City Council approved the $76,978 purchase Tuesday, after learning that a Department of Justice COPS Technology Grant is supplying the one-time money for the purchase.

Ellington