Jackson Jambalaya

JJ confirmed Rankin County Chancellor Dan Fairly committed suicide this afternoon on the Natchez Trace near Highway 43.  He had been off the bench for several months this year due to a medical leave. More details will be posted when available.

Joseph Neal and Anna Fiser Stephens issued this statement today on the Oxford House controversy in Jackson:

The IHL Board of Trustees released this letter regarding the non-renewal of the contract of Ole Miss Chancellor Dr. Dan Jones.

Two escapees from the downtown jail are back in custody this morning.  Cornelius Carter and Arick Toins were captured at 287 Tara Road.  Police are still looking for the other two escapees. 

The city of Jackson issued the following boil water notice for part of Belhaven:

The Mississippi Supreme Court issued this short ruling in the dispute between Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill and Hinds County Public Defender's Office:

A controversy has erupted in Northeast Jackson as a couple has purchased several homes and then allowed the Oxford House to use them as halfway houses for recovering drug and alcohol addicts.  However, none of these "Oxford homes" went through the zoning process in Jackson nor did they receive approval from the city to operate these "homes" in areas zoned for single-family residence.  Each "home" apparently contains seven recovering addicts. 

Beeeeeeeeeeeert Case asked if there was a reason for an increase in missing dogs in Rankin County.

Update: Boil water notice lifted for Duling and Lake Dockery Drive. 

The city of Jackson issued the following press release:

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following press release:

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

This little pic was taken yesterday at the corner of Farish and Amite Streets.

What is it they say about victory having a thousand fathers? Our little friend Noel Fritsch apparently thinks Representative Andy Gipson is "anti-gun". He even said so in this email that was sent out to his supporters yesterday. Andy Gipson. Anti-gun. Think about that one for a second.

Update: SB #2441 just passed the House and Senate. 

*MHA bills are SB #2441 and SB# 2588*
* MississippiCan to uses managed-care companies control Medicaid costs
*MississippiCan expands in 2017 to include hospital in-patient services. MHA wants a piece of that action. Guess when its plan proposes to begin coverage?
*SB #2441 allows MHA to operate under a different set of rules than its competitors. 
*Bills passed conference and are awaiting approval by legislature.

The Mississippi Hospital Association suffered some losses in its fight to get some special treatment from the legislature but make no mistake, Frankenstein is alive and well as it fights to create its Medicaid monster during this last week of the 2015 session.  Copy of SB #2441.  Copy of SB #2588.

Here are the latest "C's" given to Jackson metro area restaurants by the Mississippi Health Department since December 9, 2014. The department will reinspect the restaurant within a few days after it receives the failing grade.  The restaurants posted below passed their follow-up inspections unless otherwise noted.  Review individual restaurants on this page.

Note: Want to act a fool in the comments? If so, don't be surprised if you don't see your comment approved. 

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following press release:

It looks like Civil War nuts will get some War Between the States porn.  The Library of Congress released 77 photos. Link to photos.  Enjoy.

Local attorney Dorsey Carson stood up to abortion protestors who were yelling at people attending Fondren Presbyterian Church in this video.  They were apparently holding up very graphic posters depicting abortion.  The video is posted with his permission.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:

Found the  movie on Daily Motion. Buckle your seat belts. It's all true.

The Kingfish appeared on the Kim Wade radio show last week to discuss the Mississippi Hospital Association's major push for two bills that will allow it to create a health insurance plan for Medicaid patients under a special set of rules, and with $30 million in help from the taxpayers. An update on the bills is posted below:



There is an 18 second lag before the show begins.

This little column by former Governor Ronnie Musgrove and the esteemed Mr. Ryan Brown appeared in the Huffington Post earlier this week.

There was once a little court fight between the Delta Health Alliance and an employee.   A Chip Morgan of the Delta Council and UMMC were dragged into the scrum at some point.  Mr. Morgan has been nominated by Governor Bryant to the college board but has not been confirmed and thus  does not yet sit on the board.   Robert Khayat and Dan Jones were employed at Ole Miss and UMMC during this controversy.  It probably has nothing to do with the current war between IHL and Dan Jones.  However, the court file is rather interesting reading on its own and is posted below.  Cigar, drink, read. Enjoy

JJ got its hands on this little report on some polling data for House District #1.

