Kayode Crown

City Council Votes on 2022 Legislative Agenda, Wants Land Bank, Water-Sewer Debt Forgiveness Extension

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Jackson City Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay called a special city council meeting for members to vote on six resolutions on the City's legislative agenda for 2022.

Who Is the Hinds County Board of Supervisors’ President?

The question regarding who will chair the Hinds County Board of Supervisors meeting next week, Monday, Jan. 17, remains unclear as two supervisors both claim to be the president—District 2 Supervisor David Archie and District 3 Supervisor Credell Calhoun.

JPS Starts In-Person Learning Tomorrow, Enhanced COVID-19 Protocol

Students at Jackson Public School will resume in-person learning tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 6, with the district leadership sticking with the resumption plan announced in December amidst an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

City Engineer: Despite Improvements, Severe Winter Storm Could Wreak Havoc

February 2022 will mark Jackson's first anniversary of two back-to-back winter storms, which jeopardized the ability of many among the city’s more than 150,000 residents to get water.

Mississippi Supreme Court Appoints Senior Status Judge, Justice to Hinds County Cases

The lawsuit alleging slander that New Jerusalem Church Pastor Dwayne Pickett brought against two City of Jackson council members advanced on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, when Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph assigned retired judge Lamar Pickard to the case.

Pickett v. Banks: Judge Green Asks Supreme Court for Special Judge

Senior Judge Tomie Green of Hinds County Circuit Court asked Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael K. Randolph on Dec. 21 to appoint a special judge to a slander case that New Jerusalem Church's senior pastor, Dwayne K. Pickett Sr., filed against two Jackson city council members on Oct. 14.

City Council Approves $2 Million for Roads, Cemetery Transfer to Jackson State University

"This will take some (pressure) off the City who don't have to do the maintenance, and it will be a part of the plan where Jackson State (University) is improving and monitoring the heritage of our community there in the Washington Edition," he said. "So we certainly appreciate this move forward."

Crisler Weighs 'Options' After Circuit Clerk Rejects Election Boxes’ Examination Request

Former Hinds County Interim Sheriff Marshand Crisler requested to examine the election boxes in a letter hand-delivered to the Hinds County Circuit Clerk Zach Wallace on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

Councilman Foote: Why I voted for a Water-Sewer Rate Increase, but not a Garbage Disposal Rate Increase

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, the Jackson City Council, at a special council meeting, voted for a 20% increase in the water bill of residents and businesses but rejected a 70% hike in garbage collection cost from $20.80 to $35.

'Addressing a Human Need': City Leaders Ask for 'Equitable Share' of EPA Water Infrastructure Revolving Loan

City of Jackson officials have appealed for fairness in distributing the nearly $75 million in water-infrastructure funding that Mississippi is getting in 2022 from the Infrastructure Bill that President Joe Biden signed into law in November.

Bicentenary: Community Foundation for Mississippi Donates $1 million to Planetarium

An exuberant round of applause greeted the announcement of $1 million towards the Russell C. Davis Planetarium on Monday, Nov. 29, at the City of Jackson Bicentenary celebration opening event held at Thalia Mara Hall.

City Kicks off 13-Month Bicentenary Celebration Today

The City of Jackson is kicking off the celebration of its 200th year of existence at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at Thalia Mara Hall, with the unveiling of the bicentennial celebration logo, Department of Human and Cultural Services Deputy Director David Lewis told City Council members last week.

‘A Dream of Mine’: Tyree Jones Wins Sheriff Election

With 60.34% of the vote going to Hinds County Sheriff's Office Investigation Captain Tyree Jones at the Tuesday, Nov. 23, run-off election, he became the new sheriff, defeating Interim Sheriff Marshand Crisler. Crisler recorded 9,894 votes to Jones' 15,120.

Mayor Plans Contracts For Grass Cutting, Litter Pickup

Conversations veered into the cleanliness and appearance of the City of Jackson during a garbage-contract townhall held on Thursday, Nov. 18, at the New Horizon Church on Ellis Avenue and streamed on Facebook Live.

Pickett v. Banks, Lindsay: City Garbage Contract Fiasco Breeds a Lawsuit

Dwayne K. Pickett, Sr., New Jerusalem Church's senior pastor, sued Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay and Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks for slander on Oct. 14.

‘Another Layer of Objectivity’: City Opts for Blind Evaluation of Garbage Disposal Contract Proposals

The City of Jackson has opted for blind evaluation of garbage-disposal technical proposals to guard against claims of unfairness, City officials said at the town hall held at Fondren Church on Thursday, Nov. 11, on the contracting process.

County Approves $100,000 for Livingston Park and Others

Five recreational spots in the city of Jackson will get $100,000 in upgrades following the Hinds County Board of Supervisors' approval of the funding given on Monday, Nov. 15.

Jackson Church Clears $1.4 Million in Medical Debt Across Mississippi

Nine hundred and fifty-five people across Mississippi have benefitted from medical-debt cancellation through the effort of Jackson-based The Word Center Church.

City Council Approves 'Rules of Ethical Conduct,' $365,674 for Water Treatment Plant Repairs

After introducing the ordinance at a special meeting on Oct. 28, the Jackson City Council adopted a code of ethics on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with violations attracting a $500 fine and possible forfeiture of office.

Hicks Wins County Judge Special Election; Sheriff, District 5 Constable Elections for Runoff Nov. 23

Carlyn Hicks defeated Greta Harris at the special election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, for Subdistrict 1 Hinds County Court Judge.

