Hey there, Early Word-ers. You’ve arrived, right on schedule, to Wednesday, Sept. 22.

It’s a day that will include a Shelby County Commission meeting as well as a 901 FC home game. Memphis’ own Carla Thomas will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. The TVA plans to host a community meeting on the Allen Fossil Plant restoration project, and tickets go on sale to the general public at 8 a.m. today for Memphis Madness.

And I fully support your choice to break out the flannel (you know I am) as it’s the first day of fall.

THE NEED TO KNOW

A sanitation worker tosses an old, water-logged suitcase into a garbage truck in January 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)

Trash talk: The City of Memphis is currently considering a vaccine mandate for employees and is weighing how to proceed given oppositional federal and state regulations. But the lack of COVID shots among solid waste staffers is also causing problems with the city’s garbage collection, as employees miss work due to COVID infections or quarantines. One councilman was, perhaps, less than sympathetic: “Shut this doggone place down if they are not going to take that vaccination,” Edmund Ford Sr said. “That’s what y’all need to do — mandate it. If they don’t like it, let them sue us. We’ll win because they’ll be dead by that time.” 

Inside accounts: A FBI forensic accountant spent more time on the stand yesterday, as part of the trial against state Sen. Katrina Robinson for theft, embezzlement and wire fraud. The accountant was asked about the intricacies of purchases at Lowe’s Home Improvement, the Madison Hotel and what used to be called Surplus Warehouse. “I can’t tell you if screws or paint was purchased, but I can tell you that it was a purchase not allowed under the grant,” Victoria Howell said. The jury also heard testimony yesterday concerning a Jeep that the defense says was a company car for Robinson’s business, but the prosecution says was used by Robinson’s daughter. 

Nurse Tiqua Eaton (left) gives an immunization to six-month-old Milinda Francisco Andres as her mother Petrona Andres helps. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Trying to prevent a different type of outbreak: The number of non-COVID vaccines — such as shots for measles, chicken pox and other diseases — given each month by the Shelby County Health Department dropped more than 70% between 2019 and now. And more than 90% of those missing shots would be for infants and young children. Local pediatricians say that means outbreaks of illnesses could occur, especially in low-income communities, but they are also taking every opportunity they can to prevent that from happening.

Food challenge: For more than a decade, community advocates worked tirelessly to bring a grocery store to Binghampton. A new shopping center was built; financial incentives were given — and for a time, it worked. But Save A Lot closed its location in the area in June 2020 as part of a nationwide restructuring and, though the neighborhood talked to 25 potential prospects, they couldn’t reach an agreement with any of the vendors to move into and re-open the grocery store space. So, the question now may be: How does Memphis get food to people in food deserts, especially since Binghampton isn’t the only local area dealing with this problem? 

MEET MEMPHIS 

Running back Brandon Thomas (22) and wide receiver Calvin Austin III take the field Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 as the Tigers faced Arkansas State at Jonesboro. (Zach Wall/Memphis Football)

During the summer of 2019, running back Brandon Thomas committed to play football with the University of Memphis. Then, a week later, he suffered a fireworks accident that ripped up his right hand — the one he used to hold the football. That could have been the end of the story, but as Geoff Calkins has noted, Thomas is “about as tough as they come.” In addition to three surgeries to repair his right hand, he also learned how to carry the ball in his left so he could still play.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Huger Foote’s “Untitled, 2021”. (Courtesy David Lusk Gallery)

On Foote: Memphis native Huger Foote returns to his home city with “Light is a Place,” an exhibition of 18 photographs at David Lusk Gallery. Well, to be more literal, the noted photographer returned home for a two-week visit last year that turned into an indefinite stay after the pandemic hit New York. And the resulting work, as Foote would drive around the I-240 loop or down Highway 61 and explore, constitutes the new exhibit. 

Logistics analysis and large appliances: Supply chain problems have even hurt one of the world’s foremost experts on supply chain. Memphis-based FedEx Corp. reported quarterly earnings yesterday, noting the results were negatively impacted by a tight labor market, increased transportation expenses and supply chain disruptions. However, there continues to be high demand for the company’s core service. And, while we’re speaking about financials, more than half of local consumers surveyed expect to be better off economically in the coming year than they are now, but both locally and nationally, people “have never been more pessimistic about now being a good time to buy a large household appliance.” 

The Tesla service center started operating earlier this month at 3020 N. Germantown Road. (Tom Bailey/Daily Memphian)

Jolt to a start? If you already own a Tesla, you can now get it serviced locally. And if you don’t, well, soon you’ll be able to buy one here. At least, according to a paper sign taped to the door. And a “cordial employee.” Memphis’ new Tesla Center, located on N. Germantown Parkway in what used to be a Hyundai dealership, is partly operational; Tom Bailey investigated further and found out that the local showroom and delivery center of the secretive company may be open by the middle of next month. 

First!1!!! Arlington is about to get its first hotel … and soon it could have another. A $14 million, 110-room Fairfield Inn & Suites is currently under construction near the Interstate 40 and Airline Road interchange, but the Arlington Planning Commission also unanimously approved a SpringHill Suites by Marriott for the same area yesterday. The SpringHill will be a little larger than the Fairfield Inn but both are projects from the same developer, subcontractor and architect. 

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT 

#PassAllThree was trending locally yesterday as advocates encouraged the Memphis City Council to pass three proposals related to potential pipelines running through the city. 

Ultimately, the council delayed final votes on two of the ordinances but approved one of the measures. It means pipelines and other infrastructure being located near MLGW water wellheads will require approval specifically from the council.

Thanks for joining us this morning. Enjoy your first day of fall!

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