Piscotty is Cardinals’ Player of the Year

For his achievements both at Triple-A Memphis and in St. Louis, the Cardinals selected outfielder/first baseman Stephen Piscotty as the organization’s Player of the Year for 2015.

Piscotty, 24, batted .305 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in his 63 games played with the Cardinals following his July 21 call-up from Memphis. He ranked among team leaders in two-out RBI (23), game-winning RBI (7) and batting average with runners in scoring position (.393, 29 RBI).

"Following his productive work at Memphis, Stephen earned the promotion to St. Louis, stepped in and contributed to our major league club down the stretch and into the playoffs," said Cardinals Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque.

A first-round draft selection in 2012 (36th overall) out of Stanford University, Piscotty matched Matt Carpenter’s team-high 12-game hitting streak while also hitting safely in each of his first 10 games started and received voter recognition for the 2015 BBWAA National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The right-handed hitting Piscotty batted .272 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI in 87 games played with the Memphis Redbirds before his promotion to the majors. He joins Kolten Wong (2013), Allen Craig (2009) and Adam Kennedy (1999) as former Memphis Redbirds to have won the organization's Player of the Year honors.

– Don Wade

Strickland to Replace Animal Shelter Director

Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland confirmed Tuesday, Dec. 29, that James Rogers will not be reappointed as director of the Memphis Animal Shelter.

Strickland had pledged during the 2015 mayoral campaign that he would fire Rogers if elected.

A three-day suspension for Rogers was considered by city leaders and then dropped in July after a Rottweiler to be featured in a magazine as one of several up for adoption was mistakenly euthanized.

Rogers was appointed interim director of the city shelter in March 2012 as the shelter moved into new quarters.

With no experience in running animal shelters and a career in the U.S. Postal Service, Rogers became the fifth shelter director in seven years when he took the job.

He became the permanent director and inherited continuing complaints about conditions and practices at the shelter that persisted throughout his tenure.

Strickland has not named a replacement for Rogers to date.

– Bill Dries

East Memphis Retail Strip Sells for $5.3 Million

An East Memphis retail center has sold for $5.3 million to an out-of-town group.

Orleans Place Retail Center LLC purchased the property at 1779 Kirby Parkway and 1789 Kirby Parkway from Cohen Orleans Place LLC in a Dec. 28 warranty deed.

The Orleans Place shopping center totals 99,259 square feet across 2.3 acres on the west side of Kirby Parkway north of Poplar Ave. The multileveled property includes tenants One & Only BBQ and The UPS Store.

In conjunction with the sale, Orleans Place Retail Center filed a $3.5 million construction loan with First Capital Bank.

Adir Levitas, CEO of Israel investment firm Faropoint Investments, signed as trustee on the loan.

Also this year, Levitas also bought the Shops of Wolflake, located at 2965 N. Germantown Parkway in Bartlett.

– Madeline Faber

Tax Workshop Planned for New Businesses

To get a leg up on efficient accounting practices, new businesses are invited to attend a free tax workshop held by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

At the workshop, tax specialists from local and state agencies will walk first-time business owners through the basic information needed to comply with registration and tax requirements. Business tax, tax enforcement procedures, sales and use tax will be covered.

The program takes place in Memphis on Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It will be held in the Memphis Training Room of the Renaissance Business Center, at 555 Beale St.

– Madeline Faber

3-Time Champ Nishikori Headlines Memphis Open

Defending champion Kei Nishikori heads the competitors’ list for The Memphis Open presented by ServiceMaster, to be held at the Racquet Club of Memphis on Feb. 6-14.

Nishikori, 26, is the highest-ranked player competing in the 2016 Memphis Open, holding the ATP No. 8 ranking. Kevin Anderson follows Nishikori with an ATP No. 12 ranking. Nishikori and Anderson met in the finals last year.

This year’s player list also features several top American players, including Steve Johnson (ranked No. 32), Donald Young (No. 48) and Sam Querrey (No. 59), and it marks the pro debut of Wimbledon junior champion Reilly Opelka.

