Jackson Jambalaya

 Yankee Candle, yes, Yankee Candle, cut the prices of those big ole jar candles to $12.  Free shipping if order over $50.  Buy, buy, buy. Something for you guys to consider.  You won't get in trouble getting them candles, boys.  

 The charges are piling up against former JPD officer Torrence Mayfield. A new indictment accuses Mayfield of acting as a straw buyer so he could purchase a firearm for a convicted felon.  

Today is the fourth day of Beth Ann White's trial in Hinds County Circuit Court.  Video of the proceedings is streamed below courtesy of WLBT.  Closing arguments are about to begin.    

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

 Some people just don't know how to act around the police.  Exhibit A: This Pensacola Realtor who rear-ended another vehicle.  

 Posted below is the video of Beth Ann White's trial today.  The court recessed after a little more than three hours.  The trial. will resume tomorrow morning.  The defense has one witness left to call.  Sorry the website has been slow today.  I was in court all morning watching another case.  

It is said that Texans have an unparalleled pride for their state. My wife grew up there and my father-in-law is from there. Though I find it hard to believe any Texan would have more affection for their state than I have for mine.

 Workers are starting to get fed up with the corporate caving to wokeness.  It is becoming more common for companies to fire employees who call the police even when thieves literally loot the whole store.  However, Macy's employees in Washington state went on strike last week over thugs taking over the stores.  KIRO reported: 

Headed into the 2024 election cycle, 48 Democrats and three independent U.S. senators who caucus with them give the Democratic Party a narrow 51-49 majority in the U.S. Senate over the 49 Republicans. Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is also present and can cast her vote in case of a tie.

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Watch the Beth Ann White trial live-streamed below, courtesy of WLBT.  

Meet the stars of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.  It's not quite the New World Order or Barkley-Mahorn but this is Mississippi after all.  

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

 First Consul Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

While the Battle of Briardwood 1 rages in Jackson Municipal Court as the city of Jackson fights an out-of state company that purchased a property and proceeded to let it fall apart.  Unfortunately, the Kohan affliction plagues other cities besides Jackson.  The Real Deal Real Estate News reported in February 2021 that Mike Kohan and his company Kohan Retail Investment Group follows a similar pattern.  It buys distressed properties and then neglects them, causing severe heartburn for cities and counties.  Real Deal reported: 

 It's time for Beth Ann White to face the music.  The woman accused of killing a mother and her baby while driving drunk goes to trial today in Hinds County Circuit Court. 

Sometimes you should not quit as you never know how things may end.  

 Mississippi State University issued the following statement. 

 Check out Fowler and Herbstreit's reaction during the end of the Iron Bowl last night. 

Pride robs, pride hurts, pride destroys.  Pride doesn't discriminate as it fells both privileged and poor. After all,  it is so easy to brag when comparing oneself to others.  It even fells the righteous as they look down on those who sin, forgetting they are all the same in the eyes of Heaven.  Using the parable of the pharisee who bragged as he prayed, the late Dr. Frank Pollard discussed pride, calling it "grace turned putrid" as it short-circuit's many a Christian's faith.  Enjoy the 1995 sermon posted below.  

 A favorite political topic was in the news at both the federal and state levels last week – fiscal management.

 Jackson police will have to find someone else to kick in the head after Fingers Taylor passed away yesterday. His family announced on social media: 

I am certain my love for Thanksgiving eats is equal to or surpassing the love by anyone who might be reading this post. My childhood memories are full of happy instances when I would wake up to the smell of cornbread cooking in the kitchen, quickly followed by a breakfast wedge of crusty bread with butter for a great start to our day of celebrating God's blessings. We had Thanksgiving at lunch at our house, so the rest of the day's activities consisted of TV football and trips back to the kitchen for leftovers, observing the same game plan for the next few days. For this year, my thoughts of potential Thanksgiving leftovers is well represented by Cheesy Turkey Poblano Soup.   

The cease-fire ended in the Battle of Briarwood 1 after Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey Reynolds threatened to throw the buiding's owner in jail if the building is not demolished within 60 days.  

