News

Subscribe

Daddy, Get Up: This Son of Natchez Wants Justice, Too

Photo of Wharlest Jackson Jr. by Kate Medley

When Wharlest Jackson Sr., 36, left his job at the Armstrong Rubber Co. in North Natchez the evening of Feb. 27, 1967, life was looking pretty good for him.

Dear Meadville: Thomas Moore Tries To Wake Up His Hometown

Photo of Mac Littleton by Kate Medley

On his July pilgrimage back to his native Mississippi, Thomas Moore got his hopes up. With the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and the Jackson Free Press documenting his effort, Moore went back to his native Franklin County, and over to Natchez, and up to Jackson and Neshoba County, to ask the good people of Mississippi to support his efforts to finally see justice for the murder of his brother, Charles Eddie Moore, and his friend, Henry Hezekiah Dee, by local white men on May 2, 1964.

Henrietta Martin

Open the heavy glass door, take six steps across the foyer to the next glass door, open it, and you're in the Beverly J. Brown Library in Byram, a branch of the Jackson-Hinds Library System. Half a dozen steps to your right, and you're across the counter from Henrietta Martin, 54, who waits to help you make the best of your visit to this tiny library on Siwell Road.

Peggy Carlisle

It's a safe wager that third- and fourth-graders at Pecan Park Elementary School in Jackson know a lot about Kenya. That's because their ExCel teacher Peggy Carlisle, 54, added "The Kenyan Project" to the program's project-based curriculum once she and her students had met and listened to Juddy Opiyo, the director of three bush schools in West Pokot, Kenya.

Jackie Bell

Jackie Bell, 43, steps out of a little red two-seater, and I'm jealous of her legs. I briefly recall my inferiority when Miss Bell called me on stage during a charity fund raiser, and all of Jackson saw me dance like a white Baptist girl next to her trained-ballerina self. Then she said I don't look more than 25, and I forgave her and loved her more. Today she hugs me like she just saw me yesterday, but is so glad to see me again. Suddenly I feel like the leggiest woman in the world. See, that's what Jackie Bell does. She sings like her back ain't got no bone, and she makes you think you can, too.

Will Jemison

Will Jemison, 24, is five steps ahead of his generation. Everything about him says professionalism and goal-oriented. He walks into the interview, and I can't believe that he's only 24. His poise and proficient way of speaking are charming.

Nappy Roots, Funk, Kamikaze at Farish Street Fest

The JFP is a sponsor of the Farish Street Fest This Weekend! Oct 1, Food, Fun and Entertainment for the entire family. See Terry Cummings, Kamikaze, Eddie Cotton, Nappy Roots, Tina Diamond, Original P, Mr. Nasty, Storage 24. Also a full stage of gospel music and a special Kiddie Kottage with face painting, space jump and more. Tickets $12 advance (BeBop and BIP records locations) and $15 at the gate.

Daniel Guaqueta

Daniel Guaqueta, 29, is a young man with an achievable goal that he's passionate about—to enlighten Jacksonians to the city's cultural diversity.

Contract to Former Barbour Client Under Investigation

The New York Times is reporting Monday that a debris-removal contract awarded to a former lobbying client of Barbour is under congressional investigation:

Anti-War Demonstrators March on Washington

AP is reporting:

Crowds opposed to the war in Iraq surged past the White House on Saturday, shouting "Peace now" in the largest anti-war protest in the nation's capital since the U.S. invasion.

The Place To Be: Developers Catering More To City's ‘Creative Class'

Since the early 1970s, an outflow of businesses and residents to the suburbs has decimated downtown Jackson. Until recently, the lower taxes demanded of cow pastures and the cheap gas used to get there made moving somewhere else and starting anew easier and attractive to many people.

Gene Edwards

Gene Edwards has a deep, comforting voice. Edwards, 56, is the deputy director of content operations for Mississippi Public Broadcasting. When Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi, Edwards and his colleagues took to the air, providing information and solace to those who were cut off from the world by the storm.

Rita, Now Cat 4, Barrels Toward Texas

Here we go again. Pray, y'all.

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq Top 1,900

AP reports:

The war in Iraq passed a sobering milepost Tuesday when U.S. officials reported 12 more Americans were killed - eight of them members of the armed forces, raising to more than 1,900 the number of U.S. service members who have died in the country since the invasion.

