Aretha Franklin, who cast the first sounds from her wonderful voice in a South Memphis house, died Thursday, Aug. 16, at her home in Detroit, her publicist confirmed. She was 76. Her longtime publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, said the legendary singer died from advanced pancreatic cancer. Earlier this week, word emerged that Ms. Franklin was in hospice care. 

2. July 20-26, 2018: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, July 21, 2018

2012: Loeb Properties Inc. of Memphis closed on its $7 million acquisition of eight acres of the Overton Square entertainment district from Denver-based Overton Square Investors LLC.

3. Hilton Canopy Hotel, Museum Lofts Receive Tax Incentives - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Rhode Island-based Magna Hospitality Group, doing business as MHF Memphis VI LLC, has been granted a 15-year tax incentive to build a $43 million four-star hotel on the site of the former Benchmark Hotel at 164 Union Ave.

4. Lake District Lands Malco Theater, Former Benchmark Seeks New Life - Monday, June 11, 2018

3536 Canada Road,
Lakeland, TN 38002

Tenant: Malco Theatres Inc.

Tenant’s Agent: Michael Lightman, Michael Lightman Realty

Landlord: The Lake District

5. New Benchmark Owners Seeking Incentives for 4-Star Hotel - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

A Rhode Island-based company has acquired the site of the former Benchmark Hotel and is seeking a 15-year tax incentive from the Downtown Memphis Commission to demolish the structure’s remaining concrete skeleton and replace it with a new four-star hotel.

6. Second Convention Center Hotel Has Footprint Beyond City’s Tallest Building - Monday, May 14, 2018

After four years as an emptied out eyesore and lots of promises with very little follow up, the city’s tallest building is at the center of a tentative deal to make it the second convention center hotel.

7. Candidates Lined Up for Four Open Judicial Seats on the August Ballot - Saturday, April 21, 2018

The Shelby County primary elections are in the early voting period and nearing the May 1 election day, but candidates in the August state and federal primaries are also campaigning. The August ballot includes four special elections for nonpartisan judicial positions – two Circuit Court judges, a Criminal Court judge and a General Sessions Criminal Court judge will be elected on the August ballot to fill vacancies in each of the divisions.

8. Two Downtown Hotel Projects Moving Forward After Delay - Thursday, April 5, 2018

Two Downtown Memphis hotel projects that were seemingly in stasis appear to moving forward.

Though unrelated, both projects have filed paperwork indicating physical progress may soon be around the corner.

9. Two Downtown Hotel Projects in Question Appear to be Moving Forward - Thursday, April 5, 2018

Two hotel projects Downtown Memphis that were seemingly in stasis both appear to moving forward.

Though unrelated, both projects filed paperwork Tuesday, April 3 that indicate physical progress may soon be around the corner.

10. County Commission Approves Contract Moratorium - Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Shelby County commissioners approved a moratorium Monday, April 2, on all county contracts and budget amendments worth more than $50,000 through the end of August.

The 10-3 commission vote follows concerns some commissioners expressed last week in committee sessions about a multi-year contract worth $20 million for medical services to county corrections center inmates.

11. Last Word: The RDC's New Leader, Potter on 100 North Main and FedEx Moves - Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Is Memphis big enough for FedExForum and some kind of event space on the Graceland campus in Whitehaven? The city administration thinks that could be the case. But it requires an “honest broker” between Graceland and the Grizz – who run the forum for the city and county – to quote city chief legal officer Bruce McMullen – if there is a deal to be had.

12. Potter Says 100 North Main Building Has Made Progress But Needs More - Tuesday, March 27, 2018

A month into his retirement, General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter wishes he could have seen more evidence of a turn-around at the city’s tallest building.

13. Benchmark Hotel Case Continued Until April - Saturday, March 24, 2018

The public nuisance case between the Downtown Memphis Commission and the owners of the former Benchmark Hotel has been continued until April 12.

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter had declared the site a public nuisance in February despite claims by the building’s owners, MNR Hospitality, that it was still an active construction site. The building had been in a partially demolished state for more than a year and a half.