 If you need some decent dress shoes, Allen Edmonds knocked down the price of the Fifth Avenues to $199 for its Black Friday sale.  The price includes dainite soles.  Click here and here.  Looking for some exotic boots? Grant Stone's Black Friday sale is 20% off all orders over $400.  Which will apply to some really cool ostrich boots.   If the tech price sales aren't to your liking, here is another way to beaux.  

It's easy to gripe about the faults of modern technology, so easy we often forget some of the wonder it creates.  Check out how it is used to help man's best friend walk again.  

 Once upon a time, someone in Hollywood thought it would be a great idea to produce Alice's Restaurant into a movie.  You can just imagine how that went.  However, if you are in the mood for cheese, campy, or a movie too bad even for Joe Bob Briggs, watch the movie as it is posted below.  Enjoy. 

Today is the day we give thanks for life's blessings.   Who better to tell the story of Thanksgiving than El Rushbo himself. 

 John Walker will be able afford some rather nice vacations if he keeps representing Richard's Disposal. The New Orleans garbage company filed a notice of appeal in Hinds County Circuit Court yesterday. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Faye Peterson.  The notice asks the Court to stop the city of Jackson from issuing a new RFP for garbage collection services. 

 It appears State Representative De'Keither Stamps and Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey are going to the mattresses.  Mr. Stamps beat the incumbent in the November 7 election by 2,134 votes.  However, Mr. Bailey notified his opponent that he intended to conduct a ballot examination.  Mr. Stamps said not so fast my friend as he asked Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson to stop the exam.  The petition states: 

 I want to eat dead burnt bodies.....

 Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statements and picture. 

Rankin County deputies charged Dwan Wakefield with a fourth-offense DUI Monday. 

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Does Brandon have enough police officers? 

There are a lot of factors that go into the process of writing, testing, re-testing, editing, photographing, re-editing, styling, re-re-editing, publishing, marketing, and distributing a cookbook. It’s a process I’ve become quite familiar with over the past two decades. Though the word “factors” is slightly misleading. The correct terminology should be “people.”

Writing about another case earlier this year, readers will remember encountering the name of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James C. Ho of Texas. Ho filed a dissent from a majority ruling on the appeal of a 2014 Mississippi election scandal that resulted in a Madison County attorney taking his own life – arguing that the dispute was a First Amendment matter.

 John McGowan passed away Thursday.   His obituary is posted below. Rest in peace.

 What happens when a school decides to have no rules? MSN reported: 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba wants to replace the city's public defender.  Item #40 on the agenda for today's meeting of the Jackson City Council states: 

 Rachel Vanderford authored the following post for UMC. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the first institution in the state to offer patients operations assisted by the new Da Vinci SP surgical system. The addition of this state-of-the-art technology will provide patients with improved surgical outcomes, shorter recovery periods and better cosmetic results, according to UMMC surgeons.

The loser in the Central District Public Commissioner  racewants to examine the ballots.  Incumbent Commissioner Brent Bailey sent this notice to his victorious opponent De'Keither Stamps: 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statement and mug shot. 

Some people gripe, some people do.  Locke Ward and Casey Bridges are those who do.  Watch the two men and their crew clean up Northeast Jackson literally one block at a time.

Who says drugs can't cure everything?  

 Rankin County deputies took into custody a man who stabbed his brother in the head today.  

Blood can mean life, blood can mean death in the temporal and the spiritual.  Preaching from 1 Peter 1: 18-19, the late Dr. Frank Pollard discussed how blood and lambs relate to the Christian faith in the 1986 sermon posted below. 1986?  Oh yeah, we are going back all the way to 1986 as you will see by the big hair and mullets present.  Enjoy.  

Discord between the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) and the Division of Medicaid is dwindling.

 If you've seen John Wick 4, well, you might appreciate this trailer.

 Well, apparently a local restaurant did not exactly provide good service as alleged in the video posted below. 

