Thursday, August 13, 2015

MPD investigating carjacking and robbery in South Memphis - MyFox Memphis

A man suspected in a nearly three-hour crime spree through the city of Memphis is behind bars.

Police followed in his tracks as he hit four different locations. The chase began with a carjacking of an elderly woman in Walgreens parking in south Memphis and ended in Raleigh.

>> Read Trending Stories

"I said don't take my purse; I ain't got no money,” Johnie Haley said when discussing the carjacking. “Then I said well here it is you can have it, and he said I don't want your purse; I want your keys."

That was at 9:38 a.m. Soon after, police say the man used Haley’s tan Toyota Camry to go on a spree of robberies.

At 10:06, a couple was robbed at gunpoint at the Target store at 5959 Poplar.

17 minutes later, police say the suspect robbed the 745-CASH title loans and cash advance store in the 6500 block of Winchester. The man got away with nearly $800.

Then almost two hours later, he headed north where he robbed another 745-CASH in Raleigh. After that robbery, the suspect was spotted by Shelby County sheriff's deputies and ditched the stolen car.

"Soon as I pulled up and tried to walk in my apartment some young dude ran passed me and almost knocked me over, and I was like wait a minute now…what's going on? And after I looked at that, I seen the young man going. And after I seen him going, the police started flying right behind him,” Naomi Nevilles said of her encounter with the suspect.

The man was caught about a quarter mile from where he abandoned Johnie Haley's car.

Police told FOX13 it is rare that a suspect would commit this kind of crime spree this early in the morning, but they are thankful that they got him off the streets.

The identity of the suspect has not yet been released.

Connect with FOX13: Twitter | Facebook | FOX13 News App | FOX13 Weather App | Watch FOX13 News  

High expectations for the Perseid meteor shower - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -


The Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight and Thursday and has the potential to be a good show across North America.

The main reason it may be better this year than previous years is the lack of moonlight.

We are entering into a new moon phase which means it will be nice and dark most of the night.

Combine the lack of moonlight with the lack of clouds expected here in the Mid-South and you have the perfect formula for meteor madness. 

Here are some details that will help you find them. Activity should pick up around 11 PM both nights. Look toward the darkest part of the sky for best viewing.

Meteors can be seen in any direction, so just lie down and look up.

You may see up to one meteor per minute at the peak. Otherwise, it may require some patience and waiting.

Enjoy and let me know what you see. You can find me on twitter and facebook. Just click on the links below.

Spencer Denton
Noon and 4 PM Meteorologist
Follow Me On Twitter: Click @sdentonwx
Follow Me On Facebook: Click Meteorologist Spencer Denton 
WMC Action News 5 Storm Tracking Team

Copyright 2015 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.

Mayoral candidates debate key issues - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

Memphis voters will head to the polls October 8 and elect the next leader of the city.
 
To help you make an informed decision, WMC Action News 5 partnered with the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Association of Black Journalists, and League of Women Voters to bring the first televised 2015 Memphis mayoral debate into your living room.

The debate took place at the National Civil Rights Museum and was open to the public.
 
The top five candidates vetted by a third-party pollster, answered questions from panelists and community members.

The five candidates that appeared in the debate were:

Yacoubian Research vetted all 10 mayoral candidates to choose the top five. The vetting does not reflect who will win or lose, only the work they have done to run a serious campaign.

To listen to the full interview with Berje Yacoubian about his group's selection process, click here. To learn more about his organization, click here.

"As you know, it's the 50th anniversary of the voting rights act of 1965," said Faith Morris, the NCRM communications director. "It is a really critical year for municipal elections here in Memphis and heading to the presidential election next year."

Joe Birch and Ursula Madden moderated the debate with panelists Tri-State Defender newspaper publisher Bernal Smith, II, Wendi Thomas of the Memphis Flyer newspaper, Vivian Fernandez of La Prensa Latina, Dani Inez and Tony Nichelson of the Memphis Association of Black Journalists, and WMC Action News 5’s Kontji Anthony.

"I think it's critically important to give the public insight into the differences and nuances between the various candidates and what they actually stand for," Smith said.

Mike Williams focused on benefits for first responders.

"Yes, I would restore the benefits of the first responders, not a problem," Williams explained.

Harold Collins discussed crumbling infrastructure.

