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Winners in Run-offs
Dewayne Thomas and Virginia Carlton were victorious in run-off elections held on Tuesday. Carlton, who was running against Ed Patten for a seat on the court of appeals, took 20, 852 votes to Patten's 17,791, according to figures from WLBT. Thomas, who was running against William Bell for chancery court, took 3,525 votes to Bell's 2,478.
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.
Moore Demands 'Cover-up' Evidence from DA
In response to several desperate motions filed by Sharrod Moore's defense attorney requesting that the DA provide "any and all evidence in his possession regarding a police cover-up," Hinds County Circuit Judge Swan Yerger is delaying the capital murder trial of the 30-year-old, who has now been indicted twice for allegedly killing Jackson police officer Robert J. Washington in 1995. The original trial date was Sept. 15; Yerger has not yet set a new date.
Sen. Horhn Announces Historic Pocahontas Rest Stop
[verbatim statement] Dec. 28, 2006—Eight years of effort finally paid off. State Senator John Horhn announced today that the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has allocated $1.9 Million and begun construction to reestablish a rest area on US Highway 49 just south of the Pocahontas Indian Mound. Benefiting both nearby residents and visitors, the facility will also boast an interpretive center, a small museum, picnic facilities and a jogging trail. Senator Horhn was aided in his efforts by residents of the Pocahontas Community Homeowners' Association.
Medical Mall Teen Summit to Deal with Pregnancy
[Verbatim] Jackson, MS- he Mississippi State Health Department and others will join the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation for a news conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Center Stage of the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center to announce plans and activities for "Empowering Minds, Saving Lives" Teen Summit 2009. Partners will unveil the agenda that helps high school students develop prevention and intervention skills to deal with issues they face on a daily basis. A display of competing projects from high school students about their experience with the issues will also be revealed.
Tougaloo Students Blogging from Inauguration
A group of students from Tougaloo College are blogging inaugural events on Black College Wire. The group of mass communications students are led by professor Eric Stringfellow and plan to produce a special issue about the trip:
MEMA Belatedly Reveals More Shelter Options
The morning after shelters were turning away frustrated evacuees in the Jackson Metro, MEMA put out a release telling people where space was still available. Verbatim:
Parties, Debates, Meetups, Oh My! ... JFP Debuts Political Events Calendar
Just in time for the Big Debate (or Big Deflate as Adam Lynch is calling it since McCain called for a time-out), the JFP has launched both a new Politics Blog, as well as devoted a section of our JFP Events calendar to politics-related listings. Here's the fun part: You can add your own events, from debate watch parties to meetups you want to invite the public to. And regardless of your party. Even if you're a McCain fan (boo, hiss). So bring 'em on, and let's put the fun back into politics.
Soldiers Challenge ‘Stop-Loss' Extensions
AP is reporting:
Eight soldiers are challenging the Army's policy requiring them to serve longer than the terms of their enlistment contracts. In a lawsuit being filed Monday in federal court, the soldiers are seeking a judge's order requiring the Army to immediately release them from service. "The Army made an agreement with me and I expected them to honor it," said David Qualls, one of the plaintiffs. He signed up in July 2003 for a one-year stint in the Arkansas National Guard but has been told he will remain on active duty in Iraq until next year.
Chief Anderson Out; Gerald Jones Interim Chief
[Verbatim from the city] DIFFICULT DECISION LEADS TO CHANGE IN JPD LEADERSHIP
Mayor Frank E. Melton announced Wednesday that he is implementing a change in leadership at the Jackson Police Department. Police Chief Shirlene Anderson has been offered a new position as a special assistant to the Mayor. In this new capacity, Anderson would coordinate all emergency services, including police, fire and disaster response. She would also oversee interagency communications between local, county, state and federal law enforcement.
BREAKING: Judge Won't Rule on Melton Health Today
Full JFP Melton Archive/Blog
District Court Judge Dan Jordan's office has confirmed that he will not rule on Mayor Frank Melton's ability to stand trial next week until Wednesday morning. According to an order, Jordan will "conduct a confidential telephonic conference with all parties" at 8:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve to get the medical opinion of Dr. J. Murray Estess Jr., appointed by the court to comment on Melton's medical condition. He will then issue an order. Read Dr. Estess' vitae here.
Melton Recruiting Young People; Wants $1 Million
WAPT reported yesterday that Mayor Frank Melton wants a last-minute approval from City Council for $1 million for summer youth jobs. WAPT:
Sen. Thad Cochran Key to Democracy ‘Integrity'
A Moveon.org alert/verbatim: During the next few weeks, the integrity of our democracy might well lie in the hands of Mississippi voters. The radical Republican bid to seize absolute power to appoint extreme judges (using a parliamentary maneuver known as the "nuclear option") is nearing a final showdown in the Senate. Democrats are standing united, but to win we must secure at least 6 votes from moderate Republicans. In the end, it will all probably come down to one final swing vote—and that vote may well come from Senator Thad Cochran.
Republicans Choose Black Chairman
The New York Times is reporting:
Feds Allege Melton's Past 'Crimes,' Including Bribery
See U.S. v. Melton filings here.
Chokwe Lumumba to Run for McLemore Council Seat
[Verbatim statement] Friday, December 26, 2008, --- Jackson, MS - The Committee to Elect Chokwe Lumumba will hold a press conference on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 10AM at the Callaway High School, located at 601 Beasley Road, Jackson MS 39206. Lumumba will announce his plan to seek a seat on the city council, representing Ward #2.
Fund Set Up For Hamer Family, Fire Victims
Kirk or Lenora Hamer-Flakes
Authorities say that the fire that destroyed the home of the late civil rights hero Fannie Lou Hamer, reported here Monday, was caused by a space heater that was left on while the Hamers were away. The New Year's Day blaze completely destroyed the home in Ruleville, Miss. Hamer's granddaughter and family, who lived in the home, are now staying in a local motel. A bank account has been set up in Ruleville for those who wish to contribute to the family, who lost everything. You can make checks or money orders payable to:
Boss Queen to Sign New Book Today at 5 p.m.
Sweet Potato Queen hell will break loose today, Jan. 3, at 5 p.m. at Lemuria when Jill Conner Browne signs her new book, ""The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit." Read Kelly Smith's Dec. 26 JFP review of the book here: "From Potty Training to Penii."
Jackson Gets New FBI Head
... and he seems to have a pretty impressive resume. Bets are that he'll stay busy in these parts:
Fred Brink, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and 21-year FBI veteran, today was named the new special agent in charge of the FBI's Jackson Division. Brink is coming to Mississippi from his post as special agent in charge of the FBI's special operations division in New York. Link
LeFleur Lakes Developer Plans to Go Around Corps
The Northside Sun has two intriguing pieces this week for John McGowan's next plan on how to get his LeFleur Lakes development to move ahead, one a slight news piece about a positive (and unscientific) poll on his Web site, and more interesting, a publisher's note by Wyatt Emmerich. He says that McGowan now wants to go around the federal government—and is worried that the new bill to restrict eminent domain in the Legislature will hurt his chances: