The New Tri-State Defender (October 1-7, 2020) by The Tri-State Defender

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October 1 - 7, 2020

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TSD nets two top honors from Tennessee Press Association TSD Newsroom The New Tri-State Defender earned two, first-place finishes in the Tennessee Press Association’s 2020 newspaper contest cosponsored by the University of Tennessee. Netting awards for The TSD were columnist Lee Eric Smith and Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku. Among Group 1 winners, Smith took top honors for Best Personal Column. His entry was headlined “Why are people still talking about Eddie Lee Smith?” It was a tribute to his father, the first African-American elected mayor of Holly Springs, Ms. “Wow! I’m honored that my little love letter to my father resonated with so many people,” Smith said. “He really did lead an extraordinary life, helping a lot of people

Lee Eric Smith

Karanja A. Ajanaku

along the way. I feel like he and my mother are beaming with pride from the other side!” Ajanaku claimed first-place in Group I for Best Feature Photograph. The photo featuring two servicemen reflected generations of service. “Alerted that veterans were being served at the Blues City Café on Beale St., I camped out across the street and snapped away as a line of former service members formed and wound its into the restaurant,” Ajanaku said. “A gray-haired veteran in full uniform caught my eye and – taking multiple shots – I was fortunate to capture his warm-hearted exchange

SEE AWARDS ON PAGE 2

At a press conference described as “the ﬁrst step in a process, developer and former Shelby County Commissioner J.W. Gibson II shares the goal of seeking a community-driven tax increment ﬁnancing (TIF) district in South Memphis.

As opportunity knocks in South Memphis, a community weighs in

by Florence M. Howard

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

In Mississippi, an application for voter registration must be postmarked or hand delivered to the Circuit Clerk’s Office no later than 30 days before an election, which this year happens to be on Monday, Oct. 5. (Photo: Tim Evanson, Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0)

With a key deadline near, Mississippi activists work to register new voters by Najee El-Amin

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

In 2016, Mississippi’s voter turnout rate took a nosedive as 70,000 eligible citizens did not show up to cast a ballot. Activists have been trying to figure out why this happened and how to get African Americans, a powerful voting bloc, energized and back to the polls. Their efforts are coming up against an important deadline. In Mississippi, an application for voter registration must be postmarked or hand delivered to the Circuit Clerk’s Office no later than 30 days before an election, which this year happens to be on Monday, Oct. 5. These registration efforts are taking place as Americans social distance, and COVID-19 has taken nearly 3,000 lives statewide. Now officials have to worry about both keeping the public safe, as well as healthy. Fortunately, for the city of Holly Springs, MS., these obstacles are motivating a few brave souls to get out and do

AT A GLANCE • Mississippians can register to vote at their Circuit Clerk’s office, Municipal Clerk’s office, when they get their driver’s license at the Department of Public Safety, or through the mail by downloading a voter registration form and mailing it to your Circuit Clerk. • For more information about voting, visit www. MSVoterID.ms.gov or call 844-678-6837. what’s necessary to get people to the polls. Dr. A.J. Stovall, professor and head of the Social Science division at Rust College, is one of the people leading the effort. Stovall long has been an advocate for voting but he believes that there is an even greater sense of urgency this year. “As a result of the events over the summer, the political consciousness has been heightened.” Stovall said. “It’s gonna get more people out to vote than normal.” Stovall has partnered with the Andrew Goodman Foundation whose mission is to empower youth by get-

SEE VOTE ON PAGE 2

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of private, public and community leaders are coming together – and standing apart – in an effort to break the cycle of historic disinvestment in South Memphis. During a recent press conference where social distancing was practiced, real estate developer J.W. Gibson II announced that the Southeast Regional Development Corporation (SRDC), with the support from the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, intends to submit a development plan and application for a community-driven Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in South Memphis. It’s an effort to attack blight and improve the overall quality of life. South Memphis currently has over 5,800 vacant lots and buildings, and even more substandard housing that is still occupied, according to a SRDC news release. As a TIF district, tax revenue generated by residents in the area will be reinvested in South Memphis to address crumbling infrastructure, depreciating neighborhood values, and educational supports for youth, Gibson explained. “The disinvestment that is taking place in Black neighborhoods is destroying families and keeping residents anchored to poverty,” the SRDC press release asserted. “This ends today.” Held in the lobby of the Vasco A. Smith, Jr. County Administration Building, the press conference was attended by a contingent of elected officials lending support for the new, minority-led development plan. South Memphis is one of eight “blighted” areas in designated communities called Opportunity Zones (OZs), which seek to encourage investments in housing, neighborhood

Residents in South Memphis have long advocated for better housing, according to Greater White Stone Baptist Church Pastor Roger Brown (center), who opened the presentation with a prayer. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

“It’s time for South Memphis residents to see serious, longterm investment in the neighborhood that they love.” — Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris infrastructures such as retail centers, and more. Other OZs include ZIP codes in Binghampton and the Poplar Corridor, Downtown and the Medical District, North Memphis and Uptown, Orange Mound and the Fairgrounds, the University of Memphis, Whitehaven and Millington. Residents in South Memphis have long advocated for better housing, according to Greater White Stone Baptist Church Pastor Roger Brown, who opened the gathering with a prayer. His church has a community development corporation, The Stone CDC, and has already purchased lots for affordable senior housing. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

made note of the community efforts underway. He also expressed confidence that the minority-led development team will take the right approach and that they will be open to community feedback. “This community has organized and advocated for investment for decades,” Harris said in a statement in the SRDC press release. “It’s time for South Memphis residents to see serious, long-term investment in the neighborhood that they love.” A former Shelby County commissioner who worked on the Memphis 3.0 strategic plan, Gibson grew up in Dixie Homes. He said that his involvement in that plan “planted a seed” and fueled his involvement in other redevelopment initiatives. He called the press conference on the TIF “the first step in the process” in bringing those with a similar interest together with community leaders. “It is high time the Black community receives the commitment seen by Downtown and Midtown to bring

SEE SRDC ON PAGE 2

The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 2

NEWS Karanja A. Ajanaku’s award-winning photograph reﬂects generations of service. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)

AWARDS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT with a serviceman from a different era.” The judges’ comment: “By far the best feature photo in the contest. Shows lots of emotions and just tells the story. Great job!” The virtual awards presentation was held Sept. 24th. Reciprocal judging is done with another state’s press association. This year, the Georgia Press Association judged 1,341 entries from 72 of the Tennessee Press Association’s 129 member newspapers.

VOTE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT ting them registered to vote and providing the resources necessary to get them to the polls. Low youth turnout is part of a generational trend in the U.S. As this demographic continues to grow, they have the

SRDC

CONTINUED FROM FRONT South Memphis back. There is a plethora of needs,” Gibson said. Then he asked, “How do we engage the community?” That is where some area residents want the next conversation to begin. Attendees such as community organizers Linda Williams of the Rozelle-Annesdale Neighborhood Association, Marty Lipinski of the Annesdale-Snowden Neighborhood Association, and Rebecca Hutchinson of the Soulsville USA Neighborhoods Development District (SNDD) wondered how this new partnership might affect neighborhood revitalization plans for their organization and others that have been working to bring better housing and employment opportunities to the

potential to be a powerful voting bloc, Stovall believes. Although young voter turnout has been a focal point, Marshall County hasn’t forgotten about the rest of the population. Circuit Clerk Monet Bell Autry wants to assure the residents of Holly Springs they are not taking voters’ health concerns lightly.

