032615 daily corinthian e edition

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Daily Corinthian

Thursday March 26,

Rain

2015

50 cents

Vol. 119, No. 71

BY JEBB JOHNSTON Facing trial on a sexual battery charge, a defendant changed his mind and entered a last-minute guilty plea Wednesday morning in Alcorn County Circuit Court. Edward “Stone” Cox, 45, made the plea before Judge Jim Pounds as a jury pool waited

Tonight

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80% chance of rain

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

Sexual battery plea draws 30-year term jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Today

outside the courtroom for the expected trial. On a charge of sexual battery of a child under 14 years old, Pounds sentenced Cox to 30 years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections with 17 years suspended, leaving 13 years to serve in a day-for-day sentence, followed by five years of probation.

Snow day waiver leads to school calendar changes

He must register as a sex offender. Cox has already been incarcerated for three years. He must pay a $1,000 fine and reimbursement for the cost of bringing in the jury pool. Pounds ordered the defendant to have no communication with three individuals involved in the case.

to submit the weather waiver information required by the Mississippi Department of Education.” Rogers must submit documentation showing she has the authority to declare a weather emergency and close school. While state law requires a 180-day calendar, it contains some conflicting provisions dealing with inclement weather. Earlier in March, state legislators meet with the attorney general and the Department of Education seeking answers. Soon the Department of Education announced new opinions and guidelines on the weather waiver.

BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

The Alcorn School District has revised its school calendar -- again. The school board called a special meeting Tuesday night following the attorney general’s decision on missed days due to inclement weather. School will not be in session on April 6, the Monday following Easter. School will also end on May 27, as originally scheduled. “We have amended the school calendar to contain 175 instructional days,” said Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith. “The school board has given me the authorization

Cradle of Coca-Cola

Auction highlights annual charity ball cards and more. “There is a $2,000 minimum bid with the Lasik eye surgery,” said Silent Auction Chair, Haven Caldwell. “You must be a candidate for Lasik, but the item is transferable should you later want to pass it on to someone else.” The auction will close at 9:30 p.m. Guests will be given individual bid numbers and can begin bidding immediately upon arrival. “On behalf of Junior Auxiliary, myself, Co-Chair Shea Tyson and committee members Brittany Bryant, Meridith Rhodes and Ashley Majors would like to thank our area businesses both for their generous donations and their continued support.” Those wishing to donate items for the silent auction may do so up until the day of the ball.

BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Last minute details are coming together as Junior Auxiliary of Corinth prepares to hold its 53rd Annual Charity Ball at 6 p.m. on Saturday in The Franklin Courtyard. While activities vary year to year, the Silent Auction remains the ball’s biggest fundraiser. With several unique and luxurious items up for grabs, attendees are sure to find something worth bidding on. Featured auction items include: Lasik eye surgery from Jennifer Garrett at Garrett Eye Clinic, a one-night stay at The Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood, several different pairs of designer sunglasses, Philips Zoom teeth whitening, Make Your Own Pizza Party from Pizza Grocery, a handmade duck call, a signed Tennessee Titans football, gift baskets from local boutiques, massage therapy, sod installation, gift

Staff photo by Zack Steen

Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works chairman Sandy Williams visits with Rudy Salas, new senior vice president of franchise operations in the United States, at Refreshments, Inc. on Wednesday.

Company executives tour Corinth BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Corporate leaders from Coca-Cola North America toured Corinth on Wednesday. Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works welcomed several executives including Rudy Salas, the new senior vice president of franchise operations in the

United States. “I have heard many things about this area of the country,” said Salas, who formerly worked with Coca-Cola Latin America. “The history of this bottler is unmatched in the county — Corinth is a cradle for Coca-Cola.” Salas spent most of Wednes-

day in the field with local CocaCola representatives visiting with businesses. “This is a wonderful town with wonderful people,” Salas added. “I’m so glad places like this exist in the Coca-Cola family.” Please see COKE | 2

(For more information, contact Haven Caldwell at 662-808-7327.)

Animal shelter hosts spring celebrations BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

The Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter is kicking off spring in a big way. Shelter staff and volunteers will host a double Spring Celebration event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter and at Tractor Supply Co. in Corinth. “We’ll have a lot going on to celebrate the return of spring at both locations,” said volunteer director Charlotte Doehner. “Hopefully we will be able to raise some money, gain some donations and find furever homes for some of our animals.” Reduced rates will be offered on certain cats and dogs at both

sites throughout the day. “There are a couple of litters of puppies that are ready for adoption — we will have a few of those guys at Tractor Supply, along with some adoptable cats,” added Doehner. Special adoption rates will be offered on certain animals at both locations. Certain dogs will be available for $40, while certain cats will be available for $20. “We’ll be hosting a car wash at the shelter on Saturday, as well,” Doehner added. “The weather should be clear and with spring in the air, it’s a perfect time to get the car washed.” Tickets for a couple of upcoming fundraisers will also be

(For more information, contact the shelter at 662-2845800 or alcornpets.com.)

Charlotte Doehner Volunteer director

25 years ago

On this day in history 150 years ago 9,000 Federal cavalry under Gen. Sheridan cross the James River to bring the total of Grant’s force up to 122,000 men. Lee’s men, in the trenches of Petersburg, can barely muster half as many men.

March 26th 4 - 6 PM

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Doehner. “We’re a long way from that number, and need all animal lovers in the community to step up and support us by pre-purchasing a tag.” The car tag will feature the shelter’s new motto, “for the love of the animals,” and a new colorful shelter logo. The cost of the tag is $31, with $6 going back to the state and $1 going to Alcorn County. The remaining $24 will go back to the shelter. If the shelter can pre-sale 300 tags, it would generate a $7,200 shelter donation each year.

Chris Lipford and Rachiel Holloway are among students at Alcorn Central participating in a miniwalk in support of the March of Dimes. The event raised $875.23 for the organization.

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available at both locations. “Those folks looking to buy one of our 30 Guns Giveaway tickets will be able to do so on Saturday,” she said. “We’ll also have fish fry tickets available.” Tickets for the 30 Guns Giveaway raffle are $30 per ticket or 4 for $100. The shelter will host the giveaway and draw the 30 lucky winners on April 25. A fish fry will also be held during the event at the American Legion Post 6 building. Applications will also be available for the shelter’s new specialty license plate. “We need to pre-sale 300 plates before the state will be able to produce the tags,” said

“We’ll have a lot going on to celebrate the return of spring at both locations. Hopefully we will be able to raise some money, gain some donations and find fur-ever homes for some of our animals.”

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