Web/Print Writing
#1 – Catalytic converter thieves strike again
Jackson, Miss. — Another organization has been hit by catalytic converter thieves just before the holidays.
“Dear thieves, you stole so much more than catalytic converters. You stole opportunities from African American kids that we’re working with,” said John Hardy, the executive director of 100 Black Men of Jackson.
At the 100 Black Men of Jackson, thieves stole catalytic converters from three of their buses. Hardy said he heard about these specific thefts happening at another community organization, the Salvation Army, located on Presto Lane down the road. Their vehicles were targeted last month.
“The total for the three vehicles was just over $6,000,” said Salvation Army of Jackson Major Timothy Delaney, “It’s unfortunate that people think they have to resort to those type of things, damaging our vehicles and preventing us from doing all the things that we do to help the community out.”
For the 100 Black Men, this is a major setback, according to Hardy. He said it takes away many opportunities they have planned for young men in their organization.
“We have something on the drawing board right now to go to New Orleans, and while we’re there, we’re going to catch a Pelicans game. We were looking forward to that. That’s going to be put on hold right now,” said Hardy.
At both organizations, the thieves cut through the fences to gain access to the buses. Hardy says they were told by the Jackson Police Department to secure the buses better before getting them fixed.
#2 – Hind’s County Sheriff’s Office lowers age requirements for detention officers
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. —The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office is lowering the age requirement for its detention officers from 21 to 18.
“We have several vacancies in detention services; we’ve faced a staffing shortage for several years. So, we are trying to recruit some qualified applicants to fill some of those vacancies,” said Sheriff Tyree Jones.
Jones said for the last several years the age requirement for the Sheriff’s Office has been 21, but in the state of Mississippi peace officers and detention officers can be hired at the age of 18.
“There may be a concern about an 18-year-old working in corrections, but of course, if you look at the Mississippi Department of Correction, they are hiring at the age of 18 as well,” said Jones. “It’s not just having an 18-year-old working in corrections, you need to be a responsible 18-year-old as well.”
The qualifications are listed below:
- Pass a Drug Test
- Be at least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- No prior felony convictions
- No serious misdemeanor convictions
- Must be able to pass a background check
According to Jones, the starting salary is around $35,000.
If you are interested and want to be part of the Hinds County Organization, applications can be printed from the Hinds County Board of Supervisors website, under elected officials (Sheriff Tyree Jones) or picked up at the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office.
For more information contact HR at 601-974-2943 and/or email hcsoemployment@co.hinds.ms.us
#3 – Jackson City Councilmembers share their New Year’s goals for the city
JACKSON, Miss. — With the start of the new year, Jackson’s city council members are rolling up their sleeves to fix some long-standing issues in the capital city.
In 2023, the city saw signs of success, but they also saw some challenges, including the garbage crisis back in March.
“We’re better than that government is expected to operate better than that, through careful planning and coordination,” said Ward 5 councilman Vernon Hartley.
With the emergency contract coming to an end in just a few months, it’s influencing Ward 1 councilman Ashby Foote to put that at the top of his list for the new year.
“My first goal would be, have a successful RFP process, for the garbage contract, where we can come to an agreement with the mayor,” Foote said.
Also in 2023, the city saw a decline in homicides. Going from 135 in 2022, to 109 homicides investigated by the Jackson police department. Many council members point to the work of the new police chief for that decline. However, they are hopeful this year that number can be lowered even more.
“If we get that number down to 55, I think at that point people will start coming and doing more in the city,” said Ward 3 councilman Kenneth Stokes.
Other goals include infrastructure, which Hartley said is everything from roads to dilapidated homes.
“We have to get our spaces clean enough so people coming there can say, ‘Hey, this is a good place for me to build my business or to reside,'” Hartley said.
The first council meeting begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Broadcast Writing
#1 – JACKSON PROGRAM OFFERS NEW WAYS FORE RESIDENTS TO BE HOMEOWNERS
((ANCHOR))
THE CITY OF JACKSON HAS FUN AND CREATIVE WAYS TO PROVIDE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN 2024..
