How about that snow, huh? At least this stuff won’t be sticking around. It’s Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13, and I hope you’re ready to let the good times roll. There are Mardi Gras parties happening at Silky O’ Sullivan’s, Soul and Spirits Brewery and Overton Square tonight. But today is also Galentine’s Day, so ladies, be sure and share that king cake with your besties. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate girls’ night, check out our Galentine’s guide. (If you ask me though, I’d say every night is girls’ night. Sorry, Ken.)

While we’re talking holidays, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, so we’re gifting the full version of The Early Word to non-subscribers all week. Still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? A Daily Memphian subscription lasts much longer than flowers or chocolate, and you can save 20% off monthly, annual and two-year subscriptions using the code BEMINE.

In non-holiday news, Downtown’s Center City Revenue Finance Corp. will review the application for the 100 N. Main development’s proposed 30-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal (better known as a PILOT). 

THE NEED TO KNOW

A shooting at Zazaa Smoke & Vape store, 3834 East Shelby Drive, on Sunday, Feb. 11, resulted in the death of one man. The smoke shop shooting was part of a string of shootings and carjackings allegedly carried out by Courdarion Craft on Sunday. (Julia Baker/The Daily Memphian)

Details emerge on Sunday shooting, manhunt: Courdarion Craft, 20, has been identified as the man allegedly responsible for three shootings on Sunday that led to a citywide manhunt (and a number of phone alerts from the city’s emergency system). According to an affidavit, Craft carjacked a woman and her two children on Sunday morning and used the car to drive to Zazaa Smoke and Vape, where he allegedly shot and killed a man. He also allegedly injured two women Sunday. The affidavit also provides details of Craft’s capture. Craft has a history of violent charges.

State Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Eads) said there are several options to creating a separate judicial district for the suburbs and unincorporated Shelby County.(Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

Home-court advantage? Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, is exploring options for separating Shelby County’s suburban cities and unincorporated areas into their own criminal court jurisdiction, moving them away from the Memphis district overseen by Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. That would allow the suburbs to oversee justice in their own criminal cases. If change comes, it won’t be soon though: Splitting the courts would require state action, and the bill deadline for 2024 has passed. But it seems some suburban leaders are open to the idea.

A total of 39 candidates had checked out petitions for the Aug. 1 ballot as of noon Monday. (The Daily Memphian file)

Getting on the ballot: Last Monday, Feb. 5, was the first day to pull qualifying petitions to get on the Aug. 1 ballot. And in the first week, a total of 39 candidates had checked out petitions so far. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen got a petition to seek a 10th term in the House, and a number of incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members and challengers have pulled petitions. The Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries has a look at those potential candidates, as well as who intends to run in state and federal primary races.

MEET MEMPHIS

Local artist Michael Roy (aka Birdcap) in front of a mural he painted on the side of the Exchange Building Downtown. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Work by artist Michael Roy (aka Birdcap) can be seen all over Memphis, from murals on Downtown’s Exchange Building and Midtown’s Eclectic Eye to beer cans from Ghost River and Beale Street Brewing Co. But Roy’s never had a solo art exhibition — until now. His “Iliumpta,” a retelling of Homer’s “Iliad” set in a fictional Southern bayou, opened at Crosstown Arts on Feb. 9 and runs through April 28. It’s a bit of a full-circle experience for Roy, who practiced his graffiti skills in the abandoned Sears Crosstown building before it was redeveloped as Crosstown Concourse. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies wing Vince Williams Jr. will play on Team Tamika in the NBA 2024 Panini Rising Stars showcase Feb. 16, in Indianapolis. (AP file)

Williams’ rising star: It’s been a good year for Memphis Grizzlies wing Vince Williams Jr. Williams, who was signed to a Grizzlies contract in January, has been chosen to replace an injured New Orleans Pelicans player in the NBA Rising Stars showcase on Feb. 16. He’ll be the only Grizzly participating in NBA All-Star Weekend. It’s not been so good of a year for the Grizzlies team as a whole though: They lost their ninth straight game Monday night with a 96-87 loss to the Pelicans, but three of the season’s brand-new names combined to score 27 points. And speaking of new names, the short-staffed Grizzlies have signed guard Jordan Goodwin to a 10-day hardship contract. Whether the team is winning or losing, the Grizzlies games have special meaning for one mother-and-son duo. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins shares the heartwarming story of Grizz season-ticket holders Chuck Gallina and his mother Mimi, who has Alzheimer’s.

Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner, seen here in April of last year, said if the Deerwalk developers don’t maintain their property, “that will be the end of any extensions.” (The Daily Memphian files)

Matter of time: Two Collierville residential subdivisions were granted extra time to build homes by the suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday night. Deerwalk, an eight-lot subdivision, was given a six-month extension, to find a new developer after the previous developer, Norman Brown III, died. But the state of the property has been the source of complaints from residents, and Mayor Stan Joyner issued a warning if the company behind the project had any hope of future extensions. Lenox Gardens, 46-lot subdivision, also received a six-month extension after pandemic- and interest-rate-related delays.

In this Sept. 29, 2014 photo, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes posed for a photo during the team’s NBA basketball media day in Memphis. (Mark Humphrey/AP file)

Basketball court to the big screen: Former Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Jarnell Stokes, who played for the team from 2014-2015, has written his first screenplay for a film titled “Break the Cycle,” with the help of Beverly Hills-based screenplay writer Eric Ingram. The Memphis native plans to film the coming-of-age sports drama in Orange Mound, where he grew up. It follows the stories of two orphaned brothers — one a basketball phenom and the other living a life of crime.

Urgent news (if you’re sick): Baptist Memorial Health Care has partnered with Urgent Team Family of Urgent Care & Walk-In Centers to rebrand both companies’ clinics as Baptist Urgent Care Centers. The rebranding rolled out on Monday at 10 clinics in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas. A new 11th clinic is coming soon in Germantown. The move came months after Baptist permanently shuttered its minor medical centers in East Memphis, Bartlett and Olive Branch.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Usher (on roller skates!! shirtless!!) had some help tearing up Super Bowl halftime show stage on Sunday evening. University of Memphis Department of Theatre and Dance alumnus DJ Hill (on the left) appeared as a back-up dancer. 

Laissez les bons temps rouler! And happy Galentine’s Day!

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