Jackson Jambalaya

The folks at SEC Shorts rolled out another humorous video after the college football playoff semifinals were over.  Enjoy and Happy New Year.

Madison County Sheriff posted the following message on Facebook.

Check out the Twitter feed of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.  Some of the flag nuts may go nuts, but oh well.  A sampling of his tweets is posted below.   Follow him on Twitter.

Cowardice and incompetence are the only polite words that can be used to describe the police response at the Parkland High School mass murder earlier this year.  The Coward County Sun-Sentinel published a complete report and timeline on what took place that deadly day in Florida.   School employees saw Cruz walk onto the campus with his rifle bag, recognized him, and did nothing  Police officers hid outside of the school while children were murdered, unable to flee.  The Coward County newspaper reported:

JPD issued the following statements yesterday.

Enjoy the late Dr. Frank Pollard's preaching in today's edition of Sunday Morning Sermon.  Dr. Pollard preached from Numbers 13: 26-33 in this 1990 sermon.

It’s upon us, the new year, the much anticipated big political year for Mississippi. Yep, 2019 is the year when most state, regional, and local officials will be up for re-election and/or replacement. But, the really big thing will be the gubernatorial showdown between Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Attorney General Jim Hood.

New OC for Ole Miss?

This is the Officer and a Gentleman edition of Flashback Friday.  The Navy, yes, the U.S. Navy, produced a - don't laugh - dating etiquette film in 1967.  Enjoy.  

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

Will the legislature help Jackson with its delinquent water bills? Justin Vicery reported in the Clarion-Ledger yesterday:

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

Note: This is a sponsored post by Bigger Pie Forum. 

When people normally think of a COLA, they think of a refreshing, bubbly and sweet beverage that goes great with a hamburger and fries.

But in the world of public pensions, COLA is only sweet for the retiree. The overly generous and unsustainable COLA (cost of living adjustment) is one of the key factors on why the Public Employees’ Retirement System or PERS continues to struggle financially.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

The police report for the DUI arrest of State Senator Terry Burton states that Burton had a BAC of 0.14.  The Mississippi Highway Patrol arrested the State Senator on December 19 on Highway 82 near MS 182.  JJ obtained the police report through a public records request. The report is posted below.

The opinion column posted below was written by Starkville Daily News Editor Ryan Phillips and reprinted with the newspaper's permission. 

It’s not exactly breaking news that systemic corruption runs rampant through the Catholic Church.

Peter Jackson's effort to bring the memories of World War 1 back to life hits the big screen tomorrow for only one day. 

The catch & release program in Hinds County loves an accused Madison carjacker.  Madison police arrested an armed Terrance Paige and several of his compadres Sunday for armed carjacking.  Paige was convicted of house burglary in April but was turned loose only a few months later after Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green  suspended most of his sentence and gave him credit for time served in jail.  A bench warrant was issued for his arrest in July for stabbing an inmate in jail but MDOC just couldn't get around to trying to revoke his probation.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement.

The ancient creation dilemma is based on determining which came first, the chicken or the egg? But in 2018 agri-business government lending, the current dilemma is more accurately based on which comes first, the independent poultry grower or the corporate poultry integrator?

Enjoy Christmas morning with the late Dr. Frank Pollard.

A fan-produced short shows the Star Wars sequel to the prequel we should have had.

Well, this is weird.  It was announced today that actor Kevin Spacey will be charged with felony sexual assault in Massachusetts.  However, the actor released a video where he acts in his Frank Underwood character from House of Cards.  So is he referring to his character or himself?

JPD issued the following statements about three separate incidents.

Receiver Alysson Mills recovered more money and continues to file more lawsuits as the SEC seeks to claw back all profits made in the Lamar Adams Ponzi Scheme. Ms. Mills filed her required sixty-day report with U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves Friday. 

Check out The Terminator's motivational speech.   

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and mug shots.

Oh the glamour and sizzle of the Christmas season in America – parades and decorations, sales and bargains, parties and special events. Then, comes Christmas morning with presents under the glistening tree with carols playing as the aromas from the pending family feast waft through the house.

