There is a surge these days in Memphis boosterism, but there may be no one else with their pulse more on what is new and exciting and worth celebrating in the city than Rashana Lincoln.

As director of community engagement for the New Memphis Institute (formerly the Leadership Academy), Lincoln is charged with selling her greatest passion: Memphis.

2. Phipps Named Vice President, COO at American Esoteric Laboratories - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dr. Amber R. Phipps has joined American Esoteric Laboratories, the Mid-South division of Sonic Healthcare USA, as vice president and chief operations officer. In her new role, Phipps will oversee all operations for AEL, which includes nine laboratories and more than 800 employees in six states. A captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, Phipps most recently served as a medical operations officer stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

3. Johnican Practiced Political Art of Coalition - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Minerva Johnican practiced the art of the coalition in a political career that spanned more than 40 years.

The former Shelby County Commissioner, Memphis City Council member and Criminal Court Clerk Minerva died Friday, March 8, at Methodist University Hospital at the age of 74.

4. Late Judge Higgs Changed Local Politics - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Funeral services for Shelby County Criminal Court Judge and Memphis mayoral contender Otis Higgs were pending and being planned Monday, Feb. 18, just days after his unexpected death.

5. Judge and Mayoral Contender Otis Higgs Dies - Saturday, February 16, 2013

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs, whose two bids to become Memphis Mayor in the 1970s were important chapters in the city’s political and racial history, died Friday, Feb. 15, at the age of 75.

6. Turning the Page - Saturday, December 29, 2012

It’s that time of year again. It’s that time when journalists across the fruited plain collectively try and make God laugh – with our prognostications, of course, about the year ahead and of what might be.

7. Ford Jr. Ready for Ascent to City Council Chairman - Friday, December 28, 2012

If you didn’t know that Edmund Ford Jr. teaches mathematics, there would be clues.

He can almost sense a percentage that is wrong and he prefers not to “ballpark” numbers.

The precise numbers are part of the story of his entry into politics.

8. Grizzlies CEO Levien Longtime Fan of Memphis - Friday, December 14, 2012

The first time Jason Levien visited Memphis, it was the summer of 1996. He was here to help his friend and law school classmate Harold Ford Jr. run for Congress, so Levien helped him campaign – and slept on Ford’s sofa.

9. Obama Pressing Business and Labor on Fiscal Cliff - Thursday, November 15, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a challenge to Republicans, President Barack Obama urged Congress on Wednesday to extend expiring tax cuts immediately for all but the highest income earners as a way to eliminate half of the so-called fiscal cliff that threatens to send the economy back into recession.

10. Labor Heads Say Obama Backs Them on 'Fiscal Cliff' - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Labor leaders said Tuesday that President Barack Obama remains committed to preserving tax cuts for middle class families and ensuring the wealthy pay more in taxes, outlining plans for a public campaign to pressure Republican lawmakers.

11. ‘Let’s Do This’ - Monday, November 12, 2012

There was just something about FedExForum. Something about touring the more than 800,000-square-foot arena for the first time that made him think it’s “just awesome, being inside here.”

12. Gas Tax Supporters Escalate Campaign - Monday, November 05, 2012

On a recent cold fall day, backers of a one-cent-a-gallon local gasoline tax on the Nov. 6 ballot rallied for their cause on the parking lot of the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s north end terminal.

13. ‘Behind the Headlines’ Explores Fixes for County’s Election Woes - Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Some early voters in Shelby County are snapping pictures of their completed ballots with their phones to verify their votes. Other voters are delaying their trip to the polls because they anticipate problems in the opening days of the voting period that ends Nov. 1.

14. Race to the Finish - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey walked into the storefront at the Carrefour shopping center earlier this month and liked what he saw of the local effort for the Romney-Ryan presidential ticket.

15. Gas Tax Would Raise MATA Funding - Thursday, August 09, 2012

If Memphis voters approve a gas tax increase on the Nov. 6 ballot, the Memphis Area Transit Authority will have what it has for years said it lacks to provide better service – a dedicated source of continuing funding.

16. Muni Schools Questions Pass, Cohen Wins Big - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County approved establishing municipal school districts in the unofficial results of the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general and state and federal primary elections.

