The special Monday, Aug. 7, meeting was short of a quorum that’s needed to take any action. 

Democratic commissioner Miska Clay Bibbs was one vote short of the seven votes needed to become the new chairwoman during nine rounds of voting at the July 17 commission meeting. Three of the 9 Democrats abstained in a rift that goes back to a June vote to raise the county wheel tax by $25.

“I think the three sleeping rooms is ridiculous,” said Morgan Pettigrew, owner of Pettigrew Adventures. “The county thinks putting a three-sleeping room limit on the house is going to somehow stop the party.”

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Memphis short-term rental market on track with U.S. data

The nine Democratic commissioners voted for a resolution for “extreme-risk protection order” measures. Of the two Republican commissioners present for the vote, one recused himself and the other was not in the room for the vote.

“Chief Deputy Buckner is an exemplary law enforcement professional with a proven track record of excellence,” Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in the release.

The commission votes Monday, July 31 on a solid waste fee hike for Northaven, a move to a two-year property tax reappraisal cycle for taxation purposes and equipment to convert microfilm and microfiche archives to digital files. 

Mayor Lee Harris declared a State of Emergency in Shelby County on Monday, July 24, following thunderstorms last week that resulted in loss of power and water to thousands.

“In some cases, we’re seven, eight, nine years behind. We have got to get back on schedule, and we will. The City Council has already approved this. My board has already approved this,” MLGW’s CEO said.

Results of the water sample testing were initially expected Saturday, but that was before an overnight power outage at the Memphis Light, Gas and Water testing lab.

Formerly incarcerated people can learn job skills while earning money through a Shelby County Office of Re-Entry program called Focused.

The wheel tax hike approved last month is a done deal. But the commission’s Democratic majority is still fractured over the decision. 

Commissioners also elect leaders for the second year of their four-year term of office Monday. And the election of a chair and chair pro tempore could indicate what divisions remain among the commission’s Democratic majority after last month’s tumultuous wheel tax debate and vote.

“We believe the body to be that of Israel Powell, but this is still under investigation,” said John Morris, spokesman with the sheriff’s office.

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Sheriff’s department searching for missing 3-year-old

The child went missing last night from the 5100 block of Laurel Springs Drive. 

The Political Roundup looks at campaigning in the summer heat, the most active council races and a growing field of possible contenders for Memphis mayor.

Some suburban residents are still dealing with power issues related to the devastating June 25 storm this holiday weekend, including some who already endured a week without electricity.

The Shelby County Commission Scorecard follows the complex four-month path of the $25 wheel-tax hike, with a mix of the roll call votes and developments outside commission meetings that shaped the compromise.

The $25 wheel-tax hike compromise approved by the Shelby County Commission broke a polite form of dysfunction on the body that could give way to a working majority crossing party lines on other issues.

With an excessive heat warning currently in effect in Shelby County, cooling centers are available to help the public beat the heat.

The hard-hit suburbs of Northeast Shelby County are still dealing with power outages, downed trees and congested intersections as a result of last weekend’s storm.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office requested an outside prosecutor “due to the need to avoid a conflict of interest and any appearance of impropriety.”

The utility replaced more than 350 wooden utility poles in three days.

MLGW needs to clear about 1,400 miles of vegetation each year to maintain its tree-trimming schedule; in the past four years combined, however, it hasn’t been able to meet that goal.

The wheel-tax hike’s approval on a 9-4 vote ends the county’s budget season with the financing in place for three landmark capital projects.

The 50,000 customers still waiting on power to be restored can cool down at Baker Community Center as temperatures approach triple digits.

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MLGW expects boil water advisory to end tomorrow

55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach