Crichton College Ending day time classes, and going to night-only schedules, to stave off financial disaster.

DeSoto County: Board of Supervisors make financing moves to save County money. Also, aggressive shopping is helping lower costs of medical and pharmacy items bought by County. But they are uncertain what to do with no clear idea of how much in stimulus funds they might be getting. Hernando’s historic water tower moves closer to landmark designation.

The DeSoto County Economic Development Council wants to change wages formula for giving out tax exemptions to new industries.

Overton Park Health Care Center: After an Alzheimer’s patient is found outside in freezing weather, the State Department of Health is investigating.

Memphis City Council: The question of who will legally represent the Council in the Joseph Lee suit has not yet been decided.

MISSISSIPPI: Mayor of Oxford, Richard Howorth, will not run for third term. State House unanimously approves spending reserves to help dialysis patients receive transportation.

Union Planters Bank: The old building on Madison is almost ready to re-open as apartments.

Millington Regional Jetport: They want to add more regional members to the board.

The Med: Local hospital and AmeriChoice finally reach an agreement over TennCare patients.

BUSINESS: BNSF Railroad will spend almost $13 million to improve 30 miles of track leading to Memphis. They will also offer an express international container service from Memphis. The chairman and CEO of Sysco, Richard Schnieders is retiring. DAC is acquiring the former Memphis Fitness Club at Laurelwood. Bluff City Bayou is moving to Peabody Avenue in Midtown. More airlines are using Memphis International Airport as a lever, and possible new hub location threat, against other large airports.

Fewer business licenses were issued in 2008, though the pace picked up in the last quarter.

A business profile of Final Approach Taxidermy in Hernando.

Regions Financial Corp. took losses of $6.2 billion in 4Q. More from the Daily News and the CA.

People in Business, from Wednesday’s CA.

Local Television: As expected, Clear Channel has cut 9% of its workforce, or 1850 jobs. More from WMC. More from Mediaverse: Memphis.

Mayor Willie Herenton: The FBI and the IRS are now questioning current and former City Council members over the mayor’s part in the Greyhound station deal.

TVA: Already having to pass on the costs of the Knoxville ash spill cleanup, now the utility may also have additional costs from a judge’s ruling on meeting North Carolina pollution standards.

Shelby County: Unemployment lines are the worst in thirty years. County could be removed from stringent pollution controls.

Main Street Journal: Two more articles from the January issue are available online. First, Mick Wright looks at resilience in tough times; then Jonathan Lindberg reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers.

Already online: “Where Playhouse on the Square Is Headed” by Michael Roy Hollihan and Joe Saino’s “My Memphis Budget Wish List”.

Dr. David Patterson, a Main Street Journal contributor, was awarded the 2008 National Jewish Book Award in the category of Modern Jewish Thought and Experience.

POLITICS: From the Wall Street Journal, an interview with Rep. Jim Cooper on President Obama and Blue Dog Demcrats. New House Speaker Kent Williams is indicating that abortion restrictions and 2nd Amendment issues will be the first things tackled by the House. Also, discussions over committee chairmanships and assignments in the House have begun.

Or Chadash: The Commercial Appeal features this new Conservative Jewish synagogue.

Methodist University Hospital: They have named Robert Brooks as their new vice-president of clinical operations.

Centennial Gardens: Developers file for $12 million loan to begin work on Phase II.

Public Relations Society of America: The Memphis chapter names UM coach John Calipari as ‘Communicator of the Year‘.

TN Board of Regents: They name Dale Sims as interim vice chancellor for business and finance

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: She’s just not that into you, Obama. Also, lost in Memphis.

Smart City Memphis: The observations and resolutions for 2009 keep rolling: Nancy Coffee of the Leadership Academy; Beverly Robertson of the National Civil Rights Museum and Anthony Siracusa of Revolutions Community Bike Shop.

Sassy Molassy: A favorite essay from Kelly Averill Savino.

Running With Dice: A close call with friends’ kids.

garage sale of ignorance: Life on the yellow edge, or fear of food poisoning.

Commontaries: Sobering thoughts on a local crime and Bush’s revision by history is already underway.

Joe Larkins: It’s a new and hopeful day in the U.S.A.

Commercial Appeal: Party’s over, lots of problems, get to work moving us forward.

Wendi C. Thomas: She feels a part of history at last.

Otis L. Sanford: He describes his experience standing on the National Mall for the Inauguration.

Ben & Lisa Dyson: Recess should not be optional for school kids.

Mediaverse: Memphis: Inspired to poetry.

The Flypaper Theory: He expected a coup?

Urf! Inspired by the new president, Dad writes a letter to his kids.