Jackson Jambalaya

Leave it to Jackson City Councilman DeKeither Stamps to say something rather enlightened during the debate over the Jackson Zoo's proposed move.  Start around 1:00 in the video.  Mr. Stamps says the zoo should not move to Lefleur's Bluff because hit will help Flowood.  You can't make this up.  Guess the city shouldn't do anything for East County Line Road or Highway 80.  Watch for yourself.

JPD issued the following statements. 

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some true 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. 

Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason settled a lawsuit for $75,000 with Alicia Alexander.  Ms. Alexander is the former wife of a Hinds County Deputy.  She accused HCSO Lieutenant Janie Myles of arresting her after Alexander accused Myles breaking up her marriage and having an affair with her husband.

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon from the late Dr. Frank Pollard. 

The Saturday Night Crew will have fun with this post. Jackson  Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes issued this bull against the Jackson Zoological Society and Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr. 

Labyrinth returns to the big screen next week.   Jim Hensen, George Lucas, and of course, David Bowie star in this classic. Showtimes are posted below.

It's Friday night so enjoy this old clip of the Joe Pesci Show. 

JJ obtained new information about our fine young lad who was the subject of yesterday's "Arrest of the Day" post.  It seems that he had ten outstanding tickets for traffic (moving) violations so the poh-lice finally came and got him.  The video is posted below.  It's a safe bet that he gave his family a different story. 

Jackson Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes failed in his attempt to terminate the lease of the Jackson Zoological Society Tuesday night's meeting of the Jackson City Council.   The City Council voted to refer the matter to a committee.  The Jackson Zoological Society operates the Jackson Zoo under a lease agreement that was made in 2006 with the city of Jackson . The lease expires on September 30.

Kingfish note: The discussion grew rather colorful at times.  The videos and a report on what was actually said Tuesday night will be posted during the weekend.  However, JJ thought it would make readers aware of some of what is going on behind the scenes.  Here are some of the emails that are being circulated by opponents of moving the Jackson Zoo to Lefleur's Bluff.  The Kingfish has gone rogue in posting these emails as the public has a right to see what is going on out there in cyberworld. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following statement. 

The Brandon Police Department issued the following press release.

It's been 22 years since Kenneth Tornes went on a racist rampage to kill whites at the Jackson Fire Department. The Jackson firefighter showed up at JFD headquarters on April 24, 1996, and killed four white JFD officials and injured three others (one of the injured victims was black).  He led police on a chase that ended in front of McRae's at Northpark Mall.  Ridgeland police officer Corporal Richard Gooch stopped Tornes with what can only be described as an incredible shot.  Gooch shot Tornes in the eye at 50 yards with a pistol.  The 9mm round did not kill Tornes, but instead glanced off of his skull.  Tornes died in prison. 

This video of a JPD arrest is making the rounds on Facebook.   A JPD officer attempted to arrest a fine young gentleman who was unfortunately the subject of an arrest warrant.

JPD issued the following statement. 

The District at Eastover issued the following press release. 

JJ ran a little behind in March and forgot to post a couple of things.  Here are the public comments made at the February meeting of the Jackson-Hinds Library System Board of Trustees.  The public comments were on par with those made at the Jackson City Council, but fell just below the standard established by Enoch Sanders.

Check out what is playing tonight at 7 at Tinseltown and Malco.

JJ asked and the readers responded by submitting copies of their latest newspaper bills.  Check out the new subscription rates from the Clarion-Ledger.

Okay, so the latest political tantrum from state Sen. Chris McDaniel operates on this narrative – he “demands” that Mississippi television stations stop running ads funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which make the claim that McDaniel is a trial lawyer.

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

A Mason-Dixon poll states that Attorney General Jim Hood beats Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves in a matchup for the 2019 gubernatorial election 44-39.  The sample size was 625 voters.  The poll is posted below.  The demographic information is on page six. 

The PEER Committee issued the following statement and report.

The capitol will have one less watchdog.  The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal laid off an editor and reporter yesterday but the reporter is the one who covered the state capitol, Bobby Harrison.  Readers may cheer at the sight of a shrinking "liberal media" but the good ole boyz will have one less set of eyes watching their shenanigans in what is already the most corrupt state in America. Mr. Barksdale should consider replacing a couple of his reporters with Mr. Harrison.  He would be able to double the workload at half the price.   Hmm...... just had a thought.  If NEMDJ is laying off staff, what about it's sister publication, the Mississippi Business Journal? Will it face any cutbacks? 

Enjoy this old video as these two guys nail Pacino and De Niro all the way down to the fancy footwork.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety failed yet again in its attempt to purge a sissified trooper from the ranks of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.  The Mississippi Employee Appeals Board ordered DPS to reinstate with back pay Sergeant James Richards.  DPS fired Sgt. Richards for the unlawful use of controlled substances even though he was recovering from hip replacement surgery and had prescriptions for the drugs he used.

