Jackson Jambalaya

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Too funny.

Enjoy this 1990 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard if you can't make it to church this morning.

Where you live matters, they say.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

A riot took place in Pod A at the Raymond Detention Center this morning.  At least five inmates were stabbed. Several officers were injured.  More information to follow. 

It appears Independence Day will be celebrated on any day but Independence Day.

Secretary of State Hibbit Hosemann issued the following statement. 

The U.S. Census estimates Jackson's population fell 5% since the 2010 census.  Flowood, Madison, and Brandon  enjoyed growth while Jackson and Canton shrank.  The 2018 population estimates are posted below and compared to the 2010 Census records. 

UMC issued the following statement.

Mary Watkins won the Battle of the Fishhook at Culley Lake in Natchez Trace Village. Madison County Court Judge Ed Hannan ruled yesterday that Watkins is not guilty of simple assault by threat.  A Madison Municipal Court convicted 80 year-old Mary Watkins of the charge after she repeatedly cast a fish hook in the direction of an 11 year-old boy who was jet skiing on the lake at Natchez Trace Village in Madison. 

JPD tweeted the following statement and mug shot.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves blows away former Chief Justice Bill Waller, Jr. in a poll commissioned by Y'all Politics. The poll states Mr. Reeves gets 50% of the vote while Mr. Waller gets 19%.  State Representative Robert Foster brings up the rear at 9% although 27% of the voters were undecided. 

Guess who's coming to Jackson this weekend. 

William Faulkner famously wrote "The past is never dead. It's not even past." Such is true as the past comes back to life at 518 East Capitol Street.  The Faulkner opened yesterday.  Buddy Faulkner and his daughter, Sarah, took a century-old building and turned it into a creation that represents the best of old and new Jackson.

Credit: Rick Guy

Mississippi Democrats prefer Joe Biden to other presidential contenders in the 2020 race.  A Millsaps College/Chism Strategies poll of likely Democratic primary voters stated 50% of those polled preferred the former Vice-President to the other 23 candidates.  Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernard Sanders trailed at 7% each.  Mr. Biden's support jumped to 58% among Blacks.  The poll and crosstabs are posted below.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.

Among most of his supposed 2020 Democratic presidential primary opponents – particularly those hitching their political wagons to the New Left – Joe Biden’s recent comments on the days when those with significant differences within their own parties and certainly with those in the opposing parties could reach out and work together for the common good have been denounced as political heresy and compared to “dog vomit.”

 Led Zeppelin played in Baton Rouge.....

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

Lost Pizza Company in Maywood Mart suddenly closed today.  The pizzeria posted this message on Facebook:

The Mississippi Supreme Court appointed a Special Judge to preside over City of Jackson v. Siemens et al. All Hinds County Circuit judges recused themselves from the case.  The order is posted below.

Cursed in life, Cedric Willis will hopefully be blessed in heaven.  Cedric Willis became Jackson's fifty-third homicide in 2019 yesterday.  JPD said he was shot multiple times yesterday at the corner of Bailey Avenue and Dewitt Street.  However, this was not the first time tragedy visited Willis as he was freed in 2004 after serving 11 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit.

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

JPD tweeted the following statement. 

The Reverend P.J. Williams and Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes yukked it up yesterday morning on the Good Reverend's weekly radio show.  They discussed all sorts of groovy topics such as how to steal water, animal rescue, and election cheating. 

Belhaven University issued the following statement. 

A distraught parent discovered her daughter purchased a gun - gasp -  and wrote Ask Amy:

“People, not the government, know best how to take care of their own money,” is one of Gov. Phil Bryant’s favorite themes.

So began this 1990 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Church, Jackson).   A simple post for those who couldn't make it to church this morning.  Enjoy.

$330,000.  $330,000 is how much it costs Hinds County to settle three sexual harassment lawsuits against Sheriff Victor Mason. JJ obtained the settlement agreements through a public records request.  They are posted below. 

The Faulkner opens next week.  Built by Dr. Carl Von Suetter, the building on East Capitol Street has been around for over 100 years.  Today's edition of Flashback Friday takes a look at the Von Seutter family.  The Faulkner began as Dr. Von Suetter's Jewelry Emporium.  The Von Seutter family is intertwined with the history of Jackson.  Take a look.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

Justice has been delayed yet again for Chelsie Kirschten.    The 24 year-old woman was shot to death on Fortification Street on August 17, 2017.  Police arrested a trio of suspects for her murder.  However, the trial for one suspect, Lidarious Dixon, was continued because the prosecution could not  a medical examiner to testify.

- Justices cite discriminatory use of preemptive strikes during jury selection in sixth trial.

The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction of Curtis Flowers and remanded the case for a new trial on a 7-2 vote. The Court stated:

Lord Protector James Tiberius Hood issued the following statement. 

