News

State Announces Freedom Trail

The Mississippi Freedom Trail, an initiative of the Mississippi Development Authority, will create markers for tourists and Mississippians to explore the state's civil-rights heritage. This morning, state and city leaders gathered to announce the trail, which will honor civil-rights leaders and historical events.

Advocates Urge Canceling of Youth Prison Contract

Mississippi should cancel its contract with private prison company GEO Group, juvenile justice advocates said today. GEO Group, which operates the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, is the subject of a lawsuit alleging widespread abuse and mistreatment of juvenile inmates. Friends and Family Members of Youth Incarcerated at Walnut Grove, a group dedicated to exposing conditions at the prison, delivered a petition with more than 1,600 signatures from Mississippians to state Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps today.

Juanita Ward

Former Callaway High School and Tulsa Shock women's basketball champ Juanita Ward, 23, is bringing the round ball to kids in Bolton this month with a two-part basketball camp.

City Tackles Blighted Property

<i>Verbatim statement from the City of Jackson:</i>

On May 3, the Jackson City Council adopted a resolution declaring twenty-eight parcels of property as a menace to public health and safety. As a result, city officials will be able to proceed with cleaning the properties. The City of Jackson recently revamped its procedures to deal with derelict properties and now includes an administrative hearing.

Johnson Slams Commission

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. opposes part of a new state law allowing the city to levy a 1-percent sales tax increase on some businesses' sales. The tax, which would fund infrastructure repair, does not apply to retail sales of food at grocery stores and restaurants, or hotels or motels.

Capital City's Tough Year

The Jackson Police Department is no stranger to the Capital City Alternative School. The Jackson Public Schools' alternative school, whose students usually have referrals from other schools for discipline reasons, is the subject of allegations that staff have been handcuffing students as punishment for minor infractions.

GOP May Oppose Court-ordered Maps

The Mississippi Republican Party likely will contest a three-judge panel's decision to impose the Mississippi House of Representatives' redistricting map as the official House election map for 2011.

MPB: Public Servant?

Max Breazeale checked his transmitters at station WMAH in McHenry Sunday night before Hurricane Katrina ripped the Gulf Coast asunder. From frequency control to power supply, he made sure everything worked and was dry, safe and secure.

Barbour Veto Shortsighted?

A day after Gov. Haley Barbour announced that he would not make a bid for U.S. president in 2012, he used his veto power to kill a bill to develop a strategic plan to combat obesity in Mississippi. Barbour complained that the bill, which did not require any state funds, would duplicate existing programs and "add to the fat of state government."

Fair Funds for Kids?

Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., increasingly seems like a holdover from another, kinder era of national politics. Cochran has largely removed himself from the hyper-partisanship of recent years.

Debra Wertz

After Debra Wertz's son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 15 years ago, she made it her mission to help other parents who were going through the same thing. Wertz has been working to help families for more than six years.

City Wants More Say in Tax Spending

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. wants the city to have more power to spend its own money.

New West Jxn Consignment Store; Biz Events

A new consignment store is slated to open this summer in West Jackson. Carmichael, Miss., native Thelma Hardiman said the store, which she is in the process of naming, will open at 531 W. Capitol St. next to Koinonia Coffee House.

Cynthia Stuart

Cynthia Stuart came to theater late in life. Winning her battle with cancer heightened her enthusiasm. Although she had worked in music education for years, Stuart did not consider herself an actress until she auditioned for and won the lead role in a Black Rose Theatre production of "Hello, Dolly!" at age 47.

Barbour Joins Offshore Drilling Coalition

Gov. Haley Barbour and three other governors have formed a coalition to advocate for offshore drilling permits, Dow Jones Newswire reported yesterday.

Court Prefers Democrat-endorsed House Redistricting

A U.S. Circuit Court three-judge panel declared Friday that the Mississippi House redistricting map--rejected three times by the state Senate--is the redistricting plan to beat for state's new House districts, to the likely consternation of Republicans. In its decision, the panel also approved a less controversial Senate district plan already approved by both chambers this year.