It's time for Matchbook Monday.  Some true 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.  There is at least one politically incorrect one in this batch.  Enjoy.

The Board of Directors for the Jackson Zoological Society voted on April11 to allow the public to attend board meetings.*   Public comments will not be allowed.   The Board can vote to go into executive session on a motion of a Board member for any subject.    The Board is comprised of an equal mix of members appointed by the non-profit Jackson Zoological Society and the Jackson City Council.

 Meanwhile, Jackson Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes placed the following item on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the City Council:

Westworld returns tonight.  If you want a refresher or haven't watched the first season, Alt Shift X posted a pretty good summary on Youtube that also provides a few easily-missed but crucial details. The video is posted below.

Update: BPD charged Fulton with unlawful possession of explosives.  

The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon given by the late Dr. Frank Pollard.

Posted below are the 990's for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Opera, Ballet Mississippi, New State, Inc., and the Jackson Zoological Society.

JPD issued the following statement. 

Looking for something cool to do this weekend? Check this out. 

The Jackson Mayor made this statement about the Rez at his press conference about the Jackson Zoo last week.

Sergeant Stubby: An American Hero, is now playing at local theaters and deserves your support.   The movie is about one lonely pit bull pup who was adopted by a Doughboy as he went through boot camp during The Great War.  His master snuck him along to France where he became a hero in the trenches.  It is showing at Malco, Tinseltown although it did not receive the best showtimes (posted below).  Go see this movie.

Jackson attorney and Democratic activist Samuel Begley issued the following statement. 

A Mason-Dixon poll states that newly-appointed U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith handily beats former Congressman Mike Espy in a runoff.  However, the same poll claims that State Senator Chris McDaniel trails Mr. Espy by a narrow margin.  The poll reported a large number of undecided voters, 46% and 40%, in each poll. The sample was 625 voters.  The poll is posted below.  Demographic information is posted on page six.

Flashback Friday travels back to the early 1960's at Central High School.   Enjoy these videos. 

Attorney Barry Gilmer was charged with willful discharge of a firearm toward a dwelling and disturbing the peace today.   He surrendered to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.  His bond is $1,000.  The police report is posted below.

The Mississippi Supreme Court struck down the Ridgeland zoning ordinances that were created to help Costco.   JJ is currently reviewing the opinion but here is the key point:

Former Congressman Mike Espy and Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton submitted their qualifying papers for the U.S. Senate special election in November to the Secretary of State today.  

Never say the Democrat don't know how to have a good time with an election.  Posted below is a letter that was sent to the Mississippi Democratic Party Executive Committee.   It appears the residency of a Senatorial candidate might be in dispute.

This video says it all.  Enjoy. 

JPD issued the following statements: 

Watch the Third Congressional District candidates debate tonight.  Americans For Prosperity sponsored tonight's debate and is streaming the event live on Facebook.  The streaming video is posted below.

Daniel Henry currently awaits trial nearly two years after he was arrested for carjacking and shooting a mother who was dropping off her child early one morning at Davis Magnet Elementary.   The story began on May 6, 2016.  WLBT reported:

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement and video.

Jackson State University issued the following statement.

The Koestlers and Shapleys issued this statement yesterday:

As state officials scramble for resources to address infrastructure concerns in the wake of the closure of over 100 Mississippi bridges deemed unsafe by federal authorities, the stance of some of those same state officials on collecting Internet sales taxes seems particularly relevant.

The Mississippi Court of Appeals issued the following statement.

Fundraising reports for the candidates in the Third Congressional District race were due last weekend.  Read 'em and weep.

The War of the Shaps is apparently over.  U.S. District Judge Carleton Reeves dismissed all lawsuits between Mark and Mary Shapley and Koestler Inc. yesterday.  The Shapleys and Koestler family were brawling in court over who had the right to the "Shapley's" restaurant name. 

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

Guy "Butch" Evans will plead guilty on April 24 in U.S. District Court before Judge Henry Wingate. A grand jury indicted Evans for one count of bribery and one count of fraud in 2016 in the Chris Epps scandal.  A recent filing in the case states:

JPD issued the following statement. 

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement.

The Jackson Zoo commissioned the consulting firm Shultz & Williams to study the ability of the Jackson Zoo to fund a major facelift.  The recommendations were not encouraging  as S&W recommended that the firm not proceed with a $15 million capital campaign until the zoo's future was more secure.  The report's executive summary is posted below. 

WLBT is streaming a press-conference in Canton right now.  It is posted below.

Welcome to Matchbook Monday.  There are some true gems of Jackson's past posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section.  Enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks they might have to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

M.A.C. Construction owner Marcus Wallace had a few things to say to the City Council about public works contracts last week.  The video is posted below.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Psalm 33 in this 1989 sermon. 

