I’ve seen school officials have some pretty interesting conversations with parents and students over the last few decades – explaining the school merger comes to mind immediately, of course the demerger too, along with the always charged conversations surrounding busing and even the kidnapping of a child from a school building. But when SCS superintendent Dorsey Hopson met parents and students from Kirby High School Thursday evening in Hickory Hill, it was new ground. The subject was rats – lots of rats.

2. Facebook, Twitter Pledge to Defend Against Foreign Intrusion - Thursday, September 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook and Twitter executives pledged on Wednesday to better protect their social media platforms in the 2018 elections and beyond, and told Congress of aggressive efforts to root out foreign intrusions aimed at sowing divisions in American democracy.

3. Trump Takes on Google in Complaints About Social Media - Wednesday, August 29, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump lashed out at tech companies Tuesday, accusing Google and others of "suppressing" conservative voices and "hiding information" and good news. He cited no evidence for the claim, which echoes both his own attacks on the press and a conservative talking point.

4. Last Word: About The Election Turnout, Luttrell's Last Budget and Gold Records - Thursday, May 3, 2018

It turns out election turnout in Tuesday’s county primary elections was up from the same election cycle four years ago – almost 19,000 more voters – a 14.9 percent turnout if you only go by the number of “active” voters – 13.4 percent if you go with combined active and “inactive”. Yes, when last we met, I said it was a decrease from 2014. It’s not. And here is how that happened.

5. Last Word: SCS Plans For $15, IRIS Matinees and The Hard Hit Fund - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

“From a financial standpoint, we need our fans back and we need them back now.” University of Memphis president David Rudd breaking the university’s silence on the basketball coaching change that was made formal Tuesday with the announcement that Penny Hardaway is indeed the new coach. And Hardaway had a lot to say that Tigers fans and Memphians wanted to hear.

6. Riviana, Ebrofrost Continue Work On $26M Frozen Food Facility - Monday, March 19, 2018

2360 Prospect St.

Memphis, TN 38106

Permit Amount: $3.1 million

Project Cost: $26.5 million

Application Date: March 2018

Owner: Riviana Foods

7. Trump Considers TV Commentator as Possible Economic Adviser - Wednesday, March 14, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump said Tuesday he's strongly considering selecting CNBC senior contributor Larry Kudlow to succeed Gary Cohn as his top economic adviser, praising the veteran financial commentator and campaign supporter.

8. Events - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Fisher Phillips’ Memphis law office will host a breakfast briefing titled “The New I.C.E. Age: Surviving Immigration & Customs Enforcement Investigations” Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Germantown’s Great Hall and Conference Center, 1900 S. Germantown Road. Attorney David Jones will share tools to ensure your business is doing all it can to comply with immigration laws, minimize the risk of penalties, and be prepared for when ICE comes knocking. Cost is $25. Visit fisherphillips.com or email atasman@fisherphillips.com to register.

9. Monument Bills Create State Heritage Battlegrounds - Friday, February 9, 2018

Legislative battles are looming over a spate of bills designed to hammer Memphis and any other cities accused of violating the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act.

Lawmakers filed several pieces of legislation aimed at punishing local governments in the wake of the Memphis City Council move to topple the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue in Health Sciences Park and two other Confederate monuments in another park by selling the property to a newly created nonprofit organization.

10. Akbari Pulls Petition To Run for State Senate - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Raumesh Akbari has decided to run for the District 29 state Senate seat being vacated by Lee Harris in the Shelby County legislative delegation.

11. GOP Tax Overhaul Will Be Felt by State, Local Governments - Friday, December 22, 2017

With Congress sending President Donald Trump a tax overhaul, state and local governments are preparing for some fallout.

A look at some of the ways it might affect them:

FEDERAL-STATE CONNECTIONS

12. Calling It a Beginning, Trump Signs Health Care Order - Friday, October 13, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – Frustrated by health care failures in Congress, President Donald Trump directed his administration Thursday to rewrite some federal insurance rules as a beginning of renewed efforts to undermine "Obamacare," the program he's promised to kill.

