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Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 51

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20 pages • Two sections

Police want theft victims to step forward Suspect takes vehicle to sell it, then never returns with car or money BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Police say some local residents who trusted a Tippah County man to sell their vehicles for them were swindled out of both the autos and the proceeds of the sale.

The Corinth Police Department wants to hear from people who may have dealt with him or knows the whereabouts of the vehicles. CPD, Booneville Police Department and the Tippah County Sheriﬀ’s Department all received complaints dur-

ing the weeks of Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 that John Gregory Hopper, 50, of Highway 15, Tiplersville, had taken victim’s vehicles under the pretense he was going to sell them for the victims. “Hopper eventually stopped an-

Picking up trash Volunteers sought for river cleanup

swering phone calls and text messages from the victims,” said CPD Detective Heather Glass. The police department is concerned there may be more victims Please see VICTIMS | 2A

Senator provides update on session

BY ZACK STEEN

zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

A trek north next month will focus on keeping Pickwick Lake trash-free and local volunteers are needed. Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful is teaming up with Tennessee Beautiful and TVA for the Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful tour to help clean up littered sites along the Tennessee River, including Pickwick Lake. The tour will make a stop at Pickwick Lake on Friday, March 11. “We are so excited to partner with the two great organizations for this event,” said Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful Coordinator Andrea Rose. “Many residents from Corinth and Alcorn County enjoy time at the lake and river surrounding Pickwick and now we can help protect it from getting trashy.” The Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful project hopes to engage volunteers along the river by helping to pick up litter along the lake shorelines and debris from the river. “In order for us to continue to enjoy the beauty of the Tennessee River, it is our responsibility to clean and protect it,” said Rose.

JACKSON — After a busy deadline week full of meetings and contentious work in the Mississippi Senate chamber, second term Republican Sen. Rita Potts Parks finally caught a break. “It’s rare to get some quiet time,” she said via phone from her sister’s Jackson Parks home. The Alcorn County senator is in the midst of likely her busiest legislative session

BY STEVE BEAVERS A group of men want young people to do the right thing. Brothers Making A Diﬀerence (BMAD) is doing its part to help youngsters select the right path in life. A fundraiser to help BMAD in its endeavor is set for Saturday, March 5 at Jake’s Barber Shop. The barbecue event is slated for

ever. Parks received a coveted committee chair nomination from Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in January. The fourth district senator was named the chairperson of the Business and Financial Institutions standing committee, one of the state’s top senate committees. “It is an absolute honor,” said Parks, a native of Kossuth. “Especially going into only my Please see PARKS | 6A

Prayer day adds Bible reading A Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful volunteer hands a bag of trash to fellow volunteer Rocky Miller at the litter cleanup on Feb. 20 in the second district. Volunteers are now needed for the Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful tour stop at Pickwick Lake on March 11. More than 190 volunteers removed 18,372 pounds of debris from the Tennessee River during last year’s Tennessee River Tour. Please see CLEANUP | 2A

BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Praising the man upstairs, coordinators for the Northeast Regional section of the National Day of Prayer Task Force will hold a special meeting to discuss their plans. Slated for 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Martha’s Menu, the initial meeting will be held to discuss the commu-

BMAD schedules benefit to help local youngsters sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Hopper

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with pulled pork or grilled chicken tender plates being $10. Beans, slaw and bread will also be included in the plates. The group of Lamar “Jake” Keith, Tim Wade, Ronald Edmond, Stacy McKinnon, Henry Damons, Alec Gardner, Dexter Gardner and Fred Taylor are part of the group. New members DeWayne Ford and Jody

Trice have joined the eight other African American men, seven who are Corinth High School graduates, and taken on the role of bettering their community.. The March fundraiser, which will be held rain or shine, is taking place to help the group take some kids to the Corinth Black Rodeo on March 19 at the Crossroads Arena.

“We hope to carry around 10 to the rodeo and spend some time with them,” said Keith, who is hosting the fundraiser at his shop. BMAD has been making a diﬀerence in the lives of young people since 1999. BMAD operates as a 501©3 organization. Members pay dues with other

nity 75 hours Bible reading which will lead up to the main National Day of Prayer event on Thursday, May 5. “Our 75 hours Bible reading will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 2 and will continue until noon on the day of the prayer,” said Alcorn County Event Coordinator Deeana Dildy. Please see PRAYER | 2A

The March fundraiser, which will be held rain or shine, is taking place to help the group take some kids to the Corinth Black Rodeo on March 19 at the Crossroads Arena.

Please see BMAD | 2A

25 years ago

10 years ago

Angela Lynn Hastings of Corinth wins queen in the 1991 Miss Southern Sweetheart pageant. She is the daughter of Roy and Janet Hastings.

A grant provides healthy snacks at West Corinth Elementary. Teacher assistant Angela Brown, known to students as “the fruit and vegetable lady’ helps encourage healthy eating.

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Local/Region

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Former execs sentenced for defrauding investors Associated Press

JACKSON — Two former executives of a Mississippi company have been sentenced to prison for a scheme to defraud investors in a product billed as a monitoring system for nursing home patients. U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III on Friday sentenced Mark Rodgers, 53, of Houston, to 60 months in prison and sentenced Samer N’Ser, 54, of Ridgeland, Miss., to 37 months in prison. The judge also ordered them to pay nearly $15 million in restitution to investors and to forfeit more than $400,000. Rodgers was president and chief executive officer of Ridgeland-based Samarion Solutions Inc., formerly known as Valence Broadband Inc. N’Ser was the company’s chief technology officer. U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis’ office said the former executives intentionally misled investors about the financial strength of the company and the value of the product it claimed to be developing.

BMAD CONTINUED FROM 1A

Valentine royalty Ian Beck and JaRhiya McFadden (left photo) were chosen as Valentine’s king and queen at Corinth Headstart Unit 1. Their teachers are Charlotte Morton and Stephanie Hastings. Malachi Neal and Hanna Patterson were chosen as Valentine’s king and queen at Corinth Headstart Unit 2. Their teacher is Erika Donnell.

“ ... it is our responsibility to clean and protect it.”

CONTINUED FROM 1A

(For more information call 662-286-0200.)

VICTIMS

PRAYER

CONTINUED FROM 1A

who have not yet come forward. She said the victims were acquainted with Hopper, who is a former salesman at a Corinth auto dealership, but he may have used a false name in some cases. Hopper is currently jailed in Prentiss County with bond at $20,000 after taking a 1997 Chevrolet Corvette in Booneville and failing to return it. Last Sunday, he was arrested in Tunica County while driving the Corvette and was returned to Prentiss County, where the Booneville Police Department charged him with felony false pretense. The same charge is pending in Corinth stemming from the alleged sale of a silver 2004 Saab convertible with tag number ACG 468. Police are also looking for a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis that was taken in Tippah County, where a felony false pretense charge and two grand larceny charges are pending. Glass said Hopper is under indictment for a similar incident that happened in Corinth last year.

In addition Bible readings, organizers will also meet with all interested pastors in Alcorn County. Those who would like to participate are asked to attend the first meeting. A non-denominational event, the National Day of Prayer brings together believers for the purpose of honoring Christ in unity. The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is: “Wake Up America”. “We ask tall churches will prayerfully consider this first meeting as we prepare to work in unity to give God all the glory,” said Dildy. “We look forward to fellowshipping with each and everyone of you.”

Andrea Rose

Rose said the project will focus on removing litter from areas that are difficult for volunteers to reach by land. “Some volunteers will cleanup littered areas by boat,” she added. This year the cleanup tour will target four areas including Decatur, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., and Land Between the Lakes, Ky. Rose is asking locals to help with cleanup eﬀorts in nearby Pickwick Lake, Tenn. only. Each volunteer will receive a complimentary shirt and water bottle, according to Rose. “TVA’s mission of service includes balancing the Tennessee River system

and the many needs of the people of the Valley,” said TVA Vice President of Natural Resources Rebecca Tolene. “We rely on partnerships like this and volunteers from all over to help us in that mission. Cleanups are important for water quality, wildlife habitat and recreational enjoyment. We appreciate the support we’ve gotten from our partners to make this successful.” (For more information, visit keeptnriverbeautiful.org. To volunteer, contact Rose at andrea@corinthalliance. com or 662-287-5269.)

Love to Cook?