17. Cohen Talks About Opponents, Schools, Race and His Political Past - Monday, July 23, 2012

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is running for a fourth term in Congress starting with the Aug. 2 primary, in which he is being challenged by countywide school board member Tomeka Hart.

18. Numerous Issues Drive Early Voting - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Republicans have the suburban ballot questions on municipal school districts. Democrats have outrage over the voter photo ID state law.

Together the two factors could have more to do with voter turnout in the Aug. 2 elections than any of the candidates on the ballot.

19. Polls Set to Open for Early Voting - Friday, July 13, 2012

Shelby County voters start deciding Friday, July 13, general election countywide races for assessor of property, General Sessions Court clerk, district attorney general and a race for a Shelby County Commission seat. The ballot also includes seven races for district seats on the countywide school board.

20. Lost Crosswords: Part 2 - Thursday, June 28, 2012

This is Part 2 of a series. Don’t miss Part 1, next week. (I know what order series normally go in! Get over it already!)

Maggie the Cheagle and I decided to watch “Lost” again. Last year, we watched for the first time, with Susan along for the ride. We went through all six seasons in about two months.

21. MATA Drops Poplar Ave. Express Service - Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Memphis Area Transit Authority will discontinue the Poplar Avenue express bus service it started just this past December.

The route called the 22 Poplar Avenue Express will be discontinued effective Aug. 12.

22. General Sessions Contenders Seek Changes to Office - Thursday, June 14, 2012

On a hot Saturday afternoon in Whitehaven, more than 100 people crammed themselves into an air-conditioned storefront to boost the bid by General Sessions Court Clerk Ed Stanton Jr. to remain the clerk of Shelby County’s largest civil court.

23. McFarland Named VP At Visible Music College - Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Christy McFarland has been named the vice president of business at Visible Music College. Previously the director of marketing, McFarland will now oversee VMC’s marketing/public relations, business and operational functions.

24. Cohen-Hart in Congressional Race at Filing Deadline - Friday, April 06, 2012

The chairman of the countywide school board, Billy Orgel, was effectively elected to his District 7 school board seat without opposition at the Thursday, April 5, filing deadline for candidates on the Aug. 2 primary and general election ballot in Shelby County.

25. Elvis Presley Blvd. Center of Council Talks - Thursday, February 23, 2012

For decades what is now Elvis Presley Boulevard was the road to Memphis for those from Mississippi, whether they were coming to stay or coming to visit.

Much has changed since Elvis Presley moved into a home on a hill already named Graceland in the mid-1950s when Whitehaven was a country road not yet a part of the city of Memphis.

26. Drop in Bankruptcies Belies Economic Picture - Friday, January 20, 2012

Although the total number of bankruptcies filed in Shelby County has slowly declined over the last three years, attorney Joseph Townsend with Fullen & Townsend Attorneys said fewer filings aren’t necessarily a sign that the economy is on the upswing.

27. County Commission Could Further Redistricting Talks - Monday, January 09, 2012

Shelby County Commission members avoided the topic at least in the public, on-the-record discussions during committee sessions last week.

But the full commission meeting Monday, Jan. 9, could feature the commission’s first formal discussion of a redistricting plan since three commissioners filed suit over the matter in Chancery Court Tuesday, Jan. 3.

28. Deadline Looms For Candidates In March Primaries - Thursday, December 08, 2011

There is the paperwork and there are the deadlines in politics. And then there are the campaigns that begin long before the paperwork or deadlines.

One group of candidates in the 2012 election cycle is approaching its first deadline Thursday, Dec. 8, at noon – the filing deadline for the March 6 county primaries.

29. Lesson in Perry’s PR Recovery - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

No matter what your political affiliations, you have to give Texas Governor Rick Perry credit for leading a strong recovery strategy after his “oops” moment in the recent Republican presidential debate.

30. Harris Wins District 7 City Council Seat - Monday, November 14, 2011

The lineup for the 13-member Memphis City Council that takes office with the new year is complete.

The one new member joining 12 incumbents re-elected in the Oct. 6 city elections will be Lee Harris.

31. Harris Claims District 7 Council Seat - Friday, November 11, 2011

University of Memphis Law School professor Lee Harris claimed the District 7 seat on the Memphis City Council Thursday, Nov. 10, over actress Kemba Ford in a runoff election decided by fewer than 4,000 voters.