13. Last Word: The Chamber on Forrest, Different Amazon News & More 2018 Dominoes - Friday, October 6, 2017

The Greater Memphis Chamber rolls out its part of the push by the city administration to get a state waiver for the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue. Next week is the meeting of the Tennessee Historical Commission with Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland showing up to make his pitch. That is even though the chairman of the body has told him the commission will not take up a waiver at the meeting.

14. Another Quarterback Battle Brewing at Tennessee - Friday, March 24, 2017

The time has come to write a new chapter of Tennessee Vols football. Which quarterback is going to write it? With spring practice unfolding, it looks like a two-man race between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano – not necessarily in that order.

15. Vols Need a Good Spring With So Many No. 1 Players Gone - Friday, March 17, 2017

Butch Jones is about to embark on his most crucial of five seasons as Tennessee’s football coach, and it begins with spring practices starting Tuesday, March 21.

Jones is coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons capped by bowl wins, but has fallen short of the SEC East Division title both years. He was the preseason favorite to win the East in 2016, and the previous year had a team with potential to win the division.

16. Last Word: Milhaus Sells, Voucher Debate Gets Heated and Boyd's Fly Around - Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Highland Row isn’t fully open yet and it is already up for sale as part of a real estate portfolio. The owner, Milhaus, based in Indianapolis, is a development, construction and property management company that works in mixed use development. And the portfolio being on the market could turn into a recapitalization.

17. Last Word: Arnold's in the Alley, Haslam's Gas Tax Bill Wins A Round and Hershey - Thursday, March 2, 2017

A busy day in the City Hall list saga. The list is a lot shorter, but there is a second lawsuit over this in Memphis Federal Court. And the list itself seems to be giving way to a controversy that is all about whether police were unlawfully following and tracking protesters who broke no laws.

18. Editorial: Sports Remains Part Of Memphis’ Pulse - Saturday, January 21, 2017

When we talk about the culture of Memphis, you probably think music first, then maybe food. Perhaps church.

But is that really the sum total of the city’s pulse, or are the big three the expression of a cultural mix that is more diverse and more complex?

19. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some of Those Who Died in 2016 - Monday, January 2, 2017

Death claimed transcendent political figures in 2016, including Cuba's revolutionary leader and Thailand's longtime king, but also took away royals of a different sort: kings of pop music, from Prince and David Bowie to George Michael.

20. Central Defense Raises $13K For Summer Camp - Saturday, September 3, 2016

Memphis-based Central Defense Security, a leading provider of business, retail and warehouse security, raised $13,576 to support the city of Memphis Division of Parks and Neighborhoods’ Summer Day Camp program this year, the company has announced. The funds were used to offset the registration, activity and early arrival fees for 123 campers at several community centers around the city and cover the costs for special Fun Days at three locations. It is CDS’ fifth year to raise money for the camp program.

21. Central Defense Raises $13K For City’s Summer Camp - Thursday, September 1, 2016

Memphis-based Central Defense Security, a leading provider of business, retail and warehouse security, raised $13,576 to support the city of Memphis Division of Parks and Neighborhoods’ Summer Day Camp program this year, the company has announced. The funds were used to offset the registration, activity and early arrival fees for 123 campers at several community centers around the city and cover the costs for special Fun Days at three locations. It is CDS’ fifth year to raise money for the camp program.

22. Last Word: Bearwater's Week, Deannexation's Return and City Hall's Transparency - Monday, August 22, 2016

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife and first lady Rosalynn Carter arrived in the city Sunday for a week of work in North Memphis on the Habitat for Humanity subdivision Bearwater Park.

23. Local Task Force Prepares For Return of Deannexation Issue - Monday, August 22, 2016

You might call it round two of the deannexation battle.

In Nashville Monday, Aug. 22, a summer study committee of legislators picks up where the debate on a deannexation proposal during the Tennessee Legislature’s regular session ended earlier this year.

24. Collierville FedEx Center Getting $12.7 Million Renovation - Thursday, June 16, 2016

3860 S. Forest Hill-Irene Road
Collierville, TN 38125
Permit Amount: $12.7 million

Owner: FedEx Corp.
Tenant: FedEx Corp.
Contractor: Grinder & Haizlip Construction
Details: Contractor Grinder & Haizlip Construction has filed a $12.7 million building permit for renovations at the FedEx World Technology Center in Collierville.
In January, the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen ratified a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive package for the FedEx center at 3860 S. Forest Hill-Irene Road.
A term of the PILOT agreement is that FedEx has to invest $40 million in real property and personal property upgrades.
The FedEx World Technology Center has been an economic driver for the city since its 16-acre campus opened in 1998. Currently, the tech hub is the largest employer in Collierville, with 2,500 total workers and a capacity for 3,200.

