The 11-day Mid-South Fair begins at the Landers Center in Southaven on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Admission is $10 for those age 13 to 59 and $5 for children age 5 to 12. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Parking is free daily.

2. Memphis Climb - Saturday, August 25, 2018

Recently, cbssports.com put out a map showcasing the best college football programs in every state. The state of Tennessee, which forever would have been colored Big Orange, was instead shaded Memphis Tigers Blue. College football writer Barrett Sallee provided a two-part explanation for how this came to be:

3. Mid-South Fair Returning To Landers Center - Wednesday, August 22, 2018

The 11-day Mid-South Fair begins at the Landers Center in Southaven on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Admission is $10 for those age 13 to 59 and $5 for children age 5 to 12. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Parking is free daily.

4. Harris Claims County Mayor, Democrats Sweep Other Countywide Offices - Monday, August 6, 2018

State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

5. Harris Elected County Mayor, Bonner as Sheriff - Friday, August 3, 2018

State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

6. Schowen Named Manager Of Baptist Ambulance - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Greg Schowen has been named general manager of Baptist Ambulance, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies that currently serves 10 Baptist Memorial Health Care facilities with interfacility transport, as well as six communities with 911 response. Schowen brings 25 years of experience overseeing operations for emergency medical service providers in high-performance 911 service areas, including Los Angeles County, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

7. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset, Lowery is Newest Commissioner - Thursday, May 3, 2018

The 13-member Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term.

8. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent county commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term on the 13-member body.

9. Quarterback and Tight End Leaving Memphis Program - Saturday, April 21, 2018

Brady Davis, a quarterback recruited by former University of Memphis coach Justin Fuente, announced via social media he has been granted his release and will seek to continue his collegiate career elsewhere.

10. Quarterback and Tight End Leaving University of Memphis - Friday, April 20, 2018

Brady Davis, a quarterback recruited by former University of Memphis coach Justin Fuente, announced via social media he has been granted his release and will seek to continue his collegiate career elsewhere.

11. Four County Commissioners Unopposed As May Ballot Filing Deadline Approaches - Thursday, February 15, 2018

With a noon deadline Thursday, Feb. 15, to make the May 1 Shelby County primary ballot, four incumbent county commissioners had no opposition filed in their re-election bids.

Five Republican primary races on the ballot for 23 county offices, including the 13 commission seats, were one-candidate affairs with two or more Democrats running in the competing primaries as of Tuesday. Two Democratic primary races were also one-candidate races against a field of multiple Republican contenders in the companion primary.

12. Last Word: Liberty Bowl Post Mortem, Confederate Protest Plans and Absorption - Wednesday, January 3, 2018

As soon as it was confirmed the Tigers would play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, there was some concern locally about the impact that would have on tourism at the holidays with only one of the bowl teams – Iowa State – being from out of town. The exact dollar figures aren’t in just yet. But the game was enough of a success out of the box that the executive director of the game is talking about a more constant presence in the bowl game for the Tigers now that they’ve made their first appearance in the 59-year history of the game which began in Philadelphia. And there is some precedent in college football for what Steve Ehrhart is talking about.

13. County Primary Filing Opens With Paperwork Flurry - Monday, November 20, 2017

A total of 37 prospective candidates in the May 2018 county primaries pulled qualifying petitions last week on the first day of the filing period Friday, Nov. 17.

And the first contenders through the doors at the Shelby County Election Commission in a period that extends to a February deadline confirms a few trends.

14. Ford Opens Commission Bid as Lenoir Prepares To Launch Mayoral Bid - Friday, September 29, 2017

Campaign season for local, state and federal offices on the 2018 ballot has started.

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Jr. kicked off his bid for the Shelby County Commission at the offices of an East Memphis law firm. Meanwhile, Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir rallied supporters in advance of formally kicking off his bid for Shelby County Mayor at a Thursday, Sept. 28, announcement.

15. Ford Opens Commission Bid as Lenoir Prepares Formal Start of Mayoral Bid - Thursday, September 28, 2017

Memphis City Council member Edmund Ford Jr. kicked off his bid Wednesday, Sept. 27, for the Shelby County Commission on the 2018 ballot at the offices of an East Memphis law firm as Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir rallied supporters in advance of formally kicking off his bid for Shelby County Mayor at a Thursday announcement.

16. ‘Divisive Symbols’: Mississippi Case Offers Hope for Forrest Bust Removal - Thursday, September 7, 2017

State Sen. Lee Harris is encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s request for the state of Mississippi to respond to a lawsuit seeking to remove the Confederate battle flag from its state flag.

17. Looks Like Another 8-4 Season for Tennessee - Friday, August 25, 2017

Oops. I goofed last year. So did lots of other people who thought Tennessee’s football team would win the SEC East Division and go to the league championship game for the first time since 2007.