"If it rains for 10 minutes, it's going to flood everyone out," said Collins. "We have drastically neglected our infrastructure under this administration."

Current Mayor A C Wharton and Jim Strickland provided the most spirited interaction.

"Our city is more violent than it was a few years ago, it's more blighted than it was a few years ago, and it's more littered than it was a few years ago," Strickland challenged.

"Whenever we were up here coming up with programs, [Strickland] was Dr. No," Wharton said.

Fernandez said this is the first mayoral debate to give the area's 200 thousand Hispanics a voice. She also raised some questions about crime against immigrants.

"I know there is a language barrier, but they need help and sometimes they go to police to file a report and it's not followed up or the police don't have anybody that speaks Spanish," she said.

Before the debate, Smith said the candidates will need to address the issue of unemployed youth.

"How do you create an environment of positivity that will allow them to be employed, that will allow them to learn and to be entertained?" he asked.

Other questions ranged from poverty to millenials, all to empower you to vote.

"We encourage you to understand how important it is," Morris said. "To just know what right you have. That's the only way you have a voice."

Copyright 2015 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.

Nathan Bedford Forrest statue vandalized - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

The Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue in Health Sciences Park was vandalized.

Someone spray painted 'Black Lives Matter' on the front of the statue. But by Monday around noon, the statue was already being cleaned by volunteers and city workers.

"I wanted to try and take the hate away. He and his wife are both buried here. If that was your grandmother that was being desecrated, you'd be upset too,” said Catherine Blalock, who said her great grandfather rode with Forrest.

The vandalism came 366 days after the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown at the hands of a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer.

The shooting sparked the national Black Lives Matter movement.

"Everybody's life matters, but you ain't gotta deface something,” said Raymond Lee Jones

"The challenge is that when you just say all lives matter, it doesn't mean they matter the same. We really should say all lives matter the same,” said Bishop B. Porter.

Porter, who works to fight for social justice and peace in Memphis said vandalism doesn’t solve the problem.

"That's the problem, we have so much build up but not enough proper discussion in the right kind of atmosphere that creates solutions,” said Bishop Porter.

But those who lead the “Black Lives Matter” movement in Memphis said it was only a matter of time. In statement to WMC Action News 5, Earle Fisher, Adjunct Instructor of Contemporary Theology at Rhodes College said:

"Our communities are weary of vandalism of property being equated with violence of our person. Add to that, media hasn't covered the funeral of Darrius Stewart, written statements of solidarity from a plethora of grassroots organizations and activists, nor have we been provided with any update of developments relative to the Darrius Stewart shooting from TBI, MPD and/or DA Amy Weirich.... There seems to be a clear bias of media coverage which is both disconcerting and cause for our concern. This gesture is an act of resistance. It is quite likely that this type of resistance will continue if the simple requests for transparency and justice are ignored. Our communities are weary. The country is weary."

Memphis City Council voted to remove the statue and Forrest's remains, but it is not clear if the council can legally do so without approval of Forrest's living descendants.

Whatever the message, some people say vandalizing the statue is still a crime.

"This is this dude's grave. That's messed up still. No matter what, you've still gotta respect that. You don't just spray over somebody's grave just to make a point, that's not gonna stop all the killing if that's what they want to do,” said Nick Sparkman.

Police have not made any arrest in the case. 

Copyright 2015 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.

Tax-free weekend arrives in Tennessee - WMC Action News 5

(Source: WMC Action News 5)(Source: WMC Action News 5)

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

It's time to stock up on back to school items without paying state sales taxes.

That could save you nearly a dime on every dollar when you take into account city and county taxes in Tennessee!

Tax-free weekend starts in Tennessee on Friday and lasts through the weekend.

To help you get the most of your weekend, we've compiled some helpful hints:

Plan ahead

Use the tax-free time to purchase not just what you need right now, but also what your children will need over the next several months.

Compare prices

Visit web sites of several of the stores you usually shop to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Use coupons and take advantage of special deals

Some stores will not allow you to use coupons during the sales tax holiday. Make sure you check which stores will.

Also, always try and have a list ready before you go shopping. That will help keep you on track and avoid wasteful impulse buys.

In Tennessee, school and art supplies costing less than $100 per item are all tax-free.