The same information released by State Auditor Stacey Pickering resulted in two quite different headlines.

"Study: Economic development incentives paying off for state," read the headline in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

"Auditor: Failed economic projects cost Mississippi taxpayers $185M," read the headline in the Clarion-Ledger.

Both are accurate, both based on the same report by Pickering, but both convey very different perspectives. So, too, do the stories.

Bill Maher is hitting his stride with this free speech thing.  Enjoy.

Jackson Ward 2 City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr. penned his thoughts about the Jackson Zoo's future on Facebook this week: 

"There you go again" emerged as a single defining phrase of the 1980 presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. The phrase has endured in the political lexicon in news headlines and articles, as a way to quickly refer to various candidates, operatives or a political party bringing certain issues up repeatedly during debates, campaigns. In the context of current Mississippi politics, a paraphrase of that often used Reagan response applies to the actions of leaders, operatives and pundits of today’s MS GOP.

Smith Park reopens today.  Check out how it looked after the barricades were removed this morning.

Just some local lads pugilizing.  Cousin or no cousin, he probably should have paid him back.

The Whit Hughes for Congress campaign announced it raised $304,354 since January 17.  More than 450 individual donated to the campaign.  The campaign issued the following press release. 

Speaking of Muhammad Ali, once upon a time, the Heavyweight Champeen of the World visited Jackson......

Jackson Ward 4 City Councilman De'Keither Stamps announced his resignation this evening as Chairman of the Finance Committee.  The letter he submitted to City Council President Charles Tillman is posted below.

If you need a plumber to work on gas lines, give Quentin Jones a try.  Unfortunately, it can be hard to find a plumber who will do such work in Jackson.  The city makes it difficult to get a license to do such work.  Quite a few plumbers will work in Jackson but are unable to work on gas lines.  Mr. Jones is very good and reasonable on price.  You can reach him at 601 906-5683. 

This letter about JPD was sent to all members of the Jackson City Council.  It is not signed so take it with a grain of salt.

District Attorney (19th Circuit*) Tony Lawrence issued the following statement.

Mississippi Insurance Commish Miguel Chaney issued the following statement. 

Found this little gem on Youtube: Billy Crystal's tribute to Muhammad Ali, "15 Rounds."  Enjoy.

So said a strident Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba about stopping a proposed move of the Jackson Zoo.   Mayor Lumumba spoke at a press conference held in front of City Hall this afternoon.  City leaders and the Working Together Jackson Coalition appeared with the Mayor. 

The 1% Sales Tax Commission meets this afternoon.  JJ ran behind and is just now getting around to posting the video of the March meeting as well as the documents provided at that meeting. The Commission voted to spend nearly $7 million to shore up a depleted water and sewer fund.  

That was quick.  The city of Ridgeland issued the following statement:

Posted below is the list of bridges closed by Governor Phil Bryant yesterday.   The list will be updated as bridges are fixed and more are added to the list after inspection.  There are 23 in Hinds County and none in Madison or Rankin counties.

Mississippi Democrats are hoping for a repeat of the political “miracle” that handed their counterparts in Alabama a U.S. Senate seat last December.

Yet another Westworld trailer dropped today with some heavy-duty spoilers.   Watch and enjoy.

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement.

It almost hurts to post this tweet from a British police unit.  To think these people once ruled the world and beat the Nazis.

Uh-oh.  The Jackson Public Schools District wants to play around with bonds again.  The Clarion-Ledger reported yesterday:

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statements.

Millsaps College and Chism Strategies released a "State of the State survey that is posted below.

Awwwwwwwwwwww..........

or better yet.... the good guys win a round. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following press release.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement. 

A federal grand jury indicted Atlanta wheeler & dealer and noted Jackson tourist Mitzi Bickers  for bribery. last week.  The Atlanta Constitution-Journal reported:

Welcome to Matchbook Monday.  Several matchbooks of Jackson's past are posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section.  Enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks they might have to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

File this under "Stupid Crook of the Day."

The late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Church, Jackson) preached on "The Good Life" in this 1989 sermon.  If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy.

Serendipity is a word with an unusual history. It derives from an Italian translation of a 14th Century Persian fairy tale. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, serendipity was coined by English author Horace Walpole who had stumbled upon a “fairy tale called 'The Three Princes of Serendip.'" Walpole said the three princes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of."

Took a break from hunting Sandinistas tonight to post this miniseries from 1988, Favorite Son.  It garnered great ratings at the time.  It's a pretty good political thriller if you are in the mood for that sort of thing.  Enjoy.

The website that has defined a generation is dying a slow death. When Facebook first launched on February 4, 2004, the company obsessed with two things- being “cool” and getting as many people addicted to its platform as possible. It accomplished the former by excluding old people- literally- at first you needed an .edu email address to create an account. It accomplished the latter by “exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology”, as inaugural president Sean Parker put it. This strategy worked well for Facebook. Really well.