A dying football coach's team won a state championship in Texas. He gave this powerful message after the game. Don't cut any onions while watching the video.

A minor miracle took place in the Bernie Madoff case: the federal government managed to recover 75% of the money stolen by the convicted fraudster.  The Wall Street Journal reported on November 30:

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Today's edition of Flashback Friday will continue to look at Mississippi lynchings.   The Flashback Friday posts usually show stories, ads, and videos, and other items of nostalgia from Jackson's past.  However, Flashback Friday is delving into the darker side of Mississippi's past. Posted below are the Clarion-Ledger editorials on the subject from 1900-1909.

Jill Ford issued the following statement.

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement.

The woman in this video loves her some Chick-Fil-A.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

Highlights:
- BS-FAS CEO, Billings, Adams allegedly and illegally acted as unlicensed brokers selling unregistered investments. - Cannada allegedly advised there were no penalties for doing so.
-Adams and Butler Snow had a relationship that from 2011 to May 2018.  
-Butler Snow personnel allegedly pitched timber investments to its clients
-Baker Donelson lawyer & lobbyist pitched investments to BD clients as unlicensed brokers
-Baker Donelson was aware they were using firm to promote their private business to clients.  
-Butler Snow Advisory, Former CEO Matt Thornton,  Brent Alexander, Jon Seawright charged with violating Mississippi RICO Act
-Butler Snow sued for attorney malpractice
-Receiver seeks to hold BD and BS liable for damages awarded  against other defendants.  

Winter finally came for Lord Snow and Baker Donelson.  Receiver Alysson Mills sued the two prestigious law firms in U.S. District Court yesterday to recover commissions paid to them in the Lamar Adams timber fraud.  The complaint is posted below.  Start on page 8.  The complaint charges employees at both law firms worked with Lamar Adams to sell phony timber investments to firm clients. 

Blonde tries to fill up Tesla at the gas station.....

Update: Governor Phil Bryant appointed State Representative Cory Wilson to replace Judge Griffis on the Court of Appeals .

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement. 

State Senator Buck Clarke issued the following statement.

A judicial candidate must repay $18,814 from an incumbent circuit judge. The Special Committee on Judicial Campaign Intervention ruled that a Friends of (Candidate) "P" filed a campaign finance report that reported the contribution from a sitting circuit court judge, "Q".

Andre Kennedy will wander in prison for the same amount of time as the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness.  Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill sentenced the carjacking kidnapper to serve forty years in prison yesterday after a jury convicted him of the attempted kidnapping and armed robbery of a Northeast Jackson doctor.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement.

Perhaps if I were a preacher, which I’m decidedly not, and I offered a sermon, which this decidedly isn’t, I’d call it: “Christmas and The Farm Bill.”

State Senator Buck Clarke issued the following statement. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

The PEER Committee issued the following report on the Education Scholarship Account program for Special Needs children.

A video of a confrontation between a Germantown Middle School student and a bus driver surfaced on Youtube recently.  The video is posted below. 

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement.

Before the Mississippi Hustle, there was the Mississippi Bubble.....

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

Attorney Barry Gilmer was convicted of disturbing the peace and discharging a firearm towards a dwelling in Madison County Justice Court this morning.  Deputies arrested Gilmer on April 16 after he fired a rifle in the direction of his neighbor's house.   Justice Court Judge Lloyd Spivey, Jr., sentenced him to serve twelve days in jail for discharging the firearm.

Please don't laugh.  A Northeast Jackson woman actually went to the City Council to complain about blighted properties on her street.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statements.

Growing economic trends bode ill for rural America.

"We are witnessing a growing economic and political divide between urban and rural America," wrote Axios last week, pointing to some significant data. "Roughly half of all U.S. zip codes still have lower total employment than they did in 2007….Rural Americans have far fewer hospitals, workout facilities, and health specialists….Big employers and better technology makes cities magnets for better teachers, schools, and specialized training…. Democrats own the fast-growing cities and Republicans rule rural."