“We’re doing everything humanly possible to keep them safe during the election cycle,” Autry said. Masks, gloves, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer and virtually any other cleaning supply one could think of was on her list of preventative measures the public will have access to on election day.

community. “It was not very clear,” Williams said of the plan’s impact. She noted that there are many institutions, including the Church of God in Christ, already working to revitalize and rebuild the community. Hutchinson, board president of SNDD and executive director of SCORE CDC, stressed that people in the community must have a say. “All I can say is, it was a top-down presentation,” she said, adding that “people are being empowered in my district. We have been working so hard on our own neighborhood development plan. We need investment and jobs.” SNDD plans to submit its own redevelopment proposal, which was in the works before the September 24th announcement. Only one TIF can be granted in each Opportunity Zone, which is part of the

2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Trump. The goal is to stimulate economic development and job creation by incentivizing investments, in low-income neighborhoods. The Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which works with communities to address blight and provide affordable housing using the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) tool, is responsible for reviewing and approving TIF applications before presenting those applications to the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission. Elected officials on hand included State Reps. Larry Miller and G.A. Hardaway Sr., Memphis City Council members Martavius Jones and J.B. Smiley Jr., and Shelby County Commissioners Mickell Lowery and Tami Sawyer.

With all of this in place, the circuit clerk’s office expects that voter turnout could be at an all-time high. “We’re preparing for between nineteen and twenty-thousand peak active voters to show up this year and we might have more,” Autry said. Marshall County citizens who are 65 or older, disabled

or not currently residing in the area have the option of applying for a mail-in ballot. The state of Mississippi, unlike many other states, does not accept COVID-19 concerns or pre-existing conditions as a valid reason to vote absentee. Absentee ballots must be postmarked and sent back as soon as possible, the Marshall

County clerk’s office recommends. They will not be accepted after Nov. 2. The final day to vote by absentee ballot in the Marshall County clerk’s office is Oct 31, a spokesman said. Ultimately, the city of Holly Springs and Marshall County are working to ensure access to the polls in an election that could prove to be historic.

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The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 3

NEWS

Debate commission says it will make changes to format by David Bauder The Associated Press

NEW YORK – The presidential debate commission says it will soon adopt changes to its format to avoid a repeat of the disjointed first meeting between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. The commission said Wednesday the debate “made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.” One possibility being discussed is to give the moderator the ability to cut off the microphone of one of the debate participants while his opponent is talking, according to a person familiar with the deliberations who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The next presidential debate is a town hall format scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami. Moderator Chris Wallace struggled to gain control of Tuesday’s debate in Cleveland because of frequent interruptions, primarily by Trump. The candidates interrupted Wallace or their opponent 90 times in the 90-minute debate, 71 of them by Trump, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. Wallace, of Fox News, pleaded for a more orderly debate, at one point looking at Trump and saying, “the country would be better served if we allowed both people to speak with fewer interruptions. I’m appealing to you, sir, to do that.” “Ask him, too,” Trump said. “Well, frankly, you’ve been doing more interrupting than he has,” Wallace said.

President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden during the presidential debate that widely is being labeled chaotic. (Screen capture image: CNN) Biden on Wednesday called the debate “a national embarrassment.” But despite some suggestions that the final two presidential encounters be canceled, both campaigns said they expected their candidate to attend. Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said the commission was “only doing this because their guy got pummeled last night. President Trump was the dominant force and now Joe Biden is trying to work the refs.” ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, who moderated one of the three debates between Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016, said Wallace was put in nearly an impossible situation. Faced

with the same behavior, she said she might have called a full stop to the debate for a moment to recalibrate. She never had the option, technically, to cut off the microphone of a candidate four years ago, she said. It also wasn’t in the rules that were agreed to in advance by the candidates and commission. “To say, ‘He’s not going to follow the rules so we aren’t, either,’ It’s an unprecedented situation,” Raddatz said. “That was so out of control.” Twitter was ablaze with criticism for Wallace early in the debate for losing control of the proceedings. That was illustrated by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, who tweeted “What is

Chris Wallace doing? He has no control over the debate. He asks a question and let’s Trump continue yelling. This is a disgrace.” By the time he was on “Morning Joe’’ the next morning, Scarborough had cooled off. He called on the debate commission to act. “While it was extraordinarily frustrating, I think all of us need to walk a mile in his shoes before saying the morning after, ‘He could have done this, he could have done that,’” Scarborough said. Some of the president’s supporters felt that Wallace was too hard on their candidate. Trump himself suggested he was also debating Wallace, “but

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that’s no surprise.” Wallace even got some criticism from opinion personalities on his own network. “Trump is debating the moderator and Biden,” prime-time host Laura Ingraham tweeted during the debate. Another Fox colleague, Geraldo Rivera, expressed more sympathy. “The guy signed up to moderate a debate and he ended up trying to referee a knife fight,” he said. Wallace, host of “Fox News Sunday,” was not immediately made available for comment by Fox. There is some skepticism about what the commission can do that is really meaningful. “I’m not sure that there’s a format change that can solve that problem,” said Sen. Pat Toomey, Republican, of battleground state Pennsylvania. Wallace is the only presidential debate moderator this cycle with prior experience, after receiving praise for handling the final Clinton-Trump debate in 2016. The other two moderators are Steve Scully of C-SPAN and Kristen Welker of NBC News. Scully moderates the Miami debate, a town hall format where citizens get to ask questions, which may make interruptions more difficult. “Having prepared for these, the town hall is a completely different event in the debate Olympics,” tweeted David Plouffe, an adviser to former President Barack Obama. “If Trump brings the same nastiness to Florida, it will be doubly painful to watch but it will be doubly painful for him politically.” (Associated Press writers Bill Barrow, Laurie Kellman and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.)

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, October 1 - 7, 2020, Page 4

THE CULTURAL COACH:

Elders have something to teach us by Linda S. Wallace

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Dear Cultural Coach: Senior citizens contribute to our society by volunteering, mentoring youth, caring for or raising grandchildren and holding full-time or part-time jobs. So why is it when we see them on TV, in films or in the news they always seem to be sitting around in senior citizens’ centers socializing or working out? – Older but Wiser Dear Wiser:

Older

but

Make it a rule never to form an opinion about a community or generation based upon how its members are portrayed in the media. Linda S. Writers, producers Wallace and reporters tend to view people and communities through cultural lenses, so we might end up seeing or hearing a world that reflects journalists’ hidden beliefs and biases. Whether the subject is senior citizens, Southerners, Texans or gays and lesbians, the media often portray communities with a broad brush, ignoring the finer details. In such instances, each of us must fill in the missing pieces of information. This is a skill that requires patience and practice. As Americans are living longer, society is struggling to learn how to deal more competently with our agile and surging ranks of elders. Older Americans are joining gyms, enrolling for the first time in

If you are young, ﬁnd a senior citizen as an ally, and, if you are old, ﬁnd a young person to be an ally. Serve as one another’s cultural coach. (Photo: ncoa.org) college, bungee jumping, running for and getting elected to Congress, creating startup corporations, sending e-mails and taking computer classes, chasing drug dealers off of urban street corners, campaigning with their dogs in an effort to get people out to vote, feeding the hungry and providing free health care to working people who can’t afford it. This is an impressive resume that any generation could claim with pride. Now I can hear the whispers out there: “OK Boomer.” I’ll be the first to admit America has a generation gap. I discovered this at work when I attended a reception where jazz music was softly playing in the background. As I’m thinking isn’t this a mellow event, a young person walks over to me and says: “This music is so boring. I’m about to fall asleep.” In my generation, people who listened to jazz were avant garde. Now we are just old school. OK, so the generations may not like the same movies, or music or books. Still, older Americans are walking, talking libraries of life and history. Life’s lessons, after all, often require great suffering before great success.

