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MEMA Advises Residents To Seek Shelter From Ike's Floods

[Verbatim from MEMA] PEARL – Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Womack wants all residents living in low-lying areas to seek shelter on higher ground because of flooding from Hurricane Ike.

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Hosemann Distributes Disputed Sample Ballot, Hood Advises Against Its Use

The Associated Press is reporting that Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann distributed controversial sample ballots for November's general election to county election commissioners late Wednesday night. Three Mississippi Supreme Court Justices overruled a temporary restraining order on the ballots issued by Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green, allowing Hosemann to proceed.

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Small Room for Pay Hikes

The Jackson City Council is mulling more budget cuts this week following news of shortfalls.

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Dick Molpus

Dick Molpus, 59, has worked, both as a statesman and a citizen, to the benefit Mississippi his entire adult life, and has built his own wealth in a national sustainable business.

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Palin and the Fringe

The extreme right is declaring a third-party victory with Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the presidential ticket this fall.

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James Ford Seale Conviction Overturned

WLBT-TV3 is reporting that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned James Ford Seale's 2007 conviction for his involvement in the murders of Charles Moore and Henry Dee. He was sentenced to three life terms last August, and today the Court rendered a decision of acquittal. See the full story here. Look for updates on jacksonfreepress.com.

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Hosemann Defends Order of November Ballot

[Verbatim from the Secretary of State's office] The Office of Secretary of State has devoted many hours researching the ballot order for the 2008 General Election. Our office has researched not only the applicable Mississippi statutes, but also prior opinions of the Attorney General, and minutes of prior meetings of the State Board of Election Commissioners.

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Barbour Issues State of Emergency for Hurricane Ike

[Verbatim from the Governor's office] (JACKSON, Mississippi)—Today Governor Haley Barbour issued a State of Emergency for the entire State of Mississippi due to the potential threat posed by Hurricane Ike, which has demonstrated capability to impact parts of the state according to current predictions by the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center.

Medicaid Shortfall Filled?

Mississippi's Medicaid shortfall is solved for the moment, according to a statement released today by Gov. Haley Barbour. Thanks to a refund of approximately $58.9 million from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state's Medicaid budget will be balanced for the 2009 fiscal year.

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Power Vote Initiative Set To Launch Tomorrow

[Verbatim from Power Vote] WASHINGTON, DC—World-renowned climate scientist James Hansen will join youth leaders from across the country for a tele-press conference to formally launch Power Vote, a generational call to action on the climate this election season. Spearheaded by the Energy Action Coalition, "Power Vote" is a national non-partisan initiative to elevate the issue of climate change this election season. Power Vote aims to unite one million young "climate voters" behind a platform centered on combating global warming pollution, creating millions of new green jobs, and ensuring our nation's energy independence by transitioning to a dynamic new clean energy economy. For more information go to http://www.powervote.org/platform.

Factcheck.org: McCain and Palin Lie During RNC Speeches

Factcheck.org, a non-partisan campaign fact-checking site run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania reported today that John McCain "made some flubs in accepting the nomination." Following is the verbatim summary of the McCain factcheck; go to the report for full details and attribution:

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Ink Spot Gallery Grand Opening

The Ink Spot Gallery has moved to a new location in the Ironworks building (300 W. South St.) and invites the public to its grand opening art show tonight at 7 p.m. Artists on display are Shannon Valentine, J.J. Luther and Mike Richardson. Refreshments will be served. Register to win a gift certificate for a tattoo from Mike Richardson. For more details or directions, call 601-352-4700 or check out myspace.com/theinkspotgallery.

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City Tax Cut Unlikely

A Thursday night public hearing revealed that a proposed tax cut for Jackson residents may be down the tubes. Jackson Mayor Frank Melton proposed the cut last week during a budget hearing, but even he abandoned the cut last night, which would have cut city revenue by only $582,200. Council members present at the Thursday hearing—including Charles Tillman, Marshand Crisler, Margaret Barrett-Simon and Council President Leslie McLemore—suspected the tax cut would not be able to survive budget shortfalls, especially in light of city employees demands for pay increases.

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John Reeves to Represent Melton in Federal Trial

Weeks after Mayor Frank Melton tapped him to serve on the Jackson Development Authority, local attorney John Reeves told the Jackson Free Press that he has decided to represent Jackson Mayor Frank Melton in November when Melton goes on trial for constitutional violations against some Jackson residents. Reeves said he would not discuss the particulars of the upcoming trial for ethical reasons. "I can't make any comments about a case that's in litigation. There are rules of ethics that govern what lawyers can say and can not say and we strictly adhere to those rules by just not commenting at all," Reeves told the Jackson Free Press.

