Merry Yule! Today is the winter solstice, and that means tonight will be the longest night of the year. It’ll also be the last night of reasonably mild temperatures before Thursday’s arctic blast. I’m not ready. Are you?

The EDGE board for Memphis and Shelby County will meet today and discuss deadlines for the Parkside at Shelby Farms development, among other topics. And the Memphis Tigers will play the Alabama State Hornets tonight in the final game of their non-conference slate.

THE NEED TO KNOW

FedEx Corp. reported another quarter of lower profits and plans for an additional $1 billion in cost-cutting initiatives as the economy continues to weaken. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

FedEx plans more cost cuts: Memphis-based FedEx Corp. announced an additional $1 billion in cost-cutting initiatives on Tuesday. The company reported $22.8 billion in revenue for the second quarter, a 3% drop that marks the second consecutive quarter with disappointing results. FedEx also introduced a new program designed to improve the company’s long-term profitability and achieve its financial targets.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools voted on Dec. 20 to transition Lucy Elementary to the Millington Municipal School District. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Lucy Elementary will go to Millington: Both Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the Millington Municipal School District approved a deal on Tuesday that would transfer Lucy Elementary back to Millington Schools by June 2027. Millington will pay MSCS $3.3 million over six years, beginning in July 2023. MSCS will also waive its rights to the now-closed E.A. Harrold Elementary building, which will allow Millington to sell the building to a third-party developer. The deal was forced by a new state law that prohibits one school district from operating within the jurisdiction of another. 

The Works staff attorney Corey Davis breaks down the TIF process at a community meeting at Friendship Baptist Church on Dec. 15, 2022. “I understand the concerns about displacement,” Davis said at the Memphis City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20. “The neighborhood is changing. Investment in Klondike has already begun.” (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Sheraton surcharge, Klondike TIF: On Tuesday, the Memphis City Council approved a 5% tourism surcharge on all rooms rented and goods purchased at the Downtown Sheraton hotel. The surcharge will fund an $89 million renovation of the 600-room hotel, to be completed by mid-2025. But some council members had concerns about the Sheraton’s future plans,  which include adding 300 additional rooms. The council also gave final approval to a tax-increment-financing (TIF) district for North Memphis’ Klondike neighborhood, despite concerns that residents could be displaced if new properties drive up property taxes. In other council news, some members expressed frustration over Downtown crime during the public safety committee. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis suggested adding more motorcycle and mounted officers in the area.

“It does not matter what your area code is. If you are in the affected area, you will receive a notification,” said Brenda Jones, director of emergency management and homeland security for Shelby County. (Jenny Kane/AP file)

This is not a test: There’s a new county-wide emergency text alert system, and it’s not at all related to the citywide emergency system that caused confusion when it was tested last month. The new system, called IPAWS, was announced by the Shelby County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security on Tuesday, and it will be used to notify county residents of major emergencies, like chemical spills or “shelter in place” orders, such as the one issued via social media during a citywide mass shooting back in September.

MEET MEMPHIS

Official Germantown Santa Justin Duncan talks with Matthew and Sarah Phelan at the Germantown Depot Museum. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

For most of the year, Justin Duncan works as the IT administrator for the city of Germantown. But this Christmas, Duncan is doubling as the city’s Santa. “Ever since I was little, I was all into Christmas. I went around saying I wanted to be Santa,” Duncan said. He started experimenting with life as St. Nick six years ago when he bought a cheap Santa suit and visited a few events for friends. He’s since upgraded to a better suit and a beard made from real human hair. Duncan took over the role of Germantown’s Santa after the retirement of long-time Santa Rodney Strop.

THE NICE TO KNOW

From left: Villa Castrioti co-owner Aron Pullen; Yehuda Netanel, developer of The Lake District; Villa Castrioti co-owner Brian Leith; Villa Castrioti general manager Joe Clarke. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian)

Villa Castrioti goes big in new home: Longtime Cordova Italian staple Villa Castrioti just opened its second location in Lakeland’s new Lake District development. And it’s big. There’s a bar that seats 22 people, a large mural by artist Jamond Bullock, an expansive kitchen and booths that can comfortably seat “three big guys on one side,” according to co-owner Aron Pullen. The one thing that isn’t large is the freezer “because everything we cook is fresh,” general manager Joe Clarke said. Diners can opt for table service or grab whole pizzas, lasagna or other items from the cold case to take home. 

Brad and Alicia Glover, with their children (left to right) Gemma, Maren and Dylan. The couple will soon open The Kitchen Table at the old Vinegar Jim’s Restaurant in Arlington. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

New to the table: Arlington’s oldest restaurant closed last week, but the building that housed Vinegar Jim’s will soon see new life as The Kitchen Table. The new restaurant from owners Alicia and Brad Glover will serve “elevated Southern cuisine” in a kid-friendly space with an expanded deck and outdoor games, like cornhole and horseshoes. The couple are first-time restaurant owners, but Brad Glover goes way back in the local restaurant industry.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, left, collects a loose ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun defends on Dec. 20, 2022, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP)

Grizzlies fall to Nuggets: The Memphis Grizzlies lost their second straight game on Tuesday night, despite a valiant effort by point guard Ja Morant. The Denver Nuggets, led by reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his creative passing skills, won 105-91. Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins made a rare decision to play Morant at the start of the fourth quarter since he was essentially a one-man offense in the game, but Morant’s total 35 points and 10 assists just weren’t enough. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama spent much of the game in foul trouble, and injured Grizzly Desmond Bane’s shooting was certainly missed.

Northpoint Christian running back Christian Saulsberry led his team to the state championship game and a 13-1 record in his senior season in 2015. Saulsberry was killed last week, only four months after fulfilling his dream to be a professional player. (Wade Payne/AP file)

Remembering Christian Saulsberry: Slain Canadian Football League star (and former Northpoint Christian running back) Christian Saulsberry’s former coach remembers him as someone who never stopped believing. Saulsberry was shot and killed over the weekend while attending a party in Walls, Mississippi. “He was the best athlete of any team he was ever on,” said his youth coach Mark Tatko. While many kids moved on from football and settled into normal jobs, Tatko said Saulsberry was determined to make football his career.

Olive Branch’s 2021 annexation extended its city limits eastward and included the Center Hill area and the busy intersection of Miss. 302 and Center Hill Road. (Toni Lepeska/The Dailiy Memphian)

Olive Branching out: Olive Branch finalized annexation of land to the east and south of its city limits in the summer of 2021, bringing in almost 19 square miles. And next year, the city is expected to spend big bucks to provide city amenities in those new areas. The Olive Branch Mayor and Aldermen set aside $18.8 million for fiscal year 2022-2023 for projects in the newly annexed areas. Some of the planned improvements include a new $7 million fire station, a $1 million park and continuation of water and sewer infrastructure. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

ABC24 meteorologist Trevor Birchett says we won’t need to stock up for Thursday’s winter weather. And I certainly hope he’s right.

But just in case, I think I’ll head to Kroger for a few things. Have a great winter solstice!

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