Friday April 12,
2013
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 88
Mostly sunny Today
Tonight
68
40
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • Two sections
New facility begins supplying water BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Speakers at the Commission on the Future of Alcorn County’s Community Forum included (from left) Corinth School District Superintendent Lee Childress, Alcorn School District Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith, Mississippi Board of Education Chairman Dr. O. Wayne Gann and Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Johnny Allen.
Corinth’s new water treatment plant is up and running. The Clifford Worsham Water Treatment Facility recently began feeding water into the city from the TennesseeTombigbee Waterway. With the switch from the groundwater supply, the possibility continues that customers may experience some temporary discoloration of water as the result of changes in the water flow and in the treatment process. Customers who experience any discoloration should run the water for a few minutes to flush the discolored water out of the plumbing, especially before washing clothes. “We will be extensively flushing our distribution system in April and May to help
clean and service our water lines,” said Corinth Gas & Water Manager John Rhodes. If discoloration persists, contact the office at 2862263. The $50 million treatment facility located off U.S. Highway 72 east of Glen is designed to provide a dependable, longterm water supply capable of handling future growth. It has the capacity to withdraw 10 million gallons a day, and the utilities commission holds a permit for up to 16.5 million. The Gas & Water Department is also touting a perfect score on its recent water inspection by the Mississippi Department of Health. Rhodes said the department Please see WATER | 2A
Forum keeps eye on future Arena hosts ‘Let'er BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Former Corinth School District Superintendent Dr. O. Wayne Gann, now chairman of the Mississippi Board of Education, spoke to a gathering of local civic and education leaders Thursday night at Corinth High School. Gann’s talk was part of the Community Forum for the Commission on the Future of Alcorn County, an annual event held to share how the community is engaged in meeting the challenges of the future in a variety of focus areas. Gann discussed the status of education in Mississippi and the challenges educators will face in the future. “You just don’t realize how fortunate you are in North Mississippi. I thought I did — but I didn’t before I went down to Jackson,” he said. “The Corinth School District and the Alcorn School District have a lot to be thankful here. More than you realize.” During his time serving in
his post with the state board of education, Gann said the board has had to step in and take over eight abysmally performing school districts in a short time. He called the problem districts a “golden opportunity” for the schools of education in Mississippi’s universities. He also spoke on the necessity of adequately funding education in the state. “Ignorance is more expensive than funding education,” Gann said. The longtime education leader touched on the recent developments in the issue over charter schools. “If you take inadequate funding and divide it by two — I’ll really have to see it, to know it works,” said Gann. He commended the work done by District 2 Rep. Nick Bain of Corinth, who “stood tall under heavy pressure for what he believed best for public education in Mississippi.” Bain was in attendance at the forum, as was District 3 Rep. Tracy Arnold, who represents Prentiss
County and southern Alcorn County. While the state’s education system is improving, it’s not improving fast enough, Gann pointed out. In the past, Mississippi only had to compete with other states for the good jobs. Now the state must compete with a global economy. “It is killing us as far as industry,” he said. “It makes it extremely difficult to compete. I guess I’m criticizing myself when I say that, but I’ll say it anyway.” One of the biggest problems plaguing Mississippi’s schools is the dropout rate, he said. “Dropouts are killing us. Along with teen pregnancy and other social issues, we’ve got to get a handle,” said Gann. One of the biggest challenges in the near future for the state’s education system will be the implementation of the Common Core system, a new system of education that will replace the current system. Please see FUTURE |2A
Ride Tour’ rodeo BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Lone Star is going to Let'er Ride when it comes to town tonight. The rodeo company is slated to Cowboy and Cowgirl Up at the Crossroads Arena, starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. Rodeo events continue during the “Let'er Ride Tour” Saturday also at 7:30 p.m. Five-year-old trick rider Oralee Madison is slated to perform each night along with Fancy Trick and Roman Rider Jessica Blair. “Oralee is the youngest trick rider in rodeo,” said Preston Fowlkes with Lone Star Championship Rodeo. Tonight is deemed Alcorn County Co-Op Night while Saturday is Brose Autoplex Night. Those who attend are eligible for a chance to win a
$25,000 truck each night, according to Fowlkes, producer of the local event. “If their number is called, they can win the truck by matching the cards with the front and back of the truck,” said Fowlkes. Two-time Rodeo Clown of the Year “Mighty” Mike Wentworh will perform both Friday and Saturday. A Kids Gold Rush is also scheduled for those 10 and under. Lone Star, in its 64th year, does 35 rodeos a year. The Corinth event will also include members of the 4-H Riding Team taking part in the barrel competition both nights. Young cowboys and cowgirls are also getting a chance to be part of the rodeo with a best dressed event for those 10 and under both nights. Please see RODEO | 2A
Civil War history lands at Crossroads historic depot BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A piece of Civil War artillery has joined the grounds of the Crossroads Museum and Historic Depot. An authentic 30-pound Parrott rifle mounted on a reproduction carriage was placed near the railroad between the tourism office and the depot Tuesday morning. A dedication will follow at a later date. “We think it will be one of the most photographed spots in Corinth,” said Sandy Williams, Corinth-Alcorn Reaching for Excellence (CARE) chairman. Bringing the Parrott rifle to the historic rail crossing area was a heritage tourism project of CARE in cooperation with Shiloh National Military Park. “CARE has been working on this for a couple of years and purchased the carriage for this cannon, or tube, as it’s called,” said Williams. “It’s a very highquality reproduction of the car-
riage.” The Parrott rifle had been at Shiloh since 1901, and more of its history will be detailed at the later dedication. Professional interpretive signage will be added, Williams said. The Parrott rifle has a maximum range of 6,700 yards or 3.8 miles, using a 3.75-pound charge to fire the 30-pound projectile, according to National Park Service Ranger Tom Parson. “On May 29, 1862, during the Siege of Corinth, General John Pope ordered three rounds to be fired into Corinth from a 30-pound Parrott,” said Parson. “One of the shells burst near the railroad crossing, killing a locomotive engineer and wounding four trainmen. These cannon were firing from a position east of Bridge Creek, somewhere in the vicinity of the current animal shelter.” During the Battle of Corinth,
An authentic 30-pound Parrott rifle mounted on a reproduction carriage was placed near the railroad between the tourism office and the depot this week. A future dedication service will be held. the Union had 11 of these guns along with several others of different types in the forts around
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Weather....10A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....12A
the downtown area, he said. Museum Executive Director Brandy Steen watched as the
Parrott rifle was maneuvered Please see CANNON | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago Three days of fighting commences at Irish Bend on the Teche Bayou of Louisiana. Union troops under Gen. Banks will prevail, but fail to destroy the small Confederate army under Gen. Richard Taylor.
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