UMMC issued the following press release written by Annie Oeth. 

Rankin-Madison District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement.

Will she live?

An Ole Miss professor known for his online incitements to harass politicians obtained the coveted tenure status by all of one vote at the May IHL Board of Trustees meeting.  Professor James Thomas tweeted last October:

Update: Taylor was free but not for long.  The Fibbies swooped in and got him for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm on March 27.  The affidavit provides more information about the murder.  It is posted below.

A murder suspect was put back on the street in Jackson.   Cedric Taylor posted bond of $100,000 on March 19.  JPD arrested Taylor on March 6 for the murder of Dewan Fortner.

Consider this post to be an early edition of Flashback Friday. 

Imagine a group of men beating Sammy Davis, Jr.  while he performed in Jackson.  Such barbarism took place in Birmingham in 1956.  Legendary Nat King Cole attempted to perform two shows the night of April 10, 1956 - one for a white audience, and one for a black audience - but received punches instead of plaudits. 

Attorney Warren Martin issued the following statement:

Mississippi Commissioner Agriculture Andy Gipson posted the following statement about his father on Facebook on June 9.  JJ's condolences go to the Gipson family. 

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement. 

There were two major crime incidents in Ridgeland yesterday.  A shooting took place at Midway Park.  RPD Chief John Neal stated on Facebook:

Speaking to the Delta Council Annual Meeting in Cleveland recently, United Parcel Service chairman and chief executive officer David Abney – a Mississippi Delta native who leads the world’s largest package delivery company - strongly advocated increases in both federal and state fuel taxes to fund future highway construction and maintenance at a time when both national and state infrastructure stands in inarguable need to repair and improvement.

A group of Jackson water customers sued to stop the city from cutting off water services for customers until the city resolves its lawsuit against Siemens.   The plaintiffs accuse the city of cutting off water for customers even though it knows the bills are inaccurate.  The action was filed today in Hinds County Chancery Court.

The Ridgeland Police Department released the following statement and video of last night's robbery at Cappy's.

All Hinds County Circuit Court judges recused themselves in City of Jackson v. Siemens et al. 

There is a ruthless killer on the loose in Mississippi. From dark alleys to dimly lit streets, to winding dirt roads leading to single family homes and through gated neighborhoods to the wealthiest in town, this killer has no mercy and finds its victims of all races, creeds and incomes. The state of Mississippi has yet to stop this merciless killer and with each passing year, the lives of so many more are ended. The killer is a chameleon of sorts, taking on different forms and fashion and unrelenting in its pursuit of victims. The culprit lurks not in the form of a vicious villain roaming the street, but quietly nestled in bottles and syringes as prescription pain killers, synthetic opioids and illegal drugs such as heroin.

Rankin-Madison District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement.

Receiver Alysson Mills submitted her status report to U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves yesterday.  Judge Reeves appointed Ms. Mills to recover assets for the SEC in the Lamar Adams timber fraud case.  The report is posted below although there is little new information for JJ readers who are following the case on this website. However, the report provides an update on all litigation concerning the Lamar Adams case. 

Dunno which writer thought of this but it's all true. 

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

The city of Jackson hasn't updated the crime reports on the city's website since February.   Posted below is the most recent report available on the website.   Jackson went nearly a year without posting the crime stats until November 2018.  One hopes the city will begin posting them again. 

Going to be tied up for awhile so consider this post to be an open thread about the Ole Miss Chancellor search.  That means the search, not the MSU-Ole Miss rivalry, fighting over The Flag, or whether Ole Miss looks best in powder blue. 

In Jackson, all roads lead back to Siemens and the Hemphill-M.A.C. feud is no exception.  An old lawsuit may explain why Hemphill Construction is going to such lengths to gets its money from  Marcus Wallace.  Hemphill sued M.A.C. after Marcus Wallace withdrew $4 million from a joint checking account without the required approval from Hemphill Construction.  Needless to say, Hemphill was none too pleased by the withdrawal and sued Regions. 

JPD issued the following statement yesterday. 

 Mark Baker and Andy Taggart squared off in a debate  sponsored by the Gulf Coast chapter of the Federalist Society.  State Treasurer Lynn Fitch did not appear.  The complete video and a list of questions asked in the debate are posted below.  The debate took place at William Carey University in Hattiesburg.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached on spiritual showoffs in this 1990 sermon.   If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy today's edition of Sunday Morning Sermon. Enjoy one of his better sermons. 

Successful DeSoto County small businessman Robert Foster is one of the more conservative members of the Mississippi Legislature, e.g. the American Conservative Union gave him a 95% "conservative" rating in 2018.

Serving his first term as a state representative, Foster decided not to seek re-election but put his name on the ballot for governor. He said his experience these four years is the reason.

