The DeSoto County town was identified in 2021 as the third-safest city in Mississippi by Safewise.com, and citizens want to keep it safe.

Vaccination rates remain low for pregnant women, especially within Hispanic and African American populations. So medical professionals have launched a campaign to change that.

“Behind The Headlines” features a discussion of the year’s major events. The reporters’ roundtable found the long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic crossed even those events that seemed unconnected to the global public health crisis.

A federal judge granted an acquittal on two wire fraud charges against state Sen. Katrina Robinson but denied acquittal or a new trial on two remaining counts of wire fraud.

A statement announcing the withdrawal of the application, sent by councilman JB Smiley, came Thursday, Jan. 6, just one week before it was to be presented to the Land Use Control Board. 

Mayor Keith McDonald’s final year in office, what to watch when Sundance comes to town and where Megasite growth will go first. 

Shelby County Schools board member Bibbs is seeking a County Commission seat. Meanwhile Commission Chairman Brooks is aiming for the Shelby County Register’s job. 

“Overall budget is holding in spite of market conditions but we have a long way to go,” Megasite CEO Clay Bright said.

 The top five include property taxes, redistricting, pay raises, a takeback on critical race theory and the strategic battle for a new commission chairman.

Strickland asked Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, in a letter dated Thursday, to list the bridge project as one of the state’s long-term infrastructure priorities. He cited the three-month shutdown last year of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge as well as the advanced age of other bridges at Memphis across the Mississippi River.

High COVID-19 case numbers are not only affecting staffing at testing sites but at area police agencies, fire departments and hospitals, Memphis and Shelby County officials said Thursday, Jan. 6.

Ken Moody opened his challenge of County Mayor Lee Harris Thursday in Overton Square with an attack of Harris’ leadership, similar to how Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland campaigned in his 2015 upset of incumbent AC Wharton Jr. 

The latest COVID-19 Task Force briefing begins at noon, Thursday, Jan. 6.

Some local COVID-19 testing sites will be closed today because of wintry weather. Others will have reduced hours.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 2,661 new cases for Thursday, Jan. 6. 

A suspect has been identified in Young Dolph’s killing, Collierville High parents are concerned after staffing shortages leave classes empty and how much parking does a park need? 

After a meeting held by plaintiffs suing the city and Memphis River Parks Partnership over the $61 million Tom Lee Park redesign, community members expressed a few concerns about the project.

Related story:

Tom Lee Park redesign plaintiffs want parking lots restored

The area is under a winter weather advisory, from early Thursday until Thursday evening, with total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Authorities issued a warrant for a man they say is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Young Dolph. A $15,000 reward has been offered by police agencies for information on the whereabouts of Justin Johnson. 

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.

Related story: 

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.