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Prentiss County Suspect sought in shooting

Tishomingo County Man pleads guilty to burglary charge

Pickwick TVA: Study shows lake economic impact

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Thursday May 11,

2017

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Daily Corinthian

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Vol. 121, No. 112

• Corinth, Mississippi • 14 pages • One section

School district may borrow $4.2 million proved by the board, taxpayers would not see an increase. “The school district would be able to use the money on repairs, alterations and additions to school buildings, erecting school buildings, the purchase of heating and air, to purchase school buses and for transportation equipment,” said Brad Davis, a bond writer with Jones-Walker law firm in Jackson. “The monies cannot be used on salaries or to hire staﬀ.”

BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

The Alcorn School District got the ball rolling this week to borrow more than $4.2 million for facility and transportation upgrades. The Board of Education adopted a resolution to issue new unlimited tax notes not to exceed $4,250,000. The amount would extend a three-mill tax levy already in place for debt retirement. If the bond is ap-

Davis said the money could be paid oﬀ over a span of 20 years, but the district would likely repay it within 12 years. Several board members questioned how and where the money would be spent if the bond is approved. “I think we need to have an idea of how this is going to be spent,” said board President Randy Wilbanks.

“The school district would be able to use the money on repairs, alterations and additions to school buildings, erecting school buildings, the purchase of heating and air, to purchase school buses and for transportation equipment.” Brad Davis Bond writer

Please see BORROW | 2

Butterflies, flowers highlight show Task force wants

to end homelessness

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The grounds of the Verandah-Curlee House will serve as a fitting backdrop for a talk on butterflies and a demonstration of flower arranging during the 9th Annual Home & Garden Show. Doug Fleury, a retired teacher and museum educator, is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20. “Weather permitting, there will be a butterfly flight cage,” he said. “Native butterflies and nectar sources will allow visitors to get close to the feeding butterflies. There will be a hands-on opportunity.” He will talk about the biological and environmental needs of butterflies and their caterpillars and discuss some of the native and nursery plants that are attractive to butterflies and their caterpillars through their nectar and foliage. Participants can learn how to keep butterflies around longer by satisfying their other needs for shelter, moisture and other nutrients. A native of Massachusetts, Fleury has ties to the Corinth area. In 1978, he worked with

BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com

Doug Fleury shows a scorpion during one of his past presentations. He will discuss butterflies at the Verandah-Curlee House Home & Garden Show. He will not bring scorpions. Margaret Green Rogers to develop a regional museum centered in Corinth and was involved in establishing tourism promotion eﬀorts. He is cur-

rently working with Prentiss County residents to promote tourism through development

Postal carriers deliver message only do millions of Americans go hungry, organizations that help them are in need of replenishments.” Letter carriers see the struggles in the communities they serve, and they believe it’s important to do what they can to help, he said. With food banks seeing most of their donations around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the drive is timed to give them a boost during the warm months. The Corinth drive brought in 4,200 pounds of food in 2015 and about 5,000 pounds in 2014. It’s easy to participate: Letter carriers ask that residents simply leave a bag of nonperishable food items in a bag by

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Local letter carriers are ready to deliver more than bills and catalogs on Saturday. The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is back, giving local residents an opportunity to leave nonperishable food items at the mailbox for donation to the AMEN Food Pantry, which has received thousands of pounds of food from the drive each year. Mail carriers in Corinth, Walnut and Ripley are among many across the country who will collect food for delivery to local food banks. “With the economic struggles many Americans face, the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive is as critical as ever,” said USPS Spokesman Doug Kyle. “Not

Please see HOMELESS | 2

People of the Crossroads Shawn Weaver, Michie, Tenn. Shawn Weaver, minister at Acton Church of Christ in Michie, Tenn., credits his mother for his desire to be a preacher. Weaver has been with Acton full-time since 2012. However, he began as an automotive engineer with Parker Hannifin and then later as an engineer at Caterpillar for six years. Although he had nearly 20 years into an engineering career, Weaver said his passion is for people and the Lord. “My mother was my biggest influence. If there was a gospel meeting, we went. My earliest heroes were preachers,” he said. “She made it where hearing God’s word through preachers was something I enjoyed.” Weaver, and his wife Michelle, have three children — Emily, 19, Stormy, 18, and Michael 15. Michelle Weaver is a staff member at Alcorn Central Elementary School. As one of his hobbies, Weaver plays guitar and said he was taught by his grandmother. Staff Photo by L.A. Story

Please see FOOD | 2

25 years ago

10 years ago

Grand Ole Opry star Jerry Clower comes to Corinth as part of the Crusade for Christ.

Allyson Cartwright stars as Emily Dickinson in Corinth TheatreArts’ production of “The Belle of Amherst.”

Dr. Erica’s Laser Aesthetic Centers Erica Noyes, MD

Please see SHOW | 2

It takes a strong communication network to solve problems and one task force is working to solve the issue of veteran homelessness. Individuals representing agencies from as far away as Hattiesburg and Jackson recently converged to meet at Crosswind in Corinth as part of the Task Force to End Veteran Homelessness. Crosswind Ministries Executive Director Bobby Capps said the project has been in the works for two or three years. Crosswind is a member agency of the task force and Capps pointed out part of the issue in ending veteran homelessness in Mississippi is because so much of the state is rural, making it a major challenge to locate the veterans and direct them to the services they need. “This group has been tasked to develop a system where we identify the homeless veterans and continuously outreach to

them. After finding them, we contact them within a month to house them,” said Capps. He said after that, it is a matter to follow up to make sure the veterans are stable to ensure they don’t end up homeless again. The Crosswind director said Hattiesburg has announced an end to veteran homelessness in Hattiesburg, but he said it’s a “functional end.” “The Lord said ‘We’ll always have the poor among us, but don’t ever let the poor be among you,’” said Capps. “We’re always going to have veteran pop-up homeless, but we want to have a system in place statewide to immediately address them and so we can say there’s a functional end to veterans’ homelessness in our state.” Visiting the meeting briefly was Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin, who said, “Homelessness will break your heart ... but

