WASHINGTON (AP) – The ousted head of the Internal Revenue Service apologized to Congress on Friday for his agency's tougher treatment of tea party and other conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. He said they resulted from a misguided effort to handle a flood of applications, not political bias.

2. Jack Jones Shootout Returns to Memphis - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Four of the five players in the 2013 recruiting class of the University of Memphis basketball team will be featured in the annual Jack Jones Basketball Shootout that begins Thursday, March 21, and continues through Saturday, March 23.

3. Ravens’ Cox Long Snaps Way Into Anonymity - Friday, February 01, 2013

There’s more than one way to reach the big game.

For Briarcrest Christian School graduate Michael Oher, his journey was storybook and he’ll start on the offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Feb. 3, when they play the San Francisco 49ers at the Superdome in New Orleans.

4. County Wage Theft Ordinance Defeated - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

After weeks of discussion, talks between Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy and leaders of the city’s hospitality industry broke down on Mulroy’s “wage theft” ordinance.

5. Serving Memphis - Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The hospitality industry is the nation’s largest private sector employer, yet many in its workforce do not have access to affordable and consistent health care, education opportunities or financial mentoring.

6. Obama Carries Shelby, Cohen Over Flinn and Two Tax Hikes Defeated - Wednesday, November 07, 2012

President Barack Obama carried Shelby County in unofficial Nov. 6 election returns as his Republican challenger Mitt Romney took the state’s 11 electoral votes.

Voter turnout in the most popular election cycle among Shelby County voters was 61.9 percent, about the same percentage as four years ago. But the 371,256 voters is fewer than 2008 when more than 400,000 Shelby County voters cast ballots. The percentage is about the same because there are fewer registered voters in Shelby County than there were four years ago after a purge by election officials.

7. More Than Pujols Can Say - Friday, October 26, 2012

When manager Tony La Russa retired and slugger Albert Pujols went panning for gold in California, there was no reason to expect the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2012 season would stop just a game short of the World Series.

8. Arkansas Court Rejects Casino Measure for November Ballot - Friday, October 05, 2012

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a proposed ballot measure that would have given a professional poker player the exclusive rights to operate casinos in four counties.

9. Commission to Appoint School Board Members - Monday, September 10, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners will appoint two new members to the countywide school board at their Monday, Sept. 10, meeting.

The commission meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

10. Events - Friday, June 15, 2012

The 19th annual Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival will be held Friday, June 15, through Sunday, June 17, in Douglass Park, 1616 Ash St. Cost is free. Visit juneteenthmemphis.org for a schedule.

11. Deadline Looms for Complex Aug. Elections - Thursday, March 29, 2012

The August elections were already going to be more complex than usual. There are the changes from this year’s drawing of new district lines for the Tennessee Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

12. Mayo Scores 22 to Lead Grizzlies Past Nuggets - Monday, March 12, 2012

DENVER (AP) – Sitting quietly at his locker, Andre Miller tore the stat sheet into shreds and put the bits of paper in the trash.

13. Following Primary, Races Point to August - Monday, March 12, 2012

Two days after all the votes were counted in the Tennessee presidential primary, state Republican Party leaders had already worked out how many of the state’s at-large delegates would go to their top three candidates.

14. Grizzlies Get Back to Old Selves With Win - Thursday, February 02, 2012

One night earlier, their coach had rightly accused them of “not working.” So it was only fitting that on this night the Grizzlies had to literally work overtime to stop a four-game losing streak and find their misplaced pride.

15. Grizzlies Get Back to Old Selves - Wednesday, February 01, 2012

One night earlier, their coach had rightly accused them of “not working.” So it was only fitting that on this night the Grizzlies had to literally work overtime to stop a four-game losing streak and find their misplaced pride.

16. Airline Estate Riesling Exudes Essence of The Yakima Valley - Monday, January 30, 2012

Airline Estate Winery in Washington state’s Yakima Valley is owned by the Miller family: father Mike, who has been growing grapes since 1968; son Marcus, the winemaker; and daughter Lori, marketing director. I tasted a few of their wines recently and really come out in favor of the Airfield Estate Riesling 2010, Yakima Valley.

17. New Dishes - Thursday, December 29, 2011

Memphis’ eyes were bigger than its stomach in 2011, but in a good way.

Some local restaurateurs launched completely new concepts; others entered new submarkets with additional stores. Even a handful of national retailers entered the Memphis market after having locations elsewhere in Tennessee for years.