Mike Johnson, a Republican Congressman who represents Louisiana, was elected Speaker of the House October 25. He has served the people of the 4th congressional district since 2017. Johnson is an evangelical Christian and a conservative politician whom the leftwing media establishment has branded a Christian Nationalist, i.e. a slur the Left uses to denigrate someone for his or her faith.

 It is often said nowadays that Hamas is separate from the so-called Palestinian people.  Of course, such as distinction was not made about Germany during WWII even though the Nazis won power with less than a majority of the vote.  National Review's McCarthy went even further as he wrote in an October 21 column that Hamas was elected because it perfectly represents the residents of Gaza.  Mr. Mcarthy wrote: 

Here is a blast from the past. JJ posted this video ten 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.

 JXN Water issued the following statement. 

Cherry Creek Orchard is a family run business close to Pontotoc, MS. I think it belongs to a Mennonite family. All I know for sure is they grow Aransas Black Apples and I love them, especially when they are the main ingredient in a  tasty treat.

 Annie Oeth authored the following post for UMMC. 

The New Orleans nonprofit Hogs for the Cause will fund an updated hospital space for children with cancer through a $1.5 million gift to Children’s of Mississippi. 

 John McGowan passed away yesterday evening. He'd been in poor health for some time. Great guy. May he rest in peace. Our condolences go to his friends and family. 

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate postponed Cleve Anderson's  bribery trial to February 5.  Anderson and co-defendant Rudy Warnock were supposed to go to trial next month in U.S. District Court. 

 The Lumumba administration issued a brand spanking new request for proposals for the collection of residential garbage in Jackson.  The highlights of the RFP are: 

 The Brandon Band Booster Club accused former Treasurer Donna Floyd, her husband Richie, and several John Does of embezzling $59,000 in a lawsuit filed in Rankin County Court on August 29.  

 Check out Capitol Street from literally 100 years ago. 

 The Rich Men North of Richmond singer is coming to Brandon.  Red Mountain Entertainment announced: 

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Auction ends Thursday at 1 PM. Registration required for bidding.

Check out Courthousems.com.

More pictures and a sales memorandum are posted below. 

A woman finds out the hard way it is not a good idea to be the aggressor with even JPD.  Good job, Mr. Officer.  

 Rachel Vanderford authored the following post for UMC. 

Jeff Hughes of Hattiesburg and Dakota White of Mize, both in need of life-saving kidney transplants, faced a challenge when initially identified donors were found to be incompatible. Fortunately, a unique solution emerged: the family members who initially volunteered to donate, though incompatible with their intended recipients, turned out to be perfect matches for the opposite patients.

MDEQ will hold a hearing to determine whether to fine the city of Jackson for its failure to collect residential garbage last April. 

 BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY— It could be said— and probably has often been said— that I am a slow learner. It took me almost 40 years to even get an inkling of meaning and purpose in my life. It’s not that I was wandering around aimlessly for four decades. I was set on my career path and achieving business goals, but I always felt slightly lost when it came to my personal life.

First it was Creed.  Now Staind announced it is coming to the Brandon Amphitheater next spring.  Tool in Biloxi in January.  The 2000's are back!

Incumbent Democratic Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley was arguably the most formidable gubernatorial nominee of his party in the last three decades. But in the Nov. 7 Mississippi general election, he joined the extensive list of failed Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial contenders. 

 A woman reported to the Attorney General’s office that she was sexually assaulted by a Mississippi trooper and subjected to revenge porn.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba repeatedly stated he could not issue a new garbage contract RFP because of litigation involving Richard's Disposal.  The Mayor finally agreed to issue one last week but gravely, yea, even solemnly warned the city could pay twice for garbage collection if Richard's Disposal won the lawsuit.  

 Rankin-Madison District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mug shot. 

 Well, well, well.  Sources say Mr. Jerry Mitchell and the New York Times are working on yet another story about the Rankin County Sheriff's Office.  The story supposedly goes all the way back to the Nokia days of 2004.  The story is supposed to be published near the end of the month.  Stay tuned. 

 Travis Tritt, yes, the Travis Tritt is coming to Brandon in April.  

