Jackson Free Press

A Long, Long Road

"Donna, you know what? I run Jackson," declared Mayor Frank Melton, scrunching his face up into one of his trademark snickers that are cute and creepy at the same time. …

Judge: Melton Trial Postponed Until Feb. 2, 2009

Over the objection of federal prosecutors, Judge Dan Jordan has announced that the trial of Mayor Frank Melton and bodyguard Michael Recio has been postponed until Feb. 2, 2009 due …

[Johnson] Hear No Evil

More than two years after Mayor Frank Melton and police bodyguard Michael Recio destroyed a duplex on Ridgeway Street, they may finally answer for their crimes in federal court.

‘The Mayor Happened'

The Jackson Free Press got an anonymous call about the mayor of Jackson tearing down a house with sledgehammers in late August 2006.

Melton Timeline

July 4, 2005 — New Mayor Frank Melton was sworn in at City Hall. In his speech, he promised that any young person who wanted one could have a job …

2008 In Three Words

Here are some examples: Glad it's over. Barack Hussein Obama. Peace, joy, hope. Need some money.

Whatcha got?

BREAKING: Judge Won't Rule on Melton Health Today

Full JFP Melton Archive/Blog

District Court Judge Dan Jordan's office has confirmed that he will not rule on Mayor Frank Melton's ability to stand trial next week until Wednesday morning. According to an order, …

Melton Admits 'Failure' on Crime Issue

Download audio of Melton press conference on 12.30.08 (.wav, 15.42MB)

UPDATED: Judge to Rule on Mayor's Health Today; Melton Holds Press Conference

The health of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is having a decided impact on the trial over his role in the 2006 illegal demolition of a home on Ridgeway Street. U.S. …

Long-time Melton Mentee Killed

I returned to Jackson today to the staggering news that Maurice Warner was murdered on Christmas Day. Warner has been very close to Mayor Frank Melton for many years. I …

City Defaults on $500,000 Commitment, Developer Says

Developer Mike Peters filed a breach of contract complaint in Hinds County Circuit Court last March, claiming the city stiffed him out of $500,000 in public grants for the $7 …

Who Are The Most Intriguing Jacksonians?

We need your help, guys. It's almost time for the Most Intriguing Jacksonians issue, and we'd like your suggestions. These are the news-makers of 2008--the people who were in the …

UPDATED: Ridgeway Tenant Denies Melton's Claim

Evans Welch disputes Mayor Frank Melton's claims that he asked the mayor for help before the 2006 demolition of the duplex he rented. Melton, who faces three felony charges for …

Fire the Employees Stealing from City

Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill summed it up best when he said the city of Jackson had "dropped the ball" on supervising the city's gas cards. According to city council …

Crisler Garners Big-Name Support for Mayoral Race

A number of notable Jacksonians are throwing their support behind Councilman Marshand Crisler in the upcoming mayoral election. Jackson restaurateur Jeff Good—the finance director of the current mayor's campaign—is hosting …

Feds Fire Back at Melton

In a brief filed Monday, Dec. 1, federal prosecutors argued that the purity of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's motives has no bearing on his trial for civil-rights violations. Their motion(PDF) …

Recio Subpoenas City Attorney

Cynthia Stewart, attorney for Michael Recio, has subpoenaed Jackson City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans in the civil rights trial of Recio and mayor Frank Melton.

Officer Sues Melton, City for Retaliation

Jackson Police Officer Robert Watts filed a notice of intent to sue (PDF) the city Monday. Watts claims Jackson Mayor Frank Melton arranged to have him transferred to a different …

It's Official; We Run it Now

Mayor Frank Melton's administration confirmed to council members Monday that the city will soon be in the business of running a bus route, whether or not council members like it.

Melton Claims No ‘Evil Motive'

In a new motion filed in federal court (PDF) late today, Mayor Frank Melton claims that prosecutors must show that he had "evil motive" when he allegedly directed and helped …