I asked a few chronologically-gifted people to talk to us. Here’s what they had to say: * Treat senior citizens with respect, but don’t patronize them. Avoid the tone you would use in chatting with a 5-year-old child. * Don’t assume that an older person must be hard of hearing. Some older adults complain that younger people often talk loudly and overly enunciate when they converse with them. * Remember, not all senior citizens are senile. Offer advice when seniors ask for it or when the situation warrants it, but try not to make it a regular practice. (Seniors, the same advice applies when talking to young people.) * A senior’s memories and life’s lessons are also part of the family’s legacy. Instead of complaining about the stories, write them down, videotape them or make an audiotape so generations yet to come can cherish them. Try to see the beauty and wisdom that age (and youth) bestows. * Some elders lament that people treat them as though they are invisible. When you look at someone, look at who they are

on the inside; not at skin color, wrinkles or disabilities. * If a senior citizen is driving the speed limit, and you are not, don’t get mad at him or her. Rage is best reserved for the lawbreakers, such as yourself. The drivers who speed, tailgate and intimidate other motorists kill people and put others at risk. We should all be honking at you. * If you are young, find a senior citizen as an ally, and, if you are old, find a young person to be an ally. Serve as one another’s cultural coach. * Friendships between the people from different races and generations help to raise the collective cultural IQ of a community. Seek out common ground, and common interests will follow. (Linda S. Wallace is a free-lance journalist and communication specialist who helps clients develop cross-cultural messages for the workplace and the media. Readers are invited to submit questions on work or personal problems related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or physical diﬀerences. Address your questions to culturalcoach@ aol.com.)

James Meredith ﬁlm weighs ‘complicated’ civil rights ﬁgure by Russell Contreras The Associated Press

A new documentary is diving into the complicated, and sometimes contradictory life of James Meredith, a Black civil rights figure who helped change Mississippi. “Walk Against Fear: James Meredith,” scheduled to air Thursday (Oct. 1) on the Smithsonian Channel, examines the life of a U.S. Air Force veteran and human rights agitator whose admission to the University of Mississippi forced President John F. Kennedy to send federal troops into the state to quell a white supremacy uprising. It was one of the most violent moments of the Civil Rights Movement and Meredith’s determination to enroll in Ole Miss forever transformed life in the American Deep South. Known as a bold, stubborn character from the movement, Meredith was

later shot during a peaceful demonstration in Mississippi, and years later drew anger from civil rights leaders for endorsing former Klansman David Duke for Louisiana governor. He shunned interviews and openly supported former segregationists who he said he was helping transform. But Meredith told The Associated Press on Tuesday (Sept. 29) he believed all of his actions in his life had been predestined by higher forces. “My life has always been according to a plan,” Meredith said. “And I was not the engineer of most the plan.” Born June 25, 1933 in Kosciusko, Miss., Meredith graduated from high school in St. Petersburg, Fla., and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he took courses at New Mexico Western College – now Western New Mexico University – in Silver City, N.M. Those classes in New Mexico changed his life and set him on a path to become a writer. “It was the most

important thing that ever happened to me,” Meredith said. The experience in New Mexico also got him thinking of attending Ole Miss, an all-white college that barred Black students. The documentary follows Meredith from his decision to challenge the University of Mississippi’s segregationist policies and then a governor who personally tried to refuse to admit him. Meredith eventually attended classes thanks to federal court orders only to see white students walk out in protest. Later, he set out on a public “Walk Against Fear” in 1966 to prove that a Black man could walk peacefully in Mississippi. He was shot on the second day. AP photographer Jack Thornell captured a haunting image of Meredith grimacing in pain as he tried to pull himself across Highway 51 after being shot in Hernando, Mississippi.

In this July 19, 2018 ﬁle photo, civil rights movement activist James Meredith, greets a friend with a black power salute as he takes a coﬀee break at a north Jackson, Miss., grocery store. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) “I didn’t feel anything,” Meredith recalled. “The only thing that mattered to me was that I wasn’t dead.” Meredith said he had been reluctant to open up about his life but was pleased with a BBC project about him that involved Sol B. River, a British theater director and filmmaker. River approached Meredith about the documentary idea and he agreed. “He’s an extremely intelligent and

complex man,” said River, who spent years getting to know Meredith. “I hope that people will see this from the viewpoint from the first person ... almost as if they are James Meredith going through this.” (Russell Contreras is a member of The Associated Press’ Race and Ethnicity Team. Follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/russcontreras.)

Information • Inspiration • Elevation Published by Best Media Properties, Inc.

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The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 5

RELIGION

‘ORRdinary Lessons’ written for troubling times

by Paula Anderson

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

After 31 years of preaching the gospel, Pastor Bartholomew Orr, senior pastor of Brown Baptist Church in Southaven, MS., has taken the advice from one of his former professors at Christian Brothers University to place his writings, sermons and thoughts into a book. On Sept. 19, he released his book entitled, “ORRdinary Lessons,” which offers practical advice about the daily situations that people encounter and describes the seven key principles for an extraordinary life.. The book shares lessons that can be applied in real-life situations, and relates to many of the trials and tribulations during the pandemic and COVID-19. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines have forced many people to attend worship services online. Many Mid-South families are facing financial and health challenges as murder rates are rising in Memphis and cities nationwide. “During this time, we need to

watch our words; life and death are in the power of tongue, stop complaining and don’t allow negativity to control our The Rev. Dr. b e h a v i o r, ” Pastor Orr Bartholomew Orr advises. “Through this book, I hope to encourage those who have lost jobs or loved ones during the pandemic and have wondered what’s next for them,” said Orr. “I understand the stress that can be caused by poverty, fear, and loss, but, as I share in the book, it’s possible to have peace in the midst of your circumstances.” This is a good time to make worship service a priority and find ways to connect with people, he said. Since the pandemic, his church has seen an increase in members. “I have more members now, than pre-COVID-19. Members have joined online; this is our vir-

Pastor Bartholomew Orr greets one of the many people who got a copy of his book during the mobile aspect of a book-signing event held on the campus of Brown Baptist Church, where he is senior pastor. (Courtesy photo)

In “ORRdinary Lessons,” the Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr gives practical advice about situations that people encounter daily. tual membership,” said Pastor Orr. The book draws upon a number of life lessons taken from the Bible. For example, Pastor Orr uses a story about Pharaoh and the Egyptians as a metaphor for dealing with life challenges and issues. The Biblical story in Ex-

odus describes how the Egyptians were in bondage under Pharaoh’s leadership, a story that still resonates today. “I preached a sermon about self-destructive behaviors and I wanted to share tips and guidance on ways to overcome them,” Orr

explained. A virtual book-signing was recently hosted on the church’s campus so members could purchase the book, which is available for $20. “ORRdinary Lessons was so captivating and true to life, and I could not put it down,” said Nellie Sanders, one of the church members. “I completed it after midnight. The key takeaway is a true servant with an attitude of servitude . . . with a heart of obedience to our Lord and Savior. Everyone has to read this book written by a true servant of God preaching and teaching people of God.” The book can be purchased directly from bartholomeworr.org and from Brown Baptist Church bookstore located at 980 Stateline Road E. Southaven, MS. (Paula Anderson is a freelance journalist. She can be reached at writingbydesign7@gmail.com.)