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HOMELESS

Thursday, May 11, 2017

BORROW

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

veterans ... I canâ€™t think of anything worse than seeing what those guys have laid on the line for us and then not having a place to go. Homelessness should not happen in the United States.â€? Also introduced into the meeting was Josh Logan, local Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialist for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Logan himself is a veteran and Capps commended him for going the extra mile to help veterans locate other services they need. â€œWeâ€™d like him being part of the network and modeling how to be helpful to veterans, make partners in the community and connect veterans to these services that they need. His influence in this group has been really good already,â€? said Capps. As the larger cities in Mississippi are spread out with rural areas between, the challenge is then a matter of communication between agencies who can help. Reginald Glenn, coordinator for Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care, said he works as a liaison between network agencies and the Continuum of Care. â€œWe are contacting shelters to make sure they are connected to everybody, so that they have a robust referral network,â€? said Glenn. Glenn said the recent Corinth meeting was an eďŹ€ort to continue to refine the process and identify any gaps. â€œWe want the system to run as smoothly as possible,â€? he said.

District 3 board member Daniel Cooper added, â€œI just want to make sure the money is shared. It seems like Biggersville gets neglected a lot of times. We just need to make sure the money is spent equally at each school.â€? According to Superintendent Larry B. Mitchell, he will seek input from board members. â€œWeâ€™ve got to get the money in hand. Then we can all figure out how best to spend it,â€? he said. Mitchell addressed the districtâ€™s aging bus fleet as one area for improvement. With around 50 total buses in use, he said the average bus age is 13.6 years. â€œWeâ€™re at a point where we must budget for new buses over the next few years,â€? said Mitchell. â€œIâ€™m hoping we can buy some buses with (bond money) next year.â€? Referencing her recent school visits, District 2 board member Ann Little said facility improve-

Staff Photos by L.A. Story

Tamara Stewart with Mississippi United to End Homelessness speaks to the group gathered at Crosswind, including Bobby Capps, executive director for Crosswind Ministries; Reginald Glenn, coordinator for Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care; and Kathy Garner, executive director of AIDS Services Coalition.

ments are paramount. â€œWe are in great need of upgrading,â€? she said. â€œOther school districts have spent millions of dollars to upgrade their facilities, and this is the beginning for us. I think we need to move on it.â€? Davis said the resolution and notice of public hearing will publish twice in the Daily Corinthian prior to the public hearing at the June 12 board meeting. If no comment is made, the district can move forward on the bond issue. â€œIf all goes well, it should close and youâ€™ll have the money within 60 days of that,â€? Davis told the board. Davisâ€™ firm was hired as bond counsel. Cooper questioned why the district did not receive bids on the service. According to Mitchell, a hired service is not required to be bid out. The firm will bill the district a standard $42,500 fee plus additional services charges. Davis said the fee could be negotiated, if needed.

FOOD corn County had 6,550 people considered â€œfood insecureâ€? in 2014, the latest year available â€” a number that was 17.6 percent of the county population. Since the first national food drive in 1993, the Letter Carriersâ€™ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected more than 1.5 billion pounds of food. Last yearâ€™s drive brought in a record 80 million pounds of food.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The gathered Task Force to End Veteran Homelessness recently met at Crosswind. Among the visitors to the meeting were Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin, Rep. Nick Bain, and one of Crosswindâ€™s founders, Dr. Mat Johnson. Another eďŹ€ort in the making is that Tennessee Valley Regional Housing Authority is working on getting HUD approval for a homeless veteranâ€™s preference, according to Jason Spencer, executive director, TVRHA. This is just the sort of progress the task force wants to see happen.

â€œThe thing that weâ€™re trying to do is develop a a housing program that is immediately available and has vacancies and cut through all the paperwork and extra time where a client can be moved in,â€? said Capps. The issue of ending veteranâ€™s homelessness has farther reaching implica-

the mailbox on Saturday. Acceptable items include beans, canned tuna, peanut butter, soup, canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, oatmeal and other whole grains, and canned meats. The postal service requests no glass containers or expired items. According to the Feeding America network of food banks, Al-

tions, Capps noted. If the agencies that can provide assistance can be networked into a smoothly operating system, which works eďŹƒciently and swiftly, then it could possibly be used as a model to expand the eďŹ€ort to identify and end other areas where homelessness is found.

SHOW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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of the Browning Fossil Park at Frankstown. He is the president of Caterpillar Catalyst, Inc., a nonprofit that promotes science literacy and careers through the study of insects and other arthropods. His largest project involved assembling a collection of artifacts from other cultures showing peopleâ€™s interaction with insects, part of which was shown at the Corinth Library during the summer of the cicadas. Appearing at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19, is Greg Campbell of Garden District in Memphis. â€œI plan to present arrangements using seasonal flowers, produce, and foliage that can be used in the home for parties and events,â€? said Campbell, a former chairman of the Memphis City Beautiful Commission. Garden District provides floral design for weddings, parties and other events, and Campbellâ€™s work has appeared in Southern Accents, Martha Stewart Wed-

Greg Campbell of Garden District in Memphis will discuss floral arranging at the Home & Garden Show. dings and other magazines. Tickets cost $15 and are available in advance

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Thursday, May 11, 2017

Today in History Today is Thursday, May 11, the 131st day of 2017. There are 234 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History On May 11, 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded during a banquet at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

On this date In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant arrived in New Amsterdam to become governor of New Netherland. In 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state of the Union. In 1937, “SPAM” was registered as a trademark by Hormel Foods, producer of the canned meat product. In 1947, the B.F. Goodrich Company of Akron, Ohio, announced the development of a tubeless tire. In 1953, a tornado devastated Waco, Texas, claiming 114 lives. In 1960, Israeli agents captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1973, the espionage trial of Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo in the “Pentagon Papers” case came to an end as Judge William M. Byrne dismissed all charges, citing government misconduct. In 1981, legendary reggae artist Bob Marley died in a Miami hospital at age 36. In 1985, 56 people died when a flash fire swept a jam-packed soccer stadium in Bradford, England. In 1987, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore transplanted the heart and lungs of an auto accident victim into a cystic fibrosis patient who gave up his own healthy heart to another recipient. (Clinton House, the nation’s first living heart donor, died 14 months later.) In 1996, an Atlantabound ValuJet DC-9 caught fire shortly after takeoff from Miami and crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 people on board.

