Inspiration for the Family
Inside Today:
Inspiration for the Family Friday April 3,
2015
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 78
Showers Today
Tonight
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42
60% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • Two sections
Cause of commercial fire unknown Massive blaze destroys 1 business, damages 3 more BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
With family members and friends by his side, Leon Williams watched black smoke billow from above his historyfilled commercial building early Wednesday night. “I have no idea how it started,” said Williams, who has owned what is commonly referred to as the “old Moses building” for more than six years. “I got the call and now I’m here, and there’s nothing I can do but watch.” Williams faced an even bigger challenge as fire tore through the more than 50-year-old structure at the corner of U.S. 72 and Tate Street. “It’s a really bad feeling right now, because I have no insurance on the building,” he said. A few of Williams’ tenants stood from a safe distance, unable to save their merchandise from the flames. Four businesses shared the multi-level structure, including Family Outlet Store, One Stop Corner Package, R & T Discount Tobacco and Beverage, and Crossroads Auto Shop. “It was a total loss,” said Alcorn County Director of Emergency Services Ricky Gibens, who was on the scene assisting Corinth Fire Department Chief Billy “Lucky” Briggs. “The brunt of the damage occurred
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Please see FIRE | 2A
Four businesses shared the multi-level structure where the Wednesday night fire occurred. Family Outlet Store was deemed a total loss, while One Stop Corner Package, R & T Discount Tobacco and Beverage, and Crossroads Auto Shop all received some damage.
Oakland shares Passion Play BY STEVE BEAVERS
Federal appeals court dismisses Kmart lawsuit
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Jesus Christ wants a personal relationship with all people. He came and died for our sins to make it all possible. Oakland Baptist Church is sharing the gospel in a different light through its four nights of the passion play “This is our God.” The annual play begins tonight at 7 p.m. “This is our God” is also scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. “You can’t change the story, but there are so many different ways how to tell it,” said Jon Pinkston, producer of the drama. “The passion play is totally different this year with no comparison to past years.” Oakland’s event, which involves over 200 of its members, will go a little deeper in its 26th year. “We are drawing the audience in this year to make them feel part of the drama,” said Pinkston, who has spent the Please see PLAY | 6A
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Jesus, portrayed by Jeffrey Williams, is crucified on the cross in Oakland’s passion play, “This is our God.” The story, told for the 26th time by the church, doesn’t end there. Jesus Christ rose again and is alive today. The passion play will be held beginning tonight at 7 p.m. Performances are also set for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 6.
A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of Kmart Corp.’s lawsuit over flooding damage at Fulton Crossing in the major storm of May 2010. In a decision handed down Tuesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the U.S. District Court’s dismissal of the lawsuit against Fulton Improvements, LLC. On appeal, Kmart claimed that the owner breached the lease agreement’s provision requiring the owner to maintain the property in “a safe, dry and tenantable condition.” “The district court correctly held that Kmart failed to present a genuine issue of fact that additional flood protection measures would have prevented this particular flood damage,” the court opined. “Thus, Kmart did not raise a fact issue that Fulton’s alleged breach of the lease
caused Kmart’s damages, so Kmart’s breach of contract claim fails.” With that being the case, the appeals court did not deem it necessary to address the other arguments Kmart raised on appeal, such as whether certain testimony was admissible. Filed in May 2011, the suit had numerous defendants, including the City of Corinth. Kmart argued that the neighboring Kroger store, which was originally a Bruno’s/Food World property, was improperly built in a floodway, and that the owners failed to take flood prevention steps such as installing floodgates. The flood damage happened when landscape timbers stored on site struck the doors with enough force to break open the doors, lodge in the opening and allow water to flood into the store, which Please see LAWSUIT | 2A
25 years ago
On this day in history 150 years ago
Corinth Fire Chief James Young tells city aldermen of a plan to build a major training center in Corinth, including a four-story training tower. The training facility will cost $200,000.
Richmond surrenders. Lee’s 30,000 men march for Amelia Courthouse, where they expect to find enough supplies for a flight into North Carolina and a junction with Johnston’s army. A relentless force of Federal cavalry pursues the Confederates.
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