Three Collierville High classes were unsupervised Tuesday; the first day back after winter break. The district investigated, and Principal Roger Jones communicated with affected parents.

Shelby County Health Dept. Director Dr. Michelle Taylor told Shelby County commissioners Wednesday, Jan. 5, that state health officials are also watching the strain on hospitals and public health institutions closely. 

The plaintiffs are taking the city and Memphis River Parks Partnership to court over the $61 million Tom Lee Park redesign.

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Community members react to Tom Lee Park lawsuit

Active COVID-19 cases top 22,000.

Jury trials in Shelby County Criminal Court are suspended through Jan. 28 as COVID cases increase locally. 

The assistant to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is expected to formally get into the race starting with the May Democratic primary. 

The National Weather Service says the Mid-South can expect snow for Thursday, Jan. 6.

More colleges are postponing in-person classes, beer is back, Arlington slows its (bed) roll and both the Tigers and the Grizzlies get a win. 

The Science of Beer returns to the Museum of Science & History for a big, spread-out tasting and educational event Jan. 14.

The council also approved medical office space on Covington Pike, and delayed a vote on a controversial retail development with gas pumps at Broad and Tillman.

Memphis City Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon will run against incumbent Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael. Meanwhile, Marcus Mitchell is running for Juvenile Court Clerk County Commissioner Brandon Morrison is running in a new district.

Calvin Williams lost much of his support for the appointment when he told council members his 2007 conviction on federal bribery charges was about his refusal to implicate Black elected officials. 

Dr. Michelle Taylor says Monday’s lower count in new reported COVID cases, “does not represent an actual decrease in viral transmission.”

LeMoyne-Owen College and Christian Brothers University will join Rhodes College in delaying spring semester in-person classes amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

UTHSC students and the general public can receive testing without scheduling an appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

COVID-19 data released Tuesday, Jan. 4, reveals more than 2,600 new cases. 

City Council members have delayed the first reading on a police residency referendum until April to see if the Tennessee General Assembly passes a law banning such residency requirements for public safety employees statewide.

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City Council approves residential subdivision in Raleigh

Schools are postponing in-person classes, starting new clubs amid controversy and maybe getting swapped by the state. Plus, we’re taking a Centric view on a proposed mural. 

Between the vocal debate on police residency at its last meeting in 2021 and the Tuesday, Jan. 4, session, Police Chief C.J. Davis has come out in a Daily Memphian op-ed in favor of a broader residency requirement for police. 

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Neighborhood leaders oppose proposed gas station in Binghampton

The plaintiffs, known collectively as “Tom Lee Park for All,” claim the park’s $61-million redesign violated a mediation agreement with Memphis in May.

At a meeting Wednesday, Jan. 5, local artists’ colorful image for the Hyatt Centric — on a concrete wall facing the intersection of Beale and Wagner streets — will be considered. 

The City Council will once again be voting on a special use permit for a proposed gas station on Tillman Street between Sam Cooper Boulevard and Broad Avenue during Tuesday’s 10 a.m. City Council meeting. 

State Rep. Mark White confirmed he’ll file another bill in the upcoming legislative session that could determine who controls Germantown Elementary, Germantown Middle School and Germantown High. The bill could also affect Lucy Elementary in Millington.

Rhodes College is altering its plans for the spring semester after consultation with medical experts. The college will keep its Jan. 12 start date for the semester, but classes will begin remotely before transitioning to in-person classes Jan. 31. 

The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases per day is 1,909.