There is a joke going around among school administrators across the country in the wake of the decision by Chicago school leaders to close more than 50 schools there.

“What do you call a superintendent who closes schools?” countywide school board member Kevin Woods began in telling the joke at the Tuesday, April 23, board meeting. “You call him a past superintendent.”

2. Mullany Resigns as ServiceMaster CEO - Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hank Mullany has resigned as CEO of The ServiceMaster Co. effective Friday, April 12.

Mullany’s resignation was announced Friday along with the appointment of John Krenicki Jr. as the Memphis-based company’s interim CEO.

3. Hopson Goes ‘All In’ on Schools Post - Friday, March 29, 2013

Dorsey Hopson’s answer was quick and concise when he was asked Wednesday, March 27, if he wanted the job of being superintendent of the consolidated school system on a permanent basis.

“No,” Hopson said, as he stood with a “cabinet” of 10 school systems administrators from both school systems who will help him take city and county schools into the merger in the next four months.

4. Panera Trying New Pay-What-You-Want Experiment - Thursday, March 28, 2013

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Order a bowl of turkey chili at a St. Louis-area Panera Bread cafe and it'll cost you a penny. Or $5. Or $100. In other words, whatever you decide.

Three years after launching the first of five pay-what-you-want cafes, the suburban St. Louis-based chain on Wednesday quietly began its latest charitable venture that takes the concept on a trial run to all 48 cafes in the St. Louis region.

5. School Board Asks For $145 Million Extra - Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The countywide school board is asking the Shelby County Commission for $145 million in extra funding for the first fiscal year of the schools merger.

The “ask” is a preliminary number that goes to a county commission budget retreat scheduled for Feb. 23. It is extra funding beyond the $361 million county government currently provides both school systems.

6. School Board Meets as Budget Debate Grows - Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Countywide school board members meet Tuesday, Feb. 12, in special session to send a still-forming budget for the first fiscal year of the consolidated school system to the Shelby County Commission.

7. Hopson Calls for Unity in Schools - Thursday, January 31, 2013

Once countywide school board members finished Tuesday, Jan. 29, posing for a picture with outgoing Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash, the board quickly got back to the emerging details of the coming schools merger.

8. Hopson Is Interim MCS Supt. As School Board Sets Merger Calendar - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Countywide school board members appointed Memphis City Schools attorney Dorsey Hopson as the interim superintendent of the Memphis City Schools system at the board’s Tuesday, Jan. 29 meeting.

The meeting was the last for Kriner Cash who becomes an advisor to the school system through the end of July under terms of his resignation after four and a half years heading the school system.

9. Schools Merger Begins Move Into Parental Reality - Thursday, January 24, 2013

Countywide school board chairman Billy Orgel noticed lots of parents of school children from the county outside of Memphis at the annual camp-out for optional school enrollment over the long weekend.

10. Willow Oaks Apartments Sell for $1.5 Million - Tuesday, November 13, 2012

2429 Ketchum Road Memphis, TN 38114

Sale Amount: $1.5 million

Sale Date: Nov. 2, 2012

11. Owner of Mixed-Use Property Files $1.4 Million Loan - Monday, November 12, 2012

The owner of the mixed-used property at 300 Poplar Ave. Downtown has filed a $1.4 million loan through Clayton Bank and Trust.

12. Election Follows Script in County - Thursday, November 08, 2012

In Shelby County and Tennessee the presidential race stuck to the script both national campaigns expected.

President Barack Obama carried Shelby County and Republican challenger Mitt Romney took the state and its 11 electoral votes.

13. 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.

14. Shelby Early Vote Shows Cohen Winning - Two Tax Questions Losing - Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Early vote totals from Shelby County were released just before 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, after the vote count was delayed in part by long lines of voters waiting to vote at the 7 p.m. closing of polls.

15. Buffett Says US Economy Still Inching Ahead - Thursday, October 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said Wednesday that the global economy is definitely slowing because of continued problems in Europe and the decline in Asia.

But he said that the U.S. economy is still improving modestly and business will improve regardless of who wins the presidential election.

16. 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.