Damn.  Bill Maher stood up for western civilization as he spoke some unvarnished truth on his HBO show recently.  Enjoy his monologue posted below.

 The Mississippi Energy Institute authored and sponsored this post. 

Rachel Vanderford authored this post for UMMC. 

As maternal mortality continues to rise across the country, barriers to comprehensive maternal care are particularly evident in Mississippi. With the highest infant mortality rate, preterm birth rate and low-weight births in the nation, the state is in dire need of solutions. 

 Mississippi State University issued the following statement. 

What future does Balltar see? 

Check out what the Arkansas players were doing during halftime yesterday.  Maybe there is hope for the younger generation after all. 

 Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statement. 

Lord Byron, a little boy's marbles, Longfellow, and the stars that inspired Van Gogh; the late Dr. Frank Pollard weaves them all into a tapestry of hope and humor in the 1994 sermon posted below.  He even used the parable of the oil well to illustrate how the stars stand for the special among us.  Enjoy. 

 Some musings about the election results.

Lincoln Riley is becoming the college football coach every one loves to hate.  USA Today dissected his coaching very thoroughly and published an analysis that is pretty damning.  Vainglorious and soft are some apt adjectives that could be used.  

A lot of people have been talking about how the Bible’s predictions regarding the end times appear to be coming true today. For example, around 625 B.C. Zephaniah prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would capture Judah and take the people to Babylon. He wrote, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3)

 Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statement. 

 When will Carl Monte Reeves go to trial for allegedly shooting two people in Jackson last year?  

 Rukia Lumumba led a so-called "Stop the Genocide March at the corner of Woodrow Wilson and North State Street yesterday afternoon.  She posted this bulletin and several pictures on social media this week.

 The Hinds County Election Commission is back in the news this week after it screwed up yet again.  Again? Well, check out this October 1, 2012 post when one Election Commissioner said current Vice-Chairman Jermal Clarke was lazy and too dumb to figure out how to use the operating system.  This was some of the best video ever shot for JJ.  These two didn't care and went at it.  Just watch. Start at 13:00 in second video. It gets real good at 21:15.  Dumb then and dumb now.  81 of 82 counties had no problems with split precincts (and Madison County is decorated with them.)  

The regular meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors today was better than the WWF as two Election Commissioners, Jermel Clark (District 3) and Connie Cochran (District 4) went after each other at the podium. Mr. Clark is the President of the Election Commmission. Mr. Clark admitted the military absentee ballots were not mailed out to service members by the deadline.

Full recording Lexington Police Chief's remarks posted below. Unlike the rest of the media that only provide a minute or so, JJ provides the entire 17-minute recording.

The Justice Department issued the following statement Wednesday. 

Old timey advice says one should avoid attempting this candy recipe on a rainy day. Both my grandmother and mom would tell you cooking this recipe when the air is humid is a good way to fail at making an acceptable batch of Pecan Divinity since too humid conditions can make it drop into soft puddles. Avoiding rainy day cooking has not been a problem at our house since sometime back in July. I guess the only good thing I can say about the sixteen plus weeks we have gone without appreciable rainfall in Clinton is we have had more than enough dry days for us to make lots of Pecan Divinity.  

 A protest is supposed to be taking place right now by UMMC.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding a press conference right now on the garbage contract.  The press is live-streamed below. 

 The old Northeast Courthouse is going up for auction soon and it can be yours IF...the price.is.right.  

You can't make this up.  Charles Taylor and Nsombi Half-Bright of the Mississippi NAACP asked all police officers to stay home on Election Day.  Watch the video clip of their Monday press conference posted below. 

 The Brandon Board of Aldermen is holding a special meeting right now.  The Board will discuss law enforcement matters.  

 Circuit Judge Debra Gibbs holds first trial.

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 Madison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Charlotte Seals issued the following statement.

 A vehicle caught fire late this morning on the frontage road by Beasley Road.  

BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE— This week will mark the final week of my most recent work stint in Italy. I host tours in this country, and a few other European countries, 10-12 weeks out of the year. This seven-week, five-tour journey started in Rome before meeting my first group in Sicily. After that tour was complete, I flew up to Tuscany where my fourth group— in almost as many weeks— arrives tomorrow. 

There are so many aspects of this country that have made me fall in love with it over the past decade. The history, the food, the landscapes, the culture, the architecture, and the ever-present arts at every turn.

 The only real question here is where are the no-shows? 

 While the bulk of conversation in the state in recent days has been devoted to the election and college football fortunes, the most impactful conversation among farmers, ranchers, livestock producers and others in the state’s 9.72 billion agricultural economy.

Correction: This post erroneously reported Judge Dickinson said the polls could remain open til 9 if voters were in line at 7. Such was not the case.  The post has been corrected. 

 Special Circuit Judge Jess Dickinson ordered Hinds County polls stay open in several Hinds County precincts if voters are still in line when they close at 7 PM in accordance with state law.   

 JJ is live-blogging election night.  Will the Tater walk back in or will a pair of blue suede shoes stroll down Capitol Street? Are there any surprises in Hinds County? Will the late votes count? What does all this have to do with the Two Lakes Plan?  Stay tuned.  Fire away in the comments.

 Just when you think the Hinds County Election Commission can't screw things up any worse, they go and show they can indeed do so.  Secretary of State Michael Watson announced: 

 The anonymous flyers were flyin' in Hinds County a few days ago.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 The video posted below shows someone was up to no good in Northeast Jackson last week. 

 The city of Brandon will be looking for a new police chief.  

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It seems we could use some election humor....

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 The sentencing for the Goon Squad is postponed from November to January 18, 2024.  U.S. District Judge Thomas Lee will pronounce sentence on the former law enforcement officers.  

 Mykalia Jolley will spend the rest of her life behind bars after she pleaded guilty in Rankin County Circuit Court to capital murder in the death of her baby in May 2022.  

Update (3:20 PM): The 2019 report is posted so the junkies can compare 2019 to 2023 numbers.  Enjoy. 

Posted below is the latest absentee report for tomorrow's elections.  Read and weep.  

Who knew? Even Regina from Lost Claims can find true love. 

 Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones tweeted the following statement. 

Several former Jackson City Councilmen endorsed Shanda Yates in the election for HD #64. 

 Don't mess with the Texas Southern Band as someone found out at the JSU game yesterday. 

The pews are filled with what the late Dr. Frank Pollard called practical atheists.  A situational religion of sorts for those who use their free will to surrender to every whim.  The 1994 sermon posted below doesn't  preach with Dr. Pollard's known humor or folksiness but instead delivered a message of unvarnished truth and consequences.  Enjoy the sermon as he opens with a story of a young atheist who went to church to meet girls.  

“Maternity deserts can be deadly” headlined a recent story in the McComb Enterprise Journal. The March of Dimes defines maternity care deserts as counties with no hospitals that provide obstetric care and no certified obstetric providers.

 You made it out of Jackson.  You enjoy the new digs.  However, there is something not quite right as you are somehow unable to sleep at night.  Fortunately, Jackson Jambalaya found something on Youtube that can help those afflicted with such a problem.  

Can anything work in Jackson government? Interim Parks & Recreation Director Steve Hutton provided a "state of the parks" report to the City Council.  There is no way to sugar coat it as Jackson's parks are "hemorrhaging" money while bills go unpaid and parks fall apart.  Highlights of the report are: 

From 1941 - 1945 German forces killed 6-million Jews living in Europe. The Holocaust was Adolf Hitler and his minions’ plan to commit genocide against all Jews on earth. For whatever reason, news media in the West reported little about this atrocity during World War II. After the war scores of sources gathered so much documentation with photographs, film, letters, and eyewitness testimony that all doubt about the reality of the Holocaust was virtually eliminated.

Nevertheless, since the war many have arisen to deny the Holocaust happened. With all the documentation proving the facts, how could anyone still deny 6-million Jews were barbarically killed?

 Is anyone up for an art show Sunday?  

It seems there is a wee bit of a spat involving WMPR in the Hinds County District 4 Supervisor's race as a complaint against the radio station was submitted to the IRS. 

Dorks and Orcs unite!  The Lord of the Rings trilogy returns to the Capri theatre for a solid week today.  

The holiday season will be here a lot quicker than most of us realize. I know it seems early to post holiday treats, but the agreement the king of all fishes and I made when I started making these recipe posts was that I would only do one each week. With that in mind, all I can say is Times-is-a-wasting, I seem to have already allowed Halloween slip by, and I need to get busy, or I will find myself past the time for posting New Year booze recipes.

The leader of the local group, Jackson for Jacksonians, called out the Mayor on social media after he said paying an extra $850,000 for the Riverside Drive project was due to a "clerical mistake."  Val Vickery penned her frustrations in an "open letter":

 The Beatles, yes, those Beatles, released a new song today.  Enjoy. 

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 Madison-Rankin District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mug shot. 

The Baker Boyz were sentenced in federal court on Halloween for their roles as promoters in the Lamar Adams timber fraud.  

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

 Kiss home delivery of the Clarion-Ledger goodbye - well, sort of kiss it goodbye. The "state newspaper" will still deliver print editions to your home but through the postal service.  Yup.  No more waking up in the morning to read it with the morning copy.  No more stealing your neighbor's copy because you're a cheapskate.  Clarion-Ledger Executive Editor Mark Konradi announced today: 

Update: Motion to issue garbage RFP passes 7-0.   

The Jackson City Council is holding a meeting right now to discuss issuing another RFP for garbage collection services.   The meeting is streamed below.

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

13 years of fun ended two years ago today as Louis XIV passed away at the age of 16.  It’s been quite some time since his passing, but it was a hard loss and I’m just now writing about it.  This little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might have been small in body, but he was giant in spirit.  The knucklehead was my partner in crime, my therapist, and yes, my boy. 

BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY— One of the travel codes I abide by is the when-in-Rome-do-as-the-Romans-do dining philosophy. No matter where I am in the world, I always make it a point to eat where the locals eat. I try to adhere to that in other aspects of travel besides dining. There’s nothing more obnoxious than Americans coming over here expecting everything to be as it is in America, even demanding it, sometimes.  

 The jurist who brought so-called “open enrollment” to Mississippi higher education as part of settling historic racial discrimination in funding and resources lawsuit died last month, but he left a powerful shadow over the state’s university system.

 Someone got stupid yesterday in Clinton.  

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

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement on October 24. 

The Laurelwood Homeowners Association accused former Board of Directors President Emary Walker of embezzling at least $20,000 in a lawsuit filed October 13 in Rankin County Circuit Court.  

Hot damn, welcome to Miss-ippi.  

 U.S. District Judge Tom Lee postponed the November sentencing hearings scheduled for all six members of the Goon Squad.  

A mass of Palestinian and Hamas supporters agitated Tulane Jewish students last Thursday. Tulane was a target as the student population is 44% Jewish.   Just watch the videos posted below.

 Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statements and picture. 

Should American schools ban cellphones? England recently joined other countries in banning the devices in their schools.  The British government announced on October 2: 

 Christina Dent authored and sponsored this post. She is Founder & President, End It For Good. She can be reached at christina@enditforgood.com.

As I stood by the table talking with George Wood, he said something I immediately wrote down. “You have to build a life worth staying sober for or there’s no sense in staying sober,” he shared. George struggled with drug addiction for many years, finding recovery 16 years ago. Today he’s a pastor who is deeply invested in helping people recover from addiction through community and healing at The Timothy Initiative. He knows that unless people address the reasons why they’re using drugs, it’s very likely they'll keep using them. Drugs are an attempted solution, they’re not the real problem. He wants to help people heal from the wounds that made them reach for the drugs in the first place.

 Can Jackson actually pay its bills? I don't mean it can't pay its bills because it''s broke.  I mean can it actually pay its bills when it has the money to pay them.  WLBT reported Friday: 

Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following press release. 

It appears Mississippi State was giving out quite a few treats Saturday.  

