The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton has announced the members of the City’s Ethics Commission. He’s also calling for a repeal of the law requiring police departments to resell confiscated guns on the open market. City Council Chairman Harold Collins is critising the mayor for creating new positions and paying new hires top dollar when the budget is so strained.

Tire Redemption Program: After a mere 4 hours, the program shut down again, having collected 60,000 tires. Many more details in the story.

DeSoto County: Olive Branch aldermen may raise the garbage fee. County officials are urging participation in the 2010 Census.

Conventions: Does opening a “big box hotel” (ie, with 800+ rooms) benefit or depress a city’s convention market?

Memphis City Schools: A school board vote on implementing their own security force.

Business: News that GTx increased revenues in the 4Q and in 2009 was overshadowed by news they’d dissolved their partnership with Merck; more in the Commercial Appeal. “Dollar” stores are thriving.

A business profile of Zero Gravity Corporation, in the Commercial Appeal.

Also from the CA, Done Deals and What to Do.

Shelby County Sheriff: They are warning people about revealing too much information on Facebook and other social media. The Sheriff’s office points out that they destroy all confiscated guns. New deputy Marc Smith was charged with public intoxication, reckless driving, and driving under the influence; more from WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Illegal items are finding their way into the Shelby County Correctional Center.

University of Memphis: Monday was the splashy grand opening on the new University Center. More from WMC.

Mississippi: The Tunica Animal Shelter is looking for a new building and hopes to expand its “no kill” policy. Casinos see signs of an economic turnaround. The State Senate rejected a House plan to furlough school employees as a budget-saving measure.

Real Estate: The commercial real estate market is “bleak” right now. February’s CRE numbers were down both from last month and last year. Wolfchase Mall lost its appeal of its 2009 property reappraisal; more Board of Equalisation news here. Sheraton will convert their Park Place Hotel on Poplar to their new Four Points brand.

Financial: The Tennessean looks at the compensation and severance packages of local banking executives.

Survey Says: The US Green Building Council’s Green Cities Index ranked Memphis 42 out of 43. We also ranked 62 out of 67 for its appeal to people in their twenties and thirties. Average gas prices in the state rose over 5 cents a gallon; more in the Daily News. Turnover for hospital CEOs spiked last year.

Huey’s: They will celebrate forty years in business on April 18. Huey’s website here.
 
 

Tennessee: Shelby County outranks all other counties in posting court case information online. The Department of Agriculture is urging homeowners to check the credentials of any pest control business they hire this Spring.

NEW! Main Street Journal: Mick Wright looks at the two major factions of the tea party movement in Shelby County.

Memphis v. Nashville: The Nashville Metro Council is poised to raise building permits and other construction fees by about 30%. Backers of the Nashville General Hospital (where current MED CEO Dr Reginald Coopwood came from) are making a similar “the State owes us more Federal money” argument Memphis first made.

Memphis Police Department: Major Jeffery Polk was arrested in Collierville for DUI and reckless driving. Bartlett police officer Patrick Cici will not be charged in the North Memphis shooting death of Malcolm Shaw; it was ruled justifiable homicide; more in the Commercial Appeal. WMC has traced the sale history of the two guns (confiscated and then sold by the MPD) featured in a weekend AP story.

Cohen v. Herenton: Blogger Trace Sharp is offended by Herenton’s comment — that bloggers didn’t comment on the issues he raised, but on other issues instead.

Liberty Bowl and the Fairgrounds: Several groups are pushing hard to have the grounds ready for football next year.
 

John Ford: With a guilty plea by Dr Robert Morgan, Tennessee Waltz comes to an end. More from Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal.

Norfolk Southern Railyard: The new intermodal facility being built in Fayette County is also on the recharge zone for the Memphis Aquifer and that’s causing concern.

