Photo Credit: mcsk12.net
Suspended, or Gone?

 
Sheffield High School’s former principal Russell Heaston remains “on suspension pending investigation” following allegations he had a sexual relationship with a former student who was also underage. Police say they do not plan to re-open their investigation. The Main Street Journal has much, much more coverage of this story.

Memphis City Council: The council meets today at 3:30 PM and center stage will be passing the $78 million (or $68 million, depending) compromise worked out with the City school board as part of the Memphis City Schools budget. The meeting agenda is here.

School Registration: Both Memphis City and Shelby County schools register today! Remember to bring last year’s report card and two forms of ID. Shelby County Schools are stepping up enforcement of county residency requirements.

Shelby County Election Reform Commission: The brainchild of County Commissioner James Harvey, who is also running for mayor of Memphis, it would investigate problems in the election system and voting, though some believe it’s just a cover for Democrats.

Millington: Questions that ABC24 would have asked Mayor Richard Hodges, if he was talking to the press. At the town’s monthly meeting of the Board of Aldermen, he was playing the family/grief card. He did not answer any questions about the investigation. A Commercial Appeal story that focuses in part on his wife’s suicide and also gives an upbeat twist to things. (An earlier version of the story.) The Living in Millington blog has a few updates and a lot of information in the comments section.

Federal Debt-Ceiling Debate: The US House passed the compromise legislation: 169-161; most members of the TN delegation supported it. Third District Congressman Chuck Fleischmann voted “no” because the bill didn’t go far enough.

Senator Bob Corker will vote “yes”. His statement.

What is the local effect of the legislation?

TN Sales Tax Holiday: It begins this Friday. State website here. “Sticker shock” as parents head to sales for back-to-school supplies.

Juvenile Court: The Tennessee Juvenile Court Services are holding a joint conference in Memphis this week. Interesting statistic: only 60 of 135 beds are full on any given day.

Mississippi: The US Justice Department will be monitoring 11 Counties across the State in today’s primaries. The MS Secretary of State election page and you can look up your polling place here. This is the first election under the new law which requires 75% use of voting machines.

Memphis City Schools: They want to take over the Whitehaven Golf Course and turn it into a teaching course for students.

Business: Entrepreneurship and innovation are being cultivated in Memphis like never before.

People on the Move, from the Business Journal. The Commercial Appeal reports What to Do and People in Business. And, last but never least, the Daily News has Today’s Events.

nexAir: Construction has been completed on a new propane filling plant that will quadruple cylinder-filling capacity.

Delta Air Lines: While the FAA is shut down, due to Washington gridlock over passing legislation, the airline will process some tax refunds for passengers. More from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

International Paper: They are hiring 200 workers for a mill in Virginia.

Amazon.com Officials with the State are in negotiations with the company to collect sales taxes for online purchases.

Arkansas: Forrest City has elected a new police chief: Edward Page Reynolds. He is also an ordained minister.

Internet Exclusive: Corporate Welfare and Government Waste: The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization that has just released their 2011 Pork Report on State government waste, fraud and mis-spending. The report can be read here.

Internet Exclusive: Herman Cain for President: Mississippi Tea Party activist Doctor Ed “Doc” Holliday says the only man who stands a chance of defeating President Barack Obama in 2012 is Republican candidate Herman Cain, and he lays out why.

Memphis v. Nashville: Memphis isn’t the only school system having trouble with its schools.

Road Work: The Federal Highway Administration rescinded almost $52 million in State road construction and bikepath/greenway funding; that’s putting the squeeze on many projects, or even canceling them.

Memphis Animal Shelter: With the move to the new facility just weeks away, the shelter is offering all kinds of incentives to increase adoptions.

Snake in a Car! The video is going viral now. Rachel and Tony Fisher talk with Fox13. More interviews from WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Telling the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes; more here.

Agriculture: Five Mid-South Counties may be eligible for Federal natural disaster aid.

University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center: A study by the University of Memphis shows that UTHSC has a $1.7 billion impact in Memphis that creates (directly or indirectly) 15,500 jobs.

Memphis-Shelby County Port Commission: The new chairman of the port board is Johnny Moore, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank.

Comcast: New rules regarding unaffiliated channels not being placed in premium tiers are meant to help create more viewer choices.

Tennessee Lottery: Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey has formed a “lottery stabilisation task force” to “reverse the negative trajectory” of revenues and stabilise them for the future. A full list of the members.

Politics: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is looking for some weakness in US Senator Bob Corker and is floating tea party movement dissatisfaction with him as a divider. Senator Corker responds.

A Law For One: Did the State government violate the State Constitution to remedy a wrong done to retired State employee James Harless so he could collect a larger pension? The bill in question.

DeSoto County: Election workers expect a big turnout in today’s primaries. More from the Commercial Appeal. The race for DeSoto County Sheriff. The Board of Supervisors is seeking $1.1 million in Federal grant money for greenways. And, if the Board yields to one, it will have a flood on its hands.

An off-duty Memphis firefighter (who lives in Southaven), William Land, was arrested for interfering with fire fighting when he refused to leave his home. More from ABC24, WREG.

Real Estate: June was a healthy month for commercial real estate. The Holday Inn Select Memphis East has been purchased by an Atlanta investment group; they are currently closed for renovations.

Flood Recovery: This is the last week that Shelby County Public Works will pick up flood debris.

Heat, Heat, Heat: The area is under various heat warnings until Thursday evening. Weather warnings from Fox13, ABC24. How Memphians are staying cool. Coaches are being extra careful with students practicing in the heat. Both mayors are preparing for emergencies.

Joe Spake’s Daily Buzz: The rest of the day’s news, from all sorts of eclectic places.

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on the ugliness at the Memphis Farmers Market this past weekend. Public transport and bicycles in Sao Paulo. Starting over with the Memphis City Schools.

Spillmanville Eats: Cool off with the Jezebel cocktail.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Testicular injury (ie, a kick in the groin) isn’t very funny….

Smart Stuff 4 Work: What words do your customers associate with your business? (via the Daily News)

Henry Stratton: More on leases and leasing your business property. (via the Daily News)

Light Their Fire: Sometimes “goodbye” is the best thing for everyone. (via the Daily News)

Commercial Appeal: Remembering there’s a war on in Afghanistan. Officials need to find a solution to the problems of homeowners owed money by the Chancery Court.

John Branston: Actor Matt Damon gave a speech on teachers. He switched from Comast to U-Verse. (via the Flyer)

Mind Over Memphis: The good Doctor Harold Toboggans has a podcast. In this epidosde, he talks with Marvin Stockwell about Rock For Love 5 and bands he’s been in.

Vegan Crunk: A vegan Yorkshire Pudding. Cooking Indian the easy way with Stonehouse 27.

Yeah, and another thing: A long and detailed essay about Southern accents and regionalisms. Well worth your time.

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: On vacations and short film scripts.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: David gives us a sample of the novel he’s writing.

The MakeShift Revolution: Where’s she been? Recharging her batteries in the mountains of Western North Carolina. They stayed at a camp named Montreat.

theology & geometry: Yard sale! And a pregnancy update.

The Daddler and Me: Which is worse: the heat or the stink? Cleaning your … belly button?