030417 daily corinthian e edition by Daily Corinthian

Tishomingo County Boy improving after attack by dogs

McNairy County Board seeking bids on asbestos removal

Prentiss County Police get new bullet proof vests

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Saturday March 4,

2017

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 54

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

Benjamin sentenced in bribery case BY JEFF AMY Associated Press

JACKSON — Former Alcorn County legislator and jail consultant Irb Benjamin has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for bribes he paid to former state Corrections Com-

missioner Christopher Epps. However, U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate said Friday that 70-year-old Benjamin of Madison could see his 70-month sentence reduced, if information he provided results in the prosecution of others in

the bribery scandal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca says it’s “only a matter of time” until people that Benjamin informed on are indicted in Gulfport. Six people have pleaded guilty in the bribery scheme and four

others have been charged. Wingate is ordering Benjamin to pay a $100,000 fine and forfeit $261,000 within 90 days. Benjamin, who represented Alcorn County as a state representative and senator, will

report to federal prison on May 16. Benjamin also served as a consultant for the construction and certification of Alcorn County’s regional jail and justice center and later served as warden of the facility before resigning in November 2014.

Celebs prepare dance moves Local attorney

charged in arson

BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Practicing their foot work, “Dancing Like the Stars” contestants met at the Crossroads Arena on Thursday night to collaborate. Based on the same concept as the wildly popular American dance competition television series “Dancing With the Stars,” the highly anticipated dance-off will feature 17 couples from across the Crossroads. Set for 6 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Arena, participants in the dance-off will step into the shoes of celebrity dancers in and effort to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi which includes chapters in Corinth, Iuka, Booneville and Baldwyn. “We are extremely excited for this opportunity to entertain the community while raising money for our children,” said Chairperson Mary Dilworth who currently serves as the president of the Corinth Boys & Girls Club Board and as a member of the Corporate Board. “ Featuring local and area ‘Movers’, ‘Shakers’, ‘Businesses’ and ‘Professionals’ as the stars, the dramatic event will be a showstopper complete with a mesmerizing show, toe-tapping music and fellowship. A scrumptious, full-meal consisting of a meat, two vegetables, a dessert and a drink will be served to audience members following the competition. Spectators will also have the abil-

BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

A local attorney has been indicated on two counts of arson and DUI maiming. Tracey June Clark, 53, of Tishomingo, has been charged with arson of a dwelling, arson of a building and DUI maiming stemming from incidents that occurred since April 2015. According to the Tishomingo Sheriﬀ’s Department, Clark is charged with arson of her Eastport Street law oﬃce and her Mill Creek personal residence. Clark was later involved in a vehicle accident in Iuka which

Attempted murder nets 30-year sentence BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

A Corinth man has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder. Desmund Patterson, 22, was found guilty of the 2016 attempted murder of Kelin Edgeston, 31, by a Alcorn County jury on Thursday. Circuit Court Judge Jim Pounds issued the sentence on Friday. Pounds said Patterson would

Please see DANCING | 2 Staff photo by Kimberly Shelton

Former Corinth first lady Valerie Latch and Corinth Police Officer Fred Washington practice their footwork.

CHS student slated to perform with symphony BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com

As the Corinth Symphony Orchestra performs “A Tribute to Broadway” with featured soloist, Broadway veteran Laurie Gayle Stephenson, a local high school student has managed to earn the right to be among professional level musicians. The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum Civic Center in downtown Corinth. Trumpet player Matthew Louis, son of Denny and

caused severe injuries to a motorcyclist. Iuka PD arrested and charged Clark with DUI maiming following the accident. A special Clark grand jury was requested this week and following evidence hearings, Clark was indicated. Arraignment is March 9 at the Tishomingo County Courthouse. Both Tishomingo deputies and Iuka PD have been in charge of the investigation.

serve 30 years, 10 years suspended in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The DA had requested a life in prison sentence. Patterson shot Edgeston on April 15, 2016 at a Mitchell Street residence. Edgeston was grazed on the head by two bullets during the gunfire. Please see SENTENCE | 2

People of the Crossroads

Kathy Louis, is a senior at Corinth High School where he performs in the CHS band. This will be his third opporLouis tunity to perform with the orchestra with professional level musicians. He said he was honored

Tracy Morelock, Corinth Corinth resident Tracy Morelock just celebrated her 30th anniversary working for Long Lewis Ford Lincoln of Corinth and she said there are many reasons she loves her job. “I love the interaction with the customers and meeting their needs. I love everyone I work with. We have a great team here,” she said. Morelock also likes her work because she likes the challenge of it with every day being different. Outside of her job, she loves to work in her yard. During the summers, she has palm trees, banana trees and flowers. She also has a pool and finds working in the yard is “relaxing.” She and her husband, Greg, have two sons, Bradley (wife, Amber) and Wesley. She is always happy to talk about her four wonderful grandchildren, Laikin, Ryder, Griffin, and Adi. Staff Photo by L.A. Story

Please see LOUIS | 2

25 years ago

10 years ago

Sunnie King and Gretta Hills, both sophomores at Corinth High School, represent the local chapter of Freed-Hardeman Associates in the annual Freed-Hardeman University Fashion Show.

