Month: February 2021

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News News Blog

Thirty New COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Last 24 Hours

COVID-19 Memphis
Infogram

Thirty New COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Last 24 Hours

New virus case numbers rose by 414 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March at 84,123.  

Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — fell by 49 to 3,378, continuing what has become a daily slide in the figure. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 four weeks ago. The figure had been as low as 1,299 in September and rose above 2,000 only in October. The new active case count represents 4 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March.

In Shelby County, 3,956 COVID-19 vaccine doses were reported to be administered in the last 24 hours. So far, 71,017 COVID-19 vaccines have been given, according to the health department. As of Friday morning, 18,786 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 52,231 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 5,532 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. Since March, 965,276 tests have been given here in total. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

As of Thursday, acute care beds were 90 percent full in area hospitals, with 249 beds available. Of the 2,131 patients in acute care beds now, 217 of them were COVID-19-positive. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were 93 percent full, with 29 beds available. Of the 376 patients in ICU beds now, 87 were COVID-19-positive.
 

The latest weekly positivity rate fell again for the fourth week in a row to 9.1 percent. That’s down from the 9.8 percent rate recorded in the previous week and down from the record-high 17.5 percent in late December.

Thirty new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours, though those deaths may not have all occurred within the last day. Reports come from many agencies and aren’t all reported on the day of the death. The total death toll now stands at 1,348.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 74, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 101.

Categories
Politics Politics Beat Blog

‘Bogus Ballots’ to Exist No More, Orders Judge

Judge William Acree

Remember the sample ballots you always saw at election time purporting to be “endorsements” of a group of candidates by this or that “Democratic” organization? Glossy with color mug shots of the lucky “endorsees,” these broadsheets did their best to resemble official documents of the Shelby County or even state Democratic Parties.

In reality, advertisements for the candidates in question is all they ever were — advertisements paid for by their campaigns and tricked out to look like official party statements by the local entrepreneurs who sold space on them.

“Endorsements” they were not, except in the technical sense that they signified the support of the shell companies that published and distributed them, most of these with the word “Democratic” in their name.

It was the misleading aspect of these advertisements that made them targets of litigation by candidates, Democrats in the main, running legitimate campaigns for office and boasting no such false endorsements.

Now, several hearings over several years later, a judge has imposed a permanent injunction against such published products.

The ruling comes from Judge William B. Acree, a senior jurist from Jackson, after a January 6th hearing in the case of Tennessee Democratic Party and candidate John Marek vs. Greg Grant, individually, & d.b.a. Greater Memphis Democratic Club and M. LaTroy Williams, individually, & d.b.a. Shelby County Democratic Club. This was the climactic one of three hearings — the others having occurred on October 20, 2019, and October 3, 2020.

Those prior hearings had imposed temporary injunctions against the defendants and imposed penalties for renewed infractions.

Judge Acree based his judgment Thursday on TCA statute 2-19-116, which reads:

No person shall print or cause to be printed or assist in the distribution or transportation of any facsimile of an official ballot, any unofficial sample ballot, writing, pamphlet, paper, photograph or other printed material, which contains the endorsement of a particular candidate, group of candidates, or proposition by an organization, group, candidate, or other individual, whether existent or not, with the intent that the person receiving such printed material mistakenly believe that the endorsement of such candidate, candidates, or proposition was made by an organization, group, candidate or entity other than the one or ones appearing on the printed material.

Acree’s order states:

The court finds that the Defendants engage in the distribution of campaign literature on behalf of candidates seeking public office, are paid for such activity, and have violated the statute and restraining order on previous occasions. Thus, the Court finds a permanent injunction shall issue enjoining the Defendants from: Distributing literature, disseminating information, or, in any way, communicating, utilizing work, symbols, or graphical schemes reasonably implying endorsement of or affiliation with the Democratic National Convention, the Tennessee Democratic Party, or the Shelby County Democratic Party.

