40 THINGS TO DO WITHOUT. Lent has begun – a season of reflection and sacrifice for believers seeking spiritual strength, a season bridging the gray gloom of winter and the green promise of spring for those seeking renewal, a season of waffles and chicken hash for those seeking comfort in the caloric basement of Calvary Church – 40 days of all of that for me.

2. Taking Stage - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The latest production from Tennessee Shakespeare Co. is a stage version of one of the silver screen’s most beloved morality tales – the one about an angel on a mission, the magic of Christmas and the futility of worrying over what might have been.

3. A Bridge to Cross - Monday, March 28, 2011

Martyrs Park sits atop the Chickasaw Bluff and overlooks the Mississippi River, its lone modern sculpture a memorial to victims of the 19th century Yellow Fever epidemics that devastated Memphis from the 1850s through the 1870s.

4. State Court Ruling Adds Clarity to Hospital Lien Issue - Monday, January 31, 2011

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has added another chapter to what is becoming a thick book of rulings on the issue of how much money hospitals can get from insurers.

The number of hospital liens filed by the Shelby County Health Care Corp. has spiked in the last two years as the company, also known as The Regional Medical Center at Memphis, seeks to recover a larger share of costs from insured patients.

5. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 05, 2010
 

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.

And the August sheriff’s race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.

All three were among the winners in Tuesday’s low turnout county primaries.

Approximately ten percent of Shelby County’s nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.

Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.

Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.

The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:

Ford 20,360 57%

Malone 12,916 37%

Jackson 2,168 6%

The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff’s department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.

Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.

Oldham is Luttrell’s chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.

The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:

Bill Oldham 13,821 48%

Dale Lane 7,981 28%

Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%

James Coleman 943 3%

In the Democratic primary:

Randy Wade 22,643 67%

Reginald French 6,777 20%

Larry Hill 2,738 8%

Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%

Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday’s results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.

Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.

In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party’s primary.

The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.

The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:

Thomas 7,631 52%

Pellicciotti 4,871 33%

Bomprezzi 2,298 15%

In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.

Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities.

Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.

Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn’s District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.

District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.

In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone’s District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.

The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father’s District 3 Position 3 seat.

Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Ford 7,342 66%

Moore 3,822 34%

Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.

The county-wide primaries for seven clerk’s positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Johnican 16,381 51%

White 10,170 31%

Johnson 5,954 18%

Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.

Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.

Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.

Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Lenoir 15,922 58%

Willingham 11,569 42%

The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Becton 10,929 36%

Dobbins 5,366 18%

Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%

Clay Perry 3,549 12%

Danny Kail 3,120 11%

Karen Tyler 2,782 9%

The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state’s Congressional districts.

6. Candidate Filing List -- The Final Version - Friday, February 19, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

7. UPDATE: Mayor's Race Grows At Filing Deadline - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.

Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.

The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff’s office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.

The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.

Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.

Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.

All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.

Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.

And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.

Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.

D-Democrat

R- Republican

I- Independent

Shelby County Mayor:

Deidre Malone (D)

Joe Ford (D)

Otis Jackson (D)

Mark Luttrell (R)

Ernest Lunati (R)

Leo Awgowhat (I)

Shelby County Sheriff:

James Coleman (R)

Bobby Simmons (R)

Bill Oldham (R)

Dale Lane (R)

Larry Hill (D)

Bennie Cobb (D)

Randy Wade (D)

James Bolden (D)

Elton Hymon (D)

Reginald French (D)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1

Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2

Albert Maduska (R)

Heidi Shafer (R)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3

Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)

Joe Baire (R)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1

Walter Bailey (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2

Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)

David Vinciarelli (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3

Eric Dunn (D)

Norma Lester (D)

Tina Dickerson (D)

Melvin Burgess (D)

Reginald Milton (D)

Freddie Thomas (D)

County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1

James Harvey (D) (incumbent)

James Catchings (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2

Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)

Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3

Edith Moore  (D) (incumbent)

Justin Ford (D)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1

Chris Thomas (R)

John Pellicciotti (R)

Jim Bomprezzi (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2

Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)

John Wilkerson (R)

Ron Fittes (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3

Terry Roland (R)

George Chism (R)

Edgar Babian (R)

County Commission Dist 5

Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)

Jennings Bernard (D)

Rolando Toyos (R)

Shelby County Clerk

Charlotte Draper (D)

Corey Maclin (D)

LaKeith Miller (D)

Wayne Mashburn (R)

Steve Moore (R)

Criminal Court Clerk

Vernon Johnson (D)

Minerva Johnican (D)

Ralph White (D)

Michael Porter (R)

Kevin Key (R)

Jerry Stamson (I)

Circuit Court Clerk

Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)

Steven Webster (D)

Carmichael Johnson (D)

Ricky W. Dixon (D)