18. Battier to Join Heat, Chalmers Waiting to Decide - Friday, December 09, 2011

MIAMI (AP) – Shane Battier will be with the Miami Heat this season. Mario Chalmers is deciding if he'll be there with him.

19. Battier to Join Heat, Chalmers Waiting to Decide - Thursday, December 08, 2011

MIAMI (AP) – Shane Battier will be with the Miami Heat this season. Mario Chalmers is deciding if he'll be there with him.

20. APG Office Furnishings Succeeds on South Main - Monday, December 05, 2011

APG Office Furnishings has seen substantial growth since moving to Memphis in early 2009. The recently opened Downtown location at 100 S. Main St. offers an upgrade from the company’s old Shelby Drive store, as well as the benefit of pedestrian traffic.

21. In European Crisis, Obama Sees Risks Back Home - Friday, November 04, 2011

CANNES, France (AP) – His political fortunes and his nation's economy at risk, President Barack Obama on Thursday implored European leaders to swiftly work out a eurozone rescue plan, aware of the potential fallout at home if they fail.

22. Solver Feedback - Thursday, August 18, 2011

“Ask and ye shall receive.” I’ve heard that for years. May even have read it somewhere. But I certainly have proved it to be true. Repeatedly, over time.

For instance, five years ago I started writing a monthly crossword for the Rotarian, the magazine of Rotary International. Rotary is the service club started by Paul Harris in 1905. I bet you’ve heard of it.

23. Economy Has Little Effect on Fine Dining - Thursday, August 18, 2011

In the wake of 9/11, Estée Lauder Cos. chairman Leonard Lauder noticed his company was selling more lipstick than usual.

A 2008 New York Times article explained Lauder proposed lipstick purchases were a way to gauge the economy. When it’s shaky, he said in the article, women are more apt to boost their mood by buying inexpensive lipstick than pricey shoes.

24. APNewsBreak: FBI Probes Never Entangled McWherter - Tuesday, June 28, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Ned McWherter, one of the most powerful Tennessee Democrats during his quarter century in public life, never got caught up in any of the FBI undercover investigations that pushed another governor out of office early and led to several prison sentences and suicides for others in his party.

25. Take a Seat - Thursday, March 31, 2011

In the past two and a half years, companies have had to tighten more than budgets – instead of expanding offices, business owners have been forced to do more with their existing real estate.

“They’re trying to get more people into the spaces they have without having to move or take on more square footage,” said Jeff Schultz, senior vice president of sales for APG Office Furnishings, an Ohio-based furniture distributor with a regional office in Memphis.

26. As Calendar Turns to New Year, Recipe for Success Unchanged - Monday, January 03, 2011

It takes a particular poverty of the imagination to quote the opening of “A Tale of Two Cities” every time one writes a story summing up a year, and yet 2010 truly does seem as if it were “the best of times and the worst of times” in the local restaurant business.

27. A New Era - Monday, October 25, 2010

As the Grizzlies mark their 10th season in Memphis, whispers of “contender” and “dark horse” can be heard in the halls of FedExForum.

The positive outlook is an encouraging sign for a team that sat at the bottom of the league just two seasons ago and has endured a bumpy ride during its decade-long tenure in Memphis.

28. No Recession Here: Election Spending Sets Records - Wednesday, September 08, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Turns out politics, for all its focus on the gloomy economy, is a recession-proof industry.

This year’s volatile election is bursting with money, setting fundraising and spending records in a high-stakes struggle for control of Congress amid looser but still fuzzy campaign finance rules.

29. 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.

30. Restaurant Industry Expresses Concern Over Health Care - Monday, April 19, 2010

Few issues have divided Americans as completely as health care reform. Proponents believe that making medical care available to 32 million uninsured people will open a new era of social responsibility and fulfill the government’s covenant with its citizens, a sort of 21st Century New Deal.

31. Hoop Dreams - Friday, March 26, 2010

The name “John Paul Jones” is etched on the newsroom office door of The Daily News building in Downtown Memphis and also on the main entrance of a 16,000-seat arena at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

32. 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.

33. 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)

34. 27 Arkansas Counties Declared Disaster Areas - Tuesday, January 05, 2010

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Gov. Mike Beebe has declared 27 counties as disaster areas after a deluge of rain swamped the state during Christmas.

Beebe made the declaration Monday for Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Craighead, Dallas, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Jackson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Lonoke, Miller, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, White and Woodruff counties.