AS 16 WAPT’S MADELEINE NOLAN REPORTS — THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS DOING THAT THROUGH PREFAB HOMES.
((Take pkg))
437_7054 (PEOPLE SOUND)
<Chloe Dotson / Director of Planning and Development
:07-11
” The goal is to be very intentional with rebuilding the city of Jackson’s tax base.”>
CHLOE DOTSON – THE CITY OF JACKSONS DIRECTOR FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SAYS A NEW OPPORTUNITY COULD BRING THE HOMEOWNER DREAM TO THOUSANDS OF JACKSONIANS
<:51-:59
“it’s about providing the average family in the city of Jackson which is a family of four making $50,000 a year away to build generational wealth.”>
Mark McArthur
437_7046
1:07- 1:11
“I think for the first time in Jackson’s history renters outnumber home owners.”
HOWEVER, THAT COULD CHANGE SOON…
MARK MCARTHUR THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH THE PREFAB HOUSING PROGRAM SAYS THIS PROGRAM CAN HELP IMPROVE ECONOMIC STABILITY NOT ONLY FOR THE CITY BUT FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES.
1:50- 1:58
mark
“This is a new approach to prosperity in the city of Jackson. that’s sorely needed.”
PRE-FAB HOUSING IS AN INITIATIVE CREATED BY THE CITY OF JACKSON…AIMED AT TACKLING THE PRESSING ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY…
<:59- 1:07
437_7047
ESTER AINSWRTH – coj ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
“We know that our city supports itself through its tax base, and homeowner ship is one of the most stable ways of supporting our tax base.”>
THE CITY OF JACKSON LOST 70 PERCENT OF ITS HIGHER INCOME POPULATION WITHIN 40 YEARS..ACCORDING TO DOTSON.
AND SHE SAYS THE FALL OF RESIDENTS ECONOMIC SECURITY IS THE COST.
<1:57-2:08
” as a planner I believe that crime homelessness, infrastructure issues as a result of poor planning and if you don’t plan for the people then inevitably then the people are at the back in and are the ones that end up suffering.”>
CITY OFFICIALS SAY THE prefab PROGRAM IS COMBINED WITH DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MISSISSIPPI MANUFACTURED HOUSING ASSOCIATION AND THE NEIGBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA
5:04- 5;12
“Manufactured housing, pre fab housing, modular homes are built to quality standard and are really no different than stick built houses.”
TO QUALIFY TO BE A HOMEOWNER IN THE CITY OF JACKSON THROUGH THIS PROGRAM – YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAS TO BE MORE THAN 40- THOUSAND while PAYING MORE THAN 1,000 DOLLARS IN RENT.
THE HOMES START AS LOW AS 150,000 DOLLARS.
IN JACKSON, MADELEINE NOLAN 16 WAPT NEWS.
((ANCHOR))
DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
#2 – JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS HOLDS ANOTHER BOARD MEETING DECIDING TO CLOSE AND CONSOLIDATE SCHOOLS IN THEIR OPTIMIZATION PLAN
((Anchor))
There’s been some changes made to the JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPTIMIZATION PLAN.
16 WAPTS MADELEINE NOLAN LIVE FROM JPS HEADQUARTERS.
((Live))
That’s right there were three schools removed from the chopping block…but still a lot of questions from the community…as to what will happen if the plan is approved.
((Pkg)))
In a Tuesday Jackson public school board of trustees meeting superintendent Dr Errick green presented the revised optimization plan.
NAT SOT
From the 16 schools originally recommended for closure, three elementary schools including key, Green and Clausell were removed.
Dr. Errick green
“This is again the updated closure and consolidation list…”
Wells APAC and Obama would be closed in 2025.
There were also some changes to the feeder pattern…
However, there was a lot of questions and concerns regarding what will happen to buildings after they close.
Dr. Errick Greene says they will establish a repurposing committee To decide if they need to demolish, sell or lease or repurpose.
<((No super))
“I’ve heard numbers that it will take a decade and decade to redevelop, this number of properties, we can’t let that stop our sense of urgency.”>
((Butt sot))
<Angela Samuels
“We have options for buildings, you want to close for example Rowan what are you going to do with Rowan? Give us a specific plan not we’re going to Circle back and revisit.”>
Parent and member of parent leadership institute Angela Samuel’s says there was a lot of unanswered questions…and on top of what to do with buildings what will happen to staff?