Juvenile Court Clerk

Joy Touliatos (R)

Charles Marshall (D)

Sylvester Bradley (D)

Shep Wilbun (D)

Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)

Probate Court Clerk

Paul Boyd (R)

Sondra Becton (D)

Danny Kail (D)

Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)

Peggy Dobbins (D)

Clay Perry (D)

Karen Tyler (D)

Shelby County Register

Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)

Coleman Thompson (D)

Lady J. Swift (D)

Carlton Orange (D)

Shelby County Trustee

Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)

M. LaTroy Williams (D)

John Willingham (R)

Jeff Jacobs (R)

David Lenoir (R)

8. Commissioners to Fill Commission, Legislature Vacancies - Monday, January 11, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners will begin the new year with some familiar chores.

Today’s meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building.

It includes the appointment of a new commissioner for District 4 Position 3. And the commission will appoint an interim state representative for District 85.

9. Three Finalists Chosen for Bailey’s Court Seat - Thursday, December 24, 2009

The state’s Judicial Nominating Commission spent the last shopping weekend before Christmas interviewing would-be judges in Memphis.

Members of the panel gathered at the Shelby County Courthouse Saturday and came up with a list of three finalists to replace retired Circuit Court Judge D’Army Bailey. The list followed a day of interviews with the applicants.

10. Senate Panel Clears Bernanke Nomination - Friday, December 18, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate panel on Thursday approved the nomination of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to run the nation's central bank for another four years.

The Senate Banking Committee voted 16-7 to send Bernanke's nomination to the full Senate for consideration. Approval came after a two-hour debate that heaped both praise and criticism on the Fed chief.

11. U of M’s Raines Appointed To Southern Regional Education Board - Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Dr. Shirley C. Raines has been appointed to the Southern Regional Education Board by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen. Raines, president of the University of Memphis, will serve a four-year term.

12. Life After City Hall: The story behind Herenton’s Washington surprise - Thursday, May 07, 2009

You would think that Mayor Willie Herenton’s “resignation” last spring as he thought about trying out for Memphis City Schools superintendent would be difficult to top.

13. Latest Numbers Show Withering Mortgage Rates - Monday, March 09, 2009

With the housing market still under pressure as home prices fall and fewer new borrowers take the plunge, the number of home loans as well as the total mortgage volume in Shelby County took another nosedive in February.

14. Democrats at Work to Tap Bailout for Automakers - Friday, November 14, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional Democrats are marshaling support for a rescue package to pump $25 billion in emergency loans to U.S. automakers in exchange for a government ownership stake in Detroit's car companies.

15. MCS and City Head to Court - Thursday, June 26, 2008

A local stalemate over school funding was the reason Memphis City Schools filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis last week. At some point, education officials in the state capital could weigh in.

16. East High Foundation Gains Admin Friend - Monday, April 21, 2008

President George W. Bush did not forget about his impromptu encounter late last year with a Memphis businessman and a University of Memphis student.

The two Memphians had crossed paths with the president in December at a political fundraiser in Omaha, Neb. Local commodities trader Charles McVean and U of M student Cortney Richardson flew to the event and approached Bush with the goal of selling him on the strengths of an emerging academic foundation at East High School.

17. Siegal-Robert Inc. Selects CEO - Wednesday, March 07, 2007

David M. Gilchrist has been selected as chief executive officer of Siegal-Robert Inc. and Siegal-Robert Automotive. Most recently, Gilchrist was the president and CEO of Jackson Products Inc. in St. Louis, a highway and personal safety product manufacturer. He also has held supervisory positions with Mid-South Industries and VP Buildings Inc.

18. State Supreme Court Appointment Process Up for Debate - Thursday, February 08, 2007

The Tennessee Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling any day that could clear the way for the appointment of a fifth justice to the state's highest court. The seat has been vacant since the fall.

19. Judicial Selection CommitteeSays Reconsider Rejected Candidates - Friday, August 25, 2006
     Two rejected Tennessee Supreme Court candidates will have another go at the positions. The decision comes as the result of an 8-7 vote Tuesday by the Tennessee Judicial Selection Committee.
    &

20. State Supreme Court Candidates Bust a Move - Thursday, April 13, 2006
Several individuals have applied for two vacancies on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Local applicants include Circuit Court Judge D'Army Bailey; George T. "Buck" Lewis of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC; Criminal Appeals Court Judge J

21. Commercial Advisors' Jensen Voted Commercial Broker of the Year - Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Larry Jensen has received the 2005 Pinnacle Award for Commercial Broker of the Year from the Memphis Area Association of Realtors' Commercial Council. Jensen is president and CEO of Commercial Advisors LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience in real estate.

