112916 daily corinthian e edition

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Tishomingo Co. Two arrested over Thanksgiving

McNairy Co. Officials turn down hospital offer

Local Two people injured in wreck

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Tuesday Nov. 29,

2016

75 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 281

Mostly sunny Today

Tonight

72

50

80% chance of rain

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

Jobless rate stays similar

Sales tax continues to climb

BY JEBB JOHNSTON

BY JEBB JOHNSTON

jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Alcorn County unemployment was nearly unchanged over the month in October but down a bit from a year earlier. At 5.4 percent, the jobless rate placed the county 17th among the state’s 82. Prentiss County matched the 5.4 percent rate, while Tippah is at 5.2 percent and Tishomingo is at 5.5 percent. Mississippi’s unadjusted rate also held almost unchanged at 5.7 percent. The number counted as unemployed in Alcorn County was 860, compared to 910 a year earlier, and the number employed was 15,160, rising from 14,780 in October 2015, when the jobless rate was 5.8 percent. The county’s unemployment rate was at 10.8 percent five years earlier. Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Alcorn County during October totaled 48, down from 64 a year ago, and continued claims totaled 399, compared to 386 in October 2015. Benefits paid totaled $53,328, declining from $58,053 a year ago. Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted non-farm employment increased 2,800 over the month but was 2,700 lower than one year ago. Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment gains were educational & health services; government; and professional & business services. Unemployment rates

Tax collections continue on a slow-growth trajectory based on the results for the second month of the new fiscal year. Both sales tax and the tourism tax collected in Corinth posted modest gains in the funds deposited around Nov. 15, reflecting sales made in local establishments during the month of September. Sales tax for the month totaled $527,060.96, a gain of half of a percentage point, or about $2,600, compared to a year earlier. The fiscal year’s total goes to $1,033,937.59, gaining 1 percent over the same point in FY 2015. Eight of a dozen municipalities in the northeast corner posted gains as collections across Mississippi collectively grew 2.7 percent. The 2 percent tourism tax on prepared food and lodging brought in $110,074.93, gaining 2.4 percent from a year earlier. For the two months of the fiscal year, the tax has generated $218,024.34, gaining 1 percent. In other tourism promotion taxes from the region, Tishomingo County collected $2,291, rising from $2,196 a year earlier, and Ripley collected $24,658, rising from $21,924, according to figures from the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Other sales tax results from the region: • Booneville - $161,937.10 (+11%) • Burnsville - $14,771.70 (+3%) • Farmington - $3,112.09 (-37%) • Glen - $2,151.52 (-1%) • Iuka - $69,647.25 (+8%) • Kossuth - $3,643.65 (+0.4%) • Rienzi - $4,886.04 (-2%) • Ripley - $111,748.10 (+4%) • Tupelo - $1,681,063.79 (+8%) • Walnut - $19,556.10 (-18%)

Please see JOBLESS | 2

Staff photo by Mark Boehler

Twenty men pull a 1.4-ton cannon and carriage up the steep slope at Pittsburg Landing.

Shiloh ‘Parrott Pull’ 20 strong men take on 1.4 ton challenge BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com

SHILOH, Tenn. — It’s a brisk, autumn morning on the banks of the Tennessee River at Pittsburg Landing. Fall color abounds. The season’s first morning of an 8 a.m. temperature close to freezing is a welcome feel for about 20 Civil War re-enactors dressed in Union blue. These men from Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama are about to work up a sweat. “We are not re-enacting. We are re-creating,” calls out one leader of the group. The men nod in agreement. “This,” says Jason Marlar of Corinth, eyeing the nearby

20-pounder Parrott Rifle, the largest and heaviest field piece used during the Civil War. “Is history.” On this particular Saturday, these living historians were recreating one of the most unique events which took place during the Battle of Shiloh. Using their hands and rope, the re-enactors were moving one cannon and limber from Pittsburg Landing. “It’s going to be fun,” noted Marlar, before the unit starts moving the gun and carriage weighing in excess of 2,900 pounds, equal to 1.4 tons. On Saturday, April 5, 1862, an untested artillery unit from Chicago landed at Pittsburg Landing, according to

National president to visit club reception BY BOBBY J. SMITH bsmith@dailycorinthian.com

The Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi invites the community to a Commitment to Excellence reception on Thursday at the Crossroads Arena Convention Center. Beginning at noon, the event will celebrate the club’s service to the community for over 60 years and feature the Boys & Girls Club national president as guest speaker. “We would like to welcome people in the community to come out if they have an opportunity and learn more about the Boys & Girl Club,” said Antoine

Shiloh Ranger Chris Mekow. This unit was Battery H, First Illinois Light Artillery commanded by a former Swedish artillery officer named Captain Axel Silfversparre. The men were largely recruited from the immigrant community with 40 percent being Swedish and roughly two out of three men being born overseas. The battery was armed with four 20-pounder Parrott Rifles, notes the park ranger. When the Battle of Shiloh began, Silfversparre’s Battery was stuck at the landing as their horses had not yet arrived. Ordered into line by Please see PULL | 2

People of the Crossroads Freida Miller enjoys helping people make a connection to the past. Visitors to the Black History Museum on Meigg Street often expect to find more traditional black history than the stories of local people. “When they come in, they are so surprised to find out we have things that directly relate to them or their ancestors,” she said. “That’s really the enjoyable part of it — giving them something that they can identify with.” Miller has been involved with the museum, which opens on Fridays, since its inception in 2003 as a volunteer. She also enjoys playing music — Miller is the musician for Cedar Grove CME Church and gives private piano lessons. She is married to James Miller and is the daughter of the late Freddie Gardner, a minister who was known for his humor.

Walker, executive director of the Northeast Mississippi Boys & Girls Club, which is comprised of chapters in Corinth, Iuka, Booneville and Baldwyn. The reception will recognize those in the community who have supported the Boys & Girls Club over the last year and provide an opportunity for kids who utilize the club to speak. “We’re going to give the kids an opportunity to speak and tell their stories about why they love coming to the Boys & Girls Club and how it has impacted their lives,” said Walker. Please see CLUB | 2

Staff photo by Jebb Johnston

25 years ago

10 years ago

Amy Mitchell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Mitchell of Corinth, is honored as the Wall Street Journal’s Outstanding Student in Agricultural Economics.

Doug Michael Jumper McCreary

Rick Jones

Neil Paul

Marea Wilson

John & Brenda Hayes

Alexis Rudd

Roger Clark

Audrey McNair

A massive blaze destroys the Town & Country Furniture store in Iuka in one of the largest blazes ever seen in the city.

Carl Jones

2782 S Harper Rd

www.jumperrealty.com


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