Dr. Errick Greene
“It will create a reduction enforce likely for a small subset of people likely our school leaders.”
Dr. Greene says they are fully confident in keeping fully certified teachers based on vacancies they already have.
((Live))
The vote has been moved to December 19th, we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
#3 – JACKSON CITY LEADERS HOPES AND NEEDS FOR THE NEW YEAR (BROADCAST WRITING)
((LIVE))
THE HOPES AND GOALS VARY BETWEEN COUNCIL MEMBERS WE SPOKE TO…MANY TOUCHING ON CRIME AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS WORKING TOGETHER…TO ACCOMPLISH MORE THIS YEAR.
{***PKG***}
WITH THE START OF THE NEW YEAR JACKSON’S CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES TO FIX SOME LONG-STANDING ISSUES IN THE CAPITAL CITY.
1:28- 1:30
Vernon Hartley
“we have to do some work to get our city whole.”
IN 2023, CITY HALL SAW SIGNS OF SUCCESS((water vo))…BUT THEY ALSO SAW SOME CHALLENGES…INCLUDING THE TRASH FIASCO IN MARCH…
6:22- 6:30
“we’re better than that government is expected to operate better than that…through careful planning and coordination.”
WITH THE EMERGENCY CONTRACT COMING TO AN END IN JUST A FEW MONTHS – ITS INFLUENCING WARD 1 COUNCILMAN ASHBY FOOTE TO PUT THAT AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST FOR THE NEW YEAR.
26-37
Ashby foote
“my first goal would be, have a successful RFP process, for the garbage contract…where we can come to an agreement with the mayor.”
IN 2023 THE CITY SAW A DECLINE IN HOMICIDES.
JPD INVESTIGATED 109 HOMICIDES WHICH IS A DECREASE COMPARED TO THE 135 IN 2022.
MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS POINTING TO THE WORK OF THE NEW POLICE CHIEF…BUT ARE HOPING THIS YEAR THAT NUMBER CAN BE LOWERED EVEN MORE..
:39- 47
Kenneth Stokes
“If we get that number down to 55, I think at that point people will start coming and doing more in the city.”
**Monday local video – stop the violence rally – 434_1196***
James Davis – Jackson Police Chief
:38 – :43
We want to see actionable measures taken in the City of Jackson to get crime under control.
OTHER GOALS, INCLUDE INFRASTRUCTURE…WHICH WARD 5 COUNCILMAN VERNON HARTLEY SAYS IS EVERYTHING FROM ROADS, TO DILAPIDATED HOMES.
:50- 57
Vernon Hartley
“We have to get our spaces clean enough so people coming there can say hey this is a good place for me to build my business…or to reside.”
ULTIMATELY, THE CITY COUNCIL SAYS THEY HOPE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH MORE.
WITHOUT ALL THE DRAMATICS.
:17- 23
Ashby Foote
“i’m hoping for more order, less drama, less intrigue”
((LIVE))
THE FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE YEAR STARTS TOMORROW AT 10AM AND ONTOP OF SOME OF THE ISSUES I MENTIONED, THERE ALSO A FEW OTHER THINGS ON THE AGENDA LIKE THE POSSIBILITY OF HIRING A LAW FIRM. LIVE IN JACKSON…MADELEINE NOLAN.
Radio Writing
#1 – JPD Investigating fatal shooting
Nat SND: Police sirens
NOLAN: ONE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A SHOOTING IN JACKSON CITY LIMITS. POLICE RESPONDED TO A CALL AROUND 12:40P.M. WEDNESDAY TO REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED NEAR ROBINSON STREET AND CAPITOL. WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED, THEY FOUND A MAN IDENTIFIED AS 43-YEAR-OLD DONALD MITCHELL LYING OUTSIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A RED FORD EDGE. ACCORDING TO SAM BROWN, THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, MITCHELL HAD DIED AFTER BEING SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES.
