Even though it was colder for longer, Memphis got a welcome surprise this past storm: The power mostly stayed on. 

Also happening this week: The two individuals charged in the death of St. Jude researcher Alexander Bulakhov are back in court, and you can help break a world record at FedExForum.

Memphis government and the Grizzlies are seeking more money for $500-million-plus in renovations to FedExForum and working toward a lease extension, but another lease could also involve changes to the area around the arena.

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.

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.

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.

Linn Sitler, Memphis and Shelby County Film/TV Commissioner, said that Tyler Perry and his team were in Memphis on Tuesday for a one-day local shoot, employing 20-25 local crew members and roughly 200 extras.

The post-storm water situation in Memphis has cleared up just in time for Mid-South Mission of Mercy, a free two-day dental clinic slated for Jan. 26 and 27 at Bellevue Baptist Church.

An Italianate home in South Memphis and an early middle-class housing complex in Midtown have been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

Three years ago, Memphis Light, Gas and Water issued its first boil-water advisory for the area. Since then, it’s issued four more.

Related stories: 

Boil-water advisory ends for MLGW customers

Kirby High School dismissed early due to burst pipe

The nine directors and city chiefs were approved without a single no vote Tuesday. Public Works director Robert Knecht’s reappointment drew some criticism from council members, prompting a two-week delay.

“She was very disappointed in Memphis about how the so-called Black children were allowed to falter because it allowed different subsets of schools,” said Aaron L. Lewis Jr., Lewis’s son.

The referendum, which would allow the Memphis City Council to set its own pay and that of city division directors, will remain on the August 2024 ballot for city voters to decide.

Related story:

Council confirms 9 municipal chiefs, but Public Works on hold

Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis would continue to serve in an interim capacity.

Students were dismissed at 10:30 a.m., according to the school district.

Related content:

Area schools to open Tuesday as snow, ice melt

Until the state approves the test’s results, the area’s boil-water advisory remains in effect. 

Related story: 

Water conservation order ends for MLGW customers

MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis was one vote short in a council test vote two weeks ago. The council also expects an update on winter storm recovery effort by MLGW during Tuesday, Jan. 23, committee sessions.

The conservation order ended Monday, but the area’s boil-water advisory is still in effect. 

Related story: 

Area schools to open Tuesday as snow, ice melt

Also happening: Voices for a Safer Tennessee hosts a discussion on gun reform, and two Broken Bottles suspects are in court.

Customers are requested to stop dripping faucets and refrain from going to get their car washed. That will help save 10 million gallons of water a day, Doug McGowen said at a press conference Sunday, Jan. 21. 

Related stories:

College campuses in the area closed again Monday
Area schools close Monday as snow, ice struggle to thaw

At least 15 city employees traveled to the Caribbean island for a recruiting fair last July. The event, designed to attract police officers and employees for other hard-to-fill jobs, failed to attract a single candidate.

Some of the 120 prosecutors working in the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office make as much as $70,000 more than their colleagues who work next to them.

Strickland vetoed a referendum ordinance that would ask voters whether the Memphis City Council could set its salary and the salary of mayor-appointed directors. The council believes the veto was done improperly.

On a cold and miserable night — a night when fans were urged to stay home — the Tigers blew a 20-point lead to lose to South Florida. And then Penny Hardaway hinted at ominous chemistry issues within the team. 

The $1.5 million sale expands office space for Memphis Tourism, which keeps its office just 120 feet away and allows Memphis in May to remain in its headquarters after a year of big changes in the festival.