32. Voters Decide District 7 Runoff Thursday - Thursday, November 10, 2011

Voters in Memphis City Council District 7 on Thursday, Nov. 10, will settle the last election of 2011 as they select the only new member of the 13-member council.

Lee Harris, a professor in the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, faces actress Kemba Ford in the runoff election that grew more intense toward the end of the early-voting period.

33. Shelby County DA Race Taking Shape - Monday, November 07, 2011

With a month to the Dec. 8 filing deadline for the March 6 presidential and Shelby County primary elections, the coming race for Shelby County district attorney general is beginning to show signs of life. That is as voters in one part of Memphis prepare to decide the last election of 2011 this week.

34. Partisans Debate State Voter ID Law - Wednesday, November 02, 2011

If you voted early or on Election Day in the recent city of Memphis elections, you probably got a piece of paper from election officials about the next elections.

The new state law requiring Tennessee voters to have a valid state or federal government-issued photo ID goes into effect with the 2012 elections starting with the March primaries. And the poll handout was about the new state law and what the new ground rules will be.

35. Ford, Harris Vie for Council District 7 Seat - Friday, October 21, 2011

Early voting opens Friday, Oct. 21, for the last election of 2011 in Shelby County. The race is the runoff for the District 7 Memphis City Council seat between Kemba Ford and Lee Harris. Election Day is Nov. 10.

36. Ford to Add 5,750 US Jobs as Part of New Contract - Wednesday, October 05, 2011

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will add 5,750 jobs and invest $4.8 billion in its U.S. factories as part of a new contract deal with the United Auto Workers union.

37. Early Voting Off to Modest Start - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The first full week of early voting in advance of the Oct. 6 Memphis elections got a push with 1,684 citizens casting ballots on Friday, Sept. 16’s first day of the early voting period.

Another 411 filed absentee votes before Friday’s opening.

38. Vote for Me - Monday, September 12, 2011

Four years after the biggest turnover on the Memphis City Council, the Oct. 6 city elections could see the biggest return of incumbents ever on the council. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 16.

Twelve of the 13 incumbents are seeking re-election. It would have been 13 had Barbara Swearengen Ware not taken a plea deal on an official misconduct charge.

39. 4 Council Members - All 3 City Court Judges To Run Unopposed In Oct. Elections - Friday, July 22, 2011

Four incumbent Memphis City Council members and all three incumbent City Court Judges were effectively re-elected at the Thursday, July 21, noon deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions for the Oct. 6 Memphis ballot.

40. CrescoAg Inks Lease for New Downtown HQ - Friday, July 15, 2011

Downtown Memphis has landed another corporate headquarters. CrescoAg LLC, an independent information management company, has signed a new lease on 4,594 square feet at 88 Union Ave.

41. Leadership Memphis Announces Board Members - Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Leadership Memphis has announced new board members and officers for its new fiscal year.

The officers and executive committee include Eric Robertson, chair; Beverly Jordan, vice chair; Bryan Ford, treasurer; Veronica Coleman Davis, secretary; Chris McLean, immediate past chair; Jeff Gaudino, alumni chair; Christine Munson, development chair; Lemoyne Robinson, program chair; and Jeane Chapman, marketing chair.

42. Obama Gains Foothold; GOP Autumn Surge Behind Him - Wednesday, June 01, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Six months after Republicans alarmed Democrats with a midterm election wave, President Barack Obama has shaken off the jitters and found his political footing despite sluggish economic growth and deep public anxiety about the direction of the country.

43. Ambulance Co. Signs New Lease, Ups Space - Friday, May 20, 2011

A Nashville-based health care company is expanding its Memphis presence. First Call Ambulance Services LLC has signed a three-year, 13,500-square-foot lease at 5155 Wilfong Road, more than doubling its existing space on Federal Avenue.

44. AP IMPACT: CEO Pay Exceeds Pre-Recession Level - Monday, May 09, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – In the boardroom, it's as if the Great Recession never happened. CEOs at the nation's largest companies were paid better last year than they were in 2007, when the economy was booming, the stock market set a record high and unemployment was roughly half what it is today.

