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The Curious Case Of Frank Melton
The first federal civil-rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and his former police bodyguard Michael Recio ended Tuesday in a mistrial.
New Challenges
Carolyn Meyers doesn't look much like her predecessor at Jackson State University, Ronald Mason, on paper or in person. The tall, arguably aloof Mason was not a researcher by training, having received his bachelor's and law degrees from Columbia University.
The Tragic Case of the Scott Sisters
Jamie and Gladys Scott arrived at the Mini Mart gas station on Highway 35 in Forest, Miss., sometime between 10:30 and 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1993. It was just after Johnny Ray Hayes and Mitchell Duckworth had stopped in to purchase beer and gas after getting off work at McCarty Farms.
Singing the Broken Pipe Blues
When the water in their sinks and showers slowed to a drip last week, many Jacksonians found their thoughts turning subterranean. Following five days of freezing temperatures, water mains across the city began to burst Sunday, Jan. 10. By Friday, the city had seen more than 150 breaks in its water system. Jackson Public Schools and area colleges were closed most of the week, along with state offices and many businesses.
A Second Chance
When Hinds County animal-control officers pick up a dog, they take it to a temporary shelter at the county Penal Farm in Raymond. The county shelter houses between 700 and 1,000 dogs a year. After a week, most make their way to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League where, more often than not, they are euthanized. A lucky few earn a spot in the county's special program.
'A Safer, Better Hinds County'
Michael Williams believes a good judge should possess empathy. A partner at Davis, Goss & Williams, the Clinton resident is running for Hinds County Court judge for District 3 in the hopes of improving the county he's lived in almost all his life.
111th Congress Sworn In, Burris Left Out
Amid controversy over the Ill. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, Mississippi's congressmen were sworn in to the 111th Congress today. Freshman Republican representative Gregg Harper joins Democrats Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, who won his first full term in November. Roland Burris, embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to take Obama's place, was blocked from taking the seat.
JPS Tutoring Flaws Not Unique
The troubles of a federally funded tutoring program in Jackson Public Schools have a precedent in other states. The program, known as Supplemental Educational Services, promises to boost students at failing schools by paying private companies for after-school help.
Contractor Sues Toyota, Barbour
A Jackson-based contractor is suing Gov. Haley Barbour, the Mississippi Development Authority and Toyota for denying it the opportunity to bid on a lucrative contract for the $1.2 billion Toyota Prius plant in Blue Springs.
JPS Cited For Handling of No Child Left Behind Funds
The Jackson Free Press has obtained Mississippi Department of Education documents that raise concerns about how Jackson Public Schools spent nearly $1.3 million in federal No Child Left Behind funds. In early June of this year, the state education office presented JPS with a report saying JPS "misappropriated federal funds" in its transaction with a tutoring company, Gray & Associates, run by the police chief of Terry.
More Room At the Inn
While plans for a convention-center hotel remain in limbo, downtown Jackson is seeing plenty of hotel development on a smaller scale. Last week, a team of developers that included several Jackson businessmen presented the Jackson Redevelopment Authority with their vision for a 100- to 130-room hotel and residential building at Court and Lamar streets.
How Much Will This Cost Us?
With more oil still to come, gauging the Gulf oil spill's economic impact is a tricky thing. Researchers at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi's Harte Research Institute estimate that the spill puts $1.6 billion worth of economic activity and services at risk for the Gulf region.
Developers Push a Lake for Downtown
UPDATED: December 15, 2009
Jackson developer David Watkins, whose ventures include the King Edward Hotel and the Farish Street entertainment district, unveiled plans for a downtown lake and riverwalk at a media event yesterday. The project, which is still in the early stages of planning, would complement the problematic Two Lakes project for the Pearl River, but its completion would not depend on that development, according to Ben Allen, president of Downtown Jackson Partners, which sponsored the event.
Levee Board Opposes State Takeover Attempt
The Pearl River Levee Board is angry that the Legislature is trying to end-run their authorityand the Flowood mayor accuses one of the members of ethics violations.
Crisler Garners Big-Name Support for Mayoral Race
A number of notable Jacksonians are throwing their support behind Councilman Marshand Crisler in the upcoming mayoral election. Jackson restaurateur Jeff Goodthe finance director of the current mayor's campaignis hosting a fundraiser for Crisler on Dec. 8. In an invitation(doc) to the event, Good mentioned his co-hosts, among them former-Gov. William Winter, former Secretary of State Dick Molpus, businessman Leroy Walker and former Mayor Kane Ditto.
'Criminalizing' Kids
Donte Thompson says he hardly learned anything in alternative school. Forbidden to talk from the moment he stepped on the school bus, Donte did what little work he received using water-damaged, outdated textbooks.
Budget Woes Overshadow City's Needs at Low-Turnout Confab
State budget woes cast a pall over the Jackson Convention Center yesterday, when city leaders solicited the support of state lawmakers over lunch. Hosted by the city's state legislative delegation and featuring a presentation by Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen, the event drew roughly 150 people, with few legislators from outside the capital city among the attendees.
JFP Persons of the Day: Kiara Taylor & Shanna Whitt
A fatal automobile accident claimed the lives of two Tougaloo College freshmen Friday. Kiara Taylor and Shanna Whitt, both of Greenville, were killed when the car Taylor was driving collided head-on with an SUV on North State Street near College Drive. The SUV's driver, Keith Harelson, 35, was conscious when an ambulance transported him to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, WJTV reported. Jackson police have said that alchohol was not involved in the collision.
Music, Fun and The World Cup
Tonight, the place to see and be seen is ArtRemix, the Mississippi Museum of Art's after-hours party. Starting at 5 p.m., the event features live music from Jesse Robinson, Nekisopaya and Will Kimbrough, along with food and drinks. Admission is $25 at the door, $20 for members. The opening ceremonies for The World Cup are also starting tonight and many local bars are offering front row seats to see it on screen. See a listing of World Cup showings here.
Mason Leaving JSU for Southern Univ.
[verbatim from the Mississippi Institutions for Higher Learning]
After a decade leading Mississippi's largest historically black institution, Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr. announced today that he has accepted the position as the next president of the Southern University and A&M College System in Louisiana.