A classic returns to the theatre tomorrow and Tuesday....

Live from New York City......

The Mark Baker for Attorney General Campaign will host a fund-raiser Monday night:

James Covington fired back at Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba on Facebook Thursday after the city of Jackson called him a "sham" contractor in a lawsuit filed against Siemens: 

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement.

M.A.C. Construction won't be getting paid for work on the North State Street project for quite some time. The Marcus Wallace company is a subcontractor for Neel Shaffer on the project.  However,   Madison County Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff ordered Neel-Schaffer Tuesday to pay $39,713 Neel-Schaffer owed to M.A.C. instead to creditors Bankfirst and Hemphill Construction.

Imagine a CEO that makes more than Mississippi’s Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer and Secretary of State combined.

Our favorite Sovereign Citizen, Robert "Too Sweet" Henderson, is at it again.  Check out what he filed against Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson this week. Read both pages. 

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

Attorney General James T. Hood issued the following statement.

The Clarion-Ledger finally got around to covering the Sheldon Alston, Jr. case today.  Sarah Fowler somehow heard about the case and got around to reporting on it today.

Jackson Public Works Director Bob Miller issued the following statement yesterday.

Madison police arrested Sherman Jenkins at Bruce Campbell field for drug dealing.  Jenkins is the son of Bishop Thomas Jenkins.  Bishop Jenkins is the chaplain for JPD and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.  Sherman Jenkins is being held without bond in the Madison County Detention Center. 

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith issued the following statement. 

A sign appeared on the front door of Beemon's Drugs yesterday:

Plagued by water billing disasters, facing financial catastrophe due to a failure to collect water service revenue while making bond payments of $7 million per year, the city of Jackson said enough is enough and sued Siemens for $225 million yesterday in Hinds County Circuit Court.  The city also sued several minority "businessmen" such as Marcus Wallace, James Covington, Tom Wallace, and Socrates Garrett for acting as "sham" contractors to manipulate the minority participation requirements. The complaint pulls no punches in opening:

In what would be his final studio album, the inimitable Mississippi blues legend B.B. King in 2008 covered the 1927 Bessie Smith classic “Backwater Blues” in a style that made the heartbreaking tune all his own: “I climbed up on the high lonely hill, Oh, I climbed up on the high ole lonely hill; And I looked down at the house; Baby, where I used to live.”

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith issued the following statement. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement yesterday.

UMMC issued the following press release.

The Mark Baker for Attorney General Campaign issued the following statement.

- Alston will likely only serve 18 months in prison. 

Sheldon Alston, Jr. will go to prison for three years.  The young scion of the Alston family pleaded guilty yesterday to aggravated domestic violence in Union County Court.  However, Circuit Judge Kelly Luther allowed Alston to remain free on bond and ordered him to report to the Lafayette County jail in two weeks to begin serving his short sentence.

If you are reading this post, it means I am sitting in the courthouse in Union County. 

A poor Jackson woman just wants to sell snow cones.  She doesn't want a hand out or a "gummint check."  Nope. She just wants to sell snow cones to her community, you know, the capitalist way. Unfortunately, crime is keeping her from doing so.  WJTV reported this weekend:

Darla Palmer finally filed her campaign finance report.  The Hinds County District Attorney candidate submitted the report on May 29 - 19 days after the May 10 deadline.  She reported contributions of $12,353.  Her two opponents are Jody Owens and Stanley Alexander.  There is another reporting deadline today.

Is the Investment Kill Zone real? A theory that the Big 3 tech companies, Google, Facebook, and Amazon, are killing innovation and start-ups as they become monopolistic.  Noah Smith opined in Bloomberg:

JPD tweeted the following statement.

Some local talent apparently wishes to compete for the Jackson Darwin of the Year Award.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Genesis 13: 1-13 in this 1990 sermon.  Something for the readers who couldn't make it to church this morning. 

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

Yes, it really is a word. Back in the day we thought we were something because we could spell what we thought to be the longest word in the dictionary. Didn’t really know what it meant, but we had the spelling down.

Update: JPD arrested Jonathan Hawkins and charged him with vehicular homicide and felony leaving the scene  of an accident.


JPD issued the following statement.

The Allies liberated the first French city the day after the Normandy invasion.  Take a step back in time to the pages of the Clarion-Ledger to see the world of our grandparents the week of D-Day.  Posted below are several pages of the June 8, 1944 edition.  Read about one Mississippi who won a Purple Heart and another who graduated top of the class at West Point.  Check out the patriotic-flavored ads. One ad gives an idea of the shortages faced by American consumers.  Oddly enough, the State Democratic Party held a mighty contentious convention.  More news about the fighting in Europe was reported as well.  Enjoy.

JPD issued the following statement.

