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Sunday March 26,
2017
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 72
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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22 pages • Two sections
Teens plead guilty to armed robbery BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A pair of Corinth teens received sentences without the possibility of early release stemming from a September 2016 armed robbery. Demarco Perry, 15, of West Harris Circle, and Zerek D. Hurd, 19, of Washington Street, appeared in Alcorn County Cir-
One sentenced for vandalism to home, vehicles, Bishop Park cuit Court on Monday, entering guilty pleas in the armed robbery case. Judge Thomas Gardner III sentenced both to five-year dayfor-day sentences on the charge
with five years of probation. Hurd also pleaded guilty to felony taking of a motor vehicle, resulting in an additional consecutive five-year sentence and payment of restitution of $1,650
to a victim. He also pleaded guilty to felony malicious mischief, resulting in an additional consecutive five-year sentence and payment of restitution totaling $3,650 with co-defendants. At the time of the arrests in the armed robbery, police reported that individuals brandishing guns and wearing masks entered a residence on
Lost in time
County reconstructs debt for better future BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
With the restructuring of debt tied to the Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility and associated offices now complete, county leaders are hopeful for a better financial outlook. Originally issued in 2009 in the principal amount of $22.7 million, the bond was to be paid off over a period of 22 years, ending in 2031. With the restructuring, the remaining principal balance of $18.815 million was divided into two parts — a general obligation bond of $10.055 million, which will continue to be paid from the reimbursement for housing Mississippi Department of Corrections inmates, and a revenue bond of $8.76 million, which is tied to the various county offices at the site and will be repaid by a 3.5 mill tax levied at the beginning of this fiscal year. The maturity date remains 2031 on the correctional facility portion and stretches out three more years to 2034 on the county offices. “We have been running a deficit of $1.1 million a year,” said Chancery Clerk Greg
Staff photo by L.A. Story
Peggy Drewry Smith purchased a piece of carport sale “junk” and rediscovered it 27 years later to find it is a mystery she would love to solve.
Eyeglass case reveals a mystery BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com
A Corinth woman bought a piece of “junk” at a carport sale in 1989, but it wasn’t until this year that she realized what she had.
Peggy Drewry Smith told her story with a sense of wonder. “I think this is interesting,” she said. She placed an old, worn, black eyeglass case on the cool marble counter. The edges of
Waldron Street, holding up a 13-year-old. The suspects took a television, other electronics and a safe. The malicious mischief charge stemmed from the spray-painting and vandalism of a residence, vehicles and E.S. Bishop Park on Johns Street. The vandalism was reported to police on Sept. 1.
the case were rubbed almost to the underlying metal in some places and threadbare in others. She proceeded to give the Please see MYSTERY | 6A
“This bond restructuring is a key factor in securing our financial future.” Jimmy Tate Waldon Board of Supervisors president Younger. “This will eliminate the majority of that, but there’s still going to be a deficit unless we can get those additional prisoners from MDOC.” It was originally believed that the reimbursements from MDOC for housing inmates would cover the cost of building both the correctional facility and the attached government offices, but it hasn’t worked out that way. With budget cuts at MDOC, the agency reduced the number of inmates provided to the county early on, and the number was not enough to pay the debt service and cover operations. The problem worsened when the agency ended the inmate work program. Please see DEBT | 2A
Guild features artwork of youth BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Two years ago Izaiah Belue took his aunt’s advise and enrolled in a high school art class. Since then, he’s had no regrets. “My aunt (Monica Wicks) told me to try different things and explore my options,” he said. “I honestly had no idea I would enjoy art as much as I do.” The Biggersville High School junior’s latest work of art is currently featured along side 10 other local high school student’s work inside the Corinth
Artist Guild Gallery. As part of the gallery’s “A Walk in History” project, local high school students created images of landmarks such as the Alcorn County Courthouse, Fillmore Street Chapel and B.F. Liddon home. Belue’s drawing depicts the Jacinto Courthouse in charcoal pencil. “I chose Jacinto because I really thought it would be easier than the other local historical buildings, but it was actually quite a challenge,” said the teen. “I really like how the finished product turned out.
The second year art student plans to take third year art his senior year under instructor Jodi Hajek. He also has a drawing currently on display at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Other BHS students showcased in the exhibit include Brooklyn Godwin and Baylee Parmely. The self-portrait artwork of more than 200 Corinth kindergartens will also be featured through mid-April at the gallery. Please see ARTWORK | 2A
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Biggersville High School Art Club students Baylee Parmely, Izaiah Belue and Brooklyn Godwin look over their artwork on display through mid-April at the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery.
25 years ago
10 years ago
Actor Will Stutts presents a one-man drama “Mark Twain’s America” as a fundraiser for the Corinth Coliseum-Civic Center.
Sarah Johnson of Corinth is elected by her peers as Miss Northeast Mississippi Community College.
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