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Decor and Donations
Red Square Clothing Co. (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9004, Ridgeland, (601) 853-8960) used holiday decorations in the store to raise money for a good cause.
Superintendent Search Update
Jackson Public Schools could have a new superintendent as early as the middle of 2012. Representatives from Ray and Associates, the consulting firm that will lead the search for the new superintendent, presented the board with a suggested timeline Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Wendell Watts
Jackson Police Department's Precinct 4 Commander Wendell Watts' uncle, Wayne Black, told him that he could expect one of two things to happen when he began his law enforcement career. "He said I would either love the career and it would be all I wanted to do, or I would hate it and quit but respect those who did the job," Watts says.
Steve Guyton
Steve Guyton, 63, has been involved in Mississippi politics for more than 40 years. He has worked on numerous campaigns and with countless public officials including Sen. Roger Wicker, former Rep. Chip Pickering and Rep. Gregg Harper. Guyton is currently the shared congressional staffer for congressmen Wicker and Pickering. His duty is helping students nominated by congressmen get into military academies such as the United States Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.
Shae Goodman-Robinson
Shae Goodman-Robinson's life is centered in west Jackson. She was born and raised in the area. Her parents, Alex and Lula Goodman, still live in her childhood home, and her children (son, Cornelius, 17, and daughter, Tori, 16) attend Jim Hill High School, her alma mater.
Francine Brookins
Francine Brookins thinks education and salvation are the most important institutions in young lives. Brookins believes that it is important to reach out to youth in increasing religious awareness. "When you are a kid," she says, "you don't think about your relationship with God."
Domestic Violence: Health Crisis?
Twenty-four American women and men will become victims of intimate-partner violence in the minute it will take you to read this story. If it takes you two minutes, the number jumps to 48.
Ronnie Agnew
On Sundays, Ronnie Agnew and his eight brothers and sisters piled into his father's 1967 Buick LeSabre and headed to church. "My mom and dad were very religious," he says. They didn't let the kids watch a lot of TV, but they watched "Sesame Street" when it hit Mississippi Educational Television in 1970.
Jason Meeks
For a locksmith like Jason Meeks, security is everything. His work's purpose is to keep people, their belongings and their property safe.
Group Plans Westin Hotel Downtown
Joseph Simpson wants to build a luxury hotel in downtown Jackson near the federal courthouse and re-open the Iron Horse Grill a few blocks away. He briefly described his development projects to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority board yesterday during the group's regular meeting. His intention is to get $15 million in bonds from the JRA to help fund the projects.
Council Approves Tax Abatements for Companies
It's no secret that Jackson needs businesses inside the city limits to pay taxes and provide jobs and services. But at a City Council meeting earlier this week, council members debated whether the city is reaping enough economic benefits to make some business tax exemptions worthwhile.
Ben Ellard
Last week Ben Ellard assisted a victim through the court system so she could get a protective order against her abusive husband. The woman's spouse had prevented her from having her cell phone, car or friends.
Dr. Aaron Shirley
Blackburn Middle School will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. They were recently chosen to receive federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resource Service Administration. With the help of Dr. Aaron Shirley, who cultivated the grant proposal, Blackburn will be able to open a new clinic, purchase equipment for the clinic and hire workers. In addition to providing health care, funds will help supply rewards for use at participating food markets to help children and families with healthy eating habits while at home. Other needs will be assessed for use of the grant money.
Leron Jackson
When people told Leron Jackson he couldn't make it, he never believed them. "Knowing about the things I went through inspires people to go out and do great things," he says, "The work grew on me and made me the person I am today. I'm happy my mother got me out there."
8 Toddler Pitfalls to Avoid Christmas Morning
Regardless of your nostalgic, Christmas-morning-frenzy memories, you'll quickly learn that a no-holds-barred approach doesn't go over well with your toddler--especially on the most anticipated morning of the year. Don't wing it Christmas morning. Get a game plan together now so that your entire family can enjoy the holidays without going into meltdown mode.
Tamu Green
Tamu ("sweet" in Swahili) Green speaks with enthusiasm and conviction about his vision for Mississippi. Like a proud parent of a star athlete showing off his trophies, he walks between unopened boxes in his new office in Ridgeland. He describes how the computer equipment and robotics gear will be used for young people.
Megan Voos
Almost eight years ago, Megan Voos found herself at a crossroads. She finished a lengthy term as a youth pastor in the San Francisco Bay area but was unsure of what to do next. Then, a friend's 8-year-old child told her, "You should move to Mississippi with us." She gave it a try, planning to stay for one year. The city of Jackson captured her heart.
Council: Take Any, All Action Regarding TCI
The TCI-owned land across from the Jackson Convention Center may soon belong to the city, depending on what action officials take.
Andrea Jones
Andrea Jones has always enjoyed teaching. "I've always been some type of educator. I like to gain knowledge then share it," she said.
Cesar Vazquez
Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Cesar Vazquez never thought he'd be working in the United States. The 25-year-old traveled a lot as a child, living for short amounts of time in Esfahan, Iran and Frankfurt, Germany. Vazquez has always liked to travel and experience different cultures, and that interest brought him to Mississippi two years ago.