25. Last Word: The Bible Veto Override Vote, Grizz Nostalgia and Kroger Goes Online - Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Tennessee Legislature hoped to end its 2016 session Wednesday at the end of an eventful day that included a failed attempt to override Gov. Bill Haslam’s veto of the bill that would have made the Bible the official state book.
But into Wednesday evening, the state House was still debating the Hall tax on dividends – specifically further roll backs of it. And the Senate had gone home for the night.
So Thursday looks like a good bet for the adjournment for the year and the formal start of the election season for incumbents.

26. Last Word: Tiger Drumbeat, Eye on Drones and Shelby County Biggest Home Sale - Monday, March 14, 2016

Let the coaching drumbeat resume after the Tigers Sunday post-season collapse one game past Tulsa.
A confession here – I am so sports challenged that I thought UConn was a team from Alaska until I saw it spelled out.
In my defense, who associates Huskies with Connecticut?
My point is what happens next isn’t just about basketball. It’s about a change with a good track record of being emotional in the worst way.
It’s linked to how we want to be known for treating people and what they think of us as a result of that.
In those two areas, it’s never just business. It’s always personal.
Josh Pastner’s four predecessors were each very different case studies in this regard.
It could have been any stop in any city with a basketball court and a one-and-done star he could find and recruit to John Calipari. But he still had to hide under a blanket in the back seat of a car on the way to the airport and lie about it long after everyone knew.
Knew about the Kentucky job that is. The mess he left at the university would surface shortly thereafter.
Tic Price was two fast seasons and the proof that the Memphis job isn’t just about what happens on the court and the attendance at games.
Price was clearly excited about coming to Memphis. He clearly understood the importance and heritage of Tigers basketball and valued it. And he wasted no time at all getting lost in the Memphis that is not a part of that all encompassing world.
It was the only job Larry Finch wanted and ultimately the job he couldn’t continue to have. That after ignoring conventional wisdom as a player and coming from Melrose High to Memphis State, bringing a beloved team with him and then picking Memphis again in the ABA over the Lakers in the NBA.
None of that was considered in pushing him out the door and then naming a building after him.
Dana Kirk wanted to be the hustler John Calipari was. He was certainly impersonal enough about it and he took the team to an era where a post-season NCAA bid was expected and is still expected to this day.
But his impersonality exacted a high cost and he paid most of that cost. Although you could argue the experience for his team that produced some legendary players also made some of them legendary casualties of his emotional distance. It didn’t allow him to go elsewhere because he never figured out that he was being underestimated just as much as the team whose needs he ignored was in the national view of college basketball.
While Calipari dodged big trouble twice, Kirk wasn’t even in Calipari’s league when it came to ducking and timing.
We are past our inferiority complex. That’s what the last NFL drive of the 1990s did for us.
But it’s not necessarily a bad thing that we see the people chosen to occupy these very public positions as a reflection to the world of who we are.

27. Last Word: Cubits Anyone, The G-Word and The TV News Crime Block - Thursday, March 10, 2016

How long is a cubit? After a day in which many of you got about four to five inches of rain and more to come Thursday, it seems an appropriate and timely question.
And yes, there is a cubit conversion chart on line for converting that and other really old units of measurement no longer in use like the mina, drachma or the synodic month.
So the average cubit, which is supposed to be the length of a forearm, is 18 inches or a foot and a half. That’s 0.4572 of a meter, which might as well be an ancient unit of measurement.
Someone had to say it.
According to biblehub.com – I’m not making up websites – the book of Genesis sets God’s instructions to Noah as an arc with the dimensions of 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits tall. And it was to be made out of gopher wood and covered inside and out with pitch.
The New Living Translation and Holman Christian Standard Bibles convert that to an arc 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.