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Daily Corinthian • 3

Across the Region Booneville Police seek suspect in late night shooting BOONEVILLE — Booneville police are investigating a late night shooting in the Sunflower Housing Projects that left one man wounded. The shooting was reported around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. The wounded man was transported to Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth with what is believed to be non-lifethreatening injuries, Booneville Chief of Police Michael Ramey said Wednesday morning. “We are looking for a person of interest believed to be involved in the shooting,” he said. Police are interviewing witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

Iuka Man pleads guilty to burglary charge IUKA — The Tishomingo County Circuit Court handed down sentencing stemming from a 2011 burglary charge recently. Michael Dakota Lumpkin, 24, of Poplarville, plead guilty to the burglary of a dwelling in Tishomingo County with intent to commit simple assault. He was sentenced to 25 years with 23 years suspended and two years to serve. He also plead guilty to possession of contraband in a correctional facility in connection with a 2017 charge where he had a shank hidden in his bed at the Tishomingo County Jail. He was sentenced 15 years for those charges with all years suspended. Lumpkin can not return to the First Judicial District until 2024.

Oxford Prize-winning historian to speak at Ole Miss OXFORD — Jon Meacham, a prize-winning historian and commencement speaker at Ole Miss this weekend, will engage in a discussion about American politics with Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, in a special public program at 5 p.m. Friday at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. The event, sponsored by Mississippi Today, the Meek School of Journalism and New Media and the Overby Center, is free and open to the public. A reception will be held at 6

p.m. following the program, where guests will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with two of the nation’s most prominent figures in television news and commentary. “Presidential Politics, Trump & the Media: The Inside Scoop with Jon Meacham & Andrew Lack,” is the latest program Lack has arranged on the Ole Miss campus. Last fall he coordinated a panel discussion featuring long-time NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour and former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr. “Andy Lack is one of the most important news media leaders in the world,” said Charles Overby, chairman of the Overby Center. “And Jon Meacham is a one-man media conglomerate as a writer, book publishing executive, TV commentator and speaker. Having them on the same platform will provide great insights into our national political and media scene.” Meacham is an executive editor and vice president at Random House, one of the nation’s leading publishing institutions. A former editor-in-chief of Newsweek, Meacham is a best-selling author of “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power,” “Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush,” and other books. In 2009 he won the Pulitzer Prize in the category of biography and autobiography for “American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.” He is also a frequent guest commentator on politics and history on various network news programs dealing with current events. Lack held top executive positions at NBC, CBS, and Bloomberg Media Group before returning to NBC to take charge of the network’s news division in 2015. As a producer at CBS in the 1970s and 1980s, he won ten Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards, and he is credited for restoring credibility at NBC after network anchor Brian Williams was suspended for misrepresenting his experiences covering the war in Iraq. Lack was the driving force behind the establishment a year ago of Mississippi Today, a nonprofit, online news organization that has become a prime source of investigative news stories and interpretative articles on breaking events. Both Meacham and Lack have strong Mississippi connections. Meacham is a native Tennessean and a graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, but his wife, Keith, grew up on her family’s farm

outside Greenville. Over the years, Meacham has been a guest at programs on the Ole Miss campus and Square Books in Oxford. Lack is a New Yorker, but has developed a love for Mississippi. For years he has explored his family’s roots to Greenville, where his great-grandfather was an early mayor of the Delta city, and has become a great friend of the Overby Center and the journalism program at Ole Miss. He is now dedicating much of his free time to expand the reach of Mississippi Today. Lack started the news site, he said, “to provide comprehensive coverage of state and local affairs and community issues, including education, health, economic development, poverty and race – as well as Mississippi’s rich social culture.”

Pickwick TVA says river’s economic impact is $11.9 billion PICKWICK, Ala. — The Tennessee Valley Authority has long recognized the advantages of the Tennessee River as a power source, but a new TVAfunded study looked at the river’s value from a different aspect, reported the TimesDaily. The University of Tennessee study concluded the river is worth billions annually, based on its recreational and waterfront property worth. The study, from the university’s Institute of Agriculture, concluded those two aspects account for an annual economic impact of $11.9 billion along TVA’s managed river system. That is the equivalent of $1 million for every mile of shoreline along the system, according to the study. In addition, the recreational and waterfront property uses along the reservoirs account for 130,000 jobs annually, according to the findings. Mike Staggs, TVA’s executive vice president of Operations, said the study reveals that this is another way TVA’s reservoirs help the agency meet its mission. “Since its beginnings nearly 84 years ago, TVA’s mission has been to improve the lives of those in the Valley, and our integrated river management system is one of the cornerstones of our efforts,” Staggs said. “The UTIA study clearly establishes a strong link between the recreational opportunities our reservoirs create, and improving the economic opportunities for the 9 million people we serve every day.”

