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UPDATED: Ben Allen Pledges to Lead Melton Investigation

Sept. 12, 2006 (updated 2 p.m.)

This morning in front of packed City Council chamber, with upset citizens spilling into the hallway, Councilman Ben Allen announced that he will now support an investigation of Mayor Frank Melton's alleged illegal actions, if by 4:30 p.m. this Friday, professional investigators have not "wrapped up" their probes. Allen said, if that is case, he would call for a Council-led investigation of Melton and his entourage that would begin the following Monday. Melton's alleged rampage through a Ridgeway Street duplex was was first reported by the Jackson Free Press on Sept. 1.

Robert And Michele And ... Edna?

District Attorney candidate Robert Shuler Smith has taken an interesting journey to his current spot on the primary ballot. Smith said at a July Jackson 2000 forum at Schimmel's restaurant that he is in the race because former District Attorney Ed Peters asked him to run two years ago.

House Outlaws Traffic Cameras

The Mississippi House sent a bill to the Senate today that will effectively outlaw red-light cameras. HB 1568 will restrict local law enforcement's use of cameras to assist in traffic controlsuch as the one installed at the intersection of Old Canton Road and Lakeland Drive.

Eyes Wide Shut

About four years ago, a colleague invited Myra Ottewell, a native Jacksonian and teacher in British Columbia, to speak to his class after they viewed "Mississippi Burning," the 1988 movie about the murders of civil rights workers Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner in Philadelphia, Miss.

Councilwoman Robbed

Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend. An assailant, armed with "a sawed-off shotgun" came up to her and her husband on Saturday and demanded her purse.

Barbour Delivers State of the State Address

(verbatim statement) Mr. Speaker, Governor Bryant, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests and fellow Mississippians:

Community Events and Public Meetings

6 p.m., Italian Wine Dinner at Cerami's (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I). Come experience Italian wines carefully chosen and paired with special Italian recipes. Proceeds benefit Hudspeth Regional Center. A reservation is required. $65; call 601-919-2829.

Sharpton Defends the 'Jena 6'

Photos by Chelsi West & Maggie Burks

In the small, pastoral town of Jena, La., police arrested six black students 15 to 17 years old and charged them with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy after a string of racially charged events climaxed with a school fight on Dec. 4, 2006.

Gingrich Recycles 1990s Message for Jobs Creation

Republican and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appeared at a local "jobs summit" yesterday, blasting Washington politicians for being clueless about how to spur job growth. Gingrichand his messagehasn't changed much over the last decade when his party rode an anti-Democratic sentiment into House and Senate dominance. The continued strength of his party later allowed the GOP to dominate all three branches of government, including the White House, with the election of George W. Bush at the turn of the century.

Greenwood Councilman Lambasted for Racial Slur

The Associated Press is reporting that Greenwood Councilman John Lee sent an e-mail last week to a group of whites criticizing black Council President David Jordan, and calling him a "n*gger":

Glorious, Beautiful Leaps of Nicole Marquez

Nicole Marquez looks small in the bed with its hospital-white sheets, her short dark hair showing signs of her lying prone for a little too long.

Jackson's Eleven: The JFP's Young Influentials of 2007

On the following pages, you'll find profiles of the JFP'S 2007 11 Young Influentials. These outstanding individuals are 40 and younger, and each has significant impact on the people around them. Their energies, singly and collectively, reach beyond Jackson's city limits, and within the city, their handprints are inescapable. They are the best at what they do. Ironically, they're a lot like the characters in the film "Ocean's 11."

Why Not Answer the Question, Mr. Agnew?

Clarion-Ledger Executive Editor Ronnie Agnew has a truly absurd column out today. Once he gets through the crap in the beginning about Jim Hood bothering to talk to them on President's Day (who cares?), Agnew reveals that Hood asked him if he's going to hire a Democratic columnist to balance his partisan Republican columnist Sid Salter. Agnew then goes into a diatribe whining about how various people question fairness, and how Salter is fair to Hood, blah, blah.

Ledger: DeLaughter E-mailed Proposed Order to Peters

Just in from Jerry Mitchell at The Clarion-Ledger; unclear who "Mills" is supposed to be, though:

Grammys

The Grammy noms are out. I know I'm harping on music this week, but I told you it's my favorite time of the year. The Dixie Chicks "Not Ready to Make Nice" is the most Grammy-winning song I've ever heard. And Mary J better clean up with "Be Without You," but I just think the best hip-hop is a little whack:

Just Average Girls

Becoming a victim of sex trafficking can happen to those from "good" homes just as easily as it does to those from "bad" or poor circumstances. The crime cuts across all facets of society, excluding no one regardless of gender, age, race or economic status, said Heather Wagner, director of the domestic-violence office in the Mississippi attorney general's office.

Clarion-Ledger Buys VIP Magazine

And LGBTQ Rights March On: The Who, What, How in Mississippi

Although there is growing support for equal rights in both Jackson and the state, legislation like SB 2681 has the potential to encourage and legalize discrimination, harking back to Jim Crow legislation.

Chicks We Love 2018

This year's Chicks We Love help our communities in many ways, from assisting burn victims and their families, to raising awareness about domestic violence, to using art as a medium to spark conversation on social issues, to helping people with speech therapy. We salute all women using their talents and their voices to make Jackson, and Mississippi, stronger.

Meet George Allen, the Republican Party's Great White Hope

The leading conservative 2008 Republican presidential candidate is scarier than George W. Bush.

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