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Former Choctaw Chief Hospitalized
Phillip Martin, the former chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, has been hospitalized at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson. Martin, 84, held the democratically elected post of the group's chief for 32 years, with his tenure ending in 2007. His condition is unavailable at this time.
"Umbrella Man" — Scott Albert Johnson
Scott Albert Johnson has been a fixture in the Jackson music scene since he decided to come back home a few years ago after living all over the U.S. The harmonica virtuoso has played around town with local artists from Sherman Lee Dillon to Chris Gill to the legendary Dorothy Moore. It is hard to believe, then, that "Umbrella Man," Johnson's new album set to release May 1, is his debut. On it, Johnson displays the confidence of a seasoned musician and employs the help of Jackie Bell, Skeet Myers and drummer Johnny Vidacovich.
Candidate of the Day: Lee Yancey
Sen. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, claims to be the only candidate for state treasurer who has a voting record to study.
Downtown Arena, Anyone?
It's become a rite of passage: The rebounding city builds a sports-and-entertainment arena, a shiny mark of maturity and status, like a 16-year-old's new car.
[Music] Perfect Harmony
There was nothing in particular about playing the Paul McCoy to Jessica's Amy Lee in a rendition of Evanescence's Top 10 hit "Bring Me to Life" that attracted Robert Renfroe. Lee, a regular whose last name Renfroe has never known, merely asked for support. So, in the communal spirit of Karaoke Night, the 27-year-old employee of the State Office of Volunteerism took the stage.
The Great American Experiment
Here's the column that drew the ire of Mr. Kim Wade, radio talk-show host, as reported in this week's issue.
No More Excuses for JPD
View the entire Major Crimes Report here.
[Stiggers] Operation Backlash
In the ghetto criminal justice system, the people are represented by two members of the McBride family: police officer and part-time security guard at the Funky Ghetto Mall Dudley 'Do-Right' McBride and attorney Cootie McBride of the law firm McBride, Myself and I. This is their story.
Crime Declines City Wide
The Jackson Police Department reports an overall decrease in major crimes from April 19 through April 25 in the city. But Assistant Chief Lee Vance is cautious not to attribute the decline to the department's implementation of the High Enforcement and Response Operation, a task force that began April 24.
Red-Headed Stranger
On June 8, Willie Nelson will step onto the stage of the Jackson Convention Complex when he makes a Mississippi stop on his tour.
[Herman's Picks] Vol. 8, No. 43
The Mississippi Museum of Art is hosting its next Art Remix indoor/outdoor music party this Friday night with local bluesman Sherman Lee Dillon inside from 5-8 p.m.; John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives outside from 7:30-8:30 p.m.; and the female alt-country trio Those Darlins outside from 8:30-10 p.m.
C.A. Webb Launches New JFP Blog
Poet, author and all-around Jackson creative personality C.A. Webb has launched his new JFP blog. C.A. has been posting provocative forum threads, including the currently hot thread on Spike Lee's appearance at Ole Miss. We welcome C.A. to the JFP Web site.
[Herman's Picks] Vol. 8, No. 23
It's not too late to end your workweek with a laugh.
[Lee] My Health Is At Stake
In 2008, I was living in Colorado and facing a ballot initiative known as Amendment 48 to the state Constitution. It aims to define personhood as beginning at the moment of egg fertilization. In a statewide election, 73.2 percent of voters opposed the change, and defeated the amendment.
Jackson's Recovery Top 20 In Nation
Despite suffering its worst recession in three decades, Jackson's economy is recovering faster than many U.S. cities. Jackson was one of only 10 metropolitan areas in the country--almost all of them in the South--to experience positive job growth in the last quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, according to a report issued yesterday by the Brookings Institution.
The Skinny on Polk
Hattiesburg native Patrik-Ian Polk has wrapped another film and is working on more television shows to add to his credentials. Polk, who is gay, explores issues of race and sexual identity in some of his projects. His work has won national awards and is gaining a more mainstream audience.
JPD Prepares for Busy Weekend
With more than 100,000 people expected to visit Jackson this weekend, Jackson Police Department Assistant Chief Lee Vance asked officers to be on the lookout for criminal activity. Crowds are expected this weekend for the Mississippi State Fair, Jackson State University's homecoming and a walk for breast cancer awareness.
Dee, Moore Lawsuit Goes Forward
Read the JFP's Dee-Moore archive here for background and complete stories.
State May Receive $13M for Small Businesses
A new federal law offers Mississippi up to $13.2 million to support small-business lending programs through community banks. The State Small Business Credit Initiative, part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed Sept. 27, dedicates $1.5 billion in federal funds to expand existing state-level programs that extend credit to small businesses.
Jackson Police Putting Focus on Property Crime
Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance called on Jackson police to concentrate on property crimes in the city, noting at a meeting today that the Jackson Police Department has a "realistic chance" of finishing the year with an overall crime reduction from last year.