News

Robert Walters

Like a performer on stage, Robert Walters, 24, spent the last school year entertaining and engaging students in his U.S. government class. A first-year teacher at Lanier High School, he is passionate about civics and young enough to relate that passion to his students.

Dealing Racism in the Immigration Game

WJNT talk radio host Kim Wade, inflamed by Sen. Trent Lott's support of an immigration compromise bill that failed last Thursday, partnered with NumbersUSA—a self-described "immigration-reduction organization"—to deliver a signed petition against immigration reform to Lott's Jackson office on June 19. On June 28, 53 U.S. senators successfully voted to halt any reconsideration of the bill.

Living Wage Protest at Clinton Wal-Mart

Several grass-roots organizations joined together on Tuesday in front of the Clinton Wal-Mart on Highway 80 to rally in support of a living wage. The group, comprised of members of the People's Freedom Caravan, protested against low wages and a lack of health coverage for Wal-Mart employees.

A New Sheriff In Town?

Photos by Brian Johnson, Roy Adkins, Nate Glenn, Darren Schwindaman, and Jaro Vacek

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin is familiar with opposition, having faced it and triumphed in repeated elections since he was first elected sheriff of Hinds County 16 years ago.

‘Chief Shirlene Andersons (sic) wants citizens ...

... to have a happy and safe Fourth of July Holiday ...'

No, that's not a typo, at least not on our part. The chief's office sent that e-mail with that exact subject line today. Here's the rest of the e-mail, verbatim:

BREAKING: Council Splits 3-3 Over President Pick

This morning, the Jackson City Council split into predictable factions over who to appoint as Council President to take the place of Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen, who stepped down June 22, citing health issues. On one side were unwavering supporters of Mayor Frank Melton—Frank Bluntson, Charles Tillman and Kenneth Stokes—who voted to promote Bluntson, a long-time friend of Melton, into the president's seat. On the other side were Margaret Barrett-Simon, Marshand Crisler and Leslie McLemore, who voted for McLemore to take over the presidency. The McLemore faction consists of consistent critics of Melton, who they believe is putting the city at risk of lawsuits and other legal actions with his actions and policies.

First-Half Champs M-Braves to Host All-Star Game in Pearl

The Mississippi Braves seem to have come of age as a franchise this season. In the Class AA club's third season in Pearl since moving from Greenville, S.C., the M-Braves won the Southern League South Division first-half championship, the team's first title in Mississippi.

A New Sheriff? JFP Interview with Malcolm McMillin

My opposition in this race, their mantra is, "It's time for a change." Not that I've done a bad job, but that it's time for a change, just a change in the leadership. He hasn't said anything that he would do any differently, except that he would try to get along better with the board of supervisors. I've said in the past that I might even step down if it meant seeing him actually get along with the supervisors, just to see him try.

A New Sheriff? JFP Interview with Tyrone Lewis

I come from a family of six kids—two sisters, three brothers. And my mother and father still live, and still reside in this neighborhood I grew up in. I had a good childhood.

A New Sheriff? JFP Interview with Lester Williams

In 1990 I transferred over to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. There I was primarily assigned to the DEA and the FBI on their task force, working in major investigations. During that time at the MBN I served as Commander of the Capital City Metro Narcotics Unit. That was between 1990 to 2004. I started out at the MBN working the motel/hotel and airport drug interdictions, but because of the quantities of drugs we were seizing and the currency, it often led into other major investigations, which resulted in me being assigned to the DEA or FBI task force for much of that time.

A New Sheriff? JFP Interview with Henry Grigsby

I do a little garden work, farming, and I haul a little timber. I live in Utica, out on Morrison Road. I've been a Hinds County resident for 24 years.

U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton in Accident

The JFP's prayers go out to the U.S. attorney.

The Associated Press is reporting that U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton was in a Jeep accident on a remote part of his property in Pike County. He is in a Jackson hospital. No information on his condition has been released.

JUST IN: McAllister, Watkins Snag Standard Life

Developer David Watkins has just informed the Jackson Free Press that the Jackson Redevelopment Authority has chosen a proposal presented by him, Deuce McAllister and Historic Restoration Inc. to restore the Standard Life Building. JRA chose their proposal from three, including one from TCI of Dallas, with close connections to controversial businessman Gene Phillips, a friend of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. (See post below.) Earlier today, TCI won their bid to develop the $180 million Convention Center hotel.

