News

JPS Supt. Cedrick Gray salutes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Veterans

The Mississippi Link Newswire

JPS Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray served as the keynote speaker for the birthday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center Jan. 11.

Gray emphasized how Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be a day on and not off for all Americans, encouraging those in attendance to volunteer and make a difference in their community. He challenged the audience to take action by helping those who are suffering and in need…. […]

News

A final look at Headlines in 2012

Stories that impacted Mississippians

Compiled by Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Interim Managing Editor
Over the past 19 years, The Mississippi Link has not missed a week of reporting on impactful events in the state and across the nation. The year 2012 in review shows a continuation of this commitment to bring to its readers the news and views that have shaped the lives of Mississippians and beyond. Out of 52 weeks of continuous publication, we now reflect on the top 20 headlines of 2012…. […]

News

Mississippi remembers victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School

First memorial bell-ringing ceremony held at Jackson State University

Friday prayer vigils scheduled throughout city

Governor calls for moment of silence

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Interim Managing Editor

From the Governor’s office, the Mississippi Department of Education, Jackson Public Schools and Jackson State University, Mississippians expressed their sorrow and concern for the safety of all school children, after the Dec. 14 murder of 20 children and six adults by a lone gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Conn…. […]

News

Happy Homecoming??

By Tim Ward

Sports Writer

One of the first things looked at once a football schedule is released is the date for homecoming. This is true for high school, college and now some middle schools. This gives alumni the opportunity to come home to rekindle what should be fond memories at their respective institutions.

Not wanting to put a damper on the party, the football team usually plays an opponent they can beat. With all that in mind, Jim Hill and Murrah alumni were wondering how Northwest Rankin and Clinton were chosen respectively as opponents for homecoming. […]

Education

Mississippi returns to its roots with new Teaching Garden initiative

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Staff Writer

Davis Magnet Elementary School set the new pace for changing the trend that shows Mississippi as the leading state in obesity and in food insecurity, when it became the first school in Mississippi to receive a Teaching Garden, piloted by the American Heart Association (AHA) last year on a national level.

The American Heart Association’s Teaching Gardens program selected Davis, thanks to a sponsorship by the Jackson Heart Foundation. This program uses a school garden to teach students about nutrition and inspire them to eat more fruits and vegetables…. […]

Education

In a cash strapped district JPS continues to spend

Board of Trustees approves big-spending measures

By Othor Cain

Managing Editor

Faced with questions about big spending in his former school district, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray vows to remain focused on JPS and moving this district forward. “I cannot afford to lose sight of what is before us, even with lingering questions,” Gray said. “Everything we did in Fayette County, Tenn., was above board and done with board approval.”

Last week Gray asked JPS board of trustees to approve hiring a financial team that would help with restructuring its debt and save the district money. Gray submitted to the board some background on the team and the reason he wanted to bring them on board. What he did not give them were hard cold numbers on cost or projected savings…. […]

Education

JPS takes next step to ensure its budget is met

District files an appeal against city

By Othor Cain

Managing Editor

The Jackson Public School District lived up to its assertion that it would take legal action against the city of Jackson in an effort to ensure its budget is properly met.

The district had 10 days after the city council voted and passed a measure that would give a tax increase of 2.5 mills, which essentially gave the school district $86 million. The district submitted a budget of $88 million that would have required a 5 mills assessment to tax payers. That measure was voted down by the majority of the city council.

The lone standing council member that supported assessing the taxpayers of Jackson the required millage that would have given the school district its recommended budget was Ward 3 councilwoman Larita Cooper-Stokes. […]

Education

MISSISSIPPI’S FIRST TEACHING GARDEN SPRINGS UP AT A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Davis Magnet Elementary school will reap fresh veggies and fruits this Spring

JACKSON, MS – On September 20, the American Heart Association unveiled Mississippi’s first Teaching Garden with the support of the Jackson Heart Foundation. The first school to receive the garden is Davis Magnet Elementary in the capital city, which is locally sponsored by the Jackson Heart Foundation.

The American Heart Association Teaching Gardens is an innovative national, school-based program to re-establish what it means to be healthy. Aimed at elementary school students, the Teaching Garden program provides hands-on learning experiences rooted in offering nutritional choices. […]

News

Crystal Springs rallies to win in Canton

By Tim Ward
Sports Writer

The game almost looked like a scrimmage because everything was so similar between the two schools. Same colors. Same school initials for the most part. Same mascot. Same songs played by the band. One noticable difference: Canton has a drill team and Crystal Springs doesn’t.
With all that out of the way, these two teams played an exciting chess match style football game with Crystal Springs winning with about 1:02 left in the game…. […]

Education

Jackson City Council raises property taxes for JPS

District needs tax hike for debt services

By Othor Cain
Managing Editor

If you live anywhere in the Southeastern portion of the United States, then you should be familiar with yearly events held in this part of the country titled “Battle of the Bands.”
The Jackson City Council recently took to the chambers and staged its own version of the popular competition appropriately titled “Battle of the Budgets.”
In a two-day council meeting, that included the blame game, members of the Jackson city council approved the city’s budget and approved a 2.5 mills (tax) increase to meet the school district’s $86 million budget request…. […]