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Ed Peters Demands Legal Fees from City

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's assurance that he would be covering court costs in his April 2007 felony trial did not apply to his co-defendants, judging by a Nov. 30 letter submitted to the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office. Melton's old felony indictments resurfaced late November when Former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters submitted a motion for allocation of attorney's fees to the clerk and city attorneys. Peters is demanding payments of $15,000 apiece for attorneys Robert Shuler Smith (Hinds County district attorney-elect) and Winston Thompson for their representation of Melton's bodyguards Michael Recio and Marcus Wright.

Schools Lagging on IDEA Stimulus Spending

Mississippi school districts have one year left to spend the $72 million remaining in a $116 million chunk of federal stimulus money for special education. Schools received the funds in 2009, and while a few districts have already spent the majority of their portion, most districts, including Jackson Public Schools, have spent little of their share.

Bob Moser: 'Reclaiming the South'

Bob Moser, who has reported for The Nation and Rolling Stone, and served as the editor of the tough Independent Weekly in North Carolina, has written a book on the manner in which the Democratic Party lost the once-solid South.

Edwards' Book Sales OK Under State Law

The controversy surrounding Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, whose former Georgia school district spent $16,169 on copies of his book, isn't relevant under existing state law, Mississippi Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Hood said Monday.

City Fights Wastewater Order

The City of Jackson has asked the Mississippi Supreme Court to stay an Aug. 12 court order requiring it to transfer its wastewater treatment contract to a new provider.

Third World Mississippi

New housing construction will boost Mississippi's lagging economy, says Housing Mississippi, an alliance of low-income housing advocacy groups. The organization plans to stimulate building projects through a housing trust fund specifically targeted to assist low-income Mississippi households (those making $29,000 or less annually).

City to Vote on Water Main Price Increase

The Jackson City Council is expected to vote on a $222,208 price increase for the installation of a 54-inch water line at tonight's city council meeting. The project is necessary to increase water capacity to the downtown area to accommodate ongoing development, city spokesman Chris Mims said.

Medical Examiner Bill Sent To Barbour

The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that would require state medical examiners to be certified forensic pathologists. The House of Representatives today approved Senate changes to House Bill 1456, and the bill now awaits Gov. Haley Barbour's signature.

Fishermen Uncertain About BP Claims; Hood Demands Action

Biloxi charter boat captain Tom Becker said he filed a $40,000 claim with BP due to a drop in business following the April sinking of the BP offshore oil rig, but said the last four years offered a poor income record to file with his claim thanks to Hurricane Katrina and the economy.

Lumumba Defends Minority Contract Push

Instead of pushing for an investigation of Council President Frank Bluntson's use of city employees during last night's Jackson City Council meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Chowke Lumumba defended his push for minority contracts.

Bill Minor

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Hinds Youth Center Director Resigns

The troubled Hinds County Youth Detention Center has lost its second director in one year. Clifton Strong resigned July 20, only one month after he accepted the director position. Strong follows the previous director, Darron Farr, who resigned in March after managing the detention facility, also known as the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center, for two years.

Rains Hurt State Fair, Helped Local Restaurants

The weather was unkind to the Mississippi State Fair last week, but the near-constant rain was a boon for one segment of Jackson: downtown restaurant owners. Fair director Billy Orr estimates that roughly 500,000 people attended this year, down from nearly 610,000 last yeareven after the addition of an extra day Monday.

The Rest of Us

A recent article in The New York Times Magazine portrayed a group of women who have decided to step away from careers to raise their young children. The title of the article was "The Opt Out Revolution." While evocative of an important decision that many women face, the article described only one small faction of society.

Legislative Update–Week 2: Dissin' Youth

The House passed a statewide $7.25 minimum-wage bill, though they hobbled the bill, according to the Young Democrats of Mississippi, by voting in an amendment exempting part-time high school or college employees from the bill.

More Room At the Inn

While plans for a convention-center hotel remain in limbo, downtown Jackson is seeing plenty of hotel development on a smaller scale. Last week, a team of developers that included several Jackson businessmen presented the Jackson Redevelopment Authority with their vision for a 100- to 130-room hotel and residential building at Court and Lamar streets.

'Victims' Video Latest Romney Campaign Headache

Republican Mitt Romney is trying to head off a new distraction for his campaign after a video surfaced showing him telling wealthy donors that 47 percent of all Americans "believe they are victims" entitled to help from the government that permeates their lives.

Most Gators in 3 Southern Miss. Counties

The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators.

Iron Horse Grill Reborn?

Capital Hotel Associates got good news Wednesday when the Jackson Redevelopment Authority authorized a contribution agreement with the city to help fund the developer's Iron Horse Grill and Mississippi Music Experience Museum project.

It's the Weekend

Unleash the animal within this Friday at Zoo Brew, starting at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Zoo. Sample more than 40 specialty beers from Capital City Beverage, margaritas by Paco's Mexican Restaurant and chicken wings from participants in the Tyson's Wing Cook-off competition. The Sole Shakers will perform. Admission to the event is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Park and ride from Coffee Bus at Highland Village (4500 Interstate 55 N.) or Barnes and Noble at Renaissance for $10. Show your ticket stub for free admission to the 9 p.m. after-party at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.). Or, film-enthusiasts and foodies alike can head to Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Operative Grocery (2807 Old Canton Rd.) for dinner and a movie. Enjoy the Oscar-winning film "Inside Job" and a vegetarian dinner from High Noon Cafe. Later in the evening, catch the funk group Good Enough for Good Times at Martin's at 10 p.m., or hurry your caboose over to a live performance by California pop-rock trio Train at 8 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Tickets for Train range from $30-50 and can be purchased by calling 800-745-3000. For more music listings, see the JFP Music Listings.

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