On the Gallo Radio Show this week, State Representative Gary Chism said  the legislature is considering giving $30 million in tax breaks to a proposed managed care plan that would be operated by the Mississippi Hospital Association.  Representative Chism is Chairman of the Insurance Committee.  JJ reported last week:

State Representative (D-Country Club of Jackson) Jim Evans withdrew from the race for House District #70.  Challenger Sam Begley lost a qualification challenge at the Mississippi Democratic Party after he argued Mr. Evans did not live in the district. However, Mr. Begley filed a lawsuit last week against Mr. Evans in Hinds County Circuit Court. Copy of lawsuit. 

Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber issued the following press release:

Our favorite numbskull, Noel Fritsch, spreading around his stupidity in the name of Mississippi gun rights yet again. How many times can he get caught lying before he finally goes away? This has to be an act. Has to be.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement:

Here is the first audio clip of the showdown that took place last week in the Hinds County courtroom between Circuit Judge Jeff Weill and the public defender's office. The complete audio recording is posting in several clips and also one complete recording.   The Judge and Public Defender waste no time in starting their fight in this clip.

The Kingfish discussed the firing of Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones and SB #2441.

A February 11, 2015 letter from IHL Commissioner Hank Bounds sent to Stacey Pickering contained an interesting little paragraph in closing:

The Zoning Commission for the city of Jackson will meet today at 1:30.  Yes, the Colonial Country Club site will be on the agenda.

The Jackson Free Press tried to tie controversy in the courtroom of Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill to, drum roll......, Ferguson.  Yup.  Read for yourself.

Here are the latest crime stats for Jackson for the week ending March 15, 2015.

Mississippi First's Rachel Canter discussed charter schools and their opening in Mississippi on the Ben Allen show last week.

Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill issued the following order regarding the findings of contempt he issued against Public Defenders Michelle Purvis and Greg Spore. Judge Weill also ordered the sound recording made by the court reporter (for making transcripts) be made a part of the official record.

Stephanie Parker-Weaver passed away.  She suffered greatly over the last few years from cancer and other illnesses.  Combative at times, while always standing for what she thought was right, is the best way to describe her. May she finally get peace from the pain. 

Attorney Mitch Tyner issued the following press release:

Posted below is an audit of UMMC completed in September 2014.  Sources told JJ the audit found major problems in contracts and procurement.  IHL conducted another audit recently and supposedly discovered Mr. Jones allegedly ignored most of the recommendations from the audit and blew off guidance (my word) from IHL.  Sources say that was the main reason for the termination.  Some observations I made about the audit are posted below.   

Welcome to the state of crime victim notification in Hinds County that ignores the law. The victim of a savage beating and armed robbery by Keifer's three years ago drove down here (she lives three hours away) last week to attend the sentencing of the thug who pleaded guilty to the crime.  Just one problem.  Her email says it all:

Just an old story from the Mississippi Business Journal back in 2011. I just felt like posting a blast from the past for the pure heck of it.

Uncle Bennie weighed in on the public fight between Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill and the Hinds County Public Defender's Office.  Judge Weill held Hinds County Public Defenders Michelle Purvis and Greg Spore in contempt of court last week.  Purvis and her employees packed the courtroom and then held a rally outside the courthouse in front of the media.  Uncle Bennie asked the Justice Department to investigate.  This drama will probably continue for quite some time.  However, there is a case that provides a good look at both sides of the dispute.

This is a recording of Mississippi Hospital Association CEO Tim Moore's interview with Paul Gallo last week.  Some highlights of the interview are:

The FBI issued the following statement yesterday:

A friend made this comment on his Facebook page about the Islander Oyster House:

The Board of the Institutions of Higher Learning issued the following statement: