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Local briefs - Jan. 30

Posted

JPD releases details after investigation of Slim Chikins shooting

The Jackson Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at Slim Chickens Restaurant, 6 Channing Way, on 1/21/2025 around 6:30 p.m.

Through investigation, it was determined that a group of subjects entered the business and walked into the kitchen area where they approached an employee, Harrison Cobb (a 22 year-old male). The group of subjects began to physically assault Cobb at which time he retrieved a handgun and began firing at the subjects who were assaulting him. As a result of Cobb’s actions, one male subject, who was identified as Andretti Siddell (a 32-year-old man), sustained injuries which rendered him immobile, but still alive at the time. After several moments passed, Cobb continued to fire shots at Mr. Siddell although he was no longer a physical threat due to him being immobile and unarmed. Officers who arrived on scene attempted life saving measures but unfortunately Mr. Siddell died as a result of his injuries. Two of the subjects who were also with the group sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The entire incident was captured on video surveillance.

Cobb was immediately taken into custody and is currently being charged with First Degree Murder.

He was formally arraigned at Jackson City Court on Friday morning. This is still an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any further information please contact the Jackson Police Department at 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at 731-424-8477.

Artist selected for next public art project Downtown

Our Jackson Home and the City of Jackson announced that Trinity Rivard, an acclaimed artist chosen from a competitive pool of 73 applicants nationwide, will design and install a new mural at the AMP in Downtown Jackson. 

The mural will be installed on the staircase walls directly to the right of the AMP stage and the installation will take place in April, with an unveiling to the public during the Vintage Makers Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 26. 

Rivard was chosen by a selection committee of the City of Jackson’s Public Art Commissioners and site stakeholders of the AMP. The process for choosing Rivard for the project follows Dr. Shawn Pitts’s five year public art strategic plan, “Unifying Spaces: 25/30”, which was released in 2024. 

The plan outlines a detailed process for growing the City of Jackson’s public art collection. Trinity Rivard is a public artist from Tampa, Florida who is dedicated to creating vibrant, community-focused works that inspire and uplift. Through custom designs tailored to each community, he infuses local history, culture, and stories into every piece, fostering a deep connection with those who engage with the art. His collaborative approach involves working closely with residents during both the design and installation processes, allowing the artwork to evolve organically through feedback and shared input. 

To ensure the mural is reflective of the Jackson community, Rivard is inviting the public to participate in its creation. All Jacksonians are encouraged to fill out a survey to share their thoughts on which historic musical figures of Jackson should be featured in the final mural design. The survey can be accessed on Our Jackson Home’s website or through this link: https://forms.gle/JfHKqiYeRFj2NAJ66 In addition to the mural installation, Rivard will host an artist workshop during his visit. 

This workshop is open to all artists, and will provide a behind-the-scenes look at his mural installation process and offer valuable insights for aspiring and professional artists alike. Details about the workshop will be released at a later date. 

Toddler dies after being found unresponsive

On January 22, 2025, Officers of the Jackson Police Department responded to the 500 block of Old Hickory  in reference to a child who was found unresponsive. The child was later pronounced deceased at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. 

Investigation revealed that Judon Roberson, JR was watching the child while the mother went out for an errand. While the child was in Roberson's care, the child was injured and later succumbed to those injuries. An autopsy has been ordered for the child and is pending. 

Roberson was officially charged with Aggravated Child Abuse and Neglect and appeared in Jackson City Court this morning for arraignment, his bond was set at $500,000. Additional charges could be filed pending results of the autopsy. This investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has any information please contact the Jackson Police Department at 731-425-8400.

Bledsoe to give W.D. Powell Missions Lecture Jan. 30

Jimmy Bledsoe of the International Mission Board will deliver the W.D. Powell Missions Lecture, entitled “Missions: The Good Warfare,” at Union University Jan. 30.

Bledsoe, along with his wife Diana, has served with the IMB in East Africa for 13 years. He remains a member of the Kenya Theological Education Team as a theological education specialist. He is currently serving on a special assignment as seminary liaison at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College.

Before his mission work in Africa, Bledsoe spent 18 years in pastoral ministry in Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. He has a Master of Divinity degree in evangelism and church growth and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in missions from SBTS.

Named after a Union alumnus and a pioneer Southern Baptist missionary to Mexico in the late 1800s, the W.D. Powell Missions Lecture Series is co-sponsored by Union’s School of Theology and Missions and the IMB to honor Union alumni who have served in international missions.

Bledsoe will deliver his lecture at 3:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. He will also speak in chapel at 10 a.m. Jan. 29 in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. Both events are free and open to the public.

Nominations sought for Woman of the Year

The Jackson Rotary Club is pleased to announce the presentation of the 72nd Women of the Year, 2024 will be Wednesday February 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church Street, Jackson, Tennessee.

Nominations will be accepted for women age 40 and older who reside in Madison County and exemplify outstanding community service, passion, dedication, and selfless leadership. Application forms may be found at https://www.jackson-tn-rotary.com/woman-of-the-year.

Competed nominations are due by 12:00 noon on Friday February 7th, 2025. Materials may be emailed to Ms. Vicki Lake, vicki.lake@wth.org or Dr. Frank McMeen, frank@cfwtn.org.

Applications may be hand delivered to Mr. Frank McMeen, Community Foundation of West Tennessee, 74 Directors Row, Jackson, Tennessee 38305.

The Woman of the Year has been presented since 1952 by the Altrusa International, Inc. of Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.A.  The Jackson Rotary Club has presented this prestigious award since 2016.

