News

Wooten Apparent Winner Over Reeves ... Again

As the Jackson Free Press went to the printer Tuesday night, Democrat Adrienne Wooten was poised to win the re-vote election demanded by District 71 incumbent Rep. John Reeves. If Wooten wins, it will be another vote to keep House Speaker Billy McCoy in place, as Reeves had pledged in a campaign letter after the general election that he would vote against McCoy if he was re-elected.

At Least One Teen Killed in Brandon Car Wreck

At least one student from University Christian School has been killed in a one-car crash in Rankin County, and another is in critical condition at University Medical Center, sources say. The students were in a white Chevrolet Trailblazer on Scenic Drive that was traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran off the road and then flipped. A third student also went to UMC, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Rep. John Reeves Pledges to Help Unseat Billy McCoy

Rep. John Reeves, who is fighting in a re-vote today to take back his seat from challenger Adrienne Wooten, sent a letter to Republicans (PDF, 185 KB), asking for their support and vowing to help unseat House Speaker Billy McCoy if re-elected. The House convenes at the beginning of the session to hold a tally on the new speaker, who then assigns chairmanships and decides the political tone of the House. Gov. Haley Barbour and his supporters have targeted McCoy's seat because he is viewed as too progressive.

Gospel Greats Salute Latasha Norman Wednesday, Dec. 19

From a press release: A gospel concert is being held Dec. 19 in memory of slain Jackson State University student Latasha Norman. Special guests include The Williams Brothers, The Canton Spirituals, The Mississippi Mass Choir, Paul Porter from the Christianaires, The Jackson Southernaires, the Rev. Joe A. Washington and the Gabrieltone, The Curry Family, The Gospel Melodies, The Wonderful Travelers and The Chosen Aires. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Old Sam's (Wal-Mart) Building, 590 Raymond Road, in Jackson. The show is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10. The proceeds are going to the Norman family, according to organizers. For more details on the gospel concert, contact Vincent Grizzell at (601)573-0628 or Charles James at (678) 523-7412.

District 71 Re-Vote on for Tuesday

An attorney for Adrienne Wooten, the candidate who won the House District 71 race by about 200 votes, said her Republican opponent John Reeves had yet to prove his case for a re-vote, even as Wooten's supporters pressed to spread awareness about the Dec. 18 re-vote. "No voters came forward saying they had been deprived of the right to vote. … There are irregularities in every election, some confusion in every election. If we base the decision of a revote on some confusion on the voters' part then we're going to be re-voting in every election," Wooten's attorney Carlton Reeves told the Jackson Free Press.

URGENT: Vote TUESDAY in District 71 Re-Vote

If you live in District 71, please remember to go to the polls Tuesday to vote in the re-vote between Adrienne Wooten and John Reeves. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in these locations: Baker Elementary School, Oak Forest Elementary School, Victory AME Zion Church and Lakeshore Baptist Church. Pass the word.

Tigers Take SWAC

Jimmy Oliver threw three touchdown passes to lead Jackson State to a 42-31 victory over Grambling in the SWAC Championship. The Tigers won their first SWAC title since 1996.

BREAKING: Supreme Court Reinstates Re-vote

The Mississippi Supreme Court has granted Rep. John Reeves' emergency petition and reversed Hinds County Judge Winston Kidd, who ruled earlier in the week that the re-vote in the election between Adrienne Wooten and Reeves in District 71 was canceled. Writing for the Court, Justice Oliver E. Diaz Jr. vacated Kidd's Writ of Mandamus and Writ of Prohibition: "[T]he re-vote should be allowed to proceed as directed by the Hinds County Election Commission." The Court denied requests by both sides for oral argument, and said it will issue an opinion "in due course."

Taxpayers Covering Recio and Wright Attorney's Fees?

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's assurance that he would be covering court costs in his April 2007 felony trial did not apply to his co-defendants, judging by a Nov. 30 letter submitted to the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office. Former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters submitted a motion for allocation of attorney's fees to the clerk's office and city attorneys, demanding payments of $15,000 apiece for attorneys Robert Shuler Smith and Winston Thompson for their representation of Melton's bodyguards Michael Recio and Marcus Wright.

Lounge and Croon with the JFP Dec. 13 and 14

Join the JFP for the monthly Lounge Thursday night, from 7 to 10 p.m., in Hal & Mal's non-smoking Oyster Bar–come chat and fellowship with other creative Jacksonians. Free admission and munchies. Then on Friday, join Todd and Donna back at Hal & Mal's for Southern Fried Karaoke after the Dirty Santa Pub Quiz (it starts at 8 p.m. and costs $5 to play). The karaoke mics should go live around 10 p.m. Free.

Gwendolyn Magee

Gwendolyn Magee, 64, first started making quilts in 1989 during a six-week quiltmaking class at a local Jackson quilt store that no longer exists. She only planned to make a quilt for each of her two daughters before they went to college, but by the time she finished their quilts, she was hooked. "Eventually, I really started becoming dissatisfied with just taking a pattern and following it, making things that were just pretty," Magee says. She wanted to make quilts with more meaning, and she tapped into her roots as an African American growing up in segregated High Point, N.C., for her inspiration.

Just Days Left to Vote in Best of Jackson - Until Dec. 15

OK, all, the voting in the JFP's 6th Annual Best of Jackson reader's choice awards closes Saturday at midnight CST. If you're voting online, do it before then. If you're mailing a ballot, it's got to be postmarked by Dec. 15. So stop your procrastinating, and get 'er done.

