Brrrrr, Memphis! It’s cold and icy outside, but today — Jan. 31 — is National Hot Chocolate Day. Was there ever a more perfect moment for a steaming cup of sweet cocoa? Treat yourself.

Applications open today for 2023-24 enrollment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ optional school programs. 

Also today, FedEx Corp. is opening its annual Small Business Grant Contest. Businesses have until Tuesday, Feb. 21, to apply for more than $300,000 in grants.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Community members left stuffed animals and balloons after a prayer gathering in memory of Tyre Nichols on Monday, Jan. 30, at Castlegate Lane and Bear Creek Cove. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Firefighters fired, cops relieved of duty: Three Memphis firefighters — Robert Long, JaMicheal Sandridge and Lt. Michelle Whitaker — have been fired for violating “numerous” department protocols when they responded to the scene after Tyre Nichols was beaten by Memphis Police officers during a Jan. 7 traffic stop. Additionally, the Memphis Police Department has confirmed that officer Preston Hemphill, who was present at the initial traffic stop, and one other unnamed officer were relieved of duty on Jan. 8. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office did not confirm any charges for Hemphill — so far. While authorities have been praised for their swift action in the Nichols case, some critics say the differences in the initial reports and more recent information highlight ongoing issues with transparency. On Monday evening, protesters gathered at Shelby Farms, where Nichols often went to take photographs, and at the Brandywine subdivision, where he was beaten by police officers.

A statue of Johnny Cash in Midtown was covered in ice on Feb. 3, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Cold as ice: I hope you’re stocked up on bread and wine because the ice storm warning that went into effect on Monday night will remain in effect through Wednesday. Memphis-Shelby County Schools and suburban districts have canceled classes today. Freezing rain and sleet are likely all day today, and ice accumulation of up to a tenth of an inch is predicted. And we’re possibly in for more freezing rain on Wednesday morning.

The Lincoln Park residential subdivision held a groundbreaking in South Memphis on Monday, Jan. 30. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Housing plan breaks ground: Lincoln Park — the city’s first “open plan” subdivision of affordable homes — broke ground in South Memphis on Monday. Lincoln Park will be a set of 14 single-family units and eight duplexes to be sold to low- and moderate-income families. The idea for the project, led by nonprofit developer The Works, Inc., has been a decade in the making. The construction is beginning amidst a new push to scale affordable housing in blighted areas beyond isolated units, as well as new concerns about how nonprofits get land for development.

MEET MEMPHIS

Former St. George’s basketball coach Jeff Ruffin speaks during a ceremony. Ruffin is the winningest coach in school history, and the court at the school was re-named in his honor on Jan. 3. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

The basketball court at St. George’s Independent School was recently renamed the Coach Jeff Ruffin Court. During Ruffin’s 15 years as a basketball coach, St. George’s reached the Division 2-A state tournament seven times, finishing runner-up twice and winning titles in 2010 and 2015. And the program produced top-notch players, like former Memphis Tiger and NBA player Elliot Williams. Ruffin still teaches at the school, and he’s now the coach of the Gryphons’ successful boys golf program.

THE NICE TO KNOW

B.J. Chester-Tamayo owns Alcenia’s. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian)

Soul food bigwig: Alcenia’s owner B.J. Chester-Tamayo is scheduled to film a live cooking segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America” this Wednesday to kick off Black History Month — weather permitting. Chester-Tamayo said ABC was looking to feature soul food restaurants for the segment. She’ll be wearing one of her signature wigs for the occasion, but she was told it’d need to match GMA’s branding colors. So, she found just the thing.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. warm up before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 7, 2022, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/AP file)

Best Ja & Jaren game? In his weekly Memphis Grizzlies column, The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington tells us why Sunday night’s win over the Indiana Pacers may have been the “best combo Ja & Jaren game ever.” Morant finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists; Jackson with 28 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. And it was only the pair’s sixth game when they each scored at least 25. Herrington also has a few thoughts on Dillon Brooks’ scoring slump (seriously, what is going on with Brooks lately?) and the planned debut of Danny Green in Wednesday’s game.

Camden’s Billy Richmond attempted a free throw against Bishop Gorman during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic on Jan. 16, in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Gregory Payan/AP)

Hardaway-Calipari showdown? Billy Richmond III, the son of Memphis-based Wing Guru franchise owner Billy Richmond Jr., could become the subject of a showdown between Tigers basketball Coach Penny Hardaway and University of Kentucky Coach (and former Tigers coach) John Calipari. The younger Richmond is a 6-9 junior at Camden High School in New Jersey, and he has offers from Memphis, Kentucky and beyond. The elder Richmond, a former Memphis Tigers basketball player, talked to The Daily Memphian’s John Martin about the family’s potentially awkward situation.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Two former Memphis Tigers — Kenneth Gainwell and Jake Elliott — are heading to the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Guess I know which team to cheer for now. OK, let’s be real: I’ll only be watching so I can eat guacamole and see Rihanna at halftime.

Bundle up, and be safe out there if you have to drive. I’ll be at home sipping on my hot chocolate.

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