14. Last Word: Pre-K's Longer Reach, Penny's Contract and Thad Cochran's Farewell - Friday, March 23, 2018

The Arkansas gate of Big River Crossing will reopen Friday morning at 6 a.m. The gate to the West Memphis side of the crossing leading to the Big River Trail on the flood plain below has been closed since the Mississippi River at Memphis reached flood stage several weeks ago. The river level has been falling for about a week. The Big River Trail floodway portions remain closed for now as some of the debris from the river is removed in those areas. While the trails are closed this is a good time to get a look from the crossing at the flood plain’s transition when the river rises and then starts to go down.

15. Benchmark Hotel Case Continued Until April - Friday, March 23, 2018

The public nuisance case between the Downtown Memphis Commission and the owners of the former Benchmark Hotel has been continued until April 12.

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter had declared the site a public nuisance in February despite claims by the building’s owners, MNR Hospitality, that it was still an active construction site. The building had been in a partially demolished state for more than a year and a half.

16. Commission Plans To Appoint Environmental Court Judge in April - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Shelby County commissioners plan to appoint a new General Sessions Environmental Court judge April 2 with Monday being the deadline for applicants to apply for the interim position.

The commission plans to interview applicants during March 28 committee sessions.

17. Commission Plans to Appoint Environmental Court Judge In April - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Shelby County commissioners plan to appoint a new General Sessions Environmental Court Judge April 2 with Monday being the deadline for applicants to apply for the interim position.

The commission had set the Monday, March 19, deadline for applications in February and set dates for the rest of the process at its Monday session including interviewing the applicants during March 28 committee sessions.

18. The Week Ahead: March 19-25, 2018 - Monday, March 19, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Spring fever’s in the air as the equinox officially arrives Tuesday morning. Tell winter to take a hike at the new Heels 4 Healing 5K for St. Jude this weekend, then let the kids dance the blues away at a pair of family ballet events. Here’s what else you should know about in The Week Ahead…

19. 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

20. August State and Federal Primary Ballot Taking Shape - Thursday, March 15, 2018

With less than a month to file for the August state and federal primary elections, there are still a few decisions to be made by would-be candidates working in the shadows of those running in the May 1 county primary elections.

21. Last Word: Murals and IRV at City Hall, Alexander on Trump and Schools Standoff - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Sometimes when you look at the Election Commission filings in an election season and no one has so much as pulled a petition let alone filed one, your thoughts tend to be along the lines of what is there to focus on beyond the day-to-day activity. And then you get a press release by email that really makes you remember the volatility of this whole business of running for elected office.

22. Potter Vacancy Would Put Fourth Special Judicial Election on Ballot - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

There could be a fourth special judicial election on the August ballot with word Monday, Feb. 19, that General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter will retire effective March 1.

23. Last Word: Patio Test, St. Jude's Edge and Bredesen Runs For the Center - Tuesday, February 20, 2018

All across the city Monday afternoon into the evening, the city was tested just about a month away from spring by the calendar. And I am happy to report that the dry run for the patio season proved Memphis is vigilant and prepared. The test, in extreme temperatures that reached 77 degrees – breaking the record of 76 degrees set in 1986, prompted some of you to break out the running gear and give it a spin just before the early sunset. Others among you were spotted on patios pondering what ever became of Mr. Mister and Glass Tiger.

24. Potter Retires As Environmental Court Judge - Tuesday, February 20, 2018

General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter announced Monday, Feb. 19, that he will retire from the court he founded effective March 1.

25. Former Benchmark Hotel Declared Public Nuisance - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

The site of the former Benchmark Hotel in Downtown Memphis has been declared a public nuisance by the Memphis and Shelby County Environmental Court.

The “tough” decision by Judge Larry Potter was made Thursday, Feb. 1, after several hours of legal wrangling by attorneys Danny Schaffzin – representing the Downtown Memphis Commission and a coalition of surrounding business owners including The Rendezvous’ John Vergos, and The Peabody hotel’s Marty Belz – and William Sessions, representing the building’s owners, MNR Hospitality.

26. Last Word: Closing the Loophole, Skeleton Hotel Update and Jubilee Conversion - Friday, February 2, 2018

The state legislator who sponsored the most recent version of the law making it much more difficult to remove Confederate monuments acknowledges that the city of Memphis found a legitimate loophole in the 2016 law he crafted. Republican Steve McDaniel, of Parkers Crossroads, tells our Nashville correspondent Sam Stockard that he has a bill in the House to close the loophole. But it won't undo what happened here. Although there is still a court fight over that taking shape.