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Please have them postmarked by March 3rd Please submit them by email or mail: Mail

The Daily Corinthian P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835

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(Those interested in attending are asked to contact Northeast Regional Director, Diane Rodgers at diane.t.rodgers@att.net, 662-424-3199; or Alcorn County Event Coordinators, Deeana Dildy at djdildy@gmail.com, 662-2846421 or Jacinda Byrom at jacindabyrom@gmail.com, 662-4151285.)

Information about the missing vehicles may be reported to the Corinth Police Department at 286-3377 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-773-tips.

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funds coming through fundraisers such as barbecues. Proceeds from the fundraisers are used to take young people to such places as the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, college campus trip each fall, fishing trips and purchase a laptop each year for a graduating high school senior. Jake’s is located at 101 South Parkway.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Today in History

Local/Region

Oasis Medical Center plans new event BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Today is Sunday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2016. There are 307 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 28, 1996, Britain’s Princess Diana agreed to divorce Prince Charles. (Their 15-year marriage officially ended in Aug. 1996; Diana died in a car crash in Paris a year after that.)

Preparing for their 22nd Annual 3K Walk/5K Fun Run, the Oasis Medical Center will hold a kick-oﬀ/infornational meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at their 2421 Proper Street location. Encouraged to put their love into action, interested individuals and representatives from churches, schools, in-

dustries, civic clubs and businesses are asked to attend. Walk materials such as brochures, registration/ pledge forms, posters and other promotional materials will be available at the meeting. The 2016 Walk/Fun Run is set for Saturday, April 23. All funds raised will help provide medical information and education services at OMC. Every dollar raised will

P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835

make a diﬀerence in someone’s life. “Those who are unable

to join us on Saturday, April 23 may turn in their completed pledge forms and Walk/Run on their own,” said Executive Director Martha Jobe. The 5K Run Run is new to the annual fundraiser. “We are excited to add a 5K Fun Run to our annual fundraiser, Walk for Life,” noted Jobe. “We are looking forward to great participation from Corinth and the surrounding area for the

event, which is two weeks before the Coke 10K Run.” Prizes will be awarded to those raising the most in pledges -- Top Runner, Top Walker and Top Team. “All funds raised will help provide medical and educational services at Oasis,” said Jobe. (For more information or to RSVP for the kickoﬀ meeting, call 662287-8001.)

Across the Region

On this date: In 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded as the ship was sailing on the Potomac River, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others. In 1942, the heavy cruiser USS Houston and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth were attacked by Japanese forces during the World War II Battle of Sunda Strait; both were sunk shortly after midnight. In 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick announced they had discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign, ending an eight-year pontificate. (Benedict was succeeded the following month by Pope Francis.)

Daily Corinthian • 3A

Booneville resident faces drug charges BOONEVILLE — Drug Charges have been filed against Robby Bullard, 50, of Booneville stemming from a traffic stop on Wednesday, Jan. 27 near the intersection of CR 1251 and CR 1271 after Deputies Taylor Walker and Wesley Graves discovered that Bullard had methamphetamine in his possession. Bullard was charged with possession of a controlled substance (Meth). His bond was set at $25,000 but is being held after a previous bond for Felony Fleeing is in the process of being revoked. Prentiss County Narcotics Investigators and North Ms Narcotics are handling the case.

The City also recently filed charges against Bullard and a female companion, Sandi Reece.

Musicians needed for local orchestra SELMER, Tenn. — Arts in McNairy invites local musicians to join the orchestra for the production of Disney’s Beauty & the Beast. Musicians may be amateurs or professionals and play any of the following instruments: keyboard, cello, violin, bass, horn, clarinet, trumpet, and piano. Performance dates will be June 24-28. If interested, email artsinmcnairy@gmail. com, text or call 731645-2671, or send a message to the Arts in McNairy Facebook page for more information.

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School leaders keep watch on legislation BOONEVILLE — Booneville School District officials are keeping a close eye on the state legislature as numerous education related bills are drawing attention during the current session. Superintendent Dr. Todd English recently told the district’s board they are working to prepare the district for whatever may happen in Jackson this year. Several different versions of school choice legislation are under consideration this year, as are bills related to adjustments and changes to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. English said he expects this to be a significant year for educationrelated legislation and

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he believes it’s essential that the district stay on top of the changing landscape and be ready to make the most of whatever decisions lawmakers make.

UM begins search for vice chancellor OXFORD — The University of Mississippi is seeking to fill the new position of vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement. This position is one of the key components of UM’s comprehensive action plan designed to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment on all its campuses. The action plan was announced in August 2014, and an earlier search to find a candidate for this position was unsuccessful. Renewing the effort to

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hire UM’s first vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement is among Chancellor Jeff Vitter’s top priorities, he said. “As key components of the UM Creed, the values of diversity and multiculturalism are core to the University of Mississippi community,” said Vitter, who became chancellor on Jan. 1. “I share that strong commitment to diversity. “For that reason, my first major administrative action is to launch the search for vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement. We will recruit an outstanding leader to partner with people and units throughout the university in creating a welcoming and inclusive multicultural environment for all students, faculty and staff.”

USPS 142-560 The Daily Corinthian is published daily Tuesday through Sunday by PMG, LLC. at 1607 South Harper Road, Corinth, Miss. Periodicals postage paid at Corinth, MS 38834

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Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4A • Sunday, Feburary 28, 2016

Corinth, Miss.

Our View

Forward First initiative provides exciting time for Corinth schools With its “District of Innovation” status in hand, the Corinth School District Board of Trustees have adopted a revamped school calendar for the coming school year and set the stage for other changes to begin. With the recent approval by the Mississippi State Board of Education, Corinth joins Gulfport and Vicksburg as the state’s first districts of innovation, freeing them from certain constraints so they may bring new approaches to education. The state board granted a number of waivers, allowing the Corinth district to launch new programs. Teacher performance incentives, differentiated diplomas, a modified accountability system, early college courses and career technical offerings are among the other changes the district is considering as part of its Forward First initiative. This is an exciting time for the Corinth School District. In addition to approving the calendar, the board authorized the superintendent to develop the new policies and procedures to bring to the board. The new school calendar is gaining discussion because it will be so different from the standard one. School will begin on Aug. 1 and end on June 15. Fall break will be three weeks in October and Spring break will be three weeks in March. The Summer break is a six-week period with two weeks in June and the month of July. There are greater differences in student learning today than in the past and there have been major shifts in American society. There is a concern that the standard school calendar has a relationship to students at risk of failure. Numerous research studies point out that there is a decline in academic achievement over the long summer and this decline results in lower test scores. Teachers have to deal with what is known as “summer loss.” They spend significant time at the beginning of the school year reviewing and reteaching the previous year’s work. The Corinth modified calendar is different from the approach of many other districts in that it is coupled with a comprehensive remediation, enrichment and transition schedule. The breaks in October and March will allow the school to remediate students at risk of failing and provide more timely interventions and remediation rather than attempting to do so at the end of the school year. This should facilitate the academic and emotional growth of the student and help them not fall too far behind in their development. And what a reward for students who are maintaining good grades - three weeks out of school. These breaks won’t be just for at-risk students to get caught up or take a vacation with their families. Optional enrichment and dual enrollment college opportunities will also be offered during this time for students who wish to enroll. The enrichment activities will serve a dual purpose. Students will be able to broaden their learning through planned programs and activities similar to camp experiences and it will assist some families who might struggle with the childcare issues. High school students today across the country are taking advantage of early college experiences and this new calendar will allow the district an opportunity to provide this for its students. Through a partnership with Northeast Mississippi Community College, Corinth students will be offered the opportunity over a two-year period to earn close to 30 college hours prior to graduating from high school. This will enable students to move forward and earn a college degree or advanced degree on an accelerated track. Corinth School District Superintendent Lee Childress recently told the Daily Corinthian this new approach in education provides an opportunity for schools to make a difference. We agree.

Daily Corinthian

Prayer for today Almighty God, look upon me with pity; so often I have obeyed the thoughts that have been misleading and profitless. Make me more careful of what I think and say, and may I learn from my mistakes the forbidden paths. Help me to keep my mind in unity with thy will. Amen.

