Staff members are conducting all proceedings and administrative work virtually.

The developers and Shelby County reached an out-of-court settlement to allow the 1,500-acre solar farm to be built. 

Under the bill, juvenile court can keep the minor under its jurisdiction until the teen’s 19th birthday, after which the court is authorized to impose an additional sentence to be served on or before their 24th birthday if they violate conditions.

Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright criticized General Session Judge Bill Anderson’s push for more defendants to be released on their own recognizance.

For the first time in 10 years, the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival is extending its celebration beyond its traditional four-day schedule.

The bill to remove two Shelby County judgeships was faced with opposition after the removal of the Division 9 seat, formerly held by Melissa Boyd.

The commission also killed an appeal by an Eads developer seeking to start on a multi-phase project and a tie-in to the City of Memphis sewer system.

The call for a corrective action plan isn’t binding on County Clerk Wanda Halbert, who is an elected official outside the county administration. The sponsor of the resolution says he doesn’t expect Halbert to submit the plan.

Related story:

New rules for solar farms get rewrite by County Commission

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, is also running unopposed in his August primary after the state GOP kicked perennial contender George Flinn out of the primary.

While past votes on County Clerk Wanda Halbert’s office and its problems have been unanimous, Monday’s vote may not be. The commission also tries to take a final vote on changes to Shelby County Land Bank after delays.

Despite a prior statement suggesting otherwise, a prosecutor with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office did not “strongly oppose” lowering the bond for a now-deceased suspect involved in a shootout last week with Memphis Police officers.

Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon anticipates the transition process will not be completed this year due to the “intricate nature of the transition process,” according to an emailed statement. 

Even as the Tennessee Legislature inches closer to eliminating the seat, four candidates have applied to run for the Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 judgeship formerly held by Melissa Boyd.

SCSO also struggles with providing recreation and educational opportunities for detained youths. Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright aims to address those issues with a resolution to also hold Shelby County Juvenile Court and other county departments responsible.

County commissioners approved $18.6 million in funding to plan and build the diversion center. The jail study was an easier call at $250,000. The separate votes on the two projects came with very different timelines and expectations.

The trial was paused in December to determine if Morant would be immune under the state’s self-defense immunity statute, also known as the “stand your ground” law.

The study would cost $250,000, and the new center $18.6 million. County Mayor Lee Harris meanwhile has said the diversion center is a more immediate priority that could help with conditions in the current jail.

County elections administrator Linda Phillips said in a release that all petitioners should be aware of pending legislation that could remove Melissa Boyd’s former seat, making any petitions null and void. 

Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon said only about 50%-60% of children in the facility attend classes. He also said the court mandated Feb. 28 parent visitation, which has been suspended for four years, be reinstated.

A group of organizations allege the youth detention facility’s leadership and staff deny visitation and do not provide sufficient education or time outdoors.

Six women in the Shelby County Department of Corrections and three dogs are participating in a program to improve the women’s emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills while giving dogs training to make them more adoptable. 

The move stops a planned vote Thursday, April 4, that would’ve likely seen Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd removed from the bench. 

Days before a vote that could see her removed from the bench, a criminal court judge wants to resign from her post, according to a letter obtained by The Daily Memphian. But the vote should move forward, regardless.

The first County Commission Scorecard of 2024 also includes commission votes on large utility-scale solar farms along with pay raises in the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.

Passenger counts were up 19.2% in 2023, a record year at Memphis International Airport, and there’s talk of possible new flights (think Raleigh-Durham, perhaps San Francisco).