News

Developers are directed to account for ‘slow progress’

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority wants developers of the Farish Street Entertainment District to give it a specific update on the oft-delayed development’s progress.

A week after the Jackson City Council passed a resolution slamming what it described as the project’s slow progress, JRA voted Wednesday to set up a public meeting with Farish Street Group, led by David Watkins, so developers can spell out where they stand.

A date hasn’t been set.

(more…)

by Lacey McLaughlin

With less than two months before the Nov. 8 general election, two Hinds County races are still in question.

Gay Polk, who ran for the District 73 seat in the state House of Representatives, filed a formal challenge against Democratic opponent Brad Oberhousen after the Aug. 2 primary. The Democratic Executive Committee certified the final results last month showing that Oberhousen received 2,103 votes, or 51.09 percent, to Polk’s 2,013, or 48.91 percent. Polk said that her name had been left off the ballot at the Wynndale and Dry Grove precincts. ??Polk said today that she received a letter from Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Claude McInnnis Monday stating that the committee could not grant a revote. She said she plans to file a lawsuit against the county.

(more…)

Some voters given illegal enticements, losing candidate says

A Holmes County candidate for supervisor who lost a Democratic runoff to a longtime incumbent is contesting the election for reasons, including that some voters were enticed by alcohol and illegal substances.
(more…)

Judge rules that the 28 affidavit ballots in Ward 4 election not properly counted

By Vernon Sikes
Yazoo Herald Correspondent

Brent

BELZONI – It’s back to the drawing board today to determine who will occupy Yazoo City’sWard 4 city council seat. Following the May 31 special election, Aubry Brent Jr., who lost by asingle vote to Hattie Williams, challenged the election results.

At the conclusion of Monday’s 90-minute hearing in the Humphreys County Courthouse, CircuitJudge Jannie Lewis ruled that 28 affidavit ballots in the special election were not properlycounted. Additionally, Lewis suspended the election’s certification.

(more…)

Written by
Elizabeth Crisp

Mississippi is one of seven states that has not changed its property rights laws since a 2005 landmark decision allowed a Connecticut city to transfer land from one private owner to another for economic development.

Voters here may have the opportunity to decide this fall whether the state should prohibit eminent domain for private ventures, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit that aims to block the vote.

But does the state need to strengthen its eminent domain laws?

(more…)

Developers have signed a tentative lease for a B.B. King Blues Club on Farish Street.

by Adam Lynch of Jackson Free Press
May 26, 2011

Farish Street, Jackson, MS

B.B. King Blues Club has signed a lease deal with Farish Street developer Watkins Development, LLC. John Reeves, a member of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, confirmed the deal this morning that aims to put a Beale Street mainstay in Jackson. “It’s been a long road getting this project from the drawing board to reality, and my hat is off to David Watkins and his group for what they’ve done and what they’re doing,” said John Reeves, Jackson Redevelopment Authority board member.

B.B. King Blues Club signed the deal to put a club into a refurbished building near the intersection of Farish and Amite streets, a historically-designated area that Watkins Development has renovated to resemble its pre-integregation heyday.

(more…)

Boy beaten for acting too white

The mother of a Callaway High School student is taking legal action against Jackson Public Schools after her 15-year-old son allegedly was attacked in school in October.

Hazel Banks said her son, Jaylon, was hospitalized as a result of two fellow students assaulting him Oct. 29.

“One of the boys punched my son and knocked him unconscious,” Banks said.

(more…)

15-year-old Yazoo girl won’t be charged as adult

Attorney John R. Reeves, Yazoo, MS

A 15-year-old female student who displayed a loaded .380 semi-automatic handgun on a Yazoo County school bus last month won’t be charged as an adult.

The girl’s parents and her attorney, John Reeves, were relieved as they emerged from a Yazoo County Youth Court hearing on Monday in Yazoo City.

“It’s a victory for everybody,” Reeves said. “Everybody in society is better off with this young lady being helped back into society. It would be a drain on taxpayers to try this young lady as an adult.”

The Sept. 1 incident made national headlines after the girl was tackled by high school football star Kaleb Eulls, who wrestled the gun from her. Eulls, a 2009 Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen selection, has been featured nationally in newspapers and on TV programs.

(more…)

Hazing penalties changed for 22 students

Jackson State University has amended its punishment for students involved in the hazing of freshmen marching band members, including reducing the length of some of their suspensions.

Last week, the school said 27 students had been suspended for two years following a campus police investigation into allegations that freshmen members of the Sonic Boom of the South’s percussion section were beaten at an off-campus event on Sept. 18. It later said five students were exonerated.

(more…)

YAZOO CITY — Kaleb Eulls, the high school football star who disarmed a gun-wielding student last week, was rewarded Tuesday with a resolution from county supervisors and a $700 check from an unnamed admirer in Hawaii.

Yazoo County Sheriff Tommy Vaughan, who was at the ceremony, said afterward he has completed his investigation and hopes the 14-year-old student arrested in the incident will be tried as an adult.

Because the crime was committed with a gun and the girl is older than 13, she meets the criteria to be charged as an adult.

(more…)