 November 20 is the 25th anniversary of Saving Private Ryan.  If you want another chance to see it on the big screen, you are in luck.   Showtimes are posted below. 

What do a bear, two mice, a rattlesnake, and honey have to do with Rudy Redneck? The late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Church - Jackson) used them as he preached from Romans 2: 4-16.  The topic? judgment, something rarely mentioned in the "religiously correct" churches as he called them.  Enjoy the 1994 sermon posted below.

 It’s much easier these days to see state to state comparisons. U.S. News and World Report has been joined by WalletHub, WorldPopulationReview and others in regularly publishing all sorts of rankings.

 About that spherical work of art in Oxford Square......

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

According to Customs and Border Protection (CPB) the total number of encounters with illegal immigrants on our southern border in FY 2020 was 458,088; in FY 2021 the number was 1.7 million; in FY 2022 the number was 2.3 million; and, in FY 2023 the number was 2.47 million ending September 30. Included in the FY 2023 numbers CBP reported are 169 people on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist.

Apparently some people have a problem adjusting to the real world.

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Five members of the Goon Squad asked U.S. District Judge Tom Lee to postpone their sentencing next month.  

Disclaimer: I have never worked in the kitchen of a truck stop, even though, IMO, I would make an excellent truck stop cook. Not having that position in my resume doesn't matter much, since truck stop level of cooking is a matter of attitude, rather than opportunity. By the way, should this post potentially lead to an employment offer, I am not looking for a job, since I am both retired and lazy.

 Madison-Central High School  Principal Teague Wakefield said there will be a police presence at his school for the near future.  He sent the following letter to parents. 

Annie Oeth authored the following press release for UMMC. 

Jew-hatred not seen since the 1930's is breaking out around American college campus as Hamas supporters in the faculty and student ranks advocate violence against Jews.  First up is UC-Davis Professor Jemma Decristo.  The "professor" urged fellow Hamas supporters to track down Jewish journalists and their children and well, you can imagine what was proposed.

 Madison police arrested five students at Madison Central High School this morning after a fight broke out at the school.

A major obstacle facing Israel as it retaliates against Hamas is the tunnel system in Gaza.  Built more than 30 feet underground, the tunnels are impervious to most bunker-busters and favor the defenders if attacked by infantry.  Former Army Grunt Chris Cappy provides a nice tutorial on the tunnel system and the threats they pose to an Israeli invasion.  His video is posted below.

 WARNING: NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR KIDS.  EXTREMELY GRAPHIC VIDEO

Meanwhile, over on Sunset Drive, a dude just plain lost it as he did a fertility dance sans all before getting back into his car and driving off in a hurry. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 Some people are actually surprised when they get caught.  

Mission Mississippi, a nonprofit organization committed to Christian reconciliation and racial healing throughout the community, will host a conference and banquet tomorrow at the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson. This event will serve as the culmination for Mission Mississippi’s 30th Anniversary.

As a moth is drawn to light, so are some savages drawn to destruction as they simply can't stand to leave beauty alone.  Exhibit A: Oxford Square. 

BARBERINO-TAVERNELLE, TUSCANY— I first came to this part of the world in 2011 on a three-week stopover with my wife and kids during a six-month family jaunt through Europe. What struck me within the first few days I arrived in Tuscany was that it felt a lot like the American South.

 U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Olympian Wilma Rudolph, actors Donald Sutherland and Alan Alda, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, NFL Head Coach Bud Grant, New York City Ballet principal dancer Tanaquil Le Clercq, Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, and Israeli American violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman. What do these notable Americans all have in common?

 Todd Mardis plead guilty to aggravated domestic violence just now in Rankin County Circuit Court.  

Todd Mardis pleads guilty, flanked by attorney

The defense and prosecution are furiously firing a flurry of responses at each other as the October 30 trial of Todd Mardis approaches.  Mardis was indicted for aggravated domestic violence for allegedly beating his wife. 