Checking in...

Delivering the ‘Word’...

The visitation service for Bishop Delano Ellis was held Monday (Sept. 28) at Pentecostal Temple COGIC, where safety precautions prompted by the coronavirus were standard procedure. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The Rev. James Smith of Hickory Hill Baptist Church was the featured preacher as the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association met on Tuesday. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

October 1 - 7, 2020

The New Tri-State Defender

Page 6

NEWS

Legacy: Mae Bess Wright TSD Newsroom Mae Bess Wright, who dedicated much of her life to helping others as a nurse, died Monday (Sept. 28). The mother of Jerome Wright, deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender, she was 96. Mrs. Wright obtained a licensed practical nurses’ certification, serving patients at the old John Gaston Hospital, Shelby County Hospital, the Naval Hospital at Millington, Methodist Hospital and as a private-duty nurse. Born on December 19, 1923 in Memphis to the late Julius and Anna (Bramlett) King, she was the youngest of nine siblings (four boys and five girls). She attended Carnes Elementary School and was a 1942 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, where she was a member of the drum-and-bugle corps. On September 1, 1942, she married Robert B. Wright while he was enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Occasionally Mrs. Wright was able to visit her new husband while he was stationed at stateside naval bases, including New Orleans, Norfolk, Va., and an adventurous solo train trip from Memphis to Maine. Later in life, they enjoyed reminiscing with wonderful stories of those trips that they shared as a young couple. The Wrights converted to Catholicism in their early 20’s and

Mae Bess Wright (Courtesy photo) were baptized at St. Augustine Catholic Church, where they were members for many years. Over the intervening years, they were members of St. Peter and St. Patrick Catholic Churches, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Mrs. Wright served enthusiastically in several Catholic women’s organizations, including the Madonna Circle, the Memphis Catholic Diocese’s Coalition of Catholic Women and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. She also served as a lector and Eucharist minister. In addition to her husband of 78 years, she leaves her son, Jerome (Gwendolyn) Wright; a daughter, Rosalind (Marcel) Holman; a sister, Mable Smith; five granddaughters, Meredith A. (Peter) Davidson, Elizabeth L. Wright, Victoria J. Wright, Jennifer Costner and Jessica E. Holman; a step-grandson, Albert Glenn, and great-granddaughter, Beatrice Davidson. The funeral mass is set for Oct. 7 at noon at St. Augustine Catholic Church at 1169 Kerr Ave., where the Rev. Francis Chiawa is pastor. Rosary is at 11:30 a.m.

As the homegoing service concludes for Myron L. Hudson, a soloist sings “Goin’ Up Yonder.” (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)

Legacy: Myron L. Hudson

TSD Newsroom The legacy of Myron Leon Hudson, former sales representative for The New Tri-State Defender and a well-known sports enthusiast, was celebrated at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, 555 Vance Ave., last Saturday (Sept. 26). Mr. Hudson graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (1974), where he was the starting quarterback for the Warriors. He died Sept. 19 at Regional One at age 63. Known as “Pie,” Mr. Hudson was the sixth son of the late Rev. Clarence Hudson and Annie Hudson. In 1979, Mr. Hudson received a B.A. Degree in Communications from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). He loved calling into WDIA Radio and sharing

Myron Leon Hudson his opinions with on-air hosts Bobby O’Jay and Bev Johnson. To the radio audience he was known as “King Cool.” His work career included being an agent for several life and health care companies and an advertising agent for a local grocery chain. With strict adherence to COVID-19 precautions, the funeral service was guided by the Rev. John W. White, pastor of

Mt. Nebo. Mr. Hudson’s brother, the Rev. Darrell Hudson, pastor of Morning Glory Baptist Church in Gloucester, Va., delivered the eulogy. Superior Funeral Home had charge. Mr. Hudson leaves his sisters: Wilma Wright and Paula (Rickey) Mitchell of Memphis, Bobbie (William) Williams of Nashville, Sheila Hudson of Antioch (TN) and Margaret King of Chicago; his brothers: John Hudson of Nashville, Keith Hudson of Hillsborough, N.J., Terry Hudson of Memphis, Cedric (Taharish) Hudson and the Rev. Darrell (Patsy) Hudson of Suffolk, Va., and his fiancée, Carolyn “CeCe” Orr-Craig. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence Hudson Jr. and Willie Hudson.

The New Tri-State Defender, October 1 - 7, 2020, Page 7

Memphis Music Month 2020 encourages “facets of our community and beyond to celebrate all things Memphis music in big ways, and small.”

Memphis Music Month – the relaunch TSD Newsroom

Pat Mitchell Worley was repping the Memphis Music Foundation in 2011 when she created the Memphis Music Month initiative, which is getting a relaunch this October. Now the executive director of the Stax Music Academy, Worley is upbeat about Memphis Tourism’s Music Hub breathing new life into the month-long celebration of Memphis music. “We are a city that has a sound that is relevant all over the world; Memphis music speaks to people no matter the language,” said Worley. “It is important that we take time to not only celebrate artists, musicians and people in the studio who put Memphis music on the map, but provide a platform to showcase those who are defining the Memphis sound of today.” Memphis Tourism is the official destination marketing agency for Memphis and Shelby County. The agency’s Music Hub will drive live and socially distanced music events, along with digital music experiences, during Memphis Music Month 2020. The monthlong campaign encourages “facets of our community and beyond to celebrate all things Memphis music in big ways, and small.” Kevin Kane, president/CEO of Memphis

Tourism, said, “The modern-day Memphis sound and our rich music legacy combine in a powerful, living story that is worth celebrating, not only in October but every single day of the year.” The 2020 Memphis Music Month calendar includes Downtown Dinner + Music, a live, acoustic and safely-distanced music series produced by the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC). The lineup will include Grammy-nominated Memphis artists, Southern Avenue, Adajyo and others. “Nothing says Memphis more than our music, and during this challenging time for businesses and artists who are playing fewer performances, we saw this as a perfect opportunity to activate our downtown space and help connect the dots between restaurateurs and musicians by safely providing live entertainment,” said Penelope Huston, the DMC’s vice president of Marketing/Communications & Events. Other official events include behind-thescenes virtual tours at Memphis attractions, social media takeovers by Memphis

Pat Mitchell Worley musicians, an entire day of Memphis music programming from WYXR 91.7FM, a Saturday night streamed series by The Levitt Shell, a jazz concert with giveaways at The Grove at GPAC, The Orpheum’s Women of Soul concert, plus a new bi-weekly music feature from ilovememphisblog.com. Visitors to the city can take advantage of Memphis Music Month with special hotel and attraction discounts, in addition to special deals from Central Station Hotel & Hotel Indigo.

