2 months 2 weeks ago
Colonel (Ret.) Julian D. Allen passed away on October 9, 2025, at the age of 71. Born in Jackson on January 11, 1954, Julian lived a life guided by faith, family, service, and a lifelong love of flight.
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2 months 2 weeks ago
Covenant Presbyterian Church choir this morning sang a beautiful rendition of the Majesty and Glory of Your Name, an outstanding religious anthem based on Psalm 8.
The choir is led by Stephen and Carolyn Sachs, who were long time affiliated with Belhaven University's music program.
The Northside is blessed to have hundreds of outstanding choirs led by thousands of individuals who dedicate their time and effort to spiritually uplift others. The Covenant choir is such a gift.
By Wyatt Emmerich - Publisher, Jackson Northside Sun on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Railroad District rendering
Ridgeland leaders have dreamed for decades about transforming West Jackson Street, which extends between U.S. Highway 51 and I-55, into a central, walkable downtown named the Railroad District.
This year, work that city leaders consider transformative will get underway.
The city has been awarded a $15.653 million Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grant to advance a safety project along West Jackson Street, one of Ridgeland’s busiest and most historic corridors.
By Nell Luter Floyd - Sun Staff Writer on
2 months 2 weeks ago
It all depends on your point of view.
(More on that later.)
I estimate I called over 800 games during my 38 years of officiating high school football. I still run the game clock and occasionally assist with replays. I have lost track of the number of times I have been asked over the past few days what I thought about the final call of the Fiesta Bowl.
A little background is helpful here. I am a Mississippi State graduate. For the 18 years before I enrolled at State, I was a huge Ole Miss fan. And, even today, many of my best friends and referee buddies are Ole Miss grads.
By Kendall Smith - Guest Columnist on
2 months 2 weeks ago
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Hayley Oldham and Daygon Williams were honored this fall with an engagement party in the Eastover home of Liz and Art Spratlin.
Co-hostesses and hosts were Ben Watson, Clay and Jennifer Gunn, Rick and Emily Dye, Ashley and Chris Maddux, Margaret and Peyton Smith, and Martha and Davis Frye.
The couple were wed October 18 in Oxford. They are making their home in Jackson.
Parents of the bride are Carol Gary, Cathy and Trey Oldham. Williams is the son of Angel Williams.
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2 months 2 weeks ago
I am a Hoosier. I was raised on Indiana athletics, and like most Hoosiers, I am first and foremost a basketball fan. It is in my blood. My grandfather was an Indiana University Academic All-American and my father became the team doctor, which meant long periods of my childhood were spent in the stands of Assembly Hall.
We went to football games too. However, Indiana was known as one of the worst programs in the country. We showed up anyway. We were always expected to respect the athletes, remain humble, and demonstrate character in victory or defeat.
By Stephanie Garriga - Guest Columnist on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Riley Burnett Collins Sr., 91, died Thursday, January 8, 2026. A graveside service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m. preceded by a visitation at 1:00 p.m.
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2 months 2 weeks ago
Anne Elizabeth Hemphill Lamb was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 12, 2026, at Highland Home in Ridgeland.
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2 months 2 weeks ago
Torahs drying at Northminster Baptist Church
In the early morning hours of January 10, fire tore through Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi’s oldest synagogue and a spiritual home that has anchored Jackson’s Jewish community for more than 160 years.
But what was intended as an act of hate instead has ignited something far stronger in an extraordinary, citywide response rooted in faith, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to one another.
By Jenny Woodruff Wilson - Sun Contributing Writer on
2 months 2 weeks ago
In yet another sign of the times, a deranged teenager torched the Beth Israel Synagogue in the heart of northeast Jackson.
I have been to the beautiful synagogue many times for seminars and funerals. I am heartbroken by this. I am confident my sentiment is shared by almost every Northsider.
By Wyatt Emmerich - Publisher, Jackson Northside Sun on
2 months 2 weeks ago
James Michael “Mike” Lightsey was born October 6, 1952, in Laurel, to James Joseph Lightsey and Patsy Ruth Boutwell Lightsey. He died January 9, 2026.
Mike graduated from R. H. Watkins High School (1970), Jones Community College (1972), and the University of Southern Mississippi (BSBA 1973, MBA 1974).
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2 months 3 weeks ago
James Ronald 'Ron' Chapman passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the age of 79.
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Mary Tumasz Lackey, aged 78, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on September 22, 1947, Mary was the daughter of Eddie and Bobbie Tumasz. She was raised in Jackson and graduated from Murrah High School. Mary then attended the University of Mississippi. In 1967, she married her high school sweetheart, Carl Lackey. Later, their son, Mark, was born in Oxford.
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Wyatt Emmerich, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The main entrance was cordoned off and no photos were allowed of the damage.
A fire damaged the Beth Israel Synagogue Friday night, Jan. 9. Fire damage was visible on a portion of the north side of the building but the structure was intact.
A security guard at the scene prohibited photographs of the fire damage "on order of the FBI," adding that the fire was under investigation.
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Wyatt Emmerich , © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Protesters on the Riverside Drive bridge over I-55 near the waterworks curve.
, Not much information is available on Mississippi United. This political action group also opposes school choice.
Protesters against recent ICE actions (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) stood on the Riverside Drive bridge north of the water works curve holding signs for I-55 drivers to read. The signs expressed opposition to ICE's recent conflicts with protesters. Signs implored drivers to honk in their support and many did.
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Northsiders (from left) Sheila Haynes and Sally Thompson recently took home gold in the Women's Doubles Division (70 and Above) at the Rock and Roll Round Robin Pickleball tournament held in Foley, Ala. More than 260 players competed. Sisters, Haynes and Thompson have been playing pickelball together for more than three years.
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Jenny Woodruff Wilson, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
St. Joseph Catholic High School will host its 2026 Annual Draw Down on Saturday, January 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Reunion Country Club. Expected to be another sold-out event, the evening will feature music, the Wall of Cheers, silent and Bruin Bucks raffle auctions, and more. The highlight of the night is a $10,000 Draw Down. Planning the evening are (from left, standing) Brandi Klein, Leslie Ann Harkin, Bridget Sanders, Candace Sigler, Tracy Miracle; and (seated)
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2 months 3 weeks ago
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Mary Ann Reed Bowen, mother of six children and retired educator, playwright, editor and actress died in her own
home on January 5, 2026. The service will be held Monday, January 12, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Peter’s Episcopal
Church, downtown Oxford, Mississippi. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Waller
Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For the family, friends, and fans that are unable to attend, the service
will be streamed on https://m.youtube.com/@stpetersoxford
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2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Nell Luter Floyd, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Close to $20 million will be spent on safety improvements to the I-55N corridor
A project that will make nearly $20 million in safety improvements along the I-55 corridor is expected to move forward during the new year.
“It is currently in the design phase with right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation expected to take place in 2026 and 2027,” said Michael Flood, spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
In 2024, MDOT received a $19,947,355 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant to make improvements that include:
By Nell Luter Floyd - Sun Staff Writer on
2 months 3 weeks ago
The City of Jackson today announced the final four candidates for the position of Chief of Police for the Jackson Police Department. RaShall Brackney, Joseph Daughtry, LeJon Roberts and Wendell Watts were selected from an original pool of 32 applicants from across the country, which was narrowed to seven semifinalists and then to the current group of four finalists through a structured, multi-stage review process. To support this critical leadership search, the City engaged the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a nationally recognized police research and policy organization.
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2 days 1 hour ago
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