News

Jarvis Dortch

Since 2006, Jarvis Dortch has worked as a communications coordinator for the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, which aims to improve health care for all Mississippians, "especially those whose health is threatened by poverty, racism, malnutrition and violence."

The Young and the Uninsured

Amanda Starnes, 24, is in duress. She learned a few months ago that she suffers from Type 1 diabetes. She is a Holmes Junior College student and unemployed, with no federal or state health aid.

A Sordid History: Manhunt Leader Has History of Violence

The man who allegedly led a group of armed white citizens assisting in a search for a black burglary suspect in Sumner had a history of taking the law into his own hands.

Former Bodyguard Wright Gets Probation

A federal judge has sentenced former Jackson police officer Marcus Wright to one year of probation for his role in the 2006 warrantless destruction of a private home on Ridgeway Street. The incident attracted controversy as an example of the vigilante approach to crime-fighting favored by former Mayor Frank Melton.

PSC Revokes TelCom Certificates

The Mississippi Public Service Commission announced yesterday that it has revoked the certificates of 53 telecommunications companies to do business in the state. The companies have failed to provide the PSC and the State Tax Commission with required annual reports detailing their business activities in the Magnolia state.

Many Metro Students Won't See Obama's Speech

President Obama delivered a back-to-school speech to students this morning emphasizing personal responsibility, but not all Mississippi students got the message. The speech, which was televised and available as a webcast on the White House Web site, had attracted criticism from conservative commentators and politicians who considered it an inappropriate political gesture.

Downtown Vandalism Creates Tension

John Gomez, associate director of business improvement of Downtown Jackson Partners, vowed that the recent vandalism at Tye's Restaurant & Bar would not significantly upset the organization's attempts to sell the area's assets.

Dr. Aaron Shirley

Dr. Aaron Shirley is challenging those opposed to a government-run public health plan to put their convictions where their mouths are. Shirley says that if they believe what they're saying, they should burn their Medicare cards. "I want to have a demonstrationBoston Tea Party-likeand burn those cards," Shirley told The Washington Times.

Free Paternity Tests Offered

In an effort to increase child support collections, the Mississippi Department of Human Services is offering free paternity tests this month. DNA testing to prove whether a man is a child's father normally run between $300 and $500 dollars, with additional fees for an attorney's assistance more than doubling the cost.

[Miller] A Labor Day for the 21st Century

Every year, we celebrate Labor Day to honor the work of everyday Americans who built this country brick by brick, community by community. It's an honorable holiday that pays tribute to honorable work.

Weekend Happenings

Tonight starts the long weekend Labor Day weekend for most of us, with Monday an official federal holiday. Get the weekend off to a rockin' or rappin' start by heading out for some live entertainment. The choices are numerous, as you'll see when you check the JFP Music Listings page, for the city's most complete list of who's playing where. Tonight, head to 930 Blues Cafe for the incomparable Jackie Bell, or over to Schimmel's for dinner and the music of Dr. D. The Auditorium features Larry Brewer, and Ole Tavern hosts Glasgow and Waco Dead. There are plenty more options, including karaoke, DJs and open mics.

Customers Rallying to Support Schimmel's

Even though Schimmel's Restaurant owner Jay Schimmel declared bankruptcy this week, he says he is optimistic and sees it as an opportunity to restructure and reorganize the Fondren restaurant. "There are four kinds of bankruptcy, and we are reorganizing," Schimmel told the Jackson Free Press. "We feel good about handling our tax situation and being open for another 10 years. This allows us to refocus and carry on with business as usual."

Rick Klein

An employee of Mississippi Public Broadcasting for 28 years, Rick Klein got his first taste of Los Angeles glitz at last month's Daytime Emmy Awards. "Between the Lions," the educational show that Klein helps produce, won three awards, including Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series. Klein and his co-producer, Scott Colwell, received the Emmy for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series, while writer Keri Horn won for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series.

Health Fair Today

A health fair to fight obesity is happening today from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall. Sponsored by Community Outreach for Health Awareness, participants will have access to free blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) screenings, along with nutritional and fitness demonstrations. Black Entertainment Television (BET) will be filming at the fair for an upcoming documentary on obesity in Mississippi.

Education Falls Under Barbour's Knife

Governor Barbour announced $171.9 million in budget cuts to state agencies today. Education, which accounts for over half of the state's budget, will pick up the brunt of those reductions, after state lawmakers protected it during a tight-fisted budgeting process this spring.

