“As the Talmud teaches, ‘Because my parents planted trees for me, likewise I am planting trees for those who come after me.’ For the sake of our children, city and world, let’s keep planting.”

Ready to crossword? If you know the name of this Tennessee politician, you already have a clue to one of the answers.

Today’s sudoku is rated medium.

Shelby County commissioners and about 40 other people including county finance and other division leaders met at Shelby Farms ahead of Mayor Lee Harris’ budget proposal.

Chattanooga-based Freedom Sings USA and the Department of Veteran Affairs presented a two-day music therapy event at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center at 1030 Jefferson Ave.

An offensive burst from the Memphis women’s basketball team in the second half gave them a win over Rice in Houston.

After a week off, the Tigers are in search of a bounce-back performance when they face UAB on Sunday.

“Pursuing a diverse workforce should be a commitment to prioritizing the well-being and unity of each member within our workspaces and our communities. Our journey toward forging a construction landscape that reflects these efforts goes beyond erecting buildings.” 

Michael Roy, who started his arts career geared towards “serious abstract paint(ing),” says a Memphis College of Art professor told him “(your) hand wants to be a cartoonist.” 

The top federal prosecutor in Memphis, U.S. attorney for Western Tennessee Kevin Ritz, says the Department of Justice inquiry affects the relationship his office has with the law enforcement body.

“What made it a rivalry,” said Daryl Braden, a former Memphis high school star recruited in the 1970s by Gene Bartow and Larry Finch to Alabama-Birmingham, “was homeboys playing against each other. ...” They’ll clash again Sunday for the 51st time.

The Scholastic Art Awards are “like the art-kid championship game” said Brooks director of education, Kathy Dumlao. 

“Our leaders should also consider what we are experiencing with increased crime rates as a deeper issue with how we recognize and support mental health and well-being.”

Lakeisha Edwards, leader of the Urban Art Commission, joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the ways public art not only beautifies a neighborhood but also about how it impacts the people living there.

Today’s sudoku is an easy one!

The Grizzlies held on for a win against Orlando on Friday night. Even though they are focused on development, Memphis continues to find ways to win. 

Related story:

Box score: Grizzlies 107, Magic 106

Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and columnist John Martin weigh in on everything from Memphis’ problems and potential solutions to the team’s margin for error moving forward and its NCAA Tournament outlook.

A federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the parents of Deion Byrd, a Shelby County Jail inmate who was assaulted while awaiting a court appearance at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.

The lender for the 109-townhome section, dubbed The Willows at the Lake, has taken back the property from The Lake District developer Yehuda Netanel.

Four people, two suspects and two civilians, were noncritically injured Friday, Jan. 26, after officers shot at alleged car thieves before the suspects fled and crashed into a civilian’s car.

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has recommended Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd be removed from office, according to a letter sent to Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. 

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the amendment would increase judicial discretion regarding bail and would require judges to say why or why not they granted bail. 

The affidavit says the inmate told the jailer that he “had something for him,” and “I’m going to kill you.”