Jackson Jambalaya

A con man managed to trick a front-desk employee at Starke Fitness out of an undisclosed sum of money around 3:00 PM today in Gluckstadt.  Owner Lee Sahler said the thief worked as part of a tag team to deceive  his staff. 

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following press release:

What do Apple vs the FBI and taxpayers vs the Mississippi Development Authority have in common? Both are consequences of earned mistrust.

Here is Mayor Tony Yarber's press conference on the water problems.

The public comments were as interesting as usual at Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council.  A comment about the nomination of James Stanley to the JMAA Board of Commissioners almost turned into a food fight. Watch the video for yourself. 

The Mississippi Supreme Court ordered the Secretary of State to place Dr. Willie Wilson of Chicago on the Democratic Party Presidential primary ballot.  The Court rejected an appeal by Secretary of State Dibbert Hosemann yesterday.   Local attorney and Democratic party warhorse Sam Begley represented Dr. Wilson.

U.S. Attorney Greg Davis issued the following press release.

Pure political theater is the only way to describe the Donald Trump rally in Fort Worth today.  He supposedly got hammered by Rubio and Cruz last night only to emerge unscathed in Texas today.  The rally was one hour of pure energy and political rambunctiousness as Trump shrugged off the blows and gave it right back to his opponents.  Shades of Andrew Jackson campaigning comes to mind.   I'm not leaning towards Trump but I can appreciate a rare moment in politics when I see it.  The video is posted below. Pour a drink and enjoy.  This is a performance worth watching regardless of who one is supporting. 

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following press release:

Restaurateur Imperious Maximus Jeff Good announced on Facebook that new and upgraded water filters have been installed at his restaurants and the water is very safe:

JPD issued the following press release and mug shot:

The Jackson municipal airport has dominated the news lately as the fight for control rages in the legislature.  The media focuses on the "horserace" but rarely provides any real information about the airport itself. It is all about who wins, you see.  Jackson Jambalaya sat down with Jackson Municipal Airport Authority CEO Carl Newman two weeks ago for an hour-long interview.  We covered the finances, Hawkins Field, the pilot shortage, and yes, Southwest's departure for the Jackson market.

Governor Phil Bryant proclaimed April to be Confederate History month.  The proclamation is posted below although it is not posted on the Governor's website. 

The Jackson City Council should consider making its meetings available only via pay per view on tv.  The public comments period at its regular meeting of the Jackson City Council Tuesday was one for the books.  We got within ten minutes a beautiful yet colorful oration by the highly esteemed Enoch Sanders.  Kenneth Stokes provided the biography for the celebrated Jacksonian.  However, the council moved from high-end to low-end as Mr. Stokes berated a poor elderly lady who wanted to remember Jackson civil rights heroes.  Mr. Stokes went way past 11 as he yelled at fellow councilman Melvin Priester, Jr.  and tried to bait him.  However, the episode ended with Junior finding his game and standing up to the Ward 3 Councilman in a way that showed he was in control.  He refused to be baited nor engage in a shouting match with Stokes.  The video is posted below. Enjoy.

Dayumn.  Priester stood up to Stokes.  Watch for yourself.

Last week's death of Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Jim Davenport brought a barrage of memories, all good ones.

His nickname was Peanuts. Don't know how he got it, and, for some reason, I never asked. My daddy just called him “Nuts” and it seemed as natural as Sam or Joe to me.

The issue of police chases has dominated the news lately as Stokes urged Jacksonians to throw rocks at the police from outside law enforcement agencies if they chased suspects into Jackson.  More than a few people in the "burbs"  defended their police officers and said their police are chasing Jackson criminals.  JJ  decided it might be worthy to review 2015 crime data from surrounding cities to see if Jackson crime is indeed spilling over across the city limits.  JJ obtained 2015 arrest information from Ridgeland, Flowood, and Madison*.

