Saturday Feb. 16,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 41
Partly sunny Today
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39
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
School district dismisses principal BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Alcorn Central Middle School Principal Dan Burcham has been dismissed. According to Alcorn School Board Attorney James Price, Burcham’s employment was terminated on Wednesday. Price said he could not provide any more details about
Burcham’s dismissal. When asked if a criminal investigation was underway, the attorney said the Daily Corinthian would have to obtain that information from law enforcement. An official in the sheriff’s department told the Daily Corinthian on Friday that he was not aware of any criminal investigation regarding the principal
currently under way. During a closed executive session on Monday, the Alcorn School District Board of Directors voted to suspend Burcham with pay for an indefinite period. School officials have been tight-lipped in the days following Burcham’s suspension. Alcorn School District Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith
was contacted by the Daily Corinthian Tuesday evening and the school leader refused comment, giving the name and phone number of the school board attorney for information. Price confirmed that Burcham had been suspended on Monday, but would not discuss any specifics of the complaint or reveal who made the com-
plaint. One teacher contacted by the newspaper said all employees had been instructed not to comment on Burcham’s suspension. The county school board determined Monday that Assistant Principal Nellie Massengill will serve as acting principal during Burcham’s absence.
Conference stresses health education Event features lots of talent BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
It’s all about saving lives. Magnolia Regional Health Center stressed the message through its 2013 Women’s Health Conference Friday at the Crossroads Arena. “We have seen an increase in people’s education and medical knowledge,” said conference founder Dr. John W. Prather. “I hope we can educate more because it benefits the entire family.” The 10th annual conference saw 370 -- a mixture of both men and women -- attend the fourhour conference. Five physicians spoke to the crowd on various subjects such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart palpitations. “I have always supported Dr. Prather,” said Dr. Barry Bertolet. “I am real proud of him for taking the initiative on educating the public … if we can get them to recognize symptoms, it makes our job easier.” Bertolet, who delivered a 20-minute talk on Flutter & Heart Palpitations, said the conference allows physicians to continue to bring health to the forefront. “We want to enhance their awareness,” he added. Mississippi ranks first when it comes to the number of deaths due to all cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and strokes. “When people come in earlier, we start saving lives,” said Dr. Bertolet. Billed as a women’s health conference, the event has also played
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Magnolia Regional Health Center LMS Administrator Debbie Essary gives away a tote bag Friday at the Women’s Health Conference at the Crossroads Arena. a huge part in extending male lives. “The woman is the one who takes care of the whole family,” said Dr. Bertolet. “What a woman learns today, she can take home and share it with the rest of the family.” Attendee Peggy Treadway recognizes the importance of having
the conference. “This is a wonderful resource for educating the public,” she said. Treadway, along with Shirley Rinehart, Mia Nickels, Myra Strom and Sara Beth Green, took part in a fashion show to conclude the event. “Being here and hearing what is said is more effective than read-
ing it in a magazine,” said Treadway, who recently received three stents. Hospital employee Evelyn Mathis agreed. “The community is given valuable information on health and what they need to do to stay healthy,” said the education specialist.
The Crossroads Poetry Project is sponsoring an upcoming event that will feature a variety of musical and artistic talent. “The Ties that Bind” will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Waldron Street Church of Christ. The event will feature readings from history, poetry recitations by Crossroads Poetry Project President Autry Davis, dancers, drums, more poetry, gospel singing and “all kinds of stuff,” said Crossroads Poetry Project Vice President Milton Wallis. “It’s going to be a big event,” said Wallis. “With storytelling and all kinds of musicians, it’s going to be one great big show.” The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Crossroads Poetry Project is a local, community-based poetry group. It sponsors readings and other events Please see TALENT | 2
Kossuth farmer enters Methodists booming poultry business offer lunch during Lent BY BOBBY J. SMITH
bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Farmer Doug Mitchell is branching out. Mitchell’s Kossuth farm has raised row crops and cattle for years, but since last fall, Mitchell has established himself in the poultry business. The farmer spoke about his burgeoning chicken operation at this week’s meeting of the Corinth Kiwanis Club. “It’s been fascinating,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been learning something new every day.” Mitchell has built two facilities on his land on Highway 2 near Kossuth. Construction began last June, and the second building has been up-and-running since Dec. 15. Both of the high-tech, $700,000 buildings are 50by-465 feet. They each house 10,000 hens and 1,000 roosters. The facilities are operated with a high level of automation, with only a couple of employees
keeping the whole operation running. It is the first chicken farm affiliated with Aviagen — a global market leader in poultry genetics — in the state of Mississippi. Mitchell said the company would like to see more facilities built in Alcorn, Tishomingo, Prentiss and Tippah counties. If the company can build 10 facilities like Mitchell’s in Mississippi, Aviagen is interested in building a feed mill in Corinth, Mitchell said. The mill and its offices would likely employ about 250 people. “It’s something that could have an economic benefit in the community,” he said. Demand for poultry is growing around the world, Mitchell pointed out. In America, the average person eats 80 pounds of chicken each year. In China, 2.3 pounds are consumed per person, but the amount is expected Please see POULTRY | 2
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Ash Wednesday marked the first day of a yearly tradition at First United Methodist Church. The church kicked off its 33rd Annual Lenten Luncheons at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. Six more weeks remain in the time of fellowship and inspiring message made possible by the United Methodist Women. Proceeds from the $6 lunch go to support local and state missions. During the service, a different speaker and music is provided each Wednesday. First Baptist Church pastor Dennis Smith will be the speaker during the upcoming service of Feb. 20. The remaining list of guest speakers include: Feb. 27 – Dr. Don Elliott, First Presbyterian
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Members of the United Methodist Women Glenda Andrews (left) and Linda Gene Jackson prepare food during the first week of the 33rd Annual Lenten Luncheons at First United Methodist Church. Church; March 6 – Rev. Ann Fraser, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; March 13 – Father Richard Smith, St. James Catholic Church; March 20 – Rev. Kenny McGill, Kossuth United Methodist Church; and March 27 – Rev. Ted Avant, Waldron
Street Christian Church. Lunches for the next six weeks include: Feb. 20 – vegetable soup and pimiento cheese sandwich; Feb. 27 – hot ham sandwiches and pasta salPlease see LUNCHEON | 2
On this day in history 150 years ago The U.S. Congress passes the Enrollment Act, which requires all men between the age of 18 and 40 to be liable for military service. The unpopular legislation has loopholes and substitutes can be hired for $300. This follows a similar act in the Confederacy the previous April.
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