Prentiss County Hunting, fishing licenses available
Sports Division tourney action continues
Alcorn County Pittman is back in leadership role
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Wednesday Feb. 24,
2016
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 47
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • Two sections
What happened to ‘Harper’? County weighs road projects
Local dog lovers hope stray dog remains okay BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
The corner of Harper Road and Proper Street is without its mascot as “Harper” – the stray dog who captured the hearts of many – is believed to have been missing now for just over a month. “We discovered he was gone the day after two-year-old Noah Chamberlain went missing (Jan. 15),” said receptionist Amy McAlpin at the Corinth Pulmonary Clinic, located near the intersection, as she referred to the Chester County, Tenn. toddler who was found deceased a week after he was discovered missing. “We saw him (Harper) that morning when we fed and watered him, but haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since.” “We really miss him and it hasn’t been the same around here since his disappearance. Our patients miss him as well and ask about him daily,” she said. “We’ve even had several individuals we’ve never met stop by and inquire as to his whereabouts. Over the years, he has touched a lot of people.” A regular sight at the intersection, the beloved canine has walked the length of Harper Road for so long that he was eventually named for it. “He was here when we opened the clinic in 2004, so we know he is at least 10 years
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
under the overpass.” Over the years, both the shelter and Corinth Animal Control have made numerous attempts to get Harper off the streets, but to no avail. “We’ve even set out traps to try and catch him, but people keep springing them despite the leash law,” said Doehner. “I let him (the visitor) know that we’ve done all we can do for the dog, but he said it wasn’t
Alcorn County supervisors are looking at possible road projects after getting a preview of the new term’s funding outlook for the State Aid Program and other sources. The Board of Supervisors met with Cook Coggin Engineers on Monday to learn more about funding options other than local tax revenue for road and bridge projects. Based on that information, the supervisors plan to prioritize some projects. The formula for State Aid funding typically gives Alcorn County $642,600 annually, but Cook Coggin expects that to be cut to $467,000 this year. Over the course of the full term, the county is projected to get $2.334 million through the program. “That could get revised later in the term,” said Kent Geno, the county engineer. Because 10 percent is generally held back, the county can expect to have about $2.101
Please see HARPER | 2A
Please see PROJECTS | 6A
Harper relaxes in the spot he loves most, the grassy area near the Harper and Proper intersection. old, possibly even older,” said B. Wayne McAlpin, M.D. “At first we saw him once a week, then every other day, but eventually started seeing him on a daily basis. When he was younger, you’d spot him anywhere from Walmart to Subway, but always on the same road which is why locals began calling him ‘Harper’.” Presumed to have been taken, residents and visitors alike are asking, who could have taken Harper and why?
Volunteer Director Charlotte Doehner with the Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter may have the answer. “We had an older gentleman pay us a visit about a month ago and he was very upset and concerned about Harper’s well-being, claiming the shelter was not doing enough for him,” said Doehner. “I explained to him that we check on Harper twice a day and have added new pillows and a warm blanket to his dog house
Board changes employment policy BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Fillmore Street Chapel is now part of the National Register of Historic Places. First United Methodist Pastor Rev. Roger Shock (from left), Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin, Local Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Claire Stanley and Chapel Committee Member and Lay Leader of FUMC Zane Elliot commemorate the occasion around the plaque noting the listing of the historic chapel.
Fillmore Street Chapel makes historic list BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Fillmore Street Chapel made the list. The oldest church building in Corinth is now part of the National Register of Historic
Places. “The Chapel” — referred to by most First United Methodist Church members — is listed on the National Register as Fillmore Street Cumberland Presbyterian.
“It was built in 1871, had major structural improvements in 1898 and added an educational annex in 1922,” said Rosemary Fisher, Chairman of the Chapel Please see CHAPEL | 6A
The Alcorn County board of education made a change to their teacher and administrative employment policy earlier this month. Board members voted 3-2 to pass an amendment to the Alcorn School District’s current employee non-renewal policy. In accordance with the Mississippi Education Employment Procedures Law, current board policy states licensed or certified employees must be informed of non-renewal in a timely, cost-efficient and fair manner, and provide notice of the reasons for not offering an employee a renewal of his or her contract. The policy also requires non-renewal decisions to be based upon valid educational reasons or noncompliance with school district personnel policies. The amendment the board voted to add to the policy states the Alcorn School District Board of Education has the responsibility of provid-
ing and maintaining quality schools, and for good cause the board may abolish or combine job positions, reduce length of the work year with a related reduction in salary, reduce administrative supplements or reduce the number of employees, with staff reductions accomplished by attrition. Enrollment declines and financial reduction are two new reasons added to the policy as valid non-reemployment decisions. “The primary objective of the board when reducing the work force will be the maintenance of a fair and balanced education program consistent with the needs of the students and the functions and responsibilities of the school district,” the amendment states. Board president Carroll Morton voted against the amendment addition. “I see no reason to take their rights away from them,” he said. “I don’t believe the ship is sinking just yet.” Please see POLICY | 2A
25 years ago
10 years ago
Alcorn County Superintendent of Education Tony Parker announces plans to retire. Parker, who was first elected in 1975, says he will not seek reelection to a new term.
Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Project Manager Dana Lee prepares to head to the coast. Lee joins tourism officials from across the country in assisting restoration efforts at sites damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
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