Take a break from the comic book movies and endless sequels this weekend and next Saturday.  The showtimes are posted below.

JPD issued the following statement.

Former Congressman Mike Espy, Esq. issued the following statement.

As our nation’s infrastructure ages, the evidence of the decline is obvious, and more importantly, the effect is felt on a daily basis. That’s why it is easy for governors operating in a bipartisan way to stand together on matters of infrastructure investment. As the elected leaders of two small, rural states, we are pleased and thankful President Trump has started a national conversation on infrastructure with his proposal. We believe infrastructure is a critical factor to the economic success of our states, and if implemented properly, it will not only create jobs, but bring value to our citizens and build communities unlike this country has seen in decades. As such, there are at least three points worth mentioning:

I wish I were making this up, I really do.  Check out this plan for the revitalization of Livingston Park that was prepared for the city of Jackson a couple of years ago.   Don't drink something while you are reading it.  Hint: $100,000 for a dog park.  Keep in mind it does not include any improvements to the actual zoo.  Total cost: $74 million although the "public development" costs are only $13.5 million.

The firm, Wier Boerner Allin, created the study at no cost to the city.  City official asked the architectural firm to give it an estimate of what adding a specified list of amenities to the park would cost.  The Yarber administration chose not to move forward with the plan after it saw the price tag. The study is posted below and should be viewed as what it would cost to turn the park into something resembling the nicer parks in other areas. 

Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill issued the following statement.

Today's edition of Throwback Thursday is the result of browsing around old issues of the Clarion-Ledger.  Posted below are some of the more interesting ads and items gleaned from jumping around the archives at random.  Enjoy.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following press release. 

Canton Mayor Dr. William Truly threw a Canton School Board member out of a Board of Aldermen meeting this week for merely attending the public meeting.

The Ridgeland Police Department posted the following message on Facebook. 

Check out The Golden Bear's grandson at Augusta yesterday.

JJ asked if the Jackson Zoo should move and readers overwhelmingly said yes, it should.  1030 votes were cast.   Oddly enough, the 18% of the readers voted to shut it down.  The results are posted below.

Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology Executive Director Sharon Clark issued the following statement.

 On March 21, state Sen. Chris McDaniel sent yet another installment of an email blast for a fundraising come-on he entitled the “Remember Mississippi Moneybomb” in which he seeks $100,000 before a self-imposed “March 31st at Midnight” deadline.

When last I checked the McDaniel “Moneybomb” web landing page on March 29, the Ellisville attorney had raised $26,455 of that total with three days to go. But the verbiage of the campaign cash appeal was in many ways far more interesting than the tick-tock, tick-tock of the deadline.

The Value In Electing Republican Women Political Action Committee (VIEW PAC) today endorsed Mississippi State Senator Sally Doty in her race for Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional seat, following the pending retirement of U.S. Representative Greg Harper (R-MS).

“VIEW PAC’s mission is to elect the most qualified Republican women to Congress,” Senator Doty said.  “This endorsement by such a highly regarded organization is not only an honor, but a good measure of my prior experience and accomplishment as a state legislator. I am very pleased that the seasoned leaders of VIEW PAC hold my record of service in the legislature and my candidacy for Congress in such high esteem.”

Former Congressman Mike Espy leads Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and State Senator Chris McDaniel in a poll commissioned by Chism Strategies, a known Democratic outfit.  The poll states that Mr. Espy leads with 34% of the vote while Senator Hyde-Smith garnered 27% and State Senator McDaniel had 21%.  The poll of general election voters was conducted in March.   The crosstabs are posted below as well.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following statement. 

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement. 

Note: Posted below is the video of the March 19 special meeting of the Pelahatchie Board of Aldermen. 

Local NAACP honcho Wayne McDaniels blasted Pelahatchie Mayor Ryshonda Beechem because she dared to - gasp - appear on a fund-raising invitation for a Republican.

The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement.

The Shapleys and Koestlers continued their war over the use of the "Shapley's" name in federal court last week as  Koestler, Inc. asked the court to award them the "Shapley's" trademark and enforce a non-compete clause against Mark and Mary Shapley.  Koestler is moving to the site formerly occupied by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Renaissance while Mark Shapley announced last week he and his wife are going to operate a restaurant at the current site of Shapley's on Centre Street in Ridgeland.

KIM Waaaaaaaaaaaade was on a roll Friday afternoon.  Listen for yourself.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement.

Welcome to Matchbook Monday.  Several matchbooks of Jackson's past are posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section.  Enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks they might have to kingfish1935@gmail.com.

Enjoy this 1999 Easter sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard if you can't make it to church this morning.