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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 52
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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18 pages • Two sections
Reception to welcome historians BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
A group of historians from across the state will converge on Corinth this week, and a welcome committee of local residents is needed. The Mississippi Historical Society, originally organized in
the 1800s in Jackson, will hold its annual meeting in Corinth. The three-day event kicks off Thursday with a welcoming reception from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Corinth Coliseum on Taylor Street. “I want to invite everyone in the community to please come
join us during the reception,” said long time society member and local historian Rosemary Williams. “We want to show off the best part of Corinth — our people.” Williams said the reception is free to the public and will include a sampling of Corinth’s
favorite food and the musical talents of pianist Ben Tomlinson. “This is a great opportunity for us and for Corinth. People will be here from all walks of life from across our state and surrounding states,” said Williams. “The reception actually
happens right after check-in and registration, so this is like their first impression of Corinth and our hospitality.” Williams said she is expecting more than 100 members, which may include college professors, Please see RECEPTION | 6A
Fugitive caught BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
A cross-country manhunt led officers to Alcorn County this week. Corinth Police Detective Chief Chuck Hinds said Breon Preston, 24, was arrested at 4 p.m. Friday at his home on Breckenridge Street. Preston had violated his probation for child molesta-
Staff photo by Kimberly Shelton
Guild members taking part in the retreat include (from left) Connie Allen of Booneville; Rita Casey of Stantonville, Tenn.; Sharon Beene of Glen; Barbara Hickman of Selmer, Tenn.; Barbara Patterson of Iuka; Kathleen Robinson of Selmer, Tenn.; Gail Stables of Corinth, and Barbara Hatfield of Corinth. They proudly display the items they created during their quilting retreat.
Guild quilts aid cancer patients “Each day members brought various projects with them to work on and we held demonstrations,” she added. “It’s been a lot of fun spending time together and learning from one another.” Demonstrations included the finishing of the last border on their gorgeous raffle quilt which will serve as the group’s main fundraiser this year and the making of chemo-caps. Along with the chemo-caps, the ladies crocheted afghans and shawls to be given to can-
BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Wrapping up a three-day quilting retreat at the Mississippi University State Extension Service in Alcorn County, 10 area members of the Cross City Piecemakers Guild gathered together to put the final touches on current projects. “We’ve had a wonderful time,” said Guild President Gail Stables. “This was the first time we’ve done a retreat like this and everyone has really enjoyed it.
cer patients at Corinth’s West Clinic. “We also made pillows,” said Stables, as she gestured to a generous pile of items destined for the clinic. Special oblong pillows were created to bring comfort during chemotherapy treatments. The quilters also created quilts for the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department. “A lady from the sheriff’s department approached us and Please see GUILD | 2A
tion charges in Marion County, Indiana. Hinds said charges are also pending against Preston in Alcorn County for failing to register as a sex offender. Preston had been in the area since November. Fugitive Apprehension Officer Spence Spencer and officer Adam Rencher assisted U.S. Marshal agents with the arrest.
Tourism hosts Capitol Day BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth is taking over the capitol. Tourism representatives will visit the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson in a few weeks. The group plans on sharing all things wonderful about Corinth with legislators from across the state. “We’ll have the entire rotunda in the capitol building,” said Christy Burns, Corinth Area Convention & Visitors Bureau director. “We plan to show off Corinth by providing information and other goodies that will hopefully make folks want to come visit Corinth.” Staff members from The Alliance, Main Street Corinth, Keep Corinth Beautiful, Mag-
nolia Regional Health Center, Corinth-Alcorn County Airport, Corinth School District and Alcorn School District will assist the tourism office during the special Corinth Capitol Day set for March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We will also be inviting everyone from other tourism related groups in town,” Burns added. Corinth has not participated in a Capitol Day in about 10 years. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for us and for the city,” said Burns. “We’ll be serving slugburgers and hot tamales, and providing each legislator with a special swag bag full of cool Corinth stuff.” Please see TOURISM | 6A
Col. Oliver North headlines local evangelism conference BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
WHEELER GROVE — Bailey Smith took a chance when he brought his Real Evangelism Conference to Wheeler Grove Baptist Church. The church hasn’t disappointed. “At the beginning we didn’t know what to expect,” said Wheeler Grove pastor Dr. Kara Blackard, who met Smith in Starkville years ago to discuss the possibly of bringing the
conference to the area. “We believed we would do well if given the opportunity and we have.” Countless lives have been changed Jeremiah through the preaching of God’s Word, singing and fellowship, according to Blackard.
“The conference has been a real blessing,” he said. “The Lord has met the need each year.” The annual event — set for March 18North 20 — will be last conference done by Smith not only at Wheeler Grove but also at Indian Trail Baptist
Church in North Carolina. “After 10 years, we feel like it’s time to move onto something else,” said Dr. Blackard. “The conference has been wonderfully supported by people across the country and we all hate to see it end, but maybe the Lord will open the door to something else.” The Wheeler Grove event was a successful one over the years with thousands of people attending over the three days. “Bailey often said the one at
Wheeler Grove was his premier conference,” said Blackard. Wheeler Grove plans to end the conference with a bang. Nationally known speakers Dr. David Jeremiah and Col. Oliver North will headline the final two nights. “This is going to be the grand finale and we are putting all of our eggs in one basket,” said Blackard. “I think this will be the best conference we have Please see CONFERENCE | 2A
25 years ago
On this day in history 150 years ago
Alcorn County won’t be voting on bond issues for road and bridge improvements. Supervisors canceled district elections after the number of signatures on petitions fell below the number necessary to call for a vote.
Wisconsin ratifies the 13th Amendment while New Jersey rejects the same legislation that will end slavery constitutionally.
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