28. Neil Young, Paul Simon, Modest Mouse Top Beale Street Music Fest Lineup - Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Neil Young, Beck, Paul Simon, Train and Modest Mouse are among the headliners for the 2016 Beale Street Music Festival, April 29-May 1, in Tom Lee Park.

29. Butch Jones Builds for Championship Run With Staff Tweaks - Friday, January 22, 2016

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones got serious about taking the next step with his football program not long after his team’s 45-6 victory over Northwestern in the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl.

Jones fired defensive coordinator John Jancek on Jan. 6, and three days later hired his top candidate for the opening, Bob Shoop of Penn State.

30. Biblical Lessons Lost in Lack of Health Care Debate - Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tennessee’s legislators spent hours this session arguing over guns and whether to pass a law making the Bible the state book of Tennessee.

In fact, the Bible bill took two days of debate in the House, where it passed, and thorough discussion in the Senate, before it died – at least until next year.

31. Tennessee House Bogs Down Over Making Bible Official Book - Wednesday, April 15, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A small-town Republican's proposal to make the Bible the official book of Tennessee ran into opposition from top members of his own party as the House delayed a scheduled vote on the measure Tuesday.

32. Full-Time Job - Wednesday, April 15, 2015

For years, Judge Larry E. Potter has had to juggle a challenging court docket that included thousands of traffic citations and animal abuse cases along with the blight and neglect cases typically associated with the court.

33. Hickory Hill Nightclub Remains Closed As Nuisance - Saturday, March 7, 2015

A Hickory Hill nightclub where undercover police officers allegedly bought marijuana – and with a history of recent violence including a murder – remained closed as the week began.

A-Game Bar and Grill, 6642 Winchester Road, near Kirby Parkway, was closed under terms of a court order from General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter declaring it a nuisance.

34. Hickory Hill Nightclub Remains Closed As Nuisance - Tuesday, March 3, 2015

A Hickory Hill nightclub where undercover police officers allegedly bought marijuana – and with a history of recent violence including a murder – remained closed as the week began.

A-Game Bar and Grill, 6642 Winchester Road, near Kirby Parkway, was closed under terms of a court order from General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter declaring it a nuisance.

35. Sprouts Opening Lakeland Store May 13 - Friday, February 20, 2015

Sprouts Farmers Market, a fast-growing specialty grocery chain, has set an opening date for its first Memphis-area store.

Phoenix-based Sprouts, which replicate the look and feel of an indoor farmers market and specialize in fresh, organic and healthy food, will open a 28,000-square-foot store in a former Kroger at 9050 U.S. 64 in Lakeland on May 13.

36. Executive Inn Demolition Long Time Coming - Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The old Executive Inn hotel on Airways Boulevard where Brooks Road dead ends is the latest problem vacant property to be demolished and touted by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. as another step in his administration’s anti-blight effort.

37. Tennessee Now Seeks to Renovate Cordell Hull Building - Friday, August 22, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's administration is backing off earlier plans to demolish the 60-year-old Cordell Hull office building located next to the state Capitol in Nashville and instead hopes to renovate it.

38. Bartlett Mayor McDonald Re-Elected at Filing Deadline - Thursday, August 21, 2014

Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald was re-elected to another four-year term of office at the noon Thursday, Aug. 21, filing deadline for candidates in four sets of suburban municipal elections on the Nov. 4 ballot.

39. ‘Pop’ at Top of His Game One More Time - Friday, June 20, 2014

Numbers rarely lie, and in Gregg Popovich’s case they finally piled up in a way too compelling to ignore.

Five NBA titles spread over 15 years is a dynasty, even – maybe especially – in this era of short attention spans. It’s long past time Popovich got the credit he deserves.

40. Beaten Path - Thursday, November 28, 2013

Footprints and fat tires have taken their toll on the Tour de Wolf Trail at Shelby Farms Park, and signs of its overuse are evident all along the roughly 6-mile path.

41. UPS to Double Presence at Airport - Thursday, September 19, 2013

The world’s second-busiest cargo airport is about to see another increase in freight capacity, helping bolster a facility that has suffered in recent years from fewer passenger flights.

Atlanta-based United Parcel Service will double in size at Memphis International Airport, according to Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority president and CEO Larry Cox, who announced the news Thursday, Sept. 19, at the monthly board of commissioners meeting.

