March 2013 – Page 5 – The Mississippi Link

Jump starting the Jackson mayoral race

By Artaymis Ma’at

Special to The Mississippi Link

The People’s Assembly Task Force did not hesitate to jump start the first public forum for who’s the best person to serve the people as mayor of Jackson. The forum took place Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Word and Worship Church, 6286 Hanging Moss Rd.

Eight mayoral candidates – six Democrats and two Independents – seized the opportunity to showcase their credentials.

Incumbent Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.’s campaign manager attended on his behalf. Frank Bluntson, Audrey Nichols, Robert Amos and Charles Taylor Sr. were not in attendance. Also qualifying as a candidate is Victoria Jacobs. There are now 14 candidates…. […]

Bumble Bee Foods recalls tuna and albacore products

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Tuna giants Bumble Bee Foods and Chicken of the Sea have expanded recalls of their flaky fish because of a possible packaging problem.

Both companies issued voluntary recalls of some 5-ounce cans of Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna because the seals did not meet company standards, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalls have now been expanded to include more cans,” ABC News reported.

Bumble Bee initially issued the recall on Wednesday, March 6 after identifying the issue on a manufacturing line. The problem has since been corrected. […]

Mississippi child support bill passes Senate

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The Mississippi Senate is pushing ahead a plan to privatize the collection of child support payments.

Senators voted Wednesday to support House Bill 1009. It would allow the Mississippi Department of Human Services to contract with private vendors to collect unpaid child support, which lawmakers say totals more than $1 billion.

State employees protested the bill March 5 at the Capitol, warning a previous privatization effort had failed. […]

JSU stadium could derail downtown arena plans

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Jackson State University’s recently announced plans to build a domed stadium could effectively kill an effort to build a downtown arena.

The city and other arena backers have spent or pledged $180,000 in recent years to study building an arena to host concerts, sporting events and other entertainment, The Clarion-Ledger reported.

The key factor in the city of Jackson supporting the university’s plans is that it would only have to pay $10 million toward the university stadium, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said. A feasibility study in January estimated that a 9,000-seat arena would cost the city $115 million. […]

Officials say body is that of missing kayaker

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The body found Friday in the Mississippi Sound is that of a kayaker who had been missing for 10 days.

Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove says an autopsy Saturday confirmed the body as that of 23-year-old Nick Rainer, who went missing Feb. 27 while kayaking with his father.

The state Marine Patrol found the body more than four miles south of Biloxi. The body had been spotted by a charter boat fisherman. […]

Henderson, Alwal honored as top players in state

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Marshall Henderson grew up playing basketball in Texas, started his college career in Utah and has now been honored as the best player in Mississippi.

It’s an unorthodox story for an unorthodox guy. Not even Henderson saw this one coming.

“I really never thought I’d be here,” Henderson said with a grin. “… But it feels good.” […]

Court: TV anchor can keep MLK papers

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A Mississippi television anchorman can keep documents and other materials tied to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., that the civil rights leader’s estate sued to obtain, a federal appeals court panel ruled Friday, March 8.

King’s estate sued WLBT-TV’s Howard Ballou in September 2011 in U.S. District Court in Jackson. The estate wanted possession of documents, photographs and other items that Ballou’s mother got while working for King. […]

Man sentenced to house arrest in arson case

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A federal court judge has ordered house arrest for a man charged with arson in a fire at a Yalobusha County business.

James Flemons was sentenced during a hearing in U. S. District Court in Oxford.

A federal indictment accused Flemons and another man of using pump sprayers to spay gas and kerosene inside Lindley’s Antique Mall in Oakland and then setting fire to the business on March 1, 2011. […]

Helen of Troy to bring 300 new jobs to Olive Branch

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Officials from Helen of Troy said they would be constructing a 1.3 million-square-foot distribution facility in Olive Branch in DeSoto County. The project represents a company investment of $37 million and will create more than 300 new jobs.

Helen of Troy is a designer, developer and worldwide marketer of brand-name household, personal care and healthcare/home environment consumer products. A leader in global consumer products, the company offers creative solutions for its customers through a strong portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands. […]

Lowe’s ‘Community Impact Grant’ benefits MidCity/Georgetown homeowners

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By Jackie Hampton

Publisher

Robert Williams, a 59-year-old disabled truck driver, is pleased that his home on Wood Street will be one of 21 that will receive major repairs as a result of a matching grant awarded to Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson (HFH/MJ).

Last fall, HFH/MJ was among nine affiliates nationwide invited to apply for one of four major Community Impact Grants from Lowes. On Friday, March 1, at a media event at Jaycee Park on Bailey Avenue, officials from Lowe’s announced…. […]