The campaign encourages businesses to incorporate Memphis music into their brands and day-to-day operations. “Our goal is to get people thinking local and differently about how they can weave Memphis music into what they are already doing, be it a commercial spot or something as simple as a Memphis Spotify music list being played inside a business,” said Jayne Ellen White, music specialist for Memphis Tourism. “From retail stores and restaurants to sports teams, event venues and even local media, there is a way to tie what we all do each day back to our Memphis music story.” During October, Memphis Tourism’s ILOVEMEMPHISBLOG.COM will spotlight a new interview series designed to give Memphis musicians and artists a platform to showcase their art and talents. Partnering on the Memphis Music Month campaign are The Levitt Shell, The Grove at GPAC, The Orpheum, WXYR, Downtown Memphis Commission, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The Hotel Indigo Memphis, Central Station Hotel, Sun Studio and Backbeat Tours. (For more information, visit https://bit. ly/33e9Ben.)

Sharpton’s ‘Rise up’ won’t let you down

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

You’re beat down. Tired, ready to rest, just plain done. So much racism, so many politicians doing so many things. You’re wiped, laid low with no more go, and you’re not sure you have the energy for more of this. But there’s hope for the hopeless, a lift for the fallen, and in “Rise Up” by the Rev. Al Sharpton, there’s reason to keep on. We are being tested. It’s happening now, Sharpton says, in a way that we’ve never seen. We’re poked by haters every day, prodded by evildoers. The nation is at a “crossroads” and work is being done to “make America great” but not for everybody. This has to change. Democracy, says Sharpton, is not perfect but it really is the best of all

political practices. To make it work now, we need and “deserve” strong leadership that isn’t racist or homophobic, misogynistic, or against immigration or voter’s rights. It’s what we must have to preserve democracy – and yet, he says, in the last four years, we’ve gone from a transformational leader who embraced diversity to one that’s transactional, and does not. The former allowed a cultural shift that many in the Black community enjoyed. With the latter, we seem to have backtracked. That came as no surprise to Sharpton: he’s known Donald Trump for decades, has met with him numerous times on various projects. He knows him as just a guy from Queens, a deal-maker, just another politician Sharpton’s acquainted with. He’s known a lot of politicians: King, Obama, Mandela, Clinton, Shirley

Chisholm, whom he sweetly calls “Mrs. C.” He’s known celebrities, too: James Brown was like a father to Sharpton. Aretha Franklin was a friend. Moving forward, he says, we must ask White allies to step aside and make room for Black leaders in issues where Black lives are most affected. Black activists shouldn’t ignore the fight for LGBTQ rights because they, too, are human rights – as are issues of climate change. And as for staying “woke,” remember that waking up means getting up, too... Let’s start here: Reverend Al Sharpton doesn’t have very much good to say about Donald Trump. If you’re familiar with Sharpton, you already knew this was coming – but “Rise Up” offers some background that happened between the two, and they’re great stories.

That’s a lot of what you’ll get inside this book, in fact: stories, and they mix in with Sharpton’s observations and thoughts so well that it’s easy to be lulled into the telling. No worries: like any good preacher does, he happily yanks your attention back to the pulpit, to racism, voter’s rights, and politics. True to what you’d expect, Sharpton isn’t shy, and he’ll make readers who are Black, White, and Brown think, hard, about today’s issues. Don’t be surprised to see a somewhat gentler version of Reverend Sharpton in this book – gentler, but no less fierce. Don’t be surprised if this book sparks conversation and action. Now go: you’ve got time, read it before the election, and “Rise Up” won’t let you down.

“Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads” by Reverend Al Sharpton c. 2020, Hanover Square Press $27.99 / $34.99 Canada 288 pages

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, October 1 - 7, 2020, Page 8

Shelby County Commission continues to weigh law-enforcement changes by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A slate of reforms designed to curb the use of excessive force and the procurement of military equipment by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Shelby County corrections officers continued to be a focal point of discussion during Monday’s Shelby County Commission meeting. The proposed regulations, which were considered on the second of three required readings, come in the wake of a string of incidents over the past several months involving law enforcement agencies nationwide. Videos of police shooting citizens and the mistreatment of African Americans in custody or under arrest have drawn accusations of excessive force and prompted waves of protests, with individuals questioning what they see as the increasing militarization of police forces. One of the proposed measures seeks to curb the sheriff department’s purchasing or receipt of decommissioned military equipment. It also would require clear rules be put in place to limit their use by county law enforcement agencies. The measure was amended from a previous version, which would have banned the acquisition of military vehicles, bayonets and ammunition above a certain caliber. “The sheriff says that he does not need these items and he does not seek to purchase these items. We are just saying don’t receive them

either,” said Commissioner Van Turner Jr. (District 12), who said the ordinances are not intended to be anti-police but rather measures to promote safe communities. Turner also pushed back on the argument that military-grade weapons were needed to protect the community. “To say that we have to militarize law enforcement in order to stop homicides in our community – those arguments are separate. In order to stop homicides and (bring) youth balance in our community there are other things that should be done without militarizing law enforcement,” said Turner. He offered other strategies for curbing crime, including quality and accessible education, strategies to address acute childhood experiences and expanded job opportunities. “You start when you allow young people getting out of a youth detention center to have ways of making a living or getting back in school,” said Turner. Last week, Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. issued an apology for his deputies being armed with shock shields during a protest outside the county jail. “We all saw the shields. They looked like something out of ‘Iron Man 5,’” said Commissioner Tami Sawyer. “There is no reason for them to have been used. There is no reason for people who join together – a small group of less than 30 people at the time, maybe – no reason for them to have had that interaction while they

came out to use their constitutionally-given right to express their grief and a decision that the majority of the country agrees reeks of injustice. This highlights the reason we need to codify these things,” said Sawyer, who sponsored three of the resolutions. Chemical agents – such as tear gas and pepper spray – also came under scrutiny. The proposed changes would prohibit public safety officers such as deputy sheriffs, correctional officers and jailers from employing excessive force in the use of the agents. Another reform under consideration was a measure that would require the sheriff’s department to disqualify applicants from public safety positions if they have been terminated for use of excessive force. An officer or deputy also would lose their Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification, if they are fired or disciplined for violating the standard on excessive force. A tracking system would also be established for those officers. That proposed ordinance failed to get majority support as several commissioners expressed concern about the wording of the measure. “If we can be clear about comparing the language in the ordinance versus what is in current policy – we all received some policies from the Sheriff’s Office last week – just to make sure we can compare what is current policy,“ said Commissioner Michael Whaley, District 5. “Essentially what we are trying to do with

