Top Stories Memphis

• Meth sweep by Memphis Police nets 10 arrests.
• The 10 people arrested were indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury on meth manufacturing charges.
• Police are still looking for 7 other people included in the indictment.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG-TV) – Several people are behind bars, following a meth sweep by the Memphis Police Department.

The department’s Organized Crime Unit, along with the Blue C.R.U.S.H.™ initiative conducted the investigation, beginning back in July 2009. Police director Larry Godwin says it’s all part of his efforts to get rid of meth in the city of Memphis.

On Thursday, 17 people were indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury on meth manufacturing charges. On Friday, police were able to capture 10 of the 17 people: Judy Little, Frederick Beinkampen, Sharon Perry, Loretta O’Brien, Barbara Boaz., Joshua Carrier, Nadia Larry, Maria Pearman, Tomi Mills and David Archer.

Police say many of those arrested remain in jail on bonds ranging from $10,000 to $75,000.

• Dogs Rescued From Tunica County Trailer Ready For Adoption
• Over 30 Dogs Rescued
• Half Have Found New Homes

danya.bacchus@wreg.com

(Oxford, MS 01/14/2010) Nearly three dozen dogs are being cared for, after they survived a fire at a Tunica County trailer on Monday. Two dogs were killed and the remains of eight others were found nearby.

The Tunica County Humane Society says the home was a puppy mill and just yesterday, Stacy Moore, the owner, was charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty.

Today, most of the dogs are being cared for at the Oxford Animal shelter. There were too many dogs for Tunica’s animal shelter so they were taken to Oxford where we’re told they’re doing just fine.

“We went over there thinking the dogs were burned. They were not burned. They just ended up being malnourished, some had a few skin issues. Besides, that is treatable and they’re ready to go,” said Whitney Hines with the Oxford Animal Shelter.

A three-year old west highland terrier mix has been named Lily by shelter workers. She is one of the dogs that was rescued and is now looking for a home. Hines says they have received numerous calls about adopting the dogs and hopes they will all have a new place to live soon.

“We actually already adopted half of the dogs we got in and its only day 3. So we’re doing very well. Applications are coming in online and at the shelter,” said Hines.

If you’re interested in adopting a dog you can call 662-236-7631.

• Hundreds Celebrate Life of Willie Mitchell
• Public Memorial At Hope Presbyterian
• Grammy Award Winning Producer and Musician

danya.bacchus@wreg.com


(Cordova, TN 01/13/2010) Hundreds of people came to Hope Presbyterian church to celebrate the life of musician and producer Willie Mitchell.

Best known as the man responsible for giving Al Green his biggest hits, Mitchell’s impact went beyond music.

“The first 100 I made it was because of him,” said former club owner Mason Reltherford. Reltherford met Mitchell in the early 1970’s. He says Mitchell’s band would perform at his club and so would Mitchell’s artist.

“He let me use his band out there for about five years and I told him I didn’t have a PA system. He told me well, I got one you can use. So he let me use that. That’s how I got my start,” said Reltherford.

Mitchell’s long career allowed him to work with people like Ann Peeples, Ike and Tina Turner and John Mayer. His love of music, created a sense of togetherness.

“He was one of the people in this town that helped create a spirit where we were not competitors, we were working together to help each other,” said Al Bell, chairman of the Memphis Music Foundation and former head of Stax Records.

February 2008, Mr. Mitchell was honored at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with a Trustee’s Award, recognizing a lifetime of achievements in the music industry.

Mitchell was 81-years-old.

• Woman in her early 60s found dead in her home
• Police call death ’suspicious’
• Neighbors say she had money troubles

(Southaven, MS 1/7/2010) The yellow crime tape stunned neighbors just as much as the freezing temperatures.

Folks at the 400 block of Pear Cove are left wondering what happened to the woman who lived here.

“It broke my heart,” said Kimberly Hall. “She was a very sweet lady.”

Hall often talked to her neighbor while she was in her yard playing with her two dogs. Last week was the last time she saw her.

“She was retired, she had a lot of heart problems,” said Hall.

She thought maybe she was back in the hospital, but says, “I saw that they put the crime tape up and saw them take a body out and assumed it was her.”

Police haven’t released the woman’s name yet, but they are calling her death suspicious.

Hall says besides health problems, her neighbor also had money troubles. To pay her mortgage she even took on a roommate.

“It was a man in his thirties,” she said. “We’ve seen him in and out of there since he moved out.”

Thursday night police hauled away evidence and continued to comb through the house for clues.

Neighbor Mike Bernadini says this is the most activity he’s seen around here since he moved in 16 years ago.

“Totally dumbfounded, this is a quiet neighborhood. Hardly anything goes on here,” he said.

Neighbors also tell WREG they noticed the woman’s car leave the house Sunday, but they weren’t sure who was behind the wheel.

Stay tuned to WREG for the latest developments.