Suzie Shoemaker, FlorenceLauderdale Tourism’s sports marketing and special events planner, said she sees the recreational impact daily. “Before I came to work here at the tourism office, I had no idea it had such an impact,” Shoemaker said. “Having grown up here, I took the river for granted. We’re very fortunate we have so much shoreline property that people have grown to love as their homes. “We see a lot of people who come through here on their way to somewhere else, and they’ll dock and they fall in love with the area, and end up staying several days and enjoying our city.” She said the Shoals is a popular stop for “loopers,” which is the term for boaters who travel America’s Great Loop, a 7,500mile journey that encircles the eastern United States. In addition, the recreational vehicle campground at McFarland Park in Florence is a popular place with a view of the river. “The campground is beautiful, and a lot of people love to come and stay there,” Shoemaker said. There is also a popular campground below Pickwick Landing Dam and a new picnic area with tables and grills. Florence Mayor Steve Holt said the river’s beauty is an attraction for people wanting to come here for recreational purposes, or to live close to it. “Folks who live here all their lives maybe take the river for granted,” Holt said. “You have a different perspective when you see it for the first time. It’ll just take your breath away, and what it means to our community is phenomenal.” He said the river is the Shoals’ interstate. “You can go anywhere in the world from here,” Holt said. “It takes commercial traffic, leisure traffic and sporting traffic. Everything about the river defines us.” An additional riverside addition, Inspiration Landing, is being planned for Sheffield. Developers said the attraction will include an amphitheater, an event center, a city center with local shops, restaurants and a theater, a resort hotel, a 325slip marina, and a residential component. In managing the University of Tennessee study, researchers conducted surveys last summer of visitors and property owners along Norris, Watts Bar and Chickamauga reservoirs, according to a TVA release. They extrapolated those results to cover the 49 reservoirs in the Valley’s system.

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4 • Thursday, May 11, 2017

Corinth, Miss.

A world without Lera FISHTRAP HOLLOW — Lera Johnson was competent and strong, dark-eyed, slender and beautiful. She ran her own business, an Alabama beauty parlor, and reared two boys. She was devoted to her husband, Harold, and let actions instead of sanctimonious words illustrate her beliefs. After six days at her shop doing hair, she’d spend Sunday afternoons giving free shampoos and sets to old women in the nursing home. Now, that Rheta was charity. Johnson In the days when hairdressers were chosen for life, like Columnist telephones, and you didn’t flit from salon to salon, Lera’s clients were her friends. They gave her gifts for Christmas — chocolate layer cakes and afghans and butterfly trays. Lera was my mother-in-law, and because of her I never understood mother-in-law jokes. Nobody ever was easier to get along with. When I cook, I use a pressure cooker because that’s how Lera taught me, an eﬃcient way to get a meal on the table after a work day. That’s how we caught on that Alzheimer’s was stalking Lera; she kept burning the butter peas in the pressure cooker. That definitely was un-Leralike. On about the third trip to the hardware store for a replacement pressure cooker gasket, the truth dawned. There was nothing wrong with the gasket. Lera was forgetting to adjust the heat. When I eat, I sit at a table she once owned. It is one of those red and white enamel models common in the 1940s, replete with chrome legs and a leaf that pulls out like a camper extension. I’ve always suspected a frustrated auto designer thought of them. You cannot wear them out. The original chairs, however, designed in a vulnerable “S” shape, collapsed long ago. I bought a couple of period reproductions from a box store. On a recent shopping excursion, I ran across four red chairs almost identical to the originals, in good shape and a bargain. I couldn’t resist. I was sitting in one today, thinking about Lera and old times. Our relationship was like my college education. I was too young and dumb to fully appreciate it. What I’d give now to ask her questions about her childhood. My former husband, Jimmy, Lera’s oldest son, wrote this: “She was five years old when she held the hand of her own dying mother. I can’t tell you why the woman died. My mother didn’t know. In that time and in that place, you didn’t need a good reason to die ...” Lera’s father remarried and things got better. But I’ll wager it was in that tough childhood she became the resourceful and uncomplaining sort she remained till she died. The British don’t have a monopoly on the stiﬀ upper lip. We are who we are by about age 6. I don’t know exactly why she’s on my mind today. Maybe it’s the new chairs, or because it’s time to plant tomatoes -- nobody grew better, bigger tomatoes than Lera -- or because the world today seems so full of bluster, braggadocio and self-serving types that character stands out like gold in gravel. I no longer believe the meek will inherit the earth. I think greedy hucksters will do away with it long before that can happen, and there is no heavenly reward. But if being remembered matters, Lera’s presence is as constant as the rattling steam valve of my old pressure cooker. I miss her. Rheta Grimsley Johnson’s most recent book is “Hank Hung the Moon ... And Warmed Our Cold, Cold Hearts.” Comments are welcomed at rhetagrimsley@aol.com.

Prayer for today Gracious Father, may my heart be mindful of thee, that I may discover the truth and possess it. Steady me in my aﬀections and save me from wandering impulses; and may I help to put wrong down and uplift humanity. Amen.

A verse to share And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9:8

Letters Policy All letters are subject to editing before publication, especially those beyond 600 words in length. Send to: Letters to the editor, Daily Corinthian, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, Miss. 38835. Letters may also be e-mailed to: letters@daily corinthian.com. Email is the preferred method.

Will we ever learn? President Trump is about to score a religious trifecta, visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the “home” of three monotheistic religions. The president has said he wants to make the ultimate deal and achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians. While the goal is similar to a high school kid attempting to hit a curve ball from an all-star pitcher, the scenario cannot end well for Israel. How do I know this? One has only to look at history. There has never -- never -- been a time when an American president has sought to lessen tensions in the region that Israel has not been smeared as the main impediment and required to “do more” to make peace happen. Israel is not an impediment to peace. Her enemies are. Here’s the danger for President Trump. The Koran allows Muslims to lie to “nonbelievers” in pursuit of Islam’s goal of an earthly kingdom ruled by their religion. An example occurred last week when Palestinian Authority President Mah-

moud Abbas met at the White House with President Trump. Abbas said, “Mr. PresiCal dent, I afThomas firm to you that we are Columnist raising our youth, our children and grandchildren, in a culture of peace.” That is a flat-out lie, as even a cursory Google search or visit to the Palestinian Media Watch website proves. President Trump correctly saw the problem in a campaign speech to the American Israel Public Aﬀairs Committee: “In Palestinian textbooks and mosques, you’ve got a culture of hatred that has been fomenting there for years. And if we want to achieve peace, they’ve got to go out and they’ve got to start this educational process. They have to end education of hatred.” Which country promotes the most extreme form of Islam in children’s textbooks, mosques and their