A Mexican restaurant is among the business planned for the next phase of development at the Corinth Commons shopping center.

2 • Saturday, March 4, 2017 • Daily Corinthian

Snapshot Saturday Six-month-old Lukas Hendrix of Glen appears to be taking his first selfie. Lukas is the son of Logan and Amber Hendrix. (Have a photo you want to share for Snapshot Saturday? Email it and the related information to us at news@dailycorinthian.com.)

Staff Photo by L.A. Story

Honor choir to perform The sweet sounds of talented young voices will be heard at Tate Baptist Church Sunday afternoon as the Alcorn County School District’s honor choir performs. The Honor Choir concert will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday for family and community members to attend. The honor choir is made up of students from Kossuth, Alcorn Central, and Biggersville schools. Students had to audition in front of a panel of judges. Students who displayed a high level of musicality in all areas were accepted, according to information provided by Jana Matlock, Alcorn School District. The students will also perform for peers and administrators Monday, Matlock said. In addition to singing, members of the honor choir will play instruments. Founded by Rene Estes and Stephanie Clausel about 20 years ago, the ASD Honor Choir consists of third through sixth-grade students from across the district. Admission to the concert is free, however, donations will be accepted.

LOUIS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the first time he was asked to perform with the CSO because they needed a replacement for a missing trumpet player. “I’m excited to get to play again with musicians that are well versed in their performance and with music teachers and band directors from around the area,” said Louis. “I’m also thankful to Maurice Weatherall for giving me this opportunity.” Louis also played in the Mississippi State Band as First Chair in Wind Symphony’s high school honor band. He plans to attend Ole Miss and major in music education. In “A Tribute to Broadway,” the or-

chestra will perform a revue of Broadway favorites, including works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others, under the direction of conductor Maurice Weatherall. Laurie Gayle Stephenson is muchanticipated guest soloist who will perform several selections during the concert. Among those selections, she will sing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from Evita, according to a sneak preview of the concert program. Concert goers will be in for a treat as the Philadelphia Daily News said “Laurie Stephenson’s ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ is mesmerizing ...” Tickets can be purchased as the Coliseum Civic Center box oﬃce beginning at 6 p.m.

SENTENCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The jury heard testimony that Patterson said he did not try to murder Edgeston and only “wanted to scare him.” Edgeston, however, said he was forced on his knees by Patterson and “thought I was going to die.” “This was a important verdict not only because Mr. Edgeston almost lost his life at the hands of Patterson, but also because this jury verdict sends a message

that the citizens of Corinth will not tolerate the increasing criminal gun violence we have witnessed here,” said District Attorney John Weddle. Weddle thanked Corinth Police Chief Ralph Dance and Detective Heather Russell for help thorough investigation. Detectives Jerry Rogers, Michael Suitor and Dell Green also assisted. Weddle also commended Assistant District Attorneys Kimi Kitchens and Reagan Wise for the prosecution of the case for the DA’s oﬃce.

DANCING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ity to cast ballots for their favorite contestants, all from the comfort of their tables. Preparing for their roles as Toastmaster and Toastmistress, Corinth resident Eric Powell and Sandy Childs of the Gift community are gearing up for the show and are ready to entertain. Showcasing a variety of dance styles and musical genres, the dance numbers will include a mixture of Latin styles like Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata, Samba, Merengue and other styles. A panel of three out-of-

town judges and one tiebreaker judge, also from outside the area will assess and make comments on each performance. Artistic Director Volante Jones of the Corinth Contemporary Arts Center has volunteered her time and expertise to provide dance lessons leading up to the competition. Audience members will recognize many if not all the competitors since, their friends, family members, neighbors and public oﬃcials will be joining in on the fun. Crossroads Arena General Manager Tammy Genovese is just one of the contestants who will

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be competing in the event. She and her partner Steve Wilbanks will be dancing to music by Bruno Mars. Booneville is proud to be apart of the fundraiser, according to Prentiss County Sheriﬀ Randy Tolar who serves as the Chair of the Booneville unit. “Each of the four units were asked to help recruit couples for the show,” he explained. “We are proud to be among those represented and look forward to the festivities.” President Beth Davis of the Iuka Board is also thrilled to see Tishomingo residents take part. “We have two outstanding couple, both with very diﬀerent dance styles who will be participating,” she said. “So, Iuka will be very well represented.”

