News

Put It in the Mall

Watkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree is promoting the Metrocenter Mall as the potential new home for the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

When Mitchell Moore was 4 years old, his parents gave him an Easy-Bake oven for Christmas and changed his life. He was fascinated by the way batter could turn into a smooth, fluffy cake and would spend hours perfecting his creations. The 38-year-old has been baking ever since.

Philadelphia to Host National Civil Rights Conference

The city of Philadelphia, Miss., will host the inaugural National Conference on Civil Rights June 19 through June 21.

House Polarizing, Report Card Says

The Mississippi House of Representatives is becoming as politically polarized as the Mississippi Senate, says political and community activist Rims Barber. Barber released a 2011 political report card grading legislators based on their votes for up to 10 progressive bills that writhed their way through the 2011 legislative session before it adjourned this month.

Fondren Strip Safe for Now

David Watkins' plans to replace a 1938 strip of Fondren businesses on North State Street with his Whitney Place development are on hold after more than 300 residents signed a petition against demolition of the strip.

Darrell "Doc" Cousins

Darrell "Doc" Cousins doesn't care about making a few extra dollars. All he sees is a pair of brown leather boots in need of some polish. "Care for a shine?" he asks in the middle of our interview. With the motto, "When you look good, you feel good," Cousins opened The Shoe Shine Doctor and Company in Jackson about a year ago.

Council Agrees to $1.8 million Contract, Rehires Lobbyist

The Jackson City Council reversed its opposition to a $1.8 million contract with international corporation Johnson Controls Inc. yesterday after hearing evidence that the company had no role in bad air-conditioning at Thalia Mara Hall.

Small Biz Boon; City Art Funds; Leadership Webinars

The city of Jackson ranks 27th out of the 100 largest U.S. markets for having the best climate for small businesses to thrive, the national media outlet, The Business Journals reported yesterday.

Johnnie Hawkins

Johnnie Hawkins wants to help young people in the Jackson area with the same entrepreneurial desires that drive her. Hawkins, 48, is executive director of the Perico Institute for Youth Development and Entrepreneurship (PRIYDE), which collaborates with a number of area organizations on a citywide strategy for educating aspiring business owners.

Ward 5 Meeting Tonight

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and city department directors will host a community meeting for Ward 5 residents tonight.

McGowan Hopes to Design ‘One Lake,' New Flood Control

by Adam Lynch April 11, 2011 The Two Lakes Foundation is proposing both a name change and a new partnership with the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District.

JRA Refinancing, Renovating

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority took initial steps toward lightening its debt burden today, with a vote to authorize the refinancing of $9 million in debt. The vote also paves the way for renovations to the future home of JRA's offices, the Richard Porter Building downtown.

Community Events This Week

Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.

Freedom Riders Honored Tuesday

The Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University hosts four Freedom Riders in a panel discussion Tuesday night during the Robert Clark Symposium "50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides.".

Poll: Many Blacks Undecided About Voter ID

Nearly 40 percent of African American voters are unsure how they feel about a voter-identification initiative on the 2011 statewide ballot, a new poll shows. Speaking at Koinonia Coffee House's Friday Forum this morning, pollsters Pam Shaw and Brad Chism said that one of the more surprising findings from a series of polls they conducted in the first quarter of 2011 was the high degree of uncertainty about voter ID among younger African Americans.

Senate Flubs Redistricting

The Mississippi Senate voted to end the session yesterday without taking up a new redistricted map.

Rob Mies

Taking a 16-hour road trip from Michigan to Jackson with four live bats doesn't faze Rob Mies who has spent his career promoting bat conservation and education.

It's the Weekend

Despite Mercury being in retrograde (with its attendant communication, transportation and technical hijinks), you'll find plenty to do in and around Jacktown this weekend. If you're lucky enough to have the day off, head to Jackson State (1400 John R. Lynch St.) for the free Creative Arts Festival that begins at 1 p.m. The festival continues tomorrow, with featured luminaries like Sonia Sanchez and Amiri Baraka. Call 601-979-3935 for information. If you can't make the festival, Sanchez and Baraka read their poems and sign books at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.) at 6 p.m. Email [e-mail missing] for info. If you're in the mood for drama, we've been hearing good things about the New Stage Theatre production of "A Soldier's Play." Call 601-948-3531, or visit newstagetheatre.com for times and ticket information. Where's the best place to start when you're looking for things to do and places to go? The JFP Best Bets page, of course.

[Chaney] State ‘Model' Health Exchange Law Dies

I would like to take a little of your time today to talk about something that has dominated national news coverage for the last several years. It has also dominated a lot of time in the Mississippi Insurance Department.

Critics Oppose Mega-Building on Lakeland

Some Jackson leaders and developers don't want the new home for the Mississippi Department of Revenue at the corner of Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road.

Survey Finds Some Republicans Oppose Mixed Marriages

Read the poll here. (PDF)

Dirk Dedeaux

Dirk Dedeaux knows the cost of obesity to Mississippi taxpayers. Dedeaux, a Democratic representative from Perkinston, chairs the House Medicaid Committee, giving him a front seat to witness the economic toll obesity takes on the state, which some projections put at nearly $4 billion annually by 2018.

The 411 on City's 311

Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. finally made good on a campaign promise of increased government transparency earlier this week. On Monday, Johnson announced the launch of the city's "311" system for receiving and tracking service and information requests from citizens.

Reaching Agreement

The Civil Rights Museum and a Mississippi history museum live on after all. On Monday, legislators approved $20 million for construction of a proposed civil-rights museum and another $18 million for a Mississippi-history museum in Jackson.

Finding Foul Play

The Mississippi NAACP isn't using the "L-word," yet, but the civil-rights group has its doubts about the Dec. 2, 2010, hanging death of a Greenwood man.

Coal Plant Cost Painful

The Mississippi Public Service Commission is taking its time approving rate increases funding a $2.88 billion coal-burning plant already under construction in Kemper County.

Sharing Spaces, Building Community

While studying in Denmark in the 1980s, Charles Durrett noticed a housing community different from the typical condos and homes he passed during his 20-minute walk to the train station. He saw people drinking tea together on a porch and neighbors helping each other, and he felt a strong sense of community.

Chloe Garth-Elkins

Chloe Garth-Elkins' Saturday Upward Bound class at Jackson State University is learning about the word rastaquouere. The students begin to grasp the true meaning of the word through application of its technical definition: "social intruder; upstart." Garth-Elkins patiently guides students through the lesson, inviting them to enter the world of scholars in constant pursuit of knowledge.

Puppy Mills, JATRAN, Power Savings Before Council

The city will restrict roadside animal sales after a 6-to-0 vote in favor of a new ordinance today.

Jackson Business News: Fondren Food, Young Entrepreneurs

Several new restaurants are opening their doors in Fondren. The most recent is Petra Cafe, formerly of Clinton. The Mediterranean restaurant closed its second location (the first is in Hattiesburg) last month and relocated to the former Jerusalem Cafe site on Old Canton Road, opening officially last week. The new Petra boasts an entirely renovated interior. Owner and operator Ayman Albataineh says a remodeled outdoor seating area, with a roof, should be complete in one week. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petra offers a lunch buffet for $9.99. The restaurant serves dinner seven days a week.

Ellington