In case you missed it, here’s a look at news highlights from this past week from NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM.
Carter encouraged by ‘Community Conversation’
The focal point was racism and Confederate symbols when the Jackson branch of the NAACP held ‘A Community Conversation’ at the AMP, Thursday.
As expected, the first item discussed was a Confederate statue that stands on the north lawn at the Madison County Courthouse.
A petition that has generated about 8,000 signatures is circulating to have the statue removed – not demolished – but the reasoning is taxpayers are paying taxes on the property.
Several of those in the estimated crowd of about 100 spoke about personal encounters with racism and police brutality.
“The turnout was fine,” said Harrell Carter, “We had some energetic people and as you (could) tell they spoke their minds. You could feel the pain and suffering in their voice because they know even during this pandemic, the likelyhood of things changing for the better is not necessarily ready made, it’s something we are going to have to fight for – it’s the freedom – black folks in this country have always had to fight for every piece of freedom that they have and they’ll continue to do that.”
Carter said blacks have a little company in their effort.
“We do have our white brothers and sisters, Asians … and if we have a peoples movement, there’s no power that can defeat us,” Carter said, “I think this is the beginning, the birthing of a coming together of a community that has big ideas and make some big changes in the future.”
Carter said he was not dismayed because the Mayors of Jackson and Madison County were not in attendance.
“There’s not that many other elected officials here, ither,” Carter said, “This is the time when ministers, when you would think would be here (and) elected officials who represent the people would be here, but it’s their choice, but I think we are in a period of time to say ‘Who does represent our causes … who does and who don’t.”
Groundbreaking ceremony held at Jackson Central-Merry High School
Construction on the new Jackson Central-Merry middle/high school was placed on pause for a groundbreaking ceremony, Friday.
Located in the southeast corner of Lane Avenue and North Royal Street, JCM is expected to serve 800 students and concentrate on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
The school is expected to be ready for the 2021-22 school year.
The facility is a modern, state of the art building, built to the needs of the modern school system.
Costs for a new facility are estimated at $20.2 million, with an estimated cost of $874,274 per year for seven years, with a required loan amount of $16,190,267 due after seven years.
Groundbreaking ceremony held for Madison Academic High School on UofM Lambuth campus
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Madison Academic High School on the campus of the University of Memphis Lambuth, Friday.
The existing Madison Academic High School is projected to begin classes in the new facility by fall of 2021.
The new high school – expected to cost approximately $12.6 million – faces Lambuth Boulevard, where Epworth Hall, a former residence hall, once stood.
Madison Academic, which opened at 179 Allen Avenue in 2003, will be able to expand enrollment from approximately 450 to 600.
The school will allow its students to take dual enrollment classes with the UofM, either with faculty at the Lambuth campus, in the high school with Lambuth faculty or through UofM Global, the University’s online program.
The Madison Academic baseball and soccer teams will have access to the outdoor athletic fields on the Lambuth campus, and the school’s basketball programs will be able to play home games in the Lambuth gymnasium.
Through the partnership, Madison Academic students also will have use of other facilities on the campus, including the theatre, chapel and library.
JPD investigation continues after 4 injured in early morning shooting
Investigators and officers with the Jackson Police Department continue to investigate a shooting that occurred during the early morning hours on Melwood Street.
At approximately 2:45 a.m. this morning, June 24th, officers of the Jackson Police Department responded to Melwood Street for a report of a shooting.
Responding officers located four gunshot victims, three adults and one juvenile. All victims were transported by Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries.
The suspect in the shooting has been identified and taken into custody. The suspect will be officially identified once arraigned and charged. Jackson Police are not looking for any other suspects that may be associated with this incident.
This investigation is ongoing and more details will be released at a later time.
If anyone has further information that may assistance in this ongoing case, please contact the Criminal Investigation Division by calling 731-425-8400 or contact Crime Stoppers at www.jmcrimestoppers.org or text CRIMES at (274637) and agency keyword (tip 911) along with your tip.
JPD K9 locates several weapons while conducting article search
Jackson Police K-9, Echo, located several guns hidden in the woods behind a residence near the area of Ridgemont Drive and Caldwell Place.
On June 20th, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to the area of Ridgemont Drive and Caldwell Place for a report of a group of males seen walking in the area while in possession of handguns and rifles. Officers made contact with the subjects without incident. Upon investigation, one subject was taken into custody for being a felon in possession of handgun.
Officer Dewald and his K-9 partner, Echo, conducted an article search of the surrounding area and located two handguns, two AR-style rifles, and a shotgun in the woods behind a residence.
Also, magazines loaded with ammo along with a small hatchet were located.
Based on the preliminary investigation, this case appears to be associated with gang activity.
However, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information that could assist in the investigation, you are asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division by calling (731) 425-8400.
Snoop Dogg, Twista concert canceled in Jackson
The Jackson Generals in conjunction with Blue Cap Entertainment announced on Monday the postponement of the Snoop Dogg and Twista concert at The Ballpark at Jackson, in the wake of the novel coronavirus concerns. The event, scheduled for July 20th, still plans to come to town in July of 2021 on an undetermined date.
“While we are all disappointed that we have to postpone our show, the health and safety of everyone is of our utmost concern,” said Blue Cap executive Denny Baxter. “That said, we are thrilled that Snoop Dogg intends to honor his commitment to perform here in Jackson, and we look forward to what will be a fabulous show next year.”
(PHOTO: Jackson Police K-9, Echo, located several guns hidden in the woods behind a residence near the area of Ridgemont Drive and Caldwell Place)
FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS CLICK HERE
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/