A husband and wife team, Paul and Joyce Chambliss will represent Tupelo. Married for over 36 years, the couple were high school sweethearts. The two love birds will be performing a Shag and Country routine. Adding to the excitement, Miss Black Mississippi U.S. Ambassador 2017 TaNechi Temple will make an appearance. A representative for Miss Teen Mississippi will also be present. Aricka Herman and her husband Dwight are pulling out all the stops with a dance that incorporates a mixture of Salsa, Cha Cha and Mamba moves. “We are not dancers,” said Aricka who admits she and Dwight are a little nervous, but also excited. Performing a freelance

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dance routine filled with surprises, Ruby Browning and Robert “D Cowboy” Keys will also take to the dance floor. Twirling her way into the competition, former Corinth First Lady Valerie Latch and her partner Patrol Oﬃcer Erin Hill of the Corinth Police department will also vie for stardom. Nate and Nikki Clark of Iuka plan to try and Cha Cha their way into the hearts of judges. “Neither of us are dancers, so it is going to be a comedy routine more than anything else.” said Nikki with a laugh. Waltzing their way into the spotlight, Jon Paul Whitlock and his wife Kindra, also of Iuka are a bit apprehensive. “We’re a little nervous,” said Jon who revealed he has Waltzed a time or two. “We just don’t know exactly what to expect but are here for the kids.” “Hopefully, we won’t disappoint,” he added. Sherika Guyton and her husband Alondes of Corinth say they are nervous, but very much looking forward to dancing. “We haven’t been able to practice much because our little one thinks she’s dancing in the competition,” said Sherika. “Every night we go to practice it’s ‘Spin me daddy, dip me daddy, no no no mama, it’s my turn. It’s so

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precious, but on the other hand, we know we are running out of time.” Recently added to the roster, Oﬃcer Fred Washington of the Corinth Police Department said he never expected to be dancing in the competition. Always a good sport, the beloved oﬃcer was volunteered for the role after one of his superiors had to drop out, unexpectedly. “I am so not a dancer, but I’m very excited to take part,” said Washington who looks forward to his first ever dance competition. “I’m Just doing it to help support the Boys & Girls Club.” Willing to make a spectacle of himself if it means raising money for children who need it most, Washington plans to rise to the occasion by performing “No Parking” from Midnight Stars “No Parking on the Dance Floor” album. He will likely even wear his uniform and is hopeful that his fellow officers will turn out to support their own. Following the competition, attendees will have an opportunity to dance the night away as they enjoy an after the show party and dance with popular Corinth DJ Sugar Daddy John (John Owens) at 9 p.m. The cost will be $10 per person for those who do not purchase a ticket for the show. Sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi and United Way, tickets for the show are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Children under the age of 18 may attend at a cost of only $15 at the door. Ads are available for purchase in the event’s souvenir booklet. Monetary donations to the club will also be accepted. “We know everyone will have a great time and are very much looking forward to this familyfriendly event,” said Dilworth. “We are going to have some wonderful entertainment as well as delicious food that will appeal to everyone’s taste.” (For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Crossroads Arena at 662-287-7779, Chairperson Mary Dilworth at 662-603-4229 or see any Boys & Girls Club Board member. The Crossroads Arena is located at 2800 South Harper Road in Corinth.)

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Today in History

Local/Region

Daily Corinthian • 3

Across the Region Burnsville Boy attacked by dogs continues to improve

Today is Saturday, March 4, the 63rd day of 2017. There are 302 days left in the year.

BURNSVILLE — The father of an 8-year-old boy who was mauled by a pack of dogs says his son continues to improve in a Memphis, Tenn. hospital. Shang Markle told the Daily Corinthian on Friday his son, Paxton Markle, continues to get treatment on wounds and he continues to improve. Some media outlets have incorrectly identified his son, said Markle. Paxton Markle was attacked on Sunday in his front yard in Buensville by four dogs. The boy suffered serious injuries. The Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Department located and euthanized the animals, who were considered strays.

Today’s Highlight in History: On March 4, 1917, Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana took her seat as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the same day President Woodrow Wilson took his oath of office for a second term (it being a Sunday, a private ceremony was held inside the U.S. Capitol; a second, public swearing-in took place the next day).

