County Commission returns to new rules for selling tax-delinquent land
The long-delayed final vote on the rule changes come with plenty of frustration about numerous rewrites of the proposal and long meetings to review them.
Bill Dries
Reporter
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for almost 50 years covering a wide variety of stories from the 1977 death of Elvis Presley and the 1978 police and fire strikes to numerous political campaigns, every county mayor and every Memphis Mayor starting with Wyeth Chandler.
There are 3805 articles by Bill Dries :
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March 2024
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Shelby County -
Behind The Headlines Beale Street returns to safety plan with approach of spring, bigger crowds
The DMC will also continue its policy of what amounts to a cover charge that goes to pay the cost of the private security.
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Music Riverbeat Music Festival releases daily schedules
The five-stage music festival May 3-5 includes a diverse lineup and lots of the city’s mix of music.
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Shelby CountyNew Frayser high school overview
Latest cost estimates for the proposed Frayser area high school
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EducationFrom MLK Prep to Trezevant and back again
While the new Frayser high school is being built on the current site of MLK Prep, those students will have to attend another school. Then, once the new school is built, Trezevant High School will close.
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EducationNew Cordova high school overview
Cost estimates for the new high school proposed for the Cordova area.
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EducationAs prices double for two new high schools, questions arise, too
The cost of building new high schools in Cordova and Frayser has more than doubled since the projects were first proposed. The debate about what to do involves money, equity and what amenities are needed for a state-of-the-art school.
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From MLK Prep to Trezevant and back again
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Food News SmokeSlam selects 59 teams for inaugural barbecue contest
The Junior BBQ League founded by Memphis in May barbecue grand champion Melissa Cookston is also coming to the rival barbecue contest in Tom Lee Park along with a barbecue boot camp.
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Shelby County Newest numbers suggest projected deficit for new schools, Regional One redo
Corrected revenue figures suggest last year’s wheel-tax hike is generating less money than originally expected, at the same time the cost of two new high schools has doubled.
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ElectionsPolitical Roundup: Salinas runs for state House as Democrats field contenders for all 99 seats
Plus, a look at primary vote totals for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
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Behind The Headlines City Council members say perception and data go together in fighting crime
Perception and fear have to be part of the conversation when political leaders are weighing solutions for Memphis’ crime problem, they say.
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Shelby County Wanda Halbert postpones meeting with County Commission on inaccurate revenue reports
Less than 24 hours before what was expected to be a pointed question-and-answer session, Halbert emailed commissioners, saying she wouldn’t be able to attend and asking to put it off for a month.
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City of Memphis Mayor Young transition team maps crime plan, other recommendations in ambitious report
The 112-page report outlines numerous strategies for Mayor Paul Young’s four-year term of office, including several sets of crime strategies from ‘drones as first responders’ to cooperating with the Justice Department investigation of the MPD.
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City of Memphis MLGW board weighs push for suburban voting members
An MLGW board member is coming with a resolution urging the Memphis City Council to put a city charter change on the ballot later this year that would expand the board to seven voting members. The two suburban appointees now on the board do not have voting power. The issue is a volatile one.
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Music Fugees, Odesza and Jelly Roll top five-stage bill for inaugural Riverbeat festival in May
The lineup of the inaugural Riverbeat festival in Tom Lee Park this May features more than 50 acts and two music showcases on five stages.
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City of Memphis City Council takes first step toward closer financial oversight of MLGW
Council chairman JB Smiley Jr. is proposing lower dollar figures for contracts and pay contracts that must be voted on by the council after they are approved by MLGW’s board.
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Elections Biden, Trump carry Shelby County; Sawyer upsets Brown in clerk primary
Former County Commissioner Tami Sawyer meets Republican Lisa Arnold in August in the general election race for General Sessions Court Clerk. The presidential primary results mirrored the state.
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Elections Ballot Basics: How to vote on the Super Tuesday Election Day
Here is everything you need to know about voting in the Tennessee Presidential primary and the Shelby County primary for General Sessions Court clerk.
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Elections Super Tuesday shows up with slow pace in Shelby County
The Super Tuesday set of 16 presidential state primary elections means polls are open Tuesday, March 5, in Shelby County. None of the presidential contenders have campaigned in the county ahead of election day. But there has been some action in the Democratic primary for Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk.
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Ballot Basics: How to vote on the Super Tuesday election day
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City of Memphis City Council mulls oversight of MLGW salaries
The new dollar thresholds for council oversight of contracts and pay come as the council considers a $200,000 annual salary for the utility’s new vice president of corporate communications.
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Behind The Headlines State Sens. London Lamar, Brent Taylor debate on bail reform, proposed laws
Two state senators, both from the Memphis area and both members of Tennessee’s Senate Judiciary Committee, agree on many aspects of the city’s crime problem even though they see different paths for solving it.
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Education Tennessee Education Commissioner faces heat at town hall
Lizzette Reynolds, who discussed school vouchers, drew criticism. Other speakers included Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis and Mayor Paul Young.
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MetroFormer council candidate reshaping Youth Services
The city’s new director of Youth Services Brian Harris wants to see more after-school programs in communities as well as some different ways of handling the city’s annual summer jobs program.
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City of Memphis Young’s second ‘One Memphis’ town hall continues focus on crime
The meeting at Gaisman Community Center focused on the Latino community in the area who complained that they are being targeted by criminals and ignored by police.
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City of Memphis Crime dominates mayor’s ‘One Memphis’ town hall
If Memphis Mayor Paul Young had any doubts that crime is the most prevalent issue with Memphians, those doubts didn’t last long Tuesday, Feb. 27, at his first in a series of “One Memphis” town hall meetings.
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