City's Crime Numbers Still Down Despite Shooting
Yesterday, the Jackson Police Department released ComStat crime figures for the week of Sept. 14 through Sept. 20. The report shows that major crime statistics in Jackson dropped again last week, although violent crimes rose from the previous week. Total major crimes this year are a scant 0.2 percent down from last year's numbers.
JSU Hazing Suspensions Have Consequences
Yesterday, Jackson State University announced that 45 members of the school's Sonic Boom of the South are suspended due to an alleged hazing incident that resulted in a student's fractured collar bone. Without those percussion members, the band may be unable to perform at all.
Mississippi Casino Revenue Still Declining
For an industry that was once considered recession-proof, Mississippi casinos continue to see their revenues slide. For August, the Mississippi State Tax Commission reports a drop of 9 percent over July, with gambling establishments around the state reporting total revenues of $206 million. In August of 2008, winnings totaled $238.2 million.
Roger Wicker
Passed by a 68-to-30 Senate vote, an amendment authored by Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, mandates that Amtrak allow passengers to carry handguns in their checked baggage. The amendment is an addition to a $122 billion housing and transportation bill, of which $1.2 billion is for Amtrak, and would deny funding for the carrier if it doesn't comply by March 2010.
Partnership Brings Free Dental Care to Kids
Approximately 400 students in two of Jackson's elementary schools will be receiving dental screenings today and tomorrow through the Colgate "Bright Smiles/Bright Futures" mobile van. The van, which is in Jackson in partnership with the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation and the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, will be at Brown Elementary School today and at Smith Elementary School tomorrow between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Editorial Takes Dim View of Katrina Recovery Fund Diversions
An editorial in yesterday's New York Times looked askance at the way the federal government has allowed Mississippi to divert funds from disaster aid meant to assist moderate and low-income people on the coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina more than four years ago. In Mississippi's Failure the Times writes about a report from the Steps Coalition, "Hurricane Katrina: Has Mississippi Fallen Further Behind?" which JFP Assistant Editor Lacey McLaughlin mentioned in a story we published Sept. 2.
Jackson One of 20 Strongest-Performing Markets
A new report issued by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., ranks Jackson as one of the nation's strongest-performing metro areas in the country. The MetroMonitor report tracks the recession and its recovery, and examined the 100 largest metropolitan areas for the second quarter of 2009.
Jackson Man Arrested at Grow House
Called an "elaborate marijuana growing operation" by authorities, Hinds County sheriff's deputies, Jackson police, and federal and state drug agents arrested Zachary Alexander, 33, on Friday, seizing 86 plants. According to the Associated Press, the pot plants, which Alexander was growing under ultraviolet lights in his home on Naples Street, are valued at $325,000.
Shoestring ‘Conversation' Focused on Solutions
Diving into state and city challenges, panelists at last night's annual Operation Shoestring fund-raising dinner brought the issues to light along with potential solutions. The diverse crowd listened attentively to "A Conversation About Community," as each panelist offered his or her unique life experience to forward the discussion.
Public-Good Rankings Include Mississippi Schools
Washington Monthly magazine has published college rankings based on their contribution to the public good. The listings include several Mississippi universities and colleges, and are based on three broad categories: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs), and service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).
Robert Langford
Jackson's Operation Shoestring on Bailey Avenue represents the opportunity for the city's children and families to break out of cycles of poverty through education. The organization's mission is about empowerment and making a difference, and Executive Director Robert Langford is dedicated to providing quality programs to enrich and broaden the perspectives of the kids Operation Shoestring touches.
Flu Continues to Take a Toll
The Mississippi Department of Health reports that the numbers for the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continue to rise in the state. As of yesterday, the confirmed cases total 839, including five deaths. The latest death occurred in Tippah County.
Crisis Line Training Available
CONTACT the Crisis Line, a volunteer interfaith telephone ministry in operation since 1971, is starting a training class for new volunteers tomorrow, Sept. 17, from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. The 13-week training runs until mid-December, with a break for Thanksgiving.
Daniel McMullen
Eighteen-year FBI veteran Daniel McMullen is the new special agent in charge (SAC) of the FBI's Jackson Division, moving from his most recent position in Los Angeles where he was SAC for criminal matters. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller appointed McMullen to replace SAC Frederick T. Brink, who recently retired.
Gasoline Tax Hike Proposed
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is considering requesting a possible increase of 5-cent per gallon to the state's gasoline tax to bolster the department's budget for new roads and existing road maintenance, reports WLOX. The new tax would be an addition to the state's current 18-cent tax.
Most-Endangered Places List Includes Jackson and Raymond Sites
The Mississippi Heritage Trust has unveiled its 2009 list of the 10 most-endangered places. This year's list includes the Hinds County Armory in Jackson and the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Raymond.
Public Meetings This Week
Monday, Sept. 14
4 p.m., Jackson City Council, special meeting in the City Hall council chambers, 219 S. President St.
