Jackson Free Press

BREAKING: Lee Vance New Police Chief; Anderson Out?

More details as they emerge.

WAPT is about to report that Mayor Frank Melton today promoted Commander Lee Vance to the position of police chief, meaning that current Chief Shirlene Anderson is out.

Melton Unlists Phone Number

Mayor Frank Melton has changed his old phone number, 601.206.3116, "to an unlisted number," according to a recording on the old number. Assistant Editor Maggie Burks learned about the number …

State Probes Melton's Lawn Crew ... Finally

Seven months after the Jackson Free Press revealed details about Mayor Frank Melton's young lawn crew, WLBT broke the news last week that the state auditor's office has requested materials …

Melton's Budgetary Confusion

When writing an editorial, it's important to hit on a few high points. Generally, you want to relate some recent occurrence in the news to a trend that the newspaper's …

Melton to Fire Officer for Rolling Eyes at Him?

In an interview with Howard Ballou of WLBT, Mayor Frank Melton said he plans to fire Jackson police officer Mike Braxton, who made public a police report (PDF, 1013 KB) …

Frank Melton's $6 Million Dollar Plan

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton told a doubtful city council today that he believes his administration has located $6 million in extra reserve funds in the Department of Public Works. Melton …

Police: Melton Contaminates Crime Scenes

WAPT is reporting that the Jackson Police Officer Association is complaining to the City Council about the mayor's disruptions in the department, and blaming his interference for low morale among …

Eaves Launches Anti-Barbour Web site

The John Arthur Eaves campaign just e-mailed a link to a new Web site devoted to giving what they call the real story on Haley Barbour's record. The site opens …

Sculpting the Gourd

I have carved pumpkins since I was a child. As kids, my sister and I carved the typical triangles and jagged mouth for a traditional jack-o'-lantern. A few years in …

State Investigates ‘Lawn Service' Contracts

Better late than never. It looks like the state and the media are finally playing catch-up on investigating the city's allocation of money to Frank Melton's "lawn service" contracts to …

Strike Three For Melton

Mayor Frank Melton has backed out of his tax proposals for the third time since he became mayor in 2005. City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly Evans told the city council on …

Ladd Profiles Frank Melton in Reason Magazine

JFP Editor Donna Ladd writes about Mayor Frank Melton's shenanigans for Reason Magazine. The piece starts:

My Story on Melton in Reason Magazine

Read the piece.

The libertarian Reason magazine today published a piece they asked me to write about Frank Melton and his shenanigans to date. Check it out here (note that a couple of …

Ledger Publishes Old News on Michael Taylor

Oddly, The Clarion-Ledger today published a news story about Frank Melton's young friend, Michael Taylor, pointing out that new D.A. Robert Smith will have a conflict prosecuting him. This is …

With Due Respect, Mr. Agnew ...

It's hilarious that The Clarion-Ledger is trying to position itself in front of the FBI investigation of Frank Melton even though they have followed, if they even bothered to do …

The Melton Tapes: Donna Ladd's Interviews with Frank Melton

In spring 2006, Mayor Frank Melton broke his 14-month silence toward the Jackson Free Press, after refusing to give an interview to the newspaper after critical coverage of his campaign …

Melton Announces Progress: ‘Crime Is Down'

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton released this statement (PDF, 257 KB) yesterday touting "progress" in the City of Jackson.

Mayor Re-instates, Discredits JPD Promotion Exams

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton announced today that the police department will again administer police officer promotion exams to officers currently serving in acting sergeant and lieutenant positions because the city …

Does This Make Sense?

The Clarion-Ledger has a story about D.A.-elect Robert Smith not showing up for a docket call and needing to resolve his pending cases before he takes office in January. The …

Council Blocks Pay Raises for Bodyguards

On Monday, the Jackson City Council halted Mayor Frank Melton's scheme to use drug-seizure money to fund recent police salary raises. The administration proposed taking $192,101 from the $400,000 drug-forfeiture …