35. Restaurants Embrace New Normal - Monday, January 04, 2010

“For 2010, I’d like to see a 20 percent increase in revenue,” said Jeff Dunham, owner and chef at the popular Grove Grill in East Memphis.

36. Once-Embattled Wilbun to Run for Juvenile Court Clerk - Thursday, December 17, 2009

The invitations urged political supporters to “Return Shep Wilbun” to the Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk’s office.

At a club on South Main Street this month as FedExForum began to fill up a few blocks away, Wilbun hosted an evening fundraiser at $100 a head. It drew State Reps. Ulysses Jones, Larry Miller and Joe Towns as well as Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy.

37. French Quarter Suites Hotel Bought Back by Original Owner - Tuesday, December 08, 2009

2144 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Sale Amounts: $1 Million; $300,000; $200,000

Sale Dates:Nov. 20, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, 2009
Buyer:FQI LLC
Sellers:Lodgian Memphis Property Owner LLC, Horace and Ann Proctor, and Martha D. Sutton
Loan Amount:$1.3 million
Loan Date:Nov. 30, 2009
Maturity Date:Nov. 20, 2010
Lender:Triumph Bank

38. FedExForum Financing Could See City Collecting - Tuesday, November 03, 2009

An internal city audit suggests Memphis and Shelby County might be due more than half a million dollars because of a gray area in the $250 million FedExForum’s complex financing scheme.

The Memphis City Council will discuss the audit today during a committee meeting. The full council will meet at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St. (See Page 10 for full meeting agenda.)

39. Red Rooster Joins List of Shuttered Restaurants - Thursday, October 01, 2009
The Red Rooster flew the coop.

The Downtown corner where the giant bird once stood in front of his restaurant and bar is now a vacant space. A sign posted on the door states an announcement is coming soon about a new location.

Several Downtown restaurants have closed during the prolonged recession, but the departure of this one involves the bankruptcy issues of its landlord. The Red Rooster closed after a judge dismissed the bankruptcy case of Lee’s Landing Commercial LLC.

The Red Rooster closed the same week the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Lee’s Landing Commercial was officially closed and dismissed.

Three entities have Lee’s Landing in their names, according to the court documents. Lee’s Landing Garage LLC is the ownership entity for the block-long development near Beale Street. Lee’s Landing Commercial, which filed for bankruptcy, had control over a portion of that space. A third entity called 140 Lee’s Landing LLC operated the Red Rooster restaurant through a sublease.

Nothing to crow about

Judge Jennie D. Latta dismissed the bankruptcy case because Lee’s Landing Commercial “failed to file monthly operating reports and pay quarterly fees as required by the bankruptcy law and rules.”

The court earlier had granted a motion allowing Seedco Financial, which had loaned $1.46 million to Lee’s Landing Commercial LLC, to start collecting rent on the property. The same order allowed Lee’s Landing Garage LLC to retain ownership.

There are plans to reopen Red Rooster at another location, according to a sign on the door as well as postings on the restaurants’ Facebook and MySpace pages.

“The Red Rooster is crowing about his new and better barnyard!” the sign reads on the door at the corner of Second Street and Lt. George W. Lee Avenue. “Watch for updates next week about our expansion and new locations!”

Attempts to reach Red Rooster representatives were not successful.

Andy Kitsinger, vice president of planning and development for the Center City Commission, said the owners of Red Rooster could not reach an agreement on renegotiated lease payments.

“Red Rooster, I understand, was financially viable and making it work under their previous terms, but couldn’t make it work with the new offers,” Kitsinger said.

Beaten path

The Red Rooster follows other restaurants that have closed or left Downtown.

Encore, a bistro in Peabody Place, served its last meal the same week the Red Rooster closed. Other Downtown restaurants and bars that have closed recently include LoLo’s Table, Pat O’Brien’s and a Starbucks.

Restaurants have also closed in other parts of the city. Bruno’s now has a for lease sign in the window at its Midtown location on Madison Avenue.

“Restaurants have actually been feeling it for a while,” Kitsinger said. “The economy has hit restaurants hard nationally. You know, a lot of people have been eating at home … and going out less to restaurants.”

Mike Miller, the president of the Memphis Restaurant Association, said he thinks the worst might be over for restaurants, as new ones open to replace those that have closed. For instance, South of Beale just opened Downtown. Existing ones, such as the Happy Mexican, are branching out with new locations.

