CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV) — The next time you’re in Clinton take a good look around. You might just come across a hand painted rock. Thousands of them are hidden in plain sight throughout the city. Andrew Harrison picks up the hunt in tonight’s “What’s Working”.
Think of it as Pokemon Go, with a stone age twist. More than 15 hundred people are part of a Facebook group called Clinton Rocks, and by leaving no stone unturned, they unearthed a solid sense of community.
After seeing how well it worked in her home state of Washington, a now Clinton resident, started painting rocks and hiding them around town. It took a little while to get rolling, but now Clinton Rocks is spreading like a wildflower. Some rocks have simple designs. Others would be right at home in a gallery.
Chris Shepherd is an artist by trade. He spends about a week on each of his rocks before he hides them.
]]>JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – New developments are coming to the downtown area.
It’s happening near the Jackson Convention Complex and on Capital Street.
A small group gathered in the city council chambers Wednesday evening.
It was one of 6 public meetings surrounding the lot across from the convention complex.
The City of Jackson hired Hunden Strategic Partners to lead a market feasibility analysis, in order to see what would be the best development for the over 4 acres that’s currently being used for parking.
“People are sort of coalescing around this idea of a mix of uses that have an authentic feel, that have some public and green space involved…Hotel has been mentioned most times because the convention center needs it…But they want it to be cool and interesting. They don’t want it to just be a standard type hotel,” Rob Hunden of Hunden Strategic Partners said.
On the other side of downtown, Kip Gibert and his partner Jeff Speed are investing millions into the 400 block of Capitol Street.
Gibert and Speed are developing 11 buildings, including the Heritage building and 415 building.
Speed says they hope to build East Capitol Street to reflect the progress on West Capitol.
“Right now, the buildings are in terrible condition. We need to put new roofs on the buildings; make sure they’re structurally sound. And then after that, we’ll reevaluate and decide is it a retail building, is it a residential building, it is an office building,” Speed said.
He also suggested that the development near the convention complex include more parking, “Whatever goes on that property, I just want to see it in a firm commitment manor.”
]]>JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — Dozens gathered to honor those who died from drug overdoses.
A vigil was held near the steps of the capitol to give families a chance to share their experiences with drug addiction.
People came from all over the state including Cheryl Howell who traveled from Ocean Springs.
He daughter, Mandy, died from an overdose.
She said seeing her daughter struggle was tough.
“It was day after day for ten years,” said Howell. “The drugs changed her into someone I didn’t know and slowly kill her.”
People are encouraged to share their stories with lawmakers for Recovery and Awareness Mississippi Day at the capitol Thursday.
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LAUREL, Miss. (WHLT/WJTV) – Six months after applying, the city of Laurel was awarded a $488,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas on Tuesday.
“So this grant, which is going to help 72 home owners, is not going to rebuild a house,” said Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee. “But it will do some things that will make the house more comfortable, [safer] to live in.”
Mayor Magee says low-income homeowners can begin to apply for grant money February 1.
Each home that is chosen will receive around $7,000 worth of improvements.
“We might be able to put a roof on the house. We may be able to put a new porch on the house. We may be able to upgrade the plumbing, upgrade the electrical and just make the house safer, more comfortable to live in,” says Magee.
“And $7,000 doesn’t seem like it’ll go a long way, but some of the houses $7,000 will do a great deal for what the houses need.”
Earl Lindsey is one of the many Laurel residents who plans on applying for that grant money.
He says the grant will go far in helping the community.
“Well I think it would be very helpful, [because] there are a lot of run-down, old houses in this area. And I think most people need the help,” said Lindsey.
Mayor Magee says now that they have the grant money, he is looking forward to putting it to good use.
“We received the grant, now we’re ready to put it to work,” explained Magee. “But we knew the need was there, and I think the Federal Home Bank also saw the need, and we are going to try to impact some people’s lives.”
]]>Authorities say the accident occurred as a result of a traffic accident involving a vehicle versus pedestrian.
The driver of the vehicle has fully cooperated with investigators and no charges are being filed at this time.
An autopsy is being conducted at the State Crime Lab in Jackson to conclude the cause of death.
This continues to be an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information should contact the Hattiesburg Police Department or Metro Crime Stoppers.
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LAMAR COUNTY, Miss.(WHLT) – Officials say a domestic dispute led to an apartment fire Monday night.
According to Sheriff Danny Rigel police received a call January 22, at approximately 8:11 p.m. for a domestic violence in progress and a fire.
When authorities arrived to Getaway Lane, they found an apartment on fire.
Police then arrested Myron Brown and Octavea Swails.
Brown was arrested for an active domestic violence warrant, and Swails was arrested and charged with 1st degree arson.
Investigators learned the fire started when Swails doused lighter fluid around the apartment and on Brown. She then set the apartment on fire.
This continues to be an ongoing investigation.
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