18. Wide Receiver U? That’s So 20 Years Ago - Friday, May 26, 2017

At the 2015 SEC Media Days, Tennessee coach Butch Jones referred to his school as “the original Wide Receiver U.”

The reference goes back to the days when the Vols were loaded with fast, talented pass receivers on the perimeter. In a heady stretch from 1982-91, UT had six wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL draft – Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Clyde Duncan, Tim McGee, Anthony Miller and Alvin Harper.

19. October 14-20, 2016: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, October 15, 2016

2015: The University of Memphis Tigers football team beats Ole Miss 37-24 at a sold-out Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in a game televised on ABC. It’s a big day in the city. Some tailgaters showed up the night before, anticipating a colossal traffic back-up around the fairgrounds. The evening of the game, a smaller, sold-out crowd gathers at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts for the induction of the latest class to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Among those in attendance is late-night TV talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who is inducting Justin Timberlake. Keith Richards is present to induct Scotty Moore.

20. Looks Like 10-2, SEC Title Game, Orange Bowl for UT - Monday, September 5, 2016

Editor’s note: Nashville sports correspondent Dave Link has been accurate in predicting season outcomes for the Tennessee Vols in recent years. His 2016 season predictions, released just before press time, culminates with an SEC Championship appearance. Here’s his take on the season…

21. Up-Tempo Offense Will Need ‘Nasty’ O-Line - Wednesday, March 23, 2016

If all goes well, the attention probably will be on the quarterback – an open competition at the moment – and the receivers and the running backs. That’s just how football works.

But ultimately the success of the University of Memphis offense next season will be about much more than the fast guys and the guy who gets the ball to them. First-year head coach Mike Norvell was offensive coordinator at Arizona State and he has brought with him Chip Long, who will serve as Norvell’s offensive coordinator, and who worked with Norvell from 2012 through 2015.

22. Mike Norvell Era Starts with Optimism And a Raise-the-Bar Recruiting Class - Friday, February 5, 2016

In a few minutes, first-year coach Mike Norvell would be standing behind a lectern providing assembled media a summary of his first recruiting class at the University of Memphis.

“Not a good class,” he would say, “a great class, a home-run-hitting class.”

23. Timberlake Remarks Show Generational Change in Music Heritage - Monday, October 19, 2015

Memphis music heritage, and the remembrance of it, turned an important corner Saturday, Oct. 17, when Justin Timberlake walked on stage at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

Timberlake, 34, is the youngest inductee into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

24. Timberlake Sings a Little, Dances a Little at Memphis Event - Monday, October 19, 2015

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Justin Timberlake sang and strutted his way through his induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame on Saturday, doing vocal impersonations of soul singers Al Green and Otis Redding, performing on stage with Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, and joking with buddy Jimmy Fallon.

25. Fallon, Richards to Attend Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction - Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will be among the attendees at this weekend’s Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

26. Fallon, Richards to Attend Music Hall Of Fame Induction in Memphis - Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will be among the attendees at this weekend’s Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Downtown Cannon Center on Saturday, Oct. 17.

27. Five City Council Races Destined for Runoffs - Friday, October 9, 2015

The identity of the Memphis City Council that will take office in January with six new members was still in flux at the end of a very long and frustrating Oct. 8 election night.

The races for four of those six open seats and the seat now held by an appointee to the council are going to a Nov. 19 runoff election – one week before Thanksgiving.

28. Facing USF, Memphis Looks to Remove Late-Game Drama - Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Late in the offensive carnival that was masquerading as a college football game, University of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch looked to encourage the Tigers’ beleaguered defense.

This was last Thursday night, Sept. 24, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in the Tigers’ ESPN game vs. All American Conference-rival Cincinnati. And late in the fourth quarter, the score was tied 46-46 and the Memphis defense was headed back onto the field.

29. Tigers Give Up 752 Yards, Still Beat Cincinnati To Remain Undefeated - Friday, September 25, 2015

Playing on ESPN’s national stage Thursday, Sept. 24, the University of Memphis showed the country what it can do on offense.

And what it can’t yet do on defense.

But in the end, on the right side of a 53-46 victory over Cincinnati at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium before 45,172 fans, the Tigers also showed they could overcome just about anything.

30. Preseason Analysis: Vols Will Defeat Oklahoma, Finish 8-4 - Saturday, August 8, 2015

Tennessee’s football team has something to prove as it concludes the first week of preseason practices and moves forward to the 2015 season.

The Vols must prove they belong in the national picture in Butch Jones’ third year as coach.

31. Memphis Mayoral Field Set at 10 - Friday, July 24, 2015

Shelby County Election Commissioners have certified the Memphis election ballot for Oct. 8.

These are the names to appear on that ballot for the 15 elected offices.