17. McBroom Joins Indie Memphis as Director of Operations - Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Mandy McBroom has been named director of operations for Indie Memphis, the first full-time staff member to hold the position. In her new role, she will oversee festival operations, shorts programming, volunteer opportunities and membership growth.

18. Growth Streak - Monday, September 10, 2012

Andrew Holliday and Daniel Brown, the founding partners of Memphis-based branding and marketing firm Harvest Creative, used to joke about one day making the Inc. 500|5000, the list published each year by Inc. Magazine that honors the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

19. Judge Won't Void Senate Democratic Primary - Friday, August 17, 2012

A federal judge has refused to void the Tennessee Democratic primary for U.S. Senate won by an anti-gay candidate the party has disavowed.

District Judge Kevin Sharp ruled that the lawsuit filed by losing candidate Larry Crim was improper because it was not filed against an individual.

20. Election Chief: No Time for New Dem. Primary - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

There isn’t enough time to hold another primary following the state Democratic Party’s disavowal of its U.S. Senate nominee, State Election Coordinator Mark Goins said Tuesday, Aug. 7.

21. Disavowed Senate Nominee Preparing for November - Tuesday, August 07, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Senate candidate disavowed by the Tennessee Democratic Party said Monday that he's determined to show he's a viable challenger to Republican incumbent Bob Corker in November.

22. Alliance Helps Businesses Implement Green Practices - Thursday, July 12, 2012

A public-private partnership called Team Green Zone, spearheaded by the Bartlett Area Chamber, is helping Mid-South businesses implement long-term sustainable practices to protect the environment while helping businesses boost their bottom lines.

23. Events - Monday, June 25, 2012

The Tennessee Beta Unit of Parliamentarians will hold its monthly meeting and education program Monday, June 25, at 5:45 p.m. at the Poplar-White Station branch library, 5094 Poplar Ave. Call Jennifer Thompson at 324-5184.

24. School Board Votes Not To Renew Cash's Contract - Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The countywide school board voted Tuesday, June 19, not to renew the contract of Memphis City Schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash past August 2013 when it is scheduled to run out.

The 14-8 vote came during two back-to-back school board meetings covering five hours in which the board also agreed to talk more about a process for selecting the superintendent of the consolidated school system to come at a meeting next week.

25. Health Commissioner: Fight Obesity Like Addiction - Thursday, May 31, 2012

Tennessee’s health commissioner says obesity is a relapsing disease that should be fought like a drug addiction.

According to The Tennessean, Dr. John Dreyzehner spoke at a joint health summit in Nashville on Tuesday and said businesses need to step up for the benefit of their employees. Dreyzehner noted that most of those attending the meeting were representatives of health organizations.

26. Aging Transit Systems Grapple With Repair Backlog - Tuesday, April 17, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Driven by high gas prices and an uncertain economy, Americans are turning to trains and buses to get around in greater numbers than ever before. But the aging transit systems they're riding face an $80 billion maintenance backlog that jeopardizes service just when it's most in demand.

27. Central BBQ Files Permit For Downtown - Thursday, April 05, 2012

A popular barbecue restaurant is expanding its local footprint to Downtown Memphis.

Central BBQ has filed a $150,000 building permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for the renovation of a commercial kitchen to a restaurant at 147 E. Butler Ave. in the South Main Historic Arts District.

28. Central BBQ Files Permit for Downtown - Wednesday, April 04, 2012

A popular barbecue restaurant is expanding its local footprint to Downtown Memphis.

Central BBQ has filed a $150,000 building permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for the renovation of a commercial kitchen to a restaurant at 147 E. Butler Ave. in the South Main Historic Arts District.

29. Cushing’s Day Gig for ‘Betterment of Humanity’ - Monday, March 05, 2012

In February, senior research assistant Richard Cushing began working with the Pathology Department of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the Tissue Services Core and Repository.

The repository is a warehouse of more than 3 million pieces of human tissue from hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers, as well as biopsies of various types of tumors. The samples are available to doctors, researchers and students to conduct studies on and compare to those of a patient’s.

30. Bioworks Biz Association to Host Panel Discussion - Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 resulted in a more personalized approach to health care, with science moving away from a one-size-fits-all model and toward customized care based on individual genotypes.