A verse to share Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6

FBI challenge may define regulation Is the right to privacy absolute? What can the government regulate? Is encrypted digital data to be afforded the same protections as materials traditionally protected by the First Amendment? Apple in seeking to protect data access in their iOS platform – and now by extension Google in making the same argument to protect their Android data access – is offering an argument over privacy, data access, proprietary technology and First Amendment issues that is at once compelling and at the same time confusing and convoluted. In response to the horrific San Bernardino, California, terrorist attack that left 14 dead and 22 wounded at a holiday office party on Dec. 2, 2015, a federal judge ordered Apple Inc. to help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone used by terrorists Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik prior to the atrocity. Farook and Malik were killed in a gun battle with police after the attack – which was believed in part to be inspired by the couple’s fealty to the Islamic State. At face value, the FBI demand to Apple seems logical, moral, and even patriotic. The FBI argues that Apple has a duty to help them obtain encrypted date that will help determine the full extent of a terrorist act

that killed and maimed innocent Americans on American soil. That inforSid Salter mation, the Columnist government argues, could well prevent future attacks and save the lives and health of innocent fellow Americans. Apple argues that what the government really wants is to force the company to create a means to disable a proprietary feature on their iPhone that disables all content after 10 failed password submissions. If Apple complies with the request in San Bernardino, the company argues, then the newly created code could be sought by governments all over the world through law enforcement agencies to put customer data at risk. Here’s another fact – Farook didn’t even own the phone. The phone was owned by The San Bernardino County Department of Health. The California county government oﬃce consented to having their phone searched, but the passcode What makes Apple’s request suspect is the revelation that until 2014, Apple possessed an electronic “key” in the software that the company could use to comply with law enforce-

ment requests for data. But that year, the company announced that as of the thennew iOS 8: “Apple will not perform iOS data extractions in response to government search warrants.” In that claim, it would seem that Apple seeks to create a digital privacy through what some have called an “impregnable smartphone” that doesn’t exists for the homes, cars, storage units, safes, or filing cabinets of American citizens served with a duly-issued search warrant signed by a judge with appropriate jurisdiction. But in an open letter, Apple has said: “Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession. “The FBI may use diﬀerent words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.” The U.S. Department of

Justice responded to that Apple claim in a court filing: “Apple may maintain custody of the software, destroy it after its purpose under the (court) order has been served, refuse to disseminate it outside of Apple, and make it clear to the world that it does not apply to other devices or users without lawful court orders. As such, compliance with the order presents no danger for any other phone, and is not ‘the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks’.” Regardless, the question is intriguing: Can the data on our smartphones really be aﬀorded protection from lawful search and seizure that isn’t currently extended to the individual who owns the phone, the house that individual occupies or the automobile he drives? Confused? Perhaps we all are. George Orwell once observed that “people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” But Orwell also said: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” (Daily Corinthian columnist Sid Salter is syndicated across the state. Contact him at 601-507-8004 or sidsalter@sidsalter.com.)

Paranoid politics Amid all the media analyses of the prospects of each of the candidates in both political parties, there is remarkably little discussion of the validity – or lack of validity – of the arguments these candidates are using. It is as if what matters this election year is the fate of a relative handful of people – currently seven – running for their respective parties’ nominations. Meanwhile, the fate of the 320 million Americans who are going to be aﬀected by the outcome of this year’s election fades into the background. The fact that Hillary Clinton’s election prospects, for example, depend on her ability to get the black vote has been talked about in the media numerous times. But what about the fate of millions of black people, and how that will be aﬀected by the way Hillary Clinton is trying to get their votes? Her basic pitch to black voters is that they have all sorts of enemies, and that blacks need her to protect them, which she is ready to do if they vote for her. In short, Hillary’s political fate depends on spreading fear and, if possible, paranoia. Similar attempts to get the votes of women are based on conjuring up enemies who are waging a “war on women,” with Hillary again cast in the role of some-

Reece Terry

Mark Boehler

publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

editor editor@dailycorinthian.com

Willie Walker

Roger Delgado

circulation manager circdirector@dailycorinthian.com

press foreman

one ready to come to their rescue, if they will give her their votes. In both cases, rhetoThomas ric and repSowell etition take the place of Columnist hard evidence. The closest thing to evidence being offered is that the average income of blacks is not the same as the average income of whites, and the average income of women is not the same as the average income of men. But the average incomes of people in their twenties is usually lower than the average income of people in their forties – and by a greater amount than the income difference between women and men, or the income difference between blacks and whites. Does that mean that middleaged people are enemies of young adults? In countries around the world, and for centuries of recorded history, people living up in the mountains have usually been poorer than people living on the land below. Does this mean that people in the lowlands have somehow been robbing mountain people? Or does it mean that the circumstances of people living

in mountains have usually been less promising than the circumstances of others? If poverty among blacks is due to whites, why has the poverty rate among black married couples been in single digits every year since 1994, despite far higher poverty rates among other blacks? Do most white employers even know – or care – which blacks are married? When the imprisonment rate of blacks with a college education is a fraction of the imprisonment rate of other blacks, does that mean that white cops check out the education of blacks before they decide to arrest them? Or does it mean that blacks who have chosen one way of life have very diﬀerent prospects than those who have chosen a very different way of life – as is true among whites, Asians, Hispanics and others? Economic diﬀerences between women and men are not wholly due to personal choices, since only women have babies, and it is usually mothers who take time out from the job market to raise them. When women work fewer hours per year than men, and do not work continuously for as many years as men, how surprised should we be that the sexes have

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different incomes on average? Anyone who is being serious – as distinguished from being political – would have to take many factors into account before saying that male-female income differences, or black-white differences, are due to people with identical qualifications and experience being paid differently. Any number of studies, including studies by female scholars, have shot down the oft-repeated claim that women are paid less than men with identical work qualifications. But that will not stop that same bogus claim from being made repeatedly this election year. What about blacks, women or others who believe the political hype? Will that help them improve their lives, or will it be anther counterproductive distraction for them and another polarization of society that helps nobody, except those who seeking votes? As for the media, they are covering the political contests, not the effects of the lies generated in these contests. (Daily Corinthian columnist Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His website is www.tsowell.com.)

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Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

Daily Corinthian • Sunday, February 28, 2016 • 5A

Community Events (Editor’s Note: We recommend Community Events be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event. Community Events publish on Wednesday, Sunday and when space allows on Friday.)

munity Center and pick up a monthly menu or contact Chef Ben Betts at 662-415-4003 or Ernestine Hollins at 662643-8024. The menu can also be faxed each month to those who provide a fax number.

Artist Guild Exhibits

JA Outstanding Citizen Search

The Corinth Artist Guild Gallery is currently hosting exhibitions by Simon Jackson and Kimberly Peeples. Jackson, a house painter from Eads, Tennessee, creates highly detailed miniatures of subjects such as old farm houses and guns. His work has been included in a past Smithsonian exhibit. Peeples is a self-taught painter from Ripley who especially enjoys painting animals.

Extension Activities: Art Class

The Junior Auxiliary of Corinth, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the Outstanding Citizen of 2016. Applications may be obtained at the Corinth Library, The Alliance, or the Daily Corinthian office. Please mail all nominations and supporting data to Susan Bailey, 1306 Poplar St., Corinth, MS 38834. The deadline for receiving this information will be Wednesday, March 2.

High School Art Competition

A Batik Workshop will be conducted every Thursday night for six weeks from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $10. Participants should register by calling 662-286-7755.

Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Art Department will host their Annual High School Art Competition now – March 24. High school students from the fivecounty district of Northeast will compete in the following categories: Drawing, 2D Design, 3D Design/Ceramics, Painting/Mixed Media and Photography/Printmaking/Computer Graphics. Anderson Hall Art Gallery hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday. For more information contact Terry Anderson at 662-720-7336 or tfanderson@nemcc.edu.

Beginning Quilt Class

Reunion Planning Meeting

An Art Class is open to the public at no cost and meets every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Extension Office. Participants will need to bring their own supplies and should call 662-2867755 to register and get more information. The class is limited to 15 students.

Batik Workshop

A Beginning Quilt Class will begin on March 15 and will meet at 5 p.m. every Tuesday thereafter. Six sewing machines will be available for individuals who do not own one.

Fish on Friday From 4 to 6 p.m. every Friday, the Easom Foundation will sell eat-in or carry-out farm-fed catfish dinners for $6 to support its hot meals program. The meal includes coleslaw or salad, French fries or roasted potatoes, a dessert, juice and catfish. Dinners are also available from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the same price. Side items on the menu for the day may also be purchased. Stop by the Easom Com-

There will be a planning meeting for the Alcorn Central 1966 Class Reunion at the Corinth Library at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29. Those who would like to help are asked to join. Those who have suggestion, but are unable to come are asked to call marlin Pittman at 662-4623117.

