A heartfelt, heartbreaking ode to Sophie
“What is it that brings the unwavering connection to a dog over such a relatively short period of time? Is it the loyalty? Their companionship? Their love?”
Clay Bailey
News Editor
Clay Bailey, a lifelong Memphian, has worked as a reporter in the city four decades. He concentrated on suburban coverage for the bulk of his career, except for a stint as sports editor of The Daily Memphian when it launched in September, 2018. He now is suburban editor and also serves as a freelance sports writer for The Associated Press.
There are 165 articles by Clay Bailey :
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December 2022
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Opinion
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April 2023
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Opinion Bailey: Remembering FM 100 despite our vices damaging our brains
“With a country format moving to the 99.7 spot on the FM dial, a station that set the tone for our youth is disappearing like our hearing and our memories.”
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May 2023
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EducationBailey: Arlington school board members are considering a raise — if you hadn’t heard
“Under the proposed budget, each of the board members’ annual financial compensation could move from the current $6,495 to $12,000 a year. And that current amount already is more than any other suburban district.”
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June 2023
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OpinionBailey: Considerations before clamping down on large parties
A weekend pool party in Germantown’s Oakleigh subdivision brought a mass of complaints to the suburb’s leaders and a demand that the city thwart such events.
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July 2023
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Suburbs Storms drown fireworks show in a couple of suburbs
Fourth of July storms led to cancellation of some fireworks displays in Shelby County, and one city will have to wait a year for the next event.
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August 2023
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GermantownBailey: Germantown residents aren’t swallowing excuses about water
One thing was clear from those attending the Thursday night Town Hall session — the citizens don’t trust the city’s answers or addressing such a crisis in the future.
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GermantownBailey: Naming fired Germantown employee follows basic journalism tenets
“We are in the journalism business, and our job is to inform readers about what happened.”
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September 2023
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OpinionBailey: Did you think I would miss eulogizing Jimmy Buffett?
Jimmy Buffett provided the Bailey Family with a lifetime of escape, advice and entertainment on long trips to Florida as generations of the family grew up as Parrotheads.
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November 2023
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OpinionBailey: The title is Shelby County clerk. Not exclusively Memphis clerk.
“Of all six outlying cities in Shelby County, only one — Millington on the far north reaches of the county— has a satellite location for Halbert’s office.”
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OpinionBailey: Time’s up for Bartlett’s limitations on libations
Bartlett is considering allowing alcohol at city venues and festivities, quite a change from the past. And maybe a step towards more events, more rentals and a larger list of refreshments for performers after concerts.
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LakelandBailey: Reminiscing on Garner Lake and days of Lakeland past
Growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, Lakeland was a far-off destination with an amusement park and nearby drag strip.
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December 2023
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OpinionBailey: Sewer lines are a key piece of development
Sewer lines are a key piece of development. Subdivisions are built along sewer lines, almost to the point that where the sewer line ends, so do homes and/or businesses.
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Bartlett Bailey: Maybe it’s not Publix, but a new grocer could soon enter the market
Publix brings back fond memories of the beach, Florida and vacations but a new name could bring local competition to Bartlett.
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BartlettBailey: Bartlett may finally cut ties with Memphis library system
Long after the other Shelby County suburbs broke away from the overall Memphis library system, Bartlett could soon follow the same path.
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ColliervilleBailey: The time seems right for Russell Dyer to take over Collierville Schools
After withdrawing from the Collierville superintendent race in 2019, the time seems right for Russell Dyer to run the town’s school system.
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OpinionBailey: An end of the year list of thanks
With the slow pace of the holiday season upon us, it is time to recognize those who pull together our coverage of the suburbs every day to provide information you won’t find elsewhere.
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January 2024
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SuburbsBailey: Focus of Let It Fly apparently shifts to Southaven
Now that the Germantown location of Let It Fly has locked its doors, the sports bar’s concentration is directed at a new location in Southaven at Silo Square.
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BartlettBailey: Turning the Bartlett library and rec center over to private management
Bartlett officials turned their rec center and library branch over to private companies with the hopes of better control and cost savings.
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OpinionBailey: Electric battery manufacturing will change the character of the area
The announcement of an electric battery manufacturer in Marshall County, coupled with the already announced BlueOval City may change the rural areas of Shelby and Fayette counties.
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ColliervilleBailey: Requiem for the Virtual Academy
This week’s announcement that Collierville Schools will close its Virtual Academy at the end of the academic year indicates there are still problems to address before the district takes another run at the idea.
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February 2024
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SuburbsBailey: Jerome Wright was a class guy and a good friend beyond being a great journalist
Jerome Wright’s legacy extends far beyond his reputation as a journalist. It tells a story of a man who lived his life with class, dignity and patience.
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LakelandBailey: Things looking bleak for The Lake District as financial woes mount
The bankruptcy hearing regarding The Lake District exposed some of the financial problems that continue to plague the mixed-use development in Lakeland.
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SuburbsBailey: Who knows if a separate suburban court system would work
Several suburban leaders are discussing the idea of a separate criminal court system in the outlying areas, but it has a long way to go before all the questions are answered.
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SuburbsBailey: Candidates already lining up for suburban elections
All of the suburbs will hold elections this year, most of them in November, dealing with alderman and school board offices with a few mayors for good measure.
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March 2024
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North MississippiBailey: Barton keeps his promise — at least for his first trial as lead prosecutor
Matthew Barton said he would take a hard line on criminals coming to DeSoto County out of Memphis. For his first trial, he followed his promise.
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