Don Gammage is stepping down as Olive Branch police chief, ending a long career in law enforcement.

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Wounding of two Olive Branch officers in 2006 remains a mystery

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty spoke Tuesday, June 28, at the Memphis Rotary Club during a visit to the city that included a defense of former President Donald Trump and a prediction that 2022 midterm elections will produce a “sea change” in Washington. He also visited with the Republican nominee for Shelby County mayor.

The alleged members and associates of the Traveling Vice Lord/Junk Yard Dogs held positions within the gang, including chief of the streets, deck holder, enforcer, treasurer, chief of security and man of literature. 

Literacy Mid-South has been selected to receive a $4.5 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Education to support Memphis-Shelby County Schools students and students attending public area charter schools.

“This decision was not made lightly,” said Ashley Cofield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi. “And it’s due to Tennessee’s legal landscape, which is extremely hostile to abortion access.” 

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‘Fetal heartbeat' law can go into effect immediately

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote to the Sixth Circuit almost immediately after the high court’s decision on Friday, asking it to stay a district court’s injunction immediately and allow the law to take effect.

The Shelby County Commission approves MATA funds in another marathon session, Collierville’s new ambulance service is launching (without their ambulances) and we offer six takeaways from the University of Memphis’ IARP hearing. 

The roundup includes the contenders for county mayor clashing over PILOTs and other economic development incentives, reaction to the Roe v. Wade repeal and early-vote strategies.

The new system includes a paper trail along with updated touch screen machines and an option to vote hand-marked paper ballots. 

The June 28 Shelby County Commission session saw an attempt to bring back to life bonuses some elected countywide officials proposed three weeks ago. 

At one point Shelby County commissioners forgot they had allocated capital funding to the county’s seven public school systems as they debate how to fund $350 million ask by Regional One.

The 9-2 vote at the Monday, June 27, commission completes city and county action to create an ongoing tax revenue stream expected to total $30 million in the next 8 years.

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County Commission caught between capital funding for schools or Regional One

County weighs bonuses along with pay raise — again

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert says her office has been hand-stuffing envelopes, but she remains baffled by what caused the backlog. In the interim, county government has asked for a weekly inspection of the clerk’s license plate and car tag storage space. 

The housing will provide a home for four ex-offenders who are participating in the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry’s FOCUSED program, an 11-week training program that combines job readiness with the opportunity for selection into vocational training programs.

Germantown will internally promote Inspector Mike Fisher to the role of deputy chief, replacing Rodney Bright, who retired from the department’s second-in-command role.

Illinois will soon be the closest state with abortion access, Carrefour at the Gateway could revive Germantown’s west end and Ole Miss baseball brings home a big win. 

Almost a decade before the National Civil Rights Museum opened, the Marmalade Restaurant and Lounge thrived on Calhoun Avenue.

The agenda also includes $300,000 in funding for the Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corp. Additionally, commissioners will consider a resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to change redistricting maps to reflect an accurate county line between Shelby County and Fayette County.

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County Commission goals include help for Regional One

And with almost half of Shelby County Commissioners leaving office in two months, they have a firm deadline to find $350 million in funding, their share of the project’s funding, for the county-owned hospital. The Commission also has ambitious plans to revamp the county’s MWBE program. 

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County Commission caught between capital funding for schools or Regional One

An investigation conducted by the federal Administration for Children and Families found that Memphis-Shelby County Schools failed to make sure children were kept safe at several Head Start centers the district operates.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has launched a free legal clinic on wheels called the Justice Bus. The blue sprinter van will mostly travel to rural areas where residents may not have internet access.

A reporters roundtable on “Behind The Headlines” discusses the nature of change that might occur due to the major countywide races to be decided in the August election.

Nick Toombs’ display is back this year, and it’s an even larger spectacle. Not out of spite, he said, but because he had to buy a new rainbow.

In addition to helping Vitalant reduce the Memphis area’s shortage of blood and platelet donors, football players also pitched in to assist some pups from Memphis Animal Services get a field trip.

Country music singer Steven Cade, who formerly experienced homelessness himself, presented the instrument for residents of the shelter to enjoy.