On this date: In 1789, the Constitution of the United States went into effect as the first Federal Congress met in New York. (The lawmakers then adjourned for lack of a quorum.) In 1791, Vermont became the 14th state. In 1797, John Adams was inaugurated the second president of the United States. In 1837, the Illinois town of Chicago was incorporated as a city with a population of 4,170. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration was broadcast live on 21 radio stations coast-to-coast. In 1937, at the 9th Academy Awards, “The Great Ziegfeld” was named outstanding production of 1936 and its leading lady, Luise Rainer, best actress; Paul Muni won best actor for “The Story of Louis Pasteur.” In 1952, Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were married in San Fernando Valley, California. In 1960, an explosives-laden French freighter, La Coubre, exploded in Havana’s harbor, killing at least 75 people. In 1977, some 1,500 people were killed in an earthquake that shook southern and eastern Europe. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation on the Iran-Contra affair, acknowledging that his overtures to Iran had “deteriorated” into an arms-for-hostages deal.

Adamsville

building during their recent city meeting. Commissioners tabled a decision on whether to provide temporary utility services until their next meeting. Adamsville City Administrator Steve Simon asked commissioners to take bids for asbestos removal from Garan Manufacturing’s old building. The deadline for bids would be Thursday, April 6. Any company that bids will have to be licensed and qualified to perform asbestos removal work. Commissioners will discuss whether to continue providing temporary utility service to Adamsville property owners. The temporary utility service is not providing any revenue for the city unless the usage is over 100 gallons.

Booneville

West Point Navistar plant gets $440M Army contract

Board seeks bids on asbestos removal ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. — The Adamsville City Commission approved a request to seek bids to remove asbestos from the old Garan Manufacturing

The Clarion-Ledger reported Thursday that U.S. lawmakers from Mississippi announced the contract in a news release. Lawmakers say the work would be done on 1,085 MaxxPro MRAP trucks and associated accessories at Navistar’s plant in West Point. It’s expected to be completed in March 2019. U.S. Senator Thad Cochran says the contract will support an important Middle East ally, which serves the U.S.’s security interests. Although the West Point plant had laid off all its workers in 2013, it has since won a series of contracts to build or refurbish vehicles for the U.S. Army and foreign militaries.

WEST POINT — Navistar’s Mississippi plant has been awarded a $440 million contract by the U.S. Army to reset and upgrade over 1,000 armored vehicles for the United Arab Emirates.

Police receive 28 new bulletproof vests BOONEVILLE — The Booneville Police Department is the recipient of 28 new bulletproof vests for officers. The vests were obtained thanks to a grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance with a 50-50 match with the

city, said Booneville Police Chief Michael Ramey. The total amount spent through the grant and city is $18,363.52. “The city has vests for all of its full-time and part-time patrol and Criminal Investigation Division officers to have,” Ramey said. The new Safariland vests have outer carriers with them where they can be worn on the outside of the uniform which will help officers in the summertime dealing with heat. “We are proud to accomplish this with the help of this grant and the city. “I want to make sure the department has anything and everything they need that we can provide them with to keep them safe. My main priority is to keep the officers safe.” In addition to the new vests which arrived Thursday of last week, officers are equipped with body cameras and tasers. Two more new Tahoe vehicles are also expected to arrive any day. “We have applied for a grant to help purchase some new radios,” Ramey said.

ACTC students visit Capitol

Reps. Nick Bain and Bubba Carpenter welcomed students from the Alcorn County Career and Technology Center to the Capitol on Tuesday. These students were chosen to travel to Jackson to compete in Skills USA, a competition in which students demonstrate their talents in various professional tasks. Joining in the visit were (from left) Tim Bradley – woodshop instructor, Bain, Connor Richardson – Kossuth High School (diesel mechanics), Ethan Davis – Biggersville High School (masonry), Kenny Warren – Corinth High School (small engine repair), T.J. Essary – Kossuth High School (automotive service technology), Ethan Smith – Alcorn Central High School (electrical construction wiring), Gerald Jones – Alcorn Central High School (Harley Davidson service technology), Billy Melton – Alcorn Central High School (masonry), Lee Busby – auto instructor and Carpenter.

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Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4 • Saturday, March 4, 2017

Corinth, Miss.

