All results / Stories / Donna Ladd
BREAKING: Melton Responds to "Batman" Release
The man that Mayor Frank Melton admits being "obsessed" with has been released from jail tonight. He, along with brother Terrell Donelson and James Benton, were acquitted last week of the murder of Aaron Crockett. District Attorney Faye Peterson filed a motion yesterday asking for his release due to weak evidence. She filed documents that show the the primary witness, provided by Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics when Melton was at the helm, is unreliable and perhaps tainted by promises and payments by Melton.
Oh, the Sun, the Sun
Every couple months, I click into the Northside Sun's Web site to look at what their prize-winning columnists are talking about. It's always a mistake—or, better yet, a little humor journey funnier than readin The Onion. Here are a couple of this week's fun bits.
JFP Radio on WLEZ - Noon Friday
Download the show: JFP 7/20/07
Tune in today at noon for the return of Radio JFP on WLEZ, 103.7 FM, or listen online at http://www.wlezfm.com live at noon. The show will be podcast later if you miss it.
Radio JFP to Discuss Melton Interview Noon Friday
Here's a double whammy for y'all. Mayor Frank Melton is slated to appear on Ben Allen's WJNT radio show Friday morning. Then, at noon, the JFP will discuss is comments on our radio show on WLEZ (103.7 FM). Tune in!
Gary Anderson Sends George Dale to the Showers
Democratic challenger Gary Anderson defeated incumbent Insurance Commissioner George Dale 51-49 percent Tuesday night. Dale had mounted his re-election campaign under intense scrutiny for his support of and by the insurance industry in the wake of Katrina. The tort-reform lobby had campaigned heavily for him, saying he was the candidate to counteract "lawsuit abuse" and accusing him of being the candidate for "personal injury lawyers." Many victims of Katrina have sued their insurance companies for trying to pay their policies, in most cases saying they lost their homes due to wind, not water. Because only a slab was left in many cases, policy holders could not point to a water line, as insurance companies said they needed to do. Many people on the Coast are still living in FEMA trailers.
Party Surprises Former Councilman Ben Allen
Supporters of former city Councilman Ben Allen gathered tonight at Bravo! restaurant for a surprise party to honor him for his service. Secretary of state candidate Delbert Hosemann was a primary organizer, and Bravo! owner Jeff Good opened his restaurant specially for the occasion. More details to come Tuesday.
DA Candidate Michele Purvis on Radio JFP Friday
DA candidate Michele Purvis will be the guest on Radio JFP on WLEZ (103.7 FM) Friday at noon. You can also listen to the stream here.
Lester Williams Resigns to Run for Sheriff
[Verbatim from Williams] In a letter sent to the Mayor's office three weeks ago, I indicated I was requesting an extended leave of absence from my position with Community Improvement to more effectively run my campaign for Sheriff of Hinds County. After giving this situation much thought and conferring with my family I have decided to officially resign my position with the City of Jackson effective May 31st, 2007.
Melton Claims ‘Corruption at the Highest Level'
Today, Mayor Frank Melton, who is still in Texas, repeated a refrain to WLBT that he's used in the past:
Hear DA Faye Peterson on Radio JFP
District Attorney Faye Peterson appeared on Radio JFP on WLEZ-FM last Friday. The audio of the show, which focused on criticisms of the D.A., is available here. Click to listen to the show.
Problems at the Polls? Post Here.
Be sure to include which precinct you voted in, what time and even descriptions of the poll worker if you had a serious problem. And, remember to call the secretary of state's office at 800-829-6786 to report problems. Call us here at the Jackson Free Press if you have a really egregious experience and think we should try to get out there: 601.362.6121 ext. 2, 5 or 7.
‘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:
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.
Daily Newspaper Revenue, Readership Declining
No surprise here, but daily newspapers are in trouble. Gannett, which owns The Clarion-Ledger, is showing a dramatic drop in revenue and readership, for instance. The New York Times reports today on how bad it is, and why:
Non-White Population Grows in Mississippi
The Commercial Appeal is reporting:
Ledger: Melton ‘Should Have Learned'
Oh, and they end the thing with this:
In another demonstration of why their newspaper is so awful, The Clarion-Ledger edit-boyz today declared that, now that Judge Webster has thrown out the probation warrants against Melton, that the mayor "should have learned that doesn't mean he can break his parole with impunity." How's that, Ledge? How did a judge from elsewhere throwing out every bit of his parole violations, calling them "technical," send the message to Melton that he cannot "break his parole with impunity"? Are we on the same planet here? Is logic allowed through the front door over there?
Mr. Positive Headed into Second Divorce
I sure am glad I missed the days of Mr. Positive Mississippi into the governor's mansion, although it sure was entertaining enough from a distance. Why is it that people who like to talk about "family values" the most often seem to have the least?