Sports BHS basketball coach looks ahead
Tishomingo Sheriff’s deputies make drug arrests
Local 143-year-old wedding dress on display
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Tuesday Nov. 15,
2016
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 275
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Student arrested in bomb threat hoax BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
A 14-year-old student has been charged with making a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of schools in Pren-
tiss County Monday. Sheriff Randy Tolar said more arrests may be forthcoming in regards to the threat posted on Facebook in which a person threatened to blow up the
schools. Investigators quickly determined the threat was a hoax and came from a bogus Facebook page created to hide the identity of those behind it. Officers were dispatched to
each school and school authorities were notified who took action to protect students until the validity of the threat could be determined, said Tolar. The 14-year-old Thrasher stu-
New Sparky
dent was arrested and charged with hindering prosecution and making a bomb threat and is being held in the Juvenile DePlease see ARREST | 5
Water operator gets state award BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Putting the sparkle in Corinth’s water earned Ken Briggs the title of “Mississippi water operator of the year” from the Alabama/Mississippi Section of the American Water Works Association. The chief operator at the Clifford G. Worsham Surface Water Treatment Facility, Briggs has been with Corinth Gas & Water for 15-and-a-half years. “It’s a humbling experience to know that your peers and people that’s been in this industry for a whole lot longer than I have recognize you for the job you’re doing,” said Briggs. The honor is available to certified waterworks operators of at least 10 years and upon nomination by a board member of the waterworks association. He is responsible for the production of clean, safe, potable drinking water and overseeing the regular testing that keeps it flowing safely. “We test every hour,” said Briggs, “plus we do a series of tests once a day on the water for things such as iron and manganese to make sure we are removing the things that
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Modern Woodmen members join Corinth firefighters to celebrate the purchase of a new “Sparky” suit. From left: Modern Woodmen member Connor Wilbanks, Fire Chief Todd Welch, Sparky, Training Officer Jerry Whirley, Modern Woodmen member and former fire captain Reggie Rickman, and Modern Woodmen members Jonathan Marsh and Brett Marlar.
Firepup mascot costume is purchased BY BOBBY J. SMITH bsmith@dailycorinthian.com
There’s a new Firepup in town. With help from the Modern Woodmen of the World, the
Corinth Fire Department has purchased a new Sparky mascot costume. “Sparky was getting pretty old and worn out,” said Training Officer Jerry Whirley. “He
was around 10 to 12 years old, and we needed a new one.” With the current mascot sliding toward old age and dePlease see SPARKY | 2
Several artists needed for window painting contest BY BOBBY J. SMITH bsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Artists are needed to help “Deck the Town.” Organizers of the new Deck the Town holiday-themed window painting contest have signed up over 40 businesses but are still in need of artists. “We’re needing 15 to 20 people who want to paint windows and win some money,” said event organizer Tom Chartres. Sponsored by Main Street, Visit Corinth and Corinth First, Deck the Town is a contest for local retailers and dining establishments to see who can put up the best window paintings for the holiday season.
Doug Michael Jumper McCreary
Rick Jones
See related photo on Page 2. are what you call ‘aesthetics.’ They’re not harmful, but nobody wants to have red or black water.” He also tackles any issues that may arise, such as the musty or earthy taste and odor that has recently been present in the water. It is an issue that happens with surface water supplies in the fall and spring and is just about the only complaint the plant receives. “It’s worse this year because of the lack of water infiltrating in the lake,” said Briggs. The plant made adjustments to clear it up by adding more carbon. “The carbon that we were feeding was fine,” said Briggs. “There just wasn’t enough of it.” The treatment plant was recognized as plant of the year in 2014. The American Waterworks Association is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. More than 4,000 utilities are members.
People of the Crossroads Kenneth R. Roaten, Corinth
Chartres hopes that students and young artists in the community will embrace the chance to contribute their creativity to the contest. “We really need any students or young people to get involved in this,” he said. “Any young people needing community service hours, this is an opportunity. We’d love to see them be a part of it.” A variety of spaces for possible paintings are open, from smaller windows to multiple large areas. A board member of the Community Development Council, Chartres wants the contest to bring more local
A 1965 Alcorn Central High School graduate, Kenneth Roaten learned to skydive by the seat of his pants on a short dirt runway with his dad at the age of 9. He started sport skydiving in 1968, becoming an instructor that same year. After a 39-year layoff from the sport at the age of 69, he made a high altitude jump from 15,000 feet, falling at a speed of 120 mph. The free fall lasted a little over a minute. “It was like always remembering to ride a bicycle,” he said. “Great to be back upstairs again.” Formerly employed at the Halliburton oil company in Houston, Texas, the retired U.S. Air Force Seargeant is the father of Daniel Ray, Kimberly Rae and Cassandra Rae. He has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Please see ARTISTS | 2
25 years ago
10 years ago
Randy Long is inducted as president of the Corinth-Alcorn Chamber of Commerce, taking over from outgoing president John C. Ross Jr.
Magnolia Regional Health Center holds a final beam ceremony as construction moves ahead on a massive expansion project.
Neil Paul
Marea Wilson
John & Brenda Hayes
Alexis Rudd
Roger Clark
Audrey McNair
Carl Jones
2782 S Harper Rd
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