Mississippi Speakah of the House Philip Gunn clarified his position on changing the Mississippi state flag today in the following press release:

Here is the resume of Jackson Airport Commissioner nominee James Stanley.  Unfortunately, the city council did not vote on his confirmation today.  Stokes and some "community activists" pushed back against the nomination today so a confirmation hearing will be held next week.

Update: Bill passes BUT it only expanded the limit to 75 miles.  Senator Terry Burton offered a committee substitute that passed. 

It is often reported that Mississippi is dead last in health care due to it being a poor state. However, it is the position of this website that crony capitalism and good ole boy rules limit health care access for many Mississippians as well. JJ reported recently that certificate of need laws limit health care while making it more expensive for those who can least afford it. Steve Wilson delves into the antiquated Nurse Practitioner rule over at Mississippi Watchdog. Nurse Practitioners can only operate within a 15 mile radius of their supervising physician. Such rules make perfect sense in rural areas such as the Delta where the poor are many and doctors are few.  Mr. Wilson reported:

Republican Presidential Candidate John Kasick will be appearing at a fund-raiser tomorrow in Gulfport.   Check out the invitation:

You can't make this up. Social justice Spicolis at Brown University are complaining about failing because they don't go to class.  They shouldn't be penalized because they care.  Read and weep.  The Brown Daily Herald reported last week:

The Ridgeland Board of Aldermen will hold a hearing for the re-zoning of the proposed Costco site on April 5 at 6:00 PM at City Hall.  The property was rezoned last year to allow service stations. However, a group of Ridgeland citizens sued the city and claimed no public notice was provided  for the re-zoning as required by law.  Ridgeland is thus holding another hearing on the zoning of the property and issuing a public notice (that is posted below). 

Update: Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber nominated Ward 7 resident James Stanley to the Board of Commissioners.  The nomination is on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the City Council.

Jackson Municipal Airport Authority CEO Carl Neman provided a glimpse of the future for Jackson's two airports at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners last week.  A strategic improvement plan was presented. The draft of the plan was not made available to the media or public last week but it was presented to the board.   JJ videotaped the presentation.  The camera is focused on the screen that was used to show the powerpoint presentation.  

The city of Ridgeland issued the following press release:

After the great Mississippi River flood of 1927 congress told the US Army Corps of Engineers to make sure it didn’t happen again. The Corps has been trying for almost 90 years. The result? More flood for less rain.

This pithy assessment of the Corps work is from John McPhee’s acclaimed “Atchafalaya” written 27 years ago. It’s still true today because the Corps is still trying to fix the flooding problem by holding the rain instead of speeding its flow to the Gulf. (Mississippi is a holding pond.) Wrong strategy: Contain the River. How: build levees. Result: even more flood for less rain.

Saturday Night Live nailed it last week with this skit about Beyonce.

Attorney General Jim Hood apparently can't stand any competition.  He issued this press release last week:

 JJ received this one comment about the pay raise for the Madison County Prosecuting Attorney that has dominated the pages of the Clarion-Ledger recently:

xxxxxx- you can no longer claim the self-anointed title of journalist if you are chicken shit about covering Madison county prosecutor efforts to get raise. If this was any other person, you would be all over it with your snarky, childish criticism.

HA! Ms. Hancock is a big girl and can handle herself.  One is going to take heat whenever one publicly asks for a raise. It comes with the territory and the newspaper is fulfilling its watchdog role in scrutinizing the raise. However, the state newspaper is not telling the entire story as well.  The Clarion-Ledger reported on February 17:

Meet Captain Clay Higgins of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office. He has a little message for gangstas.

The House Transportation Committee passed Wednesday a bill that will allow Uber and other ride-sharing companies to operate throughout Mississippi.  The bill requires them to obtain a license from the Mississippi Insurance Department and pay an annual registration fee as well.  The bill will pre-empt all municipal regulations on Uber if it becomes law. Bill history and status. Representative Gary Chism sponsored the bill.   Some highlights of the bill are:

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statements:

Karl Banks's efforts to use the Madison County Election Commission to overturn his two-vote electoral loss to David Bishop failed.  Special Circuit Judge Henry Lackey crushed the commission's efforts to change the results of the District 4 Supervisor election in Madison County.  The opinion is posted below.

The Business Ministerial Alliance issued the following statement on Jackson government and the municipal airport:

Secretary of State Dibbert Hosemann issued the following statement:

Cue up a Pace Picante Sauce commercial.  Jackson airline passengers love traveling to Washington, DC and New York City.  An analysis of the market and passengers for the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport  was presented yesterday to the JMAA Board of Commissioners. The report also stated fares were up and traffic was down since 2009.  Some highlights of the analysis are:

JJ reported Wednesday on an auto theft that took place at the Chevron gas station in Highland Village.  The security camera recorded the entire incident.  The owner of the business allowed this correspondent to see the video.  Here is what took place.

U.S. Attorney Greg Davis issued the following press release:

Kenneth Stokes may finally get the answer to his question "Who killed da Mayor?".  Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Jr. filed a wrongful death action against St. Dominic Hospital and several doctors Tuesday in Hinds County Circuit Court.  Attorneys Dennis Sweet, III and Dennis Sweet, IV are representing Mr. Lumumba.  The case is assigned to Judge Winston Kidd.

Thomas Blaine Allen and Tracie Michelle Burt pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute last week in Rankin County Circuit Court.  They were arrested during a December 2014 traffic stop on Hwy 468.  Each defendant received twenty year prison sentences.   Police found 40 grams of meth in their vehicle.  Burt had her five-month old child in the back seat as well. The police report and their mug shots are posted below.

Jackson residents may no longer have to file a public records request, wait fourteen business days, and pay copying fees if they just want to read a re-zoning request.   The Planning Committee of the Jackson City Council unanimously approved a proposal by Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote to place zoning applications as submitted  on the city website.

Leftenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following press release:

A brazen auto theft took place at the Chevron in Highland Village last night at 7:00 PM.
A lady was at the self-service gas pump while her ten year-old daughter was in the vehicle.  A black male walked up and got in the car in front of "everyone at the gas station".  The child screamed and jumped out of the vehicle.  The thief drove away.  Gas station employees tried to stop him but to no avail. The crime is considered to be an auto theft as no weapon was used.   The victim's sister posted this update on Nextdoor:

We lost the ineffable Willie Richardson last week, dead at age 76, a football legend surely beloved by all who knew him, no matter their allegiances.

Richardson was a Jackson State man whose playing career takes us back to a different time in Mississippi and America when historically black colleges in the Deep South were brimming with the fastest, quickest and biggest football players in America.

Former USA Today editor Fred Anklam is the editor of Mississippi News and Information Corporation.  JJ reported  last week that MSNIC stole Editor R.L. Knave away from the Jackson Free Press.  The company was advertising several positions for hire in December.  Mr. Anklam was once a reporter at the Clarion-Ledger and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1983  for his coverage of Governor William Winter's "successful campaign for education reform". *  Mr. Anklam did not return phone calls seeking comment on his new project.

What is the Clarion-Ledger up to?

A change of plea notice was just filed in U.S. District Court in Gulfport:

Read February 27, 2015 post that spelled out this scheme.

A bill of information filed in U.S. District Court Thursday gives more details on the suicide of a Harrison County supervisor a year ago.  The bill provides an interesting picture of how MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps, Supervisor William Martin, and "consultant" Robert Simmons conjured up a scheme to award contracts and pay kickbacks in Harrison County.  The Simmons-Epps corruption train even made stops in East Mississippi as well.   The bill charges Simmons with one count of bribery.

Senator Roger Wicker just said on the Paul Gallo Radio Show (WFMN) that the Senate should not confirm any Supreme Court nomination submitted by President Barack Obama to replace Justice Antonin Scalia.  The President announced he will submit a nomination after Justice Antonin Scalia died Saturday.

This column was submitted by Mike Chaney.  Mr. Chaney is the Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance.  

Fortunately, most Mississippians go through life without ever having a need to be bailed out of jail.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following press release from the Clarksdale Police Department:

What words does one use to describe the murder of an 85-year old man who was working in his yard yesterday?  Horrific, barbaric,  and savage are a few that come to mind.   WAPT reported yesterday:

Big and made of brass.  This is how you stop a terrorist:

You expected a trailer? A man must be patient. 

NOW we got us a throw-down.  Robert Shuler Smith and Tomie Green.  Finally.  The fun started when JPD Chief Lee Vance told the damn truth: it doesn't matter how well his men do their job if the criminal justice system is broken.  District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith called the media into his office Friday and pointed the finger directly at Senior Circuit Judge Tomie Green.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away today.  He was 79 years old.  Several Mississippi leaders issued the following statements:

A team of high-powered university researchers claimed in a recently published study that health care prices rise for consumers as the number of hospitals serving an area shrink.* The study argues that monopoly hospitals charge prices that are 15.3% higher than areas that have at least four hospitals. Some highlights of the study are:

This video shows the mindset of Jackson cabbies.  A Mr. Antonius Scarborough voiced several complaints about Jackson taxicab service to the City Council Monday night.  Gene Sandifer apparently thought he was a bouncer at the Dock and not a service-oriented driver as he trashed Mr. Scarborough when he addressed the City Council.   Watch the video for yourself.

The story below is reprinted from Watchdog.org with the permission of reporter Steve Wilson: 

The Mississippi Legislature passed an incentive package Thursday that will provide $274 million to build a $1.45 billion tire plant west of Jackson and convert a port facility in Gulfport for use by an offshore services company.

The two facilities would employ 3,500 people. The tire plant would be the largest economic development project in the state’s history.

Some people quit. Some people complain.  Some people are just plain lazy and don't give a damn about themselves or anyone else.  Some people, however, are special and want to better themselves and the people around them.  Such a person was William Holtzclaw, the founder of the Utica Institute that is now the Utica campus of Hinds Community College.  Mississippi was not friendly to someone who was broke and black back in 1902 but William Holtzclaw wanted to educate black Mississippians.  The Vicksburg Sunday Post told his story in a 1973 article that is posted below. It is a positive story that is not told enough and easy to forget. 

JPD issued the following press release, citing several recent robberies in the area:

The Hinds County District Attorney attempted to drop charges against an accused drug dealer.  Christopher Butler was twice indicted by a Hinds County grand jury in 2012 for  possessing more than one kilo of marijuana.  Butler was twice previously convicted of felonies and will be classified as a habitual offender if convicted. Butler is 38 years old.

A taxicab driver attempted to provide a lesson in economics and history during the Uber public hearing Monday night to the Jackson city council.  It is rather um, interesting.  Watch the video for yourself.

It has been nearly a year since Carolyn Temple was murdered at night in Belhaven.  JPD arrested three suspects in the case.  They have all been indicted for capital murder.

Triumph skewers a few college students.  One student in particular doesn't take to kindly to his act.  You get to figure out which one as you enjoy the show. You just can't make some of this up. 

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals removed an injunction prohibiting Mississippi from using the drug compounded  pentobarbital  to execute prisoners. The opinion is posted below.  Death penalty opponents can read it and weep.

Brett Lorenzo Favre brings to nine the number of native Mississippians inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That the Magnolia State ranks No. 1 per capita in producing Hall of Famers will not surprise anyone who regularly reads this column.

We may rank low in per capita income, lean body mass, and education, but we can play ball. Boy, can we play football.

The Jackson City Council voted to allow Uber to operate in Jackson under light regulation.  The motion passed on a 3-1 vote.  Councilmen Ashby Foote, Melvin Priester, Jr., and Tyrone Hendrix voted for the measure while DeKeither Stamps voted against it.  The cabbies showed up to protest against Uber while WLBT gave them a full hearing and completely slanted its coverage against Uber.  Watch the video below:

It appears a news online website is getting cranked up in the Jackson area.  Mississippi News & Information Corporation stole R.L. Knave away from the Jackson Free Press.  Its mission statement says:

The silly season in politics is gets underway tonight.  Comment on the New Hampshire results here. 

