Project aims to restore Mississippi river flow and aquatic life behind diversion dikes

Memphis Commercial Appeal [link]
By Tom Charlier, Sunday, November 9, 2008

With its Sahara-like dunes and outcroppings of sun-bleached shells that hinted at a richer past, the acreage stretching out behind Ron Nassar and John Rumancik on a crisp fall morning had all the hallmarks of an ecological desert.

Biologist Leighann Gipson surveys the scene near a Mississippi River dike targeted for relief to restore aquatic habitat up and down the river. Photo: Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal

Herenton, council study options for cutbacks, including buyouts

Memphis Commercial Appeal [link]
By Amos Maki, Sunday, November 9, 2008

As the effects of the global meltdown trickle down to City Hall, Memphis officials are considering employee buyouts and other measures to deal with what could be the city's worst financial year in nearly two decades.

Mayor Willie Herenton and the City Council gathered Saturday at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis for their annual retreat. While the banter was lighthearted at times, the financial scenario laid out by city officials was anything but.