Prentiss County NE Campus Country hosts final Showtime
McNairy County State park hosts volunteer service hikes
Tishomingo County Park Trail Run set for April 23
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Tuesday April 12,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 88
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Gardening guru visits home tour BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Mississippi gardening guru Felder Rushing is set to appear at the Verandah-Curlee House on Saturday. Set for 10 a.m. during the home and garden tour at the historic home, Rushing is a retired Extension Service horticulture specialist who originated the extension’s master gardener program and was featured as one of Southern Living’s “25 people most likely to change the South.” Rushing is the author of “Slow Gardening,” named for his philosophy of savoring the
Photo by Keith Jackson
In just its first year, about 1,000 runners and walkers took part in last year’s color run at Crossroads Regional Park. The second color run will be April 30.
Autism group plans second 5K color run BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Running for the opportunity. The Reconnect 4 Autism Color Run 5K is back for a second year to provide those with autism a chance just like everyone else. “Proceeds from the run allows children with autism to experience whatever other
kids do,” said Reconnect 4 Autism board member Chris Vandiver. “They deserve that chance to be part of what other kids are doing.” The race is set for a 9 a.m.
start at Crossroads Regional Park on April 30. Registration can do be done online at reconnect4autism.com. “Last year, we were just trying to figure things out and thought if we could get 200 people it would be successful,” said Vandiver. Registration took off on the Please see RUN | 2
BY STEVE BEAVERS The fling is full. The 2016 Spring Fling – set for Thursday at the Mississippi State Extension Center – has plenty of information for senior adults who registered for the annual event. “We are fully booked and are at capacity at what we can seat,” said Community Development Council member Tom Chartres. According to Chartres, 140 signed up for Thursday’s informative meeting. Doors open at 10 a.m. and individuals are asked to wait until then to come so they can avoid having to
Please see RUSHING | 2
Unemployment rate improves in county BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Seasonal trends pushed jobless rates lower in February, with Alcorn County managing slight improvement from a year ago. At 5.3 percent, the county’s rate is down from 6.2 percent in January and 5.6 percent in February 2015. The county ranked 11th among the 82 counties in the latest labor data released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The county had 870 people categorized as unemployed,
matching the number from a year ago. The number employed was 15,320, an increase of 670 from a year ago. First-time claims for unemployment insurance in the county numbered 47 and continued claims numbered 405, compared to 57 first and 378 continued claims a year ago. Mississippi’s non-farm employment increased 8,400 over the month and was 15,700 higher than one year ago in not seasonally adjusted figures. Industry sectors registerPlease see EMPLOYMENT | 2
People of the Crossroads
Annual spring fling will ‘help people out’ sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
experience. “I am a charter member of the scattered tribe called ‘dirt gardeners’ who plant what we like, where we like and for whatever reason we like,” writes Rushing. “Because we are opinionated real gardeners, some folks like us and our approach. Others do not.” His Mississippi cottage garden, filled with plants and yard art with no turf grass, has been featured in many publications, and he shares his expertise as NPR’s “Gestalt Gardener” and as online Q&A blogger for
Eugene B. Gifford Jr., Thrasher Staff photo by Angela Storey
At age 81, Booneville attorney Eugene B. (Gene) Gifford Jr. has no plans to retire. “I’m having too much fun,” he said. Gifford has practiced law for the past 56 years. He is in his 46th year serving as attorney for the Town of Rienzi. He is a past attorney for the City of Booneville (12 years) and Prentiss County School District (20 years). Gifford served as state representative under Gov. Ross Barnett from 1960-63. The 1954 graduate of Thrasher High School is a graduate of Northeast and Ole Miss. He is a strong supporter of his community. “I don’t play golf but I love helping build the community up.” He and his wife, Betty, have three children and nine grandchildren.
stand outside. “There is a value to information available on Thursday,” said Chartres. “We just want to help people out.” Representatives with Magnolia Regional Health Center, Garrett Eye Clinic, Bennett’s Apothecary, Corinthian Arbors, Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter, Alliance Hospice, Air Evac, NEMPPD and Walgreens will attend the fling. Crystal Starling, Alcorn County Deputy Circuit Clerk, is also slated to talk with attendees. Those who need to register Please see FLING | 2
25 years ago
10 years ago
Biggersville native Dr. Johnny Allen receives a three year extension on his contract as president of Northeast Mississippi Community College. He has served as president since 2004.
David Palmer receives the Corinth Rotary Club Community Service Award and Melvin McClamroch is recognized with the Rotarian of the Year award during the club’s 55th annual banquet.
Doug Ann Michael Rick Jumper Hardin McCreary Jones
Neil Paul
Marea John Wilson Hayes
Alexis Rudd
Roger Audrey Carl Clark McNair Jones
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