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South Jackson May See Overcrowded Classrooms
An influx of new students in South Jackson could prompt a disorienting shuffle of students between area elementary schools. Officials for Jackson Public Schools are projecting an enrollment of 30,933 students this year. That represents an increase of 346, with much of the rise coming from a new housing development in South Jackson. The development, located near Raymond and McDowell Roads, is zoned for Woodville Heights Elementary School.
Hinds Drops Regional Jail
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last Tuesday to end its efforts to build a regional jail, after spending more than $400,000 on acquiring land and designing the facility. The jail would have housed 300 state inmates and 100 county inmates, but Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps revealed to board President George Smith last week that the state had no need for additional beds. The state currently has 600 fewer inmates this year than it did in 2008.
House Tries Budget Restoration, Again
The Mississippi House of Representatives has sent the Senate a second proposal to restore some state budget cuts, while negotiators attempt to reach a compromise on an earlier proposal. The House plan passed by a wide margin Thursday morning, and the full Senate could take it up when it reconvenes tomorrow.
Mixed-Use at JSU, Fondren Market, County PR
Jackson State University is seeking retailers for a four-story mixed-use development on track to open this fall. One University Place will host 78 apartments on its top three floors. JSU's Center for University-Based Development is currently soliciting potential retail tenants for the building's ground floor, director Kimberly Hilliard said. The Center hosted an open house for retailers last week.
Nick's Restaurant Opens in Fondren
Longtime Jackson favorite Nick's Restaurant is re-opening Saturday, Jan. 2 in a new mixed-use development at 3000 Old Canton Road in Fondren. After 26 years on Lakeland Drive in Jackson, owner Nick Apostle decided to move his namesake restaurant when he realized it would be cheaper than closing for three months while he renovated the old location.
Supes OK Jackson Road Projects
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors gave advance approval today for county public-works crews to do routine maintenance work in the city of Jackson. The board passed Supervisor Peggy Calhoun's motion to let the county Public Works Department do any work taking less than two days without getting explicit board approval.
Regions Plaza Facelift, Steam Room Grille Moves
Regions Plaza downtown is set to begin $1 million in improvements this month. The Hertz Investment Group is updating fixtures and floors in the building to help attract new tenants. Duckworth Realty, which has managed the building for Hertz since late 2009, has brought on four new tenants recently, including Disability Rights Mississippi and Hayes Dent Public Strategies.
State Courts Face Spring Shutdown
State lawmakers received an unwelcome surprise yesterday, when Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller revealed that the state court system is set to run out of money in April.
Barbour Delays Further Budget Cuts
Gov. Haley Barbour canceled a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. this morning at which he was expected to announce additional state budget cuts for this fiscal year. A press release confirming the cancellation said that Barbour "continues to analyze budget options."
Independent Woman
Peggy Calhoun's office in the Hinds County Circuit Court building has a big window overlooking Pascagoula Street and Jackson's City Hall. It's a privileged perch. Most of her fellow Hinds County supervisors have offices across the street in the County Chancery Court building. That distance is fitting for a woman who prizes her independence.
JPD Investigating Officer for Michelle Obama Comments
The Jackson Police Department is conducting an internal investigation of one of its officers for "conduct unbecoming of an officer" during First Lady Michelle Obama's visit last week, according to a department statement released yesterday.
Show to Go On Without Sweet Potato Queens
Mal's St. Paddy's Parade founder Malcolm White told the Jackson Free Press today that he has not spoken to Sweet Potato Queens founder and author Jill Conner Browne about her plans to move the Queens' part of the annual parade to Ridgeland next year. "She's totally in charge of that: she made the announcement; she made the decision," White said. "I know probably less than you do. I have not talked with her; I don't have any details."
Mike Huckabee Criticizes Government Emergency Assistance
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee used his address at Salvation Army's annual dinner in Jackson last night to criticize the role of government in assisting in emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. "Frankly, I'd rather see the kind of help that people need come through a relief agency than necessarily just come in a check in the mailbox from the government," Huckabee told reporters before the dinner.
Hinds DA: Castle Doctrine Has Gray Areas
Mississippi's "castle doctrine" law, which allows for the use of deadly force in certain self-defense situations, has some gray areas, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith acknowledged in a community meeting yesterday.
Melton Trial To Proceed As Normal, Judge Says
See JFP's full Melton Blog/Archive here.
Feds to Pay Recio's Legal Fees
The federal government will take up the burden of Michael Recio's mounting legal expenses. Cynthia Stewart, Recio's attorney, requested that the court appoint her as a public defender, and yesterday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson granted her request. Recio is the former bodyguard of Mayor Frank Melton, and is Melton's co-defendant in a federal case based on their roles in the 2006 destruction of a Ridgeway Street duplex.
Ward 1 Challenger Drops Out
Physician Jonathan S. Jones announced today that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the Ward 1 City Council seat currently held by Jeff Weill. In a statement, Jones, who was running as a Republican, said that he is dropping out because of the "difficult constraints placed on municipal primary elections."
Recio To Stand Trial Next Week
The civil rights trial of Jackson police officer Michael Recio will proceed next week, despite requests by federal prosecutors for a postponement after the death of Mayor Frank Melton. Prosecutors will formally drop their charges against Melton later this week.
Jackson Gets a Taste of the Caribbean
The hungry downtown crowd has spicy new option for lunch, thanks to husband and wife duo Richard and Chandra Higgins. The two opened up Taste of the Island Caribbean Take-Out June 22, and the restaurant has already developed a thriving customer base. Chandra, a native Jacksonian, spoke to the Jackson Free Press in between lunch rushes about opening a business downtown.
Feds: Melton Jury's Racial Makeup is Not a Factor
Also see: Full JFP Melton Blog/Archive/Trial Documents
Federal prosecutors argued Monday that concerns about racial demographics of the jury pool for Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's upcoming federal re-trial should not factor into the jury selection process.