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Sunday April 30, 2017 $1.50
Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 103
May marks hope, valor for addicts
• Corinth, Mississippi •
Downtown development
BY ZACK STEEN
Please see HOPE | 5A
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zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
(Editor’s note: This is the first story in a four-part series spotlighting Living Free Ministries’ Addiction Recovery Month. A new story will appear each Sunday in the Daily Corinthian.) May is about sharing hope and holding the rope. Living Free Ministries is celebrating 13 years in Corinth during the month of May, and founder Tommy Wilson is going the extra mile to ensure commu- Johnson nity members know the struggles of addiction recovery. Wilson is hosting four special drug awareness speakings where personal testimonies about addiction recovery will be shared. Women’s Director Polly Johnson will share her story on Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Living Free, located at 2024 Highway 72 behind Magnolia Funeral Home. Johnson has facilitated the women’s class at Living Free since 2012. She also leads a class at the Alcorn County jail and Oakland Baptist Church. The Corinth native has overcome a lot in her life. She was pregnant at age 12, married by age 13, divorced by age 25 and addicted to crystal meth by age 26. Before crystal meth, Johnson graduated from high school, went to college and
T-storms
Ride lauds the legacy of Ricketts, veterans BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin and The Alliance President Clayton Stanley stand outside the future home of The Alliance office at the corner of Fillmore and Wick streets in the heart of downtown.
City center undergoing revival, Alliance set to move downtown BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
(Editor’s note: Downtown Corinth - Where Old Meets New is a multi-part series on the revitalization of downtown Corinth. Stories will appear each Sunday through June exclusively in the Daily Corinthian print edition.) The recent surge of development in downtown Corinth has not gone unnoticed. City leaders are beaming as investors continue to turn crumbing buildings into architectural works of art. New businesses are popping up daily and the down-
town area that was once a ghost town is quickly turning into the place to be in Northeast Mississippi.
It was in the early 1980s when downtown Corinth, once the city’s hub for retail establishments, began to decline as large retailers like JCPenney and Belk moved to new developments in suburbia near the U.S. Highway 72 corridor. Retail near the city center shuttered and the area turned into a mostly business and government district. “I can remember when downtown was dead,” said The Alliance President Clayton Stanley. “I believe it was part of a cultural change that Please see DOWNTOWN | 5A
The legacy of fallen soldier SSG William “Seth” Ricketts lives on in an annual fundraiser that continues to help the families of injured warriors. The Seventh Annual SSG William “Seth” Ricketts Memorial Chip Run was held Saturday at the American Legion building. The event brought more than 95 registered participants together for a day of riding, vendors, live music, a silent auction and more in memory of Ricketts, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Feb. 27, 2010 and in support of the Fisher House. Rickett’s mother, Sandy Ricketts, said it was a wonderful day and they’re grateful for all those who came out to support the effort. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Fisher House, a charity that provides housing, meals and more to the families of wounded veterans through a network of locations located near military hospitals around the United States and in Germany. Sandy Ricketts said it means a lot for people to continue to remember their son while helping them help other military families. “It’s in memory of him and it’s what he would want us to do,” she said. It’s not too late to help the Fisher House in memory of Ricketts. Funds are still being raised and can be donated through an account at First American Bank in Burnsville or by calling 662-287-7118.
‘Superheroes’ relay for a cause BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com
Members of the Corinth/Alcorn County community showed up for an evening of emotion, fun, celebration and remembrance. Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin gave the opening remarks for the Alcorn County Relay for Life, held Friday night at the Crossroads Regional Park. The mayor firmly established the evening’s meaning. “First thing, I think this night is an opportunity for us to always remember those who fought the good fight ... they’re in the hands of the Lord now,” said Irwin. “The second thing is to encourage each other for those who continue to fight the good fight and also hopefully to strengthen one’s faith that
you can beat this thing.” Irwin pointed at cancer survivor and Event Chair Lanell Coln, who was on the stage behind him. “Behind me is a classmate that’s got to be an example to you. She’s in remission for something that’s very, very serious. Every time you look in the mirror ... I want you to think ‘I got this. The Lord’s got this. He’s in command of my life and He’s going to make the decision one way or the other and, whichever way it is, it’s going be the right one.’ Those of us that have faith know that He doesn’t make mistakes,” said Irwin. The mayor was followed by Andrette Morrison, who sang a powerful rendition of the national anthem.
Staff Photos by L.A. Story
Please see RELAY | 2A
A cancer survivor gets an emotional embrace during the “Survivor Walk” portion of the Alcorn County Relay For Life event.
25 years ago
10 years ago
Corinth and Alcorn County receive a total of over $100,000 in grants to improve fire protection.
Late freezing weather causes problems for those who planted early due to unseasonably warm temperatures.
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