The late Dr. Frank Pollard continued his preaching on The Sermon on the Mount in this 1990 sermon. 

Former Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen got his day in court as he fights to overturn his 2017 conviction for embezzlement.   A jury convicted Mr. Allen of one count of embezzling from his employer, Downtown Jackson Partners. Judge Kidd sentenced him to serve five years in prison but suspended the entire sentence while placing him on probation for two years.   The Mississippi Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on his appeal on December 6.  The video is posted below. 

Check out this deal at Palmetto State Armory. 

Today's edition of Flashback Friday will continue the look at Mississippi lynchings that began a week ago.  The Flashback Friday posts usually show stories, ads, and videos, and other items of nostalgia from Jackson's past.  However, Flashback Friday is delving into the darker side of Mississippi's past. JJ posted all of the articles reporting lynchings from the 1890's archives of the Clarion Ledger.  Posted below are the articles from 1900-1909. 

Marshall Ramsey is leaving the Clarion-Ledger.  He posted this message on Facebook:

A Hinds County jury convicted Andre Kennedy of attempted kidnapping, armed robbery, and house burglary yesterday.  Kennedy and the late Edwin "Guttalife Dee" Robinson kidnapped a Northeast Jackson doctor at his home on May 15, 2015.  They robbed him and threatened to harm his wife.   The doctor managed to pull out a pistol from behind the seat of his vehicle and administer a lethal prescription of lead that sent Guttalife to the gutter while Kennedy fled so he wouldn't be dead. Kennedy will be sentenced on December 17.

Eastover Drive and Pinebrook

Farewell to Bill Pierce.  He was just a regular guy - and one of the nicest and smartest people I ever met.  He worked for years at the Courthouse Racquet Club until moving onto bigger and better things.  He was a regular volunteer for the Mississippi Symphony as well.  He always had a kind word to say and never said a mean thing about anyone.  He was a man who literally lived for his family.  He died of a massive heart attack a few days ago.  He touched more than a few lives and will be missed by more than a few.

The Raymond Police Department posted the following statements on Facebook earlier this week. 

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

What's in a name? Slapping a high price on something and giving it a fancy name is as American as apple pie.  You guys like to read the shoe posts so here is another one for ya to enjoy.  Just watch the first two to three minutes of this video.  You'll get to see the crap craftsmanship that makes up a Cole-Haan shoe.

JPS sold $65 million bonds at a premium of $71 million at the end of November.  The professional service fees, excluding underwriting, was $346,250.  They were half of what they were estimated to be earlier this year but more than what the Rankin County School District paid last year for a $100 million bond issue.  The fees are posted below.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following press release.

Ringo is rocking along at his new home.  JJ reported Tuesday that a retired JPD K-9 officer wound up at a shelter when he was supposed to living with his handler.   WAPT reported on the fiasco last night:

One of the suspects in the Fortification Street murder case is not back in prison even though he was on probation for a carjacking conviction when the murder took place.  The District Attorney and MDOC filed a petition to revoke Jushun Paige's probation over nine months ago and send him back to prison.  However, Circuit Judge Tomie Green has taken no action.

My friend Lisa Denley McNeece would have made light of the cruel absurdity of her death on Sunday at her home in Bruce. Under singularly unexpected circumstances, she just died. She was a vibrant 56 years old.

JPD issued the following statement.

or, The Ballad of Ringo.

A JPD officer's K-9 partner wound up at an animal shelter instead of going home with his handler as told to the media.   JPD held a retirement ceremony for two K-9 officers, Ringo and Alpha on October 23 in front of all of the tv cameras.  JPD made a big show about how these four-legged officers were going home to live out their golden years with their handlers.  Unfortunately, that is not what happened for Ringo his handler dumped him at the vet.

What happened to Ringo? Credit: Clarion-Ledger

Madison County deputies captured Todd Moudy off of Ramage Road and Highway 43.  He was in an abandoned house next to his girlfriend's house.  Deputies arrested Taylor Furrh (girlfriend) and Rebecca Furrh (mother).  The Madison Police Department dive team are recovering a gun out of a nearby pond.  Apparently Ms. Furrh does not like the poh-lice.

