#MEMLUV hashtag supports Southwest Airlines

Submitted by Kym Clark on Tuesday, June 18th, 3:51 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The Memphis Chamber of Commerce wants Mid-Southerners to show some "MEMLUV" to Southwest Airlines.

The hashtag #MEMLUV took off Tuesday as part of the chamber's promotion for the soon to arrive airline at the Memphis International Airport.

"What we've been doing is working on a specific chamber promotion surrounding getting more people to sign up on their frequent flyer program which is the Southwest rapid rewards program. And what that does is, it signals to Southwest how much support there is out there for them in the zip code ranges around the Memphis airport," said Memphis Chamber President John Moore.

The Memphis Chamber's promotion is a sort of birthday gift on Southwest's 42nd birthday.

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One firefighter injured in house fire

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 10:04pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - One firefighter was injured after a Memphis family's home went up in flames Monday night.

A Whitehaven home, near Hester Road and Lexie Drive, caught fire around 8 p.m.

The injured firefighter was transported with a hand injury. He is in stable condition.

Investigators said the fire was started by a faulty water heater in the garage.

The family had just left for Wal-Mart and was not home at the time of the fire. The Red Cross is providing assistance for the family.

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Cohen asks airline executives to expand services to Memphis

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Monday, June 17th, 10:00 pm

Congressman Cohen's letter asked the newly merged airline to expand its services to Memphis – citing Delta's absence, and a chance to join a newly competitive market.

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - If one Memphis congressman gets his way, it could mean more flights for Memphis – creating more competition and better prices for everyone.

In a letter to US Airways and American Airline executives Monday, congressman Cohen asked them to consider their presence in Memphis. This comes after Delta announced major cutbacks at the airport. While this is only a letter, it is getting a good reaction from travelers.

"When we left Memphis there was a thunderstorm. So we were delayed getting to Atlanta to our connecting flight. And there were very few flights, so we actually got delayed," said traveler Robin Christensen returning home from Spain.

The journey was not easy. Christensen and other travelers wound up in Paris instead of Spain because Memphis did not have enough available flights.

Airport Officials said this is just one of the many reasons they support Congressman Steve Cohen's outreach to other airlines.

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Driver falls asleep at wheel in DUI crash, kills woman

Submitted by Kelsey Jacobson, Digital Content Director / WMCTV.COM

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 9:34pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A man is charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence after falling asleep at the wheel on the way home from a club. The crash killed one woman.

Police identified the victim of a deadly DUI crash as 42-year-old Angela McGhee.

At Elvis Presley Boulevard and Raines Road, orange spray paint and the letters "P O I" mark the spot where police said McGhee died around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Justin Click is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI.

Investigators said he told them he had just left Club 152 on Beale Street and was headed home. According to an affidavit of complaint, he claimed to have had a couple of drinks earlier – but he was not drunk.

Still police said Click told them he knew he was at fault in the crash because he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

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Leaders call for audit after money missing from high school

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 2:49pm

Leaders call for audit after money missing from high school

School district leaders called for an audit after reports that thousands in cash could be missing from a Memphis high school.

Melrose High School boosters are working with the school district to figure out exactly how much is missing and who took it.

This came to light after Melrose PTSA members expressed concerns about unaccounted for concession stand profits.

There are also concerns about a $10,000 reimbursement for a basketball tournament in east Tennessee.

Melrose Booster, and retired Memphis Police captain, Claudette Boyd believes there's a lack of checks and balances at the school. She is relieved the district has agreed to conduct an audit

"We're trying to do the right thing, maintain the integrity of the school, and do what's best for Melrose High School," she said.

The district audit could wrap up as soon as next week. After that, Melrose school leaders would have seven days to respond.

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Two teens injured in ongoing string of violence at apartment complex

Submitted by Nick Kenney, Reporter

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 6:02pm

On Finley Road in Whitehaven, Edmund Willie Horne holds onto his grandchildren – especially across the street from the Peppertree Apartments

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Memphis police are investigating an overnight shooting at a Whitehaven apartment complex leaving two teens critically injured.

The place is gated, and there is security that runs off media as soon as a truck pulls on property. But neighbors want to know why the complex cannot keep out the violence.

On Finley Road in Whitehaven, Edmund Willie Horne holds onto his grandchildren – especially across the street from the Peppertree Apartments

"Because I'm gonna tell you, that's the craziest place in the world over there," he said. "I'm scared to have these kids out here because you don't know when they're gonna shoot somebody."

His house had one bullet whizz through already.

Two teens shot in the complex Thursday night are the latest victims in an ongoing string of violence.

By e-mail, a Memphis Police Department spokeswoman said:

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District reinstates 37 Pre-K classrooms for 2013-14

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, June 10th, 2013, 9:41pm

Thirty-seven prekindergarten classrooms have been reinstated for the 2013-14 school year to boost the number of 4-year-olds the unified district can accommodate this fall. The district reopened 12 classrooms at school sites and 25 at community partner centers, allowing it to now serve a capacity of 3,380 Pre-K children. Since space is limited and the timeframe to enroll is brief, parents across Memphis and Shelby County are strongly urged to apply now during Phase II of the enrollment process, June 11 – 27.

The Pre-K program is a proven school-readiness initiative helping children to be adequately prepared for kindergarten. Priority is given to families meeting low income guidelines.

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