Byram Town Center Gets $5.5M TIF Boost

Construction workers have begun a commercial development that will bring new restaurants, shops and offices to the young city of Byram. The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve a $5.5 million tax-increment financing, or TIF, plan for the Byram Town Center development.

Cindy Clegg

Even though Cindy Clegg is busy making last-minute preparations for tonight's "Take a Tasty Bite Out of Crime" fundraiser, she is eager to explain the importance of raising money for the public-safety initiatives in the metro area.

Community Events and Meetings

6 p.m., Jackson Arts Collective Monthly Meeting, at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.). Every first Monday, the Collective Steering Committee meets to discuss business of the previous month and listen to local artist proposals for the sponsorship of events that fall in line with their mission. Open to the public. Call 601-497-7454.

Obama: Justice Has Been Done

Read the transcript of Obama's national address:

Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

Record Flooding on the Way

Gov. Haley Barbour warned the state yesterday that the typically languid waters of the Mississippi River could crest the middle of next month at 53.5 feet in Vicksburg, 10.5 feet above flood stage and one and one-half foot higher than the 52-foot crest the river reached in 2008. The news spells trouble for people living near the river in the Delta and Vicksburg area who suffered flooding in 2008. The river stage at Greenville and Natchez could crest at 60 feet, 12 feet above flood stage.

JPS Board Scrutinizing Principal Pay

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees is considering whether to drop a district requirement that principals be the highest-paid employees at JPS schools. The revised policy could come up for a vote as early as the board's next meeting May 3, board member George Schimmel said.

Judy Barnes

Judy Barnes is planning a church rummage sale tomorrow where everything is free, no strings attached.

TGIF: The Weekend's Here!

It's shaping up to be a great weekend, weather wise. After work is the perfect time to start taking advantage of the outdoors with the Community Bike Crawl, starting at 6 p.m. in Rainbow Whole Foods Co-operative Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road) parking lot. The ride goes through downtown and ends at Sal & Mookie's on Taylor Street in Fondren. Call 601-454-1286 for more info. If you're more of an indoor person, you have lots of options, too. At 7 p.m., head to Jazz Night Live at circa. Urban Artisan Living (2771 Old Canton Road) Admission is $12. Call 601-362-8484. At 9 p.m., stop in at Dreamz JXN for "The Game Changer" for music by DJ Phingaprint and DJ Jonasty, and an appearance by actor Hosea Chanchez from "The Game." Call 601-624-4088 or 601-824-1077 for VIP information. What's the best place to begin looking for things to do in Jackson? The JFP Best Bets page, of course.

New Law Fights Cyber Crime

[Verbatim from the Mississippi Attorney General's Office]

A bill to help fund the Attorney General's fight against Cyber Crime and Vulnerable Person Abuse has been signed into law by the governor.

City Celebrates Metrocenter Milestone

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., developer David Watkins and several city leaders put on hardhats and swung sledgehammers this morning, as they broke down a wall in the former Belk Department Store at Metrocenter Mall.

JRA Demands Farish Development Updates

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority is demanding lease money or updates from Farish Street developers this month.

Gwendolyn Magee

Jackson-based artist Gwen Magee, whose vibrant quilts elevated a traditional craft to nationally acclaimed works of art, died yesterday. Magee, who was intensely private, had been battling a long-term illness, but her death was unexpected, her friend Wendy Shenefelt told the Jackson Free Press today.

City Provides Assistance to Homebuyers

<i>Verbatim statement from the City of Jackson</i>:

Aspiring home owners can turn their dreams into reality with help from the City of Jackson. The city's Office of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications for its Homebuyer Assistance Program.

Grad Gifts

After all that hard work of studying and passing tests, your grad deserves something great. So why not get them something they could use?

Ellington