John Rich will perform alongside Wynonna Judd, Larry the Cable Guy and his Big & Rich partner, Big Kenny at a June 4 concert that will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

2. Schools Merger Saga Faces Busy Day - Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Countywide school board members will discuss and vote Tuesday, April 30, on starting the process of closing 11 more schools, one agenda item during what promises to be a busy day in the schools consolidation saga.

3. Hugs All Around After Tigers Season - Friday, March 29, 2013

Only Josh Pastner could utter the word “Lamborghini” on the occasion of his contract extension and a pay raise that likely pushed his annual salary north of $2 million and come across as grateful, gleeful and humble.

4. Court: Can Generic Drug Maker be Sued Over Design? - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court seemed skeptical Tuesday of allowing generic drug manufacturers to be sued in state court for a drug's design defects if federal officials approved the brand-name version the generic drug copied.

5. Black Keys Manager Denies Pressuring Adversary - Friday, March 15, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – As Tennessee lawmakers consider a proposal to crack down on ticket scalping, a Nashville lawyer who opposes the bill alleges that a manager of The Black Keys tried to persuade him to change his position in exchange for tickets to a performance by the band.

6. Obama Presses On With GOP Charm Offensive - Friday, March 08, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama pressed on with his Republican charm offensive Thursday, holding a White House lunch with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan in an effort to soften the ground for potential talks on a long-term deficit reduction deal.

7. Supermarket Wine Bill Advances by 1 Vote in Senate - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores scored its first legislative victory on Tuesday after years of frustration.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 5-4 to advance the bill that would allow cities and counties to hold referendums next year to decide whether to expand wine sales beyond the state's nearly 600 licensed liquor stores.

8. Ardent Film Department Wins Mid-South Emmy - Saturday, February 09, 2013

Jonathan Pekar, director of Ardent Studios film department, won the 27th Mid-South Emmy award for Best Commercial Spot for creating the animated Memphis Music Foundation commercial.

The project also showcases the talents of painter Lamar Sorrento and singer/songwriter Keia Johnson.

9. Ardent Film Department Wins Mid-South Emmy Award - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Jonathan Pekar, director of Ardent Studios film department, won the 27th Mid-South Emmy award for Best Commercial Spot for creating the animated Memphis Music Foundation commercial.

The project also showcases the talents of painter Lamar Sorrento and singer/songwriter Keia Johnson.

10. Imre Named Assistant Controller at Makowsky Ringel Greenberg - Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Nancy Imre has joined Makowsky Ringel Greenberg LLC as assistant controller. Imre is responsible for the real estate management company’s accounting department, overseeing investor reporting and preparation of corporate financial statements.

11. Final Bell - Saturday, January 19, 2013

From the moment he became Memphis City Schools superintendent, Kriner Cash had competition.

“I’ve been fighting since I got here,” he said in the early stages of what winds up as a five-year tenure that officially comes to an end July 31.

12. CashSaver Trades Hands for $3.2 Million - Friday, December 28, 2012

The CashSaver in Midtown has traded hands. 

Kansas City, Kan.-based Super Market Developers Inc. bought the 69,017-square-foot building at 1620 Madison Ave. at Avalon Street from 1620 Madison LLC for $3.2 million. Fred Monks III, president/chief manager of 1620 Madison LLC, signed the special warranty deed.

13. US Homebuilder Confidence at Highest Level Since 2006 - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Confidence among U.S. homebuilders inched up this month, to the highest level in more than six and a half years, as builders reported the best market for newly built homes since the housing boom.

14. A Season for More - Monday, October 29, 2012

Last season, the Grizzlies made the playoffs and even earned home-court advantage for their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Last season, the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament after winning the regular season and tournament Conference USA championships.

15. Senior Care Management Solutions Promotes Williams - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Darla Williams has been promoted to health care administrator at Senior Care Management Solutions. In her new role, Williams will play a critical role in overseeing and customizing clients’ daily care plans to fit their specific needs.