Bigger ticket items like computers, laptops, and tablets are also tax free, as long as they don't cost more than $1,500.

But don't expect to get your little athlete stocked up and ready for the season: athletic gear does not qualify for tax free status. Neither do cellphones or computer software not bundled with your tax-free computer.

For a complete list of what's tax-free in Tennessee this weekend, click here.

Copyright 2015 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Pinnacle Financial Partners Announces Agreement to Acquire Magna Bank in ... - Business Wire (press release)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. & MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq/NGS: PNFP) (“Pinnacle”) and Magna Bank (“Magna”) jointly announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for Pinnacle to acquire Magna via merger. The proposed merger of Magna with and into Pinnacle has been approved by each company’s Board of Directors and is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2015. Completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the approval of Magna’s shareholders.

Magna, which is headquartered in Memphis, TN, reported $595.0 million in total assets and $452.1 million in deposits as of March 31, 2015 and currently operates five banking offices in Shelby County: two in East Memphis, two in Germantown and one in Cordova. The company also operates mortgage lending offices in 14 locations in Memphis and Middle Tennessee. During the first quarter of 2015, Magna reported loan growth of $9.7 million, or 8.8 percent linked quarter annualized, and deposit growth of $15.4 million, or 13.7 percent linked quarter annualized.

Magna’s tangible equity approximated $9.86 per common share as of March 31, 2015, and the firm reported first quarter 2015 net income of approximately $1.4 million, which represented a growth rate of 33.0 percent over the first quarter of 2014. Magna’s return on average assets for the first quarter of 2015 was 1.01 percent, its net interest margin was 3.33 percent, and its noninterest income represented 37.3 percent of total revenues in the first quarter.

In early April Pinnacle announced a definitive agreement to acquire CapitalMark Bank & Trust in Chattanooga, TN. When the CapitalMark and Magna mergers close, the combined companies are projected to have total assets of more than $8.0 billion, with Pinnacle operating 42 offices in 13 Tennessee counties.

Kirk P. Bailey, Magna’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, will be named Memphis chairman for Pinnacle after the acquisition is consummated. He will serve on Pinnacle’s 11-member Senior Leadership Team and will report to Pinnacle’s president and chief executive officer, M. Terry Turner.

“We have focused on building a great place to work and competing by providing better service than the large regionals that have previously dominated this market,” Bailey said. “Given Pinnacle’s track record as being one of the top banks in the country to work for and their ability to better serve clients, they are an extraordinarily attractive partner for us.”

The combination of Pinnacle and Magna provides many opportunities to both companies’ shareholders, including:

  • Establishment of a strong footprint in all of the four major urban markets in Tennessee. In addition to providing Pinnacle with access to a new market, the firm’s locations in Middle and East Tennessee will enhance the service distribution for Magna clients.
  • Immediate accretion to Pinnacle’s tangible book value and operating earnings in the first 12 months. The merger will expand Pinnacle’s geographic reach, increase Magna’s lending capacity and realize cost savings that allow the combined companies to achieve a faster earnings growth rate.
  • Excellent credit quality from both institutions, which is the principal determinant of a bank’s ability to provide long-term shareholder value.

“We have long said that we plan to operate in each of Tennessee’s four urban markets. Memphis is the largest city and second-largest MSA in the state, and the Magna acquisition will complete our current geographic market expansion plans,” Pinnacle CEO Turner said. “We see ample opportunities in Memphis, where the competitive landscape is virtually identical to the markets where we historically have been successful—Nashville and Knoxville. This acquisition provides us an immediate footprint in Memphis from which to leverage our strategy of hiring the best bankers in the market and positions us to reach our goal of at least $2.5 billion in assets in the Memphis MSA.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Magna shareholders will have the right to elect to convert their outstanding shares of common stock into 0.3369 shares of Pinnacle’s common stock plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares, or into a cash payment equal to $14.32 per Magna share, or into a combination of 0.3369 shares of Pinnacle’s common stock and $14.32 in cash at a ratio of 75 percent stock and 25 percent cash. Because the maximum amount of stock and cash that Pinnacle will pay in the merger is capped at 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of Magna’s outstanding shares, those Magna shareholders that elect either all stock or all cash may automatically have their elections adjusted so that, in the aggregate, 75 percent of all Magna shares outstanding will be converted into shares of Pinnacle’s common stock and 25 percent will be converted into cash.