Three singles past champions are returning to compete in the Memphis Open this year: Querrey, who won in 2010; Tommy Haas, who won in 1999, 2006 and 2007; and Nishikori, who won in 2014, 2014, and 2015.

Haas and Nishikori both have the chance to tie Jimmy Connors with the most Memphis titles. Connors won the Memphis Open in 1978, 1979, 1983 and 1984.

Also returning are past doubles champion team Bob and Mike Bryan, who won in 2001, 2004 and 2013. The 15-time Grand Slam Champions have the chance to tie Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde with four Memphis Open doubles titles if they win the doubles championship this year.

Tickets for the Memphis Open start at $10 and are available at memphisopen.com.

– Don Wade

Grizzlies Sign Ryan Hollins, Release Russ Smith

The Memphis Grizzlies have released second-year guard Russ Smith and signed veteran center Ryan Hollins, the team announced Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Hollins, a 7-footer, impressed in training camp before being released and signing with the Washington Wizards. He started three of five games for the Wizards and was waived on Dec. 23. Hollins, a 10-year NBA veteran, will give the Grizzlies a backup center for Marc Gasol.

Smith, who Memphis acquired in a Jan. 12 trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaged 1.5 points and 4.4 minutes in 15 games for the Grizzlies.

Memphis coach Dave Joerger had visibly expressed frustration with Smith from the sideline as recently as the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers as Smith struggled to carry out assigned offensive plays.

– Don Wade

Transportation Group Maps Infrastructure Backlog

Leaders of the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee have mapped the state’s $5.3 million worth of backlogged road projects as part of the discussion about how the state should fund the projects.

The coalition includes the Tennessee Trucking Association, Tennessee Municipal League and Tennessee Road Builder Association.

The new interactive maps and list of projects is posted at TransportationCoalitionTN.org.

Meanwhile, Susie Alcorn, executive director of the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, which is also part of the coalition, said the December congressional deal to pass a five-year Surface Transportation Program doesn’t ease the backlog of projects.

She called the federal funding legislation “a step in the right direction.”

“But it won’t solve Tennessee’s infrastructure funding problem,” Alcorn added. “Our state’s leaders must find a long-term, sustainable solution to meet our state’s identified infrastructure needs.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has been pushing for a funding solution of some kind since the summer but has backed away from calling for a hike in the state’s 40-cent-a-gallon gas tax, which includes the 18-cent federal gas tax.

State Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville said this month a gas tax hike won’t be on the Tennessee Legislature’s agenda in 2016, and Haslam said earlier that he wasn’t certain when he would push for a specific state funding measure for the projects.

– Bill Dries

WGU Tennessee Awarding $100,000 in Scholarships

WGU Tennessee is awarding 10 Tennesseans $10,000 scholarships as the state-endorsed nonprofit university celebrates its 2015 successes, including a 50 percent growth in student enrollment.

The enrollment increase “says a lot about the renewed commitment to higher education in this state,” WGU Tennessee chancellor Kimberly K. Estep said in a statement.

“The Tenn-K Scholarship, which covers nearly 80 percent of the total cost of attending WGU Tennessee, is a way for us to say thank you. We’re so happy for all of our students and graduates, and we’re thrilled to be part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 effort.”

Among WGU Tennessee’s other accomplishments in 2015, the school exceeded 1,000 graduates statewide; was named the= best value in teacher education by the National Council on Teacher Quality; and was recognized as a military-friendly school by the Military Advanced Education guide for the eighth consecutive year.

WGU Tennessee also launched $300,000 in scholarships with Leadership Memphis and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and it partnered with the state’s three largest school districts – Metro Nashville, Shelby County and Knox County – to encourage public school employees to earn master’s degrees.

The Tenn-K Scholarship is valued at $2,500 per term for up to four six-month terms, and will be awarded based on the student’s academic record, readiness for online study and demonstrated financial need. Visit tennessee.wgu.edu for details.