16. Holiday Sales Seen Rising 4.1 Percent in 2012 - Wednesday, October 03, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans are expected to spend more during what's traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, but they're not exactly ready to shop 'til they drop like they have been in the past two years.

17. Ciaramitaro Joins Grace-St. Luke’s as School Counselor - Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Licensed clinical social worker Courtney Ciaramitaro has joined Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School as school counselor. She will work primarily with middle school students.

Hometown: Memphis

18. Board Looks to ‘Inconvenient Circumstances’ - Thursday, September 13, 2012

As Bartlett aldermen approved additional legal expenses Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the Memphis federal court fight over municipal school districts, countywide school board members elected in the Aug. 2 elections and two new board members appointed Monday by the Shelby County Commission took their oaths of office.

19. Election Winners Take Oaths of Office - Wednesday, September 05, 2012

The Labor Day weekend served as a political marker for past and future events in Memphis politics.

The four Shelby County general election winners from the Aug. 2 vote are officially in office as the weekend ends and the workweek begins.

20. Gatewood Named Marketing Dir. At Methodist Healthcare - Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Megan Gatewood has been promoted to marketing director at Methodist Healthcare. In her new role, Gatewood is responsible for developing and overseeing marketing strategies for Methodist’s adult hospitals, outpatient services and physician practices.

21. County Sees 21.6 Pct. Voter Turnout - Monday, August 06, 2012

Slightly less than 127,000 Shelby County residents – or 21.6 percent of 584,443 registered voters – cast ballots in the Aug. 2 elections.

The turnout in early voting and election day combined was a higher percentage than the 15 percent turnout four years ago in the same election cycle, but it was well below the 44-year high of 39.4 percent set in the August 1992 elections.

22. 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.

23. Muni Schools, Cohen, Weirich, Johnson, Stanton, Kyle Take Early Vote - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County were overwhelmingly approving the establishment of municipal school districts and a half cent sales tax hike to fund them in the first vote totals released Thursday, Aug. 2 by the Shelby County Election Commission.

24. 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.

25. School Board Looks for Consensus - Tuesday, June 26, 2012

After effectively ruling out Kriner Cash last week as the leader of the consolidated Shelby County school system, school board members now turn to a decision about how to select that superintendent.

26. 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.

27. Executive Coach Burtch Earns Int’l Designation - Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Bill Burtch, founder and president of full-service management consultancy firm Harmony Coaching & Consulting, has received the Professional Certified Coach designation from the International Coach Federation, becoming the second PCC in Memphis. Burtch, who also holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources designation, focuses his consulting work in executive/team coaching, professional development training and human resources consulting.

28. Nicest AD In the World Steps Down - Friday, April 27, 2012

Sixteen years ago R.C. Johnson became the University of Memphis athletic director and he started the tradition of an annual media appreciation luncheon. John Calipari, among others, would have choked on the idea.

29. Jones Has Memphis Homecoming At GPAC - Thursday, April 26, 2012

Rising star Caroline Jones’ performance Saturday, April 28, at Germantown Performing Arts Centre’s 2012 Gala will be a homecoming of sorts for the New York-based singer-songwriter.

30. Redbirds Reconnection - Monday, April 16, 2012

One of baseball’s enduring maxims is that anytime you go to a game you’ve got a chance to see something you’ve never seen before.

Apparently, this now applies off the field too, because a few weeks ago a group that included Magic Johnson as the front man paid $2.15 billion to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers from financially troubled owner Frank McCourt.

31. Obama-Romney Showdown Starts Off With a Harsh Tone - Thursday, April 12, 2012

MENDENHALL, Pa. (AP) — The 2012 presidential general election has begun. It won't be pretty.

Tuesday marked Day One, in essence, of the contest between the two virtually certain nominees, Republican Mitt Romney and Democratic President Barack Obama. Rick Santorum's departure removed the last meaningful bump from Romney's path to the GOP nomination. Romney and Obama wasted no time in portraying the voters' choice in dire, sometimes starkly personal terms.

32. GOP Politics Resemble 2008 In Tennessee - Thursday, March 08, 2012

This time around, leaders of the Tennessee Republican Party were convinced their choice in the Republican presidential contest would be a match with voters in the state’s presidential primary.