media? It is Saudi Arabia. If a person, or nation, believes they have a mandate from their “god” to lie to achieve their goals, how likely is it that even a president is not regarded as an “infidel” whose desire for peace can be used to damage Israel’s best interests? As Jerusalem Post columnist Caroline Glick correctly noted last week: “Israel is the most immediate casualty of Trump’s decision to embrace Abbas and the PLO, because the PLO is Israel’s enemy. Abbas is an anti-Semite. His doctoral dissertation, which he later published as a book, is a Holocaust denying screed. “Abbas engages in antiSemitic incitement on a daily basis, both directly and indirectly. It was Abbas who called for his people to kill Jews claiming that we pollute Judaism’s most sacred site, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, with our ‘filthy feet.’ The Palestinian media and school system which he controls with an iron fist both regularly portray Jews as evil monsters, deserving of physical annihilation.”

This is not the attitude of one with whom a president or prime minister of Israel can make peace. A virus of hatred toward Israel and Jews is epidemic throughout the region. One is as likely to change the minds of such people as persuade a serious Christian to deny the resurrection of Jesus, or an Orthodox Jew to accept Him as Messiah. The diﬀerence is that Christians and Jews do not have world domination as their goal and violence as their method. President Trump should re-read his AIPAC speech, because he was right to say what he said then. Abbas lied to the president during his visit. Mr. Trump can expect more lies on his trip to Saudi Arabia, whose leaders may promise all sorts of things and tell the president what he wants to hear, but won’t mean it. The proof is in their interpretation of their religion. As always, the West must pay less attention to what the enemies of Israel say and more attention to what they do.

A Ryancare fix for Medicaid With the passage of a new health care bill in the House, the corridors of Congress are teeming with lobbyists fighting reform in order to protect the money they get oﬀ the government gravy train of current law. When talking about Medicaid, we are talking about big money. Current federal expenditures are $389 billion. The Congressional Budget Oﬃce projects this to increase to $650 billion by 2027. Medicaid has been a backdoor for getting the country on a single-payer government health care system. Just since 1980, the percentage of Americans on this government singlepayer system has exploded from 8.7 percent to 18.3 percent in 2013. Obamacare expanded this system to include families up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, and bribed states to expand coverage, with the federal government picking up 100 percent of the bill for the first three years, unlike coverage for pre-expansion enrollees, in which states share the costs with the federal government. Because Medicaid is simply government health care it is marked by waste and

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inefficiency. The undisciplined spending just drives up health care costs and Star drives down Parker health care quality. Columnist University of Michigan economist and blogger Mark Perry points out that from 1998 to 2016, the overall consumer price index increased by 47.2 percent. But over the same period, prices for medical services went up 100.5 percent and for hospital services 176.6 percent. Why did health care costs increase two to three times more than everything else? Because hardly anyone pays their own bills. There is no market discipline. Health care markets are distorted from top to bottom by government, regulations and bureaucrats. Nothing is more personal than health care; sadly, in no marketplace are individuals less in control of their own selves. Insurance companies and government decides what you can and can’t buy and what you pay in this totally regulated and bureaucra-

tized business. Perry notes that from 1960 to 2016, the percent of all health care expenditures that were paid by third parties — insurance companies or the government — went from 52.4 percent to 89.5 percent. Perry also notes that prices for the 20 most popular cosmetic medical procedures — various cosmetic surgeries, liposuction, Botox injections, etc. — went up just 32 percent from 1998 to 2016, less than the rate of inflation. Why? Cosmetic procedures are mostly elective. Individuals pay the bill, not a third party. In 1972, Medicaid spending was 0.4 percent of GDP. Today it is five times higher at 2 percent of GDP. Without reform, this will continue, the poor will continue to get subpar government health care, and our national budget will continue to gush red ink. The Congressional Budget Oﬃce forecasts growing deficits and national debt for the foreseeable future. The health care bill the House just passed courageously and thoughtfully takes on Medicaid. The bill caps the money the federal government will send to the states and, start-

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ing 2020, gives states the option of taking these funds as a block grant to give them flexibility to design how to use these funds more eﬃciently and creatively. When I worked on welfare reform in 1996, all we heard from the left was that poor women would be thrown to the streets. The opposite happened. Welfare mothers went to work and poverty dropped. We need new approaches to Medicaid like the Healthy Indiana Plan instituted by Vice President Mike Pence when he was Indiana’s government. Enrollees pay a modest premium and their funds go into a health savings account that they can control and be responsible for. Those on the left and those making money oﬀ the current program are not interested that we are going bankrupt. With principles and courage, reform is possible. The House bill takes things in the right direction. We can save money and deliver better health care to everyone. Star Parker is an author and president of CURE, Center for Urban Renewal and Education. Contact her at www.urbancure.org.

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Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

Daily Corinthian • Thursday, May 11, 2017 • 5

Michie teacher uses hand-on approach in life (Editor’s Note: The following story by Assistant Editor Steve Beavers first appeared in the Independent Appeal. It is being reprinted with permission.)

green house. • Earned the Tennessee Recycling Coalition K-12 Recycler School of the Year. • Received a $2,500 grant to purchase Lego Mindstorms and energy components. • Been selected to get a Tennessee Stem Innovation Network and Battelle Education $2,500 grant to purchase SolRun Classroom Kits to make solar cars and planes out of recycled material. • Collected a Coordinated School Health $250 grant to purchase soil and plants. • Placed second in the Keep America Beautiful recycling competition out of 27 schools in the community division. The community collected 715,405 pounds of recycling. Michie was also second in the competition in 2016 and 2014. The school finished in 2013. • Been named the national winner for the Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award for 2017. Steen will be attending the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Kansas City, Mo. next month. The Michie teacher has also been instrumental in helping MES win the state NEED Energy Project in 2016, 2017 and 2014. Michie was runner-up in the project in 2013 and third in 2012. Michie Elementary School received a grant to plant bulbs in a garden in front of the school. A State Farm grant also funded a pond and work