31. School Board Takes Steps Back, Forward - Thursday, October 27, 2011

The two public school systems in Shelby County used the same team to evaluate charter school applications this week in the first joint proposal the Memphis City and Shelby County School systems have brought to the board for approval.

32. Schools Get Fresh Start With New Board - Monday, October 03, 2011

The separate Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools boards are no more when the end of September rolls over into October.

And the 23 members of the countywide Shelby County Schools board take the oath of office Monday, Oct. 3 at the MCS auditorium.

33. Dish Takes Blockbuster Shot at Reeling Netflix - Monday, September 26, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The Blockbuster video store chain is seeking some revenge against old nemesis Netflix by offering a less expensive way to watch videos online and rent DVDs through the mail.

34. Ellis Joins Kelman-Lazarov As Client Services Rep - Friday, September 09, 2011

Kristen Mattingly Ellis has seen a whirlwind of personal and professional change over the past few months.

35. School Board Elections Next Step in Process - Tuesday, August 16, 2011

All eight of the entities involved in the schools consolidation case in Memphis federal court agree that the Shelby County Commission should draw the district lines for a new countywide school board.

36. Countywide School Board Plans Make Different Recommendations to Court - Monday, August 15, 2011
Recommendations for the creation of a new countywide school board began coming in late Friday, Aug. 12, to the Federal Court clerk's office.

The Memphis City School board recommends a seven district countywide school board with an election of that board to be held no later than March 2012.

37. EDR Sees Q2 Net Income Rise - Monday, July 25, 2011

Education Realty Trust Inc. on Thursday, July 21, announced net income of $0.6 million, or $0.1 per diluted share, in the second quarter.

38. Education Realty Trust Sells Morrow, Ga., Apartments - Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Education Realty Trust Inc. – a Memphis-based developer, owner and manager of collegiate housing – has completed the sale of a Morrow, Ga., apartment community for $20.5 million.

39. Mays To Hold Schools Consolidation Hearing - Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Most of the Shelby County Schools board wants a court order in Memphis federal court Thursday that will stop the plan by the Shelby County Commission to appoint a new countywide school board on March 28.

40. County School Board Seeks Injunction From Thursday Schools Hearing - Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Most of the Shelby County school board wants a court order in Memphis federal court Thursday that will stop the plan by the Shelby County Commission to appoint a new countywide school board on March 28.

41. County School Board Members Seek Court Halt to Countywide School Board - Monday, March 21, 2011

U.S. District Court Judge Hardy Mays has set a Thursday status conference on the schools consolidation lawsuit and legal motions pending in his court.

And five of the seven Shelby County school board members want him to stop the Shelby County Commission from appointing a new countywide school board on March 28.

42. Hopson Provides MCS Legal Counsel - Thursday, January 27, 2011

Being legal counsel for a school system is not for the faint of heart.

That’s true not just in Memphis and it was true in Memphis long before a charter surrender resolution ever showed up on the board’s agenda.

43. Smart Works Out Cemetery Plea Deal - Monday, January 17, 2011

One-time Forest Hill cemetery and funeral home owner Clayton Smart has reached an agreement with prosecutors in Memphis, Oklahoma and Michigan to plead guilty to tax and theft charges – federal and state.

44. Smart Works Out Deal on Cemetery Charges - Friday, January 14, 2011

One-time Forest Hill cemetery and funeral home owner Clayton Smart has reached an agreement with prosecutors in Memphis, Oklahoma and Michigan to plead guilty to tax and theft charges – federal and state.

45. Riley Poised to Lead MAAR Commercial Council in 2011 - Friday, January 07, 2011

Ron Riley launched his sales career by selling copiers and printers at Xerox Corp. shortly after receiving his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Memphis.

46. Olin Moving East Alton Plant to Mississippi - Friday, November 05, 2010

EAST ALTON, Ill. (AP) – Despite the urging of two federal lawmakers, Olin Corp. says it is moving an ammunition plant and 1,000 jobs from Illinois to Mississippi.

47. Stores Push Summertime 'Christmas' Sales - Tuesday, July 20, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — Santa in the summer?

Retailers are pumping still more energy this year into trying to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings early for Christmas with sparkly ornaments, holiday music and special prices. In July.