We Are Family: A Klan Child Fans A Different Flame

Photos by Kate Medley

Little Shirley Seale was in her room at the back of her wood frame house when she saw flames through her window. The Natchez girl, who was 5 in 1968, stared out at the green cow pasture that opened up beyond the window. She could see dozens, maybe a hundred people, wearing mostly whitebut some black and redchoir-like robes with pointy hoods covering their heads. A cross decorated the front of each robe.

Phillips Group Close to Jackson Contracts?

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority has chosen a development consortium out of Dallas, Texas, with very close ties to controversial developer Gene Phillips as the developers of the Convention Center hotel, and may hand them the contract to refurbish the Standard Life building shortly, according to The Clarion-Ledger.

Guarding White Christians

The first Seale on record was a bodyguard—at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Solomon Seale guarded King Alfred the Great, who ruled as the "King of the Anglo-Saxons" from 871-899. According to a two-volume, bound genealogical history of the "Seale" name on the shelf in the Franklin County Library in Meadville, the name likely came from the Old English word "seolth," which meant the most important house, or hall, in the village.

Patricia Wynn

Local artist Patricia Wynn's passion for life pervades everything she touches. Her artwork, volunteer efforts and the community in which she lives thrive under her care.

King Edward on the Rise

Jackson attorney and developer David Watkins touted progress on the renovation of the dilapidated King Edward Hotel June 19, predicting the project will be finished by spring 2009.

Ben Allen Resigns From City Council

City Council President Ben Allen announced his resignation from the City Council today. His resignation will be effective Friday, June 22.

The Regulator: The JFP Interview with Gary Anderson

Photos by Roy Adkins & Adam Lynch

Gary Anderson wants to be Mississippi's insurance commissioner, and he's not pulling any punches in the race. The Byhalia native knows a thing or two about politics: He worked under former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove as chief fiscal officer and served as director of the Mississippi Department of Community Development. He broke ground as the first African American in both those positions. He made similar inroads in his private life, as the first African American to hold the position of senior vice president of Union Planter's Bank, and he put up a hard but unsuccessful fight against Republican candidate Tate Reeves in 2003 for the office of state treasurer.

WLBT: Robbery Suspect Arrested

More details as they develop.

WLBT is reporting that police have arrested John Wayne Mangum, 20, for the armed robbery of Councilman Margaret Barrett-Simon.

JFP Wins Top Honors for Melton Investigation, Cedric Feature, Africa Columns

The Jackson Free Press took first, second and third places in the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Awards, which were just announced at the convention in Portland, Ore.

UPDATED: James Ford Seale Guilty On All Counts

After approximately two hours of deliberation, the jury in the federal kidnapping and conspiracy trial of James Ford Seale returned a unanimous verdict of guilty on all counts. The jury found Seale guilty of two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy in the abduction and murder of Charles Moore and Henry Dee.

Breaking: Seale Convicted

From The Associated Press:

A federal jury on Thursday convicted reputed Klansman James Ford Seale of kidnapping and conspiracy in the 1964 deaths of two black teenagers in southwest Mississippi.

Preservation Commission Rejects Demolitions

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's plan to demolish almost 80 abandoned and dilapidated structures inside the Historic Farish Street District hit a speed bump today after the Jackson Historic Preservation Commission made clear it was unwilling to approve the mass demolition.

Inside the Journey for Justice

I find myself sitting at the end of a pew, tape recorder in hand, admiring how the light shone through the stained glass windows on a sweltering day in Mississippi. I look to my left and on the other side of the church sits Thomas Moore, hands folded, pondering the words he is about to deliver to the congregation. I am immersed in the soulful voices of the choir, as I wait in anticipation for Thomas to move purposefully to the front of the church.

Jimmy Robinson

There are few faces in his community that Virden Addition Association President Jimmy Robinson does not recognize. He is the epitome of what draws a neighborhood together: a talkative nature and the kind of ambient nosiness associated with Mayberry's Aunt B.

Crime Plan: More of the Same

Mayor Frank Melton said he is responsible for the remarkable rise in violent crime in the city last Friday. "I am accountable for that, and the buck stops with me," Melton told reporters.

AG Sues State Farm

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced today that he had filed a complaint against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company for refusing to cover damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Day 9: Documentary Starts Court Firestorm

Defense attorneys started the morning off by raising objections to the testimony of Charles Marcus Edwards, the prosecution's star witness, based on footage shown on MSNBC this weekend of a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. television documentary about the case. In the afternoon, they used footage from the film to try to chip away at Edwards' credibility.