News

Bizz News: Grants, Collaboration, New Salon

Mississippi has received almost $5 million for assessing broadband coverage and planning to increase high-speed Internet access across the state. The grant, from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will help fund the creation of the Mississippi Broadband Connect Coalition, a public-private partnership.

Sue Else

In an effort to end domestic violence, Sue Else is working to put the issue in the national spotlight.

Supreme Court Settles Jackson Water Contract

Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court put to end to a two-year battle over the Jackson water contract when it ruled that a new company, United Water, has the right to operate Jackson's water system.

Legislature to Hold Hearings on Anti-Immigration Bill

Read more on immigration myths and realities

Community Events and Public Meetings

6 p.m., Young Leaders in Philanthropy Advisory Council Meeting at United Way (843 N. President St.). Council members and the YLP Executive Board meet monthly to strategically discuss upcoming YLP activities and other community engagement initiatives. E-mail [e-mail missing].

George Berry

George Berry loves woodcarving so much he will do anything to help educate future Mississippi craftspeople--even if that means shedding his clothes.

Schools Waiting on $17M Reimbursements

State Medicaid officials are optimistic that a long-delayed program to help school districts with some of their administrative costs could begin reimbursing schools soon. Speaking at a budget hearing last week, representatives for the state Division of Medicaid last week said that federal approval for the reimbursement program is imminent.

Jackson Launches Fall Garden

On Friday, Sept. 24, students at Walton Elementary School began planting a fall garden on Tougaloo Street behind their school. The garden is part of the city's urban garden program, which Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced earlier this year.

Madison Plans For Residents-Only Festival

Officials from Franklin, Tenn., a city Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler cited last week as a model for keeping outsiders from attending a Madison festival, claim their city has never followed such a practice.

Fresh Air and Fun This Weekend

Today, start things off by dusting off your 10-speed and going to Rainbow Whole Foods (2807 Old Canton Road) at 6 p.m., to meet with bikers who will gather for the Autumn Community Bike Ride. The ride ends with refreshments at Sal & Mookie's (565 Taylor St.). Later, head to Fondren Corner (2906 N. State St.) and do the cha-cha at Salsa Mississippi's Latin Rooftop Dance Party at 8 p.m. Beer, water and sodas is available to quench your thirst. Admission is $10. If you're not into sweating, there are several plays tonight at 7:30 p.m. such as "Red, White and Tuna" at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.), "Bridge to Terabithia" at Actor's Playhouse (121 Paul Truit Lane, Pearl) and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Black Rose Community Theatre (103 Black St.). Visit the JFP Events Calendar Stage and Screen listings for more details and admission prices.

Jerel Levanway

For the past couple days, Jerel Levanway has been sharing his hometown with Hollywood. As assistant location manager for "The Help" in Jackson, Levanway has coordinated filming locations for the adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel. He negotiates with businesses to sign location agreements and generally serves as an intermediary between the production, city officials and local businesses.

New Health Care Provisions Go Into Effect

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JPD Adding Officers By End of Year

Read this week's crime report

State Overestimating Health-Care Costs?

The Mississippi Department of Medicaid's high estimates of what the federal health-care legislation will cost the state are overstated, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program Director Roy Mitchell said today.

Dr. Danielle Hollar

Dr. Danielle Hollar gets excited when she talks about organs--but these aren't your typical body parts. These life-size models, like Sid and Kid the Kidney brothers and Pepto the Stomach, teach kids about the importance of staying healthy.

Jackson Roads Close for Filming

The city of Jackson released the following statement about street closures during the filming of "The Help" in Jackson: (verbatim statement)

Money Games

Mississippi leaders experienced a rare moment of agreement last month on the frequently rancorous topic of education funding.

‘Ain't Got Justice, Yet'

It was tragic when a man raped and killed Eva Gail Patterson in 1979 in Forrest County, says Emily Maw. It was horrific, Maw says, that the real perpetrator let three innocent men sit in jail for three decades for his crime.

Overturned Sentence Spotlights Judge, DA

The case of Quintez Hodges is a rare one. Efforts by the Innocence Project and others have vacated death sentences and exonerated an increasing number of wrongfully convicted men, but Hodges was not wrongfully convicted, at least according to the federal judge who overturned his death sentence Sept. 13.

On the Anchor Baby Trail

Ulises Hernandez Rincon, 21, listened furtively to the cries of outrage and angry applause from people in the community center's bleachers, his eyes darting around the room like two dragonflies trying to settle on a lily pad.

James Gray

When performing at a blues venue in Jackson, James Gray, known as "Rock," is almost always stylishly dressed and sporting a fedora, shuffling and twirling pretty women around with his left arm while his right sleeve stays tucked in his belt.

City Passes Anti-Profiling Ordinance

Jackson's Anti-Profiling Ordinance (PDF, 224 KB)

Changing the Face of Highway 80

In 10 years, the Highway 80 corridor will look nothing like it does today if the city of Jackson has its way.

Mississippi Schools Cut 2,000 Jobs

Mississippi school districts have cut more than 2,000 employees over the last year to manage their shrinking budgets, state Superintendent for Education Tom Burnham told a panel of legislators yesterday. Speaking to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Burnham emphasized districts' cost-cutting measures while asking legislators to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in the upcoming 2012 fiscal year.

Jackson Targets Neglected Property

The city has a new weapon against dilapidated and abandoned property thanks to a new state law that will make it easier for the city to collect fines on those properties, Jackson Planning and Development Director Corinne Fox said yesterday.

Patrick Payton

Patrick Payton made his way to Smith Park this morning in hopes of getting a free haircut, but ended up putting on a parking-attendant vest and directing traffic for this morning's One Stop Service Fair.

Fondren Makeover; Sushi and More

A new upscale sushi restaurant is set to open this December on Capitol Street. Wasabi Bistro is a collaboration between owner Lina Lynn, who also owns Ding How Asian Bistro in Ridgeland, and two newcomers, attorney Tami Lynn Munsch and Ronnie Isaac. Munsch and Isaac are helping design the bistro's menu and bar offerings.

Ellington