Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Frayser principal earned his doctorate while leading a school

And check out Wheel Of Fortune Live! on the Memphis Patch calendar

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Hello again Memphis! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Frayser principal earned his doctorate while leading a school
  • What we know about the overnight North Memphis club shooting
  • Memphis mourns beloved Beale Street flipper killed in Soulsville shooting

Also on today's calendar: Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Very cold; breezy in the a.m., with a high of 29 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Monday: Sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 41, low: 30.
  • Tuesday: Rather cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Longtime teacher, principal, among University of Memphis fall 2025 graduates (commercialappeal.com) — A longtime Memphis-Shelby County Schools educator just earned his doctorate from the University of Memphis while continuing to lead Grandview Heights Middle in Frayser. Deartis Barber, a lifelong Memphian, has spent decades improving middle schools across the city and used his dissertation to challenge how Tennessee’s accountability system treats high‑need schools.
   

2. Two injured after shooting at North Memphis club (localmemphis.com) — Two people are in critical condition after an early-morning shooting at the One Block North club in North Memphis, where police found one woman shot twice in the back and another victim later arrived at Regional One. Memphis Police are still searching for a suspect described as about 5'4" and wearing a red or blue sweatshirt.
   

3. Memphis mourns loss of Beale Street Flipper (wreg.com) — Memphis is grieving the killing of longtime Beale Street flipper Twon Todd, a performer who entertained locals and tourists downtown for more than 30 years. Police say he was fatally shot Friday evening in Soulsville and have not yet announced a suspect or motive, while coworkers and residents remember his impact on Beale Street’s culture.
   

4. What was happening in Memphis history on Dec. 13? A look back through the years (commercialappeal.com) — From high school basketball battles between White Station and MUS to a Memphis chemists’ Christmas party at the Claridge, this retrospective revisits Dec. 13 moments rooted in Memphis life. It also highlights civic and cultural gatherings like the Memphis Women’s Club honoring a visiting lecturer, offering a nostalgic look at how Memphians spent the season decades ago.
   

📸 Around Memphis

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Does this puppy belong to anyone?
    I’ve called Memphis animal services please message if this is your puppy. (Nextdoor Nutbush South)
  • UPDATE: On E Dearing Rd.
    POSSIBLE ANIMAL CRUELTY IN COLONIAL ACRES: My elderly neighbors cat went missing for a few days, showed up this week crying at her door with some… (Nextdoor Colonial Acres)
  • JBS USA Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for QA SUPERVISOR (Resume Required) in Memphis. Apply here.
  • Arvato Bertelsmann posted a job opening for Quality Control Specialist 2nd shift in Memphis. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Memphis here.

Ok Memphis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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