News

Retired police captain with communication disorder thrown out of bar

Friday, March 22nd, 2013, 2:21pm

Retired police captain with communication disorder thrown out of bar

A retired Germantown police captain with a communication disorder was thrown out of a Midtown bar after the bartender thought he was intoxicated.

According to the Memphis police report, officers responded to a mental consumer call Friday at Jack MaGoo's Bar on Broad Avenue.

Bar security told officers that the patron, Brian Roper, caused a disturbance and the bartender asked him to leave. Roper refused to talk to the bartender and was physically removed from the bar, according to the report.

An officer found Roper sitting on the ground outside of the bar where he presented a card stating he is diagnosed with aphasia. Aphasia is a disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language.

Using gestures and a notepad, the officer was able to determine that Roper went into the bar to have a drink, but was not served because the bartender could not understand his order.

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51-year-old hippo dies at Memphis Zoo

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, March 18th, 2013, 10:35am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The Memphis Zoo is mourning the loss of Julie the hippopotamus. The 51-year-old hippo was euthanized Saturday after zoo keepers noticed her health dramatically decline over the past month.

Julie the hippopotamus was born at the Memphis Zoo in July 1961. In her 51 years, she had 10 calves, including a set of twins who became well known around Memphis as "Splish" and "Splash".

"Julie was able to take care of herself," said Memphis Zoo Assistant Curator Houston Winbigler. "She never tolerated too much roughness from her mate. She was, indeed, a remarkable mother and took admirable care of all of her babies including the twins, Splish and Splash."

Several of Julie's caretakers at the zoo are sad to learn of her passing.

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Permission granted to “KICK BUTTS”!

Submitted by Jerica Phillips, JCFN Social Marketing Coordinator

Monday, March 18th, 2013, 9:39am

The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD), in collaboration with other local organizations, will encourage youth to take a stand against big tobacco companies and educate their peers about the importance of not smoking on Kick Butts Day, Wednesday, March 20.

Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism which empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against big tobacco companies. Health officials want to raise awareness of the tobacco problem, encourage youth to stay tobacco-free and urge strong action to protect kids from tobacco.

Representatives from the health department will be at the following locations on Wednesday, March 20, to distribute information and tips on smoking cessation:

• Benjamin Hooks Library
3030 Poplar Ave.
10 a.m. to noon

• University of Memphis-University Center
499 University
1 p.m.

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Car flips in accident, sends child to hospital

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Sunday, March 17th, 2013, 7:20pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A child is in critical condition Sunday after being involved in a car accident where the vehicle had flipped.

Police responded to North Parkway near Claybrook Street and Bellevue Boulevard around 5 p.m. The police report revealed two adults were in the vehicle with the child. The driver of the car struck a tree which caused the vehicle to flip.

According to police, the child, between the ages of seven and nine, was transported to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in critical condition.

The two adults are in non-critical condition.

Check back with WMCTV.COM, this story will be updated with more information as it is received.

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Landlord gets beating after kicking out tenants

Submitted by Nick Kenney, Reporter

Friday, March 15th, 2013, 6:18pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Neighbors said the landlord took a vicious and senseless beating that left him in bad shape from two tenants who did not take kindly to getting kicked out of the house.

At Jackson Avenue and Bingham Street, a "For Rent" sign may soon get some company on the utility pole with the impending availability of this a bedroom, one bathroom house.

"I just heard about it this morning, that something went on up there," said resident Boushe Houston.

Movers loaded the truck and emptied the house with two Memphis Police officers standing guard.

Thursday, the owners showed up to evict the tenants which resulted in an attack. One of the owners was beaten with bricks, baseball bats, and metal pipes until his face and eyes were swollen, his head, nose, and mouth bloody.

Paramedics rushed him to The MED in critical condition. He has been treated and released from the hospital since then.

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Bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores killed in committee

Submitted by Jason Miles, Reporter

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, 3:57pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The Tennessee House committee killed a bill Tuesday that would have loosened restrictions on selling wine in supermarkets.

Roy Patterson and his employees at Kimbrough Wine and Spirits are pleased that the bill aimed at possibly allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets appears to be dead for at least another year.

It failed by a single vote in a House committee after members of the panel refused to grant the bill's sponsor a delay to negotiate a final version.

If passed, the legislation would have allowed local referendums on the issue.

"This has been going on for 10 years I'd say and they can't seem to get it together, so I'm hoping this will be it for a while," said Marina Pakis, Kimbrough Wine and Spirits.

Liquor store owners and employees fear larger retailers would not hire extra people or experts if wine began selling in grocery stores.

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Midtown tattoo artist suffers serious motorcycle injuries, community comes together to help

Submitted by Anna Marie Hartman, Anchor/Reporter

Saturday, March 9th, 2013, 4:05pm

MEMPHIS, TN - (WMC-TV) – A Memphis tattoo artist left beaten, scarred and bruised is getting some much needed help from the community.

It was a busy Friday night at No Regrets Tattoo Emporium, but one of their star artists is missing. Joe Stamp is the father of one- year-old twin girls. In the tattoo industry he's known for his diverse designs.

But the 36-year-old artist has been at the Med since a devastating motorcycle accident Monday.

Shop owner Michael Crites says Stamp was on Southern Ave at dusk when he collided with a driver who didn't see him. There are multiple fractures to his spine, and he may lose part of his leg.

"You know, he's in a great deal of pain," Crites said. "The ankle, that's mainly the problem. His ankle was basically crushed between the bike and the car."

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