Four years ago, when former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee carried Shelby County and took the state, the party argued convincingly that the state’s second choice for the nomination – former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney – was a victim of the move of the Super Tuesday primaries to February.

33. Santorum Carries Shelby and State, Jackson Out As Clerk - Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum carried Shelby County and the state of Tennessee in the Tuesday, March 6, Republican Presidential primary.

And incumbent but suspended General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson finished a poor third in a Democratic primary battle for the clerk’s office that was won by interim clerk Ed Stanton in the closest contest of the night over County Commission chairman Sidney Chism.

34. Santorum Carries Shelby In Early Vote - Stanton in Clerk's Race - Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Early vote totals in Shelby County confirmed what happened across the state in the Republican presidential primary Tuesday, March 6.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum took the early vote over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was third.

35. Honors Continue For Architect Of Memphis Sound - Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Memphis music icon Willie Mitchell was honored on what would have been his 84th birthday last week with a Tennessee state historical marker at his Royal Studios.

36. Primary Battle Starts Locally With Early Voting - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Early voting in the Tennessee presidential primary begins Wednesday, Feb. 15, but the Republican presidential contenders have Arizona and Michigan on their minds.

The early voting period in advance of the March 6 Election Day also includes a set of Shelby County primaries for General Sessions Court clerk, Shelby County district attorney general, property assessor and one Shelby County Commission seat. The winners in those primaries advance to the August county general election ballot.

37. U of M Lands Big East Invitation - Thursday, February 09, 2012

It got done. Not on the timetable originally envisioned and not without much angst along the way. But that’s old news overtaken by better news:

As of July 1, 2013, the University of Memphis will officially be a competitor in the Big East.

38. AP Source: Big East Moving Toward Adding Memphis - Wednesday, February 08, 2012

A person familiar with the talks says the Big East is in discussions with Memphis about the Tigers joining the conference in all sports.

The Tigers likely would join in 2013 when Houston, Central Florida and SMU from Conference USA already are set to join the Big East.

39. Defense Cuts Test Lawmakers' Resolve on Deficits - Tuesday, February 07, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama's call to shrink the military, shut bases and cancel weapons to meet the demand for budget cuts tests the resolve of lawmakers who came to Washington determined to slash the deficit.

40. J.C. Penney Gets Rid of Hundreds of Sales - Thursday, January 26, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – J.C. Penney is permanently marking down all of its merchandise by at least 40 percent so shoppers no longer have to wait for sales to get bargains.

Penney said Wednesday that it is getting rid of the hundreds of sales it offers each year in favor of a simpler approach to pricing. Starting on Feb. 1, the retailer is rolling out an "Every Day" pricing strategy with much fewer sales throughout the year.

41. It’s Alex Grisanti’s Turn to Be the Boss - Monday, January 23, 2012

Ronnie Grisanti. Judd Grisanti. Alex Grisanti.

42. Binkley Promoted to VP at Boyle - Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Les Binkley has been promoted to vice president at Boyle Investment Co.

Hometown: Memphis

43. SCO’s Steele Receives Optometry Recognition - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Dr. Glen T. Steele, a professor at the Southern College of Optometry, has received the prestigious William Feinbloom Award from the American Academy of Optometry for his work with InfantSEE.

44. Schools Consolidation Dominates 2011 - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The year 2011 ended politically the way it began – with lots of questions about schools consolidation.

But at the start of 2011 the questions were centered on whether there would be a consolidation of Shelby County’s two public school systems.

45. Changes in Dining Scene Highlight Dynamic Year - Monday, December 26, 2011

On Thanksgiving Eve, we drove to the airport to pick up my stepson, one of whose flights had been delayed, so it was after 10 by the time he emerged from baggage claim. All being hungry, I drove to Cooper-Young, thinking we could easily get in at the recently opened Alchemy at 10:30.

46. Election Commission Website Causes Confusion - Monday, December 19, 2011

The information was there somewhere on the www.shelbyvote.com website, Shelby County Election Commission staffers insist.