42. Born Mean and Born Again - Friday, August 16, 2013

A CHANGED CHARACTER. AND THAT’S NO BULL. Next week, I’m going to a movie about the meanest, baddest linebacker to ever rip a helmet off a quarterback or start and finish a fight in Memphis. I’m going to a movie about a professional baseball player who was kicked out of the sport for the swings he took at players instead of the ball. I’m going to a movie about one of the most feared men in the NFL, and one of the most controversial because of his rabid rage on and off the field. I’m going to a movie about self-destruction, addiction, abuse, and about Jesus.

43. Adams Property Would Unite Police Functions - Friday, June 28, 2013

The stars could be aligning for the Memphis Police Department to finally move out of the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center in Downtown.

Cost estimates for the department to renovate the old police headquarters on Adams Avenue have dropped and financing sources that could lighten the city’s cost burden are being explored, two important steps that could finally prompt a move.

44. Government Largesse - Saturday, June 8, 2013

These days, it seems like office real estate brokers are fighting tooth and nail to find office space for government tenants.

While office brokers are typically chasing new business to town or urging existing firms to grow, they’re now looking for office space for government agencies, which have emerged as prominent players in the local office real estate sector.

45. Events - Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will be held Thursday, May 16, through Saturday, May 18, at Tom Lee Park, on Riverside Drive Downtown. Tickets are $9 at the gate. Visit memphisinmay.org.

46. Apperson Crump Expands in Triad III - Friday, March 15, 2013

Memphis’ oldest continuously practicing law firm is expanding its presence in Triad III.

Apperson Crump PLC added 2,037 square feet to its seventh floor space in a vacant adjacent area between Silverleafe Capital Partners LLC.

47. City Council Approves Fairgrounds TDZ Request - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Memphis City Council members approved Tuesday, Feb. 19, plans for a tourism development zone to capture sales tax revenue in a large area for a renovation of the Fairgrounds property at first.

The boundaries of the zone go to the state for approval and city Community and Housing Development division director Robert Lipscomb said such a proposal could be at the state building commission in Nashville in April.

48. Top White-Collar Crime Prosecutor Getting SEC Job - Friday, January 25, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama will nominate former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White, who built a reputation prosecuting white-collar crimes, to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, an agency that has a central role in implementing Wall Street reform.

49. Housing, Voting, Power: Problems Abound Post-Sandy - Wednesday, November 7, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – From trying to figure out where people would live to how they would be able to vote and when all the lights will finally come on, government officials are still facing multiple fronts in the efforts to recover from Superstorm Sandy. All that, and there's another storm coming.

50. Crye-Leike Sells Properties, Land At Feb. Auction - Friday, March 30, 2012

Multiple properties in the Memphis area have traded hands as a result of an auction held by Crye-Leike Auction Services in February.

Kays Nawaf Employee Pension Plan sold three flex warehouse buildings at 4652 Damascus Road, 4660 Damascus Road and 4668 Damascus Road, ranging from 7,450 square feet to 10,160 square feet. There was a published minimum bid of $83,000 each.

51. Deadline Looms For Candidates In March Primaries - Thursday, December 8, 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.

52. Villas at Cordova Complex Sells for $14.2M in Foreclosure - Tuesday, July 26, 2011

8546 Prestine Loop
Cordova, TN 38018
Sale Amount: $14.2 million

Sale Date: May 11, 2011

53. MMBC Honors Minority Business Achievements - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The new chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber told attendees at the annual Mid-South Minority Business Council awards luncheon that minority business is about more than “the spend.”

The term came up frequently at last week’s luncheon where the organization presented the 25th annual Robert R. Church Achievement Awards.

54. MMBC Honors Minority Biz Achievements - Monday, November 22, 2010

The new chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber told those at the annual Mid-South Minority Business Council awards luncheon that minority business is about more than “the spend.”

The term came up frequently at Friday’s luncheon where the organization presented the 25th annual Robert R. Church Achievement Awards.

55. Events - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Small Biz Memphis will host the Cordova/Bartlett and East Memphis/Midtown Business Builders Circle meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at 1661 International Drive, suite 400. The Germantown/Collierville meeting will be Thursday at 7:45 a.m. at 2176 West St., suite 110. For more information, call 205-9303.

