Two arrested for not testifying in court

Submitted by Nick Kenney, Reporter

Thursday, February 21st, 2013, 6:48pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A judge has ordered two reluctant witnesses to a gang related killing to be arrested.

This is one of several high-profile murder cases that generated a lot of debate about teenagers with guns.

Mayor A C Wharton, you might remember, showed up on the scene.

Last September, Devail Lewis was shot and killed near the outdoor basketball court at Westwood Community Center.

He was only 18 and left behind a 7-month-old son.

Prosecutors said the murder was gang-related. Also, they said that Lewis was not the intended target, but that whoever was sitting next to him was meant to be hit.

18-year-old Darnavius Wayne is charged with murder. He, too, was only 17 years old back in September.

At a hearing yesterday in juvenile court, prosecutors told the judge that two key witnesses are afraid to testify.

The judge ordered them be arrested and held in custody until they take the stand.

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Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis nominates "Youth of the Year"

Submitted by Michael Phillips

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, 3:27pm

Memphis area teens in the Boys and Girls Clubs competing for "Youth of the Year."

The competition showcases five exemplary students from each branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

The winner will represent Memphis at the state competition.

The Memphis area competition will be held at the Peabody Hotel

This year's Memphis contestants are listed below.

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Judge Otis Higgs remembered by family, friends

Submitted by Ben Watson, Reporter

Sunday, February 17th, 2013, 11:18pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Funeral arrangements for Memphis icon and public servant Judge Otis Higgs should be finalized Monday.

Judge Higgs passed away Friday, after a sudden illness. He was 75 years old when he died.

According to his brother Tony James, Higgs began feeling ill after court recessed Friday.

"From what I understand he came home, stated that he wasn't feeling well, and he passed out," said James.

Relatives said Higgs' wife called 911, and rushed the judge to the hospital where he died hours later.

It was a shock that was felt throughout the Mid-South.

During his life time Otis Higgs touched a lot of people through his work in the legal system and as a minister.

Higgs' other roles included being appointed interim sheriff back in the 1990s when the current sheriff committed suicide.

"He's a servant, and being a servant that's what you do," said James.

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Memphis Bishop stunned by Papal Resignation

Submitted by Joe Birch, Anchor

Sunday, February 17th, 2013, 9:47pm

Memphis Bishop stunned by Papal Resignation

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis celebrates twenty years of service as leader of his flock in the twenty one counties of West Tennessee in 2013.

The last thing Bishop J. Terry Steib expected in his twentieth year was the retirement of his boss at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI.

"My initial reaction was really one of disbelief," Steib said. "I heard it on the radio and I said that must be some mistake here. Let me hear some more, you know?"

But it was no error. Benedict became the first Pope to announce his resignation in more than six centuries.

"I knew that he had talked about it and when we had done our Ad Limina in Rome, " the Memphis Bishop said.

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100-year-old COGIC bishop dies

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Thursday, February 14th, 2013, 5:56pm

Bishop Albert E. Reed, the longest living bishop in the Church Of God In Christ, died in Memphis on Monday at the age of 100.

He was ordained and consecrated byCOGIC founder Bishop Charles Mason in 1948.

Reed was a lifelong member of Temple of Deliverance in Memphis.

He lives behind his wife and their three children.

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Memphis launches citywide battle against HIV/AIDS

Submitted by Michael Addison on Thursday, February 14th, 10:10 am

Dozens of Memphis-area businesses, agencies, and churches are joining forces to launch a citywide initiative to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community.

To accomplish such a tall task, the businesses and churches will provide free condoms for the public during regular business hours.

SisterReach is one of the participating agencies.

"Offering multiple location opportunities for individuals to receive barrier methods of contraception is essential to combating the epidemic of HIV transmission in our city," said SisterReach Founder and CEO Cherisse Scott.

You can find a list of all the locations that will provide condoms here.

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Valentine's Day competition calls hospitals to sign up organ donors

Submitted by Jenn Allmon, News Producer

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, 12:46pm

Hospitals across the Memphis area are competing in the second annual 'Show Me Your Heart' Competition on Valentine's Day.

The Mid-South Transplant Foundation is sponsoring the competition where 14 hospitals compete to sign up people to the organ donor registry, and see how many hospital staff members and visitors are currently registered donors.

The hospital with the most registered donors and the hospital who registers the most new donors that day will each receive trophies from Mid-South Transplant Foundation.

A booth will be set up in each hospital in the lobby or cafeteria. MSTF staff members and volunteers will be at the booth to answer any questions. They will also offer a heart shaped candy to all who show their heart or organ donor on their driver’s license or register as an organ and tissue donor during the event that day.

Here's this list of participating hospitals:

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