Jackson Jambalaya

The AP's Jeff Amy reported in the Sun-Herald that contribution rates for PERS will increase:

Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement.

Top-heavy is the verdict Steve Wilson gave for JPS over at Mississippi Matters.  He reported:

WAPT and Pippa Jackson of the Animal Rescue Fund did their good deed of the day yesterday.

JPD issued the following statement. 

One more tree fell in the the Lamar Adams Ponzi scheme wreckage.  A victim sued Pinnacle Trust Monday in Madison County Chancery Court but withdrew the lawsuit without prejudice Wednesday.  Pinnacle Trust was the trustee of her trust.  She accused Pinnacle of investing her money in the timber scam several years after it advised its clients not to invest in the same scam. 

UMMC issued the following statement. 

A Madison County grand jury indicted four men for dog fighting last month. Madison County deputies busted the ring on November 4, 2017 after receiving an anonymous tip.

The Jackson Public School District updated its list of projects that will be funded by the proposed $65 million bond issue.  The list is posted below. It appears that most of the projects are long-neglected maintenance.  The "fact sheet" claims that it will not "cause any increase in taxes paid by homeowners."  However, the taxes of Jackson homeowners will decrease five mills if there is no bond issue. 

In a 5-4 decision that strangely crossed traditional judicial ideological lines, the Supreme Court last week brought online sales and use tax law fairness to mom-and-pop merchants on Main Street who had long been at a seven percent price disadvantage in Mississippi in competition with out-of-state online retailers.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon at 2:30 in the Ceremonial Room at City Hall to discuss "leadership changes" at JPD.  It appears JPD will get a new chief.  

The Jackson Public School District hauled in a record amount of property taxes in 2017 even though student enrollment continued to decline.   The annual audit states that JPS collected $95.4 million in property taxes while  enrollment fell to 26,206 students.

A Clinton man arrested for child pornography last month killed himself last Thursday. Police found the body of 73 year-old Terry Baum in the back yard of his Clinton home. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hinds County tried to give $55,000 to the Jackson Zoo yet the money sits in the city of Jackson's coffers instead of going to the zoo.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering will resign to become the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board.  The Clarion-Ledger reported this afternoon:

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some real Jackson history is posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section as you enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

The Eudora Welty Library might have new owners.  The Hinds County Board of Supervisors offered to purchase the building from the City of Jackson. Board President Mike Morgan stated in a June 20 letter addressed to Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the City Council:

Congressional District Candidate Whit Hughes penned the following letter to  voters in the 3rd District. 

Faith and family have always driven my decision-making. That certainly was the case with my entry into this Congressional race. But, honestly, a good bit of my motivation also has to do with that I feel the same way so many Mississippians do about how we handle politics.

JPD issued the following statements this morning. 

A British SAS soldier took on six Taliban members in a tunnel in the dark. The Daily Star (U.K.) reported:

"If you get where you are going, where are you going to be? Where does the road you are traveling on take you just now?" asked the late Dr. Frank Pollard in this 1990 sermon.  Enjoy it if you can't make it to church this morning.

"The defense authorization act is one of the most consequential bills that Congress considers each year," wrote Sen. Roger Wicker in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. "I championed several provisions in this year’s bill to advance our defense strategy and support the role that Mississippi plays in our national defense."

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement.

The JPS $65 bond issue will apparently cost five mills if it is approved.  JPS revealed the amount of the millage at the April 15 meeting of the School Board.

Former JPD Commander James McGowan posted this message on Facebook Thursday:

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves finally appointed a receiver to handle the Lamar Adams assets in S.E.C. v. Lamar Adams et al.  The winner is.....

Downtown Jackson Partners Presidente issued the following statement.

Somehow the driver survived.  WLBT posted this video.

Accused child molester Christopher Patton might get out out of jail after Judge Tomie Green reduced his bond due to a lack of indictment.  Christopher Patton was a Jackson Public Schools Bus Driver who was arrested for allegedly committing sexual assault against an elementary school student in early December.  WLBT reported he was charged with gratification of lust and sexual battery.

JPD issued the following statement. 

The Supreme Court reversed itself and ruled that state internet sales taxes are legal.  The vote was 5-4. Read it and weep. 

Never let it be said that Ridgeland is a quitter.  The Board of Alderman approved a Costco gas station this week. The Mississippi Business Journal reported:

Senator Roger Wicker, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Representative Stephen Pallazzo issued the following statement.

Some parents take things waaaaaaaaaaay too seriously.

Video of the short but emotional hearing is posted below. 

So said Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill as he sentenced  Loran Blackwell to spend the rest of her life behind bars for participating in the murder of 81 year-old Lee Kendrick in 2015.  Judge Weill told the self-admitted prostitute "You, Loran Danielle Shell-Blackwell, are devoid of conscience."  A jury convicted her last week of capital murder. 

The Board of the Jackson Zoological Society held its first public meeting yesterday.   WJTV reported:

The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement.

For voters, the June 26 primary runoff elections are unfortunately looking like low turnout, low interest affairs that don’t promise much to voters in terms of the opportunity to substantially change their ballot choices in the Nov. 6 general election.

Don't move......

So how many times has this water line on Kings Highway been repaired?

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said at his weekly press conference yesterday that local non-profit company One Voice will lead a campaign to drum up public support for the JPS bond referendum.  The $65 million bond referendum is scheduled to take place on August 7.  Mayor Lumumba said it was "an opportunity to raise money without taxes going up." 

Mississippi real estate investor Ivan Spinner became the sixth real estate investor to plead guilty in connection with the ongoing investigation into bid rigging at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Mississippi, the Department of Justice announced.

Full disclosure- I did not vote for Donald Trump in the primary. I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about voting for him in the general election either. At that point, I was not 100% certain that he was the president I wanted, but I voted for him anyway.

On June 8th, Robert McElvaine wrote a piece for the Clarion Ledger titled, “Is this the president you want?” and asked readers to put aside party affiliation and who you voted for in 2016 while he lists his negative opinions about the man; implying Trump supporters were too stupid or too mesmerized by Trump to think about such things clearly.

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some real Jackson history is posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section as you enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement. 

Jackson voters will decide on August 7 whether to approve a $65 million bond issue for the Jackson Public School District.  The Jackson City Council approved placing the referendum on the ballot on August 11.  The vote was unanimous.

Loren Shell Blackwell screamed at prosecutors as Judge Weill pronounced her guilty of capital murder in the death of 81 year-old Lee Kendrick.   WAPT posted exclusive video of the scene on its website.

If you can't make it to church this morning,  enjoy this beautiful Father's Day Sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson) in 1997.

Trump tariffs and retaliatory tariffs are no big deal for Mississippi say key Republican leaders. "Everything will work out," is their mantra.

Nothing like remastered Led Zeppelin live on a Saturday night. Enjoy.

Local social media influencer Othor Cain urged Jacksonians to support the $65 million school bond referendum scheduled to take place in August. Mr. Cain wrote on Facebook yesterday:

Rednecks gonna redneck.  This 2017 video has it all.

The accused killer of 6 year-old Kingston Frazier is in prison.  Byron McBride, Jr.  was convicted in Holmes County of non-residential burglary.  His sentence is two years.  

Rankin County Circuit Judge John Emfinger denied a convicted baby-killer's petition to restore his gun rights last month.

The trials of David Landrum continue after a Chancellor said he committed some fraud while trying to move progress along in one of his developments in Madison County.

Much has been made about the deteriorating area around the Jackson Zoo.  WLBT took a deeper dive into the mess and started naming the landowners:

Update: WE GOT A TAPE!!!

 


Attorney Bridgette Morgan claims she was fired from her Hinds County Public Defender position because she qualified to run against Hinds County Court Judge Melvin Priester, Sr.  Ms. Morgan made the allegation in lawsuit that was filed today in U.S. District Court.   The defendants are Hinds County and  Chief Public Defender Michelle Purvis Harris.

Attorney Warren Martin issued the following statement. 

The "Million Dollar Bonds" should be the nickname for the proposed issue of JPS bonds for $65 million since the proposed professional service fees will be $1.1 million.  Rankin County's bond fees for a $100 million sale was slightly over $300,000.  The notorious Siemens deal only had fees of $640,000 even though the bond issue was $90 million.  However, JPS bonds must be really special because everyone is getting paaaiiiiiid on this deal.  JJ obtained a schedule of the fees through a public records request.  Read them and weep.

The Executive Director of the West Rankin Utility Authority recommended building a wastewater treatment plant Monday.  West Rankin uses the City of Jackson's Savanna wastewater treatment plant.

Pelahatchie Mayor Ryshonda Beechem blasted the Board of Aldermen and a city employee in a Facebook live video posted Monday afternoon.  She posted the video in response to a Board meeting held that night that was not called until that same afternoon.  The Mayor did not attend the meeting. The video is posted below.

JPD issued the following statement. 

Just remember, it's always worse somewhere else.

Both here in Mississippi and nationally, congressional candidates are making no mention of the serious challenges faced by the present iterations of the Social Security and Medicare programs. Baby Boomers poised to collect the entitlements are decidedly not ignoring the issues, but are nervously reading disturbing warnings that fiscal danger looms.