56. Cohen Bill Elevates Aerotropolis Concept - Wednesday, May 12, 2010

U.S. Rep Steve Cohen hopes his colleagues on Capitol Hill will soon become as familiar with the term “aerotropolis” as the constituents he represents in Tennessee’s 9th District.

57. Ford Name Plays Into Election Victory - Thursday, May 6, 2010

It didn’t work for Myron Lowery in last year’s special election for Memphis mayor.

But Joe Ford won the Democratic nomination for Shelby County mayor this week by running from the office.

58. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 5, 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.

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

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

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

60. State’s Nuisance Law Helps Nab Three Memphis Cops - Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Three Memphis police officers could be indicted by a federal grand jury as early as today on conspiracy, bribery and extortion charges.

Timothy Green, Christopher Crawford and Michael Young were arrested Friday and charged in a complaint.

61. 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.

62. 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)

63. Cohen Applauded by Pro-Pot Activists - Friday, January 15, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen acknowledged feeling a little lonely as he addressed a crowd of self-described pot smokers just off Capitol Hill.

64. Commissioners to Fill Commission, Legislature Vacancies - Monday, January 11, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners will begin the new year with some familiar chores.

Today’s meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building.

It includes the appointment of a new commissioner for District 4 Position 3. And the commission will appoint an interim state representative for District 85.

65. 2010 - Monday, January 4, 2010

Is it over yet? That may be the most frequently asked question in the New Year. “It” is the worst national economic recession since the Great Depression.

Accurately reading the indicators will not be easy. Some will predict the recession is about to end, just as new indicators point to continuing economic agony for thousands of Memphians.

66. Mega Bucks - Monday, December 14, 2009

Ten years ago, Jim Ewing and Jim Bruce wrote a piece for Site Selection, a trade magazine for people in the business of consulting on the best locations to build industrial plants. It was called “The Approaching Industrial Land Shortfall.”

67. Police Director Larry Godwin - Monday, October 5, 2009

As the contenders for Memphis mayor have been on the road this month, another campaign has been under way.

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin has been making the case for the signature strategy of his five years as top cop – Blue CRUSH.

68. Time Running Out for Bipartisan Health Compromise - Wednesday, September 9, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers returning to Capitol Hill a day ahead of President Barack Obama’s health care speech wasted no time Tuesday showing just how hard his selling job will be.

In a fresh sign of divisions in the president’s own party, a key House Democratic moderate said he can no longer support legislation that includes a new public insurance plan to compete with private industry.

69. A River Runs Through Us: Memphis’ once and future connection with the Wolf - Monday, September 7, 2009

A cottonmouth slithers through the marsh. A wolf spider clings to a cypress tree. A white heron soars above the bottomland forest.

Paddle a canoe down the Ghost River section of the Wolf River in Fayette County and you’ll travel through multiple, distinct ecosystems teeming with wildlife. But while animal sightings convey the true spirit of the Wolf, only one creature – the elusive “river rat” – can verbalize why this river and its wetland corridor are so important.

70. Events - Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Mid-South Area Business Travel Association will hold its monthly luncheon today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select East Memphis, 5795 Poplar Ave. Emily Capadalis of First Tennessee Bank’s Private Client Financial Services Division will speak. Cost is $25 for members and $40 for guests. For more information, visit www.msabta.com.

71. Police Push For Motel Demolition - Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The owner of a vacant airport area motel described as resembling war-torn Baghdad is due in Memphis Environmental Court this morning.

The Shelby Inn at 1970 East Shelby Drive and Interstate 55 was secured by authorities a week ago as a nuisance under state law.

72. City to Seek Neighborhood Improvement Funding - Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The city of Memphis is planning to apply for $64 million from the federal government’s second round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development got a little less than $2 billion of the so-called stimulus package Congress passed earlier this year to divvy up among states, local governments and nonprofit groups. Memphis city officials by July 17 will have applied for a chunk of that funding.

73. Marina Cove Owner Ordered to Clean Complex - Thursday, June 25, 2009

The owner of the Marina Cove apartment complex at 5505 Winchester Road in Hickory Hill has been ordered by Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons to clean the property and abate the nuisance it is causing.

