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Melton Orders Demolition Blitz
Mayor Frank Melton told department heads he wants a serious re-commitment to house demolition and downtown development in Jackson at a meeting held before members of the press today.
BREAKING: Shake-up in City Administration
Jackson Planning and Development Director Carl Allen and Parks and Recreation Director Ramie Ford are leaving city government, the Jackson Free Press learned Thursday.
Day 2: Many Objections, Eye Witnesses at Melton Trial
After Senior Assistant District Attorney Stanley Alexander finished redirect of Lawrence Cooper Jr. in the felony trial of Mayor Frank Melton Tuesday morning, Judge Joe Webster called a brief recess. When attorneys returned, Webster lectured outside the presence of the jury. "When I rule on something, that's it," Webster warned, saying that it "got a little out of hand" during Cooper's testimony. Tuesday was marked by frequent objections.
Ramie Ford to Head New Department
After a firestorm ripped through Jackson last week after the Jackson Free Press reported that Parks and Recreation Director Ramie Ford might be leaving city government, Mayor Frank Melton said at a press conference Tuesday that he is creating a new city department that Ford will lead.
BREAKING: Invite Suggests Melton Fundraiser for Sheriff Candidate
A document (PDF, 40 KB) received via fax by the Jackson Free Press makes it appear that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is planning a fundraiser at his home for Hinds County Sheriff candidate and city spokesman Tyrone Lewis.
BREAKING: Video of Melton at Upper Level
Last Sunday, the Jackson Free Press broke news that Mayor Frank Melton was out long after bed-time, leading a platoon of about 20 police officers on a raid on the club.
Just in: City Attorney Charges ‘Threats'
<i>City Attorney and Staff Exited Executive Session at Mayor's Request
A statement just came from City Attorney Sarah O-Reilly Evans about the City Council meeting she and others walked out of yesterday, as reported by Adam Lynch yesterday. Verbatim:
BREAKING: Council Cocks the Trigger
The Tuesday night City Council meeting devolved into chaos when council members attempted to read aloud a list of very pointed questions to City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans.
Day 4: Dr. Ellen Melton in Front Row
Photo: Dr. Ellen Melton leaves the courtroom after closing arguments today with city employee Stephanie Parker-Weaver (left). Melton, the wife of the mayor, lives in Texas. Photo by Jaro Vacek. Click to enlarge.
Day 3: Prosecution Rests; Final Arguments Thursday
Reporting by Brian Johnson
The prosecution decided not to bring a rebuttal witness, instead electing to submit another police report instead. (Details of police report to come.) The prosecution rested. The judge announced that final arguments will be at 10 a.m. Thursday. At 8:30 a.m., the judge and attorneys for both sides will meet to discuss final details of the judge's jury instructions.
‘No Damn Trust' Between Council and Mayor
The story will appear in the print edition on Wednesday. Watch for updates after the Tuesday evening Council meeting.
BREAKING: Mother Confirms Evans Welch Arrest
The U. S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested Jackson resident Evans Welch Tuesday morning on an aggravated assault warrant filed by Jackson Police Department homicide detectives at his parents' home on Derrick St., according to a press release sent out by the city of Jackson.
Melton in Meridian Courtroom, Again
Read the original breaking JFP story here.
Day 1: Melton Jury Selected; Opening Statements Begin Tuesday
This story was substantially updated at 8:30 p.m. For further updates, see the comments below or scroll down in the story.
Council Confirms Three Melton Appointments
Jackson City Council voted to confirm three mayoral picks for top city positions this morning. Council members Frank Bluntson, Charles Tillman, Kennneth Stokes, Margaret Barrett-Simon and Marshand Crisler voted to confirm Assistant Chief Vernon Hughes as fire chief with a 4-to-0 vote with Crisler abstaining.
Council Rejects Melvin, Mayor Lashes Out
This story will appear in this week's print edition of the Jackson Free Press.
BREAKING: Melton Appoints Bluntson as Mayor
<i>Photo caption: Acting Mayor Frank Bluntson announces his assumption of duties.
Mayor Frank Melton has appointed Councilman Frank Bluntson as acting mayor by executive order (PDF, 56 KB).
Melton to Devise New Budget
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told City Council members this morning to toss out the current city budget after some members criticized the discord between the mayor and his own budget. He vowed to produce a new budget by tomorrow morning.
BREAKING: Mayor Wants Larkin Withdrawn
Mayor Frank Melton submitted a memorandum to council members (PDF, 118 KB) requesting that they withdraw Jackson Public School Board Vice President Jonathan Larkin's name for re-appointment to the board. The memorandum, signed yesterday by Melton, comes two weeks after council members claimed Chief of Staff Marcus Ward told Larkin that the mayor would not re-submit his name for a seat on the board if Larkin did not vote in favor of a certain contractor for management of the recently passed $150 million JPS bond.
Melton Plan: Cameras and Night Court
Mayor Frank Melton addressed the city's remarkable increase in violent crime with a tour of dazzling technology at the new Technical Operations Center.