Good morning, Memphis. It’s Tuesday, March 12, and Downtown’s Center City Revenue Finance Corp. will consider a tax-incentive extension for the redevelopment of the historic Falls Building.

West African barbecue grill Mande Dibi, the new restaurant from the owners of Bala’s Bistro, officially opens in time for lunch today. And tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the Washington Wizards at FedExForum. And here’s a fun (or maybe not-so-fun) fact: Because so many on the Grizz roster have been injured, a total of 28 players have scored for the team this season. That’s a tie for the franchise record, and they’re on track to beat it.

And if you’re in Mississippi, today is your chance to vote in the U.S. presidential primaries and party races for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot.

THE NEED TO KNOW

A proposed bill could change how local hotel and motel tax is distributed and help fund the FedExForum renovation. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

One way to fund FedExForum reno: A proposed state bill could reallocate Memphis and Shelby County’s hotel-motel taxes away from Memphis Tourism to help close the funding gap for the planned $500 million-plus renovations for FedExForum. State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and state Rep. Antonio Parkinson, both of Memphis, would be sponsoring the bill. “I know folks will say that the Grizzlies owner [Robert Pera] should jump in, but … it’s hard to ask somebody to make renovations to a facility they don’t own,” Akbari said. 

Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Christian Johnson ordered Geronimo Kee to undergo a mental health evaluation during Kee’s first court appearance on Monday. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

‘Not maritime law’: Geronimo Kee, the man charged with shooting Memphis Police officer Bobby Johnson during a traffic stop on Friday, has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. Kee appeared in court on Monday, and when Judge Christian Johnson asked if he was going to be able to make his $175,000 bond, Kee made several incoherent statements and told the judge “I am subject to the natural law, not maritime law.” To which Johnson replied, “Are we on a ship?” before ordering the eval. Three others also charged in connection with the shooting appeared in court as well. Speaking of Kee’s bond, the Memphis Police Association is questioning why it’s so low. In other news of an officer-involved shooting, a suspect on a motorcycle opened fire on Olive Branch police officers early Monday morning.

People’s court to the high court: Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Mary Wagner was confirmed to the Tennessee Supreme Court with a majority vote in the state House and a unanimous vote in the Senate on Monday night. Wagner is the former chairwoman of the Shelby County Republican Party, and she’s a member of the Federalist Society, a powerful conservative network that has played a central role in Republicans’ judicial appointments.

QUOTED

“When we won early, it spoiled all of us,” Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway said. (Michael Conroy/AP file)

“It’s funny to me how guys are always talking about [how] I need to be fired. ... I feel like I’ve done a great job.”

— Penny Hardaway, Memphis Tigers coach
Hardaway responded to his critics Monday night after his weekly radio show at Brookhaven Pub & Grill. The Tigers closed their season with a 92-84 road loss to Florida Atlantic on Saturday, and now, they’ll need to win the AAC Tournament in order to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Hardaway says he’s confident his team can do that.

THE NICE TO KNOW

An artist’s rendering of the renovated Rust Hall shows the mid-century design of the building, exemplified by its white, latticed walls, will stay intact. (Credit: LRK, WHY)

Shining up the Rust: The Metal Museum is one step closer to renovating Rust Hall in Overton Park for its new second campus. The museum received an anonymous $1 million donation from a donor outside of Memphis to its Be the Spark capital and endowment campaign. The newly renovated building will allow space for expanded exhibitions and collections, as well as an education and outreach program for young artists. In other Metal Museum news, reporter Kambui Bomani was on the scene at a weekend cast-iron skillet workshop that ended in dinner. The workshop was led by Yale art instructor and Metal Museum board member Desmond Lewis, who plans to open his own metals studio in South Memphis.

“If you’re in coffee long enough, you need to learn how to source the coffee yourself,” Coffee Central owner Tina Tatum said. She purchased Ethnos Roasters last fall. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Grit and grind: Hernando resident Tina Tatum had been sourcing local roasters for the brew she serves at her two Coffee Central locations in Southaven and Hernando for years. But now, she’s the local roaster. Tatum purchased Ethnos Coffee Roasters near Arlington last fall. Besides supplying ethically sourced, small-batch, single-origin coffee for her own businesses, she’s now able to supply specialty coffee and equipment to other coffee shops. “We can help people fulfill their dreams in coffee,” Tatum said.

Changes are headed to the north side of Winchester near Peyton Parkway in Collierville with a 5,000-square-foot dental office approved for the area Monday evening. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian) 

Max effort: Collierville’s Max Dental Center is moving to a new 5,000-square-foot space in the Bailey Station development. The suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen awarded a development agreement for the dentist’s office, which is moving from its current space just north of the new building, on Monday night.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Solid advice for the kids at home alone on spring break this week from the MGLW parody account. (Yes, that’s Memphis Gaslight and Water).

While you’re at it kids, be sure to turn every light in the house on and wipe your Dorito dust-covered fingers on the couch. 

Kidding! Don’t do any of that, or you’ll be grounded for all of spring break. Be good, and have a great day!

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