Weekly City Update: February 24, 2025
Hinds County Deputy Killed in the Line of Duty
Hinds County Deputy Martin Shields, Jr. was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call on Sunday, February 23, in Terry. The 37-year-old, award-winning corporal had been employed with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office for nine months. Shields had previously served with the Jackson Police Department, the Jackson State University Police Department, and the Ridgeland Police Department. He is survived by his wife and 12-year-old daughter.
Rebuilding Medgar Evers Boulevard via RAISE Grant
In November 2021, Congressman Bennie Thompson announced the City of Jackson would receive $20,000,000 from the United States Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant Program to help rebuild Medgar Evers Boulevard. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant program, provides the U.S. Department of Transportation an opportunity to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.
This project will reconstruct a 1.5-mile section from Medgar Evers Boulevard to the Woodrow Wilson Avenue/Five Points area on the south to Coleman Avenue and Ridgeway Street on the north, including cool pavement drive lanes, sidewalks, transit stops and amenities, a landscaped median, street trees, energy efficient streetlights, new water and sanitary lines, and sustainability drainage improvements.
Neel-Schaffer Engineering is spearheading the project and has completed the design. The City of Jackson opened bids for the project in January 2025 but only received one over the construction budget. The City will reopen the bidding process in the coming weeks.
City of Jackson Solid Waste Division Revamping Clean Up Program
The City of Jackson Solid Waste Division is exploring ways to revamp its clean up program to decrease litter and improve the quality of life for all residents. The department is exploring the use of litter signage, partnering internally with the Jackson Municipal Court, and partnering externally with organizations like New Way Mississippi to facilitate clean up strategies. The City is also working with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) to formulate an agreement to have inmates clean up state roads and highways in Jackson.
BetterMan Conference Coming to Jackson March 1
The BetterMan Mississippi Conference will take place on Saturday, March 1, at the Jackson Convention Complex. BetterMan is a free discipleship resource to strengthen churches, families, and communities. The purpoe of the conference si to launch a sustainable movement in Mississippi, calling men back to God’s good and timeless design for manhood. The conference is FREE! Click here to register.
Jackson Police Department Citizen Self-Reporting System is Now Available
The Jackson Police Department’s Citizen Self-Reporting System is now available. Residents’ reports will be reviewed, and they will be contacted if further information is needed. Access the portal here.
Super Tax Day: Free Tax Preparation for Jackson Residents
Each year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free, face-to-face tax help to people with love-to-moderate income. IRS tax law-certified volunteers provide this free service with electronic filing to all who qualify. All you have to do is bring your documentation, and they will do the rest. If certain documents are missing, the return will be rejected. For more information, call 601.203.4540 or email vita@myunitedway.com.
Midtown Partners Providing FREE Income Tax Preparation and Assistance to Qualified Jackson Residents
Save money on tax preparation! Midtown Partners is providing free tax assistance to low- and middle-income residents of Jackson. IRS-certified volunteers are ready to help!
Service Hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (available every other Saturday, beginning February 1, 2025)
Keep your entire refund by using this free service! Contact Tara Lindsey at soldbytaralindsey@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods Seeking Vendors for Annual South Jackson Parade & Festival
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods (ASJN) has started planning for this year’s South Jackson Parade & Festival, scheduled for April 12, 2025. If you want to participate, please make plans and mark the date on your calendar. Visit ASJN’s website at www.asjn.org to register. Click on "Community Events" and select "South Jackson Parade & Festival, April 12, 2025". The other forms are also available for the parade. If you need any other information, contact ASJN Vice President Johnny Byrd at 601.720.9965.
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