Yet another Mississippi business is taken over by a foreign company.  PR Newswire reported:

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement. 

Madison Deputies found the van Todd Moudy used to escape from custody last week.  The van was found in some woods near Highway 43 in the Canton area. Moudy stole the Madison County Sheriff's Office van while he was transported from the courthouse to the jailhouse Friday.   He is considered to be armed and dangerous. 

Today's edition of Matchbook Monday goes back to downtown Jackson.  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 trial for Sheldon Alston, Jr. is scheduled to take place during the January term of the Lafayette County Circuit Court.  A 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 while he was a student at Ole Miss.  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. Alston is 22 years old.

It appears a case of jailhouse justice took place in Raymond last week.  WLBT reported last week:

A Grinch showed up on Old Canton Road in Fondren.   A homeowner posted this message and picture on Facebook:

The late Dr. Frank Pollard asks "What do you do when things go wrong, who do you blame?" in this 1990 sermon.  Enjoy today's edition of Sunday Morning Sermon.

"Civility, service, family," award-winning cartoonist Marshall Ramsey wrote in the starry sky of his pictorial tribute to the late President George H. W. Bush.

Schindler's List will appear tomorrow at Malco Theatre:

Nicholas Coats will spend the next 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Chelsie Kirschten.  The 24 year-old woman was shot to death on Fortification Street on August 17, 2017.  Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill sentenced Coats to serve forty years in prison but suspended ten years of the sentence.

An escaped prisoner is still on the loose in Madison County.  Todd Moudy stole a Madison County Sheriff's Office van while he was transported from courthouse to the jailhouse yesterday.  Moudy was wearing shackles upon his escape. 

This kid's life is going to be forever downhill after this took place in October.

This week's edition of Flashback Friday will take a different approach from the usual glimpses into past.  The Flashback Friday posts usually show stories, ads, and videos, and other items of nostalgia from Jackson's past.  The Senate race took a rather nasty turn down memory lane due to the "public hanging" controversy.  JJ dug into the Clarion-Ledger archives and posted below all of the articles about lynchings in Mississippi from the 1890's.

Jackson broker Frank Zito surrendered commissions of $200,000 to Receiver Allison Mills in the Lamar Adams case.  Zito received the commissions after he sold shares in a Ponzi scheme based on phony timber investments. 

JPD posted the following statement and video on Twitter.

Break out some tissues.  All this kid with terminal brain cancer wants is some Christmas cards.  WAFB reported:

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

Lord Protector James Tiberius Hood issued the following statement.

Update: Attorney Ed Blackmon is representing McNeil.

It's going down in Canton this morning.  Several Canton officials have been indicted and arrested for voter fraud.   Madison County deputies served indictments and arrested the following individuals:

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba relieved city attorney Sharon Gipson of her duties today.  It is not known who is the interim city attorney.  

State Representative Robert Foster will make a special announcement Tuesday night.  The Republican has been dropping some major hints recently that he will run for Governor.  The invitation is posted below.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

It's that time of year and you know what it means: It's time for my award-winning egg nog recipe:

Relief is finally coming to Ridgewood Road as worried drivers have been forced to drive around a growing sinkhole for nearly a year. WLBT reported:

UMMC issued the following statement.

George Herbert Walker Bush and Gillespie V. “Sonny” Montgomery were both elected to Congress on Nov. 8, 1966 and both took office on Jan. 3, 1967. Unknown to either of them at the time, it was the beginning of a long and meaningful friendship.

Callaway High School has no water. Sewer line break.   Don't worry.  JPS ordered two dozen portalets. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

It's time for a bed-time story.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

Clever or desperate?  See for yourself.

Belhaven is now free and clear of the boil water notice.  Only Presidential Hills remains under the warning.  Carry on.

The PEER Committee issued the following statement about Visit Jackson.