BROWN : RUNS 10SEC. OUT: BEFORE WE EVER GOT HERE.
NOLAN: INVESTIGATORS HAVE THE SCENE BLOCKED OFF, BUT SEVERAL RESIDENTS GATHER OUTSIDE TO WATCH THE SITUATION UNFOLD. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME, AND INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A MOTIVE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS DEADLY SHOOTING IS URGED TO CALL CRIMES TOPPERS AT 601-355-TIPS. IN JACKSON, I’M MADELEINE NOLAN REPORTING.
#2 – FAMILY SUING BROOKHAVEN SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER 5-YEAR-OLD WAS LEFT ALONE ON BUS
NOLAN: THE FAMILY OF A 5-YEAR-OLD IS LEFT DEVASTATED SUING THE BROOKHAVEN SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER THEY SAID THEIR CHILD WAS LEFT ALONE ON A SCHOOL BUS FOR SIX HOURS. SHAMEAKA WASHINGTON RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SCHOOL’S PRINCIPAL ON NOVEMBER 2ND SAYING HER CHILD WAS LEFT ON THE BUS UNTIL 1PM. IT WAS 5-YEAR-OLD GERMANI WASHINGTON’S FIRST TIME EVER RIDING A BUS.
WASHINGTON: RUNS 10SEC. OUT: IT’S A LOT.
NOLAN: THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE BROOKHAVEN FAMILY SAYS THEY WILL BE GOING AFTER THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES. THE ATTORNEY SAYS THE BUS DRIVER WHO FAILED TO CHECK THE SEATS, WAS FIRED BY THE DISTRICT. HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES EVERYONE FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD DOWN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. THE BROOKHAVEN SCHOOL DISTRICT DECLINED TO COMMENT. IN BROOKHAVEN, MADELEINE NOLAN 16 WAPT NEWS.
#3 – MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS IN WILLIE CORY GODBOLD APPEAL
NOLAN: MANY KNOW HIM AS THE MAN WHO WENT ON A KILLING SPREE BACK IN 2017, KILLING EIGHT PEOPLE IN LINCOLN COUNTY. TODAY, CORY GODBOLT IS APPEALING HIS CONVICTION. GODBOLT WAS CONVICTED IN FEBRUARY OF 2020 BY A JURY IN PIKE COUNTY ON FOUR COUNTS OF MURDER AND FOUR COUNTS OF CAPITAL MURDER. THE SHOOTINGS TOOK PLACE ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN 2017, IN BOTH BROOKHAVEN AND BOUGE CHITTO. AMONG THOSE KILLED WERE GODBOLT’S ESTRANGED WIFE’S RELATIVES AND A SHERIFF’S DEPUTY. GODBOLT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ON DEATH ROW AT THE MISSISSIPPI STATE PENITENTIARY, SO HE DID NO APPEAR IN COURT DURING TUESDAY’S HEARING. GREG SPORE, AN ATTORNEY WITH THE STATE DEFENDERS OFFICE ARGUED THAT NEW EVIDENCE OF PRIOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE BY GODBOLT TOWARD HIS WIFE WERE PREJUDICIAL.
SPORE: RUNS 5SEC. OUT: SEPARATE TRIALS WOULD HAVE TEMPERED THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE HEARD HERE.
NOLAN: LATER IN THE TRIAL, CHIEF JUSTICE MIKE RANDOLPH ASKED SPORE ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES EACH VICTIM WAS SHOT, WHICH WAS MULTIPLE TIMES.
RANDOLPH: RUNS 10SEC. OUT: THIS MANY TIMES EVER.
NOLAN: ATTORNEY ALLISON HARTMAN, WITH THE MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE ASKED THE COURT TO AFFIRM GODBOLT’S CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES. HARTMAN LAID OUT THE EVENTS OF THE NIGHT WHICH SHE ARGUED WERE “INHERENTLY RELATED,” WITH NO WAY TO SEPERATE THEM. THE JUSTICES SAY THEY WILL ISSUE A RULING AT A LATER DATE. AT THE STATE COURTHOUSE, MADELEINE NOLAN REPORTING.
Madeleine Lowe 