27. Former Benchmark Hotel Declared Public Nuisance - Friday, February 2, 2018

The site of the former Benchmark Hotel in Downtown Memphis has been declared a public nuisance by the Memphis and Shelby County Environmental Court.

The “tough” decision by Judge Larry Potter was made Thursday, Feb. 1 after several hours of legal wrangling by attorneys Danny Schaffzin, representing the DMC and a coalition of surrounding business owners including John Vergos and Marty Belz, and William Sessions, representing the building’s owners, MNR Hospitality.

28. The Week Ahead: Sept. 4-10 - Monday, September 4, 2017

Hello, Memphis – and Happy Labor Day! Hopefully the promise of an exciting football season and Memphis Redbirds playoff games will help ease you back into work mode after the three-day weekend. Both are in store – along with Goat Days and much more – in The Week Ahead...

29. Plaque Honoring Franklin Placed at Former Home - Saturday, August 5, 2017

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has dedicated a plaque marking the childhood home of soul singer Aretha Franklin.

30. Plaque Honoring Aretha Franklin Placed at Former Home - Thursday, August 3, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, has dedicated a plaque marking the childhood home of soul singer Aretha Franklin.

Mayor Jim Strickland unveiled the plaque at the small wooden home on Wednesday morning.

31. Senses Allowed to Remain Open While Reapplying for Permit - Friday, May 26, 2017

Senses, the Poplar Avenue nightclub that found itself in the midst of zoning dispute, will be allowed to remain open for business while the owners and the county sort out the zoning issues.

Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter ruled Wednesday, May 24, the business could remain open, but with some stipulations.

32. Last Word: Sessions Visit, Election Day and Beale Street's Journey - Thursday, May 25, 2017

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in Memphis Thursday to talk about crime in a city whose record homicide count in 2016 Sessions has recently mentioned. Sessions is in town to talk with local, state and federal prosecutors and law enforcement. When the Attorney General comes to town, he or she is usually coming with policy talking points from the White House.

33. Judge Rules Senses Can Remain Open While Reapplying for Permit - Thursday, May 25, 2017

Senses, the Poplar Avenue nightclub that found itself in the midst of zoning dispute, will be allowed to remain open for business while the owners and the county sort out the zoning issues.

Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter ruled Wednesday, May 24, the business could remain open, but with some stipulations.

34. Memphis Mayor's Office to Help Save Franklin's Birthplace - Friday, March 24, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The Memphis mayor's office is pitching in to help figure out the future of the dilapidated house where soul singer Aretha Franklin was born, a lawyer said Thursday.

35. Corker To Keynote Dunavant Awards - Wednesday, March 22, 2017

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker will be the keynote speaker at the Rotary Club of Memphis East’s annual Dunavant Public Servant Awards.

Co-sponsored by The Daily News, the awards luncheon is 11:30 a.m., April 18, at the Memphis Hilton, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd.

36. DIY Network to Aid Aretha Franklin Home - Saturday, February 25, 2017

The Memphis home where soul music legend Aretha Franklin was born may get some love from the DIY Network, officials said Thursday, Feb. 23.

Jeffrey Higgs, president of the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corp., told a judge he has been in discussions with a producer at the remodeling and home improvement cable network on a plan to repair and move the house for one of its programs.

37. White Station Nightclub Will Remain Closed - Saturday, February 25, 2017

A White Station nightclub closed as a public nuisance by an Environmental Court order last week will remain closed for at least another six months.

The court order against the Las Vegas Bar and Grill, 745 N. White Station Road, was extended this week by General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

38. DIY Network to Aid Aretha Franklin Home - Friday, February 24, 2017

The Memphis home where soul music legend Aretha Franklin was born may get some love from the DIY Network, officials said Thursday, Feb. 23.

Jeffrey Higgs, president of the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corp., told a judge he has been in discussions with a producer at the remodeling and home improvement cable network on a plan to repair and move the house for one of its programs.

39. White Station Nightclub To Remain Closed - Friday, February 24, 2017

A White Station nightclub closed as a public nuisance by an Environmental Court order last week will remain closed for at least another six months.

The court order against the Las Vegas Bar and Grill, 745 N. White Station Road, was extended this week by General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

40. 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.

41. Radio Station Plan Emerges for Aretha Franklin’s Birth Home - Monday, August 22, 2016

Aretha’s Franklin’s childhood home received another reprieve in Environmental Court.

The decrepit structure at 406 Lucy Ave. in South Memphis has been boarded up and left vacant for years. But reinvigorated development plans to save the house from a demolition order, by turning it into either a museum or a radio station, need more time.

42. Judge Spares Aretha Franklin House From Demolition – For Now - Friday, August 19, 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A judge has seen enough progress on the dilapidated home where singer Aretha Franklin was born to keep it from being demolished.

News outlets report that Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter on Thursday gave the current homeowner three weeks to present a financial plan to make final repairs to the Memphis house.

43. The Week Ahead: August 7-14 - Monday, August 8, 2016

Happy Monday, Memphis. As many local students return to schools today, fans of The King are starting their pilgrimage to Graceland for the kickoff to Elvis Week. Here’s what else you need to know about this week…

44. Aretha Franklin’s Childhood Home Safe for Now - Friday, July 1, 2016

Aretha Franklin’s birthplace at 406 Lucy Ave. in South Memphis is getting an encore. Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter has suspended his demolition order for six weeks to give some breathing room to the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corp.’s recently revived campaign to turn the house into a museum.

45. Time Running Out to Save Aretha Franklin’s Birth Home From Demolition - Monday, June 27, 2016

A local business owner has stepped up with $15,000 to save Aretha Franklin's birth home, but the effort may be too little too late.

The dilapidated house at 406 Lucy Ave. is headed for demolition unless a realistic and fully-funded plan emerges within the week, said Steve Barlow, an attorney with blight-fighting law firm Brewer & Barlow PLC.

46. 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.

47. Two Binghampton Gangs Targeted In Latest Zones - Thursday, January 28, 2016

Memphis’ latest no-gang zones take in a swath of real estate one may not normally associate with crime and violence: a country club, the Shelby Farms Greenline and an elementary school, to name a few.

48. Two Binghampton Gangs Targeted In Latest No-Gang Zones - Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Members of two street gangs in Binghampton have been barred by court order from congregating and otherwise associating in public in a part of Binghampton that includes a park and a school.

The “safety zone” court orders issued Tuesday, Jan. 26, by General Sessions Environment Court Judge Larry Potter apply to members of the Vice Lords and Grape Street Crips gangs who congregate in and around Howze Park at Tillman Street and Mimosa Avenue.

49. The Week Ahead: Jan. 25, 2016 - Monday, January 25, 2016

We hope everyone survived Snow Terror ‘16 and is looking forward to a fun, productive week ahead that’s free of milk and bread runs. (Saturday’s high temp is 60 degrees – woohoo!) Here’s your weekly rundown of events and happenings worth paying attention to…

50. Long-Vacant Union Avenue Properties Get Another Day - Thursday, September 24, 2015

The city of Memphis and the Downtown Memphis Commission are negotiating with the owners of two vacant buildings in the 600 block of Union Avenue in an effort to avoid General Sessions Environmental Court declaring the properties a public nuisance.

51. Repair, Fence Ordered For Downtown Building - Thursday, July 30, 2015

The owner of a long-vacant Downtown building that suffered a partial roof collapse last week following heavy rain must erect “appropriate” fencing around the structure, according to Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

52. Owner of Blighted Downtown Building Will Appear in Court - Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The owner of a blighted Downtown building that partially collapsed last week following heavy rain will be in Shelby County Environmental Court Wednesday, July 29.

During the Thursday afternoon rain that flooded streets and briefly knocked out electricity across Downtown Memphis, the roof of the four-story building at 107 S. Main St. partially collapsed and a water pipe burst, allowing water to creep into adjoining buildings.

53. Historic Ashlar Hall in Limbo After ‘Renovation’ - Tuesday, July 14, 2015

The owner of historic but troubled Ashlar Hall says he will move forward with plans to redevelop the property into a veterans center as questions continue to swirl around the state of the building, located at 1397 Central Ave.

54. Summer Avenue Nightclub Closed As Nuisance - Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Just before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, authorities closed a Summer Avenue nightclub as a public nuisance.