The commission met hours after the noon Thursday, July 23, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot if they wished.

32. Commercial Real Estate Bounces Back - Saturday, March 28, 2015

After slowing to a crawl in the years following the Great Recession, commercial real estate activity in Metropolitan Knoxville is showing signs of sustained growth.

Last year marked a solid increase in sales and leasing in the Knoxville region, and 2015 is off to a good start, according to several area real estate executives.

33. Crone Promoted at Trane Mid-South - Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Jim Crone has been promoted to comprehensive solutions business development manager with Trane Mid-South. In his new role, Crone will work with large commercial, industrial and institutional customers throughout the Mid-South to develop performance-based comprehensive solutions for capital improvements and operational efficiencies.

34. Justin Ford: ‘We’re On The Cusp Of Change’ - Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Shelby County commission chairman Justin Ford is running for Memphis Mayor in 2015.

Ford announced his intention to challenge Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. Monday, Feb. 9, joining former county commissioner James Harvey, city council member Jim Strickland, and former University of Memphis basketball player Detric Golden in the growing field.

35. In Wake of Spotify Pullout, Music Industry Debates Streaming - Tuesday, November 25, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – From board rooms in Japan to songwriter's rooms in Nashville, a debate is brewing in music industry circles about the financial and creative value of streaming music, even as its popularity and impact skyrocket.

36. Malone to Challenge Luttrell In August Mayoral Showdown - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone will challenge incumbent Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell in the August county general election after winning the Tuesday, May 6, Democratic mayoral primary.

37. Malone Takes Early Vote In Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone took the early vote in the three-way Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

The first results of the Tuesday, May 6, election night showed Malone leading rivals county commissioner Steve Mulroy and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr.

38. This week in Memphis history: April 4-10 - Saturday, April 5, 2014

2013: The Memphis Soul concert in the East Room of the White House featuring Sam Moore and Justin Timberlake.

39. American Athletic Conference Honors Three Tigers - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Senior guard Joe Jackson and sophomore forward Shaq Goodwin made the American Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team and freshman forward Austin Nichols made the All-Rookie Team.

40. Shelby County Party Heads Look Ahead to Primaries - Tuesday, March 11, 2014

As Shelby County Democrats try to improve on losing every countywide office to Republicans in the 2010 county elections, party leaders are also warning political figures who identify as Democrats not to cross party lines.

41. Election Commission Hears Ballot Challenges - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Shelby County Election Commissioners could complete the ballot for the May Shelby County primary elections Wednesday, March 5, by deciding on challenges to the residency of three candidates in the Democratic primaries.

42. Consolidation Talk Surfaces as Races Come to Life - Thursday, February 27, 2014

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy says he would pursue city and county government consolidation if elected Shelby County mayor.

Mulroy made the comment at a Cooper-Young fundraiser as campaigns leading into the May county primaries came to life this week.

43. Roland ReElected At Filing Deadline, Two Countywide Races Set For August - Friday, February 21, 2014

One of the six Shelby County Commission incumbents seeking re-election this year was effectively elected to a new four-year term in a new district with the noon Thursday, Feb. 20, filing deadline for candidates in the May county primaries.

44. Attorney Pierotti Joins Thomas Family Law Firm - Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Nicholas J. Pierotti has joined Thomas Family Law Firm PLC as an attorney, marking the firm’s expansion to include probate issues. Pierotti, a third-generation attorney, joins founder Justin K. Thomas in the Memphis-based practice and will work with clients on both family law and probate matters, including wills and estates.

45. Who You Calling ‘Hillbilly’? - Thursday, September 12, 2013

In a Huffington Post article with the dateline of Venice, Italy, actor Scott Haze says he spent three months living in the Tennessee mountains to prepare for a role in a film. Losing 45 pounds, eating a piece of fish and an apple each day, and sleeping in caves, Haze hardened himself to the role of a deranged killer for “Child of God,” which is about to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

46. Faith and Football - Friday, September 6, 2013

The four men had parked themselves in lawn chairs under a tent outside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on a Saturday with no Tigers football game. Yes, there was Fan Fest and soon enough a “mock game” would begin inside the stadium as Tiger players ran around in helmets, jerseys and shorts.

47. Memphis Suit Project Aims to Dress the Needy - Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Three Memphis businessmen have started a nonprofit venture to help young men literally suit up for opportunities they encounter – the kind of opportunities that make it possible to advance in life and that require the participant to dress for the occasion.

48. I Know a Place - Friday, April 26, 2013

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE. “Oh, mmm, I know a place… When Mavis Staples sang those words, everybody in the audience was moved to move. The kind of primal itch you got to scratch, the kind of muscle over mind that makes toes tap, fingers snap, and hands clap.