“My general sense of it is that earlier in the year was definitely when we saw a lot of closings,” Miller said. “This comes from talking to liquor representatives who sell to people as well as other vendors, and personal knowledge. It seems to me that, even though there are restaurants continuing to close, it has slowed down.”

40. Braking Point: Inside MATA's identity crisis - Monday, August 24, 2009

The bus system in Memphis has an undeserved “mythology,” according to the people who run it. However, some who ride Memphis Area Transit Authority buses everyday – and many who don’t – contend the system is far from perfect.

41. Methodist University Hospital Names Essex Assistant Administrator - Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Jeshahnton “Shaun” Essex has been named assistant administrator at Methodist University Hospital.

Essex will be responsible for environmental services, mail services, food and nutrition services, laboratory, radiology and facility and engineering services. Essex has served as assistant administrator at Methodist North Hospital the past four years.

42. Higgins Named President, CEO At Barge Waggoner - Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Robert B. Higgins Jr. has been named president and chief executive officer of engineering, architecture and planning for Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon Inc.

43. Crawfish Festival, Golf Event To Benefit Porter-Leath - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The 17th annual Porter-Leath Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival will be Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Wagner Place between Union Avenue and Beale Street.

The festival will feature a crawfish boil with 500 pounds of free crawfish given away at noon. There also will be a gumbo cook-off, a crawfish eating contest, crawfish toss and live entertainment provided by Lafayette’s Bayou Boys and New Orleans’ Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers.

44. Kids, Adults Gear Up for Shootout Event at FedExForum - Tuesday, March 17, 2009

During March in Memphis, it seems as if most days could be considered “basketball day.” But as the trappings of last week’s C-USA tournament at FedExForum give way to NCAA tournament rankings and travel schedules, the forum will be the site Saturday of what can only be described as a day devoted to what is the city’s most popular sport – basketball.

45. Election Totals: Better Late Than Never - Monday, November 10, 2008

Two days after the Nov. 4 elections, the final unofficial totals were finally posted by the Shelby County Election Commission. The long vote count involved absentee ballots whose count was delayed because of problems with an optical scanning machine.

46. Shelby Goes Obama; Conrad To Council; All 10 Charter Amends Pass - Wednesday, November 05, 2008

These are the unofficial election results for Shelby County. The state-wide results in the Presidential election as well as the U.S. Senate races in Tennessee and Mississippi are also included.

The results become official after an audit and certification by the Shelby County Election Commission as well as state election officials.

47. Cockeyed Camel To be Sold By Month’s End - Friday, June 13, 2008

After owning the popular Cockeyed Camel restaurant for more than 17 years, David Everson has decided to sell it for an undisclosed amount. The restaurant is at 6080 Primacy Parkway.

Mike Miller, owner of Patrick’s Restaurant at 4972 Park Ave., is taking over as the new owner at the beginning of July.

48. Shootout Event To Host Hoops Hopefuls From Across the U.S. - Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Local high school basketball standouts Ray Parks, Marvin Brown and Samson Carter will take to the court Saturday night at FedExForum.

The teens are part of the local M33M Magic Memphis basketball team. They will be taking part in the Jack Jones Shootout, playing against the M33M National basketball team.

49. Spiegel to Begin Work Friday as CEO At Methodist University Hospital - Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Kevin M. Spiegel Friday will begin work as chief executive officer and administrator of Methodist University Hospital.

Spiegel is board-certified in health care administration and is a fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives. He previously served as president and chief operating officer of Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, Ohio.

50. U.S. House Debates Linking Insurance Rates to Credit History - Wednesday, October 03, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) - The practice of insurers basing auto insurance premiums on a customer's credit rating was questioned at a House hearing Tuesday, with critics asking whether it disproportionately hurts young people and minorities.

51. Wheelin' & Dealin' - Wednesday, December 20, 2006

A Memphis-based tire/wheel store and wholesale distributor that saw gross revenues of about $4.5 million in 2005 is looking to share the wealth with potential investors.

Wheel Workz principals Tommy Crenshaw and Dale Ingram recently marked a milestone: selling their first franchise. Plans also are in the works to open at least 10 stores in the United States in 2007.

52. Local TV Journalist Wins Chance to Explore Issues in Tanzania - Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The National Association of Black Journalists has chosen WMC-TV Action News 5 anchor/reporter Syan Rhodes as one of four journalists for the NABJ/UN Tanzania Fellowship. Rhodes will travel with NABJ President Bryan Monroe to the Republic of Tanzania May 5-15 to focus on African health, malaria prevention and other issues.