45. Court Overturns Ford Corruption Conviction - Friday, April 15, 2011

Former state Sen. John Ford’s federal TennCare fraud and corruption convictions were tossed Thursday morning by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

46. Ford TennCare Corruption Conviction Overturned - Thursday, April 14, 2011

Former state Sen. John Ford’s federal TennCare fraud and corruption convictions were tossed Thursday morning by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The court specifically found that Ford’s failure to disclose that he was working as a consultant for a TennCare contractor while he was a state senator voting on policies governing TennCare wasn’t a matter for the federal courts. It was instead a matter for state government, the court ruled.

47. Rusty Hyneman Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy - Thursday, March 31, 2011

Memphis real estate developer William “Rusty” Hyneman filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for West Tennessee that lists assets of $3.7 million and liabilities of $69.3 million.

48. Inspiring City From Stage - Monday, March 28, 2011

Last week we discussed Shelby Residential and Vocational Services, which is helping adults with disabilities enjoy productive lives and pursue their dreams. Now let us turn the spotlight on an organization that is dancing their way across sold-out stages from the famous John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to Paris and New York, all while pushing our own city to greater heights – Ballet Memphis.

49. Memphis Developer to File For $63M Bankruptcy - Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Memphis real estate developer and controversial affiliate of the local political landscape William R. “Rusty” Hyneman has a voluntary Chapter 7 petition on file with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that lists $62.96 million in liabilities and $3.7 million in assets.

50. Back to Nature - Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Gorgeous weather on Saturday highlighted the Great Outdoors University’s fifth anniversary celebration at Winchester Farms, just east of Memphis along Interstate 40.

A group of 23 kids ages 7 to 17 had the chance to hike, fish and enjoy nature on the 900-acre farm owned by GOU founder and primary benefactor Peter Schutt, who has just been named the National Wildlife Federation’s National Volunteer of the Year. He is the first Tennessean to earn the honor.

51. Local Artist to Attend Exhibition Opening - Friday, March 04, 2011

Award-winning painter George Hunt of Memphis will attend the opening Friday of the “Back to Arkansas” art exhibition at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis.

52. CNBC Goes Local With FedEx Broadcast - Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It was a Memphis morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” program Monday, with FedEx founder Fred Smith guest hosting the show’s broadcast from Hangar 26 at FedEx’s SuperHub at Memphis International Airport.

53. Commissioners Draw Lines in Charter Sand - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

It was the dominant issue in many of the May 4 county primaries for the Shelby County Commission.

The commissioners have nothing other than their votes as citizens on the metro charter proposal. But all of the candidates in the commission district that includes all six of the suburban towns and cities emphasized their opposition to the consolidation charter still being drafted at that point.

54. Early Voters Face Slate of Local, Statewide Races - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Shelby County voters begin making their choices Wednesday as early voting in advance of the Nov. 2 Election Day gets under way.

Early voting sites, 21 in all, open Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. – all at the same time and with the same hours through Oct. 23, the end of the early voting period.

55. Commission Debates Charter Stand, Approves Terms For New Morgue - Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners talked Monday about consolidation, education funding and minority business contracts during a session that also included a debate about building a new morgue.

A resolution approving the agreements between Shelby County and the state for the construction of a new Regional Forensic Center passed on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Heidi Shafer abstained and Commissioner Justin Ford, who is a funeral director, recused himself from the vote.

56. Branding Music’s Mojo Focus of AdFed Luncheon - Wednesday, September 22, 2010

As Memphis musicians and studios struggle to find work among the rubble of the record industry, the concept of brand entertainment partnerships offers interesting possibilities.

Kevin McKiernan, president and CEO of Creative License, will talk about the ways advertisers and artists can work together at The American Advertising Federation of Memphis’ monthly luncheon Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis.

57. County Commission Settles in for Partisan Tenure - Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The new Shelby County Commission will settle down a bit as more time passes. But the 13-member body with six new members will probably remain more partisan than its predecessors of the last four years.

58. County Commission Off To Partisan, Lively Start - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners found plenty to debate during their first meeting as a body since six new commissioners took office Sept. 1.

Monday’s session saw the election of Democrat Sidney Chism as the chairman of the 13 member body for the next year.