Barbour Hosts Small Business Forum
Gov. Haley Barbour will host a small business forum at the Jackson Convention Complex tomorrow from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. The topic of the forum will include how health care and energy affect small business, reports WAPT.
Weekend Happenings
Save Saturday night for the animals at Jackson Zoo's annual Zoo Party. This year's theme is "Malaysian Magic," and proceeds from the event go to the restorations and expansion of the zoo's Asian area. This year's co-hosts are the JFP's own Donna Ladd and Todd Stauffer. A dozen of Jackson's finest restaurants will be serving their best; True to Life will be providing the tunes, and between the silent auction and raffle, you're sure to take home a treasure.
Senate Youth Program Accepting Applications
[verbatim] The Mississippi Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 48th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Two Mississippi high school student government leaders will each receive a $5,000 one-time scholarship and a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. as guests of the United States Senate. The USSYP is underwritten entirely by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
Marcy Nessel
Fischer Galleries on North State Street in Fondren has a steady, knowledgeable hand at the helm in art enthusiast Marcy Fischer Nessel. The gallery opened last November, after Nessel's former partner, James Patterson, returned to photography full time, but she's been part of the Jackson art scene for about 12 years, representing artists and helping get them established. Tonight, the gallery features art from the HeARTworks program at Stewpot Community Services.
Chaney Denies Rate Increase
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has temporarily denied a 45 percent rate increase for homeowners on the Gulf Coast, saying that he needs additional information. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. requested the increase for the state's three coastal counties earlier this month.
A Very Good Policy
When Susan Marquez bought health insurance for her daughter, Nicole, she was thinking about covering Nicole's annual gynecological exams and making sure she could get a flu shot.
Jarvis Dortch
Since 2006, Jarvis Dortch has worked as a communications coordinator for the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, which aims to improve health care for all Mississippians, "especially those whose health is threatened by poverty, racism, malnutrition and violence."
Relevancy of Roots
Modern roots music has hit a creative low in recent years. Artists have shown decreasing concern for progressing the genre, focusing instead on "authenticity." The Felice Brothers are a challenge to this turn-back-the-clock mindset.
PSC Revokes TelCom Certificates
The Mississippi Public Service Commission announced yesterday that it has revoked the certificates of 53 telecommunications companies to do business in the state. The companies have failed to provide the PSC and the State Tax Commission with required annual reports detailing their business activities in the Magnolia state.
Dr. Aaron Shirley
Dr. Aaron Shirley is challenging those opposed to a government-run public health plan to put their convictions where their mouths are. Shirley says that if they believe what they're saying, they should burn their Medicare cards. "I want to have a demonstrationBoston Tea Party-likeand burn those cards," Shirley told The Washington Times.
Free Paternity Tests Offered
In an effort to increase child support collections, the Mississippi Department of Human Services is offering free paternity tests this month. DNA testing to prove whether a man is a child's father normally run between $300 and $500 dollars, with additional fees for an attorney's assistance more than doubling the cost.
Weekend Happenings
Tonight starts the long weekend Labor Day weekend for most of us, with Monday an official federal holiday. Get the weekend off to a rockin' or rappin' start by heading out for some live entertainment. The choices are numerous, as you'll see when you check the JFP Music Listings page, for the city's most complete list of who's playing where. Tonight, head to 930 Blues Cafe for the incomparable Jackie Bell, or over to Schimmel's for dinner and the music of Dr. D. The Auditorium features Larry Brewer, and Ole Tavern hosts Glasgow and Waco Dead. There are plenty more options, including karaoke, DJs and open mics.
Health Fair Today
A health fair to fight obesity is happening today from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall. Sponsored by Community Outreach for Health Awareness, participants will have access to free blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) screenings, along with nutritional and fitness demonstrations. Black Entertainment Television (BET) will be filming at the fair for an upcoming documentary on obesity in Mississippi.
Red Cross Wants You to Be Prepared
When an emergency strikes, will you and your family be prepared for it? September is national Preparedness Month, and the Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross wants to remind everyone about the importance of being ready when an crisis strikes, whether the emergency is a heart attack or a hurricane. Knowing what to do can save lives.
Health-Care Events in Jackson
Two health-care reform events will take place in Jackson tonight and tomorrow representing the opposing viewpoints of the reform debate.
Ted Duckworth
Ted Duckworth, owner of Duckworth Realty in Jackson, has been the driving force behind millions of dollars worth of development in the city. Graduating from Mississippi State University in 1988 with a degree in real estate and mortgage finance, Duckworth, 42, started his company the following year.
Health Department Urges Measures to Curb Flu's Spread
With the second death in Mississippi from the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, the state Department of Health is urging parents to teach children the basics of good hygiene. To date, Mississippi has confirmed 586 cases and two deaths, which is not outside the realm of normal flu deaths. Nationwide, about 36,000 Americans die from flu and complications from the illness every year.
Jackson Public Meetings and Community Events
Tuesday, Sept. 1
4:30 p.m., U.S. Small Business Administration clinic to discuss SBA's guaranty loan program, Regions Plaza, 210 E. Capitol St., 601-965-4378 ext. 11.