Chane Open House Tonight

Local businessman and t-shirt designer Chane, owner of Swell-O-Phonic, STUDIOchane, Wilai, Icon Gallery and Swell-O-Venue, invites the public to check out the recent renovations to his shops and galleries at a special open house event from 5-8 p.m. The JFP will be there giving away Chane/JFP t-shirts to the first 250 visitors. The shops are located at 2767 Old Canton Rd. For more information, call 601-981-FLIP.

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Gustav More Merciful

Hurricane Gustav was not the monster people had been fearing. Almost exactly three years ago, Hurricane Katrina showed America what a real hurricane looks like, and made government on all levels, from federal to municipal, look like a Marx Brothers movie.

Urban Myth 101

Last week, the Jackson Free Press received several e-mails proclaiming "Jackson Crime Alert" in the subject line. Obviously having been forwarded through dozens, maybe hundreds of prior e-mail addresses, the story the e-mails tell is about a man named Hong Kong, who peddles his hip-hop CDs in neighborhood parking lots and gas stations in Jackson.

Easley Says Fellow Justices ‘Screwed Me'

As reported last Wednesday, Aug. 27, Mississippi Supreme Court Judge Chuck Easley told the Jackson Free Press last week that a pro-business bloc on the court is attempting to strip other members of their seniority status. "They screwed me. They screwed (Supreme Court Justice James) Graves," Easley said.

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John Sewell

John Sewell plays many roles in Jackson, from his day job as the director of corporate communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield to his position on at least five boards, including the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Parents for Public Schools and the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. He is also a husband and father of three.

EPA Kills Yazoo Pumps Project

The Environmental Protection Agency followed through with predictions and announced yesterday its decision to kill the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed Yazoo Pumps Project in the Mississippi Delta.

Insurance Information

Mississippi Insurance Department phone numbers:

The Mississippi Insurance Department has a page explaining how to file a claim after a hurricane. Homeowners should document all damage with photos and/or video and file any claims as soon as possible. The MID Coast office will be available to assist in filing claims.

Insurance Information for Gustav Victims

Mississippi Insurance Department phone numbers:

The Mississippi Insurance Department has a page explaining how to file an insurance claim for hurricane damage to your home. Homeowners should document all damage with photos and/or video and file any claims as soon as possible. The MID Coast office will be available to answer questions and assist in filing claims.

Blood Donors Needed

Mississippi Blood Services Main Center

Mississippi Blood Services is reporting an urgent need for blood donations due to Hurricane Gustav. Hospitals and blood drawing stations across the state closed because of the storm, creating a shortage of available blood. If you don't have time to volunteer or money to donate, you can still stop by MBS' Jackson location:

MEMA Gustav Update

Verbatim from a MEMA news release, 9 a.m. Tuesday:

Power outages:84,173 households without power. Entergy has 20,034; Electric Power Associations ofMississippi have 14,936 and MS Power has 49,203.Pearl River has 10,230 outages. Hancock has 16,401. Harrison has 15,610. Jackson has 1,096.These counties make up 43,327 of the outages statewide.Wind gusts in some areas are delaying the process of fixing some outages.

Tornadoes Plague State Today; Evacuees Should Stay Put

Mississippi residents woke up today to tornado watches and warnings swirling around the state, especially in central Mississippi, in the aftermatch of Hurricane Gustav. As we return to work and school, the JFP's best advice is to listen to Mississippi Public Broadcasting, which is live with constant updates, as it has been all weekend. Also, Gov. Haley Barbour is cautioning evacuees not to try to return to the Coast until Wednesday, even some highways down there are starting to re-open.

How to Donate to Help Hurricane Victims

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

Red Cross Needs Volunteers In Jackson

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

AG: How to Protect Yourself from Gustav Scams

From Attorney General Jim Hood, verbatim: Jackson, MS-As Hurricane Gustav wraps its sweep across portions of Mississippi, Attorney General Jim Hood reminds residents impacted by the storm to protect themselves from the scammers that every storm brings.

Barbour: ‘Don't Let Your Guard Down Yet'

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

URGENT: 211 Emergency Number Failing; call 866-472-8265 Instead

The 211 number has been failing over the last 24 hours. The United Way reports that you call use this number instead: 866-472-8265.

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