Two power poles are down on Parkway Road very close to Spillway Road. Parkway Road between Spillway Road and Harbor View Road (Near River of Life Church) is not passable but Spillway Road remains open. This situation initially had power out over a large portion of the area. Traffic lights were out between Spillway and Northshore Parkway to Grants Ferry and Spillway. Entergy crews are on scene but state it will be hours before the repair is complete. They have to isolated the area of the downed line so partial service has restored. all traffic signals have been restored EXCEPT Spillway Road and Hugh Ward Blvd.

The city libraries are literally disintegrating before our eyes in Jackson.   Clarion-Ledger reporter Justin Vicery placed the Jackson-Hinds Library System under a microscope and told a story of a city library system whose survival is in question.  Mr. Vicery reported last week:

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Today's edition of Matchbook Monday moves out of Jackson.  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 President of the Mississippi Retired Public Employees Association threw down a gauntlet to any legislator even thinking about changing PERS.  President Ann Thames issued the warning in a newsletter recently sent to her members.  Legislators were none too happy after the PERS Board of Trustees voted to raise the employer contribution rate from 15.75% to 17.4% earlier this year.  The rate increase means the state will have to send another $75 million to PERS while local governments will have to chip in another $25 million.  PERS is only 61.8% funded. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Genesis 1:27 in today's edition of Sunday Morning Sermon.  The theme of the 1990 sermon was "Understanding Ourselves."

JPD issued the following statement.

As expected, Cindy Hyde-Smith trumped Mike Espy in the run-off election to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Thad Cochran.

Yes, trumped, both literally and figuratively – literally because she won handily 54% to 46% and figuratively because President Donald Trump flew into Mississippi the day before the election and stumped for her in Tupelo and Biloxi.

The national media recognized Marshall Ramsey, today for a cartoon he drew of President George H. W. Bush after he passed away last night.  Mississippi's Cartoonist Laureate appeared on Fox and Friends this morning while CNN showed the cartoon.

President George H. W. Bush died tonight.  He was 94 years old. 

Today's edition of Flashback Friday takes a look back at previous issues of the Clarion-Ledger for the First Friday in December.  See what Jacksonians were doing for fun back in the day.  Enjoy.

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

Both DPS Headquarters and driver services in Jackson will close today at noon because of low water pressure.  Drive to Kosciusko if you need a new license.  Seriously.

Controversy arose after a group of Tougaloo students were ordered to leave Northpark Mall.  Mall security told them to leave the mall after they passed out flyers to shoppers in the food court.  Northpark Mall has a "no solicitation" policy.  The professor leading the students complained she was unfairly harassed by security and Ridgeland police. 

The Christmas TV classic, Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, yes, that show, triggered some snowflakes.  File this under "Why We Can't Have Nice Things, Reason ___".   Go check it out at Huffpo. Read the comments. They are gold.  

Crimestoppers issued the following bulletin.  Send tips to Crimestoppers to collect reward.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

Bill Crawford cited the high cost of diabetic testing strips as an example of  the rationing of health care due to high prices.  However, a simple read of the source he used would have shown a different story. Here is the original passage about the WWII Vet:

The Mississippi State Medical Association is seeking new leadership.  The Mississippi State Medical Association  terminated its Executive Director, Charmain Kanosky. MSMA is the trade association representing the physicians of the state.  Kanosky served as the lobbyists for MSMA before becoming Executive Director—employed by the association for nearly 25 years.   Her annual salary was $209,000 per and $40,000 in benefits.

UMMC issued the following press release.

A couple of knuckleheads attempt to enter the Darwin Award Contest.

In 2018, Mississippi voters elected two U.S. senators. The two elections saw about $27. 6 million expended with $11 million of that coming from partisan outside groups – and armed with that money, Mississippians witnessed the near destruction of the reputations of at least two of those candidates.

It's election night.  Finally.  Post comments here.  Live results can be found at this page on the WLBT website. 

Update: Cindy Hyde-Smith beats Mike Espy by ten points.  McCarty wipes out Weill by 2:1 with 82% of the vote counted.  