MICHIE, Tenn. — One Michie Elementary School teacher wants her students to be thinkers. Debra Steen encourages her fourth and fifth grade science students to form their own opinion through hands-on instruction. “Everything about life doesn’t come out of a text book,” said Steen. “Students learn more and better understand things when it is hands-on.” Steen — a 1976 McNairy Central High School graduate — became sold on the direct approach after attending an inservice at Freed-Hardeman University several years ago. “I enjoyed everything we did,” said the 30-year teaching veteran. “I loved being a student and want to see other students involved.” Steen’s involvement at MES has been beneficial to both the school and community, according to Michie teacher Michelle Bowen. “She prefaces everything she does with “we” which is an example of how humble she is about her accomplishments,” said Bowen. “She is an outstanding science teacher.” During her time at Michie, Steen has: • Helped Michie receive two separate grants, totaling $6,150 to install solar panels on the school’s

Photo by Steve Beavers

Debra Steen, a longtime Michie School teacher, likes to use the hands-on approach with her students. on the garden. “I do not do anymore than any other teachers,” said Steen, the mother of three. “I just do it in a different way.” The 58-year-old started her teaching career as a Title I Reading and Math instructor at Adamsville Elementary School. She spent 11 years at Ramer Elementary School in the same position before transferring to Michie 18 years ago.

“I started teaching science around eight years ago,” said the Freed-Hardeman University graduate. “I love getting down in the floor and working with students.” The Michie teacher believes students learn by doing. “The more they are involved, the better citizens they become,” she said. “Science is everywhere and it changes every day ... I want students ex-

posed to what is going on now.” Making things better isn’t limited to the classroom for Steen. She was instrumental in helping Michie City Park attain a grant called “Building Together Through Helping Hands.” A State Farm Good Neighbor Award, a match by Modern Woodmen and city funds helped in the renovation of the park. “When you see a need

as a teacher, you should try to make a diﬀerence,” said Steen. “The park was a need.” The teacher loves children away from the classroom. She is in heaven when she has her five grandchildren and also takes care of children at Action Church of Christ. “The biggest compliment I get is when students tell me I want to be back in your classroom,” said Steen.

Social Security requires proper planning

Election spat costs nearly $74,000

ductions? Can you cut back to part-time for a while and gradually make the transition to Social Security? If entitled to two benefits, such as ex-spouse, spousal or survivor and your own, which benefit should you take first? Remember - being entitled to a benefit does not mean you need to take it. In many cases, this is a very poor decision. And Social Security and retirement are not synonymous. We tell people they need a plan – Social Security should not be taken just because you are entitled to receive it. When, how and why need to be factored into your decision.

JACKSON — The Mississippi public paid nearly $74,000 to defend legislators in a federal lawsuit by voters who say they were disenfranchised in a state House race that went to a tiebreaker and was later flipped, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Democratic incumbent Bo Eaton won the tiebreaker in a drawing of straws overseen by the secretary of state in late 2015. The House rejected some ballots after the term started in early 2016, making Republican Mark Tullos the winner and giving the GOP a three-fifths supermajority in the House.

Retirement is some- area of expertise — we do thing that needs to be well not touch it. Our area of thought out and planned expertise is Social Security and that is all we do. in advance. When we do a good Not only do you need to look at potential income job for our clients, they from Social Security, you thank us. When business owners and proneed to set up fessionals make a your Medicare opgood referral for tions (age 65), and our services, this you need to review employee or client your other 401K’s will be with you or pension plans for the duration. for best use withdrawals. This does Roy and Why, because you not happen the Diane had their best inweek before you Thompson terest in mind on this very important “check out.” We like to see Columnists area of expertise. Pillars, LLC Because I am clients at least two nearing retireyears before they plan to retire, so all the ment age, I have spent above can be set into ac- quite a bit of time doing tion. We are only one piece research on my options of the retirement puzzle — for drawing Social Secuour desire is to work with rity retirement benefits. Recently I attended an other professionals that session work in the retirement informational venue for the betterment hosted locally by Pillars and Cooley/Labas Fiof the beneficiaries. Medicare is an area of ex- nancial Advisors. It was pertise — we do not touch there I learned about an it. Financial planning is an option that I had never area of expertise — we do read about in my renot touch it. Tax law is an search …. and I was not

even aware I was eligible to choose that option. I immediately made an appointment with Pillars and they walked me through all my options and even helped me know the correct verbiage to use when I go to the SS oﬃce to file for my retirement benefits. Thank you, Diane and Roy, for showing me the best way to maximize my Social Security retirement benefits. Vicki Shirley, Corinth Timing is critical when it comes to electing the best option for you and your family regarding Social Security. Are you getting a bonus or a check for accrued sick leave and/or vacation? If you draw this at the wrong time you will be hit with the Earnings Limitations Rules. How close in age are you and your spouse? Does one of you want to keep working and the other retire? Do you really need to draw the Survivor Benefit at age 60 and suﬀer the re-

Associated Press

(Corinth residents Roy and Diane Thompson are both National Social Security Advisors and Roy is a former CPA of 40 years. Contact Pillars LLC on their website at www. pillarsllc.com or email dthompson@pillarsllc.com or call at 601-954-0699.)

Supervisors transfer ownership of buildings RIPLEY — Tippah County Supervisors and the City of Ripley recently transferred ownership of public owned buildings to CECA and ThyssenKrupp after the companies paid the loans in full, according to the SouthernSentinel. CECA, LLC had entered into lease-purchase

agreements with the City of Ripley for a building on Bails Road and with Tippah County for a factory in the Tippah County Industrial Park. Under the terms of those agreements, Ripley and Tippah County borrowed money from the Mississippi Development Authority. The loans were then paid

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through CECA’s rental payments. However, CECA requested to pay out the leases and exercise its option to purchase the properties. ThyssenKrupp Elevator Manufacturing in Walnut also took ownership under a similar arrangement. In 1980, Dover Elevator entered into a long

term lease of the building located on Mitchell Street in Walnut. Tippah County borrowed the money to purchase the building through bonds that were paid by Dover Elevator. After the lease payments were completed, ThyssenKrupp, that acquired Dover Elevator, continued to lease the building.