48. Memphis Researchers Enter World of High Speed - Thursday, June 24, 2010

A scientist researching new antibiotic therapies brought 10-gigabit-per-second technology to life with a “little movie of a molecule” Tuesday for the inauguration of the Memphis Coalition for Advanced Networking (MCAN).

49. Cotton Leads April’s Slow CRE Numbers - Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Cotton was king of commercial real estate in April as transactions involving three merchants – a pair of longtime Memphis companies and one area newcomer – represented two of the month’s top sales.

50. Global Cotton Firm Moves Into Memphis - Monday, May 03, 2010

As two local cotton companies work through their lengthy merger, another player has arrived on the scene with the purchase of a 300,000-square-foot warehouse it will use as a major distribution center.

51. Bioworks Luncheon Set for Thursday - Monday, April 19, 2010

The next Memphis Bioworks Business Association Luncheon will feature three panelists who will offer “Insightful Discussion on Bioscience Technology.”

The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Fogelman Executive Center on the University of Memphis campus. The $25 online registration includes parking.

52. School Board, Congressional Race To Take Center Stage - Monday, April 05, 2010

As voters focus on the May 4 county primaries, the field for the Aug. 5 election is almost set. The filing deadline for candidates was last week. Thursday at noon is the deadline for any candidates to withdraw.

53. Ex-Klansman Convicted in '64 Slayings Sues FBI - Friday, February 26, 2010

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A former Ku Klux Klansman convicted in the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers has sued the FBI, claiming the government used a mafia hit man to pistol-whip and intimidate witnesses for information in the case.

54. Officials Establish High-Speed Link For Research Data - Friday, February 19, 2010

Russell Ingram is mapping out a way for information to zoom between research institutions.

Ingram, the president of the Memphis Coalition for Advanced Networking (MCAN), said this proprietary, high-speed link will enable data to travel 3,000 times faster than typical broadbands.

55. Help for Haiti - Monday, February 01, 2010

Cedric “Small Change” Walton lights up during a performance by Billy “Soul” Bond at a Helping Hands fundraising concert to benefit Haiti on Thursday at the Whitehaven Celebration Complex.

Below: Memphis City Councilman Myron Lowery videotapes bluesman Bobby Rush’s performance. Entertainers at the benefit also included Willie Clayton, Sheba Potts Wright, Falisa Janaye, Preston Shannon, Toni Green and Sweet Angel. Lowery helped publicize the event, which was co-sponsored by the Afro Police Association. Organizer Tyrone Currie said more than $3,000 was raised at the event.

56. Steady Clip for Court Cases in ’09 - Monday, January 18, 2010

Civil court filings for 2009 were higher than the previous two years, according to data from The Daily News Online.

The year-end data for Circuit, Chancery and Probate courts showed 10,794 cases were filed in 2009 compared to 9,766 in 2008 and 10,045 in 2007.

57. Events - Friday, July 10, 2009

MPACT Memphis will meet for a Lunch Bunch today at noon at On the River, 51 S. Main St. To R.S.V.P., contact Joy Turner at memberconnections@mpactmemphis.org or 528-8340.

58. Events - Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Memphis Investors Group will meet today at 7 p.m. at Appling Manor, 1755 Appling Road. Wendy Patton will discuss leasing real estate with an option to buy. Admission is free for first-time visitors and members. Repeat visitors pay $20.

59. P&G Taps Gary, Ind., Native McDonald to Lead - Thursday, June 11, 2009

CINCINNATI (AP) - Procter & Gamble Co. said Wednesday it chose 29-year company veteran Bob McDonald, citing his broad global experience, to lead the world's largest consumer-products company.

60. Summit to Promote Music Opportunities in Memphis - Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Memphis is reasserting itself as a “perfect hub” for the music industry and a breeding ground for talent with homegrown artists such as the cast of MTV’s “$5 cover” and American Idol contestants Lil Rounds and Alexis Grace.

61. Suspect Denied Bond Reduction in Burial Scandal - Friday, April 03, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A former businessman at the center of a multimillion-dollar funeral home scandal has lost his bid to get of jail in Memphis.

Clayton Smart, once a co-owner of three funeral homes run by Forest Hill cemeteries of Memphis, is charged with helping steal up to $20 million from burial policy trust funds.