PBS Cancels Childrens' Shows
The Public Broadcasting System, PBS, announced Friday that they will stop distribution on two long-running childrens' television programs: "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Reading Rainbow." The programs began airing in 1968 and 1983, respectively.
All Shook Up: Jam-Packed Weekend Ahead
End August by doing something good for Mississippi's youth. Tonight, attend the "Rise Above for Youth" benefit dinner and silent auction at the Safe Harbor Family Church, starting at 5 p.m. Or, if the words "swine flu" have you all shook up, get the facts on prevention and a prognosis for the future from Dr. Paul Buyers at Belhaven College at 6 p.m. Find more details on those events and more on the JFP Events Calendar. If your thoughts head more toward an after-work drink and live music, the place to check is the JFP Music Listings page, for the city's most complete list of who's playing where.
Katrina: Four Years and Billions Later, Work Remains
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina roared inland from the Gulf of Mexico, virtually flattening the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In New Orleans, the storm proved what experts already knew: The city's levees were inadequate in the face of Katrina's wrath, leaving 80 percent of the city flooded. In the end, the storm displaced more than 1 million people and killed 1,836. The estimated economic impact totaled more than $81 billion.
Ole Miss Tweets for Energy Savings
The University of MississippiOle Misshas teamed with Jackson company SmartSynch as part of its "Red, Blue and Green" initiative, moving the university toward energy sustainability, which includes water and energy conservation, waste minimization, recycling and more. SmartSynch is in the process of connecting their "smart" meters with social networking tools, including Twitter, Facebook and RSS, to allow the school to monitor and analyze energy consumption, providing a basis for changing behavior and realizing energy savings.
BOOM Jackson Hot Off the Presses
The Jackson Free Press is proud to announce the second annual edition of BOOM Jackson magazine. Billed as a "love-letter to Jackson," the publication is a full-color, high-quality, 84-page publication distributed throughout the city, targeted to visitors and those looking at Jackson to move their families or businesses into the area.
State Unemployment Tops 10 Percent
More than one out of every 10 Mississippians was officially unemployed in July138,100 individualsaccording to new data released by the state Department of Employment Security, with the state's unadjusted rate hitting 10.5 percent. Three counties reported jobless rates over 20 percentJefferson, Holmes and Claywhile two others pushed toward that high-water mark. Claiborne and Noxubee County reported a 19.1 percent and 19.5 percent unemployment rate, respectively.
Sen. Kennedy Dead at 77
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77, died early today of a brain tumor. Kennedy served in the U.S. Senate since 1962, when he took the seat held by his brother, John F. Kennedy, when John Kennedy became president, and held the seat for nearly 50 years.
Innocent Man Freed; Shabby Prosecutor Now a Judge
Bernard Baran served 22 years on dubious child molestation charges, yet the prosecutor who convicted him isn't even inconvenienced.
Political Parties Neck-and-Neck in Mississippi
Mississippi is the second-most conservative state in the union, according to a poll released last week. The Republican Party, however, holds only a one-percentage point lead over Democrats in the state, which is statistically insignificant.
Extreme Makeover Coming to Jackson
Producers of the ABC television show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," are seeking deserving Jackson families to feature on the show. To be eligible, a family must own their single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.
Town Hall Meeting in Jackson Tonight
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi's Democratic congressman from the state's Second Congressional District, will host a town-hall meeting in Jackson tonight. The meeting, providing an opportunity for constituents to get their questions answered about the health-care reform measures being debated in the U.S. Congress, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Stringer Grand Lodge, 1072 J.R. Lynch St. in Jackson.
Ready for the Weekend Jackson?
If you can't find entertainment in Jackson this weekend, you're just not looking. Start the weekend right by heading to the Underground 119 grand opening, starting with a happy hour at 4 p.m. Take a look at the feature story about the restaurant for a menu and more information. Also tonight is the Harbor House annual fundraiser at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, kicking off at 6 p.m. and featuring art from some of Jackson's finest artists. If neither of those events make you happy, see the other options listed on the JFP Events Calendar and Best Bets.
Ben Payton
Ben Wiley Payton, 62, grew up with the Mississippi blues. The Coila, Miss. native listened to his grandmother, Mabel Johnson, playing gospel music on piano, and his uncle, Joe Birch, picking the blues on guitar.
Film Company Casting in Mississippi
If you've had dreams of gracing the silver screen, Cypress Moon Productions may be able to grant your wish. Today and tomorrow, the Alabama-based film company is holding casting calls for an upcoming production of "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" in Mississippi.
Jonathan Sims
Industrial technology may not be a subject you immediately connect with an artist, but for 29-year-old Jonathan Sims, metalworking is an essential part of his craft. Sims, artist in residence and director of art events at the Commons Gallery, will be featured on "Mississippi Happenings," tonight at 7 p.m. on WLEZ, 100.1 FM, Jackson's community radio station.