Tishomingo Co. Quilt guild hosts retreat
McNairy Co. New program readies students for life
Sports Northeast results, Super Bowl pick
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Friday Feb. 3,
2017
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 28
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • Two sections
MDOT brings attention to road needs BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
TUPELO — With an uncertain funding outlook, the Mississippi Department of Transportation is calling attention to road and bridge needs across the state.
In a talk at the district office in Tupelo on Thursday, Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert said it is an issue of public safety, economic development and job creation. “The 1987 bill did many
things,” said Tagert. “However, unfortunately, it did not provide for a future funding mechanism for preserving the very system that we had built.” MDOT unveiled a list of unfunded highway projects that would take eight to 10 years to
complete at a cost of $400 million in additional funding annually. Alcorn County projects on the list are: • Surfacing of Highway 350 from Highway 2 to the Tishomingo County line
• U.S. 45 from the Prentiss County line to South Harper Road • U.S. 72 from near County Road 202 to the Tishomingo County line Please see ROAD | 5A
Agencies planning for tree giveaway BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff Photo by L.A. Story
Corinth Elementary School students Kamp Pace and Jack Garrett show off their newly decorated “100” glasses celebrating 100 days of school.
Students celebrate 100 days of school BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com
Wednesday was an activityfilled day as students at Corinth Elementary School celebrated 100 days in school. CES Principal Brian Knippers said the event was celebrated throughout the school, but began with the kindergarten students. A large banner declared the event at the entrance to the Kindergarten wing. Kindergarten teacher Katie
“We do this every year. It takes a lot of planning, but it’s fun and the children really look forward to it.” Katie Draper CES Kindergarten teacher Draper said the 100 days celebration was used for fun and also as a learning tool. Children were encouraged to dress up as if they were 100 years
old. Kindergarten students were also treated to a visit from “Zero the Hero” — a furry, masked edu-
Poetry Project annual contest nears deadline BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com
Residents of the Crossroads area have until 5 p.m. this Friday to turn in their poetry contest submissions. The Crossroads Poetry Project’s annual area-wide poetry competition deadlines Friday at 5 p.m. Students can turn in their entries at their schools. CPP board president Autry Davis said he will be picking those entries up from area schools. Adult community members can turn in their poetry contest submissions at the Corinth Public Library.
Please see SCHOOL | 2A
The opportunity to get a free tree sapling and some advice on planting will return with this year’s Arbor Day observance. Set for Friday, Feb. 10, in front of the Alcorn County Courthouse, the giveaway will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until the trees are gone. They usually go quickly, and there may not be as many available as in some past years. “It looks like this year we are only going to have pines again,” said MSU Extension Agent Patrick Poindexter. “There won’t be a lot, but we’ll have a few to give away.” Representatives of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Soil and Water Conservation District will also be on hand, as well as a 4H club that will help with distribution. “We’ll be there during the tree giveaway to talk to folks about the proper way to plant and where to plant them,” said Poindexter. “These pines, you don’t want to plant them too close to your house or too close to power lines.” Mississippi has observed Arbor Day since 1926 to recognize the importance of trees and forests. “We are a pretty heavily forested county, not only in pine trees, but in hardwoods and
“We are a pretty heavily forested county, not only in pine trees, but in hardwoods and other trees, as well. They are important to the environment. We harvest a lot of trees, and this helps to replant. It also helps expose some folks who have maybe never planted a tree.” Patrick Poindexter MSU Extension agent other trees, as well,” said Poindexter. “They are important to the environment. We harvest a lot of trees, and this helps to replant. It also helps expose some folks who have maybe never planted a tree.” According to the forestry commission, forestry contributes $12.79 billion annually to the state’s economy and more than $20 million toward eduPlease see GIVEAWAY | 5A
People of the Crossroads Darrell Ward, Eastview, Tenn. Growing up poor created a desire to help others within the heart of Darrell Ward. “I love helping anyway I can,” said Ward as he clutched a Bible in his left hand. “I grew up poor and the Lord put this on my heart.” The 60-year-old Lake County, Tenn., native gives away shoes for children in need near his home on U.S. 45 in Eastview. Some of the shoes have been donated while Ward purchased others to provide for children. It’s something he has been doing for around three years. “I am not asking for anything in return,” he said. “On a pretty day, I put out the shoes and give them away.” Ward, who moved to McNairy County in 1996, has provided around 150 pairs of shoes over three years.
This is the CPP’s ninth season and the contest is an important part of the activities the organization hosts each year. This is the second contest since founding board member Donna Stockton passed away and Davis admitted this has made hosting the contest more challenging - both physically and emotionally. “She worked hard and was a valued friend. Her contribution to the Crossroads Poetry Project was tremendous,” he said. Davis has labored to continue Please see CONTEST | 2A
Photo compliments of Steve Beavers
25 years ago
10 years ago
Kimberly G. Armstrong is inducted into the Society of Scholars at Mississippi State University.
Brandi Reacher is selected as Most Beautiful at Kossuth Middle School.
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