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News News Blog

Proposal Would Add 50 Charging Stations for Electric Cars

Tennessee’s proposed network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) will feature stations every 50 miles along Tennessee intestates and major highways, according to information issued this week.

The new detail of the system was unveiled as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment signed a partnership agreement to build it. This initiative would add about 50 new charging locations, doubling the number of locations in the existing charging network.

The project is expected to cost $20 million. TDEC has committed $5 million from the state’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation allocation. The remainder of the project will be funded by TVA and other program partners.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Only 24 fast-charging stations across Tennessee are now open to all consumers and support all charging standards common to electric vehicles, according to TVA and TDEC. Now, nearly 80 Tennessee cities have charging stations, according to ChargeHub. Memphis has 113 charging stations and 52 of them (46 percent) offer free charging. Nashville has 325 stations, Knoxville has 107, and Chattanooga has 101, according to the website.

The fast-charging system agreement comes after the TVA board approved a new commercial rate structure just for EV charging stations in November. The vote was intended to support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the region, removing a big barrier for consumers to, perhaps, buy more EVs.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

That barrier is commonly called “range anxiety.” It’s the worry that an EV’s battery will run out before the owner makes their destination or finds another charging station. Upgrading the state’s charging infrastructure is also expect to battle range anxiety.

“Through this partnership, TVA is positioned to be a national leader in electric transportation by making it easier for local power companies to install fast charging stations, which make electric vehicles an easy choice for consumers to make,” said TVA president and CEO Jeff Lyash.

Read the entire agreement here:
[pdf-1]

Categories
News News Blog

Health Department Lowers Vaccine Age Requirement

CREDIT: Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime

Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for everyone 70 years old and older, the Shelby County Health Department announced Thursday.

The announcement lowers the age necessary to get a vaccine from 75. All other previously announced priority groups — healthcare workers, first responders, and more — are still eligible for the vaccine.

Appointments for first doses are now available at the Pipkin Building, 940 Early Maxwell, and may be scheduled here or by calling (901) 222-7468.

Other providers are also vaccinating those in the priority groups, including:

• Cherokee Health Systems – Limited first-dose appointments Thursday and Friday, February 4th and 5th. To schedule an appointment, call (901) 302-4361.

• Veteran’s Administration – Now vaccinating all veterans age 65 and older at the VA Medical Center at 1030 Jefferson Avenue. Veterans must be enrolled with the VA at www.va.gov to receive vaccination.

• Walmart – Click here to schedule an appointment.

Categories
Music Music Blog

The Flow: Live-Streamed Music Events This Week, February 4-10

We’re seeing a rise in online events again this week, and why not? When a club hosts a live show with a limited capacity audience, it only makes sense to clue others in on what’s going down in its venue. And so music marches on. One notably unique live-stream this week will be a fundraiser for local band So Gung Ho, who seek contributions for their debut album. Check them all out, and stay safe!

So Gung Ho

REMINDER: The Memphis Flyer supports social distancing in these uncertain times. Please live-stream responsibly. We remind all players that even a small gathering could recklessly spread the coronavirus and endanger others. If you must gather as a band, please keep all players six feet apart, preferably outside, and remind viewers to do the same.

