Financial answers and assistance for older Memphians

by Shawn Pachucki
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Back in January, the RISE Foundation of Memphis identified older adults as new targets for support, citing that population as being long underserved with respect to financial education, and at significant risk of scams and financial fraud.

Now that's all changing.

Early voting provides footing to take a stand for children

by Alisha Tillery
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A sea of blue-and-white clad flash mob participants flowed onto the parking lot of the early polling site at White Station Church of Christ. Soon came this chant: "I stand for children!"

Stand for Children supporters gathered as a flash mob to show a unified front for the future of children in Memphis and Shelby County, voting early for the seven candidates endorsed by the organization.

Early voting, which begin July 13, ends on Saturday, July 28.

Hair and wellness challenge on weekend Expo agenda

Obesity, high cholesterol and heart disease in women of color are partially a result of the lack of physical inactivity and a key factor is the limitation a woman's hair may create.

Takeisha Berry-Brooks has organized the Naturals In The City Hair & Wellness Expo for Saturday (July 28) at The Esplanade to address the challenge. While there are "gyms and facilities in just about every neighborhood," said Berry-Brooks, many women who perm, relax or process their hair view water, sweat and humidity as "their arch enemy."

New Veterans Court set up for Shelby County

Shelby County Government has established a Veterans' Court to help address the root causes of why some veterans commit crimes. The court will offer mental health treatment programs for veterans in lieu of jail time.

Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. will announce details about the new court during a news conference at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (July 27) at the Criminal Justice Center, 201 Poplar Avenue, lower level, in the Shelby County General Sessions Division 7 courtroom.

Law firm plans clinics to help tardy taxpayers

The third of five scheduled tax clinics to assist Memphians delinquent in paying their city property taxes will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (July 28) at the Frayser Community Development Corporation (CDC) at 3684 North Watkins St.

The clinics are jointly sponsored by Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, the law firm collecting delinquent city taxes, and the City of Memphis Treasurer's Office. Municipal property taxes are due June 1 of each year and delinquent after Aug. 31.

Single parents, help is here!

by Kimberly McGrew
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Single parents in need of road map to a better life for themselves and their families will have access to a conference designed to help them this weekend.

"The Conference for Single Parents" will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (July 21) at the Pursuit of God Transformation Center, 3171 Signal Street.

Methodist ranks as best hospital in Memphis

U.S. News & World Report has named Methodist Memphis Hospitals the best hospital in Memphis among 25 hospitals in the Memphis metropolitan area.

Methodist Healthcare's four Memphis metro adult hospitals are licensed as one. They are: Methodist University Hospital, Methodist North Hospital, Methodist South Hospital and Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.

Saint Francis nets honor for cardiac and orthopedic services

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis has been designated a UnitedHealth Premium site for cardiac care, cardiac surgery, heart rhythm disorders, surgical spine and total joint replacement.

Hospitals must meet or exceed UnitedHealthcare's rigorous quality criteria based on nationally recognized medical standards

Candidates race to get in front of voters

With Early Voting for the Aug. 2 election already underway and running through July 28, candidates are scurrying to take advantage of opportunities to meet potential voters face to face.

Such was the case last Sunday evening (July 15) as about 30 candidates participated in a forum at Mt. Olive CME Cathedral hosted by the Memphis Branch NAACP. Those drawn to the historic church at 538 Linden at Lauderdale included Ninth Congressional District challenger Tomeka Hart and incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.

Cohen elaborated on his record in Congress and his third consecutive "A" rating on the NAACP Report Card as qualifications for a third term.

TPC hits the road with draft of unified schools plan

by Michaelantonio Jones
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Houston High School's auditorium was sparsely populated with a collection of parents, teachers, bus drivers and other concerned citizens – all gathered to hear a presentation from the Transition Planning Commission.

While the focus of the Tuesday (July 10) evening community meeting was to inform citizens of the TPC's recommendations on how to structure a combined Memphis City Schools-Shelby County Schools system, the issue that most seemed to float to the top was money:

Infant’s death stirs giving spirit

by Nicole R. Harris
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

"It's a shame that they wouldn't let that baby rest in peace," noted a female resident of a nearby apartment complex.

Moments earlier, dozens of mourners fled the sanctuary of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Inside, at what was supposed to be a homegoing celebration for three-year-old Maurice Brown Jr., a verbal altercation erupted, prompting Memphis Police officers to intervene and escort several attendees from the church premises.

Maurice Brown Sr. reported his son missing on July 1, with Brown saying the disappearance happened while he was asleep.

Health care management top credential goes to UTHSC’s Brown

Kennard Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), has been named a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives (FACHE).

The FACHE title is considered to be the premier credential in the field of health care management.

As the chief operations officer and executive vice chancellor for UTHSC, Dr. Brown is the principal aide to the chancellor.