News

JFP, Other Alts Stand with Phoenix New Times

The Jackson Free Press is proud to stand up today, alongside our sister papers in the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies against the efforts of elected officials in Phoenix, Ariz., to both thwart the public's right to know and to use the criminal-justice system to intimidate the alt-weekly by subpoenaing personal information of its Web site users. Follow the saga here in a verbatim press released issued today by AAN.

A couple of things you should know about

Legislative Black Caucus Foils Plan to Unseat McCoy?

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, told the Jackson Free Press Friday that the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus adopted a position on Thursday against the candidacy of Columbus Rep. Jeffrey Smith's run for Speaker of the House. "We voted unanimously not to support Jeff Smith for Speaker and to not make a commitment to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore position, and to have another meeting later on," Flaggs said.

Melton Announces Progress: ‘Crime Is Down'

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton released this statement (PDF, 257 KB) yesterday touting "progress" in the City of Jackson.

Mayor Re-instates, Discredits JPD Promotion Exams

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton announced today that the police department will again administer police officer promotion exams to officers currently serving in acting sergeant and lieutenant positions because the city has not offered the test in recent years. Melton, however, kicked the legs out from under any validation the test might bring, telling reporters that officers who flunk the exam would not necessarily be demoted to their lower certified positions.

Jim Kopernak

As I approach the industrial-looking Old House Depot on Monroe Street, I hear the robust sound of Ella Fitzgerald's voice. Jim Kopernak, 61 (but looking 10 years younger), emerges from a small office and wipes away the sweat just above his salt-pepper-and-cinnamon eyebrows. Behind him are what seem like hundreds of vintage and antique pieces of architecture, which Kopernak and his wife, Ann, collect through deconstruction of old homes.

Cops Vow to Air Dirty Laundry

The day after City Council refused to fund the promotions of Mayor Frank Melton's bodyguards, a local police union said today that talks with the mayor about the appointments were not "productive." The officers vowed to tell all about problems within the city in retaliation.

Melton: Who, Me?

"I don't know anything about that. I can't imagine what I've done," Melton said.

The Jackson rumor mill is on overdrive today about federal indictments of Mayor Frank Melton coming down in the wake of an FBI investigation that pulled several members of his administration before a federal grand jury last week. But the feds ain't talking, as they tend not to do in such cases. Until they're ready, anyway. As for Melton, he told the JFP's Adam Lynch at City Hall this afternoon that he hasn't heard a thing about a possible federal investigation of him.

Oxford Cop Killer Pleads Down to Manslaughter

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:

Doris Shavers' Family: Melton Lied

Shalandria Shavers, the 21-year-old daughter of domestic-violence victim Doris Shavers, and James Hopkins, Shavers' brother, served notice today to the city of Jackson and Mayor Frank Melton of a wrongful-death claim against the city, the Jackson Police Department and "John Does 1-6," representing specific police officers who the family says did not prevent Shavers' death.

Thirteen-story Ridgeland High Rise Passes 4-3

The Ridgeland Board of Aldermen voted 4-to-3 in favor of the construction of a 13-story office building. Ridgeland codes currently limit building heights to four stories, so developer Buster Bailey asked the city to authorize a code variance for his development.

Dexter Morton

After 14 years of driving trucks and training other people to drive trucks, Dexter Devon Morton left the road with a 46-inch waistline and weighing 360 pounds. Today, Morton, 38, is the wellness director for the downtown YMCA in Jackson, and at 6-feet-5-inches tall and 242 pounds, he has no problem fitting into his size 36 pants. With a small staff of trainers and fitness counselors, Morton helps members of the Jackson community reach their wellness goals and is an inspiration to those who know and love the "Rev."

ACLU Worker Arrested For Observing Police

Police arrested ACLU Field Coordinator Brent Cox for surveying a police interdiction last month, though Cox said he was fulfilling his constitutional duty in observing the activity.

Hope overcomes frustration

Larry And Dee Nixon

Shortly after relocating to Jackson from South Carolina, Larry and Dee Nixon established the Cure Sickle Cell Foundation to raise awareness of SCD and support families affected by the disease.

Good News for Victims

Announcing some good news on the domestic violence front, Attorney General Jim Hood says that the Domestic Violence Division has made significant progress in educating the state's law enforcement, judges and attorneys. In the past year, the division has sponsored or participated in 31 trainings, providing information and instruction to more than 2,000 individuals.