Serendipity Art Show and Auction Today

Twenty years ago patients at the Mississippi State Hospital held their first art exhibit, displaying their paintings, ceramics, drawings and mixed-media work. Continuing that tradition, the 20th annual Serendipity art exhibit takes place today.

State gets D+ for Protecting Water Quality

Mississippi rates a lowly D+ for protecting the quality of natural water sources, according to the Gulf Restoration Network. The organization, an alliance of local individuals and national and regional groups, issued a report card grading how committed (or non-committed) state officials are at incorporating the standards of the Clean Water Act of 1977. The Clean Water Act established goals of reducing national water pollution and eliminating the release of water fouled with high amounts of toxic waste.

Earnestine Bowden

Earnestine Bowden remembers the golden old days of Lynch Street. A Jackson native and a graduate of Lanier High School and Jackson State University, Bowden, 60, used to eat breakfast at the Penguin Restaurant and go out at the Red Carpet Club, when the historic area was bustling.

Red Cross Wants You to Be Prepared

When an emergency strikes, will you and your family be prepared for it? September is national Preparedness Month, and the Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross wants to remind everyone about the importance of being ready when an crisis strikes, whether the emergency is a heart attack or a hurricane. Knowing what to do can save lives.

A Delta Manhunt, With Booze and Guns

Federal authorities are investigating an Aug. 20 incident in which armed white citizens, using a military vehicle, helped search for an unarmed black burglary suspect in the Delta.

Health-Care Events in Jackson

Two health-care reform events will take place in Jackson tonight and tomorrow representing the opposing viewpoints of the reform debate.

Richard McKey

Richard McKey didn't know he was destined to be an artist. On a path similar to Van Gogh's, McKey first studied pre-ministry at Belhaven College.

Woodrow Wilson Gets $1.6 Million Facelift

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. is announcing the groundbreaking of the Woodrow Wilson overlay project today. The announcement will come at a press conference 1:15 p.m. at the corner of Peachtree Street and Woodrow Wilson Avenue.

Ted Duckworth

Ted Duckworth, owner of Duckworth Realty in Jackson, has been the driving force behind millions of dollars worth of development in the city. Graduating from Mississippi State University in 1988 with a degree in real estate and mortgage finance, Duckworth, 42, started his company the following year.

Health Department Urges Measures to Curb Flu's Spread

With the second death in Mississippi from the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, the state Department of Health is urging parents to teach children the basics of good hygiene. To date, Mississippi has confirmed 586 cases and two deaths, which is not outside the realm of normal flu deaths. Nationwide, about 36,000 Americans die from flu and complications from the illness every year.

Mayor Johnson: ‘Look Behind' Millsaps Report

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson continued to push back this afternoon against a report commissioned by Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill on the Jackson Police Department's staffing. The report, authored by Millsaps College professor Bill Brister, pointed out that Jackson has a higher ratio of civilian employees to sworn officers in its police department than other comparable southeastern cities. Weill has argued that the police department could hire 100 new police officers by cutting its civilian staff to the southeastern average.

Johnson Questions Millsaps Police Study

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. is implying that Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill has sidestepped the traditional administrative process by commissioning a survey related to the numbers of police officers in the city.

Burglary Suspect's Death May Have Been Justifiable

Jackson police are investigating a shooting that may fall under the "Castle Doctrine," Mississippi's law governing justifiable homicide in the defense of a home or business. The shooting took place at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday at Gipson's Discount Foods on Highway 80 in West Jackson.

Ann Herlihy

Many Jacksonians are still in mourning since Ann Herlihy closed Fondren Traders late last year, the shop where many of us bought so many gifts (most of my staff gifts used to come from there). But many people didn't know that Ann has another passion beyond art and design: She loves animals and helps rescue them. After continually seeing Ann walking her three pups around Fondren, I asked her if she would do a DogBlog for the Jackson Free Press. Ann had taken my writing classes, and I know she is good writer; she is also very funny. And closest to my heart: She loves animals as much as I do, and hates to see them abandoned and mistreated.

Jackson Public Meetings and Community Events

Tuesday, Sept. 1

4:30 p.m., U.S. Small Business Administration clinic to discuss SBA's guaranty loan program, Regions Plaza, 210 E. Capitol St., 601-965-4378 ext. 11.

Ellington