Mississippi News

Jackson garbage pickup halted indefinitely over contract dispute

Published

3 years ago

October 6, 2022

Jackson garbage pickup halted indefinitely over contract dispute

by Geoff Pender, Mississippi Today
October 6, 2022

The City of Jackson on Thursday announced garbage collection will be halted city-wide, indefinitely because of a long-running dispute between Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the city council.

In a press release, Lumumba’s office said that “After six months under an emergency contract and without compensation, Richard’s Disposal will cease all city-wide garbage collection” after Saturday.

New Orleans-based Richard’s Disposal has been collecting garbage in Jackson since April, after Waste Management’s contract with the city expired. Lumumba and the council deadlocked over who had the lowest and best bid for collection. Lumumba issued an emergency contract for Richard’s to collect, but the City Council rejected the contract and has refused to pay the company. The two sides have been fighting in court, and Richard’s has sued the city and says it is owed nearly $5 million for collection to-date.

“It is unfortunate that the Jackson City Council has failed to ratify the executed contract and allow for payment for services rendered,” Lumumba said in a statement. “The citizens of Jackson have paid and continue to pay for the solid waste collection, and they have received the services but, due to inaction by the Jackson City Council, my administration is legally unable to pay Richard’s for services rendered.”

Mississippi’s capital city is only recently recovering from a water crisis that included nearly two months of boil-water notices and a citywide water outage that forced the state to declare an emergency and step in.

The press release from Lumumba’s office recommended that residents help manage the halt in garbage pickup by using reusable containers and “other sustainable household products and goods,” freezing seafood waste until pickup resumes and continuing to drop off household hazardous waste at 1570 University Boulevard.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 18-20

Published

12 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-07-18 06:45:00

SUMMARY: Mississippi offers a variety of events this weekend (July 18–20), including family activities, art exhibitions, markets, and festivals. In Jackson, highlights include the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza, multiple exhibits at local museums, Neon Night at the Children’s Museum, and the JXN Film Festival. Farmers markets run in Jackson, Vicksburg, and Natchez. Ridgeland hosts Christmas in July and pottery classes. Clinton features train-themed crafts and a film screening. In the Pine Belt, Hattiesburg presents Clue: The Musical, zoo game nights, and exhibits. Laurel offers karaoke, art, and teen movie nights. Ellisville holds Market Days with crafts, food, and kids’ activities.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 11-13

Published

1 week ago

July 11, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-07-11 07:24:00

SUMMARY: From July 11-13, Mississippi offers a variety of events for all ages. In Jackson, enjoy the season finale of “Late Night with Rita Brent,” Disney’s The Lion King, Jr., and exhibitions at the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Pearl hosts the Mississippi Mud Monsters with fireworks and a Back 2 School Bash. Ridgeland features the Wildflower Field, Art Park, Renaissance Christmas in July sales, and a Fairy Garden Workshop. Natchez and Vicksburg offer farmers markets and local entertainment. Hattiesburg presents Po Boy Fest, Clue: The Musical, and outdoor movies. Activities include rodeos, ice cream tastings, run clubs, and community tennis events across the state.

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Mississippi News

Death toll from catastrophic Texas flooding passes 100

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-07-08 05:12:00

SUMMARY: Catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend killed at least 104 people, including 28 children, mostly near Camp Mystic, a century-old girls’ summer camp in Kerr County. Search-and-rescue teams continue to search swollen rivers for dozens still missing; officials expect the death toll to rise as more rain threatens the saturated area. Many victims were swept from cabins by flash floods early Friday, some clinging to trees. Authorities will investigate warnings and evacuation delays, noting poor cellphone service hindered alerts. Despite warnings issued before the flood, some residents didn’t receive them. President Trump plans to visit the state.

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