NARFE Meeting The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Jacinto Chapter 1879 will hold its monthly meeting at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 4 at Ryan’s Restaurant, located at 2210 Harper Road in Corinth. All active and retired federal employees are encouraged to attend.

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National Day of Prayer Coordinators for the 2016 Mississippi National Day of Prayer invite all local churches in Alcorn County to their first meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Martha’s Menu. The group will begin their 75 hours Bible reading at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 2 through noon on Thursday, May 5. The main National Day of Prayer Event will be held on Thursday, May 5.

BMAD Fundraiser Brothers Making A Difference, Inc. (BMAD) will have a barbecue fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at Jake’s Barber Shop. The cost is $10 per plate with the choice of pulled pork or grilled chicken tenders with beans, slaw and bread. The event will be held rain or shine. Jake’s is located at 101 South Parkway. For more information call 662286-0200.

Hee-Haw Show The McNairy County Hee-Haw show will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 through Saturday, March 5. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 7–12 and free for children 6 and under. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

tion or to place your order, please call 662286-7756.

4-H Cloverbud/ Cloverleaf Exhibit/ Contests The 4-H Cloverbud & Cloverleaf Exhibit and Visual Presentation Contests will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5 at the Alcorn County MSU Extension office. Youth ages 5-9 will participate in the Cloverbud/ Cloverleaf Exhibit Contest; where they will produce an exhibit related to their 4-H project and answer questions regarding their project. Youth ages 10-18 will participate in the Visual Presentation Contest; where they will present a demonstrated talk using posters and visual aids. Please call the Extension Service at 662-286-7756. for more information about the county 4-H program.

Community Fellowship Dinner The Easom Foundation will hold their monthly Community Fellowship Dinner at the Easom Community Center, located at 700 South Crater Street in Corinth from noon until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 6. Tickets are $10 for adults and

$5 for children. All carryout’s are $10. Items on the March menu include: Fried chicken, baked chicken, dressing, roast beef and gravy, greens, sweet potatoes, squash casserole, buttered rolls, lemon cake and key lime pie. For more information and for tickets contact Ernestine Hollins at 662643-8024 or Sam Crayton at 404-386-3359.

Disaster Readiness Disaster can come to our community at any time and in any form. The people we depend on to provide protection and safety during these unexpected events will be here to speak, address concerns and answer any questions. Speakers will include: Mayor Tommy Irwin, Corinth Police Chief, Ralph Dance, Sheriff, Ben Caldwell, Emergency coordinator and Homeland Security Representative, Rickey Gibens, Medical Emergency, Mike Lutz. The conference is free and open to the public and will be held in the Corinth, Library, at 6 p.m. Thursday March 10. Although it is not a political meeting and everyone is invited, it is sponsored by the Alcorn County Republican Party.

The Easom Community Center, located at 700 Crater Street in Corinth will hold their 2016 Gospel Fest from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13. Confirmed performers include: Rightfully His, First Baptist Church of Corinth, Lee & Gloria Carswell, Community Believers Baptist Church of Olive Branch, Celestial Nightingales, Moses United Methodist Church of Ripley, Hopewell Male Chorus of Rienzi, Oak Grove Male Chorus of Rienzi, Mount Olive Male Chorus of Baldwyn, Spiritual Traveler, Moses United Methodist Church of Booneville, Cody Killey & Quartet and Antioch Baptist Church of Pisgah. Admission is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For more information contact Landolph Walker-Lee at 314-406-3918.

Cruise-In The Magnolia Antique Car Club and Arby’s will host a Cruise-In at Arby’s from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. The cost to register is $5. There will be a free food giveaway for participants. For more information call Reggie Rickman at 662415-2582 or Michael Mann at 662-286-4988.

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4-H Soup Luncheon The Annual Jesse Clausel Memorial 4-H Scholarship Soup Luncheon Fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at the Alcorn County Extension office. Tickets are $6 each and include your choice of vegetable soup, potato soup, or chili, with crackers, dessert, and tea or water. Delivery is available inside city limits for orders of 5 or more. Pick-up or Dine-in orders will also be available at 11 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall at the MSU Extension Service located at 2200 Levee Road (behind the Crossroads Arena). All proceeds will be applied to the Jesse Clausel Memorial 4-H Scholarship Fund. For more informa-

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6A • Sunday, February 28, 2016 • Daily Corinthian

House passes bill toughening Medicaid rules Associated Press

JACKSON — Mississippi House Republicans passed a bill Friday that would require regular audits of Medicaid recipients and penalize those who fail to update their records. The House voted 76-40 to pass House Bill 1116 without debating it because of a standoff between Democrats and Republicans. The vote was divided by party, with Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition, sending it to the Senate for more work. The bill would require officials to maintain a computerized record of Medicaid recipients’ information and check it against information from federal databases. The state would pay an outside company to develop the system, which the Division of Medicaid and Department of Human Services would share. Aid recipients would have to report personal information, including their income and other earnings, housing, Social Security information, immigration status and work status. They would also be required to verify their records every three months by answering “knowledge-based quizzes” on their financial and personal information. The state would notify recipients if it needed more information or suspected fraud. But if recipients don’t send a written response within 10 days, the state would cut off aid until the issue is resolved.

Abortion returns to court altered by Scalia’s death Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court challenge to a Texas law that has dramatically reduced the number of abortion clinics in the state is the justices’ most significant case on the hot-button issue in nearly a quartercentury. One of this election-year term’s biggest cases is being argued Wednesday before a court altered by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He was perhaps the most vociferous abortion opponent among the nine justices. The Texas law has been replicated across the South and elsewhere, part of a wave of state abortion restrictions in the past five years. States mainly led by Republicans have tried to limit when in a pregnancy abortions may be performed, restricted abortion-inducing drugs that take the place of surgery and increased standards for clinics and the doctors who work in them. The Supreme Court case involves that last category. A Texas law enacted in 2013 requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby

hospitals. It also prohibits clinics from providing abortions unless they meet the standards of outpatient or ambulatory surgical centers. The high court has partially blocked those measures. If allowed to take full eﬀect, all but 10 clinics in Texas would have to close. There would be no abortion providers in the state’s rural areas or west of San Antonio. The only clinic in the Rio Grande Valley would be allowed to remain open on a limited basis. Before the law was passed, there were roughly 40 clinics in the state. About half have closed. Defenders of the laws in Texas and elsewhere argue that states have discretion to take steps to make abortions safer. Alabama and other states backing Texas told the Supreme Court that states were within their rights to apply health regulations to clinics for the sake of patients. The justices’ June 2015 order putting the appellate ruling on hold at least suggests that there is a majority to cut back on the regulations. The clinics and abor-

tion-rights groups are hoping for a ruling that might bolster challenges to other restrictions on abortion. To prevail, they still need Justice Anthony Kennedy’s vote, along with the reasonably certain votes of four more liberal justices, just as they did before Scalia’s death. Kennedy was part of the 5-4 majority to reaﬃrm abortion rights in 1992, then wrote the court’s decision in 2007 that upheld a federal law banning a certain procedure that opponents call partial-birth abortion. That was also a 5-4 split. A broad high court ruling striking down the Texas provisions would show that the court’s 1992 decision still “has some teeth in it,” said Stephanie Toti, the lawyer who will argue the clinics’ case. Without Scalia, the best that supporters of these laws can hope for is a 4-4 tie, which would uphold the appeals court’s endorsement of the Texas law and perhaps aﬀect similar laws in Louisiana and Mississippi because they are part of the same judicial circuit as Texas.