Magna’s 328,350 stock options will be fully vested upon consummation of the merger pursuant to Magna’s stock option plan. At closing, Magna’s outstanding unexercised stock options will be settled in cash for the difference between the option’s exercise price and $14.32. At the closing, Magna shareholders will own approximately 3.3 percent of the combined firm, assuming all of Magna’s options are cashed out.

The transaction is currently valued at approximately $83.4 million based on Pinnacle’s closing price on April 28, 2015, based on the issuance of approximately 1.325 million shares of PNFP common stock and $20.7 million in cash, in each case assuming none of the options are exercised prior to closing. Additionally, Pinnacle plans to redeem at closing the $18.35 million in Series C preferred stock issued by Magna in connection with its participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund program.

Pinnacle expects its fully diluted earnings per share to be reduced in the fourth quarter of 2015 by less than 1.0 percent, while 2016 earnings should be increased by approximately 3.0 percent. Pinnacle’s tangible book value per share should increase as of the merger date.

Pinnacle, with 29 offices in eight Middle Tennessee counties and five offices in Knox County, reported total assets of $6.3 billion and total deposits of nearly $4.8 billion as of March 31, 2015.

Upon consummation of the merger, Magna director Thomas C. Farnsworth III of Farnsworth Holding Company in Memphis is expected to become a director of Pinnacle’s board. Additionally, Lisa Foley, an executive vice president and retail banking division manager at Magna, will manage Pinnacle’s client services group in Memphis and serve on the firm’s Leadership Team. B. Frank Stallworth, Magna’s executive vice president responsible for commercial and multifamily real estate lending, will serve as Pinnacle’s commercial real estate manager in Memphis and also will join Pinnacle’s Leadership Team. Lisa Reid, Magna’s executive vice president of residential mortgage in Memphis, will serve as Pinnacle’s mortgage manager in Memphis and will join the firm’s Leadership Team.

“Magna’s strong commercial real estate practice is particularly attractive to us as we work toward our goal of becoming the dominant CRE lender in the markets we serve,” Pinnacle Chairman Robert A. McCabe Jr. said. “Pinnacle’s expanded treasury management and wealth management services will be a significant opportunity to grow existing relationships with Magna’s commercial and affluent client base. We look forward to continuing Magna’s strong tradition of giving back to the community with a focus on providing affordable housing resources.”

Systems conversions are anticipated to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. served as financial advisor to Pinnacle, and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC was Pinnacle’s legal advisor. Stephens Inc. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey acted as financial advisors to Magna, and Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP was Magna’s legal advisor.

In connection with the proposed acquisition of Magna, Pinnacle will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Pinnacle common stock to be issued to the shareholders of Magna.

Pinnacle will host a webcast conference call to discuss the definitive agreement and other aspects of the business combination at 8:30 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. To access the call for audio only, please call 1-877-602-7944. For the presentation and streaming audio, please access the webcast on the investor relations page of Pinnacle's website at www.pnfp.com.

For those unable to participate in the webcast, it will be archived on the investor relations page of Pinnacle's website at www.pnfp.com for 90 days following the presentation.

About Pinnacle

Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution.

The firm began operations in a single downtown Nashville location in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $6.3 billion in assets at March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, Pinnacle is the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, with 29 offices in eight Middle Tennessee counties and five offices in Knoxville. Additionally, Great Place to Work® named Pinnacle one of the best workplaces in the United States on its 2014 Best Small & Medium Workplaces list published in FORTUNE magazine. The American Banker also recognized Pinnacle as the second best bank to work for in the country.

Additional information concerning Pinnacle, which is included in the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index, can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.

About Magna

Magna Bank is a vibrant community bank based in Memphis with a vision of becoming the dominant community bank in the area. Magna is a leader among locally owned banks in Memphis in residential and commercial mortgage lending, small business lending and private banking. Magna offers a full array of banking services and prides itself in being large enough to serve its customers’ needs, yet small enough to offer the best customer service available. For more information, please visit: www.magnabank.com.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to register the shares of Pinnacle common stock that will be issued to Magna Bank’s shareholders in connection with the transaction. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus (that will be delivered to Magna Bank’s shareholders in connection with their required approval of the proposed merger) and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed merger transaction involving Pinnacle Bank and Magna Bank (“Magna”).

