The 901: Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ plan for closures and mergers
Good morning, Memphis, where we';re shivering through another cold, but sunny day but relief is coming this weekend with warmer temperatures.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools have begun making solid marks toward its proposed Reimagine 901 plans — starting with the closure of two elementary schools.
Shady Grove and Alton Elementary Schools will both close at the end of the school year, impacting about 600 students, our Laura Testino reports.
After unanimously voting to change the name of the district from Shelby County Schools to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the board also voted to close and merge its schools as part of a consent agenda with more than 30 items.
"We can’t wait to dismantle systems that perpetuate inequities in education,” Superintendent Joris Ray said.
More bids than expected for Memphis' electricity supply
More than 20 companies submitted bids of Memphis’ electricity supply, our Samuel Hardiman reports.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Chief Operating Officer Alonzo Weaver said the city-owned utility received more bids than expected.
Weaver declined to provide a breakdown of the bidders and said the companies involved would remain closely guarded until MLGW made a decision about finalists.
Plans for 170-acre development next to Colonial Country Club in Cordova
CCClub Holdings announced a project to develop a 170-acre mixed-use community adjacent to Colonial Country Club in Cordova, our Corinne Kennedy reports.
The plans include a hotel, multi-family housing, an “upscale” single-family home subdivision and a senior living campus as well as office and commercial space.
“We’re tremendously excited to get this project off the ground,” said Jim Russell, managing partner for CCClub Holdings. “It’s an opportunity for us to create a fantastic development with access to incredible amenities."
The reigning queen of barbecue
Melissa Cookston can be easily crowned as Memphis barbecue royalty after winning ng seven world barbecue championship titles, writing two cookbooks, opening a restaurant and a BBQ superstore and starring in a Netflix show.
Cookston, 54, started competing after her husband “made the mistake” of taking her to a barbecue contest while they were still dating, our Gina Butkovich reports in her story for subscribers.
"I was so naïve on this competition thing that I thought you were supposed to develop and make your own sauce so it was unique to you. I didn't realize that these guys were buying something commercial and maybe adding a little something to it and calling it theirs. I didn't know that was happening," Cookston said. "So, I spent a good year developing my rub and I used that as the base flavoring agent for my sauce."
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Sunrise Memphis opens second location
Sunrise Memphis plans to take over the building that housed Blue Plate Cafe on Poplar Avenue.
Sunrise Memphis was the first venture for Across the Board Restaurant Group, a company formed by Central BBQ owners Roger Sapp and Craig Blondis with Ryan Trimm of Sweet Grass and Next Door.
Sapp said they were looking for an East Memphis location but couldn’t find the right place to buy, but when they saw the opportunity to take over what was once Blue Plate Café, they believed it was a “win-win,” our Jennifer Chandler reports.
Memphis named a ‘best’ place to make films
MovieMaker magazine named Memphis as one of the 25 “Best Place to Live and Work as a Moviemaker,” our John Beifuss reports.
The 2022 ranking placed Memphis at No. 20, just above Portland and just below Kansas City, Missouri.
Memphis’ win over Tulsa feels bigger than just a victory
Sunday’s win over Tulsa feels like it was more than just a regular victory for the Tigers.
Our Jason Munz and Mark Giannotto break down the pervious game, look back at Penny Hardaway’s viral moment when he lashed out at the media and dig into how the schedule sets up for the Tigers over the next month in their latest Tiger basketball podcast.
The 901 was written by Ray Padilla, the digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ plan for closures and mergers
