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St. Jude Dream Home opens for tours

Submitted by Kelsey Jacobson, Digital Content Director / WMCTV.COM

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 8:32am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - It is that time of year again! Time to enter for your chance to win a beautiful new home and help the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the same time.

Tickets to enter the annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway are on sale now.

The 2013 dream home has an estimated value of $475,000. The four bedroom, three bathroom home stretches over approximately 4,000 square feet. It features a luxurious master bathroom with a walk-thru shower, upgraded Brizo plumbing fixtures, and Shaw Floors throughout.

It is located in Eads, Tennessee, about 28 miles east of downtown Memphis.

Not only is the brand new home up for grabs, but buying a raffle ticket could win you dozens of other prizes. Click here for a complete list of prizes available.

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Spray schedule for May

Submitted by Bernadette Davis, Freelance Writer

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 5:13pm

The Shelby County Health Department (SCDH) has received confirmation of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus (WNV) within the areas of ZIP codes 38018, 38104, and 38109. Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been previously found in ZIP codes 38116, 38122, 38127, 38133, 38125, 38017, and 38141.

Since April the SCHD Vector Control Program has treated areas by applying larvicides to standing bodies of water. As an additional precaution, the SCHD will also conduct truck mounted spraying of EPA approved insecticides weather permitting, in portions specific ZIP codes according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, May 14

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

ZIP Codes: 38108, 38111, 38112, 38117, 38120, 38122, 38128, 38134

Wednesday, May 15

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

ZIP Codes: 38002, 38053, 38133, 38135

Thursday, May 16

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

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Security guard shot outside restaurant

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 11:37pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Memphis police are searching for the armed gunmen who shot a security guard outside the China Inn restaurant on Covington Pike late Sunday night.

According to police, the security guard and the store manager were leaving to make a nightly deposit when they were approached by two men. They shot the security guard, threatened to kill him if he moved, and stole his gun. The security guard and manager drove one block to a nearby Circle K to call police.

The manager told officers the voice sounded familiar.

After shooting the security guard, police say the gunmen ran across the street toward the Summit Apartments and have not been seen since.

Though he declined an interview for now, Action News 5 spoke to the security guard by phone.

The bullet went through his chest. He was taken to The MED in critical condition, but has since been treated and released. He was only able to partially describe one of the shooters.

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School administration shaves budget gap by 25 percent

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 4:55pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Shelby County School administrators have trimmed the budget gap by tens of millions of dollars. Back in February, suburban lawmakers were up in arms after learning the merged school system had an anticipated budget gap of $150 million.

The public will know Tuesday night what it will cost to merge Memphis and Shelby County Schools after the budget is presented to the school board.

Over the weekend, Interim Superintendent Dorsey Hopson sent a memo to school board members. He announced the administration was able to shave that budget gap by nearly 25 percent.

Hopson will present this budget to the board Tuesday with a $35.8 million budget gap.

The budget is yet another reminder that Shelby County taxpayers can expect a tax hike. Shelby County taxpayers are responsible for funding nearly half of the budget. The budget summary points out the 2013-2014 property tax rate may increase due to the merger.

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$57 million issue lingers as school merger approaches

Submitted by Andrew Douglas on Thursday, May 9th, 5:39 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - With less than two months until the new Shelby County Unified school district officially beginning, an old unresolved problem involving tens of millions of dollars still lingers.

Before classes begin next year and even before the two school systems merge July 1, the City of Memphis and Memphis City Schools may sit down soon to settle a $150 million debate.

"I don't think either party, either the schools or the city, could afford to pay the lump sum to the other," said councilman Jim Strickland.

About four years ago, a judge ruled the City of Memphis owes Memphis City Schools $57 million. It stems from a yearly payment the city did not make in 2008.

The City of Memphis responded by filing a claim. It said Memphis City Schools owes the City of Memphis around $100 million in bond payments issued for previous buildings and school renovations. As of early May, neither issue has been resolved.

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Battle over school property transfer ensues

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Monday, May 6th, 2013, 6:05pm

SHELBY COUNTY, TN- (WMC-TV) - The Shelby County municipal schools battle will turn to the issue of school buildings this week. A school board committee will discuss who owns the current buildings in the county's six suburbs.

School merger supporters say if the suburbs do not want to join the Shelby County school system, they should have to buy the school buildings.

Suburban leaders argue that would be a break from tradition.

With plans forging ahead to create six new Shelby County school systems, an ongoing debate could soon get a full public airing: will those six suburbs have to buy the school buildings within their borders?

"We'll probably have some litigation in that regard," said Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald.

County commissioners, who are still fighting in court to stop the new schools, say they will have to pay to play.

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Pre-business planning workshop to be hosted in Bartlett

Submitted by Bo Bradley, AN5 News Photographer

Monday, May 6th, 2013, 7:48am

Ever thought of starting your own business?

A pre-business planning workshop will be conducted by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). on May 16, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. for people who are thinking about starting their own business.

For more information, go to www.scorememphis.org.

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