News

Johnny DuPree

Johnny DuPree wants to take Mississippi from last to first place in national rankings. DuPree, 57, the mayor of Hattiesburg, was the guest speaker today at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House. DuPree is touring the state before filing formal qualifying papers to be a candidate for the Mississippi governor's race in 2011.

It's the Weekend: Bundle Up

It may be cold outside, but that shouldn't stop you from having an eventful weekend.Tonight, put on your mittens and helmets and meet the Jackson Bike Advocates at Rainbow Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road) for their monthly community bike ride. The five-mile ride makes a loop though Belhaven and downtown at a slow, conversational pace. If you're in the mood for some holiday cheer, head to "Carols by Candlelight" at First Baptist Church of Jackson (431 N. State St.) to see the First Baptist Jackson Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra and Drama Department perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are free, and available until 6:15 p.m. when the doors open to non-ticket holders. For more information, call 601-949-1926. Afterwards, head downtown at 9 p.m. for a screening of the film "Howl" at the Art House Cinema located inside the Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Tickets are $9; for more information, visit http://www.msfilm.org. For more entertainment options, check out the JFP Events Calendar.

Chamber Forms Health-Care Division

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is placing a priority on the metro's medical industry expansion by forming a new health-care initiatives division.

Low Temperatures Threaten Pipes

Verbatim Statement from State Farm:

With temperatures predicted to drop into the teens within a few days, everyone should take a few minutes to check the pipes in your home. The frigid temperatures expected next week can cause pipes to freeze and burst, destroying floors, furniture, appliances and treasured family heirlooms. A few simple precautionary measures can help avoid the headache and aggravation caused by water damage.

MDA Extends Entrepreneur Training

The Mississippi Development Authority is extending its Dec. 3 enrollment deadline for its free inaugural entrepreneur and business-owner training seminar to Dec. 17 due a low number of applicants.

JPD's Operation Safeshop Targets Crime

Read this week's crime report (PDF)

Sanaa Hill

One year ago, on Dec. 9, Sanaa Hill was doing her homework at the Sykes Road Boys and Girls Club when a stray bullet from an AK-47 came through the wall and struck her in the head. Paramedics rushed her to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where doctors were able to remove the bullet. Hill ultimately made a full recovery and returned to McLeod Elementary School in January, where she is now a fourth-grader.

The DREAM Act and the Wealth of Nations

Against all odds, 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year, many with honors. They are among America's brightest, most driven and underprivileged. We have invested much in their K-12 education, and they have much to contribute to our society.

Traversing the Merit-Pay Thicket

Over the next five years, Oak Forest Elementary School will be on the vanguard of a nationwide experiment in school reform. The south Jackson school is one of 10 in Mississippi chosen to participate in a pilot program that will change the way the teachers are paid.

U.S. Food Bill Spares Small Farmers

Mike Steede, owner of Steede farms in Lucedale, Miss., took over the farm his family has operated for the past 150 years after he retired from teaching agriculture at the Mississippi State Extension Service last year. In May, he formed a Community Supported Agriculture program, which delivers in-season fruit and vegetables weekly to 36 members from his 40-acre farm.

Watkins Wants to Buy Metrocenter

Watkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree said the company, which already owns a closed anchor-store space in Metrocenter Mall, now wants to buy the entire structure.

The Fuzzy Math of Arenas

Talk of a proposed entertainment arena in downtown Jackson has been largely devoid of hard figures, by necessity. Arena supporters are still cobbling together the private money to pay for a feasibility study. As of Dec. 3, the downtown arena "steering committee" had raised $65,915 of the $80,000 it hopes to raise for the study before the end of the year. The study would inject some rough cost estimates into discussions of the proposal.

Steve Kistulentz

On a warm and cloudy day in November, professor Steve Kistulentz sits calmly at a table at Millsaps College. He smiles and tilts his head slightly as he remembers the events that brought him to Jackson.

