Amy Eoff will serve as chairwoman of Germantown’s school board in 2021.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 779 new COVID-19 cases and four more coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Known as “The Jar,” Chris Jarman was part of “Drake and Zeke in the Morning” during its heyday. 

A “berry” special paint job shows up in East Memphis, drag racing drives a discussion at the City Council and the University of Memphis says, “Hold my beer.”

The task force making the call is one of several working on police reforms and better police practices. The size of the Memphis Police force is a controversial part of the civic discussion about police reform.

The city is in a race with the calendar to spend its federal funding within the next two weeks or send it back to D.C. 

The request would increase to about $50 million annually in the third year as the Memphis district hires more teacher assistants for students in K-2.

Memphis City Council members heard about the difficulty of getting financing for hotel projects before approving the financing of a third hotel for One Beale. The set of parking projects nearby had a more complex path to approval.

Tennessee is using its initial 975 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as a backup supply, but 74 hospitals are expected to receive more than 56,000 other doses Thursday. 

Homeless veterans, those in second chance and sober living programs or people simply wanting to get their lives in order are the target groups for The Purpose Place, the applicant behind the proposal.

A set of three proposed ordinances aren’t due for a vote by the full council until the new year. But several council members are concerned about how police will carry out the ordinances if they are passed.

Health Department expects it could be vaccinating EMS workers and nursing home residents and staff by Dec. 28.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 893 new COVID-19 cases and nine more coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services child care assistance program for workers deemed “essential” during the pandemic expires Dec. 31. The state has no plans to renew the program.

Tuesday’s case numbers yielded a 10.6% positivity rate. 

A new training program for local med students, when people here will get the vaccine, and how you can get the most from your food pantry items. 

Dr. Robert Redfield was part of a hour-long Zoom yesterday with Dr. Scott Strome, executive dean of the UTHSC College of Medicine. 

The council also talks about limits on mufflers, a cleanup of the city’s code of ordinances and could take a final vote on a sidewalk change that would require a sidewalk inspection as part of the closing process in real estate sales.

Tennessee cast its 11 electoral votes Monday, Dec. 14, for President Donald Trump, 

The University of Memphis unveiled plans Monday, Dec. 14, for a plaque honoring Miriam DeCosta Sugarmon Willis, the school’s first African American faculty member. 

FedEx reported at mid-day Monday, Dec. 14, it had delivered COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 destinations without incident and ahead of schedule.

Baptist Memorial Health Care’s flagship Baptist-Memphis hospital on Walnut Grove Road will get the vaccine on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The day’s numbers were the highest new coronavirus case totals since the beginning of the pandemic. There are five new related deaths.

We’ve lost a local civil rights leader, tacos take their place in Cooper-Young, and the Tigers get a brand new Bowl. 

The Salvation Army is working hard to fulfill its holiday season mission as the pandemic impacts giving, but other charitable organizations are doing well.