PARKS CONTINUED FROM 1A

second term, since most of the chair positions are given to those fifth and sixth term senators. It’s a huge confidence booster that Lt. Gov. Reeves trusts me with such an important role.” During her first term in the state senate, Parks served on numerous committees, including vice chair of Insurance, another highly sough after committee. “It’s hard for me to imagine coming back and topping that, but it happened and I couldn’t be happier,” she said. Reeves placed the Alcorn Central graduate on eight other committees, including Economic Development, Insurance, Highways and Transportation, Veterans Aﬀairs, Health and Welfare and the Senate’s newest committee, Medicaid. With session in full swing, Parks is focusing on a couple of bills she authored at the request of leaders from one of the state’s largest industries. “These bills are very important because of the expected regulations coming down from the federal government which will basically put the consumer and payday loan companies out

of business,” said Parks, regarding the possible Mississippi Credit Availability Act and Mississippi Consumer Installment Loan Act. “The feds want to stop the $100 to $500 high-interest loan from being an option and stop car title loans all together.” The Republican senator said her two bills would allow those types of loans to continue in Mississippi with restrictions placed on loan terms. “The payday loan and title loan business in our state is a billion dollar industry,” she added. “We need to keep this market open because so many Mississippians need these loan options, and so many rely on payday loans and title loans when emergencies happen.” Both bills have made it out of committee, but still require passage by both the senate and house before being presented to the governor. “We have worked very hard to find a compromise that allows these businesses to continue to operate, while still providing a fair service to the people,” Parks added. While in Jackson last week, Parks has received more than dozen phone calls and around 50 emails from Crossroads area residents asking her to vote against

one bill causing a stir statewide. “We call it the sex-ed bill,” said Parks. “And as it stands, I won’t be voting for it.” Senate Bill 2413 requires school boards to implement “personal responsibility” education into middle and high school curriculum by June 2017. “The bill states demonstrations are to be used in middle school — demonstrations are not age appropriate,” she said. The bill as it stands now states the Department of Education would publish a list of approved curriculum deemed medically accurate by the health department. The curriculum “must include information that abstinence from sexual activity is the only one 100 percent eﬀective way to prevent unintended pregnancy.” Parks also said two bills that will make changes to state education are still alive, and at least one will likely pass both chambers and draft into law this session. With both bills, legislators are trying to revise the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. MAEP is a complex formula designed to give schools enough money to meet mid-level academic standards. The formula has been fully funded only two

years since it was put into law in 1997, and legislators are tired of being criticized for falling short of the mark. “Shane on us. We should have not come home the last four years without working the kinks out of our state’s education,” said Parks. “I want to see more money go into the classrooms and I want us to reward schools that perform well, not those under performing schools.” Mississippi ranks schools A through F, like a report card, and the formula is based on perpupil spending for a district with a C ranking. Lt. Gov. Reeves has suggested the formula should be based on per-pupil spending at school districts ranked A or B. While this could reduce the amount needed to achieve full funding, lawmakers say they’re seeking the most eﬃcient use of tax dollars. “One of the two bills still alive seeks to setup a study committee of educators from across the state. The study committee would work throughout the second half of this year and report back to the capitol next session,” added Parks. “They would deliver us recommendations on what changes would work best — this might include a change in per-pupil spending.”

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Deaths Catherine Fields Clemmons

Taylors, S.C. – Funeral services for Catherine “Cat” Clemmons, 87, formerly of Corinth, is set for Monday at 3 p.m. at The Mackey Mortuary Chapel in Taylors, S.C. Mrs. Clemmons died Saturday, February 27, 2016 after a period of declining health. Born in Corinth, she was the daughter of the late Alan Kendrick and Mary Della Fields. She worked as a secretary for Wurlitzer Organ Company and was a member of West Corinth Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Don Clemmons (Cindy) of Taylors, S.C.; grandchildren, Daniel Clemmons (Maggie) and Jessica Clemmons; great grandson, William Bennett Clemmons; and niece, Cheryl Clausel. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Flora Hernandez, Julian Fields and Virginia McDaniel. Online condolences may left at mackeymortuary. com.

Tommy Joe Gammill

Funeral services for Tommy Joe Gammill, 79, is today at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is today from 1 p.m. until service time. Mr. Gammill died on Friday, February 26, 2016 at his residence. Born in Alcorn County on January 31, 1937, his parents were Joe and Myrtle James Gammill. He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church and a retired material handler at Gateway Corporation. Mr. Gammill was preceded in death by his... parents, three sisters; Audrey Garrett, Ruth Robertson, Betty Sue Harris, Laverene Follin, three brothers; Charlie Mack Rogers, Billy Wade Rogers, and Jim Gammill. Survivors include his wife, Glenda Howard Gammill of Corinth; one son, Tony Cartwright (Lisa) of Eastview, Tenn.; one brother, Kenneth Gammill of Chicago, Ill.; three sisters, Barbara Ann Patterson and Beatrice Kelder both of Corinth, and Carolyn McClung of Cave Creek, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Danny Joe Mason (Denise) and Shannon Clifton (Jason); and two great grandchildren, Collin Clifton and Jaden Clifton. Rev. Phillip Caples will oﬃciate.

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

State/Nation

Across the Nation Associated Press

Dozens of pythons captured in Florida DAVIE, Fla. — The 106 Burmese pythons captured over a monthlong hunt won’t help control Florida’s invasive snake population, but wildlife officials said Saturday that doesn’t matter as much as the awareness they bring to the state’s environmental concerns. Thousands of pythons, far from their natural habitat in Southeast Asia, are believed to be stalking Florida wildlife in the beleaguered Everglades. The tan, splotchy snakes can be elusive in the wetlands, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say volunteer python removal programs and two statesanctioned hunts since 2009 are focusing more eyes to the problem. “Whether they’re fishermen or they’re hunters or they’re hikers or they’re birdwatchers — they’re all looking for the python,” said wildlife commissioner Ron Bergeron. “The success of the ‘Python Challenge’ has broadened out to thousands of people now.”

Community mourns shooting at factory HESSTON, Kan. — Grieving residents of this small Kansas town parked riding lawnmowers with American flags fluttering beside them along streets on Saturday and adorned them “Hesston Hustler Strong” signs in a symbolic reference to the lawn equipment brand from the factory where a gunman killed three co-workers. The Excel Industries factory nestled in the center of this peaceful community of 3,700 founded by Mennonite farmers has long been more than an economic hub. It is a source of pride that binds people

together. It draws nearly 1,000 workers from small towns around the region and everyone seems to either work there or know someone who does. The Hustler brand evolved in the 1960s from the tinkering of a man from a nearby town, John Regier, who built a lawn mower that could turn and maneuver more easily to cut grass around obstacles such as trees and winding sidewalks. The company now sells Hustler and Big Dog equipment around the globe and in 2013 earned the Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year award. The quiet of Hesston was shattered on Thursday when Cedric L. Ford barged into the plant while about 300 people were working the second shift and opened fire. Authorities say Ford, a convicted felon, was upset after being served hours earlier at the plant with a protection from abuse order to stay away from a former girlfriend.

Trump wants weak libel laws amid feud WASHINGTON — Feeling maligned by the media, Donald Trump is threatening to weaken First Amendment protections for reporters if he were president and make it easier for him to sue them. “I love free press. I think it’s great,” he said Saturday on Fox News Channel, before quickly adding, “We ought to open up the libel laws, and I’m going to do that.” The changes envisioned by the celebrity businessman turned Republican front-runner would mean that “when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money,” he said at a rally Friday in Fort Worth, Texas. Trump added that, should he win the elec-

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tion, news organizations that have criticized him will “have problems.” He specifically cited The New York Times and The Washington Post. Trump last month threatened to sue the Post after the newspaper wrote an article about the bankruptcy of his Atlantic City casino. On Twitter, Trump has routinely criticized reporters who cover him and their news organizations, including The Associated Press. “The press has to be fair,” he said in the broadcast interview.

House bill: Expand access to hunting WASHINGTON — The House on Friday approved a bill to expand access to hunting and fishing areas on public lands, extend protections for the use of lead bullets in hunting and strip wolves of federal protections in four states. The bill also would let hunters import 41 polar bear carcasses shot in Canada before they were declared threatened in 2008 and allow limited imports of ivory from African elephants. The bill was approved, 242-161, and now goes to the Senate. Twelve Democrats joined 230 Republicans in favor of the measure. Supporters said the bill would protect and expand the rights of sportsmen to hunt, fish and enjoy other recreation on public lands. “Washington bureaucrats don’t understand that federal lands can be used in multiple ways,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “By overregulating, these bureaucrats do a lot of damage to our fishermen, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts, stopping perfectly legal and safe outdoor activities. Washington regulations should enable access (to public lands), not stop it.”