The big, huge Senate runoff today.  However, there are several more races.  There are runoffs in Hinds County for Chancery Court and Circuit Court.  There is a runoff for Circuit Judge in Madison and Rankin counties as well as one for Chancellor in Rankin County as well.  Vote early and often.  Make comments about election in this post.  Fire away.

Troubles worsened for three people accused of robbing the Exxon at I-55 and Northside Drive last week.  The trio of robbers engaged in a shootout with JPD at the Waterworks Curve as they fled the pursuing police.  Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeff Reynolds denied bond for two suspects yesterday at an initial appearance for the charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault on a police officer.  A third is hospitalized. However,  the suspects took a trip to Canton instead of Raymond as FBI agents arrested them after the hearing in the courtroom.

State Representative Adrienne Wooten voted against a bill in the legislature that required doctors performing abortions or deliveries of children under the age of sixteen to preserve tissue or blood samples and report to authorities they suspect a sex crime took place.  Ms. Wooten is running for Hinds County Circuit Judge.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and mug shots.

The war over who will replace Judge Joseph Lee on the Mississippi Court of Appeals will come to an end tomorrow.  Jackson attorney David McCarty came within one point of winning the November 6 election outright as he beat Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill by more than thirty thousand votes. 

The Big Showdown between Mike Espy and Cindy Hyde-Smith is tomorrow.  Make your feelings known here.  Remember to vote early and often. 

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement.

The Jackson Zoo issued the following press release.

It's time for the Sunday Morning Sermon.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Church, Jackson) gave one of his better sermons as he preached from Matthew 5:6 in 1990.

"The high cost of prescriptions are leading many people to ration medicine or skip it altogether," reads a story in the Clarion-Ledger.

An earlier story told about an 87-year-old WWII veteran with Type 2 diabetes. His glucose test strips suddenly jumped up from $25 to $90 a box. "That's too high," he said. "And I don't understand how they can do that."

C.J. Lemaster actually engaged in some investigative journalism and busted JPS for failing to track crimes or "incidents" in Jackson Public Schools.  He reported at WLBT:

Check out Kamara's workout.  Damn.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement.

Yesterday, at the 2018 Egg Bowl game in Oxford, Mississippi, Treasurer Lynn Fitch awarded two MACS Mississippi Affordable College Savings) scholarships totaling $3,058 to Mississippi college students during the halftime Tuition Toss sponsored by College Savings Mississippi.

Check out these pictures from Northpark.  Part of the parking lot was repaved this week, right before Black Friday.  However, one little task was forgotten.  What could possibly go wrong? 

Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without.....

Here is a blast from the past.  JJ posted this video five years ago. WAPT was cleaning out the vault and came across this old color video of Jackson.  WAPT provided it to Downtown Jackson Partners, who posted it on Youtube. Really interesting stuff.

Parking meters will be coming to Fondren in 2019.  The Jackson City Council authorized the Mayor to issue a Request for Proposals to install new meters in Fondren and overhaul the current parking meter system.

Nothing like a holiday for providing the time to have some intellectual fun.  Did Atlantis  actually exist? If so, where was it?  A new theory proposes it might literally be in the middle of the desert for all of the world to see.

Admission is free tomorrow at the Jackson Zoo.  Don't feel like watching football or waiting for the turkey to cook? The weather should be nice tomorrow.  Get the kids out of mom's hair and take them to the zoo. 

JPD issued the following statement.

Yeah, I know that this is the last column I have before the Mississippi U.S. Senate runoff, but the truth is I really don’t have much more to say about a race that I’ve been writing about all these many months. I think I’ve said my piece on that subject.

Common Core math has nothing on this math lesson. 

Bulldog Properties issued the following statement.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement.

The daughter of Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green was carjacked earlier this week in the driveway of her Northeast Jackson home.  JJ is trying to obtain a description of the suspect as well as other information but has been unable to do so.  The victim was thankfully not injured although undoubtedly traumatized.  More information will be posted when available. 