Health services contract for county jails lands in court

Retired teacher’s commitment yields former students’ appreciation

James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by John Semien

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As an elementary school teacher, Wilma Shaw Temple did things decades ago that caused former students to remember her fondly and to creatively show their appreciation amid the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Now retired, Temple, who turned 85 last week, was celebrated on Saturday by nine of her students with a parade in front of her residence. Police-car sirens blared and shared the road with other vehicles adorned with balloons and signs signaling happy birthday. Masks and other safety precautions against the novel COVID-19 virus were part of the day’s protocol. “It was a blessing to see all of the students I had some kind of impact on express their feelings about me,” Temple said after the parade. ”I’m overjoyed and feel very special for that many former students to show up.” One of the masked visitors was Michael Ingram, a bishop in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. “I was sitting in Miss Wilma’s class when John F. Kennedy was assassinated (in Nov. 1963),” he said. “There was a lot of activity, people running here and there. They explained to us that it was the president of the United States who was killed.” Ingram, 63, said Temple – his first teacher “outside the home” because he didn’t attend kindergarten – ”was the one who got me started. “She was my foundation,” he said. “She was a sweet woman and she was a great teacher.” Andrea Crawford was in Temple’s firstgrade class at Norris Elementary School during the 1964-65 school year. Now 62, Temple said Crawford, “was a very good teacher. …I remember her being so kind, compassionate and patient.” Crawford described herself as a “cry baby” as a child. “She (Temple) washed my tears away

this ordinance is codify it for the future in perpetuity versus what would be a new practice that is not currently a part of sheriff policy.” Whaley also said the measure needs to be able to delineate more between roles of officers from the sheriff’s departments and those in corrections so “that we are clear about what we are doing, what already exists, and what we are trying to do with these ordinances. That would, I think, help strengthen these and make sure it does what it is intended to do.” Another proposed ordinance to prohibit fraternization between inmates and personnel was also discussed. In other business, the County Commission: • Approved up to $5,815.405 for the purchase of voting equipment, related software and services from Elections Systems and Software, LLC for the Shelby County Election Commission. • Agreed to amend the Pay-As-YouGo Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to the amount of $2,410,000 to accept and utilize expected reimbursements from the state’s office of elections. This will require 2021’s CIP not to exceed the purchasing price of the voting equipment, software and services. The money will cover the costs of 242 new scanner machines and 1,100 new ballot voting machines. However, they are not expected to be in use until 2022. Many of the machines currently in use are over 20 years old.

Pictured (l-r): Angie Cowan, Roderick Truitt, Daphne Truitt, Wilma Shaw Temple (seated), Michael Ingram, Wanda Young Anderson and Cheryl Moore. Present but not in the photo are Linda Earl, Andrea Crawford and Valerie Ruffin. (Photos: John Semien)

Wilma Shaw Temple: “I’m overjoyed and feel very special for that many former students to show up.” and made me feel safe,” said Crawford, who went on to serve 12 years in the U.S. Army and today is a hairdresser, who also owns a travel agency. Angie Cowan, 60, was five when she attended first grade under Temple in 1965. She remembers Temple filling in for another first grade teacher who was on maternity leave. “She was nice, she was not loud, she wasn’t mean,” said Cowan, who now is

an investigative specialist for Adult Protective Services for the state of Tennessee. Temple’s soft-spoken character also still resonates with Linda Earl, who offered some light-hearted deductive reasoning about Temple’s effectiveness as a teacher. “My child was a straight-A student, so I must have learned something from somebody,” Earl said with a laugh. Daphne Truitt, the administrative director of nursing at Methodist Hospital Germantown, was in the first grade at Norris Elementary in 1970. “I truly looked up to her because she cared about the students and she instilled confidence in our young minds,” Truitt said.” She encouraged us to dream big about our future.” Truitt said Temple would have her students come to her house for a party when they did particularly well on a task. Temple had no crystal ball to tell her the destiny of children in the first grade. She simply was wed to the idea of putting forth her best effort for each student. “I had no idea, just doing my job as best I could,” she said. “I always wanted to be a teacher from when I was a little girl.”

Wellpath LLC is suing Shelby County for $100 million for rescinding a contract agreement to provide healthcare services for adult and youth inmates and detainees in county jails. The lawsuit alleges the county pulled out of the deal after a competitor, Corizon Health, sent a letter to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on August 11. It asserts that the county dropped Wellpath the next day, even though Wellpath had previously come to an understanding on a new contract with the commission on August 7. “Wellpath absolutely does not believe that the timing of Corizon’s letter and the County’s recision of the award to Wellpath was coincidental,” said Clarence Wilbon, attorney for the Nashville-based provider, in a statement. “This holds especially true given that Corizon also contacted some Wellpath employees seeking to meet with them in advance of Corizon’s purported takeover from Wellpath.” Corizon promised to spend $40 million over five years with 15 minority- or women-owned businesses. Howver, Wellpath claims that the awarding of those contracts would be improper because some of them have family members, business associates and others with connections to the Commission. “Corizon is confident that our proposed working relationships with community partners who are successful Shelby County business leaders and employers in good standing with the Shelby County EOC (Equal Opportunity Compliance) will be appropriate and valuable elements of our ongoing service to the county,” said Corizon in a statement. The Shelby County Attorney’s Office declined comment on pending litigation. Shelby County has spent $146.1 million contracting with Wellpath since 2013. The most recent contract expired on June 30, 2018. With no contract, the county awarded the provider a series of extensions. A sixth extension was negotiated in May. “Corizon lost the business 14 years ago, due to lack of performance. Now, since they weren’t able to win the business on the strength of their capabilities or their proposal, they’re trying to buy Shelby County’s business,” said Wilbon.

The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 9

COMMUNITY LENS & LINES

Billion-dollar national initiative joins local community development efforts by John Semien

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a national, non-profit community development group, has chosen to locate its 36th program office in Memphis. The $22-billion social enterprise, the largest in the nation, will look to expand affordable housing, businesses and jobs across the city. Kathy Moore Cowan, a longtime local community leader, will spearhead the effort as executive director of the group. On Tuesday, Cowan, who was working from home because of the novel coronavirus, said she is looking for office space and will probably hire three or four staff members. Cowan said her job will be to bring the right foundations, business leaders, bankers and community leaders together to solve challenges such as affordable housing and sustainable neighborhoods. “A lot depends on the local needs here in Memphis,” Cowan said. “We will be leveraging national dollars and local dollars and working with local partners for positive change.” Cowan has spent more than 20 years driving high-impact community investment activity. She most recently was vice president /community development manager for Regions Bank. In that position she oversaw mission-driven partnerships and investments in Memphis. Prior to that, she served as a senior communi-

ty development specialist at the Memphis branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Neighborhood investment has been a longtime goal for Cowan. She has also Kathy Moore Cowan served as president/CEO of The Works, a nonprofit community development corporation serving South Memphis. She was also a planner with the Jefferson County, KY., Department of Planning and Environmental Management in Louisville. Cowan said she loves Memphis. “I love its rich history and culture. I love its talent and energy. I love its people.” To have an opportunity to bring a collaborative initiative to Memphis, a city where she went to college and lived much of her adult life, is special, said Cowan. “It feels good because I live here in the city,” she said. “I’m going to get all the good out of it for Memphis that I can.” Beverly Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, said she looks forward to working with the new group. “I think it will be an incredible addition for the non-profit landscape in this community,” Robertson said.

