How’s it going, Shelby County? It’s Tuesday, July 8, and the Memphis City Council will take a final vote today on a measure that could help the city demolish blighted properties more quickly. 

And speaking of blight, the abandoned, half-finished construction project behind the Union Avenue Krystal could get some love today. Downtown’s Center City Revenue Finance Corp. will consider a tax incentive for the building’s new owners, who intend to build 28 apartments in the Pine Street building.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Collierville is taking legal action against the owner of this house in The Lakes of Forest Hill. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian)

Party foul: Remember that wild house party your mom busted you for hosting at her house in college? Collierville is your mom, and homeowner Rodney Williams could be facing some trouble. The suburb is taking legal action against Williams over two house parties, the most recent of which resulted in eight arrests for drug, alcohol and gun charges. A previous party there in December also netted 15 parking citations. The lawsuit cites several town violations, including Williams’ allegedly operating an illegal Airbnb. 

The Tennessee Court of Appeals denied the City of Memphis’ motion for an emergency stay to stop demoting the Memphis Police Department second lieutenants. (George Walker IV/AP file)

Pulling rank: The City of Memphis must demote the Memphis Police Department’s second lieutenants, according to an appeals court ruling from Monday. In March, a Shelby County judge said the city had violated its agreement with the police union by creating a new second-lieutenant position. The city is appealing that decision and had asked for an emergency stay to stop the demotions, but that was denied by the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The new position was created in the wake of Tyré Nichols’ death, but some sergeants with the union said the new role harmed their prospects of promotion. 

Justice for the parks: Memphis Mayor Paul Young has tapped Justice Bolden to lead the city’s Parks Department. Bolden was most recently the recreation supervisor for Oakland, California, and before that, Pasadena. But he’s got Memphis roots. If the Memphis City Council confirms his nomination today, Bolden will succeed former city parks director Nick Walker, who left earlier this year for the top parks job in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

MEET MEMPHIS

Josh Arnold and Keytonia Arnold own Blue Flame Cigar Lounge & Bar in Lakeland. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)

A Lakeland couple is breathing new life into an old cigar shop. Josh and Keytonia Arnold recently opened Blue Flame Cigar Lounge & Bar in the Burning Desire Cigar Emporium. Blue Flame sells as many as 100 different brands of cigars and cigar accessories, and the Arnolds claim it’s the only local cigar shop with a members’ lounge. “I wanted to create a place … to relax and enjoy fellowship and build relationships, brotherhood and sisterhood,” Arnold said. There’s also a food menu and full bar, so you can sip and snack while you smoke. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis forward GG Jackson II led the Grizzlies with 27 points against the Utah Jazz in summer league play Monday, July 7. (Brandon Dill/AP file)

So close: If Monday’s Memphis Grizzlies Summer League game against the Utah Jazz could be summed up with a meme, it’d be that one with Seth Meyers holding up the “so close” fingers. Wing GG Jackson threw in a buzzer-beater that was just shy of the three-point line at the end of the fourth quarter. Had it been a three, it would have sent the game into overtime. But it was only worth two points, ending with a 112-111 Jazz win. Another highlight (or, lowlight rather): 77 total fouls between both teams. In other NBA news, expect to see some familiar former Memphis Tigers faces playing this summer. 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated after winning the women’s 400-meter hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (Matthias Schrader/AP)

Run this town: A big-time Olympic athlete will compete in Memphis’ Ed Murphey Classic track-and-field meet this weekend. Olympic gold medal-winner Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who set the 400-meter hurdle world record at the Paris Olympics last summer, will compete in the (similarly named but different) 400-meter race here. And she’ll attempt to break the American and world records in that event.

Bobby Rush will play the Overton Park Shell on Aug. 29. (Chris Pizzello/AP file)

Rush hour: Mississippi blues legend Bobby Rush will play the Overton Park Shell’s fall concert series on Saturday, Aug. 29. The Shell’s series lineup was released on Monday, and it’ll also feature a few shows that were canceled this year and last over weather. Other highlights: part of Gonerfest 22 (which was previously held at the now-defunct Railgarten) and the Memphis Country Blues Festival with North Mississippi Allstars and The Sensational Barnes Brothers. See the full lineup here.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Happy birthday, Shelby Farms Greenline! Memphis’ 10-plus mile rails-to-trails project turns 15 this year. 

If you’re getting out on the Greenline for a run or ride today, bring lots of water. And wear your sunscreen!

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