62. Target Investor Plans to Nominate 5 to Board - Wednesday, March 18, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - One of Target Corp.'s biggest shareholders said Tuesday that he plans to nominate five candidates to the company's board at its annual shareholders meeting in May, against the discount retailer's wishes.

63. P&G's Arnold Steps Down as President - Tuesday, March 10, 2009

CINCINNATI (AP) - The Procter & Gamble Co. said Susan E. Arnold stepped down Monday as president, which leaves Chief Operating Officer Robert A. McDonald as the current front-runner to be the next CEO of the world's largest consumer products maker.

64. August Trial Date Set in Forrest Hill Cemeteries Case - Thursday, March 05, 2009

Former Forrest Hill cemeteries owner Clayton Smart is scheduled to go on trial on fraud charges starting Aug. 24.

65. ServiceMaster Cuts 155 Memphis Jobs - Wednesday, March 04, 2009

As an outgrowth of the announcement in December that Memphis-based ServiceMaster Co. would be outsourcing some of its information technology services to IBM, 155 ServiceMaster employees will be let go in the coming weeks.

66. Credit Card Protections Considered by Lawmakers - Friday, February 13, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - Swiping your credit card would come with dramatic new protections under regulations considered by Congressional lawmakers Thursday.

Among the industry practices blasted at the Senate Banking Committee's hearing was the piling on of hidden fees on consumers. Fees can be incurred for telephone payments, balance transfers, replacing lost cards and cash advances. Card issuers can also hike interest rates for a variety of reasons.

67. Democrats Head for Bigger House Majority - Tuesday, November 04, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats reached for a blowout at the polls Tuesday in heavy early congressional balloting that could add more than 20 seats to their House majority.

Long lines formed as polls opened before daybreak in about a dozen Eastern seaboard states. Democrats were counting on heavy turnouts to capture more than 15 GOP seats, and they had a good chance to wrest away another two dozen seats. Republicans had fewer than a dozen Democratic targets they had any hope of defeating.

68. UK Pound Falls to 5-Year Low against Dollar - Monday, October 13, 2008

LONDON (AP) - The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar in five years Friday on fears that Britain's banking sector could suffer more losses from the world financial crisis, and that the dispute between Britain and Iceland over money in collapsed Icelandic banks could escalate.

69. Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Forest Hill Attorney - Thursday, October 09, 2008

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has let the attorney for Forest Hill Cemeteries and Funeral Home owner Clayton Smart off the hook for asserting his client’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

70. County Commission To Vote on Appointments - Monday, October 06, 2008

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners is expected today to approve several appointments to boards and commissions.

Among the approvals that are expected are Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s nomination of Tracy R. Chism for appointment to the Shelby County Health, Education and Housing Facility Board. Also on the slate are Wharton’s nominations of Anthony Tate and Lee Askew III for appointment to the Shelby County Healthcare Corp. and Michael Adrian Davis and Marc E. Willis for appointment to the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.

71. Cohen Crushes Tinker - Jackson Upsets Turner - Charter Changes Pass-Fail - Friday, August 08, 2008
Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen was the big winner in Thursday’s primary elections. Cohen, with 80 percent of the vote, crushed challenger Nikki Tinker in the hard fought 9th District Democratic primary.

The upset of the evening was the general election contest for General Sessions Court Clerk where Democratic challenger Otis Jackson beat Republican incumbent Chris Turner.

And only one of two sets of Shelby County charter amendments on the ballot were approved by voters.

Voter turnout was just under 16 percent in Shelby County. Voter turnout was clearly driven by the 9th District Democratic primary. More people voted in that primary which covers most but not all of Shelby County than voted countywide in the state Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Turnout in the Democratic primaries was twice that of the Republican primaries in Shelby County.

All results are unofficial pending audit and certification by the Shelby County Election Commission and Tennessee election officials

9th Congressional District
Democratic Primary
Steve Cohen 50,284 79%
Nikki Tinker 11,814 19%
Joe Towns Jr. 914 1%

Not even close. Cohen won the primary for the open all Shelby County seat two years ago by 4,400 votes over Tinker and 13 other candidates. This time around he was the incumbent and Tinker’s challenge was more strident with a pair of controversial attack ads in the gap between the end of early voting and election day. Both were probably factors in the vote totals along with a smaller field of five candidates.