Associated Press

Autopsy finds Iraq War vet drowned BAY ST. LOUIS — Authorities have ruled that an Iraq War veteran accidentally drowned in Hancock County two months ago. County Coroner Jim Faulk told The Sun Herald on Saturday that an autopsy confirmed 27-year-old Alex Toups accidentally drowned in a small body of water in the Lakeshore community. Teenagers shooting guns in the area found Toups’ body in the water on Dec. 27. A friend who had been with Toups the previous night thought he had gone home. Toups, a 2005 graduate of Hancock High School in 2005, enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school and had been stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 82nd Airborne Infantry.

Dam breach forces county to close road HERNANDO — DeSoto County authorities have closed a road near a dam breach, but one official said the problem doesn’t pose a significant threat to area residents. The Commercial Appeal reports that closing a segment of Kelly Road north of the Delta Crest subdivision was a precautionary measure recommended by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Roughly 50 homes are in the area where the dam breached near the Tunica County line, but officials said the property doesn’t face any immediate risk. District 4 Supervisor Lee Caldwell described the potential threat as “low impact” and said it will cost an estimated $22,000 to fix the breach. The dam is on a lake in the subdivision, which was developed in the 1960s.

Cross burning report investigated in south MONTICELLO — Authorities are investigating an apparent cross burning in south Mississippi. WJTV-TV reports that the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department notified the FBI about Thursday’s discovery of what appeared to be a small cross burning on the side of a road in the county’s unincorporated Sontag community. The FBI said in a statement that it’s “monitoring the situation” for possible violations of federal law. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s department said a caller reported the cross’ discovery around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

2 suspects arrested in Magic card theft BILOXI — Two people have been arrested on charges they tried to sell thousands of dollars in stolen role-playing game cards at a shop in south Mississippi. Biloxi police investigator Nick Sonnier told The Sun Herald that 31-yearold Jared Lee Reynolds and 22-year-old Brookelynn Parker Kelso were arrested Thursday after they attempted to sell the Magic game cards at a game shop in Biloxi. Sonnier said the shop’s owner knew the cards had been stolen from a car in late January and contacted police. Reynolds was arrested on an auto burglary charge. Kelso was arrested on a stolen property charge.

Credit union worker pleads guilty in theft NEW ORLEANS — A Mississippi woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1 million from the Louisiana credit union where she worked as a manager. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite’s office says 60-year-old Jacqueline Ray, of Biloxi, Miss., faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and

a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea Friday. A court filing says Ray worked for the Ochsner Clinic Federal Credit Union for nearly 30 years and stole at least $1 million between 2007 and 2013 by creating approximately 149 fictitious loans. Prosecutors say the proceeds from the bogus loans were converted to cash or deposited in accounts controlled by Ray.

House resumes work after partisan divide JACKSON — Partisan tensions stalled business Thursday and Friday in the Mississippi House, but leaders say they’ve agreed to resume work Monday. Republican and Democratic leaders hammered out a three-part agreement after more than a dozen meetings. First, House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, stood aside as Democrats lobbied Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to kill a redistricting bill that sparked the breakdown. Second, Gunn agreed to at least partially reverse a Thursday rules change that abolished members’ right to address the House on personal topics. Third, Gunn agreed to provide the House Democratic Caucus with employee support, and to meet with House Democrats to head off some conflicts. “We had a glitch in the road. We solved it. That occurs about once a year,” Gunn said. African-American members forced bills to be read aloud to filibuster Thursday and Friday, after Republicans passed House Bill 868. It would shift Simpson County from the Southern to the Central District for Supreme Court, Transportation Commission and Public Service Commission seats. Democrats said the bill reduced the share of black voters in the Central District, making it harder for AfricanAmericans or Democrats to get elected.

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Business

THE WEEK IN REVIEW WEEKLY DOW JONES 228.67 -188.88 53.21 212.30 -57.32

Dow Jones industrials Close: 16,639.97 1-week change: 247.98 (1.5%)

MON

18,000

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

17,000

16,000

15,000

WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

NYSE 9,619.80+133.83

NASDAQ 4,590.47 +86.04

S&P 500 1,948.05 +30.27

MARKET SUMMARY: NYSE AND NASDAQ GAINERS ($2 OR MORE) LOSERS ($2 OR MORE) Name

Last

PowerSec 18.55 ChesEn pfD14.60 SunEdison 2.26 RR Media 13.07 KEYW Hld 6.47 Newport 22.81 EditasM n 27.49 EngyFocus 13.04 Cardica rs 3.71 NanoViric 2.50 Tronox 4.71

Last Chg %Chg Name +8.25 +80.1 PTC Thera 7.99 +5.54 +61.1 Intelsat pfA 5.02 7.40 +.83 +58.0 Bankrate 4.72 +4.65 +55.2 Chimerix +2.25 +53.3 CaraThera 4.76 +7.80 +52.0 Gastar pfB 3.65 3.90 +9.01 +48.8 Harsco +4.23 +48.0 Gastar pfA 2.95 PatriotN n 4.37 +1.20 +47.8 +.74 +42.0 WtWatch 11.01 +1.38 +41.4 EmpirRst rs 13.07

Chg -20.85 -3.79 -5.08 -2.91 -2.84 -2.11 -2.08 -1.49 -1.70 -3.91 -4.60

%Chg -72.3 -43.0 -40.7 -38.1 -37.4 -36.6 -34.8 -33.6 -28.0 -26.2 -26.0

ACTIVES ($1 OR MORE) Name

Vol (00) Last Chg

BkofAm FrptMcM SunEdison ChesEng Pfizer FrontierCm SiriusXM FordM GenElec Alcoa Apple Inc

6096385 2722310 2350117 2136609 1973834 1961996 1878152 1856128 1792503 1615309 1572336

12.70 7.43 2.26 2.70 30.23 5.43 3.69 12.47 29.40 8.87 96.91

+.57 +.51 +.83 +.70 +.74 +.99 +.07 +.37 +.61 +1.00 +.87

Celebrating 25 years in Corinth The Alliance recently celebrated The Hamilton-Ryker Company’s 25th anniversary in Corinth with a business after hours event held at Vicari restaurant.

STOCKS OF LOCAL INTEREST Name

Wk Wk YTD Div Last Chg %Chg %Chg

AFLAC NY 1.64 AT&T Inc NY 1.92 Alcoa NY .12 Aon plc NY 1.20 Apple Inc Nasd 2.08 BP PLC NY 2.40 BcpSouth NY .40 NY .20 BkofAm B iPVixST NY ... BarrickG NY .08 Bemis NY 1.16 CabotO&G NY .08 CalifRescs NY ... Caterpillar NY 3.08 Checkpnt NY .50 ChesEng NY ... Chevron NY 4.28 Cisco Nasd 1.04 Citigroup NY .20 CocaCola NY 1.40 Comcast Nasd 1.10 CSVLgNG rs NY ... CSVLgCrd rs NY ... CSVelIVST Nasd ... CSVixSh rs Nasd ... Deere NY 2.40 DirDGldBr NY ... Dover NY 1.68 DowChm NY 1.84 EnCana g NY .06 EgyTrEq s NY 1.14 EnPro NY .84 ExxonMbl NY 2.92 Facebook Nasd ... FstHorizon NY .24 FordM NY .60 FrkUnv NY .47 FredsInc Nasd .24 FrptMcM NY ... FrontierCm Nasd .42 GenElec NY .92 ICICI Bk NY .16

60.17 +.85 +1.4 37.13 +.56 +1.5 8.87+1.00 +12.7 95.76+2.18 +2.3 96.91 +.87 +0.9 29.00 -.75 -2.5 20.35 +.43 +2.2 12.70 +.57 +4.7 24.50 -.92 -3.6 13.53 +.99 +7.9 48.78+1.12 +2.3 20.44 +.53 +2.7 .49 +.17 +52.6 66.87+1.45 +2.2 7.30 +.71 +10.8 2.70 +.70 +35.0 84.35 -2.15 -2.5 26.41 -.14 -0.5 39.50 +.51 +1.3 43.14 -.63 -1.4 57.91 +.15 +0.3 .90 -.12 -11.6 1.65 +.09 +5.8 19.21 +.56 +3.0 8.51 -.72 -7.8 79.47+2.47 +3.2 4.71 -.29 -5.8 61.11 +.91 +1.5 48.74+1.66 +3.5 3.95 +.82 +26.2 6.81 ... ... 51.88+7.94 +18.1 81.75 -.75 -0.9 107.92+3.35 +3.2 12.47 +.27 +2.2 12.47 +.37 +3.1 6.03 +.35 +6.2 14.43 +.42 +3.0 7.43 +.51 +7.4 5.43 +.99 +22.3 29.40 +.61 +2.1 5.31 -.34 -6.0

