Tuesday April 29,
2014
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 94
T-storms Today
Tonight
82
51
60% chance of storms
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
Crossroads area wet but unscathed BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
The Crossroads area escaped more less unharmed after several strong storm systems moved through the area Sunday and Monday. The same storm system produced a powerful tornado that carved an 80-mile path of destruction through Little Rock on Sunday, killing at least 16 people
in Arkansas and one in Oklahoma. On Monday afternoon, a large tornado causing major damage touched down in north Tupelo. Alcorn County and Corinth city schools were released early as a tornado watch was issued for Alcorn County, however the destructive storms brought only heavy rain, high wind and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
“A slight risk for severe weather is expected for portions of Northeast Mississippi today,” said National Weather Service. “The main threats will be large hail and damaging winds.” According to the NWS, brief periods of heavy rainfall will also remain possible today and a flash flood watch remains in effect for Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties
in Mississippi and Hardeman, Hardin and McNairy counties in Tennessee until 7 p.m. “Once these systems move out of North Mississippi late Tuesday, they would have produced anywhere between five to eight inches of rainfall with higher amounts locally,” added NWS. Chances of rainfall will decrease tonight with less than a 20 percent chance.
Tornado touches down in Tupelo BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
TUPELO — A large tornado touched down in north Tupelo Monday afternoon injuring many people and destroying parts of the city. The severe line of storms moved into the area around 2:43 p.m., when trained weather spotters first reported the wedge shaped tornado moving northeast at 50 MPH near the Barnes Crossing area. The storm flattened many businesses near North Gloster and Green Streets. Businesses damaged by the storms included Outback Steakhouse, Hammer’s Hot Wings and several gas stations. The roof was blown off of long-time, popular restaurant Vanelli’s. Across the street from the popular Italian eatery, Comfort Suites and Steak Escape were both destroyed. The residential neighborhood near Old Veterans Boulevard and Lakeshire subdivision was also flattened by the storm, however no fatalities had been reported late Monday night. The tornado’s strong winds toppled many trees and power lines. “Between 6,000 and 8,000 customers were without power after the storm moved through Lee County,” said Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. The Lee County sheriff said the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and U.S. Highway 45 was shut down shortly after the
On Wednesday, expect partly cloudy skies with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. The area should experience mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies and normal temperatures through the end of the week, with sunshine becoming a major weather player as the area heads into a busy weekend. (The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
9 submit qualifying documents BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The first day of city qualifying brought some newcomers to the political arena and a couple of former aldermen seeking to reclaim the seats they once held. Mayor Tommy Irwin, seeking a second term, was among those turning in papers on the first day. Please see CANDIDATES | 2
911 teaches public about proper use Photo compliments of Ricky Kimbrell
The neighborhood near Old Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo was flattened by a large tornado Monday afternoon. See related photo on page 2. tornado hit. Reportedly almost a dozen transfer trucks were blown off the roadway near the intersection. Lee County natives who commute to Alcorn County for work experienced trouble getting home after the storm. U.S. Highway 45 was shut down near the county line for several hours due to damage. Tupelo Mayor Jason Shel-
ton called the damage to his city extensive and issued a city wide 9 p.m. curfew. Red Cross setup a shelter at the BancorpSouth Arena, where approximately 70 spent the night. Gov. Phil Bryant had declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of expected storms that the National Weather Service had warned
could trigger tornadoes, heavy downpours, damaging hail and flash floods. The threat of dangerous weather jangled nerves a day after the three-year anniversary of an historic outbreak of more than 60 tornadoes that killed more than 250 across Alabama on April 27, 2011. (The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
For emergency use only. The message is one Alcorn County E911 can’t stress enough. Director Kim McCreless along with fellow directors across the country are educating the public during the month of April when it comes to using 911. “Thousands of lives are saved Please see 911 | 6
McNairy Central seniors present required projects BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
SELMER, Tenn. — Blake Walls saved his best move for project evaluators. Walls was among 175 McNairy Central High School seniors on display two days this week. Each one in the senior class appeared before a quartet of evaluators, sharing the knowledge he/she gained through a required Senior Project at the school. Thursday was the second day 12th graders got a chance to showcase their education on a particular project. All students must complete a Senior Project in order to receive an English credit. Walls chose wrestling as his project. “I have always dreamed about wrestling,” said the MCHS student. “It was hard, but I learned
I can do anything through hard work and dedication.” The toughest part for most was getting over the nervousness of appearing before four strange faces. For some it was more devastating than any choke hold or arm bar. “I wasn’t nervous at all until I got in here,” said Mikaylin Donahoe to an evaluator. “Getting in front of people isn’t something I like to do, but it has developed my social skills.” The projects are made of four components – Paper, Portfolio, Product and Presentation. “We introduce it after Labor Day,” said project committee member and MCHS teacher Lisa Forsythe. “They have to do at least 15 hours on what they Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Please see PROJECTS | 2
McNairy Central senior Blake Walls learned the art of wrestling for his Senior Project.
Index Stocks........8 Classified...... 13 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
On this day in history 150 years ago
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 10
Adm. David Porter has resigned himself to scuttling his flotilla. Col. Joseph Baily proposes a number of low dams to float the fleet to safety. The plan is successful and becomes one of the most remarkable feats of improvisation in the war.
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