Dems lay basis for coup with Sessions BY DICK MORRIS AND EILEEN MCCANN Columnists

Here’s how it will go down, scripted in the playbook shared by former President Barack Obama and Saul Alinsky. The goal: Remove President Donald Trump from office. 1. Wiretap the Russian ambassador (or Michael Flynn) to get a record of contacts. 2. Raise the issue in public in the hopes that Flynn errs and denies the conversations took place. 3. Force Flynn’s resignation for lying in his denials. 4. Use wiretaps and surveillance of the Russians (and perhaps of Jeff Sessions) to get evidence of his contacts with them. 5. At the confirmation hearing, set up Sessions with a question so he can be accused of “lying.” 6. Demand that he recuse himself so the Dems can force a special prosecutor. 7. Get a prosecutor on the job to collect evidence aimed at impeaching Trump. The evidence doesn’t have to do with election contacts only. It could relate to anything uncovered in the process of the probe. The attempts to push aside Sessions are nothing less than the early stages of a coup d’etat to reverse the results of the election. The outraged calls by both Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign or at least to recuse himself from investigations of Russian contacts with the Trump administration are hypocritical. When Sessions’ predecessor, Loretta Lynch, met with Bill Clinton while Hillary Clinton was under investigation by her own Justice Department, she steadfastly refused to recuse herself from the investigation -- without a peep of protest from the Democrats who are now calling for Sessions’ head. This entire “scandal” is phony. What is wrong with contacts between a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Russian ambassador to the United States? Democrats lynched former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn for speaking with the ambassador while he was still a private citizen five weeks before he was sworn in, but Sessions was a Senator and it was fully appropriate for him to meet with the ambassador. When asked about whether or not he met with any Russians during the campaign, he told the Senate Committee that he had not. But the question was clearly related to the campaign and Sessions’ contacts were not about politics but rather about relations between the two countries. And, for that matter, what is wrong with an incoming national security advisor meeting with the Russian ambassador five weeks before taking office? With Vladimir Putin pondering retaliatory sanctions against the U.S., it was the right thing for Flynn to do to seek to head them off. The Democratic moves were scripted and prepared by Obama before he left office and before the election. They were Plan B in the event Trump won. Bottom line: Trump must NOT name a prosecutor and Sessions must NOT recuse himself (regardless of the next move in the coup attempt). Dick Morris, former advisor to the Clinton administration, is a commentator and writer. He is also a columnist for the New York Post and The Hill. His wife, Eileen McGann is an attorney and consultant.

Prayer for today Almighty God, may I not only approve of justice and kindness, but practice it. Grant that I may be attentive to the call of work and steadfast in completing it. May I be sincere to those who are dear to me, and never falter in my support to those who are dependent upon me. Amen.

A verse to share Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. — 1 Chronicles 16:34

Letters Policy Please include your full signature, home address and telephone number on the letter for verification. All letters are subject to editing before publication, especially those beyond 600 words in length. Send to: Letters to the editor, Daily Corinthian, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, Miss. 38835. Letters may also be e-mailed to: letters@daily corinthian.com. Email is the preferred method.

Oscars left activism on cutting room floor Imagine the result, with hundreds of millions of people watching worldwide, if Hollywood turned its creative firepower on real problems. Instead, viewers watched wall-to-wall Trump-bashing. They should have spent less time bashing Trump and more time making the sure presenters got the correct envelopes. If so, the Oscar gaﬀe of the century — reading the wrong name for Best Picture -- might have been avoided. Also, during the “In Memoriam” portion of the night, they put up picture of a very much alive producer instead of the costume designer who died last October. The broadcast’s ratings were the second-lowest in Academy Award history. Not one word was said about the oppression and subjugation of women in parts of the Muslim and Arab world. Nothing was said about how women, in parts of the Arab and Muslim world, cannot work outside the home, drive a car or get a divorce. There are instances in which a Muslim woman, having been raped, becomes a criminal for having had sex with someone other than her husband. Not one word was said about radical Islam, and nothing about ISIS, Boko Haram, alQaida, Hamas, Hezbollah or other terror groups.

The winner of Best Foreign Film declined to travel from Iran to attend the Oscars Larry because, as Elder he put it in the statement Columnist read on stage: “I’m sorry I’m not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the ‘us’ and ‘our enemies’ categories creates fear — a deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression. Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever.” Not one word about the fact that Iran leads the world as a state sponsor of terrorism. Nothing about how the ayatollahs and Iranian politicians routinely chant, “Death to America” and, of

course, “Death to Israel.” Nothing about the fact that homosexuality is a crime in many Muslim and Arab countries. And in many of these countries — including some in Africa and Asia — the penalty for same-sex sexual acts is death. Hollywood’s silence over the abusive treatment of women, gays and religious minorities in much of the Muslim and Arab world has a parallel in academia. Dr. Fred Gottheil is an economics professor at the University of Illinois. In 2009, Gottheil found a fourpage petition, signed by 900 academics, calling for a U.S. abandonment of the support of Israel. Many petition signatories, he discovered after further research, were faculty in women’s and gender studies departments. What about the anti-human rights, anti-gay, anti-woman practices in the Muslim Middle East? Gottheil wrote a four-page “Statement of Concern” about human rights violations in the Muslim Middle East, such as honor killing, wife-beating, female genital mutilation and violence against gays and lesbians. His statement included evidence of such atrocities and included the names of Muslim clerics and scholars defending these human rights violations.

He sent the statement to 675 signers of the anti-Israel petition, and asked for their support. “The results were surprising,” Gottheil said, “even though I thought the responses would be few. They were almost nonexistent. ...What conclusions do I draw from this? The academic leftists are caught in an ideologically discriminatory trap of their own making. It turns out that with all their professing profession of principle, they are sanctimonious bigots at heart. And some are so obsessed about Israel that they would undermine their own selfinterest. Witness the faculty in gender studies who signed the anti-Israel petition but didn’t sign my ‘Statement of Concern’ which is about discrimination of women, gays, and lesbians in the Muslim Middle East. Sort of pathetic, actually.” On Oscar night, when the Hollywood community could have shed light on these atrocities, they were busy bashing Trump -- in la-la land. Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talkshow host. To find out more about Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @larryelder.

Immigration facts support Trump The afternoon before President Donald Trump’s Tuesday night speech to Congress, Twitter watchers were treated to a flurry of tweets, inspired by comments at the traditional lunch with network anchors, that the president was going to endorse something very much like the “comprehensive” immigration bills that foundered in Congress in 2006, 2007 and 2013. That was wishful thinking by people discounting Trump’s constant promises and stuck in the decade-ago mindset that spawned the “comprehensive” legislation, which in Trump’s view would have legalized the presence of undocumented immigrants immediately in return for promises, never to be fulfilled, of tough border and workplace enforcement later. In the House chamber, Trump made that clear as he spoke briefly but tellingly on immigration. He began not by calling for new legislation — the usual subject matter of such presidential addresses — but by describing what he is doing and what is happening now. His unstated subtext: Facts on the ground have made the “comprehensive” model irrelevant. Those facts are being affected by the orders he has issued since taking oﬃce, orders requiring stricter en-

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forcement of current laws that previous administrations didn’t choose to enforce. Michael The Trump Barone Department of HomeColumnist land Security widened considerably the number of criminal oﬀenses for which undocumented immigrants can be deported. It abolished the Obama administration catch-andrelease procedure. It ended the procedure of sending unaccompanied asylumclaiming teens (or purported teens) to distant towns with summonses -- seldom obeyed — to appear for hearings later. The Trump order specifically excluded “dreamers” — people brought here illegally as children — from threat of deportation, effectively continuing former President Barack Obama’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals exception. That’s widely popular; Americans don’t like punishing children for the sins of their parents. Trump has long said he’s not eager to deport dreamers, and perhaps he’ll oﬀer them legal status or even, as the lunch leaks suggested, citizenship in any immigration legislation. If

so, it’ll be a bargaining chip for “comprehensive”-supporting Democrats who’ve sought legal status for almost all immigrants. In return, Trump would seek what he called for when he got around to talking about possible legislation in his speech: “switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration and instead adopting a merit-based system.” This was the 10th point in Trump’s 10-point plan in his Aug. 31 speech in Phoenix, delivered just after he met with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City. It’s the major feature of legislation recently introduced by Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and David Perdue. It’s based, as Trump noted Tuesday, on the point systems of the immigration laws of Canada and Australia. In those countries, immigrants have incomes and education levels that are above average, not below average as they are here. It’s politically popular there and might be here. In Britain, Brexit strategist Dominic Cummings, noting that focus group participants without prompting praised “the Australian points system,” made that a major part of the successful Vote Leave message. In seeking a shift to highskilled immigration, Trump is moving with the grain.

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Net migration to the U.S. from Mexico, which the Pew Research Center says has produced the lowestskilled immigrants on average, fell to zero between 2007 and 2014 and has not bounced back to anywhere close to previous levels. Meanwhile, immigration from Asia has been increasing. China and India together have accounted for more immigrants than Mexico since at least 2012. Asian immigrants are not all highskilled. So America is already moving toward an inflow of high-skilled immigrants, and Trump enforcement policies may be discouraging low-skilled people to immigrate or stay here illegally. Requiring E-Verify for job applicants and establishing a visa-tracking system -- which might require legislation but might be partly accomplished by regulation -- would move us further toward a higher-skilled and legally sanctioned immigrant population. That’d be a positive result, whatever you think of Trump’s “great, great wall.” Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of The Almanac of American Politics.