74. Public Nuisance Declaration Latest Chapter for Marina Cove - Friday, May 29, 2009

The end could be near for the Marina Cove apartments at 5505 Winchester Road in Hickory Hill now that public nuisance charges have been filed against the complex and police have secured the sprawling property.

75. US Congress Can Learn from Mass., Tenn. Health Plans - Friday, May 29, 2009

Laid off from her job in Massachusetts, Danielle Marks thought immediately about losing her health insurance. How could she afford the medication and physical therapy she needed to heal after shoulder surgery?

76. Officials Try to Force Marina Cove Owner's Hand With Nuisance Charges - Thursday, May 28, 2009

City and county officials announced Wednesday that they had filed public nuisance charges against the Marina Cove apartment complex at 5505 Winchester Road in Hickory Hill and that the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit had secured the 394-unit, 24.16 acre property.

77. Corker Decries Auto Industry Bailout, Other Federal Moves - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is not only a critic of the federal stimulus package in Washington – he’s also outspoken against the federal bailout of the auto industry, especially since Tennessee is one of the top three states for auto manufacturing.

78. Congress Tackles Credit Cards, Health Care, Energy - Tuesday, April 21, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week, hammering out details of the budget passed before the spring break will be at the top of the agenda.

On Sunday Republicans continued to warn that President Barack Obama's spending plan is a "disaster" for the country, even though the federal income tax burden is at a historic low, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

79. AIG Bonuses Won't Stand, Dem Senators Declare - Wednesday, March 18, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Talking tougher by the hour, livid Democrats confronted beleaguered insurance giant AIG with an ultimatum Tuesday: Give back $165 million in post-bailout bonuses or watch Congress tax it away with emergency legislation.

80. Events - Friday, November 7, 2008

The Memphis Regional Chamber will hold a leadership luncheon today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Dr. Hershel Wall, chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, will speak. For reservations, contact Tunga Lee at 543-3571 or tlee@memphischamber.com.

81. MPD Gains As Council Weighs Recruiting Future - Monday, June 16, 2008

The Memphis Police Department grew last week, as 50 new police officers took the oath and received their badges in a ceremony at World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church in Hickory Hill.

The graduation of the 99th class of recruits since formal police training began in 1937 comes as police brass and city leaders continue to talk about the goal of a police force totaling 2,500 men and women in blue.

82. Hickory Hill Welcomes New Environmental Court - Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The new Hickory Hill Environmental Community Court will begin hearing cases this week.

The court, which will be inside the Memphis Police Department’s Ridgeway Station, is part of an effort to crack down on crime in the Hickory Hill area, including code violations.

83. City Council to DiscussHickory Hill Initiative - Tuesday, April 15, 2008
     The Memphis City Council today will discuss a resolution accepting half of $2.2 million in federal funding for the Memphis Police Department's SAFEWAYS project, an effort to crack down on crime in Hickory Hill apartment

84. Crime Efforts Focus On Hickory Hill Apartment Complexes - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Hickory Hill residents can expect to see an even greater reduction in crime in the area, Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin told a room of about 100 residents recently.

The Ridgeway Precinct saw the highest reduction in crime last year, and the department hopes to continue that trend, he said.

85. Murder Victim's Father Looks for Answers - Friday, March 7, 2008

Ethan Jacobs was one of six people who died violently in Memphis last Memorial Day weekend. Earlier that month, the rape and home-invasion robbery of a woman in Chickasaw Gardens began an emotional spike in the city's collective reaction to a pervasive crime problem.

86. Hickory Hill Residents Complain of Slow Storm Response - Tuesday, February 12, 2008

There was no looting last week in Hickory Hill, the section of Southeast Memphis hit harder than any other place in the city by a swarm of tornadoes that devastated a five-state region. So said Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin at a weekend meeting with about 60 area residents. "There was none," he stressed.

87. Clear Channel Sues Property Owner to Keep Billboard - Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. has filed suit in Shelby County Chancery Court against a property owner stuck with a dilapidated brick industrial building near Downtown Memphis that dates back to 1901.

Much of the value of the property - and the reason for the lawsuit - can be found on the building's roof. That's where a billboard towers high above the landscape and greets drivers on nearby Interstate 240.

