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Seeds of Community

Surrounded by brick and mortar in Casey Elementary is an organic oasis. As I approach the garden, an army of ants enters and leaves its bed only to disappear into the long, green grass.

DHS Wants Training School Lawsuit Dropped

Last week, the Mississippi Department of Human Services filled a motion to dismiss a lawsuit, filed on behalf of eight teenage girls, who guards reportedly shackled, and in other instances abused, at Columbia Training School. The Mississippi Protection and Advocacy Systems sued a lengthy list of officials including Gov. Haley Barbour and Department of Human Services Executive Director Don Taylor on July 11, 2007.

Jennifer Gillom: 'Feeling of Pride'

This past weekend, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum inducted six new members, including Jennifer Gillom. Originally from Abbeville, Gillom, 44, played for Ole Miss after high school under Coach Van Chancellor.

Hinds Unloading Title Building

For three years, the Mississippi Valley Title Building has weighed on Hinds County's budget without contributing much of anything in the way of revenue. Purchased in 2007 for a planned expansion of county offices, the building has sat more or less dormant since the county scrapped those original plans.

New Abortion Regs Issued

On the same day that a federal judge heard arguments in the ongoing controversy over a new law aimed at abortion doctors, the Mississippi State Department of Health quietly rolled out new regulations, including those governing abortion clinics.

Dr. Ed Thompson

Dr. F.E. "Ed" Thompson was a leader in improving the health of others. Thompson, 62, held the post of Mississippi's health officer, from 1993 to 2003, and again from 2007 until his death Tuesday of colon cancer.

Tribe Remembers Former Chief Phillip Martin

The following is a verbatim statement from Chief Miko Beasley Denson of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians:

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 committee, the resolution calls for the creation of a "an independent community advocacy review process for police matters."

Convention Center a Boon for Jackson

Nearly a year after opening, the Jackson Convention Complex has brought in more than $21 million and stimulated the city's economy by providing jobs and tax revenue, according to a report issued by the Capital City Convention Center Commission this week.

This Weekend in Jackson

Take advantage of the cool weather and head to the Jackson Zoological Park this evening for "Feast with the Beasts" at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy food and beverages while zookeepers talk about the animals. You may even get to see some exotic animals up close, and it's all free for zoo members. Afterward head over to the 930 Blues Cafe to see some of the Mississippi's most talented jazz and blues musicians at the first annual Autumn 'n' Blues Festival. Tonight's line up includes Jackie Bell, Bobby Rush, and Michael Burks, and admission is $25. If you can't make it tonight, the festival continues tomorrow. Find more happenings on the JFP Events page.

Community Remembers the Homeless

Candles burned in Galloway United Methodist Church today to commemorate the lives of six homeless men who died in Jackson this year.

Commission Readies School Consolidation Report

A governor-appointed panel is set to issue its final recommendations on school district consolidation in the next month. The Commission on Education Structure met at the state Capitol today to discuss a preliminary report on consolidating some of Mississippi's 152 public-school districts. Barring major changes, the commission will approve a final version of the report by next month without meeting in person, Commission Chairman and Bancorp South CEO Aubrey Patterson said.

Dancing, Dining, Music and More

If you haven't been to the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition, the competition continues through June 27. Saturday features a brunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Jackson Marriott. Tickets are $10 pus tax and tip and an advanced reservation is required. Call 601-355-9853 to RSVP. The second round of the competition starts Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall, with performances Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 20, The Belhaven Center for Performing Arts presents the Edward Stierle Contemporary Showcase at 2 p.m., featuring performances by 25 dancers who weren't selected for the semifinals of the competition, with special guest performance from artist Brooklyn Mack. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds from the event benefit the Dancers Responding to AIDS program. Call 601-973-9249 for ticket information.

Courthouse Vandals Target Obama

An act of vandalism that occurred on the front of the new U.S. federal courthouse on Court Street in Jackson may have threatened President Barack Obama.

‘Chopper Bob' Rall

"Chopper Bob" Rall, Mississippi's only helicopter traffic reporter, and the "Skycopter" have been staples in the Jackson skies since 1997. Rall was 12 when he moved to Jackson in 1954 with his family from Pittsburgh, Pa. Four years later, he was on the airwaves, disc-jockeying at WJXN radio. Rall died in his sleep early this morning.

Capital Murder Conviction Reversed

The Mississippi Appeals Court has reversed Cory Maye's murder conviction for the Dec. 26, 2001, killing of Ron Jones, a police officer in Prentiss, Miss., a tiny community of 1,000 residents in Jefferson Davis County. The court has remanded the case for a new trial.

The DREAM Act and the Wealth of Nations

Against all odds, 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year, many with honors. They are among America's brightest, most driven and underprivileged. We have invested much in their K-12 education, and they have much to contribute to our society.

Jackson Maintains Staff and Taxes Despite Smaller Budget

Despite a $10 million smaller budget for the city's proposed 2011 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, the city will not increase property taxes or lay off employees, but instead reduce some services and leave unfilled positions open.

Business Round Up: Two Markets and A New Film Festival

A former grocery store near the Jackson Medical Mall reopened Saturday as a farmer's market. Part of the Roadmap to Health Equity Project, the market is located in the former New Deal grocery store on Livingston Road. Beneta Burt, project director, said that grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation allows the farmers market to offer fresh produce from a cooperative of local farmers at discounted prices.

Big Fair Numbers, Medical Mall Groundbreaking, Creative Class Conference

The Mississippi State Fair is attracting much larger crowds than it did last year, when rain kept attendance low. An estimated 307,052 people attended the fair through Monday, according to the state Fair Commission. Attendance through the weekend was almost 100,000 above last year's numbers.

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