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Daily Corinthian • Saturday, March 4, 2017 • 5

Across The Nation

Deaths

Trump promotes Victims of immigrant choice of schools crime have advocate in the White House Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — President Donald Trump toured a private religious school in Florida on Friday, praising it as an ideal institution for “disadvantaged children” while re-emphasizing that his education agenda will focus on school choice. Trump visited St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, dropping in on a fourth-grade classroom and shaking hands with students who said they were learning about the history of Florida. When one girl said she wanted to own her own business, he said with a smile that she’s “gonna make a lot of money. But don’t run for politics.” The president, who was joined by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, a longtime charter schools advocate, described St. Andrew as “one of the many parochial schools dedicated to educating some of our nation’s most disadvantaged children.” “Education is the civil rights issue of our time,”

said Trump, repeating a line from his address to Congress this week. Teachers unions were quick to criticize the visit, saying it showed hostility by Trump toward public schools and an intention to turn education into a profitmaking industry. Trump said he would ask lawmakers to pass a bill that would fund school choice for disadvantaged young people, including minority children. Among his guests were Gov. Rick Scott, Sen. Marco Rubio and Denisha Merriweather, who used Florida’s school voucher program to attend a private high school that she credits with turning her life around. Many of St. Andrew’s students attend the school using the same voucher program as Merriweather, said White House spokesman Ninio Fetalvo. “We want millions more to have the same chance to achieve the great success that you’re achieving,” Trump said.

Associated Press

PHOENIX — Two years ago, Steve Ronnebeck’s son was gunned down at work in a Phoenix-area convenience store over a pack of cigarettes. The man accused of pulling the trigger was an immigrant who was in the country illegally and had been released by federal authorities. The suspected killer, captured on camera stepping over the body of Grant Ronnebeck, 21, to grab a few more packs, faced deportation but was free on bond. Ronnebeck and other families who have lost loved ones to crimes committed by immigrants now have a forceful advocate at the highest level with President Donald Trump in the White House. During his speech to Congress on Tuesday, Trump announced that he would create a new oﬃce to serve victims of immigrant crime and their relatives.

Although immigrants are responsible for only a small fraction of the crimes committed daily around the country, the issue played an outsized role in the race for the White House. Trump repeatedly invoked such crimes at rallies and frequently appeared with victims on the campaign trail, pointing to case after case in which people were killed by immigrant assailants who slipped through the cracks. Many of the families have doggedly pressed for changes in the immigration system for years, lobbying lawmakers in Washington and even disrupting congressional hearings to make their point. Trump’s new agency will be the oﬃce of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, or VOICE, and will be part of the Department of Homeland Security. Department Secretary John Kelly described the agency’s planned work in a memo last month.

Across The State Associated Press

Federal inspectors close more than 100 bridges JACKSON — Federal inspectors have closed more than 100 bridges in the past week, the chairman of the state Senate Highways and Transportation Committee said Friday. All are on local roads, a state engineer said. Sen. Willie Simmons’ announcement of the closures Friday came four days after Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves announced the death of a bill to raise transportation money through an Internet sales tax, The Clarion-Ledger reported. The Senate Finance Committee killed the bill by inaction when it didn’t bring the bill up for a vote before a Tuesday deadline for the bill to move forward. Reeves said he was concerned that the proposal was unconstitutional, and noted that other states including Alabama have been sued over such legislation. A House bond bill that would let the state borrow $50 million for repairs is still alive. The transportation department’s Office of State Aid Road Construction is working on a list of the closures, engineer Carey Webb said. His office, among other things, tells counties which bridges must be closed. Webb said two teams went with federal inspectors to bridges with a substructure rating of two on a scale of zero to nine. Some were closed on the spot, he said. Simmons, D-Cleveland, told reporters after adjournment that Mississippi’s 3,000-plus deficient bridges could cost the state federal money if they’re not fixed. On Wednesday prominent members of the state’s business community gathered in the Capitol’s rotunda to call for increased funding. The Mississippi Economic Council citing findings from a study conducted by the University

of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University says that an additional $375 million a year is needed for highways and bridges.

Authorities release 911 call from multi-state rampage ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico authorities have released 911 audio from a victim in a three-state crime rampage that included the killings of the suspect’s girlfriend and a cleaning woman at a church. Law enforcement officers arrested 28-year-old Alex Deaton in Kansas on Wednesday after two Mississippi slayings, a New Mexico carjacking and the shooting of a store clerk west of Wichita. In the audio released Thursday, 19-year-old Devon Philo tells authorities someone pointed a gun at him and his girlfriend, forcing them into the trunk of his car in Sandoval County. Authorities suspect the rampage began after Deaton strangled his girlfriend, Heather Robinson, 30, at her apartment in Rankin County, near Jackson, Mississippi. Deaton is accused of driving her white SUV to nearby Neshoba County, where 69-year-old Brenda Pinter was shot to death at a church she was cleaning on Feb. 23. Authorities say he also is suspected of wounding a jogger in Rankin County in a drive-by shooting. He is then believed to have headed west, still in Robinson’s SUV.