– Kate Simone

Lowery’s Prayer Breakfast Marks 25th Year

Though Myron Lowery’s 24-year tenure on the Memphis City Council ended Dec. 31, he planned to start 2016 with a familiar tradition: his New Year’s Day Prayer Breakfast.

The annual event has become a political institution since it began in 1992. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen was scheduled to headline this year’s breakfast, and incoming Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell also had been invited to speak.

The gathering comes a year after Strickland and Memphis Mayor A C Wharton sat at the same table at the breakfast. Lowery made a point of endorsing Wharton’s re-election effort at the event after asking Strickland to stand.

The prayer breakfast is known for such moments.

It began with former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton as its keynote speaker for many years. Herenton’s addresses at the New Year’s Day event quickly became known not only for the priorities he outlined but also for his comments about his critics.

Herenton later started his own prayer breakfast during a brief political dust-up with Lowery that later was resolved.

Lowery also was scheduled to host his 22nd annual Jazz Champagne Brunch later in the day.

Lowery did not run for re-election in 2015, ending his tenure as the council’s longest-serving member. He was first elected to the council in 1991.

– Bill Dries

Apartment Association Awards Take Place Jan. 8

The Apartment Association of Greater Memphis will host the 11th annual Diamond Achievement Awards on Jan. 8.

Over 500 members are expected to attend as the industry’s top professionals are honored in over 40 award categories.

The event at The Columns at One Commerce Square will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Donations from the event will be presented to the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality.

AAGM, which is affiliated with the Tennessee Apartment Association and the National Apartment Association, includes rental housing owners, property management firms, apartment communities and companies that supply products or services to rental properties.

– Madeline Faber

McKinney Appointed as Shelby County Lobbyist

Assistant County Attorney David E. McKinney is Shelby County government’s new director of legislative affairs.

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell announced McKinney’s appointment Tuesday, Dec. 29, to take effect Jan. 1.

McKinney’s job is advocating the county’s interests in Nashville and Washington as well as in the region. The job description also includes coordinating special projects and initiatives for the mayor.

McKinney began his legal career with Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC. He also has served as an associate general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

He succeeds Paul Young, who left the county post after he was tapped by Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland to become director of the city’s Division of Housing and Community Development.

– Bill Dries

Tennessee Warns Against Post-Storm Price Gouging

The rain has settled, but the storm’s not over yet. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has issued a warning about potential price gouging following the severe storms and tornadoes in the days leading up to Christmas.

The state’s price gouging act was triggered when the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a state of emergency on Dec. 23.

According to the act, it is illegal for businesses and individuals to charge unreasonable prices for goods and services such as gasoline, food, ice, fuel, generators, lodging and storage space.

When seeking out home repairs, the TDCI recommends paying after the job has been finished, keeping a record of property damage and repair work, and not giving in to high-pressure sales tactics that could cloud a contract agreement.

Penalties for charging prices that are grossly in excess can reach up to $1,000 for each violation. The state can also seek refunds for consumers that have been gouged.

– Madeline Faber

International Paper Renovating Tower III

International Paper is undergoing renovations on Tower III of its East Memphis headquarters. Contractor Grinder, Taber & Grinder has applied to the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for a $609,753 building permit for renovation to 6420 Poplar Ave. International Paper is listed as owner and tenant of the building.

The Shelby County Assessor of Property states that the tower bears 394,765 square feet and is appraised at $30.7 million.

– Madeline Faber

Beatles Tribute Band Coming to The Orpheum

An all-Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band – The Mersey Beatles – is headed to the Orpheum Theatre.

The group, which also has 10 years under its belt as the house band at Liverpool's famed Cavern Club, are performing March 4 at the Halloran Centre, 203 S. Main St., as part of their inaugural U.S. tour.