The James Lounge Club, 3172 Summer Ave., was closed Thursday, May 21, under terms of a temporary injunction signed by General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

55. 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.

56. Engineers to Inspect Main Street Property - Saturday, April 4, 2015

Both sides in an Environmental Court lawsuit over a long-vacant property will hire their own structural engineers to inspect the building at 107 S. Main St.

57. Engineers to Inspect Main Street Property - Friday, April 3, 2015

Both sides in an Environmental Court lawsuit over a long-vacant property will hire their own structural engineers to inspect the building at 107 S. Main St.

58. Park Avenue Massage Parlor Closed As Public Nuisance - Tuesday, March 24, 2015

A Park Avenue business with a stripper pole in its waiting room has been closed since Friday, March 20, as a public nuisance.

The District Attorney General’s office sought a court order to shutter Lilly’s Spa. The owners of Lilly’s face prostitution charges from a connected investigation by the Memphis Police Organized Crime Unit.

59. Potter Rules Against Billboard Lawsuit Dismissal - Saturday, March 21, 2015

General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging three inner-city billboards in residential areas.

60. Potter Rules Against Dismissal of Billboard Lawsuit - Monday, March 16, 2015

General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging three inner-city billboards in residential areas.

61. Billboard Challenge Reaches Critical Juncture - Thursday, March 12, 2015

The latest legal dispute over billboards is in General Sessions Environmental Court Thursday, March 12.

But the hearing before Judge Larry Potter won’t decide the dispute over three billboards in residential areas. It is a hearing on a move to dismiss the case by Robert Spence, the attorney for Clear Channel Outdoors, which owns two of the three contested billboards.

62. 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.

63. 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.

64. 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.

65. Court Order Details Spread of Violent Gang - Friday, December 12, 2014

Fourteen years ago, a group of eight teenagers who lived on Burnham Street in Frayser tried to join the Vice Lords street gang and were rejected.

They became the FAM Mob street gang.

And according to a petition filed in Shelby County Environmental Court this week by the Multi-Agency Gang Unit to secure the city’s two latest no-gang zones, the rejection fueled violence that gang unit officers say have been a large part of the gang since its founding.

66. Latest No-Gang Zones Target FAM Mob - Thursday, December 11, 2014

Two Frayser apartment complexes are the latest no-gang safety zones in Memphis under court orders the district attorney general’s office sought from Shelby County Environmental Court.

The Ridgecrest Apartments on Rangeline Road and the Greenbriar Apartments on Dellwood Avenue are areas where members of the FAM Mob gang named in the court order signed by Judge Larry Potter are specifically prohibited from gathering together in public for any reason.

67. No Gang Zone Targets Legends Park Area - Wednesday, October 8, 2014

In June a group of 100 gang members lined both sides of Mosby Avenue between Dunlap and Ayers Streets, shutting down the area, as they celebrated the birthday of a fellow gang member, according to the local Multi-Agency Gang Unit.

68. New No Gang Zone Targets Dixie Homes Area - Tuesday, October 7, 2014

For the second time in a year, local authorities have declared a “safety zone” in Memphis where gang members are forbidden by a civil court order from congregating in public.

The street gang named in the Environmental Court order signed Monday, Oct. 6, by General Sessions Judge Larry Potter is known as the Dixie Homes Murda Gang, 47 Neighborhood Crips and Team 400 among other names.

69. New No Gang Zone Targets Dixie Homes Area - Tuesday, October 7, 2014

For the second time in a year, local authorities have declared a “safety zone” in Memphis where gang members are forbidden by a civil court order from congregating in public.

The street gang named in the Environmental Court order signed Monday, Oct. 6, by General Sessions Judge Larry Potter is known as the Dixie Homes Murda Gang, 47 Neighborhood Crips and Team 400 among other names.

70. Midtown Corner Could See Turnaround - Monday, August 11, 2014

While Midtown as a whole is experiencing a resurgence, two properties at the key intersection of Union Avenue and McLean Boulevard remain vacant, decaying eyesores.

But a real estate agent representing the owner of the vacant office building and hotel at the southwest corner of Union and McLean says both properties are under contract to be sold.

