Elizabeth Waibel | Stories | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

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Elizabeth Waibel

Stories by Elizabeth

Study: ‘Green Economy' Growing in Mississippi

The number of "green jobs" in Mississippi will grow by 18.5 percent over the next 10 years and add 9,000 new jobs to the state, if a recent survey is …

Outcome of PERS Study Uncertain

Speculation has been running rampant since August, when Gov. Haley Barbour appointed a commission to study the Public Employees' Retirement System.

Talk

Income Down; Poverty Up

America's income and poverty in 2010, the first full year since the recession "officially" ended:

A Club for Grown-ups and Meals for a Good Cause

Old Skool Club 101 is a new nightclub open in Jackson, with a specific audience in mind: No one under 25 years old allowed.

Grant Helps Families toward Self-Sufficiency

A national program is helping Jackson-area families in need get on the path to self-sufficiency and financial stability.

Capitol

Learning to Work Together in a ‘Donut City'

In the late 1980s, a researcher visiting Jackson made Phil Hardwick a prediction. "Jackson is going to become a donut city," the researcher said, with people moving out of the …

Person of the Day

Justin White

Sept. 23, 2011

Capitol

Legislators Promise to Keep ‘13th Check'

This morning, legislators tried to calm fears about upcoming recommendations from the Public Employees' Retirement System Study Commission, saying they would not be in favor of ending the "13th check," …

Development

Council Gets Hotel Details, Finally

Jackson City Council members finally got the details on a proposed convention center hotel Monday at a council work session, but some still had questions about the city's role in …

Business

Dialing Up Solar

Solar energy has generated a lot of attention in Mississippi in recent weeks as the Legislature approved an incentives bill to persuade Calisolar, a California-based silicon manufacturing company, to build …

Candidate

Strong Opinions

Addie Green has strong opinions about life's basic necessities. She is running for a seat on the Public Service Commission, she said, because water, phone and sewage bills are too …

Candidate

Being Proactive

Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey was traveling when he called for this interview. As he was talking about his family—Kathy, his wife of 27 years, his son, Hunter, and his …

Development

Convention Center Hotel to Become Reality?

Jackson City Council members finally got the details on a proposed convention center hotel Monday night at a council work session.

Bright Future

Despite the recent high-profile bankruptcy of Solyndra, a solar panel manufacturer in Fremont, Calif. that was backed by a federal loan guarantee, proponents of solar power in Mississippi said the …

Education

Jackson Is Learning, Yarber Says

Jackson has been "teetering between lucky and learning" for the last 20 years, Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber said at Friday Forum this morning. The city has problems, but is …

JPS Has More Star Schools

Jackson's public school performance for 2011 is a mixed bag of successes and failures, according to new data from Mississippi Department of Education. While five Jackson public schools rate as …

Development

From Vacant to Vibrant

Many people in Mississippi put significant effort into successfully reviving downtown areas and making them welcoming places. But to get downtown, people often have to drive past worn-out, unoccupied strip …

Business

The Past Lives On

The heart of the historic Farish Street district follows North Farish Street from Amite to Fortification streets. The street is named for Walter Farish, a former slave who lived on …

Candidate

Fire in Carson's Belly

Dorsey Carson, 40, has lived in northeast Jackson most of his life. He calls himself one of the "floodplain kids," youngsters who lived there during the Easter Flood of 1979. …

Candidate

Denny: A Busy Man

State Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, is a hard man to find. He doesn't seem to have a campaign website or someone to send out press releases. When I called the …

Biz Roundup

New Caterer Opens Downtown

The Copper Iris Catering Co. Inc. (115 N. State St.) has been open for less than two weeks, but its owners are already talking about changing, perfecting and adding variety …

Business

Upcoming Parkway CEO will Remain in Florida

The incoming CEO of Jackson-based real estate company Parkway Properties plans to remain in Florida after he takes the reins in January.

Music

JPS Board Members Question Music Funding

Some members of the Jackson Public School board said the district is spending too much money on its strings program at a board meeting Tuesday night. The program will get …

Rehabilitating Retail Space

The Mississippi Development Authority is testing a program to beautify old strip malls and make them useful again. The Retail Center Revitalization Program will award grants of up to $50,000 …

Development

Council Mulls JATRAN Cuts

Jackson's bus service could face cuts to deal with a tight budget and low ridership. JATRAN has proposed shortening some bus routes and combining others in areas with few riders.