 The Bean Parlor in Gluckstadt needs baristas for all shifts.  The coffee shop is across the street from The Range by Jimmy Primos.  It closes at 7 and is closed on Sundays. If you know someone who likes slinging coffee, call 601-966-3968.  Ask for Jasmine McKay.  JJ published a feature story about the coffee shop two years ago.

John Allen Greer, Jr. is unfortunately a star pupil of the Hinds County catch & release program as he has managed to (allegedly) rape, pillage, and plunder his way through Jackson without penalty.  

 A brawl took place at Raising Cane's in Madison Friday night after the Madison-Central-Germantown football game. The Jaguars won 49-0. 

Auburn might have lost the football game Saturday night but it won the battle of the bands as it put on a dazzling performance dedicated to none other than Metallica.  Check out the performance in the video posted below.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba held his regular briefing this afternoon. The video and highlights are posted below.

 The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce issued the following statement. 

 Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith issued the following statement. 

Correction: This post erroneously reported Judge Gibbs did not appear with other Hinds County judges opposing HB #1020 at a press conference earlier this year.  Judge Gibbs was at the press conference. Apologies. 

Hinds County Circuit Judge Debra Gibbs might just be the poster child for HB #1020 as she has held no criminal trials since she took her seat on the bench in January.  You read that correctly.  Judge Gibbs has held no criminal trials.  Nada.  Zero.  Zilch.  Period.   

 It was the best of halves, it was the worst of halves.....

 Yesterday was a horrible day for Jews in Michigan.  A president of a synagogue was stabbed to death. Fox News reported: 

 Get your costumes, water guns, and any other paraphernalia of mischief you can think of because the Rocky Horror Picture show is returning to the big screen in Jackson. 

What is ditch patrol and what does it have to do with helping others, Grandma, and Helen Keller? Are ditches obstacles or opportunities? The late Dr. Frank Pollard wove such questions into the 1995 sermon posted below as he preached from Luke 10, giving a unique take on the parable of the Good Samaritan as only he could do.   Enjoy the remedial sermon if you couldn't make it to church today. 

An agency that handles mostly complicated decisions may be without experienced leadership next year. Two of the three members of the Mississippi Public Service Commission will be missing and the third faces a tight race.

Well, well, well. Look who is in the Rankin County jail.  Some people just can't stand a good break when they get one and James Williams is no exception. 

 The world has a race problem. It’s all around us in small towns and exponentially large metro areas. Race is everywhere. The human race that is.

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following press release and mug shots. 

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

 The Pearl Board of Alderman fired Assistant Police Chief Amanda Thomasson Tuesday after meeting in executive session.  

I am aware most of my past recipes were not exactly suitable for inclusion in any diet program, other than the “I do not diet”, diet. Here is a dish that works well for those who want to follow a low carbohydrate (AKA Keto) diet. If you aren’t one of those folks, just consider this as a very tasty dish to add to your dinner rotation. 

The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement and mug shot.   

 Getting to work might take longer if you drive the Natchez Trace every morning. It is closed between the I-55 and Highway 51.

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Make no mistake about Shanda Yates.  She works to get safer neighborhoods. 

The prosecution and defense are going to war in the Todd Mardis case as the October 30 trial approaches.  Mardis asked Rankin County Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff to throw out all videos and move his case to another jurisdiction due to pre-trial publicity.  A Rankin County grand jury indicted Mardis for aggravated domestic violence last year. 

 Warning: Extremely Graphic & Violent Video Posted Below. 

The Israeli Defense Forces released video of the October 7 massacre of over 1,200 Israelis yesterday.  The video shows Hamas terrorists indiscriminately shooting men, women, and children as they tried to flee.  Not even family dogs were safe from Hamas savagery.  The video is posted below. 

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

 Now this movie looks like it was made just for the big screen. 

Need a hat? Check out what Chane is selling at the Bean Parlor in Gluckstadt. 

 State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 It’s funny how at different ages I have assumed I had life completely figured out.

 In incumbent Democratic Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, Mississippi Democrats have found their most formidable gubernatorial nominee in this century. However competitive the 2023 race, the numbers still favor Republican incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves.