Wednesday April 9,
2014
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 84
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • 2 sections
Former principal’s case dismissed BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Two Alcorn Central Middle School staff members’ lawsuit against former principal Dan Burcham is closed. U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock dismissed the case without prejudice on Friday because the case has been settled or is in the process of being settled, according to court records. The order followed a settlement con-
ference held on March 27. Janet Walls Holley and Stephanie Leigh Eaton accused Burcham of taking inappropriate photos and videos of them and other women. Though the plaintiffs had abandoned their federal suit against Burcham last year and filed a new suit in Alcorn County Circuit Court because they believed the case was a matter of state rather than federal law, Burcham was
able to have the case moved back to federal court in January. The plaintiffs alleged that Burcham “had a bizarre fetish for taking pictures and videos of women’s rear-ends and breasts” with his cell phone. In his answer to the complaint filed in circuit court, Burcham denied all of the allegations. “… there were no such videos or pictures on Burcham’s phone and, further, no evidence
Freeze coming to Arena BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Good news for Rebel fans ... there’s a freeze warning coming to Corinth. Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze will make a stop in Corinth later this month while on the 2014 BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip. Presented by Corinth based Tri-State Rebel Club, Freeze will be joined by Ole Miss Director of Athletics Ross Bjork at the Crossroads Arena from 5:307:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. “We are excited to have the Rebel Road Trip coming back to Corinth this year,” said club president Kenny Carson. “Corinth is actually one of only three cities that has been a stop every year since the road trips began.” The club president expects to hear details about the upcoming Rebel football season. “For the second year, Ole Miss is going to have one of the top recruiting classes in all of college football,” Carson said. “Coach Freeze will definitely be talking about his team’s ability to play and win this season.” Club Vice President Tony Smith said Bjork should share information on the upcoming stadium expansion. “There’s a lot of great things going on in Oxford like more parking options and a overall better Rebel fan experience,” Smith said. “I’m looking for-
that any such alleged videos or pictures had ever been on the phone and subsequently deleted,” the answer states. The plaintiffs alleged that Burcham’s actions caused them to experience severe psychological illness and the need for prescribed medications. Eaton is the counselor and Holley is a teacher at the school. Burcham’s employment was terminated in February 2013,
Laws may give more power to supervisors BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
New laws may soon put decisions on building codes and the number of justice court judges in the hands of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors. Board Attorney Bill Davis advised the supervisors on Monday to be thinking about both matters. The governor recently signed into law Senate Bill
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Tri-State Rebel Club President Kenny Carson (right) hands over 2014 BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip tickets to fellow Ole Miss fan Dick Atkins. ward to hearing what Ross can share with us on that.” The Tri-State Rebel Club’s main goal is to bring Oxford closer to home by offering free club membership to not just alumni, but also friends and fans of Ole Miss who live in one the the club’s covering counties The club covers Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties in Mississippi, McNairy and Hardin counties in Tennessee and
Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin counties in Alabama. “All the money raised from these events we host goes back into the club’s scholarship fund,” added Smith. “We are able to help send three students to Ole Miss each year. It’s pretty amazing to be able to love the Rebels, hold events that celebrate what the Rebels do and Please see FREEZE | 6A
and the hearing subcommittee of the Mississippi Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development unanimously agreed to revoke Burcham’s educator license last September, citing “clear and convincing” evidence that he used a cell phone to photograph, video and/or view female employees and students in an inappropriate manner.
2378, which enacts a statewide building code but, at the same time, gives the governing bodies of counties and municipalities the authority to opt out. Davis said it appears the law becomes effective Aug. 1, and local governments have a 120-day window from that date in which they may vote not to adopt building codes. Those that do not opt out Please see SUPERVISORS | 6A
Creationist to speak at West Corinth Baptist BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Dr. Grady S. McMurtry is out to change the way people look at the world. The Biblical Scientific Creationist and founder of Creation Worldview Ministries is slated to present the series “Creation Our Foundation” at West Corinth Baptist Church beginning Thursday night. The noted international speaker will also be at the church on both Friday and
Saturday. “He has an entertaining and humorous style of presenting scientific fact and Bible truths,” said West McMurtry Corinth pastor Seth Kirkland. “His insights into Please see MCMURTRY | 3A
CAUSE brings more awareness to autism BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
There is no need to be afraid of autism. CAUSE is there to help. Corinth Autism Understanding Support & Education (CAUSE) wants people to know they aren’t along in dealing with the growing problem of the disorder. The group of around 25 members will be on hand to pass out autism information Saturday during the 2nd Annual Autism Day at the Sportsplex. “People don’t have to be afraid of the “A” word,” said CAUSE member Stephanie Michael. “No one wants their child
to be autistic, but there is a plan out there to help.” The mission of CAUSE is to inform the community of the disorder which effects 1 in 68 children. Through the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. fundraiser Saturday on the soccer field, members will be available to pass along what they have learned about autism. “We have a lot more support from the community since last year,” said member Sabrina Trimble. “People are starting to ask questions about autism.” Saturday will be a time of fun and games for children. Numerous activities including party jumpers, a train for children
and entertainment are slated during the day. “Our main goal is have a fun day for kids,” added Trimble. Most of the proceeds from the event will be used for fun trips throughout the year for autistic children. CAUSE is also trying to gain a 501(c) tax-exempt nonprofit status. Other money taken in during the day will go toward becoming a nonprofit organization. “That is a big goal of ours,” said Michael. T-shirts to commemorate the event are already on sale. They are available for $15 with
Index Stocks......8A Classified......3B Comics......2B State......5A
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Weather....10A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....12A
Please see CAUSE | 3A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Corinth Autism Understanding Support & Education (CAUSE) new members Meredith Stark (from left) and her husband Christopher Stark along with son Noah will be part of the 2nd Annual Autism Day at the Sportsplex. T-shirts will be sold on Saturday to help the group raise money for autism awareness in the area.
On this day in history 150 years ago Red River Campaign. Yesterday’s defeat of Bank’s army at Mansfield is tempered by a Union victory at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. The retreating Federal army is saved by the counterattack of two divisions of “gorillas” under Gen. A. J. Smith.
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