59. Luttrell’s Staff Filled With Familiar Faces - Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mark Luttrell is taking some of his team from the sheriff’s department with him when he switches offices Sept. 1

60. Luttrell Assembles Team - Tuesday, August 24, 2010
As interim Shelby County mayor Joe Ford attended his last County Commission meeting, county mayor elect Mark Luttrell began naming the team he will go into office with on Sept. 1.

61. Controversy Highlights End to Commission’s Term - Monday, August 23, 2010

Six Shelby County Commissioners attend the last scheduled meeting of their tenure Monday.

The commissioners elected and re-elected in the Aug. 5 elections, as well as Shelby County Mayor-elect Mark Luttrell, begin their four-year terms Sept. 1.

62. Obama Overtures to Business Fall Flat - Tuesday, August 10, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Labeled antibusiness by Republicans and some corporate chiefs, President Barack Obama mounted a campaign to show he wasn't. But his charm offensive has hit a rocky patch.

Business leaders gripe about burdensome new financial and health care regulations, what they see as unfriendly tax policies and vast government spending. They were put off by Obama's harsh depiction of "fat cat bankers" and "reckless practices," a label he applied both to Wall Street and to oil-spill giant BP.

63. Action! We Belong in the Movies - Friday, August 06, 2010

Gene Hackman has a big head.

I’m not talking ego, the man really does have a head the size of a medicine ball. I know because I stood next to him one morning in Court Square chatting about the Hebe Fountain. Okay, he wasn’t actually talking to me, he was talking to the little guy on the other side of him – Tom Cruise. Maybe 5-7, depending on his shoes. They were here shooting “The Firm.”

64. Mayoral Bid Awakens Ford Political Machine - Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Since the late 1970s, the Ford family, as a political organization, has had an interest in either the Memphis or Shelby County mayor’s office. In 1978, John Ford declared he was running for county mayor but then withdrew from the race. Five years later, he ran for city mayor.

65. In Search of an Oasis - Monday, August 02, 2010

Part of the path to inner-city recovery appears to run through a garden, or at least through the produce section of a supermarket. Nine farmers markets operate in various parts of Shelby County this summer, from Downtown to Collierville and places such as Germantown, Agricenter International and Cooper-Young in between.

66. Obama Endorsement Shows Opposing Views in 9th Race - Thursday, July 15, 2010

Willie Herenton and Steve Cohen might run into each other Saturday.

The two Democratic congressional contenders will each be ferrying early voters to the Shelby County Election Commission office Downtown at about the same time on the second day of the early voting period.

67. County Tax Rate Remains $4.02 - Wednesday, July 14, 2010

After one more try to cut the Shelby County property tax rate by five cents, Shelby County Commissioners voted this week to keep the tax rate at $4.02.

The commission approved the stable tax rate on third and final reading Monday. The rate is $4.06 in the county outside Memphis to pay for rural school bonds.

68. Doctor Tied to Waltz Sting Fined $5K in Corruption Case - Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Psychologist Dr. Roger Morgan was fined $5,000 Monday in the last corruption case with ties to the Tennessee Waltz sting.

69. Cohen, Herenton Hit Campaign Trail on Separate Tracks - Tuesday, June 22, 2010

In a Raleigh pizza parlor last week, Willie Herenton was in classroom mode as he talked to a group of 50 members of a Frayser-Raleigh civic group.

“Somebody answer me. We’re in school here tonight,” he said to the group “The Voice of Raleigh and Frayser” – the latest stop in Herenton’s challenge of Democratic congressional incumbent Steve Cohen in the Aug. 5 primaries.

70. Pickup Sales Picking Up and Economy Hitches a Ride - Tuesday, June 15, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) - If you want a hint about the economic recovery, follow that truck.

Pickups are a kind of rugged indicator of the nation's financial health. When times are good, contractors buy more of them to carry tools around for landscaping and lumber to build homes. Weekend haulers also gravitate to them even though cars get better mileage.

71. AP Analysis: More Factory Jobs Ease Economic Pain - Wednesday, June 09, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — Manufacturing job gains in the Midwest helped lower the nation's economic stress in April to its lowest point in five months, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country.