It was just somewhere that most politicos interested in basic information about the four countywide races on the March 6 primary ballot couldn’t find.

47. County Primary Ballot Set With 3 Exits and 2 DQs - Friday, December 16, 2011
One of the four sets of Shelby County primaries on the March 6 ballot was decided at the Thursday, Dec. 15, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot.

The Shelby County Election Commission Thursday certified 16 candidates in the two sets of primaries for four county offices and one independent candidate who advances automatically to the Aug. 2 county general elections.

48. Weirich and Ross Unopposed At Filing Deadline - Friday, December 09, 2011

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich appeared to have no opposition in the March GOP primary for the job as the county’s top prosecutor.

49. Weirich and Ross Unopposed At Filing Deadline - Thursday, December 08, 2011

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich appeared to have no opposition in the March GOP primary for the job as the county’s top prosecutor.

50. 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.

51. Chism Vying With Jackson for Court Clerk - Thursday, December 01, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

52. Chism Vying With Jackson for GS Court Clerk - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

53. Prescott Leads Schools Planning Commission - Friday, September 30, 2011

Former Memphis City Schools board member Barbara Prescott is chairman on the new schools consolidation planning commission.

54. Schools Planning Commission Begins Work - Thursday, September 29, 2011

The 21-member schools consolidation planning commission goes to work Thursday, Sept. 29, in a conference room at the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement in Shelby Farms.

55. Sneed Promoted At Humane Society - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Kerry Sneed has been promoted to community outreach and humane education coordinator at the Humane Society of Memphis.

56. University of Memphis Holiday Inn Among Best - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The University of Memphis Holiday Inn has been voted among the best Holiday Inn hotels in the chain, earning the InterContinental Hotels Group Torchbearer Award for the ninth straight year.

The hotel won the award by achieving the highest level of excellence in all aspects of operation and customer satisfaction. The hotel was one of 24 hotels selected for the award.

57. Lease on Former Three Alarm Studio in Foreclosure Again - Friday, September 16, 2011

The leasehold on a former Downtown Memphis fire station with a checkered 25-year history and a strategic location – 200 Linden Ave. – is facing foreclosure again.

58. No More Mail? What Would Ben Franklin Think? - Tuesday, September 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Imagine a nation without the Postal Service.

No more birthday cards and bills or magazines and catalogs filling the mailbox. It's a worst-case scenario being painted for an organization that lost $8.5 billion in 2010 and seems headed deeper into the red this year.

59. Shocker: Power Demand From US Homes is Falling - Thursday, September 08, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – American homes are more cluttered than ever with devices, and they all need power: Cellphones and iPads that have to be charged, DVRs that run all hours, TVs that light up in high definition.

60. Luttrell Makes Picks for Schools Planning Group - Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has picked his five choices for the schools consolidation planning commission: two higher education officials, a corporate attorney, an Episcopal priest heading BRIDGES USA and an elementary school principal.

61. Luttrell Makes Picks for Consolidation Planning Group - Friday, September 02, 2011

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has picked his five choices for the schools consolidation planning commission: two higher-education officials, a corporate attorney, an Episcopal priest heading BRIDGES USA and an elementary school principal.

62. Schools Consolidation Saga Turns Corner - Monday, August 29, 2011

Where does a 23-member countywide school board meet? “FedExForum is open,” replied Shelby County Schools board chairman David Pickler last week to the question from fellow board member David Reaves.

63. Allie Prescott to Head U of M Alumni Association - Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Allie Prescott has been elected president of the University of Memphis Alumni Association national executive board of directors.

Prescott holds his bachelor’s and law degrees from the U of M, and he is a life member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association. As a former adviser to the executive director and former vice president for membership, Prescott is serving his fifth year on the national board.

64. U of M Event Honors City’s Legal Pillars - Thursday, July 28, 2011

They’ve argued landmark cases in Memphis courtrooms in addition to representing everyday clients. They’ve grown into lions of the local legal profession. And they’ve helped tilt the course of history in the city.

