Iconic Memphis paperboy turns 101

Submitted by Anna Marie Hartman, Anchor/Reporter

Monday, April 8th, 2013, 8:49am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - An East Memphis icon celebrated a milestone birthday Sunday. Willie Herndon is a newspaper salesman who has become part of the family in the community he serves.

Not many paperboys get the kind of love Herndon gets from his customers.

"The people have gotten to know him, he's here every Sunday. You know, hot, cold he's always out here selling the paper, same corner," said helper Terry Boyd.

A loyalty he has earned during the 16 years selling the Sunday edition of the Commercial Appeal on Dexter Road.

"I know everybody out here," said Herndon.

This Sunday was more special than most.

Mr. Willie, as he is known by his customers, turned 101 years old.

Herndon is a retired Memphis city worker, who has seen a lot in Memphis during a century plus one.

"Changed a whole lot," said Herndon.

And according to family members, Herndon has a long way to go.

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156 pets have new home after 'Mega Adoptathon'

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Saturday, April 6th, 2013, 11:19pm

156 pets have new home after 'Mega Adoptathon'

The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County hosted its 36-Hour Mega Adoptathon this weekend.

The final number of adoptions for the adoptathon presented by Hollywood Feed was 156. That includes HSMSC animals and animals from the participating rescue groups and shelters.

Over the next couple weeks, the HSMSC expects another 15 to 20 animals to have homes result from the adoptathon.

For various reasons, people may not have been able to finalize Saturday, such as landlord permission, having the current dog meet the adoptive dog, and checking vet records.

Every animal adopted from the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on its vaccinations.

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Teen charged with arson, murder of mom faces judge

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Saturday, April 6th, 6:25 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The teen accused of setting a fire in his home leading to the death of his own mother spoke with a juvenile court judge Saturday morning.

According to the 14-year-old boy's stepfather, the teen appeared before a judge Saturday – but no action will be taken until Monday. The 14-year-old is still locked up at juvenile hall.

The boy admitted to starting the fire inside this Shelby County home Friday in the 4700 block of Bethay Drive. That fire killed his mother Gwendolyn Wallace.

Fire investigators said the fire was set with some kind of accelerant at the bottom of the staircase. It was fast-moving and created a lot of smoke.

The teen is charged with first degree murder and aggravated arson – behavior his stepfather said is shocking.

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14-year-old charged in fire death of his mother

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 6:26pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The 14-year-old son of the woman who died in a house fire Friday morning is charged with intentionally setting the fire.

Just after 6 a.m., fire crews responded to the home of Gwendolyn Wallace on the 4700 block of Bethay Drive.

When they arrived, the staircase had already been torched, trapping Wallace upstairs. She died on the scene.

Early reports indicated that Wallace's husband had already left for work and that her son had gone for a walk.

Investigators say evidence from the fire suggests it was intentionally set and Wallace's 14-year-old son was questioned in connection with the arson.

He admitted to detectives that he set the fire after a disagreement with his mother.

The teen is charged with first degree murder and aggravated arson.

Neighbors say they did everything they could to save Wallace.

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Shelby Farms park welcomes two baby buffalo

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 4:39pm

Shelby Farms park welcomes two baby buffalo

Shelby Farms park is now home to two baby buffalo.

The park released information and a photo on their social media sites about the babies arriving this week.

Park officials said they are healthy and full of energy. The park also promised to share plenty of new pictures in the coming days.

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Burned staircase trapped woman upstairs during fire

Submitted by Justin Hanson, West Tennessee Reporter

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 12:19pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) – A 45-year-old woman is dead after becoming trapped upstairs when her home caught fire Friday morning.

According to neighbors on Bethay Drive, the victim is Gwendolyn Wallace. She was a mail carrier. They say her husband and son were already gone for the day when the fire broke out between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Neighbors say they did everything they could to save Wallace.

"Got out of my truck, ran up the drive and I could see fire at the front door," explained Derek Graham, who lives nearby. "Here was fire on the staircase so I started begging and screaming, begging and screaming."

Derek Graham got the attention of many of the neighbors.

He says he and others started grabbing bricks and throwing them at the windows, trying to rescue their 45-year-old neighbor.

Fire officials say Gwendolyn Wallace died at the top of the stairs from smoke inhalation.

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