Cohen faces independent candidate Jake Ford in the Nov. 4 general election.

7th Congressional District
Republican Primary
248 of 265 precincts reporting
Marsha Blackburn 29,158 65%
Tom Leatherwood 15,636 35%

These are the results district wide which includes not only the eastern part of Shelby County but a strip of Middle Tennessee up to the Kentucky state line. In Shelby County’s part of the 7th district, Leatherwood beat Blackburn with 62 percent of the vote. But it was 62 percent of just over 19,000 votes. Outside Shelby County it was always going to be difficult for Leatherwood.. The low voter turnout in Collierville and other eastern parts of the county made Leatherwood’s task impossible.

Blackburn faces Democrat Randy G. Morris on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Shelby County Charter Amendment #360
Yes  49,506   49.73%

No   50,043   50,27%

Closest contest of the night in Shelby County with a 537 vote margin and the highest turnout with 99,549 votes total.

This set of charter changes was to fix a legal problem noted in a recent Tennessee Supreme Court ruling. Another part of the package deal was increasing term limits for the county mayor and the county commission from two consecutive four year terms approved by voters in 1994 to three consecutive four year terms. The County Commission meets Monday to ponder whether it should offer another charter amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot that would fix the legal problem.

Shelby County Charter Amendment #361
Yes 65,548 68%
No 30,188 32%

This set of charter amendment includes provisions for recalling elected officials. It also establishes a new method for filling a vacancy in the office of County Mayor.

General Sessions Court Clerk
Otis Jackson 51,438 52%
Chris Turner 43,971 45%

The upset of the evening. Turner, the Republican nominee and the incumbent was seeking a fourth term. Jackson, the Democratic nominee, was making his fourth bid for county-wide office after coming close in a 2006 bid for County Clerk.

Trustee
Paul Mattila 54,734 57%
Ray Butler 29,977 31%

Mattila beats Butler in a race featuring an energetic and misleading campaign by M. LaTroy Williams in which Williams billed himself as the “real Democrat.” He was, in fact, an independent candidate garnering 8 percent of the vote. Mattila fills the remaining two years left in the term of office of the late Bob Patterson, a Republican. Mattila, a Democrat, worked with Patterson. Butler, the Republican, was also a friend of Patterson’s and the race amounted to who would best continue to operate the office as Patterson did.

Criminal Court Judge Div. 6
John Fowlkes 44,581 52%
Latonya Burrow 21,874 26%
Michael G. Floyd 12,071 14%
Claiborne H. Ferguson 6,240 7%

Fowlkes serves out the remaining six years left of the eight year term of office of Fred Axley who resigned from the bench shortly after winning re-election in 2006. Burrow finished a close second to Axley two years ago and again ran an energetic campaign this time around. But Fowlkes status in the legal community and his appointment to the bench by Gov. Phil Bredesen proved to be the advantage.

Assessor of Property
Cheyenne Johnson 59,637 60%
Bill Giannini 39,057 40%

Johnson, the Democratic nominee, easily beat Giannini, who is also doubling as local GOP chairman. Local Democrats keep the county-wide position in their column as voters go for the candidate endorsed by outgoing Democratic incumbent Rita Clark.

U.S. Senate
Democratic Primary
2,192 of 2,290 precincts reporting
Bob Tuke 54,613 32%
Gary G. Davis 37,193 22%
Mike Padgett 32,190 19%
Mark Clayton 30,359 18%
Kenneth Eaton 13,718 8%
Leonard Ladner 4,431 3%

These are the statewide results. Tuke got 42 percent of the Shelby County vote with Clayton finishing second. Tuke, the former state Democratic Party chairman, faces Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander, one of the most successful politicians in the history of the state, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Judicial Retention Races

All seven state appellate court judges, including two Tennessee Supreme Court justices, won their yes/no contests on the ballot across the state. That includes Tennessee Criminal Appeals Court Judge Camille McMullen of Millington who was just appointed to the bench in June by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

72. MALS Expands Homeowner Aid - Thursday, July 31, 2008

The budget of Memphis Area Legal Services has swelled to almost $650,000 this year as a result of grants and other special funding awarded to the group. And MALS, in turn, is using that windfall to expand its free counseling and legal aid to homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.