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PINNACLE, MAGNA AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents once they are available through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., 150 3rd Avenue South, Suite 980, Nashville, TN 37201, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 744-3742 or Magna Bank, 6525 Quail Hollow Road, Suite 513, Memphis, TN 38120 Attention: Shareholder Services (901) 259-5600.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements not based on historical information may also be considered forward-looking including statements about the benefits to Pinnacle of the proposed merger transaction, Pinnacle’s future financial and operating results (including the anticipated impact of the merger on Pinnacle’s earnings and tangible book value) and Pinnacle's plans, objectives and intentions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other facts that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Pinnacle to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption from the merger with customers, suppliers or employee relationships, (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (4) the risk of successful integration of the two companies’ businesses, (5) the failure of Magna’s shareholders to approve the merger, (6) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger, (7) the ability to obtain required governmental approvals of the proposed terms of the merger, (8) reputational risk and the reaction of the parties’ customers to the proposed merger, (9) the failure of the closing conditions to be satisfied, (10) the risk that the integration of Magna’s operations with Pinnacle’s will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (11) the possibility that the merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (12) the dilution caused by Pinnacle’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the merger and (13) general competitive, economic, politics of and market conditions. Additional factors which could affect the forward looking statements can be found in Pinnacle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC and available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Pinnacle and Magna disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Pinnacle Financial Partners and Magna Bank
Merger Fact Sheet
April 28, 2015

Anticipated Size at Closing (Projected for early fourth quarter 2015)

  • More than $8 billion in assets
    • Pinnacle – $6.3 billion (as of March 31, 2015)
    • CapitalMark – $968 million (as of March 31, 2015)
    • Magna Bank – $595 million (as of March 31, 2015)
  • Second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee
    • Fourth-largest market share in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA
    • Fourth-largest market share in Chattanooga MSA
    • Sixth-largest market share in Knoxville MSA
    • 12th-largest market share in Memphis MSA

Current Offices

  • Pinnacle: 34
  • CapitalMark: 4
  • Magna: 5
             
County   Pinnacle   CapitalMark   Magna
Anderson       1    
Bedford   1        
Bradley       1    
Cheatham   1        
Davidson   9        
Dickson   1        
Hamilton       1    
Knox   5   1*    
Rutherford   8        
Shelby           5
Sumner   1        
Wilson   4        
Williamson   4        
     

* CapitalMark’s downtown Knoxville office will be consolidated with nearby Pinnacle locations in Knox County.

Number of Associates at March 31, 2015

  • Pinnacle: 800
  • CapitalMark: 114
  • Magna: 153

Trading Symbols

  • Pinnacle: PNFP (Nasdaq/NGS)
  • CapitalMark: N/A
  • Magna: N/A

Websites

Big Cyress Lodge Offers Unique Hotel Experience - Local Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN (localmemphis.com) – This is the week. After 10 years of planning, of canceled deadlines, of promise after promise, Bass Pro Shops is finally opening The Pyramid store.

Monday afternoon, Local 24 got a good look at the 103 room hotel.

It's called the Big Cypress Lodge. A hotel with screened in porches circling the inside of The Pyramid.

In what was once a sports arena, it is hard to visualize basketball or concerts, and 20,000 people who used to fill the seats.

Now it is big. Everything is big.

The Bass Pro Shop...and overlooking all of this will be people in the hotel.

"It is the first hotel inside of a Bass Pro Shops. As you can see it is extremely unique for a lot of reasons," hotel manager Lana McDonald said.

Here is one reason. Every piece of furniture was made specifically for this place And another. Its rooms have views. Views you won't find in other hotels.

"Not all of our rooms have porches. The majority do. We do have some exterior rooms with windows facing Memphis," McDonald said.

So some folks will have views of a city where leaders are betting the butter and egg money on Bass Pro's Pyramid store sparking development in downtown.

One thing for sure. If people can afford to stay at this hotel, they should be able to afford Memphis.

"Our room rates start at $259,” McDonald said.

Officials are working like crazy to get everything ready for the first public event Wednesday. Most of the stuff is ready, but it is going to be close.