Alcorn County Reception to honor school superintendent.
Sports Plenty of roundball tourney action.
McNairy County Maintenance director makes great strides.
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Tuesday Dec. 29,
2015
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 310
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The spirit of giving the holiday season is alive and well in the Alcorn County area. Donations continue to pour in for the 20th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fundraising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 5. Baskets were given away based upon faith the goal will be reached. So far $15,745 has been raised, meaning $9,255 still has to be raised to meet the goal. Recent donations include a $500 from the Corinth Garden Club; $50 from Brenda, Hayden and Alyssa in memory of Tommy Park; $250 from Long Wholesale Distributors in honor of Long Wholesale employees; $100 from Jan Hurley in memory of James E. Price Jr.; $100 from
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Heavy rain hits area Basket fund nears $16,000
Partly sunny
Another potent storm system brought a brief period of street flooding to the city Monday morning. It was only a little more than an inch of rain, but it came too quickly. “A lot of driveway culverts and a lot of the drains in the downtown just couldn’t keep up,” said Street Commissioner Philip Verdung. “Once the rain stopped, all of the roadways that were flooded were clear in about 30 minutes or
so. It drained out really fast.” Localized flooding hit some of the usual spots like Oak Lane and the Cass Street underpass. The underpass, which has had a mechanical issue that led to the waters backing up, was one of a couple of barricaded spots. “Wednesday night, we got called out there,” said Verdung. “One of the floats in that system had quit working. The pump was still operating, but it wouldn’t kick on until there was quite a bit more water in those pipes. We did not have an opportunity to repair
it before today’s event.” The storm began to exit the area soon after the torrential rain. “It looks like the main channels are starting to recede now just a little bit,” Verdung observed about 2:30 p.m. “They rose for quite some time after the rain stopped. Another 20, 30 minutes of rain like what we had this morning, we may have been in trouble.” Corinthweather.net shows 3.18 inches of rainfall in the city since Christmas Day and more than 7 inches for the month.
Man dies after hit by vehicle Staff reports
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is still investigating an early evening fatal traffic accident on Sunday involving a pedestrian in Alcorn County. Troopers responded to U.S. 72 near the Tippah County Line at approximately 6:55 p.m. Upon arriving it appeared Anthony Tippen, 40, of Walnut, was walking on the side of U.S. 72 when he was struck by a vehicle. Tippen died on the scene from injuries sustained in the crash, according to the MHP. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The Mississippi Highway Patrol said Tippen was one of five people who died on state and federal highways during the Christmas holiday period from Wednesday through Sunday. In Lee County, 19-year-old Boonville resident Chaniqua Pierce died Wednesday on Mississippi 6 when her car hit a tree. Please see FATALITY | 6
Please see BASKET | 3
VFW to host New Year’s celebration BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Celebrating a bright new beginning, members and friends of VFW Post 3962 of Corinth will ring in 2016 as it has each year for over a decade. On Thursday, the New Year’s Eve Party will feature food, festive decorations and exciting surprises. “We are currently taking reservations,” said Quartermaster Tom Reinke. “I highly recommend that those interested make theirs as soon as possible since reservations must be paid in advance.” Tickets are $25 for nonmembers or $15 for members with valid membership cards. Hats and noisemakers will be included. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Mississippi House of the VFW Children’s home and burn center as well as local veterans and their families. The post welcomes individuPlease see VFW | 3
U.S. marshals catch inmates Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Lil Mike’s and Cafe Mike’s owner Michael Guare (right) receives a pair of plaques for taking both first and second place in the Christmas Spirit Program. Aylah Chelmowski and Isaac Floyd presented Guare the awards. The pair also presented a check to Oasis Medical Center board member Sam McDonald.
Lil Mike’s wins spirit program BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Lil Mike’s Grill and Pickup made a big impression. Voters in the 2nd Annual Christmas Spirit Program (CSP) were won over by the
decorations of the Fillmore Street restaurant. Owner Michael Guare not only took first place in the contest, but also second with his Cafe Mike’s establishment on North Harper Road finish-
ing just behind Lie Mike’s. “It was lot of fun to do it,” said Guare. “We have a lot of regulars who voted and I appreciate them.” Please see SPIRIT | 5
Staff Reports
BOONEVILLE — Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar says two inmates who escaped on Christmas Day are back in jail. He says in a news release that U.S. marshals caught Dustin Shook and Chad Strange on Saturday in a neighboring county. Guards found they were missing from the Prentiss County Detention Center early Friday. Strange is awaiting trial on robbery charges and Shock is in custody for drug court, according to Tolar.
Year in review, part II: Newsworthy events of 2015 BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
(Editor’s note: The “top 10” stories of the year will be presented on Jan. 1.) A look at some of the notable happenings from April to June:
April ■ The building commonly known as “old Moses” goes up
in flames in one of the larger fires in recent years. ■ A massive shootout is attributed to gang activity and results in the deaths of 25-yearold Ahmarius Swinney and 22-year-old Deonta Herman outside the Nashway Apartments off Proper Street. ■ Foul play is suspected when the bodies of Archie Wayne Williams and Jeanette
Martha Gray are found at a residence on County Road 171. Michael Lee Meeks of County Road 332 is charged with two counts of capital murder. ■ The Board of Mayor and Aldermen appoints Dennis Dilworth to the Corinth School District Board of Trustees, replacing Ann Walker, who was the board president. ■ Avectus Healthcare adds
another 70 jobs to its expansion. ■ Corinth orders new residential trash carts and increases the rubbish fee by $1.75 monthly. ■ The Corinth School District conveys the playground and other property associated with the old West Corinth ElePlease see REVIEW | 3
25 years ago
10 years ago
Tishomingo establishes a working board to coordinate consolidation efforts as the county’s school districts combine. Iuka School District Attorney Mike Cook said they board will give everyone an opportunity for input in the process.
The Mississippi National Guard’s 155th Brigade Combat Team, including units from Corinth and surrounding areas, begins returning home from service in the Middle East. Brig. Gen. Augustus Leon Collins commends the units personnel for their commitment and dedication.
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