22. Local Lawyers VieFor Bankruptcy Judgeships   - Thursday, February 09, 2006
The Merit Selection Panel in Memphis, comprised of five attorneys appointed by Chief Circuit Judge Danny Boggs of the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, has recommended seven people be considered for two bankruptcy judge vacancies in

23. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, June 15, 2005
HEADLINE

Small Business Chamber Names Board Chairman

The Small Business Chamber of Commerce announced that Austin Baker, vice president of Eserv LLC, has been elected chairman of the board. Baker received a bachelors degree from the University...

24. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, June 01, 2005
St

St. Jude Researcher Named to Royal Society

Dr. Tom Curran, chair of the department of Developmental Neurobiology and the co-leader of the Neurobiology and Brain Tumor program at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, was elected to the Fello...

25. Archived Article: Real Recap - Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Kohner Refinances The Villages at Harrison Creek

Kohner Refinances The Villages at Harrison Creek

3855 Jackson Ave.

Memphis, TN 38128

Cost: $7.3 million

Borrower: Harrison Creek LLC

Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems ...

26. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Timm Locke, president of Locke Marketing Public Relations, was named new executive vice president of NOFMA: The Wood Flooring

Askew Appointed to AIA Fellows Jury

Lee Askew III, partner and founder of Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects, was appoin...

27. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, June 02, 2004
MEMPHIS FOOD BANK APPOINTS ASST

The Food Bank Appoints Assistant Director

Estella Mayhue-Greer was appointed assistant director of the Memphis Food Bank. Greer has been with The Food Bank for eight years. She previously served as agency relati...

28. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Khara Woods was the 2003 recipient of the John Paul Jones Journalism Scholarship

Khara Woods was the 2002-2003 recipient of the John Paul Jones Journalism Scholarship at the University of Memphis. Woods, a 21-year-old senior journalism major, is ...

29. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, January 06, 2003
Calendar 01-06-03

Calendar of events Jan. 6-Jan. 12

Jan. 8

The Memphis Jewish Community Center presents artwork by Memphians Ken Boettcher and Bill Bailey through Jan. 26 in the Shainberg Gallery, 6560 Poplar Ave. The gallery is open 9 a.m....

30. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, December 30, 2002
Calendar of events

Calendar of events Dec. 30-Jan. 5

Dec. 30

The Memphis Bar Association presents Desperate Hours, a seminar providing last-minute continuing legal education, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the MBA conference room, One Comme...

31. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, December 23, 2002
Calendar of events Dec. 23-30

Calendar of events Dec. 23-Dec. 31

Dec. 23

The Union Planters IMAXs newest film, Lewis & Clark, is open at the Pink Palace Museum. The film is an account of the historical journey undertaken by Merriwether ...

32. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Lisa Bailey and Stephen Johns have joined First Mercantile Trust Co Lisa Bailey and Stephen Johns have joined First Mercantile Trust Co. as account representative and regional marketing representative, respectively. Bailey received a bachelors degre...

33. Archived Article: Law Briefs - Thursday, May 25, 2000
The Employment Law Practice Group of Waring Cox PLC is hosting ``Employment Practices Liability Insurance: New Rules for a New The Employment Law Practice Group of Waring Cox PLC is hosting ``Employment Practices Liability Insurance: New Rules for a...

34. Archived Article: Law Focus1 - Thursday, October 28, 1999
Memphis Bar Association announced nominees Memphis Bar Association announced nominees The Memphis Bar Association has released the report of its nominations and elections committee, which was chaired by Prince Chambliss. The association president fo...

35. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, April 21, 1999
Fred's Inc names Reier president John Reier has been named president of Freds Inc., effective May 1. He formerly was president and chief operating officer at Family Dollar Stores Inc. Reier also previously served as senior vice president of merchand...

36. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, January 27, 1997
Jan Jan. 28 The Centre for Global Enterprise at Christian Brothers University will host the second Farm Policy Conference and Exhibition at AgriCenter International from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The program will focus on agricultural economic opportu...

37. Archived Article: Real Fcs Sneed Lj - Tuesday, November 12, 1996
lj 10/5 cates A family firm Local real estate investment and insurance firm celebrates two milestones in companys history By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News Preparations are underway at Sneed, Robinson and Gerber Inc., a Sneed Co., to celebrate two im...

38. Archived Article: Govt Analys - Friday, September 06, 1996
National Political Conventions National Political Conventions By Berje Yacoubian Special to The Daily News Before television and the annual visit of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, there were national political conventions which provided excitement an...

39. Archived Article: Benchmark - Thursday, August 29, 1996
Christopher Banks vs Christopher Banks vs. Shelby County; A. C. Gilless, sheriff of Shelby County; Dennis Dowd, chief jailer of Shelby County; and Jim Rout, Shelby County mayor. A Shelby County jail inmate is suing the county and several county offi...