National Park Service celebrates 100th birthday today: Page 5 Walnut plans new wellness center: Page 2 Thursday Aug. 25,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 205
Bob Barber
zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Please see PLANNING | 6
BY JEBB JOHNSTON Fourth District Supervisor Steve Glidewell shut down the County Road 510 bridge over Kossuth Creek Wednesday afternoon after an inspection deemed it no longer safe for traffic. The unsafe bridge is in line for replacement soon. “The pilings are all buckling, allowing the bridge to have movement,” said Glidewell, who closed down the bridge around 4 p.m. “I am hoping this bridge will now be expedited through the State Aid Program so the road can be reopened as soon as possible to the public.” Located 1.5 miles east of Kossuth, the bridge is on a road with a very high traffic count, he said. The structure was deemed unsafe for school bus traffic in 2014 and is one of the lowest-rated in the county.
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BY JEBB JOHNSTON
as worms between a quarterinch and an inch long. They vary in color from dark brown to green or may even have stripes. The extension agent said the best way to identify them is by an inverted Y marking that can be seen when they are viewed head-on. The only way to spot them is to get down on the ground and search for them. He said it’s best to part the grass to get close to the ground to
Alcorn County is likely headed toward a tax increase in the new budget year beginning Oct. 1. After three hours Tuesday afternoon going through the budget line-by-line, the Board of Supervisors arrived at a total millage rate of 116.21, an increase of 5.21 mills from the current budget. The numbers are preliminary, and the proposed budget will go to a public hearing in September. The fiscal 2016 budget had a tax increase of 5.24 mills. The proposed increase would include 3.5 mills tied to the planned restructuring of the county’s bond for the justice center. Chancery Clerk Greg Younger said the county is looking at splitting the bond into two parts, with one half to include all of the government offices on a general obligation bond. “I think the payment on that portion of the bond will be around $650,000, and so that 3.5 mill levy will go to pay for the general obligation part of the bonds,” he said. “The other part of the bonds will continue to be paid for by the revenue from MDOC.” It is hoped that the bond restructuring, combined with the prospect of getting around
Please see WORMS | 3
Please see TAX | 2
The fall armyworm is causing major damage to crops and yards throughout the region.
Tiny invaders destroy yards, fields BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
An army of tiny invaders is wreaking havoc on area yards and fields, but there are defenses available to battle the onslaught of the fall armyworm. Heavy infestations of the hungry worms have been reported throughout northeast Mississippi and the entire state. The tiny worms can take a big bite out of fields and lawns, devastating a huge area in a very short time period. Each worm can eat as much as 28 squareinches of grass leaves. When that amount is multiplied by the thousands of worms that typically are found in an area where they’re present, the damage they can cause is im-
“I have seen them wipe out whole hay fields overnight.” Patrick Poindexter Extension Service Alcorn County Director mense. “I have seen them wipe out whole hay fields overnight,” said Mississippi State University Extension Service Alcorn County Director Patrick Poindexter. He’s been fielding numerous calls from farmers and homeowners looking for help in dealing with the creatures and said the best defense is a strong and early offense. “You’ve got be watching for them,” he said. Fall armyworms first appear
Unsafe bridge closed jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
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jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
BY ZACK STEEN City leaders are looking to the future. The Corinth Board of Mayor and Alderman furthered discussed on Tuesday the possibility of entering into a comprehensive planning project that would change the city’s current infrastructure codes and planning policies. “The question I have as a planner – where is Corinth going to be in 20 years without comprehensive planning?” said Bob Barber with Orion Planning Group. “For example, the 72 corridor – there’s a lot of dollars being turned out there, but I’m not sure that’s the kind of image the board wants to carry into the future. A comprehensive plan would stop some things from being done and change everything for the better.” Barber said the planning pro-
Tonight
Tax hike likely for Alcorn County
Orion Planning Group
Corinth continues planning discussion
Today
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Worm onslaught
“The question I have as a planner – where is Corinth going to be in 20 years without comprehensive planning?”
Partly cloudy
People of the Crossroads Gerald Wegmann, Wheeler Grove
See related photo on Page 6
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
“Try to treat people like you want to be treated yourself and you’ll be alright in business.” This is the philosophy Corinth Exhaust Center owner Gerald Wegmann brings to work each day. Wegmann founded his business 38 years ago, not long after completing two years of service in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. When not at work at the Exhaust Center, the 71-year-old Wegmann enjoys spending time with his wife, Marcia, and their 10 grandchildren. “They keep us busy. We have a big time with them.” Wegmann is an active member of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church. “I always put church first, family second, and then my work — and it’s worked out good for me,” he said.
“I knew that bridge had been unsafe for years and began the State Aid process to replace it immediately when I took office in January,” said Glidewell. But he didn’t anticipate having to shut it down this soon. With an estimated replacement cost of $750,000, it was the first State Aid project authorized by the new board. It will include 300 feet of apron on either side of the bridge. The Office of State Aid Road Construction assists the state’s counties in the construction and maintenance of secondary, non-state-owned roads and bridges.
25 years ago
10 years ago
An open house is held to show off the newly completed Tishomingo County High School. Classes began with the start of the school year in the newly consolidated district.
Locals Tim Haynie, Lealon Harris and Phil King win first place in the Cabella’s King Kat tournament in Owensboro, Ky. Harris also wins big fish of the day for a 68.25 pound catch.
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