Lawyers try to delay Argentine’s deportation JACKSON — Before she was arrested following an immigration protest, Daniela Vargas dreamed of earning her college degree in Mississippi, then becoming a math professor and soccer mom, driving three kids around in an SUV. Now the 22-year-old friends

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describe as all-American girl may be deported without a hearing to Argentina, a country she hasn’t seen since she was 7, when her parents fled a collapsing economy and violated a visa waiver program to find work in the United States. Her attorneys said they filed a motion Friday with the Department of Homeland Security to allow Vargas, now detained in Louisiana, to remain in the U.S. until they can make her case before a judge. Meanwhile, her friends canvassed the state Capitol building, leaving notes seeking help from lawmakers. For now, Vargas is being processed as a “visa wavier overstay,” which could deny her a hearing and put her on a plane to South America. Vargas’ latest permit expired in November, and she hadn’t been able to pay the $495 renewal fee until February, when she reapplied, said Abigail Peterson, one of her lawyers.

Man charged with sexually assaulting daughter MOOREVILLE — A Mooreville man has been arrested after police say he sexually abused his 4-year-old daughter. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson told media Thursday that 39-yearold John Harley Tallant faces four felony sexual abuse charges. Johnson says authorities began an investigation in February after an anonymous caller reported that Tallant was “physically involved” with his young daughter. He says the girl may have been abused for two years or more. Tallant allegedly threatened to harm his family and others when he learned he was under investigation. In his initial court appearance on Thursday, Tallant said “I accept my guilt.” He continued to say that he would cooperate with the investigation.

Kenny Wayne Coleman

Celebration of Life Services for Kenny Wayne Coleman, 71, were held Friday at Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Warren Jones oﬃciating. Burial will be in the Tuscumbia Baptist Church Cemetery. Kenny died March 1, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was born March 12, 1945, to the late Willie Lee and Elbie Nichols Coleman. Kenny was a 1964 graduate of Kossuth High School and was also a graduate of Delta State University. He was retired from the Alcorn County School District where he taught for over 35 years. He also taught in the McNairy County School District. Kenny enjoyed spending time outdoors and many have great memories of him from their high school days. A kind-hearted friend to many, he was always fun to be around and will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a special baby, Jacob Johnson. Survivors include his daughter, Tera Lee Coleman; his grandchildren, Alyssa Lanai Coleman and Alexus Lashai Gilliam; his sister, Sherra (Curtis) Potts; his nephew, Jesse (Brittany) Potts and their children, Axyl and Adler; his niece, Tana (Doug) Heavener their child Reed; a special friend of 22 years, Lynnette Johnston and her family, Chandra Kennamore, Jessica and Danny Miller, Anna Lisa Davis and Kimberly Whirley and their children, Sam Mullins, Dylan Davis, Lexie Paige Miller, Nathan Miller, Katie Hunt, Eli Kennamore, John Garrett Richardson; as well as a host of other family and friends. Condolences can be left at www.memorialcorinth. com. Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Garry Lee Sanford

A memorial service for Garry Lee Stanford, 62, will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Warren Jones oﬃciating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. Mr. Stanford died Friday, March 3, 2017, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth after an extended illness. He was born on March 26, 1954, to the late John and Leota Mullins Stanford. Mr. Stanford was a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Kossuth High School and the University of Mississippi. He was an avid Ole Miss sport’s fan. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his brother, Larry Stanford and wife Frieda of Corinth; foster son and best friend, Lee Longero; niece, Cindy Wilson and nephew, Robert Stanford; and a great-nephew, Noah Wilson. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Garry Stanford to the donors charity of choice. Online condolences can be made at www.memorialcorinth.com. Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Norman Allen

Norman Allen, 66, of Corinth died Thursday, March 2, 2017, at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Patterson Memorial Chapel.

Aaron Bascum (Abie) Coleman

A memorial service for Aaron Bascum (Abie) Coleman of Kossuth is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Coleman died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Tippah County Hospital.

Obituary Policy All obituaries (complete and incomplete) will be due no later than 4 p.m. on the day prior to its publication. Obituaries will only be accepted from funeral homes. All obituaries must contain a signature of the family member making the funeral arrangements.

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6 • Saturday, March 4, 2017 • Daily Corinthian

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