All articles tagged with #shelby county
Two people were injured, one critically, when a large piece of construction equipment struck a bridge on a Shelby County overpass over Interstate 65, causing damage to the structure and prompting traffic delays as responders investigated.
An excavator hit the underside of the County Road 87 bridge over I-65 at Exit 234 in Shelby County, injuring one person and prompting closures of I-65 and the CR-87 bridge while crews assess damage and clear debris; drivers are urged to detour while ALDOT works to reopen the interstate when safe.
WREG’s Restaurant Report Card for Aug. 11–17 rounds up Shelby County restaurant scores, with Rama Pizza at 64, Taco Loco at 71, Habee’s Wing & Deli at 74 and others like West Street Diner (82), Yollo Rollo (83) and Burger Prime (83); none scored 100 this week, and the report lists the violations observed at each location.
Democratic turnout in Shelby County’s three U.S. House primaries surged to a decade-high, driven by anger over breaking up the county’s only majority-Black district and renewed mobilization by unions and faith groups; the article also notes Justin Pearson’s victory in the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Rep. Steve Cohen, signaling energized Black voters ahead of November.
A Shelby County human trafficking operation by the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force led to 15 arrests on Prohibited Activities charges; among those arrested is Robert Suttles, the Yea Alabama content director, charged with solicitation/commission of prostitution; one other arrestee faces meth, cocaine, and marijuana charges; authorities say the crackdown aims to protect vulnerable women.
Tennessee Republicans unveiled a special-session map that splits Shelby County into three districts to amplify GOP representation and consolidate power in Williamson County, drawing fierce objections from Memphis residents who say the move dilutes Black voting power and undermines accountability. The plan involves altering mid-cycle redistricting rules and relies on White House input for population figures to keep the map legal, with supporters arguing it’s a legislative design aiming for strong GOP gains across several districts.
The Shelby County Health Department is urging residents to get tested for HIV and Syphilis as cases continue to rise, particularly among those aged 14 to 35. Since 2018, HIV rates have increased by 36% and Syphilis rates by 100%, with certain zip codes in Memphis showing higher incidence levels.
Bills that would change bail decisions in Tennessee, making financial status a non-factor, have passed their first hurdle in the legislature. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow judges to deny bail for more crimes, while the second bill aims to remove the consideration of the defendant's ability to pay. This comes amid a crime crisis in Memphis, with a recent carjacking leading to tragic consequences. Critics argue that the proposed changes could disproportionately harm Black individuals, while proponents emphasize the need for careful consideration when taking away someone's liberty.
MLGW has issued a boil water advisory for certain areas in Shelby County due to record-high demand for electricity and water, with CEO Doug McGowen emphasizing the importance of water conservation and recommending boiling water for at least one minute before consumption. The affected areas include Northwest Shelby Forest and Southeast Winchester, and residents are advised to stay updated for further information.
Shelby County, Tennessee, has been placed under a state of emergency due to heavy snowfall, with some areas experiencing over five inches of snow. Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris both signed declarations in response to the arctic weather and unsafe travel conditions caused by the frozen precipitation covering roads across the Mid-South.
A man suspected of attempted murder was shot and killed by Shelby County sheriff's deputies in Memphis after colliding with a van and opening fire on the deputies. No deputies were injured, but the driver of the van was taken to the hospital in non-critical condition. The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Johnathan Bady, who was wanted for shooting a woman at a home earlier that morning. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called in to lead the investigation.
A 17-year-old girl from Leeds, identified as Lauren Dunn, was killed in a car crash in Shelby County. The incident occurred when her vehicle veered off the road and collided with multiple trees. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
One person died and two others, including a child, were seriously injured in a crash involving a semi on US 36 in Shelby County. The driver of a Toyota Landcruiser switched lanes at an unsafe time and was struck by the semi. The SUV then slid off the road and overturned. The passenger in the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver and the child were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured.
Governor Kay Ivey announced three major interstate projects in Jefferson and Shelby counties, including the widening of Interstate 65 in Shelby County, the widening of Interstate 59 in the Trussville area, and the addition of an interchange on Interstate 459 in Hoover. The projects, totaling about half a billion dollars, are part of the Rebuild Alabama effort and aim to improve transportation infrastructure in the state. The largest project is the widening of I-65, estimated to cost $300 million, followed by the construction of a new interchange on I-459 costing $120 million, and the widening of I-59 costing $80 million.
COVID-19 cases have been moderately increasing in Shelby County since mid-July, with a weekly average of 559 positive cases reported. The recently detected BA.2.86 variant has not been found in Shelby County or other Tennessee counties, but the XBB.9.1 and XBB.1.16 subvariants of the Omicron variant are prevalent. New vaccines targeting the XBB Omicron variants are expected to be available by the end of September, and the Shelby County Health Department will offer the booster when approved. Testing and vaccines are widely available in the county, and the health department provides guidelines for isolation and symptom management.