71. Problem Property - Thursday, August 7, 2014

The city of Memphis and the Downtown Memphis Commission suffered a stinging setback this week in their quest to rid a key section of Main Street of a deteriorating eyesore, one that has survived multiple attempts to be sold and defied repeated orders to clean up.

72. Memphis Bar Judicial Poll Released - Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The Memphis Bar Association poll of attorneys on the judicial races on the Aug. 7 ballot shows 16 percent to as high as 38 percent of the attorneys participating have no opinion in many of the judicial races.

73. Ashlar Hall Owner Hopeful for Building’s Rehab - Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The owner of Ashlar Hall says he would like to pursue renovation of the Midtown mansion and hopes he can find multiple tenants to fill the rehabilitated building, which would help offset the cost of repairs.

74. Comic Convention Drops Ashlar Hall Plans - Friday, May 16, 2014

The Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention says it no longer wants to be part of Ashlar Hall’s future under terms proposed by the building’s current owner.

Joe Thordarson, founder of the fantasy convention, said disagreements over how much Ashlar Hall’s current owner, Kenny Medlin, wanted to charge in rent led him to withdraw from the process.

75. Harris Files Ford Challenge at Deadline - Thursday, April 3, 2014

Memphis City Council member Lee Harris is challenging Democratic state Sen. Ophelia Ford in the August primary for District 29, the Senate seat held by a member of the Ford family since 1975.

76. Potter Upholds Ashlar Hall Transfer - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter, reversing a previous decision, upheld a 2013 transfer of Ashlar Hall from Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges to an acquaintance who wants to turn the stately but decaying property into a home for military veterans.

77. Judge Approves Transfer of Ashlar Hall - Saturday, March 1, 2014

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter, reversing a previous decision, upheld a 2013 transfer of Ashlar Hall from Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges to an acquaintance who wants to turn the stately but decaying property into a home for military veterans.

78. Competing Bidders Emerge for Ashlar Hall - Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Two people that had once considered teaming up to acquire and renovate crumbling Ashlar Hall are going their separate ways.

Joe Thordarson, founder of the Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention, and Ty Cobb, founder of the nonprofit Have a Standard Foundation, said this week that they are now pursuing separate plans to gain control of the Midtown mansion.

79. Court Invalidates Ashlar Hall Transfer - Monday, January 27, 2014

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter has invalidated Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges’ November transfer of Ashlar Hall to acquaintance Kenny Medlin, after Medlin did not produce a plan for rehabilitating the property.

80. Competing Claims - Thursday, January 16, 2014

The future of Ashlar Hall has become nearly as unpredictable as its eccentric former proprietor, Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges.

A Monday, Jan. 13, hearing before Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter did little to clear the air surrounding a November transfer of the 1397 Central Ave. property and competing claims over its future.

81. Fox Meadows Nuisance Petition Dismissed - Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Knight Arnold Food and Fuel gas station and convenience store is no longer under a nuisance petition in General Sessions Environmental Court.

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter dismissed the petition Monday, Nov. 25, against Sohail Hemani, the owner, after he said Hemani had taken steps including adding surveillance cameras and guards to discourage gang activity and drug sales on his property at Knight Arnold and Mendenhall.

82. Fox Meadows Nuisance Petition Dismissed - Thursday, November 28, 2013

The Knight Arnold Food and Fuel gas station and convenience store is no longer under a nuisance petition in General Sessions Environmental Court.

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter dismissed the petition Monday, Nov. 25, against Sohail Hemani, the owner, after he said Hemani had taken steps including adding surveillance cameras and guards to discourage gang activity and drug sales on his property at Knight Arnold and Mendenhall.

83. Crime Prevention - Friday, September 27, 2013

There are lots of teddy bears and other stuffed animals in the Riverside neighborhood declared the city’s first no-gang zone this week by a General Sessions Environmental Court order.

A large cluster of the toys are attached and strapped to a large tree that shades the gang graffiti-scarred abandoned house at the corner of Farrington Street and Hollowell Avenue.

84. First No-Gang Zone Sets Up in Riverside - Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The city and Memphis police began serving alleged gang members Monday with the city’s first try at establishing a no-gang safety zone in the Riverside area of southwest Memphis.

The first area with the designation in Memphis is bordered by South Parkway East to the north, West Mallory Street on the south, U.S. 55 on the west and Florida Street on the east.

