McNairy County AiM presents original show by local writer
Tippah County MEMA says assistance won’t change tax bill
Tishomingo County Iuka judge hears more than 100 cases
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Thursday Jan. 28,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 24
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Jacinto suspects courthouse break-in BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
JACINTO — The Jacinto Courthouse was the scene of an apparent break-in this week. The Jacinto Foundation has been unable to find anything missing or any damage done
inside the historic structure, which is currently undergoing renovations. Jacinto Foundation Executive Director Beth Whitehurst was alerted to the break-in about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday when a sheriff’s deputy on patrol hap-
pened to spot one of the east side doors standing open. It appeared the locked door had been forced open by prying one side of the hasp off the door, she said. It happened sometime between Sunday afternoon, when
Whitehurst was at the courthouse, and the early a.m. hours Tuesday. “As far as I know, in the 40 or so years that the Jacinto Foundation has run it, it is the first time that this has happened,” she said. “It has been heart-
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Officer Kevin Parker Jr. of the Corinth Police Department was honored Wednesday with the Crimestoppers of Northeast Mississippi Law Enforcement Purple Heart Award. Joining him for the recognition program were (from left) Alcorn County Crime Stoppers Board Member Susan Wren, Chuck Hinds with the Corinth Police Department, Alcorn County Crime Stoppers Board Member Sharon Terry, Alcorn County Chancery Clerk Greg Younger, Corinth Police Chief Ralph Dance, Parker, Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin, Parker’s mother, Cindy Parker, Rienzi Mayor Walter Williams, Parker’s girlfriend Holley Marshall and Parker’s father, Kevin Parker Sr.
Corinth officer among award recipients bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
TUPELO — Corinth Police Officer Kevin Parker Jr. was doing his duty last August when he suddenly found himself facing every law enforcement officer’s worst fear. Confronting a suspect believed to have been involved in an earlier prowler call on Bell School Road, Parker was assaulted and ended up fighting for his life with the suspect who managed to turn the officer’s own gun on him and shoot him twice.
Parker, who has since recovered from his injuries and returned to work, was honored Wednesday by Crimestoppers of Northeast Mississippi with their Law Enforcement Purple Heart award. Also recognized with the honor Wednesday were Iuka Police Chief Randy Stringer and Investigator Joseph Marlar who were both shot by a suspect at the Iuka Wal-Mart store. Parker had been on the job only 10 months when he got the early morning call about a prowler at a home on the road.
Please see BREAK-IN | 2
Courthouse will host annual tree giveaway
Honoring men in blue
BY BRANT SAPPINGTON
breaking to me because we’ve always said that people would vandalize things around it, but they never touch the courthouse.” The Jacinto Foundation this
The first time he checked the area no one was seen. He returned again around 4:40 a.m. to make another pass through the area when a man with a backpack ran out in front of his vehicle. He turned on his blue lights, got out and told the man to stop. The suspect rushed toward him and started fighting for his gun. Parker was shot once in the chest and once in the shoulder before the suspect fled. A bulletproof vest protected him Please see HONORS | 2
A trio of agencies are bringing the wood. Those wanting to add some trees to their land will have the chance to do so during the annual tree giveaway at the Alcorn County Courthouse on Friday, Feb. 12. “We are working on getting some pines and hardwood for the giveaway,” said Patrick Poindexter with the Mississippi State Extension Service. The extension service, Forestry Commission and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are combining to distribute trees as part of Arbor Day. The annual giveaway is set
for 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Alcorn County Courthouse. “We will be back at the courthouse again this year,” said Poindexter. “It seems we get a lot more traffic there and people are used to coming downtown.” Organizers returned to the front of the courthouse steps last year after spending the two previous years at the Mississippi State Extension Service. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but most southern states celebrate the event in other months. Mississippi’s Arbor Day celebration is always scheduled for the second Friday in February.
City chosen for two pageant competitions BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Ushering in an exciting new year, organizers of the Mrs. Mississippi America and Mrs. Tennessee America pageants have announced they will once again be returning to Corinth for the competition. Set for Friday, Feb. 26– Sunday, Feb. 28, contestants will lodge at the Hampton
Inn, enjoy a husband and wife dinner at Vicari Italian Grill and attend a special meetand-greet at t. feazell. “We had such a wonderful time in Corinth last year that we decided to return again this year,” said an excited Keri McMillin as she looks forward to an opportunity to mix and Please see PAGEANTS | 5
‘Canterville Ghost’ to haunt theatre BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
A spirited play filled with visions of British grandeur, old castles and one restless apparition, “The Canterville Ghost” will take audiences on a journey from the golden grains and purple mountains of the U.S. to the charming shores of merry old England as Hiram Otis (Jason Matthews), an American minister relocates his family to a venerable estate. Accepting a job offer from the Barringtons (Greg Bullard and Jamie Gambino), the man of God purchases Canterville Chase despite the warnings of the former owner and others. He soon discovers Sir Simon
de Canterville (Jackson Turner), a late resident harboring a terrible secret, still roams the halls of the manor and has no intention of leaving. Doing everything within his ghostly power to make his unwelcome house guests flee, Lord Canterville terrorizes the family, rattling chains and conjuring blood stains to stoke fear. “Simon’s secrets and plans quickly unravel when he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Hiram’s daughter, Virginia Otis (Taylor Frye),” said CT-A Guest Director Casey Zappa. “The improbable fondness quickly thaws his ill intent and puts the haunt to rest.” Based on the short story by
Irish novelist, playwright and poet, Oscar Wilde and adapted for the stage by Pat Cook, the play will make its debut to the Crossroads Playhouse stage at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Patrons will have other opportunities to watch at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30. A 2 p.m. matinée will be presented on Sunday, Jan. 31. “Audiences should be prepared to laugh and maybe shed a few tears as they discover the tricks we’ve set upon the Canterville mansion,” said Zappa. “I hope the play helps those who see it realize that friendship and family can get you through even Please see GHOST | 2
Staff photo by Kimberly Shelton
Jason Matthews, Mariah Wooten, Leah Petty, Cindi Bullard and Taylor Frye struggle to escape after finding themselves tangled in the aftermath of Sir Simon.
25 years ago Mississippi gubernatorial candidate Kirk Fordice makes one of his first campaign appearances in Corinth. The Republican touts the need for reform andGentleman more careful Jack spending in his visit. $
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