Community reaches out to Michael Owens

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Tuesday, May 7th, 10:05 pm

Mmephis, TN- (WMC-TV) - The Memphis community is reaching out to Michael Owens, a 28-year-old who lost both of his legs when he was hit by another car fixing a flat tire.

In just one night, almost $1,000 have been donated. With him heading to home in about a week, many viewers are asking how to help with the transition home.

"I thank God for my son. That goes to show you that the Lord will provide," said father Michael Toles.

Two months ago Toles got a call he never imagined.

His son, 28-year-old Michael Owens, was injured in an accident and lost both his legs.

Owens in the hospital learning how to walk as his father is preparing the home.

"Want to make sure that when he gets here he be very comfortable," said Toles.

But, that is no easy task.

Take the front entrance, for example, Owens' wheelchair will likely fit through, but there is not much extra room.

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Douglass students excel on chess team

Submitted by Ben Watson, Reporter

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 5:13pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Some Memphis City Schools students are showing their chess skills. They attend Douglass Kindergarten through Eight Optional School. A year ago most did not even know how to play chess.

They have got fast hands, and even faster moves The Smart Moves Chess Initiative at Douglass turned a complicated board game into a fun learning experience.

"The pawns are worth one point, the rooks are worth five, the knights are worth three," said fifth grader Shimara Paxton explaining the value of each piece in the game.

Teacher and team coach Jeff Bulington said the students are getting to be quite good at the game.

"Especially judging from where they've started, we've only been playing out here at Douglass since August, so they're moving their way towards the top of the state," said Bulington.

The students already have a wall at school filled with national and local trophies.

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Big changes coming to Raleigh Springs Mall

Submitted by Justin Hanson, West Tennessee Reporter

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 3:24pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The broker involved in selling the Raleigh Springs Mall tells Action News 5 the sale happened almost one week ago. He says big changes are coming not only to the mall, but the entire Raleigh area.

"People say, where do you work...Raleigh Springs Mall...well aren't they tearing that down? We're getting that stigma, revitalize it, bring it back," said Chad Dick.

Less than one week ago, the 40-year-old mall was sold to a client from Monaco.

Now, there is talk of finally redeveloping the mall to possibly include the Raleigh Branch Library and a new Memphis police precinct.

"When I was here in 2000, we had JC Penny's, Dillards, Macy's...it was a happening mall," Dick continued.

Chad Dick works inside Raleigh Springs. He says putting a police precinct inside the mall is a good idea.

"If you get the crime rate down, then people will start coming in," Dick said.

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Flat tire changes man's life in an instant

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Tuesday, May 7th, 12:52 am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Memphis father of two is making a courageous recovery after his life was changed in an instant. It could happen to anyone – one minute he was changing a tire, and next he was clinging for his life.

"You don't expect to see nobody walk on water. You don't expect to see anybody just split down the middle," said Michael Owens who lost his legs in an accident. "I didn't expect to see the next day either."

Owens, 28, pulled over to fix a flat in early March. He pulled off of Winchester Road, and called a friend to watch out for him while he changed the tire.

A passing car slammed into his friend's truck pinning Owens' legs between the bumper and the ground.

"When the crash happened, something whispered, said, 'There's a change. You're going to lose your legs,'" said Owens. "The only thing I was thinking about is just trying to survive. I got two daughters I want to keep seeing."

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Frayser residents choose neighborhood council

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Saturday, May 4th, 10:23 pm

(WMC-TV) - An historic election was held in the Frayser community today.

A new board, similar to a city council, will work with residents to shape the future of their community.

"From block to block we're cleaning up Frayser, that's our job," said Peggy Alexander of the Frayser Community Development Center.

And that is the reason so many people gathered to vote in Frayser Saturday afternoon.

"I believe the voting was most definitely needed.," Alexander added.

Frayser was selected to participate in a federally funded "Building Neighborhood Capacities Program" as part of President Obama's Buildng Neighborhoods Initiative.

Eight neighborhoods in four cities were chosen.

Saturday, anyone living in the 38127 zip code, voted for their own council.

"It was open to anyone who lives, works, worships or owns property in Frayser to come out and be a part of it," Alexander said.

Anyone over 16 was eligible to vote.

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Pastor leads gang member away from life of crime

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Wednesday, May 1st, 4:30 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A reformed gang member is using his story to help make his neighborhood a better place for kids to grow up.

Darrius Halloway first stepped foot inside Pursuit of God Transformation Center nine years ago.

"When I first came to church, I had a gun," he said. "I was like, 'This has got to be a setup. They trying to get revenge."

He thought the church was seeking revenge after he beat up the pastor's son with a few of his fellow gang members. His sentence was to attend church.

"To make a long story short, I ended up going to jail. And my lawyer came to me and said that the pastor wants you to come to church. And I'm really gang related, so that don't happen," explained Halloway.

But it happened and after one visit, he stopped bringing his gun and began to turn away from gang life.

"My mentor was the drug dealer. My fathers was the rappers. That's who I'm used to," he said.

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Homeless people call themselves family in Memphis woods

Submitted by Justin Hanson, West Tennessee Reporter

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 11:49pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - It is a city within a city.

A community of homeless residents living in the woods, in the Raleigh area, call themselves a family. They take what little they have seriously.

"These people are very strong due to their conditions, and you must respect them and value them," said Lloyd May who used to be homeless.

May is familiar with the dirt roads and dilapidated houses near Austin Peay and Stage Road. He is also familiar with the people who live here because he used to be one of them.

"They're so alienated, afraid, paranoid, and down," said May.

May lived in an old depression era farmhouse for four years.

He now has another home, but said there are still permanent residents in the area – and many who come and go.

"Of course we're in the woods. So I have a fireplace, a propane cooking stove, use batteries for my lights," said Pam who one of the many who reside in the area.

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