News

Family, fans root for Memphis 'The Voice' contestant

Submitted by Lindsey Brown on Sunday, April 21st, 10:42 pm

(WMC-TV) - Memphis has a voice and contestant Grace Askew is gaining fans across the country.

Grace has made it through the first battle round with her parents rooting her on as she sing on national television.

"It's phenomenal. We are in total shock. We really are," said mother Becky Askew.

Grace has the whole package. A sultry voice and show stealing looks, but when her parents watch her they see so much more.

Becky said it all started when Grace was 13-years-old asking for a guitar.

"It's a scary idea but as a parent you want your children to follow their dreams and I would say we were in that mode. We wanted Grace to follow this dream she had as a musician," said father Mark Askew. "Grace has made some phenomenal connections there and some great friends in the other contestants, and the people on "The Voice' are so encouraging and nurturing."

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March shows desire for student voice in school merger

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Saturday, April 20th, 2013, 7:44pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - As tensions flair in the Memphis and Shelby County school merger fight, students are now letting their voices be heard. More than 1,000 marchers joined Saturday's Student Responsibility March.

Many students were seen wearing "I Am the Future" T-shirts and boldly displayed their schools' banners as they showed their desire to be an active part of their education.

"We each have our own place in history, but it's our job to make our own and pave the way for others," said Westwood High School student Martavius Donton.

In the march, the National Civil Rights Museum organized a 1.5 mile stretch from Memphis City Hall to the museum courtyard.

"I came out here to support that we are the future," said Westwood High School student Dontavius Reed.

The Student Responsibility March mirrored the Birmingham March of 1963 to stop segregation.

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Woman uses music to get on 'right path'

Submitted by Ben Watson, Reporter

Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 7:21pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Dozens of Mid-South adults who have turned their lives in wrong direction have a second chance thanks to the HopeWorks program.

One of the adults is a woman who is using music to get back on track.

The same hands that play her a violin were in handcuffs close to 12 months ago. Now, Heather Grady is playing for students in her HopeWords class.

Years ago, she played a violin with the symphony in Forth Worth, Texas.

"It's relaxing, it makes me feel good about me. It helps put me in another world," said Grady.

However, Grady's violin playing came to a screeching halt after she moved to Memphis and got in trouble with law.

When Grady finally got released from jail she enrolled in Hopeworks, which is a 13 week program that teaches everything from self esteem to career development.

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Grizzlies forward becomes honorary duckmaster at Peabody Hotel

Submitted by Kelsey Jacobson, Digital Content Director / WMCTV.COM

Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 7:14pm

Grizzlies forward becomes honorary duckmaster at Peabody Hotel

(WMC-TV) - Memphis Grizzlies forward Quincy Pondexter took on a new role Thursday as Honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody Hotel.

Pondexter helped to march the famous ducks from the fountain in the lobby to the elevator that takes them to their rooftop palace.

The Peabody Duck March is a tradition dating back to 1933.

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BBB event offers free document shredding

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 10:06am

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South and Cintas will offer free document shredding at the BBB's 2013 Secure Your ID Day event.

Bring up to 10 boxes or bags of documents Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to noon, to the parking lot of The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union Ave. You won't even have to get out of your car!

WHAT TO SHRED -- AND WHEN TO SHRED IT

Shred canceled checks and debit/credit card receipts as soon as you reconcile them with your bank or credit card statements.

For tax documents, the conventional wisdom has been to keep them for at least seven years before you destroy them, but IRS spokesperson Dan Boone said that's changed.

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'Private jet experience' coming to Memphis

Submitted by Andrew Douglas on Tuesday, April 16th, 6:29 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - There is a new airline coming to the Mid-South and it will be based in the Bluff City.

Southern Airways Express is described as a "private jet experience that is affordable for the general public".

Prop planes frequent the General Dewitt Spain Airport and the Olive Branch Airport, but next month, you can expect to see planes of a different type.

"You don't pay for parking, you don't show up two hours ahead to go through security hassles, you can bring all the shampoo you want on the plane, you don't pay for bag fees," said Southern Airways Express Chief Operating Officer Keith Sisson. "We are flying nine seat aircraft that have been outfitted with a VIP executive luxury package."

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4 Memphians compete in round 2 of 'The Voice'

Submitted by Anna Marie Hartman, Anchor/Reporter

Monday, April 15th, 2013, 1:56pm

(WMC-TV) - Four Memphis contestants have a voice and a chance at singing stardom on NBC's hit talent show "The Voice".

The battle continues Monday night and local contestants including Patrick Dodd, Kris Thomas, Sarah Simmons, and Grace Askew will take center stage.

Dodd took his Memphis music roots to L.A. with pride. He joined Team Adam after his performance of "Walkin' In Memphis".

Thomas is saving all his love for coach Shakira. The pop sensation and newest judge put her faith in this son of a preacher man from Memphis before any of the judges realized that strong falsetto was coming from a man.

"I'm so glad you're on my team, because you are a champ. Your control, falsetto, pitch, I loved it," said Shakira.

Simmons wants to make her way home as the winner of "The Voice" competition.

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