Tishomingo Co. 9th Annual Woodall Dash set
Prentiss Co. Schools celebrate reading test success.
McNairy Co. Program increases higher ed access.
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Tuesday May 24,
2016
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 125
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
2 men indicted in Swinney murder BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A year after a deadly shootout that police believe to be gang-related, an Alcorn County Grand Jury returned two murder indictments in the case. The two men indicted are Marcus McGaha, 27, and Cedric Gunn, 27. The grand jury re-
turned a two-count indictment for each suspect with one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. McGaha, whose last address on record was on North Johns Street, was already in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections at the Mississippi State Penitentiary on two sen-
tences for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Gunn, who previously had a Meigg Street address, had left the area. He was picked up in Reno, Nevada, based on the indictment and for a probation violation on local charges in Nevada. Extradition to Corinth is pending. After a long day of distur-
bances in the city on April 4, 2015, a chaotic scene at the Nashway Apartments resulted in the deaths of Ahmarus Rakim Swinney, 25, and Deonta Dwayne Herman, 22. Police initially found 79 rounds at the scene fired from at least four difPlease see MURDER | 2
McGaha
Gunn
Members of gangs may get more time BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Gang members who commit criminal activity could serve extra time. The Corinth Police Department plans to pursue the sentencing enhancement available for criminal activity that can be tied to gang members. “These two would probably
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
NEMCABB President John Smillie adds a sign in preparation for Saturday’s all-star weekend at the Corinth School District baseball complex.
Game moves to new complex BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Organizers of the NEMCABB All-Star Game are moving the event. The 26th Annual NEMCABB All-Star high school baseball event is moving from
Jesse Bynum Field at Crossroads Regional Park to the new baseball complex of the Corinth School District. “For 25 years, Jesse Bynum was Corinth’s field … when Corinth left we had to make a move and the Corinth School
District was more than agreeable,” said NEMCABB Board President John Smillie. The annual baseball weekend has three games slated for Saturday. East will take on Please see GAME | 2
Blood drive this weekend BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Continuing their efforts to keep a steady supply of fresh donations on hand, Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) will host a community blood drive at Corinth Walmart. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the blood service will be accepting donations to replenish their supply via the MBS Donor Coach. Participants who give blood will receive a complimentary T-shirt and a gift card, while supplies last. Donors can now check their total cholesterol on their MBSConnect Account. “This is an opportunity to help our neighbors and to demonstrate why we’ve been dubbed the hospitality state,”
be a prime example,” Police Chief Ralph Dance said of the two men indicted for murder in connection with the April 2015 shootout. “I feel comfortable in saying both of them had gang ties and we will at some point be able to impose a stiffer sentence on them and possibly others Please see GANGS | 2
Commercial zoning near Afton rejected BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Residents of the Afton subdivision in North Corinth won the sympathy of the Corinth Planning Commission on Monday as they said “not in my back yard” to a proposed commercial development. Before the commission was a request from Hill Brothers
Leasing Company to rezone 10 acres of property at the northwest corner of Mississippi Highway 2 and North Shiloh Road from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial. The commission voted unanimously not to recommend approval to the Board of Mayor and AlderPlease see ZONING | 2
People of the Crossroads Woody Harrell
said MBS Public Relations Specialist Susan Ates. “Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives everyday.” In order to donate, volunteers must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and present a valid ID. Sixteen-year-olds may also give with a signed parental consent form which can be obtained on the website. All are encouraged to download the free MBS app on their smartphone or tablet to keep up with MBS drives and events in the area. Founded in 1979, Mississippi Blood Services is the only nonprofit blood center headquartered in Mississippi. It supplies a safe and adequate supply of
Photo by Mark Boehler
Woody Harrell was named Time Magazine “Man of the Year” in 1966 — the year they gave the award to everyone in the world under age 25. The 68-year-old avid runner has been a Corinth resident for the past 13 years. He and his wife of 40 years, Cynthia, finished first in their age groups in the recent Coke 10K. Following 22 years as superintendent of Shiloh National Military Park, Harrell retired after the battle’s 150th anniversary to free up time to hike the entire 2,184-mile Appalachian Trail. He and his wife did so in a 51/2 -month period in 2012. Harrell completed his lifetime goal of visiting every national park in 2013. Ten parks have since been added, so he is back on that trail.
Please see DRIVE | 2
25 years ago
10 years ago
The former Corinth Post Office building will get a new life as Southbank Chairman Danny Wiginton announces plans for the bank’s new office in the historic downtown building.
Scotty Harville, an 18-year veteran of the Corinth Police Department, is promoted to the post of deputy police chief.
Doug Ann Michael Rick Jumper Hardin McCreary Jones
Neil Paul
Marea John Wilson Hayes
Alexis Rudd
Roger Audrey Carl Clark McNair Jones
2782 S Harper Rd
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