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Be Careful What You Ask For
Be careful that you are ready to receive what you are asking, whether for a new job or a new mate. Sometimes we don't need what we want, and often …
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Why Our Bond Rating Is Important
While crime, potholes and boiled-water notices get all the headlines and make for easy punchlines, one of the biggest problems facing the capital city is rarely discussed outside of City …
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Education
State Superintendent: Take Test Results Seriously
Mississippi's second round of testing for third through eighth graders left room for improvement and growth, top state education officials said.
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Editor's Note
Jedis, Space Mountain and Love
Yes, I'm a serious person, and I care deeply about injustice and hatred. But the reason that I do is because I love so many things and people and cultures …
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Jacksonian
Eddie Young
Flowood resident Eddie Young, the co-director of the Reservoir Youth Basketball and Cheerleading League, has a vision. He wants his league to not only be the best youth basketball league …
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Art
Justin Ransburg: Testing Boundaries
Most of Justin Ransburg's artwork combines illustrations and painting, as well as graphic design and photography.
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Music
Springfield Strips Down
Long before the start of Rick Springfield's sold-out "Stripped Down Tour" show at the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, excited guests formed a line from the entrance of the Bottleneck Blues …
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City & County
1 Percent Tax: A Test for Contractor Reform
Almost two years after voters in Jackson decided to tax themselves an extra 1-percent worth of sales tax on certain goods, heavy machinery will soon be turning dirt and the …
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Politics
State Eyes Changes to Guardianship Laws
Desiree Henley knew Mississippi's guardianship and conservatorship laws were outdated, ineffective and likely stripping elderly and disabled citizens of their basic human rights.
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City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
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Tax Fairness Could be Issue in Push for Transportation Money
Mississippi could get smoother roads, lower taxes and a tax system more tilted to favor the rich than it does today.
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City & County
Water Theft Probe: More Firings, 1 to 2 Arrests Possible
Jackson police expect no more than one to two arrests to follow the firing of what City officials have said could be up to seven public-works department employees later today, …
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Person of the Day
Tony Hughes
After more than 30 years as an assistant coach at Mississippi State University, Tony Hughes is finally a head coach at Jackson State University.
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Music
Big Sleepy's Saves X-mas
All-ages venue Big Sleepy's will host its inaugural Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 19, to ring out the year and celebrate some of the bands that made the venue's first …
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Wild Dogs Kill 6 Zoo Animals, Injure 2 Geese
By R.L. NaveJackson Zoo officials have announced that a pack of feral dogs killed a gazelle and five springbok. Two geese were also hurt. The following is a verbatim description of the incident from the zoo:
Zoo staff discovered the animals had been attacked early Friday morning, and began to take measures of contacting Animal Control and catching the dogs before they attacked any other animals or escaped off property. The Zoo captured four of the five feral dogs believed to be involved in the accident. One dog escaped the premises; along with another dog spotted in the adjoining cemetery, not presently linked to the attack. None of the five medium size mixed breeds were wearing a collar for identification.
"This is a sad day, and the hardest thing about it is it didn't have to happen. The entire zoo's animal care staff work very hard to give the best care to the collection of animals here at the zoo, and to have them killed this way is tragic,” Zoo Director Beth Poff said, “There are people out there who have not taken responsibility for their dogs, and unfortunately we all have to suffer the consequences."
The Zoo lost 5 Springbok and 1 Addra Gazelle from its’ African Savannah area. Both species are part of antelope-gazelle family found in parts of Africa. The two spur-winged geese that were injured have been taken to the Zoo’s Animal Hospital for care.
Through a preliminary investigation there has not been a point of entry found on the fence line. The investigation continues as to where the dogs entered and one dog escaped the premises. The fence line is walked weekly to check for openings where dogs or other predators could enter.
The Zoo has 24-hour security, which has called Animal Control for dog sightings on zoo property eight times in the last five months, only three dogs have been captured from these calls.
Jackson Zoo staff continues to be vigilant in sighting loose dogs and monitoring the containment fences that surround the property. The zoo has contacted the City of Jackson today for assistance in containment, especially around possible drainage areas under the fence line.
http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2015/dec/18/23879/
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Business Group Seeks $375M-a-Year Boost to Transport Funding
Mississippi's state chamber of commerce said Friday that the state needs to spend another $375 million a year to fix decaying bridges and roads, pledging to throw its political support …
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Education
MDE Chief: New Test Scores Show Schools Have 'Long Way to Go'
Mississippi's second round of testing for third through eighth graders left room for improvement and growth, top state education officials said.
Story
Person of the Day
Darth Vader
Even after the prequels somewhat defanged the infamous Sith lord, Darth Vader is still a driving force for the "Star Wars" franchise's newest addition, "The Force Awakens," which premiers Friday, …
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Art
Christmas' Lost Opera on Stage Again
This year, the Mississippi Opera will stage a production of the "Amahl and the Night Visitors" at the Madison Square Center for the Arts in Madison.