49. White House Celebrates the Sounds of Memphis Soul - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – A White House celebration Tuesday night of Memphis soul music is an affirmation of the decades of hard work that went into making it a classic American music sound, said some of the artists tapped to perform.

50. Commission Tries Again at Redistricting - Monday, February 6, 2012

The votes are still close on the Shelby County Commission as the group takes the first vote Monday, Feb. 6, on its third try at redistricting.

The plan that’s up for the first of three readings is a conversion of the 13-member, five-district body to 13 single-member districts covering all of Shelby County.

51. 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.

52. 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.

53. Commission Races Hinge on Public Issues - Monday, April 19, 2010

Two issues figure in to the 11 competitive races for the Shelby County Commission – the future of the Regional Medical Center and local government consolidation.

Any push card for a credible candidate includes either something about how to save The MED or the candidate’s opposition to consolidation – or both.

54. Moore Fights to Keep Commission Seat - Friday, March 19, 2010

Edith Moore has never run for public office.

But that doesn’t mean she’s never been involved in politics.

55. What’s Coming Up This Election Season - Monday, March 15, 2010

After a year of turbulence, the Memphis political scene continues to remake itself.

The May 4 and Aug. 5 elections don’t have the focused drama of last October’s special election for Memphis mayor, but they represent new chapters in a story that could end with a new generation of political leaders and at least a passing of the political baton.

56. 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.

57. 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)

58. Surprises Possible as Primary Filing Deadline Nears - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Although today marks the filing deadline for the May 4 Shelby County primaries and independent candidates on the Aug. 5 county general election ballot, plenty of political drama remains.

In fact, the filing deadline is often just as important – and surprising – as election day.

59. Surprise Commission Appointee Lays Out Plans, Goals - Monday, December 28, 2009

Edith C. Moore is the newest member of the Shelby County Commission, which appointed her during its last meeting of the year on Dec. 21.

Moore represents District 3 Position 3, the seat vacated by Joe Ford earlier in December when he was appointed interim Shelby County mayor.

60. 2009 Year In Review - Monday, December 28, 2009

2009 was a year without a script – and plenty of improvising on the political stage.

It was supposed to be an off-election year except in Arlington and Lakeland.

2008 ended with voters in the city and county approving a series of changes to the charters of Memphis and Shelby County governments. Those changes were supposed to set a new direction for both entities, kicking into high gear in 2010 and ultimately culminating two years later.

61. An Upset Choice For The County Commission - Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A retired IBM executive who decided to take a political leap at the last minute is the newest Shelby County Commissioner.

Edith C. Moore got seven votes from eleven members of the Shelby County Commission in the sixth round of voting to fill the vacancy created by Commissioner Joe Ford’s appointment as interim Shelby County Mayor.

62. UPDATE: Moore Is Upset Choice For County Commission - Monday, December 21, 2009

A retired IBM executive who decided to take a political leap at the last minute is the newest Shelby County Commissioner.

Edith C. Moore got seven votes from eleven members of the Shelby County Commission in the sixth round of voting to fill the vacancy created by Commissioner Joe Ford’s appointment as interim Shelby County Mayor.

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

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

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

64. County Commission To Fill Vacancy - Monday, December 7, 2009

Shelby County Commissioners will fill one vacancy today and make plans to fill another one.

On today’s agenda is the appointment of a new commissioner to fill the eight months left in the term of office of County Commissioner Joe Ford.

65. Commission To Interview Ford Replacement Applicants - Wednesday, December 2, 2009

For the second time in a year, Shelby County Commission members are about to change the makeup of the 13-member body.

Commissioners today will interview applicants for the District 3, Position 3 seat Joe Ford is giving up to become interim Shelby County mayor. The meeting is set for 10 a.m.

66. Lenny’s Founder’s Death Apparent Suicide, Police Say - Monday, December 8, 2008

Funeral services for Len Moore, the man who started a sandwich shop in Bartlett that grew into the Lenny’s Sub Shop national franchise, were held Friday in Woodlands, Texas.

67. Royalty Money Better Late Than Never, Music Heritage Group Insists - Thursday, September 21, 2006

The Stax record label could be headed for a potential rebirth, thanks to Justin Timberlake's announcement Sept. 15 that he wants to build a contemporary version of the iconic label, which started in 1959 as a small record store in South Memphis and later helped launch the careers of music legends like Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding.

68. Local Resident Named Land Realtor of America - Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Keith Morris of 4M Land Co. in Somerville was honored with the 2005 Land Realtor of America award by the Realtors Land Institute. Morris, current president of the Tennesseen RLI chapter, is the first Tennessean to receive the award. He graduated from the University of Memphis.

69. Armstrong Allen Names New Litigation Practice Chair - Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Armstrong Allen attorney James F. Arthur III was named litigation practice group chairman for the firm. Arthur replaces Lucian Pera, who has served as litigation practice chairman for the past several years.