North Mississippi
Ask the Memphian: Is it true DeSoto County once had a beach? And it was full of sand from Destin?
The owners of DeSoto’s Maywood Beach routinely headed down to Destin, but it wasn’t to frolic in the waves.
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 203 articles by Clay Bailey :
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September 2025
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North Mississippi -
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GermantownBailey: A mixed-use project could be coming to Germantown, while Palazzolo plans to stay in the suburb
Another mixed-use plan is under consideration at the end of Germantown’s Central Business District, while the mayor decides to forget the county mayor’s office and stay in the suburb.
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GermantownBailey: Germantown Festival — an event with tradition, memories and birth
Festival-goers will descend on the west end of Old Germantown this weekend for a tradition of crafters, food and entertainment.
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August 2025
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BartlettBailey: Hints could be emerging about Walmart opening new grocery in Bartlett
Keith Grant has not identified the potential store for his Union Depot development, but he may have provided a clue towards solving the mystery.
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North MississippiBailey: How the heck do I even figure out a mill on Mississippi taxes?
Governments in DeSoto County are starting their annual budget process, but first, property owners have to figure out what the heck is a mill.
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MusicAsk the Memphian: Did The Beatles’ show in Memphis lead them to stop touring?
The Beatles stopped in Memphis during their August 1966 tour amid a backdrop of protest. The supergroup never toured again, and Memphis could have been a factor in the decision.
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SuburbsBailey: Bringing Collierville beer rules into today’s society
After more than 40 years, Collierville thinks it is time to update its beer ordinance, eliminating — among other things — the restriction on proximity to churches.
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North MississippiBailey: Blaze of glory possibly en route to St. Louis
Blaze Jordan is back playing near his home turf in DeSoto County, hoping to reach the big leagues like other locals of the past and present.
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BartlettBailey: Let’s look at the possibilities for the mystery grocer in Bartlett
With an unknown grocer heading to Union Depot in Bartlett, the guessing begins on which one could occupy the space. And, of course, Publix is the first on everyone’s desired list.
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July 2025
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SuburbsBailey: Book borrowing in Bartlett proves beneficial
Eighteen months after leaving the Memphis system, Bartlett’s library is continuing to make improvements as questions linger about whether the departure was the right move.
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June 2025
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SuburbsBailey: A special home for a hero
William Brooks paid a steep price in serving this country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This week he received a gesture of appreciation for his sacrifice.
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SuburbsBailey: A developing tiff on chamber’s offerings and an alderman’s questions
A Bartlett alderman questioned whether the city’s chamber of commerce was providing proper support for the amount of money steered to the organization by the suburb.
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SuburbsBailey: Time to set aside money to upgrade Houston High
There is a cost to run a school district, and Germantown is facing the price tag of upgrades to Houston High.
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SuburbsBailey: It was busy in the ’burbs this week
This past week, Horn Lake held its elections, Bartlett opened a new coffeehouse and a suburb dealt with calls to another big party. Meanwhile, cities are wrapping up the annual budget review.
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SuburbsBailey: All hail the young Lions and a championship trophy
Within three years of starting its high school classes, Lakeland Prep is the state baseball champion and has bragging rights in Class AA.
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May 2025
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Visual ArtsAll the drive-in theaters that used to be in Memphis
“There was a time when drive-in movie theaters — Bellevue, Jaxon, Sky-Vue — were all around town. But you have to be of a certain age to remember where they were.”
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SuburbsBailey: Chewing on the details regarding fluoride in Collierville’s water system
Some questions about fluoride in the Collierville water system led to more questions — from observers wondering if the town was going to eliminate the mineral responsible for reducing dental problems.
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SuburbsBailey: New schools provide space and some relief
Two new schools in the eastern suburbs will provide more space for the student bodies, allow for expansion of curriculum and, in one case, provide temporary relief for parents concerned about students changing schools.
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Suburbs Bailey: Musselwhite to Musselwhite. A few unknowns about Southaven’s mayor
An interview with Mayor Darren Musselwhite pulled back the curtain on some of the unknowns and interesting details about the Southaven leader.
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SuburbsBailey: From shoe stores to amusement parks to golf course, a tour of the suburbs
A tour through the suburbs this week, checking on a shoe store closing, memories of the Lakeland Amusement Park and the question of Quail Ridge.
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April 2025
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SuburbsBailey: Todd Halford bringing frivolity to Bartlett city information universe
Todd Halford has brought a new level of fun to the City of Bartlett’s social media world, adding puns, snappy attire and promotion of the suburb.
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SuburbsBailey: Candidates for public office need to answer questions
“If you don’t call us back when we reach out for an interview, you can’t say that we didn’t present your side of a story on campaigns.”
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SuburbsBailey: I will soon have a Real ID to prove that I really am who I say I am
After a trip to Fayette County, I really have the identification to show I really am who I’ve said I am for 70-plus years.
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SuburbsBailey: Protecting the dead as development overtakes cemeteries
As open areas developed, there are times when they encroach on the eternal resting place of a few people buried in a small family cemetery. Those like the Wells Cemetery in Arlington must be protected.
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March 2025
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SuburbsBailey: Kustoff, OLPH and a mixed-up message
When Republican Rep. David Kustoff was scheduled to speak at a Germantown church, a lot of people wanted to come and ask questions, which led to cancellation of the event.
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