+.5 +7.9 -10.1 +3.8 -7.9 -7.2 -15.2 -24.5 +21.9 +83.3 +9.2 +15.5 -79.0 -1.6 +16.4 -40.0 -6.2 -2.0 -23.7 +.4 +3.1 -63.3 -58.2 -25.5 +35.9 +4.2 -71.5 -.3 -5.3 -22.4 -50.4 +18.3 +4.9 +3.1 -14.1 -11.5 +5.2 -11.9 +9.7 +16.3 -5.6 -32.2

Name

Wk Wk YTD Div Last Chg %Chg %Chg

iShJapan NY .13 iShEMkts NY .84 NY 1.73 iShR2K NY 5.20 IBM KimbClk NY 3.68 Kroger s NY .42 Lowes NY 1.12 MarathnO NY .20 MktVGold NY .12 McDnlds NY 3.56 Microsoft Nasd 1.44 NY Times NY .16 NiSource s NY .62 NorthropG NY 3.20 OrbitATK NY 1.04 Penney NY ... NY 2.81 PepsiCo Petrobras NY ... Pfizer NY 1.20 PwShs QQQNasd 1.52 PUVixST rs NY ... ProctGam NY 2.65 RegionsFn NY .24 S&P500ETF NY 4.13 SearsHldgs Nasd ... Sherwin NY 3.36 SiriusXM Nasd ... SouthnCo NY 2.17 SwstnEngy NY ... SPDR Fncl NY .46 SunEdison NY ... Torchmark NY .54 Twitter NY ... UltraPt g NY ... US OilFd NY ... Vale SA NY .29 WalMart NY 2.00 Wendys Co Nasd .24 WestRock n NY 1.50 Weyerhsr NY 1.24 WhitingPet NY ... Xerox NY .31

11.06 +.23 +2.1 30.06 -.18 -0.6 103.19+2.74 +2.7 132.03 -1.05 -0.8 131.30 +.87 +0.7 39.45+1.63 +4.3 69.10 +.58 +0.8 8.03+1.30 +19.3 18.69 +.31 +1.7 117.06+1.42 +1.2 51.30 -.52 -1.0 12.55 -.14 -1.1 21.51 -.36 -1.6 192.22+1.54 +0.8 87.25+4.23 +5.1 9.59+2.27 +31.0 98.36 -1.22 -1.2 3.38 +.23 +7.3 30.23 +.74 +2.5 103.43+1.80 +1.8 38.61 -3.34 -8.0 81.10 -.69 -0.8 7.75 +.10 +1.3 195.09+3.09 +1.6 18.26+1.55 +9.3 273.03+17.52 +6.9 3.69 +.07 +1.9 48.19 -.38 -0.8 6.38 -.71 -10.0 21.32 +.34 +1.6 2.26 +.83 +58.0 52.17 +.29 +0.6 17.94 -.37 -2.0 .35 +.15 +76.8 8.78 +.23 +2.7 2.71 -.23 -7.8 66.51+1.85 +2.9 9.38 +.13 +1.4 33.56+2.00 +6.3 25.59+2.72 +11.9 3.88 -.44 -10.2 9.66 +.30 +3.2

-8.7 -6.6 -8.4 -4.1 +3.1 -5.7 -9.1 -36.2 +36.2 -.9 -7.5 -6.5 +10.3 +1.8 -2.3 +44.0 -1.6 -21.4 -6.4 -7.5 +36.2 +2.1 -19.3 -4.3 -11.2 +5.2 -9.3 +3.0 -10.3 -10.5 -55.6 -8.5 -22.5 -86.0 -20.2 -17.6 +8.5 -12.9 -26.4 -14.6 -58.9 -9.1

AGRICULTURE FUTURES WkHigh WkLow Settle WkChg CORN 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel Mar 16 May 16 Jul 16 Sep 16 Dec 16 Mar 17 May 17

369.25 373.50 377.75 382.75 390.75 398.75 402.75

352.50 357.50 362.50 368.50 377 386 390.50

354.50 359.50 364.25 370 378.25 387.25 391.75

-11 -9.75 -9.50 -8.75 -8.25 -7.25 -7.50

SOYBEANS 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel Mar 16 May 16 Jul 16 Aug 16 Sep 16 Nov 16 Jan 17

887.50 890 894 895 894 896.25 900.50

854.50 861.75 868.25 870.50 871 874 878.75

463.25 469.50 476.75 486.75 501 509.75 511

438 446.50 455 466.75 483.25 496 504.50

Feb 16 Apr 16 Jun 16 Aug 16 Oct 16 Dec 16 Feb 17

139.05 138.40 126.55 122.22 121.80 122.02 121.00

136.07 133.97 123.25 119.05 119.20 119.95 120.37

137.55 137.00 125.95 121.37 121.42 121.55 120.47

+2.18 +3.05 +2.80 +2.27 +2.27 +2.30 +2.15

70.85 76.92 80.85 80.47 79.77 68.27 63.42

+1.95 +1.67 +1.70 +1.37 +1.17 +.25 -.05

57.92 57.53 57.33 56.94 57.09 57.99 58.75

-2.09 -2.01 -2.35 -2.13 -2.47 -2.12 -1.97

HOGS-Lean 40,000 lbs.- cents per lb.

855 863.50 870 872.50 873 876 881.25

-23.25 -17.25 -15.25 -14.25 -12.75 -12.50 -11.75

WHEAT 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel Mar 16 May 16 Jul 16 Sep 16 Dec 16 Mar 17 May 17

WkHigh WkLow Settle WkChg CATTLE 40,000 lbs.- cents per lb.

Apr 16 May 16 Jun 16 Jul 16 Aug 16 Oct 16 Dec 16

71.80 77.07 81.17 80.55 79.80 68.50 63.67

68.35 76.40 78.82 78.82 78.27 67.60 62.82

COTTON 2 50,000 lbs.- cents per lb.

443.25 452.25 459.50 469.75 485.75 498.75 507

-18.50 -14.50 -14.50 -14.25 -12.50 -9 -6.25

Mar 16 May 16 Jul 16 Oct 16 Dec 16 Mar 17 May 17

60.65 60.16 60.23 ... 59.94 60.41 60.57

57.16 57.26 57.18 ... 56.97 57.87 58.65

Tables show seven most current contracts for each future. Grains traded on Chicago Board of Trade; livestock on Chicago Mercantile Exchange; and cotton on Intercontinental Exchange.

MUTUAL FUNDS Name

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

Total Return/Rank Pct Min Init 4-wk 12-mo 5-year Load Invt

Vanguard 500Adml Vanguard TotStIAdm Vanguard InstIdxI Vanguard TotStIdx Vanguard InstPlus Vanguard TotIntl Fidelity Contra American Funds IncAmerA m American Funds GrthAmA m American Funds CapIncBuA m Vanguard WelltnAdm Vanguard TotBdAdml PIMCO TotRetIs Vanguard TotStIIns Vanguard IntlStkIdxIPls American Funds InvCoAmA m Dodge & Cox IntlStk Dodge & Cox Stock American Funds CpWldGrIA m Fidelity Spartan 500IdxAdvtg American Funds AmBalA m American Funds WAMutInvA m Metropolitan West TotRetBdI Dodge & Cox Income Vanguard MuIntAdml American Funds FnInvA m FrankTemp-Franklin IncomeA m Vanguard HltCrAdml Vanguard InstTStPl Vanguard IntlStkIdxAdm Vanguard PrmcpAdml T Rowe Price GrowStk Harbor IntlInstl American Funds NewPerspA m Vanguard STGradeAd Fidelity ContraK Vanguard TotBdInst Vanguard WellsIAdm Vanguard TgtRe2025 Vanguard WndsIIAdm

LB LB LB LB LB FB LG MA LG IH MA CI CI LB FB LB FB LV WS LB MA LV CI CI MI LB CA SH LB FB LG LG FB WS CS LG CI CA TG LV

+2.6 +2.6 +2.6 +2.6 +2.6 +0.3 +1.4 +2.4 +0.8 +2.0 +1.9 +1.0 -0.1 +2.5 +0.3 +3.2 -1.7 +2.7 +0.7 +2.6 +1.9 +3.4 +1.0 +0.2 +0.3 +2.2 +2.5 -2.2 +2.5 +0.3 +1.3 -0.4 +1.1 -0.3 +0.3 +1.4 +1.0 +1.9 +1.5 +2.6