72. Events - Tuesday, June 08, 2010

The Small Business Chamber will host a breakfast forum titled “Doing Business with City & County Government” Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at The Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave. Guest speakers are Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford. Cost is $20.

73. Events - Monday, June 07, 2010

The Madison Hotel will host Smoking Up High: High-Class, Low-Key, a monthly rooftop cigar event, Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the rooftop of the hotel, 79 Madison Ave. The event will feature a selection of cigars from the Mix Cigar Emporium, a cash bar and tapas. For reservations, call 333-1224.

74. Events - Friday, June 04, 2010

Gallery Fifty Six will host an opening reception for artist JC Graham Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 2256 Central Ave. Graham’s show, “One Room Schoolhouse,” will run through June 30. For more information, visit www.galleryfiftysix.com.

75. DiScenza Retires; To Investigate Judicial Conduct - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The federal prosecutor whose job was to investigate corruption among elected officials is going to be investigating the conduct of judges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim DiScenza announced this week that he is retiring after 33 years as a federal prosecutor at the end of June.

76. Ritz Amends Charge Against The MED - Thursday, May 20, 2010

Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz has amended his complaint to federal health officials alleging discrimination against The Regional Medical Center at Memphis by the state of Tennessee.

In a letter to the office of civil rights of the federal Health and Human Services Department, Ritz wrote May 13 that he is amending his complaint from earlier this year.

77. ‘Saved’ MED Hinges On Budget Boundaries - Wednesday, May 19, 2010

When interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford debated GOP mayoral nominee Mark Luttrell last week in East Memphis, he couldn’t have been more absolute.

78. Market Gains Set Up CEO Pay Bonanza - Tuesday, May 11, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — America's top CEOs are set for a once-in-a-lifetime pay bonanza.

Most of them got their annual stock compensation early last year when the stock market was at a 12-year low. And companies doled out more stock and options than usual because grants from the previous year had fallen so much in value that many people thought they'd never be worth anything.

79. 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.

80. Commission Races Hinge on Public Issues - Monday, April 19, 2010

Two issues figure in to the 11 competitive races for the Shelby County Commission – the future of the Regional Medical Center and local government consolidation.

Any push card for a credible candidate includes either something about how to save The MED or the candidate’s opposition to consolidation – or both.

81. Obama Promises Quick Court Replacement for Stevens - Monday, April 12, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - The retirement of John Paul Stevens, the U.S. Supreme Court's leading liberal but a justice who also could find conservative allies, will set off an election-year political battle over President Barack Obama's second high court pick.

82. Filing Deadline Hits for August Primaries - Thursday, April 01, 2010

The stage is set for the county’s most anticipated political showdown in the Aug. 5 state and federal primary elections.

Noon today is the deadline for candidates in the primaries, as well as those vying for nonpartisan seats on the Shelby County school board and the three judicial positions, to file their qualifying petitions for the ballot.

83. GreenScape Promotes Colvett to President - Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Frank Colvett Jr. has been promoted to president of GreenScape Inc.

Colvett previously was executive vice president and corporate treasurer. He has been with GreenScape since 1992 and also has served the company in various capacities including project manager, estimator and vice president of marketing. His civic and community activities include serving as treasurer of the Tennessee Republican Party, and as a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church and the University Club of Memphis.

84. Ford Transferred to Oklahoma City - Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Former state Sen. John Ford of Memphis is no longer a prisoner at the Memphis Federal Correctional Institution.

Federal Bureau of Prisons records show Ford, serving two prison terms on separate federal corruption convictions, has been transferred to the Oklahoma City Federal Transfer Center.

85. UPDATE: Ford Transferred to Oklahoma City - Monday, March 29, 2010

Former state Sen. John Ford of Memphis is no longer a prisoner at the Memphis Federal Correctional Institution.

Federal Bureau of Prisons records show Ford, serving two prison terms on separate federal corruption convictions, has been transferred to the Oklahoma City Federal Transfer Center.

86. UPDATE: County Commission Delays Reappointments to Board of Adjustment - Monday, March 15, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners have delayed the reappointment of two members of the local Board of Adjustment, the appointed body that hears appeals of conditions of zoning ordinances.

The names of Daniel Dow and Lynda Raiford had been submitted by interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford.