The Jackson Rotary Club was established Aug. 1, 1916 as club number 245 in Rotary International. The first regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Jackson was at the Southern Hotel (later named the New Southern Hotel) on July 12, 1916 with W. C. Fox as President, who served briefly and was followed by Dr. Alex Dancy. The group received its charter from Rotary International effective on August 1, 1916 as club number 245, in spite of the small population of Jackson (15,779). The seventeen charter members included doctors, merchants, businessmen and a railroad president.  The Club sponsors and supports a number of community efforts in Madison County.

For more information, contact Ms. Vicki Lake, (731-984-2160) vicki.lake@wth.org or Dr. Frank McMeen (731-225-4774) frank@cfwtn.org.

Public meetings

Madison County Commission committee meetings typically happen at the County Finance Complex at 1981 Hollywood Drive unless otherwise noted.

March 4 - Beer board at 9:45 a.m.

LIFELINE blood drives

Here’s a look at all LIFELINE Blood Services drives happening in February in Madison County:

Feb. 17 - West TN Healthcare- North Hospital - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Feb. 25 - JMCGH - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Myhre to speak at Union’s annual Faith in the Marketplace luncheon

Union University’s McAfee School of Business will host Jason Myhre, executive director of the Eventide Center for Faith and Investing, for its annual Faith in the Marketplace luncheon Feb. 11.

Eventide Center for Faith and Investing is an educational initiative designed to help Christians understand and practice biblically faithful investing. Myhre is also a founding member of Eventide Asset Management, an investment firm providing values-based investments rooted in a biblical worldview.

In addition to his work at Eventide, Myhre serves as a fellow of the Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University and facilitates the Capital Stewardship Hub of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in the United Kingdom.

The Faith in the Marketplace luncheon is open to the public and will begin at 12 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. Cost is $35 per seat or $250 per table of eight. Registration closes Feb. 2 and is available online at uu.edu/events/marketplace.

Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round kicks off at The Carnegie Center for Arts and History 

Jackson: Hidden Tracks is excited to host an official Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Round on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at The Carnegie Center for Arts and History.

Twenty songwriters will showcase their best original music, competing for a spot in the Semi-Finals at Lafayette's Music Room on February 25 and the chance to perform at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville this March. A panel of music industry professionals will judge the performances.  

To compete, please complete the registration form or contact Visit Jackson, TN at 731-425-8333 with your name, email, phone number, and social media handles. Registration form:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfZ6MP5099.../viewform... 

Select songwriters from the qualifying rounds will advance to one of the seven Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases, held in the following cities: Memphis, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Bristol, Chattanooga, Portland, and Franklin. 

The finalists from the showcases (seven total, one from each showcase) will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform their original songs on the historic stage of The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on March 30, 2025. Finalists will also receive additional prizes, including a one-year NSAI membership and a commemorative branded guitar. 

The Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases will take place February 23 – March 1, 2025, inspiring travelers to experience Tennessee’s rich music history, attractions, and venues. 

Tennessee Songwriters Week celebrates the legacy of songwriters, supports music venues, and honors Tennessee’s seven homegrown genres of music. It highlights the artistry of past and present musicians while paving the way for future talents. 

For more information contact Jackson: Hidden Tracks, an initiative of Visit Jackson, TN, at 731-425-8333. 

Health Department encourages steps to prevent cervical cancer

In recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department is encouraging women over 21 to get regular cervical cancer screenings. The Health Department also recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys beginning at age 11.

“Cervical cancer is preventable. When found early it is highly treatable,” said Ashley Thompson, Family Planning Supervisor with Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department. “The two most important things you can do to prevent cervical cancer are get regular screening tests and be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV).”

HPV — a very common virus passed from one person to another during intimate contact — causes nearly all cervical cancers. It can also cause several other types of cancer in men and women. Cancer usually takes many years to develop after a person gets HPV and there are often no symptoms in the early stages.

“With regular screenings, healthcare providers are more likely to find problems and treat them before they turn into cancer,” Thompson said.

The HPV vaccine is another important tool for preventing cervical cancer. The vaccine has the best chance of protecting against infection if given before HPV exposure, which is why the CDC recommends two doses of the vaccine at ages 11-12 for both boys and girls. Teens and young adults who have not received both doses of the HPV vaccine should do so as soon as possible. Adults can benefit from the HPV vaccine up to age 45.

The Health Department offers HPV vaccines and the two screening tests that can detect the presence of the virus and precancerous cells on the cervix.

To schedule an appointment for screening or vaccination, call 731-423-3020.

100 Women Who Care announces grant applications for local nonprofits

100 Women Who Care: West Tennessee is accepting applications from local nonprofits for their annual grant awards. The deadline to apply for the grants is January 31, 2025.

The grants will support organizations and programs that benefit the residents of rural West Tennessee. Applicants must have 501 (c)(3) status or be an active fund of Community Foundation of West Tennessee.

Eligible Counties: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Tipton and Weakley. 

“These grants help us highlight the work of nonprofits across West Tennessee and share how their programs impact our rural communities,” said Beth Koffman, Chief Operating Officer at Community Foundation of West Tennessee. “Seeing the impact our previous winners have made with the funding has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing more organizations apply this cycle.”

In March 2024, two organizations were awarded funding through 100 Women Who Care:

  • All Saints Anglican Church ($10,000) – To support The Diaper Project and help provide free diapers to low-income families.
  • A Step Ahead Foundation of West Tennessee ($5,000) – To purchase laptops for graduating young women who participated in the Empowered Teen Council.

There is no specific area of focus for the grants, but priority will be given to programs or projects that impact women and children. Funding may be used for unrestricted operating support.

All proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of 100 Women Who Care members. Up to six organizations will be selected to present at the Awards Celebration Luncheon on March 7, 2025. After the presentations, members and sponsors will vote to determine which nonprofit(s) receive funding.