Reeves Plans to Challenge Election Ruling

Republican District 71 incumbent legislator John Reeves said he will appeal a Hinds County Circuit Court decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd granted a writ of mandamus Tuesday to Democratic District 71 winner Adrienne Wooten, compelling the Hinds County Election Commission to certify the results of the Nov. 6 election and acknowledge Wooten as the winner.

Judge Kidd Rules Against John Reeves

Judge Winston Kidd has just ruled that the election results in the District 71 race between Adrienne Wooten and incumbent John Reeves should be certified, and that no special election need occur. Reeves was challenging Wooten's win due to voting irregularities.

Henry Phillips' Bond Set for $200,000

Hinds County Judge William Barnett has set a $200,000 bond for Henry Phillips, who police say have admitted shooting his ex-girlfriend Doris Shavers, in the head. According to The Clarion-Ledger, Barnett has sent the case to a grand jury for "possible indictment." In the case of Heather Spencer, profiled by the JFP along with Doris Shavers, the man accused of murder is in jail without bond.

Council to Vote on Police Chief Today

The Jackson City Council is holding a confirmation vote today at 2 p.m. on Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin as Jackson's next police chief even as some Council members are complaining that the mayor has not provided adequate documentation for the appointment.

Vote in JFP Best of Jackson Poll Until Friday, Dec. 15

Remember: Time is running out. Get those ballots in! Vote here.

Police Have Suspect in ‘Miracle' Shooting

Hinds County Sheriff and interim Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin named convicted felon Michael Allen as the suspect in the Dec. 1 shooting of Jackson business owner Donnie Register. Register, owner of The Antique Market in Fondren, made national headlines, shielding his head from a bullet allegedly fired by Allen. The bullet ricocheted off Register's wedding band and sent fragments into his hand and neck, potentially saving him from a fatal head wound.

Kamikaze on Radio JFP Today at Noon

Kamikaze will join Todd Stauffer and Donna Ladd today at noon on WLEZ to discuss the slow pace of Farish Street development.

Melton Hits Back With More Allegations

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton made hard allegations (PDF, 464 KB) against plaintiffs suing him and the city for civil rights violations this morning, from Albert "Batman" Donelson to Charlotte Reeves. "I'm not trying to taint the jury," Melton insisted. "These are things that I want to come up in a civil trial. We have a lot more latitude in civil court, and these are not allegations. These are facts, and I'm prepared to go forward."

Big Dawg Croom SEC Coach of the Year

Mississippi State released a statement an hour ago about this well-deserved honor for Coach Sylvester Croom:

Carlton Reeves

"I believe in the rule of law and in using it to achieve justice across the board," Carlton Reeves says.

Hate-Crimes Grossly Under-Reported

There were no hate crimes in Mississippi in 2005 or 2006, according to the most recent FBI statistics. Nationwide, say the stats, hate crimes rose 7.8 percent in '06, with 7,722 incidents.

Charlie Ross Running for Congress

No surprise, but an e-mail just came from Charlie Ross confirming that he is running for Chip Pickering's congressional seat. The verbatim e-mail is posted at StateDesk.

Memorial Service for Latasha Norman

Norman's memorial service will be at the Rose Embly McCoy Auditorium on the main JSU campus.

Jackson State University is hosting a memorial service at noon today (Monday, Dec. 3) for murdered student Latasha Norman. Police found Norman, a 20-year-old accounting major from Greenville, dead Thursday. She had been missing for more than two weeks. Her ex-boyfriend, Stanley Cole, is in jail without bond. Norman reported on Oct. 9 that he had punched her in a parking lot in Pearl, but he was not arrested for that incident until Nov. 15, two days after Norman was reported missing. When he showed up for his hearing on Nov. 29 for that incident, police took him in for questioning. He reportedly led them to her body.

Tuesday, Dec. 4 – Center for Violence Prevention Christmas Gala

Help fight domestic abuse at a Christmas Gala to benefit The Center for Violence Prevention, which provides programs, housing and services to victims of domestic violence. Heavy hors d'oevres; cocktail/business attire. The JFP is a silver sponsor. Sponsorships still available, and items needed for a silent auction. Bon Ami, Maywood Mart, 220 East Northside Drive, Suite 230, $50, starts at 6 p.m.

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Bond Denied For Slain JSU Student's Ex-Boyfriend

A judge today ordered that Stanley Cole, who police charged with murder in the death of Jackson State student Latasha Norman, be held without bond. Police found Norman's body Thursday. She had been missing since Nov. 13. JSU canceled classes on Friday and held a moment of silence for Norman. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday.

Domestic Violence Expert on Radio JFP

Sandy Middleton, director of the Center for Violence Prevention, will join Donna Ladd and Todd Stauffer today—Friday, Nov. 30—at noon on WLEZ-FM 103.7. In the wake of another domestic murder of a young woman, allegedly by her by-then-ex-boyfriend, we will discuss the horrifying issue of domestic abuse and violence in Mississippi, one of the most deadly states for women. The show streams live at http://www.wlezfm.com; we will post an audio file later today. Please join us, and post questions and comments under this post during the show.

Latasha Norman, Rest In Peace

(Promoted from JFP forums.)

The body of missing JSU student Latasha Norman has been found. No details are available at this time, however, police did detain her ex-boyfriend for questioning earlier today. And, JPD responded to a report of a body in a house on Brown St. in North Jackson.

Ellington