73. Addington Joins Memphis Heart Clinic - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Dr. M. Brent Addington has joined Memphis Heart Clinic. Addington is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. A native of Memphis, he has been in private practice for more than 20 years in the Memphis community.

74. Few Surprises At Filing Deadline - Monday, April 07, 2008

About half of Shelby County's delegation to the Tennessee Legislature won re-election at Thursday's filing deadline for candidates on the Aug. 7 ballot.

Eight of the 16 state House seats had only one candidate - the incumbent. And all three of the state Senate seats on the ballot were incumbent-only affairs.

75. Filing Deadline For Elections Is Thursday - Tuesday, April 01, 2008

A healthy voter turnout doesn't necessarily mean every race on the ballot gets the benefit. Politicos call it "ballot falloff." It means races such as those for president or mayor get voters to the polls. But those same voters might decide not to vote in the other races.

76. Former ServiceMaster Exec Sues Company - Friday, March 14, 2008

A former senior vice president and general counsel of The ServiceMaster Co. has filed a class action complaint in Shelby County Chancery Court against the Memphis-based company, asking for what could amount to millions in damages related to cancelled stock options, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

77. Davidson Hotel Names ClaytonSenior VP for Administration - Thursday, January 24, 2008
     Davidson Hotel Co. has named Robert J. Clayton to its senior vice president of human resources and administration post. Clayton will oversee the development of systems for recruiting, training and retaining employees, co

78. Events - Friday, January 11, 2008

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors will hold a seminar titled "Start Your Home Value Research with Starting Point," a tool for appraising homes, today from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the MAAR office, 6393 Poplar Ave. Register online at www.maar.org or e-mail techsupport@maar.org.

79. Events - Thursday, January 10, 2008

The Memphis Bar Association will hold a continuing legal education course today from 8:50 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis hotel, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. The course is the annual John Dice Seminar and is worth six hours of CLE credit. For more information, call the MBA at 527-3573.

80. Three Investors BuyEast Memphis Office Building - Wednesday, November 28, 2007
     Saul M. Kaplan LLC has sold Ridge Lake Office Building, a 38,472-square-foot office building at 756 Ridge Lake Blvd., for $4.3 million.
     The buyers were 756 RL Group I LLC, which has a 78

81. State Tax Lien FiledAgainst Forest Hill - Thursday, November 08, 2007
     A $22,176.46 state tax lien has been filed against Forest Hill Funeral Home and Mem East LLC, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.
     The lien was filed on behalf

82. Judge Thwarts Lawyer's Attempt To Block Forest Hill Inquiry - Thursday, October 04, 2007

State investigators and the court-appointed receiver of Forest Hill cemeteries and funeral homes began to meet some resistance this week in their civil cases against those who allegedly embezzled more than $20 million from the cemetery trust funds.

83. N.J. Operator Bids to BuySmart's Cemeteries - Thursday, September 20, 2007
     New Jersey-based cemetery operator David J. Shipper has made a bid to buy Forest Hill Cemeteries and Funeral Home owner Clayton Smart's 28 financially troubled cemeteries for $32.1 million.
    &n

84. Forest Hill Owner In Contempt Again - Friday, September 14, 2007

Forest Hill Cemeteries and Funeral Home owner Clayton Smart has the money to hire attorneys to represent him on criminal charges. But that doesn't mean he's likely to get out of jail anytime soon.

85. Forest Hill Owner in Contempt Over House Sale - Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Forest Hill cemeteries owner Clayton Smart has the money to hire attorneys to represent him on criminal charges. But he’s not likely to get out of jail any time soon.

Chancellor Arnold Goldin Wednesday found Smart in contempt of a court order as he approved the use of up to $120,000 from the sale of one of Smart’s homes in Oklahoma. Goldin ruled Smart is in contempt for having his wife, Nancy, sell the house without court approval.

