Friday May 23,
2014
50 cents
Sports
Features
Kossuth Aggies play for state baseball title.
Union Grove Church celebrates 100th year.
Page 12A
Page 7A
Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 121
Partly sunny Today
Tonight
88
64
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 24 pages • 2 sections
Official: Expect more from schools BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
TUPELO — The state’s education chief urged regional leaders to expect more from schools and students if Mississippi is to improve its standing in education. “I believe we have a truly historic opportunity to
change the direction of education in Mississippi,” said Mississippi Superintendent of Education Carey Wright in remarks Thursday at the annual State of the Region meeting. “One of the things you will hear me say over and over again is MDE cannot do this alone. This is going to take the collective
will of the state — business leaders, community leaders, schools — everybody coming together to roll up their sleeves and get the work done.” While the state has seen some incremental gains, it has a long way to go, she said. “To me, there is a true
sense of urgency in this state for our children,” said Wright. She showed several reports ranking Mississippi near the bottom and pointed to substantial achievement gaps, such as a 23 percent graduation rate for students with disabilities compared to 75 percent for
the total student population. “My fear is we are going to become numb to this data,” said Wright. “We can’t let that happen. We have to develop a sense of urgency as a community, as a state. It’s got to be everybody Please see SCHOOLS | 6A
Wright
Meeting addresses wild hog problem BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Wildlife experts are keeping a concerned eye on a pest that is increasing in numbers: the wild hog. The Mississippi State University Extension Office in Corinth will host a talk on the wild hog problem Tuesday at 6 p.m. “It’s something we have been hearing about for years,” said Extension Agent Patrick Poindexter. “We have known they are
Corinth Policeman Lane Fowler gathers information at the scene of a two-vehicle accident Thursday.
Driver in wreck faces DUI charge
BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
BY STEVE BEAVERS A Tennessee man faces a driving under the influence charge for his involvement in a two-vehicle accident. The man was driving south on North Harper Road Extended Thursday around 2:50 p.m. in a GMC Sierra pickup when he attempted to cross Highway
2 onto North Harper Road. The driver of the truck pulled in front of a Ford Windstar van traveling west on Highway 2. The van appeared to swerve and miss the truck after it stopped on Highway 2. The male driver of the van, who was transported to Magnolia Regional Health Center via ambulance, struck the left
Please see HOGS | 3A
‘Steeles’ gospel group will headline signing
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
coming.” Presenting the talk are MSU’s Bronson Strickland, associate extension professor on wildlife ecology and management and coordinator for extension and outreach for the Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflict, and Stephen Tucker of the College of Forest Resources. Wild hogs reproduce at a high rate and are considered a major
The Kiwanis Club of Corinth’s banner fundraiser is less than two weeks away and organizers are excited about the headlining acts of the annual Leon Frazier Kiwanis Memorial Concert. Tennessee-based Southern gospel group, The Steeles will headline the show on June 7 at 6 p.m., at the Historic Corinth
front side of the truck causing both vehicles to spin around and come to stop near the entrance of North Harper Road. A small fire around the van caught the grass on fire before it was quickly extinguished. The driver of the truck failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody by the Corinth Police Department.
Coliseum Civic Center. “It is a real honor to have The Steeles coming this year,” said DuJuana Frazier Thompson, event organizer. “It has been quite some time since they have come to Corinth, and we are so excited to have them join us.” Known for their socially conscious anthems even more Please see STEELES | 3A
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Candy Classic sign-up deadline nears BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
The deadline for registration is fast approaching for next week’s 35th annual Candy Classic Memorial Tennis Tournament. The junior division of the United States Tennis Association sanctioned event is set for May 27-28, while the adult division takes place May 30-June 1 at the Corinth High School Tennis Complex. Elizabeth Perry Upchurch and her 8-year-old son, Clayton, rolled into town this week to get ready for the tournament. Clayton will compete in the 10 and under category of the junior division for the first time ever. His mother has competed in the classic several times in
the past. “Clayton plays a lot of baseball and soccer,” said Elizabeth. “But we are trying to keep him involved and aware of tennis, as well.” Natives of Jackson, Elizabeth and her husband Jeff also have a four-year daughter named Charlotte. “I grew up around tennis and loved it,” said Elizabeth. “I want to make sure my kids do the same.” It’s no surprise Elizabeth has a liken to the sport. She is the daughter of Tournament Chairperson Dr. Robert H. Perry and Louise Perry. “Over the years the Candy Classic has become sort of a family reunion for people,” said Robert. “For us and for many others who use the
tournament as a chance to return to Corinth.” Robert hopes to see more younger tennis players participate this year. “It is important to introduce kids to tennis at an early age, because it takes about four years of practice to build a good tennis player,” he said. “A tennis player is always working on their game.” Inquires about tournament registration hasn’t slowed down, according to Louise. “Most people wait until the last minute to register,” she said. “Normally we will have around 50 juniors and 100 adults end up playing.” Louise said people from Please see TENNIS | 3A
Index Stocks......8A Classified......4B Comics......9A State......5A
With the completion of next week’s 35th annual Candy Classic Memorial Tennis Tournament, three generations of the Perry family will have paraticipated in the tournament. Chairperson Dr. Robert H. Perry and his grandson Clayton Upchurch will play in this year’s Candy Classic. After playing in the tournament for several years, Perry’s daughter Elizabeth Upchurch will watch from the stands this year.
On this day in history 150 years ago
Weather....10A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....12A
The Union Army of the Potomac prepares to cross the North Anna River only to find Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia has arrived and has prepared defenses. The Confederate failure to strike at Grant’s divided army is blamed on Lee’s poor health.
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