Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Power out near McDowell and Raymond—see which streets to avoid now

Happening soon: 2025 Santa Zoo Station on the Jackson Patch calendar

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Morning Jackson! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Power out near McDowell and Raymond—see which streets to avoid now
  • How will Jackson’s new planning director tackle permit delays and blight?
  • What’s really happening behind the black fencing at Metrocenter Mall?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Classics and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Jacksonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Jacksonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Warmer with abundant sunshine, with a high of 70 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rather cloudy, showers around, temps: high: 66, low: 56.
  • Monday: Cloudy with a few showers, with a high of 70 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Broken utility pole leaves about 400 without power in South Jackson (wapt.com) — Around 400 Entergy customers in South Jackson are without power after a broken utility pole caused an outage near McDowell and Raymond roads, where part of Raymond Road is closed. Crews are on-site assessing damage and making repairs, and residents are urged to avoid the area and prepare for restoration work to continue until service is safely restored.
   

2. Jackson City Council confirms new planning director. See who (clarionledger.com) — Jackson’s City Council has unanimously confirmed Angela Brown as the new planning and development director, tasking her with fixing long permit delays and modernizing systems at City Hall. She’ll also help guide zoning decisions tied to blight and neighborhood protection, while Mayor John Horhn restructures departments and continues the search for a permanent police chief.
   

3. Activity behind Metrocenter black fencing lays plans for the future (wlbt.com) — Major changes are taking shape at Jackson’s long-struggling Metrocenter Mall, where developers are securing the site and planning up to 600 apartments plus a “mini city” with its own grocery, gas station, and first responders. Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley says improvement district status is being pursued, with some structures reused and others demolished. This redevelopment could significantly reshape southwest Jackson’s housing and services.
   

4. County, city cut library funding; no impact to service or staff predicted (northsidesun.com) — Jackson’s public libraries are facing funding cuts from both the city and Hinds County for 2026, but leaders say services and staffing should hold steady for now thanks to reserves. The Jackson-Hinds Library System still hopes to reopen key branches like Eudora Welty, Tisdale, and Richard Wright, though significant new money will be needed to restore full neighborhood access.
   

5. Kruger, Leary confirmed as U.S. Attorneys for Mississippi (magnoliatribune.com) — Jackson resident James “Baxter” Kruger has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. Attorney for Mississippi’s Southern District, alongside Scott Leary for the Northern District. Their confirmations, backed by both of Mississippi’s senators, came in a party-line vote after weeks of delays and will shape how major federal investigations and prosecutions are handled across the state.
   

📸 Around Jackson

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Shot out to Samme at Auto zone on hwy 51 in Ridgeland.
    I only needed a new battery for my Kia. He helped me buy the correct one..installed it and double checked the battery, the alternator and the… (Nextdoor Ridgewood Park Southeast)
  • Shout out to Garry Fehn for fixing my dryer.
    Its working real well. For any appliances need please give him a call (Nextdoor Fondren)
  • Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Jackson. Apply here.
  • Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System posted a job opening for Cook 2 in Jackson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jackson here.

Ok Jackson! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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