86. More Charges Filed in Cemetery Investigation - Friday, August 10, 2007

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - An associate of an oil speculator accused of embezzling $70 million from cemetery trust funds in Michigan turned himself in Wednesday to face charges that he aided and abetted the alleged embezzlement.

87. Smart Clings to Claim He's Broke, Represents Himself - Friday, August 10, 2007

Forest Hill cemeteries and funeral homes owner Clayton Smart will act as his own attorney at least for the time being.

Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs made the ruling Wednesday at the end of another hearing in which Smart repeatedly claimed he didn't have any money to hire an attorney.

88. Smart Represents Himself, Claims He's Broke - Thursday, August 09, 2007

Forest Hill cemeteries and funeral homes owner Clayton Smart will act as his own attorney – at least for the time being.

Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs made the ruling Wednesday at the end of another hearing in which Smart repeatedly claimed he didn't have any money to hire an attorney.

89. Smart Represents Himself, Claims He's Broke - Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Forest Hill cemeteries and funeral homes owner Clayton Smart will act as his own attorney – at least for the time being.

Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs made the ruling Wednesday at the end of another hearing in which Smart repeatedly claimed he didn't have any money to hire an attorney.

90. County Can't Defend AccusedIn Cemetery Fraud Case - Tuesday, August 07, 2007
     Shelby County's public defender said his office doesn't have the resources to represent Clayton Smart, accused of embezzling millions from his funeral home businesses in Memphis and Michigan, in a complex white-collar cr

91. Mich. Regulators Approve FeeIn Cemetery Investigation - Tuesday, July 31, 2007
     With the approval of Michigan cemetery regulators and an Ingham County judge, a state-appointed conservator was paid $442,673 for operating 28 troubled public cemeteries in Michigan from December through June, court docu

92. CD&R Completes AcquisitionOf ServiceMaster - Thursday, July 26, 2007
     New York-based private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has completed the acquisition of The ServiceMaster Co., the companies announced Tuesday. ServiceMaster stockholders had approved the adoption of the merg

93. Oilman Charged in Cemetery Scandal to Stay in Jail for Now - Tuesday, July 03, 2007

MEMPHIS (AP) - Oklahoma oilman Clayton Smart, charged after authorities said millions of dollars were missing from a $90 million cemetery trust fund, will remain in the Shelby County Jail at least until August.

94. ServiceMaster Shareholders Approve Merger - Monday, July 02, 2007

The ServiceMaster Co. shareholders late last week approved a merger agreement allowing the acquisition of ServiceMaster by a corporation called ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc., formerly CDRSVM Topco Inc.

95. ServiceMaster Shareholders Approve CD&R Merger - Friday, June 29, 2007
The ServiceMaster Co. shareholders on Thursday approved a merger agreement allowing the acquisition of ServiceMaster by a corporation called ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc., formerly CDRSVM Topco Inc.

96. State Looks at StrengtheningOversight of Funeral Services - Monday, June 11, 2007
     A bill that will strengthen oversight of prepaid funeral services offered by funeral homes is on its way to the governor.
     The measure was created in the wake of an investigation that rev

97. Forest Hill Cemetery OwnerTo Appear in Criminal Court - Thursday, May 31, 2007
     Forest Hill Cemetery owner Clayton Smart will make a court appearance Friday when he is scheduled to go before Judge Otis Higgs in Criminal Court Division 2.
     He currently is being held

98. ServiceMaster StockholdersTo Vote on Announced Buyout - Tuesday, May 08, 2007
     The ServiceMaster Co. has scheduled a special meeting of company stockholders next month at a Chicago-area location yet to be announced, the purpose of which is to vote on the previously announced buyout of the company.<

99. ServiceMaster AnnouncesQ2 Cash Dividend - Tuesday, May 01, 2007
     ServiceMaster Co. - the most recent Fortune 500 company to bring its headquarters to Memphis - announced Friday the declaration of a second quarter cash dividend of 12 cents per share of stock payable to shareholders on

100. Forest Hill Cemeteries' OwnersIndicted by State Grand Jury - Monday, April 30, 2007
     The Tennessee Grand Jury has indicted the owners of Forest Hill Cemeteries and Funeral Homes for allegedly stealing nearly $20 million from trust funds set up for the beneficiaries of about 13,000 pre-paid funeral contra