Friday March 9,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 59
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • 2 sections
Crotts pleads guilty to embezzlement Former second district supervisor gets 20-year suspended sentence pending good behavior BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Former 2nd district Alcorn County supervisor Danny H. Crotts pleaded guilty to an embezzlement charge Thursday morning and was given a 20year suspended sentence. During a plea day in Alcorn County Circuit Court, Crotts entered a plea of guilty on a criminal information of embezzlement by a public official, according to
court records. A criminal information is a formal charge made without a grand jury indictment. Judge Jim Pounds sentenced Crotts to 20 years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but the sentence is suspended pending good behavior. He ordered Crotts to serve five years of probation and to pay restitution of $3,200 to Alcorn County. Crotts lost his bid for reelec-
tion to a fifth term in 2007 and became the target of a civil demand for $159,098 by the state auditor’s office for alleged misappropriation of funds, work on private property and missing equipment. After that investigation became public, he decided to run for the office last year but later pulled out, citing “constant hardships placed upon me by the current Board of Supervisors.” Two bonding companies re-
paid funds to the county. “After reviewing this case, it is clear that public funds were misused by Alcorn County Supervisor Danny Crotts repeatedly from 2002 to 2007,” State Auditor Stacy Pickering said last year. “Crotts used a personally owned barn named Crossroad Blues with a bar and dance floor while billing the county over $15,000 for a ‘District 2 Shop.’ Utilities were paid by the
Crotts
county along with numerous purchases that were unauthorized or in violation of state law.” Attorney Tony Farese represented Crotts in court on Thursday.
Reverse vote: House passes liquor vote bill Amendment increases minimum population from 2,500 to 5,000 BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Western images are common in the works of artist Kenneth Lee. An opening reception with Lee is Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery at 507 Cruise St.
The old West visits guild gallery BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
When Kenneth Lee puts paintbrush to canvas, his mind’s eye often looks west. Some scenes from the dusty West are prominently featured in his new exhibit at the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery, which opens with a reception on Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. The semi-retired resident of Arlington, Tenn., is a self-taught artist who uses both acrylics and oils. While the old West recurs in his work, he considers his subject matter eclectic. “I really don’t do a whole lot of any one thing,” he said. “I’m always looking for ideas.” The exhibit also includes a
painting that incorporates various images inspired by Corinth, and he is currently working on a painting of the cemetery at Shiloh National Military Park. Other subject matter in the exhibit includes wildlife, American Indians and cars — one of his passions other than painting. The exhibit includes oil on canvas, oil on masonite and a few acrylic on masonite. The Western themes come from his background — he grew up in Kansas and traveled extensively while serving in the U.S. Navy. In the exhibit, he is particularly fond of the painting of a stagecoach passing through an
old Western town called Leeville, where the buildings bear the names of family members. Other Western scenes include a gunslinger taking aim on the viewer and a decaying building surrounded by the remnants of old cars. Born in Kansas during a blizzard in 1948, Lee recalls attending a one-room school for a time. As a young boy, he enjoyed putting together model cars, drawing and painting. “I have been drawing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” he said. He recalled his first painting was on the back of a discarded Please see ARTIST | 2A
The Mississippi House of Representatives on Wednesday reversed course and passed a bill that would allow cities in dry counties to hold votes on the sale of liquor by the glass. House Bill 928 was voted down by just a single vote, 60-59, on Tuesday, but an amended version passed late Wednesday in a 65-54 vote. An amendment by Jeff Smith (R-Columbus) upped the minimum municipal population from 2,500 to 5,000. One of the local legislative delegation, Bubba Carpenter (R-Burnsville), cast a “yes” vote on the amended version. Nick Bain and Tracy Arnold again voted “no.” If the bill were to become law, it would allow an election if 20 percent of the qualified voters present a petition. The bill, authored by District 59 Rep. Kevin McGee (R), specifies that liquor sales would only be by-the-drink in restaurants and hotels. The Corinth Board of Aldermen recently passed a resolution seeking legislative approval for a city-only vote on the sale of liquor, but local legislators indicated they
would not introduce such a bill. Alderman Andrew Labas, who supported the city resolution, said he is pleased that the city may get to vote on the issue. He continues to hear much interest from residents, and “it’s all manner of folks — retirees, young couples, business owners and across the board,” said Labas. When the resolution passed, aldermen said they were not voicing support for liquor but rather trying to give city residents an opportunity to vote on the issue without the county. Liquor referendums in Alcorn County failed to pass in 1993 and 2005. Corinth has had only beer and light wine sales since 1989, the same year that a referendum ended 21 years of liquor sales in the city. The resolution approved by the city noted the potential for increased tax revenue and the possible establishment of new business and industry. The House this week also passed a bill that specifically would allow Senatobia to have a liquor vote. This follows a trend, as Brandon was approved for a city liquor vote last month.