Politics

Not for Lack of Inititative

While some voters worry about abortion, voter ID and eminent domain, others are passionate about gambling, federal meddling in health care and--that hallowed Mississippi tradition--football.

Council Tackles Bike Trails

The City Council voted today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 and approved the next phase of repairing Fortification Street, but did not vote on the fate of …

Education

Sargent Plans for Future of JPS

Interim Superintendent Jayne Sargent will only be at Jackson Public Schools for six months to a year, but she is working on technology and curriculum changes that will help the …

JATRAN Proposes Cuts

Proposed changes to Jackson's JATRAN bus routes to save money drew anger from some at a public hearing Tuesday evening. Others expressed relief that the reductions in service are much …

Justice

Putting a Price Tag on Voter ID

The debate surrounding voter ID in Mississippi has focused on political and historical arguments, rather than funding. While its proponents have lauded voter ID as essential for preserving the democratic …

Politics

Lewis Prepares for the Future

A party atmosphere filled the Convention Complex Friday night as supporters celebrated the victory of Tyrone Lewis, set to become Hinds County's first black sheriff since Reconstruction.

Politics

Lewis Campaign Manager Arrested Sunday for DUI

Clinton police arrested Aaron Banks, Sheriff-elect Tyrone Lewis' campaign manager, Sunday night for driving under the influence. Banks was charged with first-offense DUI after he was involved in an accident …

Biz Roundup

Fashion and Football

A new boutique, now open in Canton, is bringing more fashionable clothing options to plus-size women in the Jackson area.

Gov. Calls Special Session, Commemorates Katrina

Gov. Haley Barbour is calling a special session of the legislature Friday to approve one or two large economic development projects.

Lewis Prepares to Take Office

Even as he celebrates a close victory, Tyrone Lewis is already making plans to develop partnerships with agencies and neighboring counties when he becomes Hinds County sheriff in January.

‘Urban School District' Challenges Supt. Search

Jackson Public Schools will likely hire a national search consultant experienced with urban school districts to look for a new superintendent.

Development

Bonds Fund Jackson-Area Projects

The state Bond Commission gave several Jackson-area projects the go-ahead last week, paving the way for a much-anticipated civil-rights museum downtown.

Mississippi Takes Sex Ed

Monica Cannon, who has a daughter in a Jackson high school, is part of a teen-pregnancy prevention coalition in the Jackson area. During a Jackson Public Schools board meeting Aug. …

Person of the Day

Raha Maxwell

Raha Maxwell is taking the traditional summer lemonade stand to the next level. The 10-year-old student at Adhiambo School turned his culinary talent into a full-fledged business.

Politics

Runoffs Prolong Primaries

As voters head to the polls for runoff elections Tuesday, several Hinds County positions are up for grabs, and incumbents are under fire on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.

Mississippi Scores Low on ACT

ACT scores for the class of 2011 show Mississippi high school students lagging behind the rest of the country in preparing for college.

Talk

Creativity Grows the Economy

Some people, such as visual artists, already know they are part of the creative economy. But many people have never heard the term before, Malcolm White, executive director of the …

Justice

Simulation Builds Respect

It's almost the end of the month, and a family is trying to decide how to stretch their money to buy groceries. One family member doles out a few bills, …

Talk

Yancey Looks Toward Treasurer's Office

Lee Yancey, District 20 state senator, is running for state treasurer. He will be in a runoff election Aug. 23 against Lynn Fitch for the Republican nomination. As treasurer, Yancey …

Tease photo Cover

Put to the Test

Where the Candidates Stand on Education

Along the roads that yellow school buses are just beginning to frequent, red-and-blue campaign signs are reminders that this is also a political season. Many of the signs are for …

Candidate

Lynn Fitch

Lynn Fitch, 49, is from Holly Springs, but has lived in Madison for 26 years. She attended the University of Mississippi for her undergraduate degree and for her law degree. …

Capitol

State Universities to Get Broadband Boost

Mississippi's research universities and other state research centers will be able to communicate much more efficiently, thanks to expanded broadband technology.

Simulation Builds Respect for Poor People

It's getting close to the end of the month, and the "Chen" family is trying to decide which bills they can afford to pay. The utility company tells them their …

Biz Roundup

Millsaps Ranks High; Auto Plant Expands

The Environmental Protection Agency has chosen Jackson to be part of the Greening America's Capitols initiative.

Jackblog

Making your move: How to find off-campus housing

Living on campus can be fun, but if you're tired of putting up with late-night study sessions in the hall and always being at school, off-campus housing can be a …