Governor Phil Bryant asked the federal government to issue a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Mississippi. The Governor argued the second opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway will wipe out the harvest of oysters, shrimp, and crabs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The letter is posted below.

JPD tweeted the following statements.

The first black golfer to win a PGA Tour event is apparently not good enough for the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.  There are 15 white golfers in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.*  The list includes a wearer of the Green Jacket and a woman who won the LPGA twice.   However, it also includes golfers who only achieved success in Mississippi amateur tournaments or were recognized for PGA leadership.

Rankin-Madison District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement.

The Normandy invasion continued 75 years ago today.  The soldiers who survived the bloody assault on the beaches pressed forward.  Posted below are several pages from the June 7, 1944 edition of the Clarion-Ledger.  They give you an idea of what our grandparents saw as they woke up on that summer morning. 

The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

The District at Eastover issued the following statement. 

The father of Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson was killed by a Simpson County deputy today.  Sources said Harry Gipson discharged a firearm in the presence of the deputies. The Commissioner issued a statement:

Down the street from the bus hub at the old Coca-Cola plant on Highway 80:

The Mississippi River continues to rise.  The Baton Rouge Police Department posted these pictures on Facebook June 1 and May 30. See how close the river is to the top of the levee.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued the following statement.

The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority issued the following request for qualifications.

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson ruled yesterday that Zebulum James is mentally competent to stand trial for the 2015 murder of Suzanne Hogan of New York.  She set his trial for the November term.  James (allegedly) went on a shooting rampage on November 19, 2015.  He stands accused of killing another woman in the parking lot of Logan's Roadhouse on East County Line Road. 

Just some local boys showing some respect for the law....

A Democratic New Jersey congressman recently vented his contempt for so-called ‘moocher states’ like Mississippi that receive more money from the federal government than they send back to Washington in the form of taxes.

Just a couple of panhandlers having a Gentleman's disagreement over compensation, territory, and shifts by the Target on East County Line Road.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Too Sweet barely avoided going back to jail today.  Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson ordered Robert "Too Sweet" Henderson, Jr. to make himself available for a mental evaluation on July 8.  Henderson skipped a similar appointment last week.  Judge Peterson held a show cause hearing today.  Henderson interrupted Judge Peterson several times with nonsensical questions as he did his best to imitate Vinny Gambini  in the dimly lit courtroom.  A Hinds County grand jury indicted Henderson in 2016 for bribery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The short video of the hearing is posted below.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

Madison-Rankin District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement.

Two State Auditor employees can now live without the cloud of indictments hanging over their heads.  Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith withdrew the indictments against Dave Huggins and Karei  McDonald in December.  Mr. Smith obtained a grand jury indictment against them in March 2016 for allegedly trying to obstruct the investigation of former Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen.

The Andy Taggart for Attorney General Campaign issued the following statement.

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.

Blood on the furniture, blood on the face, a threat to kill her  @#*$(#)(* dog, all were described in the police report for the arrest of State Representative Doug McLeod.  George County deputies arrested him for misdemeanor domestic violence on May 18.  The Sun-Herald obtained police reports that provide more details about what took place that bloody night.  The Biloxi newspaper reported:

Hackers managed to shut down the city of Baltimore since early May.  Shut down means shut down - no email service, water payment collections, or other critical functions of city government.  The city didn't download a 2017 Microsoft patch and is now paying the price for such negligence.  The New York Times reported on May 22:

Life keeps going sour for Too Sweet.  Our favorite thug will be back in front of Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson tomorrow to explain why the good judge should not throw him in jail.  Judge Peterson ordered the hearing after Robert "Too Sweet" Henderson failed to appear for a mental evaluation.

The city of Jackson renamed the municipal golf course for Pete Brown at a ceremony Friday.  The Jackson native began his golfing career as a caddie at the municipal golf course and became the first black golfer to win a PGA  tournament.  He had 356 PGA starts.  The Jackson City Council voted unanimously to change the name of the golf course.

Are Mississippi's oyster farms facing a new threat?  Mike and Isabel Osinki are an oyster-farming couple in New York who recently sounded the alarm on the pages of the Wall Street Journal editorial page:

JPD issued the following statement and video.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Luke 10:25 in this 1990 sermon. Enjoy.

Important issues in the Republican primary for governor are getting short shrift.

Malco and Tinseltown are showing Saving Private Ryan tomorrow and Wednesday.  Showtimes are:

JPD tweeted the following statements. 

Posted below are the funeral arrangements for the late Senator Thad Cochran.

Last August, a 38-year-old illegal alien named Valentin Ariosto Alfonso-Arguello raped a 12-year-old girl outside her home in Gluckstadt. She first encountered him while dining with her family at Cazadores in Ridgeland- Arguello's former employer.