"a" | Search | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

All results / Stories / Ward Schaefer

Crime

Council Steps Sideways on Civilian Review

The Jackson City Council approved a resolution today that represents an intermediate step toward establishing some form of civilian oversight of the Jackson Police Department. After months of deliberation in …

Auditorium Closes; Relaunching as Events Space

The Auditorium, a Fondren restaurant and music venue, has closed temporarily as its owners develop a plan to re-open as an events space. The restaurant, located in the Duling School, …

Millsaps Honored, New Businesses Open

The Princeton Review has picked Millsaps College in for its annual guide "The Best 373 Colleges." The list focuses on schools' academic quality and singles out Millsaps for its encouragement …

Governor's Office Announces Employment Programs

Gov. Haley Barbour is attempting to combat dreary economic news with a month-long publicity push called "Let's Get Working Mississippi." The campaign is meant to draw attention to job training …

Education

Meyers Named JSU President

Jackson State University is set to have its first female president. The Board of Trustees for Mississippi's universities voted this afternoon to finalize its appointment of Dr. Carolyn Meyers as …

Politics

Fisher: Hinds Supes ‘Hiding' In Executive Session

Hinds County Supervisor Phil Fisher accused his fellow supervisors today of evading public scrutiny by relegating two potentially inflammatory decisions to executive session. In a closed session during its meeting …

Frank Melton

Former Melton Bodyguards to Pay $20K Restitution

by Ward Schaefer January 21, 2010 Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, the former police bodyguards for the late Mayor Frank Melton, must pay $10,000 each in restitution for their roles …

Crime

Violent Crime Down; Property Crime Spikes

Major crimes in Jackson rose 11.9 percent last week, with a drop in violent crime not enough to offset a spike in property crimes, according to weekly statistics released at …

Crime

Jackson Violent Crime Down 10.1 Percent

Major crimes in Jackson decreased again last week, according to statistics released this morning at a Jackson Police Department meeting. Officers reported 154 property crimes, down from 226 the week …

Business

Most Businesses Prepared for Water Issues

Most Jackson businesses are well-prepared for low or nonexistent water pressure, having weathered a nearly week-long crisis in January. Most restaurants are open and hospitals are maintaining regular operations with …

Education

Parents, Educators Call on JPS to Renew Music Program

UPDATED October 26, 2009

Complaints inundated Jackson Public Schools Board members after a tie vote on Oct. 20 failed to renew a music education program that serves elementary students across the district. The roughly …

Capitol

House May Tap $100 Million of Reserve Fund

The Mississippi House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a plan to use $100 million in reserve funds this year to shore up agency budgets that were slashed …

Development

Eminent Domain: A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?

The Mississippi Constitution is a tough thing to change. While state law allows voters to amend the Constitution by approving a ballot initiative, it also prohibits ballot initiatives from changing …

Politics

Bryant Announces Govt. Reorganization Plan

State legislators will consider reform and reorganization of state government in January, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said today. At a news conference this morning, Bryant released a report detailing recommendations …

Business

Hinds Approves King Edward Financing Support

Hinds County Supervisors approved a tax increment financing plan to support the King Edward Hotel renovation at a meeting this morning. The plan requires the county to cover 85 percent …

Hinds Supervisors Feud Over Radios

Tempers flared at a Hinds County Board of Supervisors work session yesterday, as supervisors debated the activation of 19 radios purchased by the city of Clinton for emergency personnel. The …

Biz Roundup

Bodega Opening; Unemployment Slightly Up

Residents of downtown Jackson will soon have an option for grocery shopping nearby. Bodega, a combination grocery store and deli, is set to open by Thursday of this week, co-owner …

Good

Doing Good: Health Help for Kids

The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program estimates that 120,000 Mississippi children have no health insurance, even though three-quarters qualify for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. A new outreach project …

Justice

Hinds Supes Go to Executive Session on Detention Center

Hinds County Supervisors considered adopting a memorandum of understanding with a youth justice advocacy organization at a board meeting this morning. The proposed memorandum, which the board discussed in a …