Hopefully the scriptwriting is much better than it was last season. 

Double-charge, triple charge, whats $40 per mile? Service to your door? You can't be serious.  A disabled lady told the Jackson City Council last night she was repeatedly victimized by taxi cab drivers.  Watch Lisa McGraw tell the city council what she is forced to endure from taxicab drivers in the video posted below.  

The Jackson City Council held a public hearing on Uber last night.  Taxicab driver Gene Sandifer issued some not so thinly-veiled threats to the city council as he was clearly upset over the possibility of the city council allowing Uber to operate in Jackson.  Watch for yourself in this video.

JPD issued the following press release and pictures:

JPD issued two press releases this morning:

In 87 years of operations, Jackson’s airports have never suffered a hijacking, but that streak may be about to end. The state legislature is considering a bill that would create a new airport board appointed by the governor. If passed it would effectively take control of the Jackson International Airport (JAN) away from the current Airport Commission which is appointed by the mayor of Jackson and confirmed by the Jackson City Council.

Former Rankin County Supervisor Wood Brown passed away a few days ago.  His family was kind enough to provide a copy of his obituary that is posted below.

This incident took place at a Mardi Gras parade in Alexandria, La this weekend.  As they say, Alex is gonna Alex.  It's not called the armpit of Louisiana for nothing (or is that Leesville?).  Enjoy.

Looking for a movie to watch online today?   Don't feel like watching football but don't can't bear to click the remote until the Lifetime channel pops up on the screen? Check out Narco Cultura, a movie about the Narco culture in America and south of the border in Juarez.  Corridos praise the drug lords in ways that remind one of Mafia worship while the police in Juarez are forced to wear masks and go into hiding.  The movie is on Netflix but a Youtube version is embedded below.  Filmmaker Shaul Schwarz produced the movie.  Several law enforcement officials recommended the movie to JJ and said Narco Cultura and Cartel Land were the two most realistic films in documenting the drug culture.

It is time to take one more step into the Jackson municipal airport past.  Newspaper articles from the late 1950's show the efforts made by the city of Jackson to build a new airport.  The articles show how city fathers strove mightily to bring a "jet-age" airport to Jackson and find a way to pay for it without breaking the bank.  It was a time of excitement and anticipation for Jackson as the project to build the reservoir was underway as well.  There were heroes and villains but in the end, progress was made.  Some highlights of the articles are:

Florida law enforcement officials produced this video that teaches police how to deal with sovereign citizens. 

Does Lawyer Success bring success to Mississippi lawyers? Attorney Matthew Poole doesn't think so.  The Jackson attorney sued James Greenier and his company, Lawyer Success, LLC in Hinds County Circuit Court last Monday.  The complaint makes a few um, interesting allegations.

JPD issued the following warning:

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following press release:

The Madison Police Department and Rankin County Sheriff both issued the following press releases and mug shots concerning the theft of delivery packages in the Jackson metro area. The police welcome any tips the public can provide on these thieves.

Rankin-Madison County District Attorney Michael Guest issued the following press release:

Caught hiding inside of, yes.... drum roll..... a TV set.  Seriously.  JPD issued the following press release:

Ah, the post everyone has been waiting to see this week.  The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to raise the salary of County Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Hancock this week.  The Clarion-Ledger reported Tuesday:

Mayor Tony Yarber issued this statement:

It appears Mississippi is getting a billion dollar tire plant that will employ over 2,500 people.  Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement:

Rudy Warnock & Associates sued Madison County in U.S. District Court yesterday.  The case was assigned to Judge Carlton Reeves.  The plaintiff claims Madison County owes the firm $625,714.  Warnock also asked for interest and attorney's fees.  Dorsey Carson and Julie Skipper represent Warnock.  The complaint is posted below.