Posted below is a list of projects to be funded by a proposed $65 million bond issue for JPS.  The list was obtained through a public records request.  The total cost for the projects posted below is $30.5 million.  The remainder of the bond proceeds will be used for new construction. 

Highlights: 
-State Auditor calls out Former Mayor
-City Attorney suddenly quits
-City Attorney accuses Mayor of ignoring bid laws

Former Pelahatchie Mayor Knox Ross complained he is a victim of persecution by the State Auditor.  State Auditor Stacey Pickering demanded that Mr. Ross and the Aldermen who served from 2014 to 2017 repay $421,688 in drug seizure funds that were illegally spent.  Mr. Ross told the Clarion-Ledger two weeks ago:

"We are not focused on saving money."  So said Jackson Public School Board President Dr. Jeanne Hairston yesterday at a press conference at Jackson City Hall.  The Lumumba Administration held a press conference to announce a $65 million bond referendum for JPS that will be held on August 8. 

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and pictures.

Both here in Mississippi and nationally, congressional candidates are making no mention of the serious challenges faced by the present iterations of the Social Security and Medicare programs. Baby Boomers poised to collect the entitlements are decidedly not ignoring the issues, but are nervously reading disturbing warnings that fiscal danger looms.

Some of the Pelahatchie Solons went into damage control at a secret press conference at Penn's Fish House in Brandon on May 30.   The Jackson Free Press reported

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some real gems of Jackson's past are posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section as you enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

Brian Clark is appealing his sentence for aggravated domestic violence. Clark is serving a 10-year prison sentence for aggravated assault domestic violence.  His family owns Clark Oil & Gas and his uncle is the CEO of Butler Snow.   Such a pedigree didn't stop him from beating his wife to a bloody pulp in 2013.

A Hinds County Public Defender advocate abolishing the police.  Mr. Adofo Minka, Esquire  wrote in the Black Agenda Report:

If you can't make it to church today, enjoy this sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson).  

Low turnout Democratic and Republican primaries last week yielded two surprises. Political novice Howard Sherman was the surprise leader in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Described by the Clarion-Ledger as the "Los Angeles-native venture capitalist and husband of Emmy Award-winning actress Sela Ward of Meridian," Sherman will face Mississippi native Baria of Bay St. Louis in the June 26th run-off.

The Crescent of the Crescent City became one with the stars.  Ella Brennan died last week.  The 92 year-old matriarch of the Brennan family founded Brennan's and Commander's Palace while launching the careers of Emeril and Paul Prudhomme.  She left behind a trail that was followed by many but blazed by few.

Bill Maher offered up some advice for Democrats in this 2017 video that's pretty funny.

JJ and other media outlets reported that a woman's SUV flipped after it struck a pile of gravel on Lynch Street. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is hosting a golf tournament tomorrow to raise money for Jackson's junior youth golf program .  The flyer is posted below.

The Wall Street Journal's James Freeman took notice of the whiff of affirmative action in the Lamar Adams case that was first reported on this website Saturday and had a few things to say about it earlier this week:

You know the rest.   Across the street from Canizaro in downtown Jackson.

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that enhanced-carry concealed weapon permit holders can carry concealed weapons in courthouses.  However, the Court said that judges could still ban them from carrying weapons in the courtroom.

The trial of a Jackson man accused of savagely beating, strangling, and kidnapping his girlfriend was postponed until July.  A Lafayette County grand jury indicted Sheldon Alston, Jr., for aggravated domestic violence and kidnapping in June, 2017.  The indictment accuses Alston of strangling and kidnapping his girlfriend on September 7-8, 2016.  Alston faces prison sentences of 1 yr-to-life or 30 years for kidnapping, and from 2-to-20 years for aggravated domestic violence if convicted.

A vehicle flipped over Tuesday night after it struck a pile of gravel on Lynch Street.  No one was killed.  However, there were no barricades placed around the gravel that night. WLBT reported:

Credit:WLBT

It would not be a Pelahatchie Board of Aldermen meeting if some sparks didn't fly,  at least since 2017, and Monday night was no exception.  The combatants: Mayor Ryshonda Beechem and Board of  Aldermen President Margie Warren.  The subject: A $400 bill for new locks installed at City Hall.  Get some popcorn and watch the 15 minutes of fame, oops, I meant fun, that starts at 8:30 in the video posted below.