Doug Hindman appeared on the grass of Scott Field as a "sponsor" of the Mississippi State-Arkansas football game last Saturday.   He even appeared on the radio pregame show as the school honored for his support of Bulldog football. This is the same Doug Hindman who was busted in a Perverted Justice/NBC sting in 2006.  A grand jury indicted him for "exploitation of a child" but he was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of cyberstalking.  Governor Barbour pardoned him during the last weeks of his reign in 2012. 

The city of Jackson issued the following statement and animated message.

Collection of all PERS posts.  

PERS continues to plod along as its funding level slightly improved to 61.8% despite receiving some favor from Wall Street and more money  from employers.    

Attorney Generalissimo Jim Hood issued the following statement.

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson distributed the flyer posted below at Mass this morning. 

Auburn nut and occasional Southern Yankee "Tammy" was killed in a car wreck a few days ago.  ESPN reported:

"How did it get here?", "How did it come to be?" are some of the questions discussed by the late Dr. Frank Pollard in this 1990 sermon.  He preaches from Genesis 1:2.  Enjoy.

The resignation of Ole Miss Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey S. Vitter was no surprise to insiders. A terrific academician with a stellar resume, Dr. Vitter simply was not the right fit for Ole Miss at this time. No doubt he will land another university presidency in the near future.

So, what sort of leader would fit?

A shootout took place during a traffic stop in Washington County, Arkansas.  How the deputy survived is nothing short of a miracle.  Watch the video to the very end.

The parents of Franny Fortner sued the city of Jackson, Superior Asphalt, IMS Engineers and several other defendants in Hinds County Circuit Court today.  Franny Fortner  was killed when her Mazda Miata flipped on Ridgewood Road last May when she struck a manhole cover. 

It's been 22 years since one of the best movies ever hit the theatres.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and photos.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller, Jr. issued the following statement.

Mo' money for teachers, mo' money for troopers, and of course, a whole lotta mo' money for PERS.  Governor Phil Bryant issued his 2020 budget recommendation yesterday. 

Today's edition of Flashback Friday involves roads and weddings.  Once upon a time, the frontage roads of I-55N were actually two-way.  The change to single-direction only frontage roads predictably caused some problems.

If you were a kid stuck with tv before the advent of cable tv, that meant Saturday afternoons were spent watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and Hee-Haw.   That meant you were going to watch Roy Clark.  He passed away today.  Enjoy some of his virtuosity on the banjo in the videos posted below.  Malaguena is particularly good.

Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith caught hell this week as she said she would attend a "public hanging" with a friend.  The media mob descended upon the incumbent as she struggled to fend them off while politicians sought to score points at her expense. 

It's time to review the resumes for SEC teams as they go bowl-prospecting.

Posted below are the press releases issued by several law enforcement agencies.  Two people died when a bus overturned in Desoto County.  A suspect led Rankin deputies on a chase and tried to beat down the boys in blue but wound up instead with the jailhouse blues.  JPD seeks help in identifying some burglary suspects.

A crime victim must have watched Sanford & Son.   WBTV (Matthews, NC) reported:

JPD issued the following statement.

Star reporter Theres Apel left the Clarion-Ledger to become the Communications Director at the Department of Public Safety.  JJ wishes her the best.  Congrats on the new job.  Her predecessor, Warren Strain, assumed a similar position at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. 

 As it happened on Nov. 6, the pollsters on both sides were uncannily accurate in their predictions that Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Mike Espy would run a close first and second in the open primary and leave Republican challenger Chris McDaniel a distant third with Democrat Tobey Bartee bringing up the rear.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Gun-totin' thieves hit Monroe's Donut's on McDowell Road yesterday.  A reader asked in the comments section yesterday if the keyboard warriors who professed outrage at the dastardly deed would make a trip to south Jackson to buy some donuts from Monroe.  Well, the Kingfish took up the suggestion and visited the donut shop late this morning.

