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Mother defends son charged with murder

Miller said she knows her 18 year-old son Antwion Dowdy is innocent.

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Memphis mother defends her teenage son who is charged with murdering someone at a graduation party.

Rebecca Miller and her son are anything but strangers to Action News 5. Our station helped the family find a news home after a Christmas Day tragedy in 2012.

Now, the family is facing another hurdle.

Miller said she knows her 18 year-old son Antwion Dowdy is innocent.

"I'm a mother and I have that instinct, and that feeling that I know," she said. "He's a good child. He goes to school, interested in football and stuff like that."

Action News 5's Jason Miles met Dowdy last December as the Douglass High football player recovered from a torn ACL.

He and his mother had just lost their home during a Christmas Day windstorm where a giant tree crashed right through the roof.

Dowdy is being held for first degree murder after a visit with her son at 201 Poplar.

Mayor Luttrell continues family life series with Just Care Family Network

Mayor Luttrell continues family life series with Just Care Family Network

Shelby County Government continues to partner with faith-based organizations and other groups to host Mayor Mark Luttrell’s Family Life Series. Representatives from Shelby County Government and other agencies will speak at Keel Avenue Baptist Church during a five month series of presentations.

On May 16, the CDC issued its first comprehensive report on children's mental health describing federal activities that track children’s mental disorders in the United States.

Tonight’s series, led by Just Care Family Network Executive Director Dr. Altha Stewart, will aim at “Helping Children and Youth Affected by Crime and Violence” 

 “Just Care Family Network is honored to be a part of this series.

Family of four escapes burning home

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A family of four escaped from their burning home just after midnight Wednesday.

The house caught fire at 12:30 a.m. on the 5600 block of Tulip Tree Drive in Memphis.

Investigators are still working to determine how the fire started, but it appears to have started in the garage.

Copyright 2013 WMC-TV . All rights reserved.

Kroger offers double fuel points during the summer

Kroger offers double fuel points during the summer

Double fuel points will begin Memorial Day weekend and continue through the summer driving season. Kroger customers can earn double fuel points on regular grocery purchases every time they shop Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until September 1st.

A digital coupon is available to customers beginning this week for download through Kroger’s mobile app or online here. The first coupon will be valid for every weekend from May 24th through June 30th, with subsequent monthly coupons appearing later for a limited time. “Based on our customers’ response to last year’s summer fuel promotion, we know how much they appreciate saving money at the pump,” said Joe Bell, Manager of Marketing and Public Affairs for Kroger’s Delta Division. 

MCS teacher wins teaching award

MCS teacher wins teaching award

Knight Road Elementary School Teacher, Josalyn Tresvant is one of four instructors to receive the award. The Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice award spotlights excellence in teaching and the practices of the most effective educators.

Tresvant will receive $25,000 and participate in a summer residency with TNTP, the organization that provides the award.  "We are so proud of Ms. Tresvant's achievement – a result of her hard work, dedication and commitment,” said Dorsey E. Hopson, II Esq., Superintendent, Memphis City and Shelby County Schools.

This is the second year for the Fishman Prize. The award is named for Shira Fishman, a current DC Public Schools (DCPS) math teacher who was named the 2011 DCPS Teacher of the Year and received a 2011 Milken Educator Award.

Day trippin' wins international communications award

Day trippin' wins international communications award

The Memphis Area Association of Governments or (MAAG) was awarded the International Communicator Award of Distinction for the regional marketing campaign Day Trippin’. The campaign promotes unique attractions within a day car drive from Memphis.  The Communicator Award is presented annually by the International Academy of Visual Arts.

Dog reportedly stolen after left in SUV outside Home Depot

Halyn Hunt, 14, said a 3-year-old English Bulldog named Hurricane is a big part of the family.

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Mid-South family pet was taken outside of a Memphis Home Depot Store. There are new leads in the case, but still no arrests.

Halyn Hunt, 14, said a 3-year-old English Bulldog named Hurricane is a big part of the family.

"[Kind of like your] little brother, as if he was human," said Halyn.

The Southwind High School football player was brought to tears Wednesday night after finding out someone took Hurricane in broad daylight.

"It felt like a part of my heart had just vanished away," said Halyn.

Memphis police are investigating. Halyn's father reported the dog was taken after a quick trip to a Home Depot on Riverdale Road. Eddie Hunt said he was inside the store no more than five minutes.

Hurricane was left inside his locked SUV. Eddie said his window was down roughly six inches, and suspects the person who took Hurricane reached in and opened the door.