Abner Building Borrows $1.3M For Collierville Property

Abner Building Co. LLC has taken out an open-end mortgage for $1.3 million from Hardin County Bank for 1.34 acres in Collierville’s Ballard Property Planned Development. Abner took out the loan Oct. 12, although the deed is just now showing up in public records.

Abner purchased the property in July for $554,648 from Douglas R. Beaty, trustee of the Forest Hill Land Trust dated Feb. 12, 2007. A company called HBO Holdings LLC had quitclaimed the property to Beaty in May.

An open-end mortgage, as defined in the trust deed filed with the Shelby County Register of Deeds, “gives borrowers the right, by complying with its provisions, to reduce the limit on the maximum amount of indebtedness secured by this deed of trust. The required notice of limitation shall be served on lender in the format and at the address stated in the open-end credit agreement.”

The 1.34 acres for which Abner borrowed money is an outparcel of the 55-acre Ballard Property PD at the northeast corner of Houston Levee Road and Crooked Creek Drive, near Poplar Avenue. The Ballard Property PD will be home to a senior facility being built by Memphis-based Retirement Cos. of America, and a health club owned by Life Time Fitness Inc.

At the time Abner bought the land in July, the company also filed a $500,000 loan through Independent Bank.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

– Rebekah Hearn

Boyd Gaming Reports Decline in Quarterly Profit

Boyd Gaming Corp., the parent company of Sam’s Town Tunica, has reported a 27 percent drop in its profits for the third quarter.

The company’s net income was $6.3 million compared to $8.7 million for the same period a year ago.

Boyd did not report performance by individual property in the six states where it operates 16 casinos. However, its revenues were up in the combined Midwest and South region.

Boyd had $192.6 million in revenues compared to $189.1 million in this region for the same period a year ago. The company attributed that growth to an expansion of its Blue Chip property in Michigan City, Ind., and continued growth at its Delta Down property in Vinton, La.

– Tom Wilemon

Criminal Charges Could Come In Shelter Investigation

One or more people may face criminal charges once an investigation into alleged animal abuse and cruelty at the Memphis Animal Shelter wraps up, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons.

While county sheriff’s deputies are executing a search warrant, the shelter will be closed to the public for “probably a couple of days,” Gibbons’ office told The Daily News.

The shelter’s closure came on Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s first full day on the job after his swearing-in Monday, and it provided his administration with its first full-blown crisis. Wharton declined to talk about actions that will be taken until he gets a full report on what happened.

Sheriff’s deputies will supervise employees while the shelter is closed. Also during that time, volunteers from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Association will help care for the shelter’s animals.

Deputies arrived at the shelter at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday and found conditions consistent with information they got from a citizen who called Gibbons’ office with a tip.

Gibbons’ office declined to provide details about the caller’s tip. It was received earlier this month, and Gibbons’ office then asked the county sheriff to investigate it.

A release from Gibbons’ office describes extreme conditions at the shelter, at 3456 Tchulahoma Road. Some animals “have been deprived of food and water” and “some dogs have been starved to the point of requiring euthanasia,” according to the release.

Additionally, dogs quarantined for rabies were found kept in the same kennel with dogs not required to be quarantined.

Investigators from the ASPCA and emergency responders from the American Humane Association were on hand Tuesday helping deputies. Part of the team included two women involved in the dog fighting investigation that ended in NFL player Michael Vick’s 2007 indictment: Catherine Desteza, an ASPCA animal investigator, and Dr. Melinda Merck, senior director of veterinary forensic services for the ASPCA.

The ASPCA is collecting evidence at the Memphis shelter that could be used to prosecute a criminal case.

 – Andy Meek

Worsening Job Picture Fuels Slide in Confidence

Consumers’ confidence about the U.S. economy fell unexpectedly in October as job prospects remained bleak, a private research group reported Tuesday, fueling speculation that an already gloomy holiday shopping forecast could worsen.

The Consumer Confidence Index, released by the New York-based Conference Board, sank unexpectedly to 47.7 in October – its second-lowest reading since May.

Forecasters predicted a higher reading of 53.1.

A reading above 90 means the economy is on solid footing. Above 100 signals strong growth.

The index has seesawed since reaching a historic low of 25.3 in February. It climbed to 53.4 in September.

Recent economic data, from housing to manufacturing, has offered mixed signals but some evidence that an economic recovery might be slow.

But on Tuesday, the figures showed shoppers have a grim outlook for the future, The Conference Board said, expecting a worsening business climate, fewer jobs and lower salaries. That’s particularly bad news for retailers who depend on the holiday shopping season for a hefty share of their annual revenue.

The Consumer Confidence Index survey, which was sent to 5,000 households, had a cutoff date of Oct. 21.

– The Associated Press

Cardiologists, Attorney To Debate Health Care

A panel of two Memphis cardiologists and an attorney will debate whether Americans have a constitutional right to health care Thursday at 7 p.m. at 80 Monroe Ave., Suite 220.

The panel will feature Dr. Frank McGrew, director of clinical research at Stern Cardiovascular Center; Dr. Arthur Sutherland of the Sutherland Cardiology Clinic; and Van Turner of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada PLLC and also chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party.

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy will moderate the discussion.

The panel discussion is sponsored by the American Constitution Society, which promotes the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and its fundamental values.   

– Taylor Shoptaw

SRVS Recognized At Statewide Ceremony

Shelby Residential and Vocational Services has been recognized at the annual Tennessee Community of Organizations award ceremony honoring individuals who have made a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

SRVS’ Ambassador Club, a volunteer club established by SRVS’ recipients, received the Community Outreach of the Year award. Director support professional Velma Bledsoe won the Outstanding Direct Support Professional of the Year award.

SRVS is a comprehensive service provider for people with disabilities supporting more than 850 individuals in West Tennessee.

– Taylor Shoptaw