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6 • Thursday, May 11, 2017 • Daily Corinthian

Deaths Brian Edwards

TUPELO — A celebration of life for Brian David Edwards, 46, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with burial at Lee Memorial Park. Visitation is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Edwards Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service. Mr. Edwards died suddenly Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born in Booneville on Nov. 14, 1970, to David Edwards and Brenda Brawner Edwards. He spent his childhood in Wiggins and moved to Columbus in 1988, graduating in 1989 from RS Caldwell High School. He continued his education at Itawamba Community College. He graduated from the police academy and earned his pilot’s license. He was truly successful in his career, being

Angie Barnes

MOODY, Ala. — Angie Leigh “Angie” Barnes, 49, formerly of Corinth, died Saturday, May 6, 2017, at her home. A visitation is set for Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Cutshall Funeral Home in Glen. Survivors include her partner of 17 years, Alex Shunarrah of Moody, Ala.; her father, Jerry H. Barnes of Corinth; two daughters, Ashley Bryant of Littleville, Ala., and Kayla Wadkins Tull of Iuka; one brother, Aubrey Harwell of Destin, Fla.; three sisters, Lynette Barnes of Corinth, Kesha Nash of Burnsville and Kacie Newcomb of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Olivia Freeno, Madison Freeno, Anna Grace Silva, Emma Silva, Caden Silva, Kurt Burcham and Kamden Tull; and a greatgrandchild. She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Scruggs Newcomb. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Soci-

his grandparents, Billy & Hilda Brawner of Corinth and the Rev. Lee J. Edwards (Faye) of Columbus. Pallbearers are Carey Edwards, Shawn Edwards, Shane Robbins, Gary Lovern, Rickey Kimbrell and Keith Anglin. Condolences to the family may be e-mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors.net.

world sales champion 56 times for Thermax, Inc., and serving as national sales director. He later worked as salesman for RexAir, Inc. He also won the Crown Prince Award, U.S.A., while employed by RexAir. He was currently self-employed, working as a sales consultant. Mr. Edwards married his wife, Donna Smith Edwards, on July 28, 1990, and they made their home in Tupelo, where they were raising their two daughters. He was a member of Corner Stone Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid Ole Miss fan. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Donna Edwards of Tupelo; his parents, David and Brenda Edwards of Corinth; two daughters, Hannah Grace and Hallie Marie, both of the home; one brother, Bradley Edwards (Tefinie) of Corinth; his father-in-law and motherin-law, Harlon and Kay Smith of Saltillo; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Candace and Jon Bishop of Saltillo; four nieces; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by

J.O. Michael

KOSSUTH — A homegoing celebration service for Joseph Oscar “J.O.” Michael, 81, is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Danville Baptist Church followed by interment in Danville Baptist Church Cemetery with military honMichael ors. Visitation is Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 12 noon until the service at Danville Baptist Church. Mr. Michael passed away

ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

low (Richard) of Pocahontas, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Donnie King, John Harris, Shelby Taylor, Maggie Kuszynski and Callie Wardlow; and a greatgranddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Amy Woods Blankinship; his wife, Lillie Katherine Hunt Blankinship; a daughter, Angela Blankinship, a son, Allen Blankinship, and 2 grandchildren, Phillip Blankinship and Emily Taylor. Bro. Titus Mathis will oﬃciate the service under the direction of Ripley Funeral Home.

Al Blankinship

WALNUT — Funeral services for Anthony Allen “Al” Blankinship, 77, are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at New Covenant Church in Falkner with military honors and burial at Community Cemetery. Mr. Blankinship died Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Mississippi Care Center in Corinth following a brief illness. Born in Jacksonville, Fla., on March 1, 1940, he attended Duval County schools in Florida and served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1966. He was a self-employed carpenter and a resident of the Walnut and Alcorn County area for much of his life. He was of the Christian faith and had been a member of the Mississippi National Guard in earlier years. Survivors include two daughters, Terri Blankinship of Jacksonville, Fla., and Shelia Ward-

Gary Foy

RIENZI — A memorial service for Gary Foy, 76, is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at his home. Mr. Foy died Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at his home. Born June 23, 1940, he was a retired reference librarian for the Mobile Public Library. Survivors include his wife of 29, Hope Morton of Rienzi; a

Monday, May 8, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 3, 1936, in Alcorn County to the late Robert and Girtie Brooks Michael. He was a graduate of Biggersville High School and attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College before being drafted in the United States Army in 1960. He was honorably discharged in November 1964. Mr. Michael was a retired purchasing manager for World Color Printing Company in Corinth. He was a Sunday School teacher and a deacon at Danville Baptist Church for 50 years. He devoted his life to His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family and his cattle farm. Mr. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Robert S. Michael and Girtie Brooks Michael; three brothers, Charlie, Paul B. and Frankie Michael; and two sisters, Preble Lambert and Juanita Rogers. Survivors include his wife of 55 years (on May 25th), Betty Sue Dees Michael; two daughters, Vicki Gann and husband

Andy and Sandy Gibson and husband Rob; one son, Scotty Michael and wife Stacy; a sister, Lorraine Rogers; a brother, Aubry Michael (Barbara); and a sister-in-law, Bella Michael. He was Papa Joe to his seven grandchildren, Drew Gann, Victoria Armstrong and husband Cade, Emili Gann, Kirk Gibson and wife Jessica, David Gibson, Hunter Michael and Kelsea Michael. Other survivors are four great-grandchildren, Bentley Michael, Lylah and Zane Armstrong and (soon to be) Kailyn Gibson; a special nephew, Brian Michael; and other relatives and a host of friends. Bro. Roger Wood and Bro. Charlie Cooper will oﬃciating the service under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home, and Sandy Gibson will deliver the eulogy. Pallbearers are grandsons Hunter Michael, Kirk Gibson, Drew Gann, David Gibson, Cade Armstrong and nephew Chuck Kennedy. Online guestbook: magnoliafuneralhome.net

son, Michael Foy (Debbie) of Pearl River, La.; a daughter, Kathleen Foy of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.; a brother, Jerry Foy (Dorothy) of Mobile, Ala.; Foy a sister, Georgeine Buchanan (Ralph) of North Augusta, S.C.; and a grandson, Bruce Trascher of Pearl River, La. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Foy and Inez Capatola Foy Sachek; four brothers, Wayne, Lewis, Tommy and Oliver Foy; and a sister, Lora Rizzo. Magnolia Funeral Home has the arrangements.

