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Communities In Schools
When a 9-year-old third-grade student at Walton Elementary told her teacher that she wanted to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest, her teacher gave her an option. Because the girl did not complete assignments and often disrupted class, the teacher told the young girl she had to behave in class or not participate in the contest. With encouragement and one-on-one talks with Communities In Schools tutors, the student placed third in the essay contest and became a better student, paying more attention in class and being less disruptive.
NOAA Expands Gulf No-Fishing Zone
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday that it is expanding the ban zone on fishing in the Gulf to about 20 percent of the entire Gulf as a result of the continuing jet of oil erupting into the ocean floor off the coast of Louisiana.
Fireman Goes Federal
Former Mobile Command Capt. Sidney Johnson filed an EEOC complaint against the city last week, citing suspicious demotions and transfers in the Jackson Fire Department.
Calling Out Entergy
AARP and the Mississippi Sierra Club say Entergy Mississippi is not being completely honest in describing the reasons for the company's decision to increase customers' rates.
‘Where the Glitch Is'
Bill Gowan wants to make his temporary post on the Hinds County Circuit Court more permanent. Currently serving as a special circuit judge, Gowan hears serious drug and violent-crime cases investigated and prosecuted by the Jackson Enforcement Team, a federally funded program.
[Balko] The Coroners Revolt
Mississippi coroners attempt to defy a ban on disgraced medical examiner Steven Hayne.
Medicaid on Hold?
Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, said he wants the Mississippi Senate to belly up and help the House fund Medicaid.
Commissioners Deny Barbour's Influence
Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller says that a letter from Gov. Haley Barbour to the Public Service Commission asking it to approve an experimental coal plant in Kemper County may have had an unseemly impact on Public Service Commissioners Leonard Bentz' and Lynn Posey's decision to increase the plant's construction-cost cap by $480 million at the request of Mississippi Power Company.
Cyrus Webb Back in Business
Brandon resident Cyrus Webb has a knack for botching public events. In 2006, Webbpresident of Conversations Book Club and the Rankin County Arts Alliancepromised many Jackson metro residents an elegant event presenting Mississippi's Best Awards. Webb told attendeeswho paid $50 per ticketthat the event would include dinner, appearances from notable celebrities such as Morgan Freeman and a fashion event. What he delivered was an evening of disappointment with no celebrities, no food and paltry awards, which Webb printed himself on his personal computer.
Michael Taylor Timeline
Dec. 4, 2005: Allegedly commits armed robbery of Headliners Barber Shop with Fredrica Brunson—also known as Jermaine Butler.
School Board President Stifling Input?
Members of the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees say board President Delmer Stamps is attempting to stifle input from other board members by screening potential agenda items from the board's online agenda.
Boon For The budget?
State Auditor Stacey Pickering could complicate the state's recent $100 million settlement with Microsoft Corp.
[City Buzz] no. 11 November 29 - December 6
The Dog Ate It
The city is off to a late start with its lobbying efforts, according to Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, who chided the executive branch Monday for not having its legislative package together by the Nov. 27 legislative committee meeting.
Eaves Pushing For Prayer
In a Tuesday press conference at the state Capitol, Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves introduced a plan to legally re-introduce prayer into public schools.
More Voters, More Problems
Voting was not a perfect affair in Mississippi this week, especially with almost 190,000 newly registered voters swarming to the polls this Election Day.
A Fire Chief At Last?
The city of Jackson may be getting a fire department chief after about two years of stalling. Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said he will be bringing Assistant Chief Vernon Hughes up for a confirmation vote next week.
Bashing Sodas and Saving Schools
The 90-day legislative session will creep past the halfway mark this week, and the clock ticks on plenty of legislative efforts, including the deadline to except or trash fiscal-year 2011 appropriation and revenue bills.
No More Overtime; Recio Pay Dropped
Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin says he has limited overtime to special-event staffing only.
Up In Smoke
City budget woes are keeping the heat on firefighters and stoking fiction between Interim Chief Todd Chandler and some firefighters.
JSU Employee Alleges Harassment
Office Manager Kushuantia L. Jones is suing Jackson State University and JSU Communications Director Anthony Dean for sexual harassment. In her circuit court filing (PDF, 575 MB), Jones claims that through most of 2005, Dean made repeated unwanted requests for sex. Dean allegedly "slid his hand down her back into her pants lifting her underwear and asked, 'What color underwear are you wearing?'" He scheduled late meetings to get her alone, and he once offered to perform oral sex on his desk, according to Jones. At least twice, Dean exposed himself to Jones, once gesturing at his genitals and asking, "Can you handle this?"