65. Community Service Paramount for Collins - Thursday, July 21, 2011

Elizabeth Collins is a partner at Thomason, Hendrix, Harvey, Johnson and Mitchell PLLC, and her interest in community involvement combined with professional knowledge of the law has kept her with the firm for more than 20 years.

66. Hansen Promoted to Store Manager at Macy’s - Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Greg Hansen has been promoted to vice president/store manager at Macy’s Oak Court.

Hometown: Lynbrook, N.Y.

67. Obama to Nominate Curry as Comptroller of Currency - Monday, July 04, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama said Friday he will nominate Thomas Curry, a federal bank regulator, to be the U.S. comptroller of the currency.

68. Obama Picks Fight on Taxes, Big or Just Symbolic - Monday, July 04, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is renewing an old fight with the business community by insisting that $400 billion in tax increases be part of a deficit-reduction package. His proposals have languished on Capitol Hill, repeatedly blocked by Republicans, often with help from Democrats.

69. Tenn.’s Duncan Among Congressmen Suing Obama Over Libya Strikes - Thursday, June 16, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – A bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers is suing President Barack Obama for taking military action against Libya without war authorization from Congress.

Among the lawmakers is U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, R-Tenn., who represents Tennessee’s Second District: Knox, Blount, Loudon, Monroe and McMinn counties, as well as a potion of Sevier County.

70. Morgan Keegan Analysts Honored Nationally - Friday, May 27, 2011

The stock pickers and corporate earnings estimators at Memphis-based Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. are among the best of the best.

71. Davidson Hired as Manager of Habitat ReStore - Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Joseph Yates Davidson has been hired as the manager of the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 7130 Winchester Road.

72. Sea Bass Almost Didn’t Make McEwen’s Menu - Friday, April 29, 2011

One in an occasional series on the signature dishes of local chefs.

The Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass at McEwen’s on Monroe not only wasn’t foreseen as a signature dish, it wasn’t even supposed to be on the menu.

73. Cohen to Address the State of Housing Monday - Friday, April 22, 2011

The Memphis Chapter of National Association of Real Estate Brokers will present a panel discussion on the “State of Housing” Monday.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, will kick off the discussion, followed by an panel covering an array of subjects from legislative acts to mortgages to state-funded programs that stop foreclosure proceedings.

74. Retail Sector Adding Jobs, But Not Always Careers - Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Erin Abell left a job in finance to volunteer for John McCain's presidential campaign in early 2008. She had hoped to return to the industry after the election, but by then Wall Street was on life support, and Abell had to live off credit cards until joining a friend's startup.

75. Destination King’s Tagg Honored as ‘Rising Star’ - Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Mary Catherine Tagg, director of operations for Destination King, has received the “Rising Star” award at the fifth annual Association of Destination Management Executives Achievement Awards.

76. New Members Appointed to MED Board - Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Three new board members were recently appointed to the board of the Shelby County Health Care Corp. by Mayor Mark Luttrell.

77. Review: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ - Monday, January 31, 2011

If art is about risk-taking, the joint production of Michael Ching’s opera a capella “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Opera Memphis, Playhouse on the Square and Delta Capella/RIVA risks about as much as one show possible can.

78. Johnson, Eyewear Gallery Focus on Providing Difference in Care - Monday, December 27, 2010

Dr. Warren Johnson went into optometry because he enjoyed helping people on a one-on-one basis.

Now the owner of Eyewear Gallery in East Memphis says that his patients get to have several one-on-one experiences with each visit.

79. After Serving Country, Maj. Gen. Harvey Now Serves Law - Thursday, December 02, 2010

Albert Harvey’s career longevity as an attorney is rivaled only by his 39-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves.

80. Tennessee Native Earl Keister Joins Thompson & Co. - Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Earl Keister has joined Thompson & Co. as creative director.

Hometown: Knoxville

Education: University of Tennessee, Portfolio Center

Work Experience: Fifteen years in the advertising field. I’m like Johnny Cash: I’ve been everywhere.

