The Shelby County Commission votes on the problems in the County Clerk’s office, a $350 million commitment to rebuilding Regional One Health and the return of pay raises and bonuses for a consecutive year in county government.

Wanda Halbert says the office will be closed to the public during these periods.

By the end of the year, the Memphis Police Department hopes to add 10 officers to its traffic division, and the highway patrol plans to put 20 officers on Shelby County interstates. 

The commission also approved Monday, Aug. 8, a resolution that urges local law enforcement make their lowest priority the enforcement of the state’s new abortion law that takes effect later this month.

The new court is expected to hold full hearings on bail requests; its creation was prompted by threats of a lawsuit over the way bail is handled in Shelby County and the success of a similar lawsuit in another jurisdiction. 

The resolution drew bipartisan support with four Democratic commissioners abstaining but none voting against the measure sponsored by two Republican commissioners.

Shelby County Health Department director Dr. Michelle Taylor kicked off Monday’s Shelby County Commission meeting with local updates on both COVID-19 and monkeypox. 

At the Monday, Aug. 8, commission meeting, the body also votes on a new bail courtroom. And it takes a final vote on a minority business contracting program as well as transferring Orgill Park and Golf Course to the city of Millington.

The new commission appeared to have a nine-vote Democratic majority with some votes still to be counted into Friday morning in one of the closest races on the entire big ballot.

Despite vocal complaints about her office’s delays in processing car tag and license plate renewals, County Clerk Wanda Halbert won re-election Thursday, Aug. 4. Here’s a rundown of the other clerk’s races on the ballot that saw a repeat of 2018’s Democratic sweep of the same offices.

Several other judges, including two in General Sessions Criminal Court, were either upset in the incomplete results or were in danger of being upset. Meanwhile, voters filled eight court seats to which incumbents did not seek reelection this year, including four divisions of Criminal Court.

Democrat Steve Mulroy declared victory over incumbent Republican Amy Weirich late Thursday evening in the race for Shelby County District Attorney, but Weirich had not conceded defeat.

Harris, who campaigned as part of a “New Era” slate of Democratic candidates, led a Democratic sweep of countywide offices. 

While most people will be watching who won and who lost the evening of Thursday, Aug. 4, politicos will be viewing the numbers as the first indication of what could happen in the next election and the elections to follow.

Related stories:

Shelby County’s ‘big ballot’ Election Day arrives with theme of change

Ballot Basics: Aug. 4 Election Day

Memphis is experiencing the hottest summer on record so far, and last month was the second hottest July in the city’s history.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools district will host three events this weekend to kick off the 2022-2023 school year that starts Aug. 8.

“In the four years that we have been here, something suddenly happened in May,” Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert said during a Thursday press conference. 

The conception of the council was inspired by an increase in gun-related crimes that is likely due to the relaxing of gun laws in Tennessee, such as 2014 legislation that allows people to keep guns in cars without permits. 

The two contenders for Shelby County Mayor clashed for the second time in a week, this time at the Memphis Rotary Club’s traditional mayoral debate.

Lines at two locations of the Shelby County Clerk’s office moved briskly Tuesday afternoon, July 26, as employees implemented a new waiting system.

Shelby County reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox on Monday, July 25, marking the 18th reported case in Tennessee. 

Harris was arrested after an argument with his ex-boyfriend. He maintained his innocence and expressed confidence the charges will be dropped.

Heidi Kuhn had sought seven positions but the commission worried it could trigger budget amendments from the other clerks.

Shelby County commissioners delayed taking a “no-confidence” vote on County Clerk Wanda Halbert until Aug. 8.