Tickets are on sale now. Since 1999, the band has played sold-out shows in more than 20 countries, re-creating The Beatles’ most popular hits. The show spans the Fab Four’s catalog and includes costume changes and authentic Liverpool accents, wit and charm.

Also in attendance for the show will be Julia Baird, the sister of John Lennon. She'll be signing copies of her book "Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon."

– Andy Meek

Poplar Krystal Sells for $1.5 Million

The Krystal at 3227 Poplar Ave. has been sold, but the tiny burgers aren’t going anywhere. In a Dec. 18 warranty deed, The Krystal Co. sold the property to California-based Gam Development LLC for $1.5 million.

In October, the restaurant was demolished to make way for a total remodel. At the time, the project architect told The Daily News that all stores in the Southeast submarket were being remodeled with the same design.

In conjunction with the sale, Gam Development signed a 15-year lease with Krystal.

– Madeline Faber

Volunteers Needed for Kids Shoe Distribution

More than 250 Memphis children will receive new shoes on Jan. 26, thanks to a partnership among the nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club – and the organizers are seeking volunteers to help make it happen.

Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, who serves as the team’s Jr. NBA Ambassador, plans to host two dozen basketball skills clinics for 6- to 14-year-olds this season. But offering skills and drills isn’t enough to prepare all kids for the game. Some lack the right footwear – comfortable sneakers that fit.

The children already have been selected through local nonprofits and will be bused to FedExForum in waves starting around 3:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in a variety of capacities, ranging from event set-up to filling buckets and helping wash children’s feet – part of the Samaritan’s Feet tradition. Those who wish to volunteer can participate for a short while or the whole event.

Corporate and individual sponsorships also are available, as every $10 buys a new pair of socks and shoes.

The LPBC has hosted two Samaritan’s Feet shoe distributions annually since 2010. Each January, the organization teams with the Grizzlies to kick off the MLK National Day of Service in Memphis. Then, toward the end of the summer, the LPBC hosts a back-to-school shoe distribution, which features new socks and shoes along with a backpack filled with school supplies.

Visit thelpbc.com for more information and volunteer registration.

– Kate Simone

Grizzlies’ Barnes Serving 2-Game NBA Suspension

Nearly three months after Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes had a confrontation with New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher, the NBA on Monday, Dec. 28, handed down a two-game suspension.

The suspension started with the Tuesday, Dec. 29, when the Grizzlies host the Miami Heat. Barnes also will be banned from the Grizzlies’ game Saturday, Jan. 2, at Utah.

Barnes recently entered the Grizzlies’ starting lineup and is averaging 8.6 points and 5.0 rebounds this season.

Barnes and Fisher got into a physical altercation at the Los Angeles home of Barnes’ ex-wife on Oct. 3. Barnes told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that he went to Gloria Govan’s house to check on his 6-year-old twin sons. Barnes said that after he received text messages and communicated with his sons via FaceTime that he believed they were uncomfortable with Fisher being at the home.

“Mommy’s friend Derek is here,” Barnes said one of the twins told him.

The confrontation between Fisher and Barnes resulted in the police being called, but no charges were filed.

– Don Wade

Local Alzheimer’s Chapter Gets $265,000 Gift

The Mid-South Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association got a special holiday gift this year – a $265,000 donation, to be exact.

The gift that will help the association continue and expand on the work it will be doing in the year ahead came in the form of a check from Charles and Connie Cotros of Memphis, the association said.

Part of the donation, said local association president Jim Ward, will go toward research for a cure.

According to the association, more than 5 million Americans, including more than 110,000 in Tennessee, are living with Alzheimer's, and it's also the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.

– Andy Meek

Airways Boulevard Bridge Formally Opens

Outgoing Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and other local leaders have formally opened the Airways Boulevard Bridge over Nonconnah Creek.

The $5.5 million project began in late 2013 funded by grants from the Tennessee and Federal Emergency Management Agencies as well as the city of Memphis.

The Wednesday, Dec. 30, opening event was among the last public appearances for Wharton and city engineer John Cameron before they left City Hall on Dec. 31.

– Bill Dries

Robilio Names Top Staff in Clerk’s Office

Memphis City Court Clerk Kay Robilio has appointed her front office as she prepares to take the oath of office Friday, Jan. 1, as the first new city court clerk in 20 years.

Robilio announced Monday that she has appointed attorney Frances M. Riley as chief administrative officer and senior chief deputy clerk.

Riley is a former president of the local chapter of the Association for Women Attorneys and clerked for judges in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee before entering her law practice.

Robilio has also appointed former Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Kevin Key as chief deputy officer.

Robilio was elected clerk in the October city elections from a crowded field after incumbent clerk Thomas Long announced he would not seek re-election. Long has been clerk for 20 years.

– Bill Dries

Tenn. Fraud Hotline Reports Record Achievement

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline is marking a record achievement in its effort to help uncover the misuse of government funds and property.

The comptroller’s office says confidential tips to the hotline helped to identify a record total of a little more than $1.1 million in confirmed thefts, shortages and questioned costs for the fiscal year ended June 30.

Those tips were reported through telephone calls and online submissions to the hotline.

Since October 1983, the Comptroller of the Treasury has provided a toll-free hotline for any citizen to report government fraud, waste and abuse. Additionally, all state agencies, as well as agencies receiving community grant funds, are required to call attention to the hotline by posting a sign in a prominent place.

The toll-free hotline is 800-232-5454. Reports can be filed online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline.

– Andy Meek

Evolve Bank Taps New Mortgage Division President

Evolve Bank & Trust has tapped Doug Miller as the new president of its mortgage division.

He comes to Evolve with nearly 45 years of experience in the mortgage industry, a career that's included working at Wachovia Mortgage, Citicorp Mortgage, Union Planters/Regions Bank and GMAC Bank/Ally Bank.

In a statement about the hire, Evolve president and CEO Scott Stafford said Miller brings key skills and experience with him that will be valuable to Evolve as it continues "to expand our mortgage footprint."

Evolve currently operates a loan production office and four full-service branches in Arkansas and Tennessee and more than 30 mortgage production offices across the country. In addition to banking and mortgage services, Evolve is also a nationwide Preferred SBA lender and offers trust and fiduciary services to its customers throughout the U.S.

– Andy Meek

Poplar Ave. Car Wash Sells for $2.5 Million

The Boomerang Carwash at 4831 Poplar Ave. has sold for $2.5 million

Arkansas-based Washpop LLC purchased the property from Bailey’s Tunnel Wash LLC in a Dec. 23 warranty deed. In conjunction with the sale, Washpop filed a five-year, $2.5 million mortgage with First Capital Bank.

The 1,587-square-foot carwash was built in 2011 and is situated on a 0.1-acre strip on the south side of Poplar between Colonial and South Mendenhall roads. The Shelby County Assessor’s 2015 appraisal is $307,700.

The Poplar Avenue Boomerang is the fifth Memphis-area carwash that Arkansas-based Bailey’s Tunnel Wash has sold this year. In March, an affiliate of real estate investment trust STORE Capital purchased the facilities at 1565 N. Germantown Road, 5795 Raleigh Lagrange Road and 4234 Hacks Cross Road, and in September, an affiliate of Spirit Realty Capital purchased Bailey’s carwash holding at 9809 U.S. 64 in Arlington.

– Madeline Faber

Speak Creative to Break Ground on New HQ

Speak Creative will break ground Jan. 5 on its new East Memphis headquarters at 1648 W. Massey Road.

On Nov. 4, The Daily News reported that Jacob Savage, president of Speak Creative, was constructing a 12,000-square-foot office building with his development company Savage Venture Partners LLC.

Savage also has developed office real estate in Cordova, where Speak Creative currently holds offices at 8337 Cordova Road.

ANF Architects designed the building, which will include private office space and two stories of common areas.

Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors will manage leasing of the remaining space. Offices from 1,500 to 6,000 square feet are available.

– Madeline Faber

Basketball Tigers Win Conference Opener

Four University of Memphis men's basketball players scored double figures, and senior Trahson Burrell posted a double-double in his first start of the season, as the Tigers defeated Tulane, 77-65, in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams at FedExForum Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Burrell had a game- and season-high 21 points to go with a career-best 13 rebounds to pace the Tigers to their seventh win in eight games. With the victory, Memphis improved to 9-3 on the season. The Tigers have now won 12 consecutive conference openers, dating to the 2005-06 season.

"[It was a] good win," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "I was not happy with our first half. I thought we started the game fine, but I felt we played a lot of ‘me’ basketball the first half. I thought we were in quicksand in some areas. Our transition defense stunk and was embarrassing to watch, and that was one of the keys to the game: guarding them in transition defense and limiting them to one shot.

Trailing by a 37-35 margin entering the second half, the Tigers outscored Tulane, 42-28, in the second half as the Green Wave endured a 2-for-14 shooting stretch from the floor late in the game and the U of M pulled away.

Senior Shaq Goodwin scored 17 points and added eight boards and freshman K.J. Lawson finished with 15 points and a career-high seven rebounds in his first start; senior Ricky Tarrant had 16 points and six assists.

Memphis is at South Carolina for its first true road test of the season Saturday, Jan. 2, at 5 p.m., in a game televised on ESPNU.

– Don Wade

Memphis Airport Opens Military Lounge

Memphis International Airport has opened a lounge for U.S. military personnel and their family members.

In past holiday seasons, the airport has created a space for traveling military personnel, but the new lounge is a permanent, fully enclosed space.

The lounge will also house an additional private nursing room open to all traveling mothers. During the holidays, the lounge will be decorated and staffed by Delta Air Lines personnel and other airport staff, including volunteers from the Transportation Security Administration and the airport’s Blue Suede Service.

The private room is located next to Gate B1, past the B Terminal security checkpoint.

– Madeline Faber

New Tenn. Driver Licenses will be Good for 8 Years

Tennessee drivers who renew their licenses next year won't have to go through the process again for eight years.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security says the change from five years includes all classifications of driver licenses and identification licenses, including commercial driver licenses and motorcycle licenses.

The change is the result of legislation proposed this year to improve customer traffic flow at driver services centers and takes effect Monday.

– The Associated Press

AAC Names Tigers’ Tubbs Preseason Player of the Year

University of Memphis center fielder Darien Tubbs has been named as the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year, in conjunction with the preseason all-conference team and preseason poll.

Tubbs is joined by fellow-Tiger Nolan Blackwood on the preseason all-conference team.

“This is a very well-deserved honor with the year Darien (Tubbs) is coming off of,” Memphis head coach Daron Schoenrock said. “It speaks volumes to the respect that he has gained throughout the league. As a coach it has been enjoyable to watch him grow and mature since his freshman year.”

Tubbs had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2015, starting all 58 games in center field and in the lead-off spot in the batting order.

He was named to the all-conference second team after leading the Tigers with a .321 batting average, 75 hits, 57 runs scored and 24 stolen bases

Tubbs, of Cookeville, Tenn., reached base in 31 straight contests last season and managed to get on base in 56 of 58 games.

Blackwood set the program record for saves in a single season with 14 last year and finished with a 0.52 earned run average. He was named an NCBWA second-team All-American, becoming only the second Memphis pitcher to earn All-America honors.

Blackwood, of Southaven, moved to third all-time in school history with 17 career saves and finished with a 2-1 record in 34.2 innings of work over 25 appearances.

Blackwood, who was also named a Louisville Slugger Pre-Season second team All-American, allowed only two runs during the season and opponents batted just .225 against him.

Memphis was picked to finish seventh in the American by a vote of the conference's eight head coaches. The Tigers didn’t have any representatives on last season’s preseason all-conference team.

– Don Wade