Shelby County Commission: Delays in appointing two new members to the Board of Adjustment hints at sub rosa motives; more in the Commercial Appeal. The Shelby County Register of Deeds is predicting lower fee revenue this year. They vote symbolic support with State legislation to make it easier to get credit help before foreclosure. The State Supreme Court denied an appeal to create a second Juvenile Court judgeship.

Politics: Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam announced his strategy for Memphis, if elected. Mediaverse has some thoughts on Haslam’s visit to Shelby County and the Flyer’s Jackson Baker brings the video. Democratic candidate Mike McWherter says it’s all about jobs and the state’s three big industries. Republican candidate Zach Wamp is making a plea for money. More news from the gubernatorial campaign trail from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

University administrators and professors aren’t happy with a bill that would regulate college teachers assigning their own textbooks. A bill to limit the governor’s ability to limit or suspend sales of firearms in an emergency is on a three-week hold. The family “mandatory equal time” bill has been delayed two weeks. The restaurant gun-carry bill is supposed to be voted on by the full Judiciary committee today.

State Rep. Susan Lynn’s former praise of her current opponent for the State Senate, current office-holder Mae Beaver, is coming back to haunt her.

Eighth Congressional District: Democrat Roy Herron is National Republican Congressional Committee attacks every day until Tax Day. The TN Democratic Party is attacking Republican Steve Fincher over asking for corporate donations.

Auto Inspection: Only in America … a new service will take your car through inspection for you, for a modest fee.

Arkansas: The mayors of Jericho and Sunset in Crittenden County failed to show for hearings into audits showing thousands of dollars missing from both towns; more from WMC. The City Council of Pine Bluff was considering reinstating fired Police Chief John Howell; but failed to do so. Governor Mike Beebe has now raised $1.3 million for his re-election campaign. Eight more schools have been added to the Advanced Initiative for Math and Sciences.

The Ominous Comma: Dr Haorld Toboggans is at it again, with a special “Miserable on Beale” edition of Mind Over Memphis.

16 Balls in the Air: How to speed up your Monday morning breakfasts in a tasty way.

Andrew Earles: He can visualise the guy who does the voice-over for the eTrade commercials. You know, the ones with the babies?

at home she feels like a tourist: She criticises the Coffee Party as too polite and orderly and, instead, joins the Cocktail Party!

A. C. Kleinheider: The majesty, mystery and perplexity of Harold Ford Jr’s abortive run for Senate in New York. (via the Nashville City Paper)

Commercial Appeal: They support a ban on the roadside sales of animals. Going after the supposed “gun show loophole” for private sales of guns.

Glenn Mullins: The gift of eye donation after death can literally change lives. (via the Commercial Appeal)

ForkBombr: Back from hiatus because the blogging bug is just to strong.

Doug Johnson at Work: His weekend experience with an auto inspection station, and thoughts on the Eric Clapton show.

Cwabs! Twenty-eight seconds of your life you’ll never get back, but maybe there’s a laugh in it?

Bigger Than Your Head: He finds something very good to say about a Barbera wine!

I Love Memphis: Mark’s Menus can help with finding restaurants that serve your favorite foods, or news dishes at your old favorite places.

From the Rainbows: As they get ready to leave Memphis, closing a bank account brings up a lot of memories.

Jen-sized: Your cute cat picture of the day.

MemphisShelbyInform: A look at MLG&W’s pension system. They have a new contest!

North Mississippi Commenter: A short trip through Claiborne County history. And a followup post on some local Civil War history!

MemphisConnect: A reminder that you can help bring Google Fiber to Memphis. An update on the skateboard ramp at the Greenlaw Community Center.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: His likes and dislikes.

Smart City Memphis: Despite all the media foofarah otherwise, it seems 80% of Memphians are satisfied with City services, an all-time high.

sharp stick in the eye: A weekend getaway to Heber Springs, with copious pictures.

Sassy Molassy: Stories from the classrooms of Memphis.

Meredith Jubilee and Madeline Jane: Proof that your kids hear much more than you think.