87. Commission Punts Adjustment Board Reappointments - Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Shelby County commissioners have delayed reappointing two members of the local Board of Adjustment, the appointed body that hears appeals of zoning ordinances.

Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford submitted Daniel Dow and Lynda Raiford as possible appointees.

88. UPDATE: Morgan Pleads Guilty In Ford Related Case - Monday, March 15, 2010

The trial might have taken a week.

Instead, Dr. Roger Morgan pleaded guilty Monday to one count of lying to federal agents about conversations he had in 2005 with former state Sen. John Ford.

89. What’s Coming Up This Election Season - Monday, March 15, 2010

After a year of turbulence, the Memphis political scene continues to remake itself.

The May 4 and Aug. 5 elections don’t have the focused drama of last October’s special election for Memphis mayor, but they represent new chapters in a story that could end with a new generation of political leaders and at least a passing of the political baton.

90. Morgan to Plead Guilty Today - Monday, March 15, 2010

A Memphis psychologist with political ties to former state Sen. John Ford is scheduled to plead guilty today to charges that he lied to federal agents.

91. Morgan’s Trial Called Off, Hearing Set for Plea Change - Friday, March 12, 2010

Instead of picking a jury Monday in Memphis federal court, attorneys in the case of Dr. Roger Morgan are set to hear him plead guilty.

92. No Ford Testimony As Psychologist With Political Ties To Plead Guilty - Thursday, March 11, 2010
 

Instead of picking a jury Monday in Memphis federal court, attorneys in the case of Dr. Roger Morgan are set to hear him plead guilty.

Morgan’s trial date on charges he lied to federal agents about his political connections to former State Senator John Ford has been called off according to federal court records. Instead a change of plea hearing is set for Monday morning before U.S. District Judge Bernice Donald.

Morgan is not charged with bribing Ford. He is charged with lying to authorities about whether he paid Ford to support a prescription drug bill benefiting Morgan and other psychologists.

Ford, who is serving two prison terms for separate jury convictions on federal corruption charges, was moved to a federal prison in Memphis, to testify in the trial.

It is not clear whether Morgan will plead guilty to both counts of the 2008 indictment or whether there will be a plea deal. Details will be revealed at Monday’s hearing.

93. UPDATE: Psychologist With Ford Connection To Plead Guilty - Wednesday, March 10, 2010
 

Instead of picking a jury Monday in Memphis federal court, attorneys in the case of Dr. Roger Morgan are set to hear him plead guilty.

Morgan’s trial date on charges he lied to federal agents about his political connections to former State Senator John Ford has been called off according to federal court records. Instead a change of plea hearing is set for Monday morning before U.S. District Judge Bernice Donald.

Morgan is not charged with bribing Ford. He is charged with lying to authorities about whether he paid Ford to support a prescription drug bill benefiting Morgan and other psychologists.

Ford, who is serving two prison terms for separate jury convictions on federal corruption charges, was moved to a federal prison in Memphis, to testify in the trial.

It is not clear whether Morgan will plead guilty to both counts of the 2008 indictment or whether there will be a plea deal. Details will be revealed at Monday’s hearing.

94. Ford Prison Transfer Follows Attorney Change - Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Former state Sen. John Ford likely won’t have a lot to say if he’s called to testify during a Memphis federal trial next month, his attorney said in a recent court filing.

95. Bedside Matter - Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A year ago, Kent Williams came to The Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He wasn’t a patient, but some doubted how long his political life would last.

96. County Primary Fields Clear Up - Monday, February 22, 2010

The newest candidate for Shelby County mayor is scheduled to talk about his decision later today.

General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson was a last-minute filer in the Democratic primary for mayor at noon Thursday. Jackson’s decision was the biggest surprise at the deadline.

97. 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.

98. 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)

99. Surprises Possible as Primary Filing Deadline Nears - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Although today marks the filing deadline for the May 4 Shelby County primaries and independent candidates on the Aug. 5 county general election ballot, plenty of political drama remains.

In fact, the filing deadline is often just as important – and surprising – as election day.

100. Toyota May Lengthen Warranties to Keep Customers - Tuesday, February 16, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. may offer incentives or increase the length of its warranties as it tries to recover from an embarrassing string of safety-related recalls.