88. Environmental Court on Tap for Hickory Hill - Thursday, September 6, 2007

Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter gently admonishes people who come into his courtroom for violations ranging from parking old cars in the yard to allowing property to fall into disarray.

89. Commercial Sales See 26% Rise Over Last Year - Thursday, August 23, 2007

Large real estate deals tend to garner recognition with their high-dollar price tags and high-volume portfolios. But it's the untold small- and medium-sized transactions that help keep a market healthy and vital.

90. Get to Work: Chamber Presents Regional Labor Study Results - Monday, June 19, 2006

June 19

The Mid-South Workers' Compensation Association meets at 11:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn Select, 5795 Poplar Ave. Guest speaker Dr. Carl Weiss of orthomemphis p.c. will discuss the patho-psychology and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand ailments. Cost is $20 for non-members. Send an e-mail to ccheely@hp.novacare.com for reservations.

91. Despite Schiavo Spotlight, Living Wills Still at Low Ebb - Thursday, April 27, 2006

A recent study shows less than a third of Americans have living wills, with Tennessee and Memphis falling an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent below that margin.

The study, which was released in January by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, found 29 percent of Americans have a living will - sometimes called an advanced health care directive - that guides family members or legal representatives in making decisions for an incapacitated person. Tennessee fell into the 15 percent to 20 percent range, according to the study.

92. Q1 Business License Filings Up, Up, Up - Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Shelby County has started the year with business filings at a three-year high, and areas from Cordova to Hickory Hill are getting into the act.

Valarie Thomas, owner of Distinct Wrappers and Beyond, filed for a business license in early January in Cordova because that's where she and her husband live. The business makes custom candy bar wrappers for birthday parties and other special events.

93. Cordova Residents Fight Retail Development - Friday, March 24, 2006

The way Ray Bratcher sees it, the developers who are bringing a pair of retail centers to his tree-lined suburban neighborhood couldn't have picked a more ironic name for themselves.

The unfinished project - which could include a hotel, offices and a five-star restaurant, all tucked behind another row of stores - is being built in the Countrywood subdivision by a group that calls itself Family Values Property LLC. Bratcher says he thinks that name is odd because of what the group plans to do.

94. Tapping the Hispanic Market - Thursday, March 16, 2006

Lauda Martin Davis has seen the puzzled looks before. When she sees them directed at Hispanics in Memphis who are struggling to accomplish mundane tasks, she thinks of her Hispanic father, a man who never quite overcame his own language barrier.

95. Business Filings Jump Highest in 2005 - Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Memphis and Shelby County have seen a rise in business license filings over the past three years, and 2005 was no different. It was the best in that period with 6,660 filings - that's a 9.43 percent increase over the 6,086 filings in 2004 and a 13.53 percent increase over the 5,866 filings in 2003.

96. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Crye-Leike CEO Named Secretary of International Organization

New Assistant District Attorneys Appointed

Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced the reappointment of former assistant district attorney Ray Lepone and the appointme...

97. Archived Article: Real Recap - Tuesday, November 2, 2004
7491 Wyndhurst Place

Germantown Apartments Sell for $20.7 Million

7491 Wyndhurst Place

Germantown, TN 38138

Cost: $20.7 million

Buyer: Empirian Colonnade LLC, with an undivided 75 percent interest; and Bush Realty Colonnade LLC, with ...

98. Archived Article: Real Recap - Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Millington Telephone Co

Millington Telephone Co. Finances Land in Four Counties

Land in four

Tennessee counties

Cost: $8.1 million

Borrower: Millington Telephone Co. Inc.

Lender: The United States of America, Rural Utilities Servic...

99. Archived Article: Real Recap - Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Property in

Grant and Co. Refinances Camden Grove

1571 N. Houston Levee Road

Cordova, TN 38016

Cost: $17 million

Borrower: Camden Grove LLC

Lender: First Trust Bank for Savings

Trustee: Robert J. Pinstein

Property: Camden Gro...

100. Archived Article: Events - Friday, May 28, 2004
Butler Street Bazaar hosts an art exhibit closing reception and fundraiser from 6 p

The Daily News offices will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Offices reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and will remain open during normal business hours....