ALL TIMES CDT

Thursday, February 4
6 p.m.
John Williams & the A440 Band – at Neil’s
Facebook

Friday, February 5
6 p.m.
The Juke Joint Allstars – at Wild Bill’s
Facebook

7 p.m.
The Soul 7 Band – at Picasso’s
Facebook

Saturday, February 6
10 a.m.
Richard Wilson
Facebook

1 p.m.
The Delta Duo – at Tin Roof
Facebook

6 p.m.
The Juke Joint Allstars – at Wild Bill’s
Facebook

7 p.m.
Bird Williams with Kashief – at Picasso’s
Facebook

Sunday, February 7
1 p.m.
Savannah Brister
Facebook

3 p.m.
Dale Watson – Chicken $#!+ Bingo & Super Bowl Watch Party
YouTube

4 p.m.
Bill Shipper – For Kids (every Sunday)
Facebook

Monday, February 8
5:30 p.m.
Amy LaVere & Will Sexton
Facebook

8 p.m.
John Paul Keith (every Monday)
YouTube

Tuesday, February 9
7 p.m.
Bill Shipper (every Tuesday)
Facebook

7:30 p.m.
So Gung Ho
Facebook

Wednesday, February 10
6 p.m.
Richard Wilson (every Wednesday)
Facebook

Categories
News News Blog

Twenty-Two Virus Deaths Reported in Last 24 Hours

COVID-19 Memphis
Infogram

Twenty-Two Virus Deaths Reported in Last 24 Hours

New virus case numbers rose by 220 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March at 83,709.

Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — fell by 303 to 3,427, continuing what has become a daily slide in the figure. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 four weeks ago. The figure had been as low as 1,299 in September and rose above 2,000 only in October. The new active case count represents 4.1 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March.

In Shelby County, 2,631 COVID-19 vaccine doses were reported to be administered in the last 24 hours. So far, 67,061 COVID-19 vaccines have been given, according to the health department. As of Wednesday morning, 17,145 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 49,916 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 1,985 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. Since March, 959,744 tests have been given here in total. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

As of Tuesday, acute care beds were 93 percent full in area hospitals, with 175 beds available. Of the 2,201 patients in acute care beds now, 175 of them were COVID-19-positive. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were 94 percent full, with 26 beds available. Of the 382 patients in ICU beds now, 88 were COVID-19-positive.

The latest weekly positivity rate fell again for the third week in a row to 9.8 percent. That’s down from the record-high 17.5 percent in late December.

Twenty-two new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours, though those deaths may not have all occurred within the last day. Reports come from many agencies and aren’t all reported on the day of the death. The total death toll now stands at 1,318.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 74, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 101.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Ja Morant Should Be An All-Star … But We Don’t Need an All-Star Game
Today in “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” News: 

 

Per CBS Sports: The NBA and the NBPA have announced that there will be an NBA All-Star game, scheduled for March 7th in Atlanta. Details about the schedule of events are still undisclosed.

Clearly, the league decided this was a stupid idea at one point, because they initially canceled the annual showcase of top league talent back in November. Given the fact that cases and deaths have surged since then, it is truly puzzling to hear of this new decision.

Three thousand people in the U.S. died of COVID-19 …  YESTERDAY. Couple that with reports of a new, more easily transmitted strain of COVID-19 being discovered in the U.S? No one enjoys the All-Star game *that* much. 

How many people associated with the league need to die before the fact that we are still experiencing a global pandemic and potential super-spreader events such as the All-Star Game are both dangerous and unnecessary? How many more unnecessary cases of the ‘rona need to be spread around the league, not just to players but their families as well?

This is a bad look, particularly when the NBA has already acknowledged that bringing together the top players in the league to play a meaningless game that has no bearing on the standings was a spectacularly bad idea. If there absolutely must be All-Star content in 2021, broadcast some of the games from years past and call it a day.

Let’s have an All-Star break without an All-Star Game this year. Because it’s the right thing to do.

Categories
Sports Tiger Blue

Tigers 75, UCF 61

CREDIT: Memphis Athletics / Joe Murphy

The Tigers and UCF Knights played Wednesday night at FedExForum like they’d seen enough of each other. After combining for 165 points Monday night (in a game rescheduled from January), the teams put up merely 136 in what became the Tigers’ fifth win in six games. Memphis improves to 11-6 for the season (7-3 in the American Athletic Conference), while UCF leaves town with a 4-9 record (2-8).
Memphis Athletics / Joe Murphy

Penny Hardaway

With 18 points, Landers Nolley led the Tigers in scoring for the third straight game. The sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech hit six of his 12 field-goal attempts and pulled down 10 rebounds. D.J. Jeffries was the only other Tiger in double figures with 11 points off the bench. Alex Lomax scored eight points and handed out six assists off the Tiger bench.

