money The 901: Memphis neighborhoods that have seen largest home price increase
Good morning, Memphis, where the Grizzlies hope to make a comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in Game 2 of the playoff series, and one player vows to be better despite setting a Grizzlies’ single-game playoff record.
But, first, most Memphis neighborhoods’ home values rose in 2021 due to more competition among interested buyers and out-of-town investors along with less housing inventory, our Omer Yusuf reports in his story for subscribers.
The trend continues particularly in neighborhoods like Whitehaven and South Memphis that started from a lower median home sales value price point.
Several Memphis neighborhoods are outpacing their homes sale value increases from last year in 2022, and that’s reflected countywide.
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Shelby County remain in good place as COVID-19 cases increase elsewhere
National news outlets have been persistent in declaring that the United States is headed toward another surge in COVID-19 cases based on the moderate increase in the Northeastern part of the country.
However, cases in Shelby County have remained stable, our Micaela Watts reports.
Dr. Manoj Jain, an infectious disease expert and a key advisor in the local pandemic response, remains optimistic for Shelby County, even omicron's sublineage continues to produce new variants.
"We're in a really good position, we're not seeing any increases or surges unlike the Northeast, where there have been moderate rises," Jain said.
Bill penalizing homelessness passes Tennessee legislature
Tennessee Republican lawmakers passed legislation to make camping on public property a misdemeanor crime, which critics say effectively criminalizes homelessness, our Adam Friedman, Arcelia Martin and Melissa Brown report.
Under HB978, if a person camps on the shoulder, right-of-way, bridge, overpass or underpass of a state or interstate highway, they could face a misdemeanor offense and a $50 fine or community service requirement.
Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, said he experienced homelessness multiple times as a child and criticized the legislation, calling for a more "compassionate" approach.
"Thank God this law wasn't in place where I was living," Parkinson said. "Those are individual stories out there, individual situations, and to criminalize individuals who are in those situations is just a terrible, terrible idea. It's not representative of the values of our state, the values of our people here in Tennessee."
Death row inmate Michael Rimmer’s execution delayed
The execution of Michael Rimmer, the convicted killer whose case has been the subject of years of trials and appeals in Memphis and at the state level, has been delayed, our Daniel Connolly reports.
Rimmer had been scheduled to die on May 10. But the Tennessee Department of Correction said the execution had been called off for now. "Mr. Rimmer has received a stay," department representative Dorinda Carter wrote in an email.
It wasn't immediately clear what had led to the stay of execution. Rimmer's attorney had recently filed a fresh petition for post-conviction relief.
Grizzlies’ Jaron Jackson Jr. vows to be better in Game 2
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. knew his play wasn’t ip to standard in Game 1 against against the Minnesota Timberwolves, so he texted teammate Ja Morant saying, “I got you,” letting him know he’ll be better, our Damichael Cole reports.
"I know what he's capable of," Morant said. "It's Jaren. We've talked about him all year with what he does on the floor for us and how special he is."
Jackson had 12 points and four rebounds on 4-for-13 shooting. He played 24 minutes due to foul trouble and was tied for the team-worst -16 plus-minus rating. He did set the Grizzlies' single-game playoffs blocks record, but hasn't meant much to him ahead of Game 2 at FedExForum.
The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Why Memphis neighborhoods' home prices are increasing