Hood: State Auditor Disrupted Beef Plant Sting

Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Monday that State Auditor Phil Bryant had interrupted investigative efforts to obtain evidence against beef-plant owners. Hood's written statement to the media came after lieutenant governor candidate Jamie Franks, who is running against Bryant, announced at a press conference that Bryant had "recklessly" interfered with the beef-plant investigation.

Burglary, Shots Fired on Melton's Street

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that a house was burglarized on Riverwood Drive, Mayor Frank Melton's street in North Jackson. The homeowner fired at them and they ran into the woods. Authorities apprehended two men and are looking for a third. Nearby McLeod Elementary School was placed on lockdown.

AG Warns Citizens About E-mail Threat Scam

The attorney general's cyber-crime unit is investigating the origin of a threatening e-mail that has been circulated around Jackson in the last week. Verbatim statement:

Republican Mayor Lott to Endorse John Eaves Today

Verbatim from the Eaves campaign:

LUMBERTON — Republican Mayor Aaron Lott of Lumberton will endorse Democrat John Eaves for Governor during a news event at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, September 27, 2007. The event will be held at 304 North Second Street in Lumberton. For his endorsement Mayor Lott cited Eaves' strong Christian values and Barbour's misuse of Katrina recover funds to enrich his friends, family, clients, and himself.

Sabir Abdul-Haqq

When Sabir Abdul-Haqq puts his story in digital format, the soundtrack will be hip-hop. Not the stuff that gives the genre a bad name, though. It will probably sound a lot like Jurassic 5. Bright young faces beaming with potential will surround him, and you'll almost surely see his mother, Rosa Shareef, and 17-year-old brother, Ahmed Shareef—the two people he admires most. His digital story will leave viewers impressed: Abdul-Haqq is a man with passion and an inspiring sense of integrity.

Grant Me Justice: Two Women Killed in Two Weeks

Enjoying the slight drop in temperature on Monday, Sept. 17, Doris Shavers sat laughing with friends and family in her mother Ethel Sanders' front yard where the family liked to emerge from their nearby houses and fellowship. Their children played among them, riding bikes and jumping on the trampoline across Ludlow Avenue in Doris' front yard.

What Can You Do?

When your daughter, best friend or co-worker becomes a victim of abuse, you have the opportunity to make a difference.

Are You An Abuser?

Domestic abuse can take many forms, and physical violence is only one of them. If you think you might be an abuser, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Safety Plan

A safety plan is intended to aid victims of domestic violence in securing their physical safety and personal well-being. The plan is not a substitute for law enforcement and professional help. If you fear your life is in eminent danger, call 911 immediately.

Council Must Address Another $3 Million Deficit

The Jackson City Council dropped the bomb at a special meeting that the city of Jackson is still stuck with a $3 million deficit from the 2006-'07 budget, even after the Council approved the 2008 budget last week. "We need to address the issue of the closed-out budget of '06-'07, which by state law, we are required to have balanced by Sept. 30. Right now, that is not the case," said Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler. "I don't think we can over-emphasize the importance of doing that in a timely fashion."

BREAKING: Langston Sues Phil Bryant

Joey Langston, of the Langston Law Firm in Booneville, Miss., along with former partner Tim Balducci, announced in a statement today (PDF, 56 KB) that they have filed an action suit against State Auditor and lieutenant governor candidate Phil Bryant in response to Bryant threatening to sue the firm to make them return attorney fees totaling to $14 million in a 2005 MCI case.

All Eyes on Jena, La., Today

The JFP's Maggie Burks is in Jena, La., today continuing her http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14884_0_67_0_C ]coverage of the Jena 6 case that she started in early August when she went to cover Al Sharpton's visit there.

Terrell Lewis

Terrell Lewis, 19, is a people person, he says, which is obvious when he takes to the field as Jackson State University's mascot, Wavee Dave. The sophomore mass communication major says that JSU has been "in his blood" from an early age. Both his parents—Tyrone and Shelia Lewis— graduated from JSU, and Lewis was a "baby tiger" from the time he was 5 years old to when he outgrew his suit at age 12.

It Won't Happen to Me

Why George Bell III stopped bludgeoning Heather Spencer on that June night is anyone's guess. Perhaps his hammer slipped out of his hand as Spencer's blood made it slick. Perhaps he came to his senses. Perhaps Spencer was able to escape.

Ellington