Joe “Poppa Joe” got the royal treatment for his 89th birthday.

‘Poppa Joe’ turns 89 Joe Lipford – affectionately called “Poppa Joe” – was surprised by his children, Stanley and Veleska Lipford, with an 89th Birthday Caravan this past Saturday (Sept. 26). As the patriarch of his family, “Poppa Joe” is used to memorable celebrations of his birthday. However, none of the previous get-togethers had to contend with a pandemic. The challenges of COVID-19 notwithstanding, Poppa Joe’s family decided the show had to go on, albeit with significantly different touches. Lipford has been a resident of Walker Homes since 1953. This year his birthday celebration was held outside his home, with a caravan of well-wishers delivering greetings. The Caravan featured the presence of the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff Department. Said Poppa Joe: “It was the best one yet!” (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

These law enforcement officers were a welcomed presence.

As usual, Joe Lipford’s birthday was cause for a family celebration.

BUILD BACK BETTER

JOBS AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY AGENDA Joe Biden believes we cannot build back better without a major mobilization of effort and resources to advance racial equity across the American economy Ensure all small business relief efforts are specifically designed to aid businesses owned by Black and Brown people. Spur more than $150 billion in additional public-private venture capital and non-profit lending programs to minority-owned small businesses. Reform Opportunity Zones to Fulfill Their Promise. Ensure his housing plan makes bold investments in homeownership and access to affordable housing for minority families. Boost retirement security and financial wealth for minority families.

Visit joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity to learn more PAID FOR BY BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 10

CLASSIFIEDS NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000631 Shelby County Division of Corrections Women’s Building Roof Replacement, 1045 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn. gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above described Sealed Bid. SEALED BID I000631 DUE DATE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2020 AT 2:30 PM (CST) (SB-I000631) SHELBY COUNTY DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS WOMEN’S BUILDING ROOF REPLACEMENT

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m. Classiﬁeds ads Monday 5 p.m. STANDARD RATES: $6.00 per line for 1 column ad. Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com. BEER PERMITS Flat Rate: $35 GENERAL INFORMATION:

Mandatory Site Visit - A site visit to address questions pertaining to the Scope of Services is required for this sealed bid. All interested respondents are required to complete the site visit between October 6, 2020 and October 13, 2020. Contact Mr. Bailey Waits, Division of Corrections, at 901-355-4892 regarding the site visit.

• Go to www.esmsolutions.com • Go to “Vendors” block at top • Click “Register Now” box • Click on “Mercury Commerce Vendor Registration” line • Complete Vendor Registration process • Submit

Please be advised that all vendors are required to wear a face mask/ covering while conducting the site visit located at 1045 Mullins Station Road, W Building, Memphis, TN 38134. Failure to attend the site visit will result in the rejection of your bid, i.e. considered as non-responsive.

If you have any questions about the registration process, contact ESM Solutions at (877) 969-7246. If you have any questions about information contained in the bid documents, contact the Purchasing Department at (901) 222-2250 and ask to speak to the Buyer listed for the bid.

Shelby County is an equal opportunity aﬃrmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

SEALED BID DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 AT 2:30 PM “2021 INTERCEPTORS” SHELBY COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT (SB-I000640) (MC619)

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS In order to participate in the bid listed below for Shelby County Government, you must be registered with our electronic bidding system with Mercury Commerce. County bids are not available by mail or downloaded directly from the County website, unless otherwise indicated in the solicitation invitation. All vendors who wish to bid are required to register with Mercury Commerce Solutions in order to be notiﬁed of on-line bids. There is no charge for registration, and it is easy to use. To register:

This Sealed Bid does not have a LOSB/MWBE participation goal requirement. By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000633 FY2021 Shelby County Asphalt Paving Project, South Section. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn. gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate

Some categories require prepayment. All ads subject to credit approval. The New Tri-State Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Only standard abbreviations accepted. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change. ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call (901) 523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued. THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818.

the name of the above described Sealed Bid. SEALED BID I000633 DUE DATE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2020 AT 2:00 PM CST (SB-I000633) FY 2021 SHELBY COUNTY ASPHALT PAVING PROJECT, SOUTH SECTION All bids will be opened and read via teleconference by Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above. Please use the following information to join the bid opening: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# Voluntary Pre-Bid Meeting – All interested respondents are invited to participate in this meeting via teleconference on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 9:30 am (CST). Please use the following information to join the pre-bid meeting: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000634 FY2021 Shelby County

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SEALED BID I000634 DUE DATE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2020 AT 2:15 PM CST (SB-I000634) FY 2021 SHELBY COUNTY ASPHALT PAVING PROJECT, NORTH SECTION All bids will be opened and read via teleconference by Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above. Please use the following information to join the bid opening: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# Voluntary Pre-Bid Meeting – All interested respondents are invited to participate in this meeting via teleconference on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 9:30 am (CST). Please use the following information to join the pre-bid meeting: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Lucretia T. Clark Tax Parcel #: 03506300000030 Tax Sale #: 1301 Price Offered: $2000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend

a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on November 5, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Lucretia T. Clark Tax Parcel #: 05000300000010 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on November 5, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Mildren Ibebuogu Tax Parcel #: 03201200000160 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $200.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on

November 11, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Mildren Ibebuogu Tax Parcel #: 07310400000340 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $800.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on November 11, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Mildren Ibebuogu Tax Parcel #: B0148000001230 Tax Sale #: 1402 Price Offered: $2100.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on November 11, 2020, to be held

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Asphalt Paving Project, North Section. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn. gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above described Sealed Bid.

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NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK • OCTOBER 4-10

The New Tri-State Defender

October 1 - 7, 2020

Page 11

CLASSIFIEDS in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Willie Smith Tax Parcel #: 0720220E000300 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on October 29, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Willie Smith Tax Parcel #: 0720220E000640 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $4500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on October 29, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Willie Smith Tax Parcel #: 0720220E000580 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on October 22, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Melvin Rice Tax Parcel #: 08202400000040 Tax Sale #: 82.2 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on October 19, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Talecia Herman Tax Parcel #: 05906800000190 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on October 23, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Andre Holmes Tax Parcel #: 04205600000370 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $5000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on November 3, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: M.O.G. Investments, LLC Tax Parcel #: 05003500000050 Tax Sale #: 1203 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on November 2, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: M.O.G. Investments, LLC Tax Parcel #: 05003500000050 Tax Sale #: 1203 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on November 2, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Vicki M. Hall Johnson Tax Parcel #: 03506200000030 Tax Sale #: 603 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of

at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on October 13, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Jerrod Love Tax Parcel #: D0124000000790 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on October 29, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Stacey Maxwell Tax Parcel #: 02604700000090 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on October 29, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Build A Legacy, LLC Tax Parcel #: 02506200000010 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on November 9, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Laurence Carpenter II Tax Parcel #: 04301800000480 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $3000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on October 20, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Laurence Carpenter II Tax Parcel #: 04203300000250 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on October 20, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Lashunda Franklin Gatewood Tax Parcel #: 05900500000220 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $4000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on October 30, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Roman Finch Tax Parcel #: 02106700000180 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $2500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on October 28, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Roman Finch Tax Parcel #: 03509300000330 Tax Sale #: 1501 Price Offered: $4900.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on October 28, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property:

