Top Stories

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…. […]

Top Stories

Bumble Bee Foods recalls tuna and albacore products

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. […]

Top Stories

Mississippi child support bill passes Senate

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. […]

Top Stories

Officials say body is that of missing kayaker

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. […]

Top Stories

Henderson, Alwal honored as top players in state

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.” […]

Top Stories

Court: TV anchor can keep MLK papers

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. […]

Top Stories

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

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…. […]

Top Stories

Sollie Norwood sworn in to Senate District 28 seat

By Laura Tillman

Associated Press

Democrat Sollie Norwood was sworn in Monday, March 4, 2013 as the newest member of the Mississippi Senate. Norwood, 60, is a former member of the Jackson School Board.

He defeated former Jackson city councilman Marshand Crisler in a special election runoff to represent Senate District 28, which is entirely in Hinds County…. […]

Top Stories

Special 90th Birthday Salute to Luther B. Buckley

By Melvin V. Priester Jr.

Special to The Mississippi Link

Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” In that spirit, Saturday, March 2, 2013, a tribute was held at Lanier High School honoring its retired principal Luther B. Buckley on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Very few have “built stronger children” and put in action Douglass’ words better than Principal Buckley. Legendary for his embrace of all children, Buckley guided Lanier High School during the tumultuous Civil Rights era when “Separate but Equal” was the standard in Mississippi….. […]

Top Stories

“Back in the Day” month long presentations at New Hope Baptist Church bring history to life

By Joy Brashears

and Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Special to The Mississippi Link

On Thursday, Feb. 28, New Hope Baptist Church culminated its month long celebration of Black History month, themed “Back in the Day,” with a tribute to Medgar Wiley Evers. Mrs. Myrlie Evers-Williams also was honored. Dr. Tonya Moore, the niece of Medgar, was the moderator.

Giving remarks were Medgar’s daughter Reena Evers-Everette and his brother Charles Evers. The children of New Hope brightened the program with their lively performances, including the song “Kum Ba Yah.”…. […]