146,311 120,312 100,346 92,592 85,157 73,995 73,007 68,651 68,237 66,929 65,584 62,206 58,942 56,830 52,857 52,513 51,575 50,943 49,538 48,827 48,214 47,650 44,335 43,367 42,832 42,264 41,656 36,605 36,124 35,932 35,771 35,670 35,375 34,767 33,856 29,923 29,777 28,923 28,846 28,605

180.32 48.25 178.54 48.23 178.56 13.39 92.08 19.81 38.05 55.09 61.94 10.81 10.04 48.26 89.58 32.38 32.01 152.06 40.77 68.70 23.31 37.10 10.75 13.27 14.38 48.08 2.02 84.18 43.66 22.40 96.30 48.47 56.05 33.13 10.59 92.02 10.81 59.63 15.11 56.27

-5.7/A -7.6/C -5.7/A -7.7/C -5.7/A -16.3/D -5.0/A -6.1/B -7.3/B -7.0/A -4.2/A +1.5/A -0.8/D -7.6/C -16.2/D -7.2/B -25.7/E -11.3/D -12.0/C -5.7/A -2.8/A -5.7/A +0.9 -1.6/E +3.7/A -5.6/A -12.7/E -5.0/A -7.5/B -16.2/D -7.6/B -6.7/B -14.8/C -7.9/A +1.1/A -4.9/A +1.5/A +0.4/A -6.8/C -10.1/C

+10.4/A +9.9/B +10.4/A +9.7/B +10.4/A -0.8/E +10.3/B +7.1/A +9.2/C +5.9/A +7.7/A +3.5/B +3.4/C +9.9/B -0.7/D +9.2/C -0.5/D +8.8/B +5.1/B +10.4/A +8.5/A +10.3/A +4.8 +3.4/C +4.9/B +8.9/C +3.5/C +18.4/B +9.9/B -0.8/D +11.5/A +11.2/A +0.6/C +6.5/A +2.1/A +10.4/B +3.5/B +7.3/A +5.8/A +8.7/B

NL 10,000 NL 10,000 NL 5,000,000 NL 3,000 NL200,000,000 NL 3,000 NL 2,500 5.75 250 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 50,000 NL 10,000 NL 1,000,000 NL 5,000,000 NL100,000,000 5.75 250 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 10,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 3,000,000 NL 2,500 NL 50,000 5.75 250 4.25 1,000 NL 50,000 NL200,000,000 NL 10,000 NL 50,000 NL 2,500 NL 50,000 5.75 250 NL 50,000 NL 0 NL 5,000,000 NL 50,000 NL 1,000 NL 50,000

CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, FB -Foreign Large Blend, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MI -Muni National Intermediate, TG -Target Date 2021-2025, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others with same objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar. Stock Footnotes: g = Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars. h = Does not meet continued-listing standards. lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants. Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = not available. p = previous day’s net asset value. s = fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week. Source: The Associated Press. Sales figures are unofficial.

Economy ends year on high note BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy got a double dose of good news Friday. Economic growth in the final three months of 2015 didn’t slow as much as previously estimated, and consumers roared back to life in January, spending at the fastest clip in eight months. The Commerce Department said that consumer spending increased 0.5 percent last month, the best showing since May and far higher than the tiny 0.1 percent gain in December. Economists are expecting stronger consumer spending, which accounts for twothirds of economic activity, to lift overall economic growth in the new year after a fourth-quarter slowdown. In a separate report, the government said the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic health, grew at an annual rate of 1 percent in the fourth quarter. That’s an improvement from the first estimate of 0.7 percent, though just half the 2 percent growth posted in the third quarter.

The revision was made because the downturn in business stockpiling was less severe than the government’s first estimate. That helped oﬀset slightly weaker consumer spending. The Federal Reserve is closely watching economic data to determine how fast it needs to raise interest rates this year. The spending report showed that inflation, by a price measure preferred by the Fed, rose by 1.3 percent in the 12 months ending in January. That is nearly double the 0.7 percent 12-month gain seen in December but still below the Fed’s inflation target of 2 percent annual price increases. Still, the inflation jump was sharp enough that it is sure to attract attention among Fed oﬃcials who are watching price increases for signals on how fast to raise interest rates. The Fed boosted a key rate by a quarter point in December, moving it from a record low near zero, where it had been for seven years. After a stretch of economic turbulence at the beginning of the year, economists had trimmed

their forecasts for 2016 rate hikes from four down to two. But if inflation accelerates more, that could encourage the Fed to move rates higher more quickly. The latest GDP figure does little to change the fact that growth in the final months of 2015 was modest. Since then, global weakness and financial market turbulence have triggered worries about the potential fallout on the U.S. economy. Still, economists are confident that GDP is poised to accelerate this quarter. Steady job gains and faster wage growth are boosting consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy. “First-quarter GDP growth is on track to rebound to a very healthy 2.5 percent (rate) which should dampen any concerns about an imminent recession,” said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. The fourth-quarter figure marks the slowest growth in six months, since the economy skidded to a weak 0.6 percent showing in the first quarter last year. That was fol-

lowed by a solid rebound to 3.9 percent in the second quarter and then the 2 percent gain in the summer. Friday’s upward revision stems from a tweak in the government’s data for business stockpiles. That translated into a 0.1 percentage point drag on growth, rather than a 0.5 percentage point drag initially reported. This change could weigh on first quarter activity if businesses are reluctant to add to their stockpiles. In addition, the trade deficit subtracted 0.3 percentage point from growth, rather than the 0.5 percentage point drag in the first report. Exports still suﬀered, reflecting the struggle American manufacturers are having from a stronger dollar. But the country imported less than first thought. Consumer spending grew at a 2 percent rate in the fourth quarter, down from an initial estimate of 2.2 percent. Also weighing on growth in the fourth quarter was a downward revision to government spending, which fell at a 0.1 percent rate instead of a 0.7 percent rise first reported.

Obama bans importing slave-made goods BY MARTHA MENDOZA Associated Press

Federal oﬃcials are preparing to enforce an 86-year-old ban on importing goods made by children or slaves under new provisions of a law signed by President Barack Obama. “This law slams shut an unconscionable and archaic loophole that forced America to accept products made by children or slave labor,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who worked on

the legislation. The Tariﬀ Act of 1930, which gave Customs and Border Protection the authority to seize shipments where forced labor was suspected and block further imports, was last used in 2000, and has been used only 39 times all together largely because of two words: “consumptive demand” — if there was not suﬃcient supply to meet domestic demand, imports were allowed regardless of how they were produced.

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The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act signed by Obama on Wednesday eliminated that language, allowing stiﬀer enforcement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske and agency leaders are planning a briefing Friday to explain how they’ll be implementing the new law. “If the U.S. government works to really keep out goods made with forced labor, this change will have a profound ripple eﬀect on supply chains worldwide,” said David Abramowitz, who advocated for the change as vice president for Humanity United. To start an investigation, Customs needs to receive a petition from anyone — a business, an agency, even a non-citizen — showing “reasonably but not conclusively” that imports were made at least in part with forced labor. A Labor Department list of more than 350 goods produced by child labor or forced labor provides a detailed breakdown that human rights groups plan to use as they petition the government to take action. These include peanuts from Turkey, gold from Ghana, carpets from India and

fish and shrimp from Thailand. But advocate Neha Misra at the Solidarity Center, another nonprofit that worked for the legal change, said petitions are hard to file and proving a case is complicated. Nonetheless, she was encouraged. “Before U.S. law said that we would tolerate forced labor if we really wanted a product for domestic consumption. Now, we are saying that we will not tolerate forced labor for any reason. This is a major step forward,” Misra said. An expose by The Associated Press last year found Thai companies ship seafood to the U.S. that was caught and processed by trapped and enslaved workers. As a result of the reports, more than 2,000 trapped fishermen have been rescued, more than a dozen alleged traﬃckers arrested and millions of dollars’ worth of seafood and vessels seized. Last April, the AP also identified and highlighted the legal loophole that allowed continued imports of slave-caught seafood. A month later, Obama promised to repeal the consumptive demand exception and ensured “swift, strong and eﬀective enforcement.”

Daily Corinthian • Sunday, February 28, 2016 • 9A

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