Six Jail Deaths Recorded in Hinds County this Year

Lack of compliance with court orders and the department of justice’s consent decree led to six deaths at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond this year, court-appointed monitor Elizabeth E. Simpson wrote in a Thursday, Oct. 28, court filing.

‘Keeping the Peace’: Eight Candidates Run for Hinds County District 5 Constable

Candidates running for the Hinds County District 5 Constable position at the Nov. 2 special election attended two recent, separate forums to jostle for votes. Bennie C. Buckner resigned from the post in August, and the Hinds County Board of Supervisors appointed Demario E. Benson in the interim on Aug. 16. The district includes portions of west Jackson, Old Byram, Chapel Hill, Terry and Utica.

Harris, Hicks for Hinds County Court Judge Election

After Melvin Priester, Sr. resigned on June 3, 2020, as Subdistrict 1 Hinds County Court Judge, the Mississippi Supreme Court appointed Carlyn Hicks in his place. In the election to fill the position scheduled for Nov. 2, Attorney Greta Mack Harris joins Hicks on the ballot.

Archie v. Hinds County Board of Supervisors: Mississippi Supreme Court Appoints Dickinson to Case

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted to remove District 2 Supervisor David Archie as vice president on Sept. 29.

Seals, Caston, Mayfield Run for Hinds County Sheriff

Hinds County District 4 Constable Leon Seals, Jackson Police Department Officer Brandon Caston, and former Town of Edwards Police Chief Torrance Mayfield are running for Hinds County sheriff at the special election on Nov. 2.

Mayor Shares Personal Story, Proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba shared a personal story of domestic violence at a press briefing on Monday, Oct. 11, as he proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Jackson.

West, Thompson Running for Hinds County Sheriff

In the field of 13 people who are running in the special election for Hinds County sheriff on Nov. 2 are Ather West and Reginald Thompson, both former Hinds County deputies who served under former Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin.

Twenty-One People Admitted to Hinds County Reentry Program

On Oct. 12, the recently launched Hinds County Reentry Program will see 21 applicants start a two-month course, called “Thinking for a Change."

Crisler, Wall and Jones Running for Hinds County Sheriff

Interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler, former Chief Deputy of Operations Eric Wall and former Hinds County Sheriff's Office Information Officer Tyree Jones are running to become the new Hinds County sheriff come Nov. 2.

Spooner, Tannehill Running for Hinds County Sheriff

Richard Spooner and Les Tannehill, veterans of the Hinds Sheriff's office, are among the 13 candidates running for Hinds County sheriff.

Matory, Harris-Williams, and Green Running for Hinds County Sheriff

Cheryl Matory, Beverly Harris-Williams and Colendula Green are among the 13 candidates running for the Hinds County sheriff’s position in a special election on Nov. 2.

(UPDATED) Jackson City Council Rescinds Mayor's Emergency Order, Nixes Garbage Disposal Contract

A war of words has continued between Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Waste Management over a new garbage disposal contract.

Mayor Declares State of Emergency As Waste Disposal Negotiations Hit Snag

Getting a garbage-collection contract for the City of Jackson is coming down to the wire after Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba declared a state of emergency on Friday, Sept. 17, saying that Waste Management is "attempting to strong-arm" the City into a “lengthy contract."

Illegal Dumping: City-wide Clean-up Planned

It will take a city-wide cleanup effort to move the needle against the menace of illegal dumping in Jackson, Solid Waste Division Manager Lakesha Weathers told the city council at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Jackson Planning Director Confirmed As Two Councilmen Question Her Record

Two Jackson City Council members voted against Director of Planning and Development Jordan Hillman's official confirmation to a new term on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Interim Hinds County Sheriff Moves to Curtail Violent Crime with Gun Suppression Unit

Interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler plans to set up a gun suppression unit to arrest convicted felons caught with guns.

Jackson Rescinds $1 Million Plan to Rent Misdemeanor Jail Space, Fund Deputies

The Jackson City Council has reversed its controversial 2020 decision to use $500,000 to rent jail spaces in Holmes and Yazoo counties for people charged with low-level misdemeanors in the capital city, as well as to direct $500,000 to deploy an increased number of Hinds County deputy sheriffs to the city.

City Council Approves $2 Million for Multi-Use Trail, Questions Data Scientist on Deliverables

"While we've been doing walking trails in various parts of the city, we wanted to connect west Jackson, make sure that there were no parts of our city that were left out, and this Little J actually helps contribute towards that connection with the other walking trails," Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba explained at the city council meeting.

Lost in a Broken System: Why Detainees Spend Years in Hinds Jails Without Trial

Fifty-eight people in Hinds County Detention Centers by July 2, 2021, had spent more than two years there, documents the Jackson Free Press obtained show.

Group Plans Black Business Expo in Jackson and Gulfport in 2022

The Mississippi Black Business Pages will host two events in Jackson and Gulfport next year, bringing together Black-owned businesses at those locations.

Hinds County Reentry Program Starts Collecting Applications Sept. 1

Hinds County will take applications from intending participants of its reentry program on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Jackson Convention Center from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

JPS Board Approves Virtual Learning Option for PreK-6th Grade Starting Sept. 2

Jackson Public School District parents have until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, to fill out a survey indicating if they want the virtual-learning option for their pre-kindergarten to sixth-grade students.

City Council Rejects Garbage Collection Contract Twice Citing Confusion, Bad Timing

The City of Jackson has until Sept. 30 to get a new garbage-collection contract after the city council voted twice in two weeks—Aug. 9 and 19—against approving the agreements that Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba's team negotiated with the FCC Environmental Services LLC.

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