On behalf of College Savings Mississippi, Treasurer Lynn Fitch announced that registration for the 2018 College Savings Mississippi Tuition Toss at this year’s Egg Bowl will officially open on Monday, October 1, 2018.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed the Catholic Diocese of Jackson covered up a scheme by a Starkville priest that bilked parishioners and the Church out of tens of thousands of dollars.  The allegations are part of an application for a search warrant that was unsealed recently in U.S. District Court.  The FBI obtained the warrant to search the premises of the Diocese and St. Joseph Parish.  The FBI also sought to seize records and various electronic devices. The priest raised money for his phony cancer treatments,  an orphanage, and a chapel in Mexico.

One finale salute to our nation's veterans.

JPD issued the following statement on Twitter:

Readers are going to enjoy today's edition of Matchbook Monday as there are some real gems posted below.  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.  Enjoy.

Enjoy this video honoring our veterans.  Don't watch it in kitchen with onions lying around.

A pair of Clarksdale parents allegedly beat members of the Clarksdale High School band after their son learned he would not play in Friday night's performance.  Fox 13 (Memphis) reported:

The folks at It's a Southern Thing, Y'all are back with another video.  Just curious, does this really happen at holiday time?

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Matthew 5:3 in this 1990 sermon.  Today's top is the Sermon on the Mount. Enjoy.

The hand has begun writing on the wall. The not-so-slim lady is tuning her pipes. The Nov. 27 run-off between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy is all but a done deal, with Hyde-Smith the clear winner.

Have an LSU fan in your family/ get him or her this perfect gift.

Ole Miss issued the following statement.

Today's edition of Flashback Friday presents some vintage restaurants from a long time ago.....

The Jackson Zoo issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement.

UMMC issued the following statement.

Madison County attorney Sharon Plunkett will serve six years in prison after she pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Madison County Circuit Court. She was indicted a year ago for embezzling from her law firm, Young, Williams, P.A. 

The Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith campaign issued the following statement.

Get out the tissues.  Heartwarming scene took place at Northwest Rankin Middle School.

The War of the Muscadines continues in Pelahatchie as Pelahatchie Mayor Ryshonda Beechem notified the Board of Aldermen this week that she intends to sue the Board and Town Clerk.  Mayor Beechem's attorney, Thomas Bellinder, provided the notice to the Board of Aldermen at its meeting Monday night.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following alert.

The Board of Directors for the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation fired the foundation's president yesterday.  The Foundation owns the Our Lady of the Lake Medical System in Baton Rouge.  The hospital said he was fired for embezzlement.  Former Clarion-Ledger star Elizabeth Crisp reported yesterday in the   Morning Advocate:

One day after most of us engaged in the single most important duty of American citizenship – exercising the precious right to vote – can we please take a deep breath as a country and stop the national hysteria over whether this or any U.S. president can nullify the 14th Amendment guarantee of birthright citizenship by executive order?
While there are those who will vigorously debate the question from both perspectives – the president can or the president can’t – the consensus among legal scholars other than those who are hard to the right is that neither President Donald Trump nor any other president possesses that power under the Constitution.

It's finally over but for a few run-offs elections.  Who will be on the bench tomorrow? Will Priester hold off the two challengers? Will Tomie roll over Kimalon? Can McDaniel score the upset and make a runoff? Will there be a Blue Tsunami in congressional races or will the Trumpster do his Br'er Rabbit number once again? Consider this post to be the election night thread.  Get the election results here.   Meanwhile, we could all use a laugh. Enjoy.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following press release.

Last night was the first Monday of November and that meant Rankin County NITRO! in Pelahatchie as the Mayor, her aunt, and the Board of Aldermen went at it yet again in typical WWE fashion.

Note: Insurance Commish Mike Chaney submitted this column.

As Insurance Commissioner I take my responsibilities of protecting the consumers of this state very seriously. Never is that more true than when it comes to the ever growing complex issues facing seniors in Mississippi relating to their health coverage. Rising health care costs put a strain on many retirement budgets and seniors need to remain well informed to make the most economical decisions.