Wednesday March 14,
2012
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Daily Corinthian
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • 2 sections
Vol. 116, No. 63
Local voters go with Santorum BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Tuesday’s primary election in Alcorn County saw a low, primarily-Republican voter turnout. “What we found was that not
many Democrats turned out,” said Circuit Clerk Joe Caldwell. “Most of the people voted Republican.” Out of Alcorn County’s 23,660 registered voters, only 3,608 (15.25 percent) cast bal-
■ See state results on Page 11A. lots on Tuesday. In the race for Republican presidential nominee, Alcorn
County supported Rick Santorum, who netted 1,127 of the county’s votes — almost 35 percent of all votes cast in the county on Tuesday. Santorum was followed by Newt Gingrich with 1,024 votes (31.55 percent)
Local woman loves competing in team penning sport BY STEVE BEAVERS
and Mitt Romney with 921 votes (28.37 percent). Incumbent Alan Nunnelee received the majority of Alcorn County’s votes in the RepubliPlease see ELECTION | 12A
Drug unit plans ‘zero tolerance’ for meth makers BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Erin Rainey has seen the country — all on a speedy horse. The 24-year-old has been part of team penning and ranch sorting competition since she was 6 after a friend of her father’s introduced the event. “It has been a family thing for me,” said the 2010 Mississippi State graduate. Rainey and her dad, David, have been teammates in the sport for 18 years. The two will be part of the United States Team Penning Association (USTPA) Regional Qualifying Show on Saturday at the Crossroads Arena, beginning at 9 a.m. The show — usually held at the Rainey’s Horseshoe R Arena off Highway 72 West every March — has been moved to the arena as part of Cowboy/Rodeo Week in Corinth and Alcorn County. “We have been doing this as a family for over 20 years,” said Erin’s mother Susie Rainey, who teamed with her daughter to win an event in 2005. “Erin fell in love with the sport and still loves it today.” Team penning begins with 30 cows marked zero through nine in multiples of three at one end of an arena. A team of three penners lines up and an announcer calls a number. The riders then race against the clock to strategically separate each cow with that number. Once separated, the cows must be gathered into a pen at the other end of the arena. “I just have a connection with horses,” said Erin Rainey inside the family arena. “If something
Staff photos by Steve Beavers
Please see PENNING | 12A
Erin Rainey has been competing in team penning with horses like Doc for close to 20 years.
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Alcorn Narcotics Unit is sending a clear message to those involved in methamphetamine activity. There will be no letting up. “There is a zero tolerance for people who manufacture methamphetamine,” said Alcorn Narcotics Unit’s Darrell Hopkins. “It is very serious with a lot of families suffering due to use and abuse.” The unit arrested a pair of individuals involved in the illegal activity over the weekend. Lacey Diane, 30, of 79 CR 515, Corinth and Christopher James Hughes, 36, of the same address, were arrested after turning themselves in to the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday. Both have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture meth and currently out on bond. The two individuals were stopped on U.S. 72 prior to officers determining they were traveling to other states purchasing pseudoephedrine pills used to manufacture meth. “People who cook meth continue to persuade other people to purchase pills and bring the pills to them,” said Hopkins. “They do this so their name does not come up on record as buying the pills.” According the officer, people who purchase the pills are convinced the activity isn’t illegal. “It is illegal to purchase pseudoephedrine pills and bring back to cooks to manufacture meth,” he said. “We are not going to let up on the cookers or people who posses methamphetamine.” Hopkins says officers keep a close eye on prescriptions of pseudoephedrine along with people that go to other states to buy the pills. “Children are the most vulnerable due to being exposed to the drug by simply living in the house where cooks and smokers have been,” said Hopkins. “This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
“There is a zero tolerance for people who manufacture methamphetamine. It is very serious with a lot of families suffering due to use and abuse.” Darrell Hopkins Deputy, Alcorn Narcotics Unit
Cook-off looking for volunteers, more entries BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com
Entries continue to trickle in for the 5th Annual Crossroads Chili Cook-Off, which crowns the official International Chili Society sanctioned Mississippi state champions in several categories. Organizers are hopeful a new Local Favorite category will help generate more local interest in the event as volunteers are also being asked to step forward to help as judges. The popular event will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at the Corinth Depot in downtown Corinth in conjunction with the Green Market’s fourth season. “We continue to have teams sign up,” said cook-off organizer Steve Knight. “It’s still
“We continue to have teams sign up. It’s still a little early, but registrations now sure are appreciated as the number of entries will determine prize money.” Steve Knight Event organizer a little early, but registrations now sure are appreciated as the number of entries will determine prize money.” The Crossroads Chili CookOff has added a new Local Favorite Category which will be scored by sanctioned judges. The winner gets $300 and a trophy, while second and third places will depend on number of entries, said Knight. “This is something just for lo-
cal teams,” explained Knight. “We want to encourage some local friendly participation for bragging rights as to local folks who cook some good chili.” The fee is $25 and local favorites entries must have two quarts of chili for the judges and another gallon for People’s Choice. The best part for participants in the local favorite — the chili can be made ahead of time, not-
13 teams competed last year. “People enjoy sampling the chili.” The cook-off committee is encouraging churches, school groups, civic clubs and businesses — especially restaurants — to get involved and enter in local favorites. The Crossroads Chili CookOff will also host a sanctioned Please see CHILI | 12A
On this day in history 150 years ago
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ed Knight. “It’s simple for people to get involved,” added Knight. “Just prepare chili ahead of time and keep it warm.” People’s Choice is one of the most fun parts of the chili cookoff. For a small fee to a charity, people get to sample chili and pick their favorite. The winner gets a trophy. “People’s Choice has been a huge success,” said Knight, as
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Under pressure from Washington to explain why Gen. Grant was relieved of command, Gen. Halleck backs down. “Instead of relieving you, I wish you to assume immediate command and lead it on to new victories.”
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