Public attendance free Junior Auxiliary of Corinth plans at first-ever Film Fest 50th annual ‘Golden Gala’ ball BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The public is invited to attend the first-ever Northeast Mississippi Film Festival coming Saturday, March 24 at the C.A.R.E. Honor Garden by the Corinth Depot. The Northeast Mississippi Film Festival will feature short films by independent filmmakers from around the state. It is a free event for the public. “We want to make sure people know the public is invited, and we’d like a good showing to come out and support these independent filmmakers,” said Corinth Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau Program Director Karen Beth Martin. Festival organizers are still accepting film submissions for the event. The entry fee is $20 for each film. There is no limit on how many films each filmmaker can submit, but a $20 entry fee must be included for each film. The festival is open to short films only. Entries must be no
longer than 40 minutes, including credits. Longer films will be disqualified. Films must be recent, and not completed before January 2011. Films must also be independent — if the film has been funded or picked up by a major motion picture studio it is not eligible. A film that has won other awards or has been submitted and shown in other festivals is still eligible for the competition. All genres will be judged together. There will be a best of show award, and no other categories. Participants must submit two copies on DVD (Region 1, Blu-Ray or Standard definition, submissions must be compatible with all DVD players). All films will be judged on performances, production values and originality. Entries will be reviewed by members of the Northeast Mississippi Film Festival Committee. Entries selected will be juried by an indePlease see FESTIVAL | 2A
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The Junior Auxiliary of Corinth has sent out invitations for its 50th anniversary Charity Ball, scheduled for Saturday, March 31, at Shiloh Ridge Golf Club. “Right now we’re waiting to hear back from everybody coming,” said event chair Batina Sarallo Elliott. The theme for the 2012 Charity Ball is “Golden Gala” — in honor of the event’s 50th anniversary. Featuring the perennially popular and successful Silent Auction, the Charity Ball is the Junior Auxiliary of Corinth’s sole fundraising event, and support’s the civic organization’s many community service projects. “It’s our only fundraiser for the year,” said Elliott, “and it usually takes care of all of our projects for the year.” The evening will also include the presentation of the Junior Auxiliary’s annual Outstanding Citizen award.
Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......5B Comics......4B Wisdom......3B
Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A
The winner is nominated by members of the community and chosen by a Junior Auxiliary panel based on the following criteria: attainments in personal life; participation in church, civic and other organizations; work with youth, underprivileged and/or handicapped; contributions to the community; and potential for continuing achievement. “It honors someone in the community who made an outstanding effort to serve — an outstanding member of our community,” explained Elliott. Traditionally, the identity of the winner is kept secret until it is revealed on the night of the Charity Ball. After the Outstanding Citizen recognition, dinner and the fundraising segment of the program, the night is dedicated to dancing and fun until wrapping up at midnight. The entertainment for this year’s Charity Ball will be provided by the Remedies, a cov-
er band from Nashville. The Junior Auxiliary of Corinth is a service organization for local women. It is affiliated with the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, which encompasses seven states and includes a membership of more than 12,000. Funds contributed to the Junior Auxiliary of Corinth remain in the Corinth/Alcorn area to underwrite the local chapter’s various projects. Emphasis is placed on children, with projects including providing sleepers and blankets to babies born at Magnolia Regional Health Center, new school clothing for approximately 250 needy children and approximately 15 scholarships per year for local students needing financial assistance to further their education. Every summer, members host a week long arts-based camp for special needs students.
On this day in history 150 years ago On the second day of battle, Curtis’s Union forces at Pea Ridge counterattacked and defeated the Confederates under Earl Van Dorn. Over 3,000 casualties were suffered in the fight which forced the Confederates to give up plans to retake Missouri.