The congressional tradition of escaping the nation’s capital in August dates back to the time before air conditioning when Senators would race home before the summer heat reached its peak. I’ve got an advantage over many of my colleagues because we in Mississippi know something about summer heat. There are two excellent reasons why the Senate should break with tradition and stay in Washington this August. First, there is much to do to move forward on President Trump’s agenda; and, second, we have air conditioning.

The Whit Hughes for Congress campaign issued the following statement.

Tonight at 7:00 at both Malco and Tinseltown you can hang out with both Hitler and LSD at the same time:

The City Council had a short discussion about the Jackson Zoo yesterday.  The short video posted below contains a few nuggets of information.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement.

Mississippi Democrats showed signs of political life in recent months after years of fielding candidates in congressional elections who could fairly be described as either noble ideologues or political sacrificial lambs.

State Representative Omeria Scott made an impassioned plea for people to vote for her in the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary on Facebook today.

A video of a shooting at a local gas station appeared on Facebook recently.   The video is posted below and shows two women fighting among a crowd of young people at the gas station at the intersection of Newman and Northside Drive.  One of the two combatants pulls out a gun and begins shooting into the crowd.  The amateur videographer said that the crowd had been at a "Stop the Violence" rally.

When you gotta sleep, sometimes you just gotta sleep, no matter where you are. 

The monthly meeting of the Pelahatchie Board of Aldermen takes place tonight.  It will be the first meeting of the Pelahatchie Solons since State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued a demand for half a million smackers against the current and past Mayors and Aldermen for misspending drug seizure funds. WAPT and yours truly interviewed Mayor Ryshonda Beechem and her attorney, Thomas Bellinder, last week.  They discussed the Auditor's demands, her tenure as Mayor, and a rather um, colorful letter that was recently published in the Rankin County News.  The unedited interview is posted below. Tonight's meeting will be rather interesting. 

Throwing a Canton School Board member out of a Canton Board of Aldermen public meeting might cost Canton Mayor Dr. William Truly $250 fine.  The Mississippi Ethics Commission recommended the fine after School Board member Courtney Rainey filed a complaint against the Mayor.

An inmate was stabbed at the Raymond Detention Center last weekend. Jamie Hoard was arrested in May for allegedly killing a 57 year-old woman and shooting her daughter. He is currently at the hospital.

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some real gems of Jackson's past are posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section as you enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

It's Sunday morning and that means it's time for the Sunday morning Sermon.  Enjoy this 1989 sermon from the late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Church, Jackson). 

When it comes to government, Charles and David Koch want to influence, some say control, the political thoughts of all Americans. Yes, including Mississippians.

Affirmative action meets the Lamar Adams case.   U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled yesterday that he will appoint a receiver in the Lamar Adams case that meets minority-hiring goals established by the Court.  The SEC and Secretary of State Eggbert Hosemann are fighting over the right to appoint a receiver in the Lamar Adams Ponzi scheme case.

The SEC accused Adams of operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 150 investors out of more than $85 million since 2005, in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on April 20.   The SEC said Adams sold bogus timber rights and deeds guaranteeing 13% interest rates.  Mr. Adams pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud.  The Justice Department said in that case Adams defrauded 250 investors of more than $100 million.

Consider this post to be the thread for discussing all of Tuesday's elections.  Who will make the runoff to replace Gregg Harper? Will Omeria Scott upset David Baria? Do people even care about these races?   Will the losers have to leave town? Talk about it all in the comments.  Consider this the election day thread.   Have fun.

Bill Maher's opening monologue was pretty funny last night. Uncouth, but funny.  Enjoy.

The Reservoir Police issued the following statement.

a band named Van Halen ruled rock in ways that few bands have.  Put on the headphones, pour a drink, light up a cigar (although some of you may light up something else) and enjoy this 1983 concert.  Shooting the kids in case of interruption is allowed.  Enjoy.

Hemphill Construction is waging a war in court against M.A.C. Construction, M.A.C. and Associates, and their owner, Marcus Wallace.  Hemphill sued in Madison County Circuit Court  in 2016 for damages arising out of two projects.  The amended complaint states the bonding company forced Hemphill to pay M.A.C. subcontractors "stiffed" by M.A.C.    It spells out how this dispute wound up in court:

JPD issued the following statement. 

Empower Mississippi's Grant Callen submitted this column in response to Bill Crawford's column last Sunday about Empower Mississippi's promotion of school choice.

Earlier this week, columnist Bill Crawford penned a piece arguing that school choice proposals authored in recent legislative sessions are not conservative because they represent a “new entitlement.” Instead, Crawford favors publicly funded Pre-K as the best fix for Mississippi’s public education woes.

Here’s why he’s wrong.