Memphis a pack leader in ‘reward’ schools

Memphis is leading the state....

If your first thought was to complete that fragment with a negative, then think again. In this case, the facts point to an embraceable positive.

Memphis is leading the state with the highest number (20) of "reward" schools. That would be schools with students who scored in the top five percent on end-of-year exams, and made the largest gains over three years.

For the record, those 20 schools are:

‘Amazing Race’ open call for Mid-South thrill-seekers

WREG News Channel 3 is holding an "Amazing Race" Open Call at the Delta Fair & Music Festival on Sept. 9 inside the Agricenter International from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thrill-seekers looking for adventure will have a chance to represent the Mid-South on the show for a future season.

"The Amazing Race has a strong following. There is no doubt, the chance to compete for the adventure of a lifetime will create a lot of excitement," said Ron Walter, president and general manager for WREG News Channel 3.

LEGACY: Alice Oates Sandridge

For many, Alice Oates Sandridge was the embodiment of family and community and they were in attendance last Saturday (Aug. 25) for her homegoing celebration.

Mrs. Sandridge, whose children include former Memphis City Schools Board of Education Commissioner Hubon Sandridge Jr., died Aug. 19. She was 89.

Better health to go on Girlz Taking Over menu

by Latrivia S. Nelson
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Two years ago, a report entitled "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010," ranked Tennessee as the second highest state in the nation for obesity. Memphis weighs heavily into those calculations and is in need of a health reboot.

Free from prison, John Ford projects ‘great things’

It has been five years since the Tennessee Waltz investigation swept up state and local officials and their associates in a federal sting. Bribery charges were handed down, along with prison sentences for caught-on-tape participants. Then-State Sen. John Ford was among them.

That was then. This is now. A released from prison and jubilant Ford was whisked into a waiting car to take him to the Diersen Charities halfway house in South Memphis where he stayed this week, preparing for a return to his residence next week.

Best in Black: Final updates

Greetings TSD family! We are rounding the bases and headed home towards the Grand Finale of the 2012 Best in Black Awards Memphis. The TSD staff and I are overwhelmed by the showing of support and excitement in the community about the contest and the awards show on Aug. 30.

I want to thank each of you that nominated, voted and have or will purchase a ticket to attend the black tie/black carpet awards show affair. Here is our last update before the event:

Jonesboro ‘mystery’ shooting warrants vigilance

Did one horrid, painful moment of ultimate despair drive 21-year-old Chavis Carter to take a gun and end his own life while handcuffed in the backseat of a Jonesboro, Ark. police cruiser?

That is the painful question that has gripped the African-American community for several weeks now as the awful truth sinks in of another young African-American man's life cut short during an encounter with police.

The ultimate answer may be in the hands of the U.S. Justice Department.

Whalum files lawsuit, poses question: ‘Is Memphis better than this?’

Within 60 days, Chancellor Kenny W. Armstrong is expected to issue a ruling that will reverberate throughout District 4 and quite possibly beyond.

Armstrong finds himself in that pivotal position after veteran school board member the Rev. Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. filed suit Wednesday (Aug. 22) challenging the results of the Aug. 2 election. Republican Kevin Woods squeaked out a narrow victory (108 votes) over Whalum, according to results certified on Monday.

Team of feds served Memphis’ youth violence prevention strategy

Memphis' "comprehensive youth violence prevention and reduction strategy" includes a string of initiatives that has Mayor AC Wharton Jr. drawing upon fire-fighting tips this week.

"When there's a fire in the kitchen, you don't point the fire extinguisher at the flames on the ceiling or the walls," said Wharton, who highlighted the city's strategy on Wednesday during a visit to Memphis by a team of federal officials.

BRIEFS & THINGS: BRIDGES welcomes Mayor Cory Booker

BRIDGES' 90th anniversary celebration will include a visit by Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, N.J., who will speak during a lunch event on Oct. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

As leader of New Jersey's largest city since 2006, Booker and his administration have worked to set a national standard for urban transformation by marshaling the city's resources to achieve security, economic abundance and an environment deemed nurturing and empowering for all individuals and families.

Family’s need, faith and candor yield home-makeover support

by Bernadette Shinault-Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Kenneth and Yolanda Rogers joined Believers Unite! Worldwide Church eight months ago. She had no job, he didn't make enough to support his wife and three children and the family desperately needed a place to call home.

Yolanda Rogers said she decided to face life's challenges head on and chose to share her family's story during a Sunday service.

TSD issues call for Men of Excellence

The New Tri-State Defender's fourth annual Men of Excellence Reception and Awards Celebration is set for Sept. 28, with the window for nominations, which is now open, closing on Sept. 4.