81. Shoppers May Have the Upper Hand This Christmas - Friday, October 08, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – The Christmas shopping season doesn't kick off for another six weeks, but retailers already are signaling they're prepared to discount aggressively if needed to entice shoppers still skittish about spending.

82. Askew to Lead FedExFamilyHouse - Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Bridgette Askew has been named general manager of the FedExFamilyHouse at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

83. Events - Monday, September 27, 2010

The Memphis Bar Association will hold a continuing legal education class Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC, 130 N. Court Ave. For more information or to register, call 527-3582 or visit www.memphisbar.org.

84. Baltimore’s Wells Fargo Suit Could Affect Memphis - Thursday, September 23, 2010

Lawyers for the city of Baltimore are preparing to reload in their two-year court fight against Wells Fargo over its lending practices in the city.

Baltimore is planning to file a new complaint against the lender after a federal judge last week dismissed the city’s second amended complaint. The city was given until Oct. 22 to try again in its effort to prove Wells broadly discriminated against black borrowers in its mortgage lending.

85. 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.

86. 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.

87. Election Results Saga Not Over Yet - Monday, August 23, 2010

The Aug. 5 election results are certified. But the events of the coming week will determine whether that’s the final word on who won and who lost.

With the results approved by the Shelby County Election Commission, the local Democratic Party and several Democratic candidates who lost must decide if they want to go back to Chancery Court. They have five days to make a decision to file.

88. Events - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Center City Development Corp. board of directors will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the CCC conference room, 114 N. Main St.

89. ‘Hairspray’ to Provide Big Boost for SRVS - Monday, July 12, 2010

Controversial music, dramatic hairdos and original artwork combine to benefit people living with disabilities in an artistically unique kickoff event at Playhouse on the Square.

On Sunday, Shelby Residential and Vocational Services will offer the play “Hairspray” as part of its fourth annual prelude benefit that begins a summer of fundraising.

90. 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.

91. Clerk Races Generate Plenty of Heat - Monday, April 19, 2010

Seven clerks' positions are on the May 4 primary ballot and incumbents are running for re-election in three of them.

None of the seven elections will be decided with the primaries because Democrats and Republicans are battling hard in the countywide races dominated just four years ago by the GOP.

92. Seven Local Lawmakers Face No Opposition in Aug. - Monday, April 05, 2010

Seven state legislators from Shelby County will begin new terms of office in January.

They had no opposition at Thursday’s filing deadline for the Aug. 5 state and federal primary elections.

They are District 33 Democratic state Sen. Reginald Tate, District 83 Republican state Rep. Mark White, District 90 Democratic state Rep. John DeBerry, District 92 Democratic state Rep. G.A. Hardaway, District 96 Republican state Rep. Steve McManus, District 97 Republican state Rep. Jim Coley and District 98 Democratic state Rep. Ulysses Jones.

93. Races Open For Two County School Board Seats - Friday, April 02, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

94. UPDATE: Two Open County School Board Seats At Filing Deadline - Thursday, April 01, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

95. Colvett Named Greenscape President - Wednesday, March 17, 2010

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

Colvett previously was executive vice president and corporate treasurer. He has been at GreenScape since 1992 and has served in various capacities including project manager, estimator and vice president of marketing.

96. Election Season Influences Legislative Pace - Monday, March 01, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Election season is a driving factor behind a push by lawmakers for an early conclusion of the legislative session. It might also be to blame for keeping the session from immediately kicking into high gear.

97. Congress: Connections With Toyota - Thursday, February 25, 2010

Several lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is holding a hearing Wednesday on the Toyota recalls, have Toyota factories and offices in their states or even their districts. A look at some of the automaker's ties:

98. 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.

99. 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)

100. U of M Event To Draw Top Labor Lawyers - Thursday, February 18, 2010

The University of Memphis Law Review is preparing for its annual spring symposium titled “Labor and Employment Law: Evolution or Revolution?”

Friday’s event will feature national speakers from federal agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and labor organizations such as the AFL-CIO. It also will emphasize the grand stature of the U of M law school’s new Downtown facility.