The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

City School Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike -- Cite Unfair Suspensions, Low Pay and Lack of Due Process

Bus drivers for Memphis City Schools are threatening to strike, blaming low pay and unfair suspensions, including one against a driver whose name matched that of a felon on the sexual predator list. The nearly 200 drivers are represented by Teamsters Local 984. Their contract expired June 15.

Three's Company -- Trio Plays Classical Highbrow to Cool Jazz

Second-Floor Rapist Linked to Cases -- Police Warn Women Against Feeling Secure Upstairs As Evidence Points to Serial Assaults

Memphis police on Wednesday warned women to lock their upstairs doors and windows after investigators linked a string of sexual assaults to a second-floor serial rapist. The suspect is believed to be responsible for as many as five rapes in northeast Memphis, beginning in May, with the most recent occurring New Year's Day, police said at a news conference.

Police Recruit Fired for Porn -- Unaware of Camera, Teenager Complains

A Memphis police recruit's penchant for homemade porn led to criminal charges after he videotaped an unknowing, underage victim, the police department said Wednesday. Gregory Marshall, 26, was fired this week following an investigation that began Monday when a supervisor at the academy got a complaint about Marshall's X-rated activities.

Rats Tip Hats to Holmes -- Followers' Annual Gathering Toasts Detective's Birthday

Memphis fans of Sherlock Holmes are gathering once again to celebrate the Great Detective's 156th birthday. As they've done since 1972, the Giant Rats of Sumatra - the name is taken from a single line in "The Sussex Vampire" - will meet Saturday to toast and discuss the fictional detective, born on Jan. 6, 1854, in the Holmes canon.

Freeman Teacher Earns Praise at White House

WASHINGTON - Melissa Collins is coming back to Memphis with a message for her students at John P. Freeman Optional School from President Obama: "He's expecting big things from them." Collins, a second-grade teacher at the Blue Ribbon school in Whitehaven, was one of 87 science and math teachers from across the country honored Wednesday at an East Room reception by Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and his teacher-wife, Jill, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Actions Are Louder Than Our Resolutions

Make any New Year's resolutions? It's the question of the week, and my answer is a resounding "No."

Going Green

Learn how local realtors are finding success answering the demand for eco-friendly homes. What's fueling the eco-enthusiasm? On Sunday, check out the full story of how the environmental boom is impacting the area's real estate market in Going Green, the Web- only environmental magazine of The Commercial Appeal.

Artistic Recycling / Furniture Made New -- Upholstery Class Given at Nwcc in Senatobia

Learning to reupholster furniture could be the answer for a fresh look in the home this spring. The Division of Continuing Education at Northwest Mississippi Community College is offering Beginning Upholstery, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 21-Feb. 18, in the Art Building, Room 205, on the Senatobia campus.

Kaye Lawler's Brash Veneer Masked Career of Caring

When people describe Kaye Lawler, the same words seem to surface over and over again. Colorful. Forceful. Salty.

Wharton Lays Themes for Progress -- Safety, Opportunity Top List of Priorities

During a whirlwind day that featured three appearances at three venues spread across the city, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton hit upon three major themes that he hopes will mark his term in office. At a morning youth summit, a noon state of the city address, and again at an afternoon jobs forum, Wharton described ways to make Memphis a "city of choice." He said he wants to help children become productive members of society, tackle crime and provide job and educational opportunities.

Mid-South Memories / Hoop Talk

Jan. 7 25 years ago: 1985

Cake-Cutting to Start Elvis' 75th

Graceland and Elvis fans will celebrate with birthday cake Friday at Graceland Plaza across from the mansion when Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley help kick off a yearlong celebration of Elvis' 75th birthday. The centerpiece will be an elaborate, five-tier cake designed by the West Memphis company Cakes by Mom & Me. It won an online vote on elvis.com over competing cake designers in Nashville and Chattanooga.

County Commission Briefs

Tire program may get funds A proposal to spend an extra $50,000 on the wildly popular tire- redemption program won the preliminary approval of a committee of the Shelby County Commission on Wednesday.

9 Make Pitch for Commission Post -- Answers Brief in Big Field; Panel Will Vote Monday

How do you do job interviews for nine people at once? Tell them to keep their answers to 90 seconds - or better yet, just a few words at a time.

Memphis Law School Professor Set to Be Honored

The Association for Women Attorneys will honor University of Memphis Law School professor Janet Richards at its annual banquet on Jan. 21 at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Richards, author of "Richards on Tennessee Family Law," will receive the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award for outstanding achievement in the legal profession.

Turner Makes Case for District 85 -- Hopes to Succeed Husband in House

Johnnie R. Turner said it would be a "fitting tribute" to her late husband Larry to allow her to finish his term in the state House of Representatives. She told Shelby County Commission members Wednesday that as leader of the local branch of the NAACP, she is in a position to influence policy-makers, but she wants a more direct role. "If I am so blessed as to be appointed to this position, I will be able to make policy," said Turner, 69.

Clubs / Gardeners Take a Break with Annual Get-Together

Members of Shelby East Garden Club met in December at the Germantown home of Susan Strong to celebrate Christmas with an annual lunch and gift exchange. The club, organized in 1982, is in District One of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs Inc.

Briefs

Master Gardener talk The YMCA at Schilling Farms in Collierville is having Master Gardener Carl Wayne Hardeman talk about various topics including sustainable gardening, the Collierville Victory Garden and patio gardening.

Snapshots