Mississippi Ranked Unhealthiest State

Mississippi remains the unhealthiest state for the ninth year straight, according to America's Health Rankings released yesterday.

Wicker To Introduce ‘States' Rights' Bill

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he intends to undermine a federal health-care reform law President Barack Obama signed this year by introducing a bill this week allowing state officials to challenge federal regulations.

Baptist Eyes Expansion; New Boutique

Baptist Health Systems is in talks with owners of Keifer's Restaurant to purchase the Belhaven eatery's site on Poplar Boulevard. Baptist spokesman Robby Channell said that the move, while not finalized, is part of the hospital's plans to construct a five-story mixed-use office building nearby on the site of the KFC at North State and Manship streets, which it owns.

Scott Crawford

Scott Crawford believes that visualizing a dream is the first step to making it happen. That concept inspired him to design his ideal city of Jackson with LEGO blocks.

Boys and Girls Club to Close Again?

Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi President and CEO Billy Redd said his organization is planning to close three area facilities for the second time in two years because of a lack of long-term funding.

Supes Address Emergency-Tech Delays

Hinds County emergency responders may have to wait another six months before technology that traces the location of cell phone 911 calls is available. Gaps in communication are to blame for the county's delay in implementing the technology, Blake Wallace, executive director of the county's Economic Development District, told the county Board of Supervisors today.

BP Claims Ignoring Fishing and Casino Workers?

Despite the fact that Gov. Haley Barbour announced last week that the BP has paid $181 million in Mississippi oil spill claims as of Dec. 1, Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing industry representative Linda St. Martin claims the oil company and the federal government aren't working hard enough to repair the lives of the fishing industries and casino affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

Eric Hogan

Even though Eric Hogan earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology, he has struggled for the past 12 years to find a job in his field because he has Asperger's syndrome. His experience inspired him to form the nonprofit organization, Autistic Advancement, to break the stigma associated with autism.

Community Events and Public Meetings

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

City to Hold JATRAN Hearings

The City of Jackson will hold public hearings to determine which JATRAN routes should be cut to offset an unexpected $1.5 million in mandatory wage increases for JATRAN bus drivers.

Mississippi Lawmakers Split on Tax Cuts

Mississippi Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker will likely side with their Republican colleagues Saturday in blocking a return to pre-Bush-era tax rates for wealthy Americans that the U.S. House of Representatives passed yesterday.

Children's Museum Opens to the Public

After more than two decades of planning, the Mississippi Children's Museum will open its doors to an estimated 5,000 visitors tomorrow morning.

Socrates Garrett

Jackson business owner Socrates Garrett encouraged community members to work across political and racial divides during a forum at Koininia Coffee House this morning.

Weekend Events: ‘Tis the Season

It's officially the holiday season, so grab a warm coat and scarf, and head out to the area's festive events this weekend. Tonight, the City of Jackson hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at Jackson City Hall (219 S. President St). This year's theme is: "Have a Holly, Jolly, Healthy Holiday." Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. will address the city, and the Poindexter Elementary and Cade Chapel Choir will perform. Afterward, head to the Millsaps College's Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State Street) for "A Christmas Carol Concert," featuring the Millsaps Singers Choir. The event is free and open to the public. If you are the mood to dance, head to Mezza Restaurant (1896 Main St., Madison) for Salsa Mississippi's Salsa Mezza; Admission is $10. Visit the JFP's Best Bets for the weekend's hottest picks.

Mississippi Supreme Court Grants New Trial for Maye

Read the Supreme Court's decision.

State Agency Finds JPS Violating Disability Law

Jackson Public Schools has one month to improve the way it educates special-education students, according to a Mississippi Department of Education's Nov. 22 decision. The decision states that JPS fails to provide appropriate special-education services to students with behavioral and emotional disorders, a violation of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, referred to as the IDEA.

Advocates Push for State Energy Program

Sustainable-energy proponents pushed utility-industry representatives and government staffers today to consider implementing a new statewide energy efficiency program funded by the utility industry.

Ellington