Roman Finch Tax Parcel #: 03509300000110 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $200.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on November 5, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Malcolm Holliday Tax Parcel #: 0770480000052C Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $550.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on October 14, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Stella K. Harris Tax Parcel #: 08201200000160 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on October 16, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Aloine Richmond Tax Parcel #: 07601300000250 Tax Sale #: 803 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on October 19, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Aloine Richmond Tax Parcel #: 01302000000030 Tax Sale #: 1304 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on October 19, 2020, to be held in

the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Aloine Richmond Tax Parcel #: 0130200000050 Tax Sale #: 601 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on October 19, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Vicki M. Hall Johnson Tax Parcel #: 03502200000030 Tax Sale #: 903 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on October 13, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Vicki M. Hall Johnson Tax Parcel #: 03508000000110 Tax Sale #: 901 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on October 13, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Vicki M. Hall Johnson Tax Parcel #: 03501700000040 Tax Sale #: 1004 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on October 13, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, October 1 - 7, 2020, Page 12

Virus outbreak pushes SteelersTitans to Monday or Tuesday

A double-digit scorer and rebound threat, Landers Nolley II is set to apply his talents for the University of Memphis Tigers. (Photo: gotigersgo.com)

Landers Nolley II primed to ‘get me back to the old me’ with the Tigers

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Landers Nolley II is not worried about the pressure of being the go-to person this season for the University of Memphis Tigers. A transfer student from Virginia Tech, Nolley has received a waiver from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which made him eligible to play for Memphis in the upcoming season. The basketball standout averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season with the Hokies. The thought of having to sit out a season weighed heavily on him. He was forced to sit out his freshman year at Virginia Tech as the NCAA looked into his academic eligibility. “Everyday my thought process was horrible,” said Nolley, who said he actually considered the possibility of turning pro. “I did not think I was going to see the court until the day I actually got the news. I was thinking the worst. I did not want to sit out another year.”

His time in Memphis so far has been fun, on and off the court. “I’ve had an amazing time getting better in every aspect of my life,” Nolley said. “I am taking it as a challenge, and I am loving it.” Nolley has been active Landers on social media, where Nolley II critics from time to time take aim at him “This past year at Virginia Tech, there was stuff I just let slide under the radar. A lot of stuff that was said about my game or as me as an individual, I do not have to take that role anymore and just letting them run over me. It is going to be different this year,” he said. “I love the way they (Memphis) have been using me and trying to get me back to the old me; playing on the wing and being a guard. I am focusing on getting my footwork better.”

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway had tapped Nolley and DJ Jeffries as his go-to players even before the NCAA cleared Nolley. “If he feels that way about me, I am going to just work even harder,” Nolley said. Memphis’ basketball schedule has not been released as the team awaits the latest news from the American Athletic Conference. The NCAA pushed back the start of the 2020-21 basketball season from November 10 until November 25 because of COVID-19 concerns. The Tigers’ first game of the season might take place in Sioux Falls, SD, this year’s site for the popular Battle 4 Atlantis. Normally, the tournament is held Thanksgiving week at the Imperial Arena at Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Duke University was scheduled to be a part of that event but the school decided not to participate. Ohio State, Texas A&M and West Virginia are some other teams that were scheduled to take part in the tournament.

Tigers ready to play SMU after COVID-19 delay by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The University of Memphis football team has started practices again after having to put the football season on hold due to a number of Covid-19 cases. The Tigers defeated the Arkansas State University Red Wolves in the season opener September 5 but halted all football operations a few days later. Memphis then had to postpone its game against the Houston Cougars and cancel its game at the University of Texas at San Antonio. On Saturday, the Tigers are scheduled to face Southern Methodist University in Dallas. It will be the first conference game of the season for both schools. Last year when the two teams faced off, the matchup was featured on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Liberty

The Tigers had plenty of moments to celebrate in the season opener against Arkansas State. (Photo: gotigersgo.com) Bowl Memorial Stadium was sold out as the Tigers defeated SMU 5448, handing the Mustangs their first loss of the season. SMU quarterback Shane Buchelle, who threw for 456 yards and four touchdowns in the defeat, will be looking to make up for the loss on Saturday. Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield is ready to play another game instead of having to answer questions

about the team’s recovery. “We line up every week regardless of who our opponent is. Hopefully, we have a sense of urgency,” he said. “This past month has been quite different. I think our guys are just ready to get back out there and play.” Throughout the week of preparation, the Tigers have been very cheerful, even willing to chat up the media. “It’s exciting and something to look forward to… to get back to what

you were expected to do all season,” said Memphis quarterback Brady White. Despite the interruptions to the season, White does not see the timing and offense being an issue. The team did not have a spring practice and the offense still played well against Arkansas State in the season opener. Memphis and SMU will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN2.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans have at least one more day to see if the team’s coronavirus outbreak is under control before their game with the Steelers is rescheduled for Monday or Tuesday. Only one new positive test result came back Wednesday, a day after the Titans had three players and five team personnel test positive for COVID-19. More daily test results are upcoming. The league announced the postponement from Sunday afternoon on Wednesday. The Titans hope to be allowed back inside their facility Saturday, though coach Mike Vrabel said that could happen before then or later. The Titans are preparing to play as early as Monday. Vrabel said he’s confident the NFL will allow them some time to practice before the game. “We’ve worked on short weeks before,” Vrabel said. “We’ve played three games in 13 days. I’m sure the other teams that we played before had a few extra days of practice. And so it’ll be important that the time that we do get to spend practicing, we take advantage of it.” Outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was the first to test positive, with the Titans learning Saturday of his results. He didn’t make the trip to Minnesota, where Tennessee won 31-30. On Tuesday, the Titans placed three players on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, including key players defensive captain and lineman DaQuan Jones and long snapper Beau Brinkley. Outside linebacker Kamalei Correa became the fourth on that list Wednesday. Vrabel is not identifying the five other personnel who tested positive, saying only that he was not among that group. The Titans coach said some of those who tested positive are experiencing “flulike symptoms” and he expects they will feel better shortly. The league’s infectious disease experts have been helping the Titans and the Vikings track down anyone in contact with those who tested positive. The Vikings had no positive test results Wednesday and were preparing to reopen their building Thursday, with a game Sunday at Houston. The Titans also have evaluated all of the protocols and how they’ve handled meetings and social distancing. Vrabel said he and general manager Jon Robinson already had taken steps Monday to severely limit who had access to the team’s headquarters this week before the NFL decision to close the building. “We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make the players safe and that this doesn’t happen again,” Vrabel said. Now the Titans must prepare virtually until they can hit the practice field for a game against the Steelers pitting two of the NFL’s seven undefeated teams. Vrabel said they held a team meeting virtually Wednesday morning and he showed the Titans video of Pittsburgh. Players had meetings with their position coaches — all through video conference calls. Safety Kevin Byard said more positives remain a possibility, with the virus sometimes showing up days after exposure. In the meantime, it’s up to individual players being professionals and finding a way to make up for missed practices.