Tuesday March 25,
Daily Corinthian
2014
50 cents
Vol. 118, No. 71
Breezy, cool Today
Tonight
52
23
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
Predicted freeze may hurt plants BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Springtime is blossoming, but its colorful vegetation may be dealt a blow by this week’s cold snap. With the National Weather Service predicting a low temperature of 24 overnight tonight into Wednesday morning, the outlook is not favorable.
Some local residents were already concerned by Monday morning’s below-freezing low temperature. Patrick Poindexter of the Mississippi State University Extension Office observed a low of 28 at his home. “I’ve had some calls this morning from people that are concerned about things that are blooming,” he said on Mon-
day. “You’re going to have some damage on blooms if it gets below 30, but it is dependent on how long that temperature stays down there.” With a good frost, he expects those peach and pear tree blooms may have seen some damage. “Hopefully it’s not going to be much of a detrimental effect on
those buds that are still swelling,” he said. Anyone who has moved plants outside should bring them in to avoid tonight’s harsh freeze, which Poindexter expects to have “very detrimental” effects on the new, young growth. Spring growth has a few more weeks to go before it’s com-
pletely safe — the last freeze averages around April 15. Many people are beginning to prepare their gardens, but Poindexter advised they should wait a few more weeks before planting the likes of tomatoes, beans and peas. The cold snap will be shortlived with highs rebounding to the 60s by Thursday.
Horse goes missing from pasture 1 dead in shooting BY STEVE BEAVERS BY ZACK STEEN
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
KOSSUTH — An investigation into a weekend shooting death of an Alcorn County woman continued Monday. Deputies with the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department found Nova J. Crum, 41, with a gunshot wound to the chest on County Road 620 Friday. Crum was shot in the chest with a .4570 rifle as she was attempting to get in her husband’s vehicle, according to Alcorn County Coroner Jay Jones. “He was moving the gun from the floor of the vehicle to let her get in when it went off,” said Jones. The body was taken to Jackson for an autopsy. “It is unclear at this time how the shooting actually happened and the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” said sheriff’s department investigator Heath Thomas.
zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
GUYS, Tenn. — The search continues for “Blue Jeans,” a Blue Appalachian horse that went missing from his pasture on Saturday. “I’m not interested in filing any charges,” said owner Sandra Davis. “I just want my granddaughter’s horse back.” According to Davis, the horse belongs to her 13-year-old granddaughter Tyler Russell. “Tyler rode that horse all the time. He was her pride and joy,” said Davis. “She has been crying all weekend, missing ‘Blue Jeans.’” The horse went missing from a fenced-in pasture on Ridge Road near the Alcorn and McNairy county line just off U.S. Highway 45. After discovering the horse had gone missing Davis spoke with neighbors in the area. “One of the neighbors saw a white horse trailer back up to the fence,” said Davis. “They saw some people load up the horse and leave the property.” The horse is blue-gray in color and is around 10 years old, according to Davis. “I’ve called everyone asking if they have seen our horse,” Davis said. “We just want ‘Blue Jeans’ returned safely to his home.” (A police report has been filed with the McNairy County sheriff’s office. If you have any information, contact 731-645-1004.)
Sales tax collections split in latest month BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The latest tax results show Corinth’s sales tax nearly flat while the tourism tax continued its up-and-down pattern. Sales tax trended slightly upward across the state and region, with a 1 percent rise in collections statewide and seven of 11 area municipalities posting gains. Corinth’s diversion of $397,602.53 deposited at mid-March is up 1 percent, or about $4,000, from the year-ago figure. It reflects sales activity in local establishments during the month of January. The city’s share of sales tax proceeds has shown positive growth for four consecutive months. The 2 percent tourism tax on prepared food and lodging in Corinth generated $76,450.23, a decline of 8 percent, or about $7,000, from a year ago. Spiking up and down for each of the six months of the current fiscal year, the tax is 2 percent ahead of the previous year with a year-to-date total of $528,400.48. Corinth had gross sales totaling $60 million in January with the highest category being retail trade at $41.5 million, according to data from the Mississippi Photo compliments of Sandra Davis
The missing Blue Appalachian horse was owned by 13-year-old Tyler Russell.
Please see TAXES | 3
Longtime constable Kemp remembered for kindness BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
BELMONT — Three-term Tishomingo Constable Jeff Kemp died Saturday at his residence after an extended illness. Described as a loving and caring man, Kemp held the constable seat for 12 years. “We are really going to miss him,” said Tishomingo County Sheriff Glenn Whitlock. “Jeff touched so many lives with his kindness and generosity.” Whitlock’s assistance deputy is Mike Kemp, who is Jeff’s brother. “Anytime we lose a officer its tough, but because of Mike and the closeness the entire department had with Jeff, this is going to be our toughest loss ever,” added Whitlock. Transcare Ambulance Service EMT and IT Director Scotty Bradley has many fond memories of his old boss. “Jeff was very passionate and cared deeply about people – even those he just meet,” said Bradley. “He would take Christmas presents to peo-
ple who couldn’t afford presents for their kids. He had a huge heart.” K e m p served as a paramedic director for Kemp Transcare in Tishomingo for more than 17 years. “A few years ago, we would heading to Nashville for a conference and we passed a stranded motorist,” added Bradley. “Jeff stopped to help – he never met a stranger.” Brooke Sugg, manager at The Dinner Bell in Corinth, will never forget Jeff’s smile. “Every time I saw him he always had the biggest smile on his face,” said Sugg. “No matter what kind of day I was having, his smile always cheered me up. Everyone at the restaurant is going to miss him.” Funeral services were held Monday at Golden Central Baptist Church in Belmont.
Staff photo by Brant Sappington
Rain or shine Volunteers didn’t let a little rain slow down the work at the Verandah-Curlee House Saturday as they participated in Park Day, a national effort to clean up and beautify National Park Service properties across the country. The workers, including numerous members of the Col. W.P Rogers Sons of Confederate Veterans camp and many others, cleared brush and removed debris around the historic home. Among those helping clear away fallen leaves were Tommy Counce (left) and Anne Wood.
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 9 State........ 5
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. N. B. Forrest captures the city of Paducah, Ky. The Union troops make a stand in the nearby Fort Anderson which Forrest declines to attack. However, a Southern colonel leads an attack with two regiments which is repulsed after a bloody fight.