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School administration shaves budget gap by 25 percent

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.

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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MIFA 'Meals on Wheels' needs your vote to win FedEx grant

MIFA 'Meals on Wheels' needs your vote to win FedEx grant

The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is in the running to win a grant for its Meals on Wheels program, but the nonprofit needs your help to win.

According to MIFA, Memphis was declared the hunger capital of the country in 2011.

The Meals on Wheels program delivers 1,800 hot lunches each day to seniors in the community who are unable to leave their homes.

Now, MIFA is one of several nonprofits competing for a grant from FedEx.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, FedEx is sponsoring a Global Month of Service.  The shipping giant is encouraging its own team members to team up with nonprofits to make a difference in their communities.

The "Friends of the MIFA Maniacs" are hoping for your votes in order to give the Meals on Wheels program a boost so it can make an even bigger impact on the Memphis community.

Collierville Police Detective Receives Top Honor

Collierville Police Detective Receives Top Honor

We are giving a High 5 to Detective Jonathan Watts.

He has been named "Officer of the Year" from the Collierville Police Department and the Shelby County Optimist Club's Respect for Law Committee.

In August of 2005, Jonathan Watts began his career with the Collierville Police Department as a full time patrolman. He consistently received positive performance reports as well as the hometown hero award for being one of the initial responders that arrested a person who robbed a bank in a neighboring county.

$57 million issue lingers as school merger approaches

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.

Huey's holds burger design contest

Huey's holds burger design contest

May is National Burger Month, and in celebration, Huey’s will be holding its first Design the Next Huey Burger Contest through May 31, 2013.

This contest is open to everyone in the Memphis community, and the winner will receive a $50.00 Huey’s gift card and a chance for the winning burger to be featured on the Huey’s Fall Specials menu.

All entries must use the traditional Huey’s 5 1/3 oz. patty, seasoned with Huey’s seasoning. Burgers must be designed using a bread style that Huey’s currently carries: sesame seed bun, wheat bun, sourdough bun, Kaiser roll, wheat berry bread, wheat toast, Texas toast, hoagie roll, marble rye, or croissant. Entries must use either French’s mustard or Cattleman’s BBQ sauce. Recipes must include specific measurements, cooking instructions, and layering techniques. The burger must have a name.

All burger entries should be emailed to Shannon Little at slittle@hueys.cc by May 31st . Judging will be based on taste and creativity.

The Trophy Room will bring, events, sports, variety to Collierville

 

(WMC-TV) - A new restaurant going up in Collierville will have more TVs and events for its patrons than any other establishment in the area.  

Former alderman Tony Sarwar is the man behind The Trophy Room.  His sports bar will host a variety of events and cater to sports fans, families, and women.

"If you ask anyone in Collierville, it's a stigma.  Everyone says, 'There is nothing to do in Collierville,'" said Sarwar.  "We do have really nice restaurants, shopping, we have a lot of festivals, a lot going on.  But the image is that there is nothing going on in Collierville."

Sarwar is looking to change that.

"We want to have an event every night," he explained.  "Bingo, karaoke, trivia, bands."

The mastermind behind The Trophy Room is also planning to host ladies' nights, poker nights, and even set up a Wii to give visitors a unique option when it comes to entertainment.

Battle over school property transfer ensues

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.