After a stretch of accurate shooting from long distance, the Tigers hit only three of 13 three-point attempts against the Knights. But the outcome was never really in doubt, the Tigers leading by 14 (24-10) midway through the first half. When the Knights closed within four points (37-33) early in the second half, Tiger forward DeAndre Williams hit a three-pointer to spark a 13-2 run for the home team.

UCF missed 19 of its 23 three-point attempts and shot 42 percent overall. C.J. Walker led his team with 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Tigers next take the floor — again at FedExForum — Saturday afternoon, when East Carolina comes to town. Memphis beat the Pirates by 27 points on January 24th. ECU upset the 5th-ranked Houston Cougars Wednesday night.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Beauty Shop Restaurant Reopens for Lunch

CREDIT: The Beauty Shop Restaurant/Facebook

The Beauty Shop Restaurant/Facebook



The Beauty Shop Restaurant will reopen for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays beginning February 8th.

“We haven’t been open for lunch since last March,” says owner Karen Carrier.

Fare from Hazel’s Lucky Dice, the delicatessen Carrier launched during the pandemic, will be part of the Beauty Shop menu. “Instead of being to-go, now it’s going to be inside the Beauty Shop. You can still order online, but you can also dine inside the Beauty Shop.”

The Beauty Shop Restaurant at 966 South Cooper Street will continue to be open between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Saturday brunch and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Sunday brunch.

Karen Carrier

Categories
News News Blog

Memphis Tourism Unveils Public Art Project for Black History Month

CREDIT: Memphis Tourism

Local artists Mia Saine and Toonky Berry have given the area outside FedExForum a major glow up in celebration of Black History Month.

Memphis Tourism

Earlier today, Memphis Tourism unveiled the “Roots of Memphis Music” public art project in a press release. Twenty-four of the round concrete bollards surrounding the Forum’s entry plaza (at the intersection of B.B. King Boulevard and Beale Street) are now emblazoned with the likenesses of both the past and present Memphis music royalty. Think major players like W.C. Handy, David Porter, and Three 6 Mafia, as well as historic locations like Stax Records and Royal Studios.

Saine is a Memphis-native illustrator and designer, whose images consist of “simplified shapes, fun colors, and chalky textures.” Quantavious Berry, known as “Tooky Berry,” developed a style he dubs Toonkifcation while a student at the Memphis College of Art, which is an amalgam of “surrealism, caricatures, and graffiti.”

Each piece of artwork includes a QR Code that will provide interested patrons with the backgrounds and context of the images depicted on the bollards. Hosted on the Memphis Tourism website, these stories are curated by the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, Memphis Slim Collaboratory executive director Tonya Dyson, and WYXR 91.7 program director Jared “Jay B” Boyd.

Memphis Tourism

Artists Mia Saine and Toonky Berry incorporated both the past and present of Memphis musical culture into the ‘Roots of Memphis Music’ project.

“The goal of this activation launching during Black History Month was to tell a visual story of prominent figures and landmarks that are connected to the Memphis music legacy, along with the music that is coming out of our city today,” said Regena Bearden, chief marketing officer for Memphis Tourism, in the release. “Our I Love Memphis murals across the city have become a destination for visitors and locals alike. For this project, we not only wanted to create a public art space to honor people and places at the heart of the Memphis sound but also educate and inform those who engage with the art through scannable QR codes on the bollards provide a wealth of information.”

“We are excited to celebrate the history of Black music here in Memphis with our partners at Memphis Tourism,” added Anthony Macri, vice president of partnership marketing for the Memphis Grizzlies. “The outdoor plaza in front of FedExForum is a front porch for the city, and featuring these great musicians, moments and locations will add richness to the experience of millions of tourists and visitors all year long.”

The artwork will remain in the FedExForum plaza through June 2021. To learn more about the project, visit MemphisTravel.com. For more ways to celebrate Black History Month in Memphis year-round, read this itinerary.