TONIGHT: 4Tell Films, JFP & Crossroads Present French Quarter Film to Benefit Victims

Attend a special screening Monday night (Sept. 19) at 7:30 p.m. of "The Quarter by Carriage," the first of a multi-volume DVD project that explores the colorful history of the famed French Quarter of New Orleans. Post-production had just concluded on the documentary prior to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The screening is at Hal & Mal's restaurant located at 200 S. Commerce St.

T.G.I.F Humor Break

Quote o' the Week: The following statement is the funniest thing I've seen in a while, although The Onion is outdoing itself of late:

Iraq Edges Toward ‘Full Scaled Civil War'

Rory Carroll reports from Iraq:

Nafeesa McCoy

For Nafeesa McCoy, a 24-year-old mother and Katrina refugee, the choice was simple: Leave New Orleans or die.

Don't Miss Killen Cover Story, Irby Column

Note: For now, the JFP's current 4,000+ word cover story, "After Killen: What's Next for Mississippi?", is not posted here in the Killen trial blog. Click here to access that story, read the more than 100 comments to date and add your own comments. Also don't miss Natalie Irby's column this week about Killen attorney James McIntyre's closing statement, which she says represents the "worst Mississippi has to offer."

Edgar Ray Killen Back In Prison

AP is reporting:

A judge Friday revoked the bond that allowed Edgar Ray Killen to stay out of prison while he appealed his manslaughter conviction for the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers. Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon ordered Killen returned to prison after a court hearing where District Attorney Mark Duncan said the 80-year-old Killen may have misrepresented his physical condition.

Anthony DiFatta

Tony DiFatta is something. I met Tony, 38, not too long before we started the Jackson Free Press, and he came on board immediately. He did the art for our very first cover, and he's done memorable covers for us ever since, including a certain one of Sen. Trent Lott in a dunce hat. And most of you know how popular his art shows are at spots like Nunnery's Gallery.

Donna Gunn

She's an angel with a meaningful purpose. As she spoke, it seemed as if her words slowly came to life. I was taken by this woman's presence and her love for God.

Theon Johnson

Theon Johnson's name fits, with both parts ending melodiously with the word on, as in "on the job." In Johnson's case, that means finishing his studies, earning a dual degree in philosophy and religious studies with a minor in education. "I'm also getting the pre-reqs for medical school," the tall, lively-faced young man said as we sat in the Bowl at Millsaps College, the grassy center of campus, criss-crossed by sidewalks and ringed with shade trees.

Ro Sanchez

Ronel "Ro" Sanchez, 32, is nothing short of a movie buff. Seated on the couch near the front door of Video Café, he takes a look around at the vintage movie posters that line the store's walls. "I always loved movies" he says. "Movies can change your mood for the entire day."

Crystal Carter

One trip to Emory School University of Atlanta was a lifetime experience for 16-year-old Jacksonian Crystal Carter. The Jim Hill High School junior was qualified as an attendee for the 10-day National Forum on Medicine because of her high PSAT score.

SOS Announces ‘Voter-Verified Paper Trail'

It seems the secretary of state's office is trying to respond to concerns about the new voting machines such as the JFP reported more than a month ago:

Crime Plan Faces Reality Check

Last week Mayor Frank Melton announced a number of methods to combat crime in the city. "I'm making a change in leadership at the municipal court, and Gayle Lowery, a current city judge, will take over the municipal court effective immediately," Melton announced at a July 25 press conference in what his office is now calling the "oval office" (the square "ceremonial" mayor's office in City Hall).

Grand Hotel: Does the King Edward Have a Glorious Future?

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton attempted to put some gas behind the renovation of the King Edward Hotel July 22 when, through the media, he gave his staff about a month to finalize plans to renovate the hotel. Or, he threatened, he would push to have it demolished. "When someone gets off the train at the refurbished Union Station, the first thing they see is the dilapidated King Edward Hotel. It's been an eyesore for years, and something needs to be done with it," Melton told The Clarion-Ledger.

Ricardo Jacobs

Ricardo Jacobs, 24, may not be a native of Jackson, but it's obvious that he loves the city he's called home since the sixth grade. "Jackson is a nice place to live; the people that I've met, I like them," he said, looking me straight in the eye as he went on to say something that took me by surprise somewhat, coming as it did from a young, 21st century black man. "You are ultimately in control of your own life. You can make decisions for yourself. I strongly believe that, and I have no trouble telling people that."

Better Late Than Never

Within weeks of passing a resolution to apologize for lynching, the U.S. Senate is moving to help solve old civil rights cases. U.S. Sens. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., recently announced strong support for their Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act (S. 1369) with 22 cosponsors, including Dodd and Talent, already backing the legislation.

Blogs

Video