Sorry, Kamikaze. ;-)  The Madison Police Department issued the following press release.

The Obamacare losses start to pile up for health insurance companies.  United Health Care expects to lose more than half a billion dollars on Affordable Care Act plans in 2016.  The Wall Street Journal reported last month:

So now we've got an Ole Miss alum coaching football at Southern Miss. And we've got a Southern Miss alum coaching football at Ole Miss. This, I think, begs the question: Can't we all get along?

If you live in Northeast Jackson, keep an eye out for a tan or light-gold four door Grand-am. Early 2000's model.  It has a specialty Lanier High School tag on it.  If you see it, make a note of where it is and what it is doing and forward to this website at kingfish1935@gmail.com.  It will be driven by a  thin black male around 17 years old. Information will be forwarded to JPD.

Let's get ready to ruuuuummmble over the Jackson airport.  State Senator Josh Harkins (R-Gold Coast) submitted his bill to create a new governing board for the Jackson municipal airport.  This is one fight that will get nasty and vicious as Jackson fights any attempts to change how the airport operates. There will be casualties.  Medics will be in short supply.  Most bourbon will be consumed. Kenneth Stokes may die of dehydration.

The bill replaces the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority with a Metropolitan Airport Authority to manage the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Hawkins Field on July 1, 2016.  A nine-member board of commissioners will oversee the operation of the two airports.  The new board of commissioners will be comprised of the following members::

It appears the Hattiesburg School District is going broke or more likely, is already broke.  Mississippi Superintendent of Education Carey Wright asked State Auditor Stacey Pickering to immediately investigate the district's finances.  The general fund balance plummeted from $6.5 million in 2012 to $768,796 in 2015.  The district also obtained a $7 million tax anticipation note in August 2015.  The district has already spent $6 million.  The HSD Superintendent and business manager resigned in December.   Dr. Wright sent this letter to Mr. Pickering:

Photographer Rick Guy took the JJ Yuneec Typhoon q500 down to Morgantown and shot some really incredible video of Red Bluff.  The bluff was created by the erosion of the west bank of the Pearl River.  Nature created a smorgasbord of colors that awaits your eyes.  Mr. Guy used a 4k camera to shoot the video.  Enjoy.

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement:

The owner of a trailer stolen last weekend is offering $2,500 for information leading to its recovery.  A reward for the actual return of the trailer is offered as well and is negotiable.  Contact number is 601-672-7481.  The video, pictures, and information about the trailer are posted below. 

Check out part of SB #2074 filed by State Senators Lydia Chassaniol and Joey Fillingane:

Diamond Harris pleaded guilty to four charges in Flowood Municipal Court in December. The 21 year-old black female was arrested by Flowood police in August after she refused to provide her license during a traffic stop, attempted to drive away from police, and then struggled when police tried to remove her from the car. Harris recorded part of the incident and gave the video to WAPT. JJ obtained the police reports and convictions through a public records request. Readers may remember this video broadcast on WAPT:

Jackson made a major step for transparency in government.  The city website now has a portal for submitting public records requests.  Simply go to the portal, fill out the information in the online form, and submit your request.  JJ submitted one last week.  The clerk's office received the request and obtained the records.  Hopefully more local governments will follow Jackson's lead.  Then there is MDA but that is a story for another day.  Go to City Clerk's web page.

Jackson Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes protested again yesterday.  The chase of a stolen car by Richland police into Jackson fueled his ire.  Richland police pursued a stolen car into Jackson.  The chase ended at Mcluer Road but a vehicle carrying a grandmother, mother, and two children was struck.  A Hinds County deputy wrecked his patrol car as well.  Watch Kenneth for yourself.

Last weekend's surprising news — Todd Monken leaving Southern Miss to become offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bucs — immediately was followed by some harsh, bordering on nasty, criticism via social media.