Eddie Gurley

EADS, Tenn. — A memorial service for Eddie Gurley, 76, is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories.

Visitation is Sunday from 1 p.m. until the service. Mr. Gurley died Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital East in MemGurley phis. Born Aug. 11, 1940, he was a retired machinist of 32 years for SheringPlough. Survivors include a daughter, Mauri Gurley Rassouli of Carthage, N.C.; two brothers, Jerry Gurley (Gayle) and Joe Gurley (Teri), both of Corinth; a sister, Sandra Gurley Barnett of Corinth; and two grandchildren, Vera Love Rassouli and Margot Swan Rassouli. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Gurley and Irene Brown Gurley, and a brother, Charles Gurley. Charlie Browning and Ed Clement are the oﬃciants. Mauri Rassouli will eulogize.

Nation

Comey was pushing probe harder prior to firing BY JULIE PACE Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Days before he was fired by Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey requested more resources to pursue his investigation into Russia’s election meddling and the possible involvement of Trump associates, U.S. oﬃcials said Wednesday, fueling

concerns that Trump was trying to undermine a probe that could threaten his presidency. It was unclear whether word of the Comey request, put to deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, ever made its way to Trump. But the revelation intensified the pressure on the White House from both politi-

“THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE” According to History.com, “Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans.” Of our own observance, Wikipedia says: “The modern Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St. Andrews Methodist church in Grafton, WV.” Sources also noted that such a day has been recognized in numerous countries around the world for centuries. It is certainly easy for us to understand why, isn’t it? Proverbs 31 is a well known and time-honored passage containing many truths about the “virtuous woman” that women of every generation would do well to study, practice, and teach to the generations that follow. Blessed indeed is the man who finds such a treasure, and the child brought up by such a woman as this. “Her price is far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31: 10) Solomon says such a woman is trustworthy and devoted to her husband. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her….She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”(31:11, 12) The text indicates that she is industrious (verses 13 and 14) , she ariseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.(verse 15) She is strong, yet compassionate to the poor and needy.(verses 17-20). “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are covered with scarlet.” (verse 21) “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (verses 27, 28) In verse 30 Solomon reveals the “secret” or “key” to why “her price is far above rubies;” Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Paul instructed Titus to teach the older women to “teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:3-5) There is no higher calling, no nobler task, no greater need in our world than wives and mothers who fill this God-ordained place in the home and society. May God bless you in this great work. We invite you to study and worship with us at the Danville church of Christ.

DanvilleTimChurch of Christ Carothers – Minister 481 cr 409 Corinth MS • c/o 471 cr 513, Rienzi MS • 662-287-0312

cal parties to explain the motives behind Comey’s stunning ouster. Trump is the first president since Richard Nixon to fire a law enforcement oﬃcial overseeing an investigation with ties to the White House. Democrats quickly accused Trump of using Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation as

a pretext and called for a special prosecutor into the Russia probe. Republican leaders brushed off idea as unnecessary. Defending the firing, White House officials said Trump’s confidence in Comey had been eroding for months. They suggested Trump was persuaded to take the step by Justice Department officials and

a scathing memo, written by Rosenstein, criticizing the director’s role in the Clinton investigation. “Frankly, he’d been considering letting Director Comey go since the day he was elected,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, a sharply diﬀerent explanation from the day before, when oﬃcials

put the emphasis on new Justice complaints about Comey. Trump’s daring decision to oust Comey sparked comparisons to Nixon, who fired the special prosecutor running the Watergate investigation that ultimately led to his downfall. And Trump’s action left the fate of the Russia probe

Trump seeking to advance Russian ties Associated Press

WASHINGTON — All but ignoring the unfurling drama over Russia and the U.S. election, President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to advance prospects for cooperation between the former Cold War foes in Syria and elsewhere in a rare Oval Oﬃce meeting with Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s talks with Trump were already destined to be a closely watched aﬀair, given the dire state of U.S.-Russian relations and diplomatic wrangling going on over a Moscow-backed deal to stabilize Syria. Yet Trump’s stunning decision on the eve of the meeting to fire the FBI director overseeing a Russia-related investigation injected further intrigue into

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Lavrov’s first visit to Washington since 2013. Trump “raised the possibility of broader cooperation on resolving conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere,” according to a White House statement. Trump and Lavrov met in private, though both sides cast the session as a sign of ties having improved since the U.S. leader’s assessment of them last month as at an “all-time low.” On Wednesday, they focused on areas of budding agreement and Lavrov sought to blame the recent acrimony on former President Barack Obama. “The previous administration bent over backwards to undermine the solid foundation of our relations,” Lavrov told reporters at the Russian

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Embassy after meeting Trump. “We have to start at a very low level.” In contrast, he credited Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whom he met earlier in the day, with taking a “businesslike” approach that is “free from ideology,” focused on reaching agreements. None were apparently reached Wednesday. The meeting was Trump’s highest level face-to-face contact with a Russian oﬃcial since taking oﬃce and in itself represented modest progress. The last time Lavrov visited the American capital was before Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and intervened militarily in Syria to help President Bashar Assad — actions that fueled U.S.Russian tensions.

Daily Corinthian • Thursday, May 11, 2017 • 7

THURSDAY EVENING C A

7 PM