53. Estate Planning Council Elects Officers - Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The Memphis Estate Planning Council announced the following officers for 2005-2006: David B. Jones, president; Frank E. Davis, vice president; Jeffrey E. Thompson, secretary; James L. Ferguson Jr., treasurer; and Mike Wood, immediate past president. Other executive committee members are Kermit B. Kaiser, Leanne W. McCullough, Samuel N. Graham and Teresa R. Hurst.

54. Archived Article: Sports Biz (lead) - Monday, May 10, 2004
Sports biz

Sports More Than a Game for Businesses

Sports marketing builds relationships, boosts bottom line

LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

For Memphis-based First Tennessee, involvement in sports is about making a connection.

But its n...

55. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, October 15, 2003
(ephotos of both) Dr

Campbell Clinic Doctors Named to State Board Dr. Robert Miller and Dr. William C. Warner Jr., both of Campbell Clinic, were named to the board of the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society at the groups recent annual meeting. Miller w...

56. 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 ...

57. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Thursday, June 12, 2003
Coco & Lillys brings

Coco & Lillys brings

high fashion Downtown

Peabody Place is home to the newest outlet of Coco & Lillys, an East Coast clothier with eight stores between New York City and Miami.

The store on the Downtown ...

58. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, May 21, 2003
James Pascover was appointed Better Business of the Mid-South director of marketing and communications

James Pascover was appointed Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South director of marketing and communications. Pascover brings more than 20 yea...

59. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Memphis in May

Memphis in May

announces music lineup

Memphis in May International Festival announced the performance lineup Tuesday for the 2003 Beale Street Music Festival. Headliners include Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Jonny Lang, Joe Cocker...

60. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Dr

Dr. E. Greer Richardson was elected 2002-2003 American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society president. Richardson is an orthopaedic surgeon at Campbell Clinic who sub-specializes in the care of the foot and ankle. He joined the Campbell Clinic s...

61. Archived Article: Lightman (lead) - Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Hueys and Half Shell expand eastward

Hueys, Half Shell order

eastward expansion

By SUE PEASE

The Daily News

A Memphis developer has begun construction on a retail center in East Memphis, which will add two established restaurants to t...

62. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Mike Streckert was promoted to a senior associate at Fleming Associates Architects

Mike Streckert was promoted to a senior associate at Fleming Associates Architects. He has more than 15 years of experience in all areas of architectural practice....

63. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, August 18, 1999
Buckeye Board Elects New Officer Jeffery T. Cook has been elected vice president, product development-new fibers for Buckeye Technologies Inc. Cook is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Melissa Smith has joined Chandler, Ehrlich & Co. as media...

64. Archived Article: Real Review - Tuesday, July 27, 1999
Real Estate Review 07-27-99 By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News Trammell Crow Co. will break ground Aug. 9 on the first phase of a new office development planned for southeast Shelby County at Forest Hill Heights. The first phase of the project will in...

65. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, January 12, 1998
Jan Jan. 12 Laurelwood Business and Professional Women will meet at Davis-Kidd Bookstore, 387 Perkins Road. Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., and the meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be Judge Ann Pugh. Public Issues Forum will meet at the Me...

66. Archived Article: Real Briefs - Tuesday, March 25, 1997
RE/MAX of Kentucky/Tennessee has announced its top office sales associates for January and February, respectively RE/MAX of Kentucky/Tennessee has announced its top office sales associates for January and February, respectively. They are Frank Broth...

67. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, March 17, 1997
March 17 March 17 The Institute of Management Accountants will meet at Union Planters, 6200 Poplar Ave. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The seminar topic will be the Internet, and the presenter will be Dr. Larry Schmidt of Christian Brothers University. The c...

68. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, March 10, 1997
March 10 March 10 Professional Secretaries International will meet at 6 p.m. at the Marriott, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The speaker will be Shirley Jones, past president of the state division of PSI. The cost is $13. For more information, call Nathal...

69. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, March 03, 1997
March 3 March 3 Educational Seminars Inc. will sponsor a notary public training seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the East Memphis Hilton, 5069 Sanderlin Ave. The registration fee is $128. For more information, call (800) 303-5123. March 4 AAA ...

70. Archived Article: Inv Focus Jts - Monday, November 27, 1995
11/27 jts invest. focus Bond market is unaffected by government default threat Some rush to bonds and stocks anticipating lower interest rates, but even Orange County has larger impact. By JAMES SNYDER The Daily News For the bond market, the Congres...