85. Judge Stops Nineteenth Century Club Work - Friday, August 2, 2013

A Shelby County Chancery Court Judge has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue from doing any work on the property for 10 days.

86. Nineteenth Century Club Owners Obtain Demolition Permit - Thursday, August 1, 2013

Some preparatory demolition work began this week on the Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue while local preservationists started a legal fund to help preserve the historic structure.

The property’s current owner, Union Group LLC, acquired a demolition permit Tuesday, July 30, and felled a large tree on the back side of the property.

87. Judge: Nineteenth Century Club Owners Can Raze Building - Thursday, July 25, 2013

A judge ruled Wednesday, July 24, that the owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue can move forward with plans to demolish the property.

General Sessions Div. 14 Court Judge Larry Potter said that because no Chancery Court suit alleging an improper sale of the property was filed by Wednesday that he had little choice but to allow the Union Group LLC to move forward with plans to raze the building at 1433 Union Ave.

88. Change of Scenery - Saturday, July 20, 2013

After spending years or decades in their current form, longtime staples of the local real estate scene are about to disappear or undergo major changes that will forever alter the city’s built landscape.

89. Judge Prohibits Nineteenth Century Club Demolition - Friday, July 12, 2013

A Shelby County General Sessions Court judge has prohibited the owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue from doing any demolition there while an attorney investigates if the sale of the building was legal.

90. Judge Prohibits Nineteenth Century Club Demolition - Thursday, July 11, 2013

A Shelby County General Sessions Court judge has prohibited the owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue from doing any demolition there while an attorney investigates if the sale of the building was legal.

91. Potter Resets Hearing for Nineteenth Century Club - Saturday, June 29, 2013

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter said Monday, June 24, that he hopes the new owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue will preserve the decaying structure.

92. Potter Resets Hearing for Nineteenth Century Club - Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter said Monday, June 24, that he hopes the new owners of the historic Nineteenth Century Club building on Union Avenue will preserve the decaying structure.

93. Beale Club Reopening About Timing - Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The negotiations to reopen one of Beale Street’s busiest and most profitable nightspots were about not missing one of the busiest Downtown weekends of the year and how to handle the allegation that some employees of Club 152 either sold drugs or were complicit in drug sales in the club.

94. Talks Underway for Club 152 Reopening - Thursday, May 23, 2013

The owners of Club 152 on Beale Street and prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office have been talking since the club was shut down a week ago as a public nuisance.

Both sides are due back before General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter Thursday, May 21.

95. Club 152 Hearing Delayed to Tuesday - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

A first hearing on the nuisance court order that closed Club 152 on Beale Street last week was postponed Monday, May 20, to Tuesday before General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

96. Troubled Beale Nightspot Changes Hands - Tuesday, April 9, 2013

It’s been almost four months since Club Crave, the Beale Street nightspot with a history of violence under several names, was closed as a public nuisance under state law.

As the legal question of whether the building at 380 Beale St. is off limits for any future nightclub leases works its way through Shelby County General Sessions Environmental Court, the ownership of the club has changed in the last four months.

97. Club Crave Ends, Larger Beale Dispute Continues - Friday, January 18, 2013

Club Crave, the latest nightclub at 380 Beale St. with a history of violence, is dead.

But the Shelby County General Sessions Court order that ended it is not the endgame for a property at Beale and Fourth streets that has had many names over the decades.

98. Club Crave Nuisance Case Moves Slowly - Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s office and attorneys for the owners of Club Crave have been talking privately since prosecutors got the court order that closed the Beale Street nightspot during the Christmas holidays as a public nuisance.

99. Commission Approves Bartlett Senior Facility - Wednesday, November 7, 2012

If an expansion of an assisted-living facility at Baylor and Brunswick roads stays on schedule with votes next month by the Memphis City Council, the planned development should win final approval less than a month before the area it is in is annexed by the city of Bartlett.

100. Commission Votes Down Wage Theft Ordinance - Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a wage theft ordinance Monday Nov. 5 on the first of three readings.

Normally that would mean the proposal doesn’t advance to second and third readings. But commission chairman Mike Ritz said after conferring with the county attorney’s office, he interprets the rule to mean it can advance to second and third readings.