The 901: Why are there so many homicides in Memphis?
Good morning, Memphis, where we celebrate the Grizzlies ' fifth straight victory last night over the Brooklyn Nets..
Meanwhile, we are focusing on the record-setting year of homicides in Memphis. The majority of the cityhomicide during 2021 were classified as murders — 304 to be exact. The first occurred on Jan. 2, 2021, and the last on New Year’s Eve, our Micaela Watts reports.
The circumstances of each murder were driven by different reasons, and there are many different solutions to the problem depending on whom you ask.
Lack of conflict resolution skills, fair wages, mental health, or ease of gun access could be debatable causes for intent. Micaela breaks down what different professionals say are causing so much crime to take place in our city.
Tom Lee Park design plans springs lawsuit
A group filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis and Memphis River Parks Partnership claiming parking plans for Tom Lee Park violate a mediation agreement, our Corinne Kennedy reports.
In the lawsuit, plaintiffs Joe Kent, Britney Thornton, Jeremy Ellison, Pearl Walker, Kathleen McMillan and Gina Dickerson claimed design plans for the park changed between the end of mediation and the beginning of construction — reducing the number of parking spaces.
"The design agreement produced as a result of the 2019 mediation cannot be scrapped and disregarded. The improvements to be constructed at Tom Lee Park are in substantial non-compliance with the requirements of the mediation agreement," the plaintiffs said in the suit.
Memphis police chief on residency requirements
Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis endorsed the idea of changing residency requirements for new police officers.
Davis supported the idea of new police recruits being allowed to live outside of Shelby County, our Samuel Hardiman reports.
Currently, new recruits are required to live within county limits.
“We know there are highly qualified candidates who live less than 30 minutes on the other side of the county line. They may want to come to Memphis to serve, but don’t want to give up their homes,” Davis wrote.
Celebrating Elvis Presley’s Birthday
Saturday marks what would have been Elvis Presley’s 87th birthday.
In celebration of the late King’s birthday, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises will hold several events, reflections and concerts starting Thursday.
From the Birthday Bash celebration to "Viva Las Vegas" movie screening and sing-along, our Bob Mehr provides us with a list of events this week to celebrate Presley.
Dory makes USA TODAY’s Top 10 New Restaurants of 2021 list
Memphis restaurant Dory was named on of USA TODAY’s Top 10 New Restaurants of 2021, placing in fourth among restaurants across the country.
The post reads, "In most restaurants, the menu is the same, and returning customers know what they’ll order. And that’s, well, okay. But in Dory, Dave and Amanda Krog have established the first tasting-menu-only restaurant in Memphis. Dave’s creative imagination and culinary expertise create a new six-course, seven wine tasting journey each month with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible."
Our Jennifer Chandler reported back in February that Dory offers a one-of-a-kind ‘tasting menu’ for a dinner experience, and later reported observations about its bar.
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 homicides cause; Tom Lee Park lawsuit
