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Russ Markle

Even though Russ Markle joked about growing a mustache, he knew it would involve a few challenges. His wife wasn't a fan of facial hair, and he felt he would risk his professional look at work. But when friends offered to pay him to grow a mustache if he donated the money to charity, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.

Community Events and Public Meetings

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

City Issues Boil Water Notice for Some Areas

The City of Jackson issued a precautionary boil-water advisory yesterday after a loss in water pressure for the following areas:

Edwards to Argue for Job In March

Next month, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards will have a chance to win his job back. Edwards has appealed the JPS Board of Trustees Dec. 7 decision not to renew his contract beyond the end of this school year. Yesterday, the board set Mar. 4 as the tentative date for a hearing, subject to Edwards' approval.

Former JSU President Reflects on Shootings

Former Jackson State University President John Peoples, Jr. described with painful detail the 1970 shootings he witnessed at Jackson State University that resulted in the deaths of two students during Koinonia Coffee House's Friday Forum this morning.

Jim Wilkirson

Jim Wilkirson has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that adults stop acting their age. As the special events coordinator for the Mississippi Children's Museum's "Ignite the Night" gala, Wilkirson is helping bring magicians, jugglers, an Elvis impersonator, party favors and 17 door prizes to Saturday's event.

It's The Weekend: Show Some Love

With Valentine's Day approaching and the weather warming up a little, this weekend is perfect for getting out and spending time with that special someone. Tonight, head to Salsa Mississippi's Valentine's Dinner and Dance at Crossroads of Life Church (6775 S. Siwell Road, Byram) and learn how to fox trot. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. Lessons begin at 7:30 p.m. and open dancing is 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $15 for singles; $25 for couples in advance and $30 for couples at the door. To purchase tickets, call 601-213-6355 If you want to cozy up with the one you love, head to the Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.) for a screening of Oscar-nominated short films at 7 p.m. and animated films at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7. For more information, visit http://www.msfilm.org. To find more events, check out the JFP Best Bets page or the JFP Events Calendar.

Funds Available For Community-Based Lenders

The U.S. Small Business Administration will accept applications starting Feb. 15 for lenders through its Small Loan Advantage program. The agency is also launching its Community Advantage program to increase the number of low-dollar loans for businesses and entrepreneurs in under-served communities.

Mississippi Lawmakers on Smoking, Sex-Ed and Kicked Cats

Today is the deadline for Mississippi legislators to take floor action on all bills originating in their respective chambers, and the House and Senate passed several bills yesterday and this morning.

JPD Addresses Wingfield Shooting; New Officers

During this morning's Comstat meeting, Jackson Police Department officers were still gathering information about a 16-year-old Wingfield High School student who police took into custody after he allegedly discharged his in the school bathroom this morning.

Ken South

Ken South takes pleasure in seeing the annual Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS benefit grow. The benefit, which takes place Saturday at Hal & Mal's, features a silent art auction, live entertainment and food. Since 2007, the auction has taken place in an outdoor tent to accommodate the event's rising attendance.

U.S. Jobless Claims Drop Again

Claims for U.S. unemployment benefits dropped to its lowest level since 2008 last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported yesterday.

Not Without A Fight

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards won't go quietly. Edwards announced Feb. 5 that he would appeal the JPS Board of Trustees' decision to let his three-year contract expire with the current school year.

Immigrants, Lawsuits and Juvenile Justice

Three bills targeting the state's immigrant population survived the Senate Judiciary A Committee last week.

Nathan's Law Struggling

On a cold afternoon two weeks before Christmas in 2009, Laurel resident Lori Key stood outside her home like she did every day and waited for her son, Nathan, to get off his school bus. As the bus pulled up in front of her house, several cars came to a stop behind it, as is required by state law.

Sales-Tax Commission Needed for Jackson?

City leaders have only one major request this legislative session, but that doesn't mean they'll get it. Jackson lawmakers are pushing to revise a 2009 sales-tax bill that offered a stream of funding for public safety and improvements to the city's flagging road, water and sewer infrastructure. The bill came with a requirement that the city establish a commission--stocked with non-city appointees--to oversee spending of the money, a mandate that Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. rejected as too onerous.

Mississippi a CO2 Dump?

Mississippi would become a reservoir for carbon-dioxide storage under Senate Bill 2723 and House Bill 1098--both of which survived their respective Oil, Gas and Other Minerals committees this month.

Parveen Kapoor

An Indian man with a medium build, dressed in a mauve polo shirt, khaki pants and a black apron, carries white napkins and silverware while he serves five customers in his restaurant. His soft brown eyes wear a warm smile. Parveen Kapoor, a native of Delhi, India, owns Bombay Bistro, which opened in December in Jackson.

U.S. District Judge Dismisses Bryant's Health-Care Suit

Read the decision

House Stalls on Domestic Violence GPS

Monitoring domestic violence suspects out on bond is apparently a controversial issue in the Mississippi House of Representatives. The House spent most of yesterday tackling an unofficial list of non-controversial legislation. Left off that list was a bill sponsored by Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, that would give judges the option of requiring a defendant accused of domestic violence to wear a GPS-equipped tracking device.

Council: Metrocenter or Bust; Only Residents Allowed

Only Jackson residents will be able to serve on the city's boards, commissions and authorities, the Jackson City Council voted 4-to-0 today.Currently, the mayor appoints potential board members, and the council confirms appointments. However, the new ordinance restricts the mayor from appointing people who live outside the city limits. Furthermore, each board, commission or authority member must continue to live inside city limits during their term. If the board member moves outside city limits at any given time during the term, the city must immediately consider the appointment terminated and deem the board position vacant.

More Art, Crafts, Cannoli, Retail

A children's fountain, outdoor dining, garden rooms, performance stage and expansive art installations are just a few of the design elements The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art will feature when it opens in August.

Dowell Taylor

Jackson State University Director of Music Technology Dowell Taylor faces a hefty challenge: He has 48 hours to pull together Jackson Public Schools' annual All-City High School Band Festival.

Everybody Deserves Smoke-Free Air

Everybody deserves smoke-free air. Pediatricians have first-hand experience about what happens when children and babies breathe second-hand smoke.

Investigation: Medical Examiners Put Living at Risk

In detective novels and television crime dramas like "CSI," highly trained medical professionals equipped with the most sophisticated tools of 21st-century science staff the nation's morgues. Operating at the nexus of medicine and criminal justice, these death detectives thoroughly investigate each and every suspicious fatality.

Supes Scrutinize Elections Employee

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted today to extend the contract of a county Elections Commission worker whose employment has stirred controversy. Supervisors voted 3-0 to extend voting-machine technician Pat Wilson's contract through the November general election, despite opposition from Election Commissioner Bobbie Graves.

A.M.E. Logan

Remaining fearless and determined even into her late 90s, civil rights activist A.M.E. Logan would frequently attend community meetings and drive herself around Jackson delivering Avon products to her clients.

Community Events and Public Meetings

Community Blood Drives. The Mississippi Blood Services Donor Coach will be in the parking lot. Donors must be at least 17 (16 with signed parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and have valid ID. All donors will receive a T-shirt and be registered for a chance to win a 2011 Ford Fiesta. Donations welcome; call 800-817-7449.

Supreme Court Grants Death Row Inmate Reprieve

Read the court's decision (PDF)

Ice Leads To Five-Hour Gridlock on the ‘Stack'

On a day that many Jacksonians suffered long commutes, Rodney Cuevas still had an exceptional evening. Cuevas left his job at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for his home in Brandon a little before 4 p.m. on Thursday.

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