Prentiss County School ranked among state’s best
Tishomingo County Sex offender arrested for not registering
McNairy County Homecoming gesture brings tears
Page 3
Page 3
Page 5
Tuesday Jan. 19,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian
Mostly cloudy Today
Tonight
36
30
20% chance of P.M. rain
Vol. 120, No. 16
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Giving love like MLK Two people die in house blaze BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
RIENZI — Two people were killed in a weekend house fire on Salem Road just past Hurricane Creek in rural Alcorn County. The 208 County Road 400 home of Reba Huggins and Lou Mahler was destroyed by the fire reported to 911 by a passerby at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Sunday. Units from Glen Volunteer Fire Department, Jacinto Volunteer Fire Department and Rienzi Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze. “Fire fighters found the remains of a man and woman in the bedroom inside the
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Project Attention Director Shirley Rolland dips out a bowl of soup during Monday’s service event for the community. Related photo on Page 6.
Volunteers dish out vegetable soup
Wreck damages traffic signal BY STEVE BEAVERS
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been proud. Members of Minority Volunteers Organization Inc. and Project Attention were loving people just as the late civil rights leader did. Several members of each group spent the national holiday named in honor of Dr. King serving soup to the community. “We believe — instead of having a day off — to have a day on for service,” said Project Attention Director Shirley Rolland. Around six gallons of vegetable soup with cornbread and crackers were all available at no
“We believe — instead of having a day off — to have a day on for service.” Project Attention Director Shirley Rolland cost for the community. “It has been a slow start because of the cold weather,” said Minority Volunteers Organization board member Marcus Simmons. “We just wanted to show our appreciation for the community’s support in helping Project Attention.” “It feels good to give back for all the support we have received,” added fellow board member Annie Bean. Those who weren’t able to
come to Project Attention had their soup delivered, according to Simmons. Ten youngsters also got up early on a non-school day to help in the event. “This teaches them about service,” added Simmons. Project Attention helps children year-round. During the school year, the center provides after-school help to youngsters while also hosting an enrichment program in the summer.
home,” said Alcorn County Sheriff Ben Caldwell. “The remains were sent to Jackson for an autopsy.” Although not confirmed, the fatalities are believed to be Huggins and Mahler. State Fire Marshals and the sheriff’s department are investigating the fire. However, no foul play has been indicated. “We know the homeowners had gas and propane heat, but we are unsure if that caused the fire,” added Caldwell. “With temperatures beginning to get colder, it’s definitely a good idea to check the batteries in those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.”
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
A two-vehicle crash left a Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) traffic signal out of commission on Sunday. The wreck happened around 6 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 72 and Cass Street, according to a Corinth Police Department accident report. The report states a 1999 Plymouth, driven by Xzavius Prather of Corinth, was traveling eastbound on 72 when it attempted to turn onto Cass Street. Prather pulled in front of a westbound 2014 Chevy Silverado — driven by Scott
Moore of Corinth — while making the turn. “The Plymouth pulled onto Cass, causing the Silverado to leave the roadway and hit a light pole and signal control light,” said Captain Mark Luker with the Corinth Police Department. “The traffic signal was out of service for some time.” Prather was transported via ambulance to Magnolia Regional Health Center with moderate injuries. A passenger in the Plymouth was transported after complaining of pain. Moore was not injured in the wreck. Prather was cited for no proof of insurance, according to Luker.
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Disaster assistance just one role for FEMA BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
WALNUT — Providing federal assistance money is just one part of FEMA’s many resources currently available in Tippah County. Inside the Disaster Recovery Center in Walnut, is retired urban planner Tom Higgins who works on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance team. “Hazard Mitigation is any action taken to reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural disasters,” said Higgins. “It’s really just educating people on
how to build back better and safer than ever.” Higgins said he likes to listen to a survivor’s story, then decide how to best help them. “I have all different types of information on how to rebuild or repair damaged homes and mobile homes,” he said. “The FEMA building codes can help guide people back so in the event a storm of this nature happens again, the likelihood of them suffering the same damage if these recommendations are followed lessens.” Higgins said since arriving in Tippah County, he has mostly
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance team member Tom Higgins provides information on how to build back better than ever to Tippah County residents.
heard from people who suffered wind damage and total loss damage. “We provide a lot of information many survivors don’t even realize we have to offer, but they are always very thankful to learn,” said Higgins. The best way to rebuild a roof after a storm is one of Higgins favorite resources available. “If a roof is rebuilt or repaired using connectors and brackets instead of just nails, then the roof is likely to withstand large storms with a lot Please see FEMA | 6
25 years ago
10 years ago
Corinth Marine recruiter Sgt. David Scott Norton receives the medal of valor for his actions in disarming and detaining a man wanted for rape and manslaughter who attacked him at a local gas station.
Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau officials consider a move to the former Railway Express Agency building on Fillmore Street. The bureau would later renovate the historic building into its current headquarters.
Doug Ann Michael Rick Jumper Hardin McCreary Jones
Neil Paul
Marea John Wilson Hayes
Alexis Rudd
Roger Audrey Clark McNair
2782 S Harper Rd
www.jumperrealty.com