Alcorn County/Corinth Christmas Parade begins at 5 p.m. Prentiss County School districts propose partnership
Tippah County Purification plant planned for Walnut
Tishomingo County Students to host holiday market
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Saturday Dec. 3,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 291
Cloudy, cooler Today
Tonight
49
43
50% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • One section
Domestic violence conviction reinstated Thursday, the court affirmed the sentence of James L. Johnson Jr., 56, who was sentenced in April 2014 to serve 10 years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The case centered around Johnson’s alleged assault by strangulation
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The Mississippi Supreme Court reinstated an aggravated domestic violence conviction out of Alcorn County, reversing a Court of Appeals decision. In a decision handed down
of his former wife in December 2012. Johnson appealed, arguing that the circuit court judge erred by admitting evidence of prior bad acts. About a year ago, the Court of Appeals agreed that the lower court made an error
by admitting into evidence the entire contents of four police reports with references to additional criminal offenses without determining if their probative value outweighed the prejudice to Johnson. The appeals court had ordered the case sent back
to circuit court for new proceedings. During its case in 2014, the state introduced police reports related to incidents involving four different women during a Please see CONVICTION | 2
Tree tradition celebrates Christmas Arrest District approves made in roof repairs burglary BY BOBBY J. SMITH
bsmith@dailycorinthian.com
BY ZACK STEEN
zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
While repairs begin on deteriorated roofs at two county schools, the need for an additional multi-purpose building is present at another. Board member Randy Wilbanks said recently the closing of Rienzi school has forced the need for a new multi-purpose building for physical education on the Biggersville school campus. “There is only one gym on the entire campus – one gym for all kids, K-12 to use,” said Wilbanks at the Alcorn School District Board of Education meeting on Nov. 14. “It’s a problem now more than ever that we need to seriously look at.” Superintendent Larry B. Mitchell said building a second gym at Biggersville is “secondary” to more pressing repairs facing the district, including the much-needed roof repair project. “We really don’t need to be building a new building until we finish making roof repairs,” Please see SCHOOLS | 2
The community is invited to experience the heavenly sounds of the season at the First Baptist Church’s annual Singing Christmas Tree concerts. “This presentation of Christmas music is centered on the good news brought to the world through the birth of Jesus, and how we are to respond to that news,” said Dr. Royce Wilder, music minister of First Baptist Church. “The Singing Christmas Tree is a wonderful way to focus on the real meaning of the season.” The concerts are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, and 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12. This year’s 60-voice ensemble will feature the voices of the First Baptist Church adult choir, youth choir and children’s choir. The event is a Corinth tradition going back three decades. The vocalists sing from positions on a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree decked out in lights, ribbons and a giant star on top in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary. Choir member Mary Green said the program will feature
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Corinth police apprehended another alleged car burglar. Corey McGaha, 38, of Johns Street, was arrested last week and charged with burglary of a vehicle. He is out on bond. Corinth PD Capt. Dell Green said a person was seen burglarizing a vehicle parked at Mid South Neurology, 2425 Proper Street, and fleeing the scene. The police department developed a suspect who was later identified in a lineup by a witness. The police department has encouraged residents to lock car doors after a recent increase in auto burglaries usually targeting unlocked vehicles. In other recent arrests: • A residential burglary on Foote Street was also spotted by witnesses on Nov. 17. Lewis Dillard, 22, of Toby Lane, Memphis, and a 16-yearold juvenile were each charged with burglary of a dwelling. Green said Neighbors report-
Please see TREE | 2
Volunteers prepare the Singing Christmas Tree at the First Baptist Church Sanctuary.
Please see ARRESTS | 2
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth Symphony brings sounds of the season BY KIMBERLY SHELTON
“We are excited to announce
kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
In anticipation of a joyous Noel, the Corinth Symphony Orchestra is preparing to present its second concert of the season. Held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 in the historic Coliseum Civic Center in downtown Corinth, the festive program will be a celebration of Christmas cheer. Offering religious music, yule-tide favorites and classical holiday carols, the harmonious event will feature soloists and dancers with a theme of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
that there will be guest vocalists as well as members of the Corinth High School Dance Team,” said CSO Board Member Rosemary Williams.
Approximately two hours in length, the jovial concert is expected to last until 4 p.m. Selections rendered will include: • “O Holy Night” and “Russian Christmas Music” by the orchestra • “What Child Is This” by guest soloist TaNechi Temple • “All is Well” by guest soloists Melody and Lyric Perry. The solo will be the orchestra’s first performance with the 7-year-old twins. • A “Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson will help patrons get in the Christmas spirit through many old favorite car-
ols. • “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”, “A Rockin’ Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be performed by the orchestra, following 15-minute intermission. • “This Christmas” by soloist Keesha Norris-Jackson • “Winter Wonderland” by the Corinth High School Dance Team • “Hallelujah”, a popular piece written recently by the late Leonard Cohen will be performed by the orchestra during the second half of the concert. Please see SYMPHONY | 5
Corinth High School Warrior Band Instructor TaNechi Temple will perform “What Child Is This” during the Corinth Symphony Orchestra’s 2016 Christmas Concert.
25 years ago
10 years ago
Residents begin cleaning up after heavy rains flood several neighborhoods and force the closure of schools.
More than 60 entries take part in the Iuka Christmas Parade. Billie Burk Thomas serves as grand marshal.
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