052914 daily corinthian e edition

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Daily Corinthian

Thursday May 29,

2014

50 cents

Thunderstorm Today

Tonight

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Vol. 118, No. 126

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section

City awarded assessment grants BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Corinth will receive grants totaling $400,000 to help determine whether potentially reusable sites are contaminated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it

measures that might follow. “These grants are not sitespecific but are communitywide,” said Dave Huwe, director of community development and planning. “It allows us to get assistance to property owners to assess their properties to

will award Brownfields 2014 Assessment Grants to the City of Corinth in the amount of $200,000 for hazardous substances and $200,000 for petroleum. The grants are for the assessment of the property only, not including any cleanup

see if they’ve got any potential problems that might limit their ability to market the property.” A brownfield site is one that may face obstacles to redevelopment because of the presence or potential presence of pollution. The goal is to help revi-

talize these areas, potentially bringing in new jobs. The city could, for example, seek an assessment of another former industrial site. The abandoned gas station with a Please see GRANTS | 2

Arena board seeks future security BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Members of the Crossroads Arena Board want assurance the facility will be taken care of in years to come. For a second consecutive month, the seven-member board hosted a representative from local government to address questions about the almost 15-year-old building’s future. Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin was the latest official to speak with the board on Wednesday. Supervisors Lowell Hinton and Tim Mitchell appeared before the board last month. “We aren’t asking for more, more, more,” said board member Penn Majors. “We just want to know what the plan is.” The board’s concern arose after supervisors voted to refinance the bond on the arena to

Photo compliments of Opal Lovelace

Eddie and Frank Thomas played two sold out shows earlier this year at the Little Episcopal Church in Iuka.

Concert uses common stories to connect folks BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

IUKA — Tishomingo natives Eddie and Frank Thomas are ready to feed concert goers great music. After sell out shows in February and March, the two singer-songwriters are planning a third home town show next month. “November Café” is set for Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m., at the Little Episcopal Church in Iuka. Proceeds from the previous two concerts benefited the Iuka Heritage, Inc., to help maintain the church building. Free refreshments will be served under the Magnolia tree during the concert break. “It’s part music and part theater, but it’s not musical the-

ater,” said Eddie. “November Cafe features a menu of common stories that connect us all.” The brothers pride themselves on being able to tell unique stories from a baby boomers’ perspective through their music. “We grew up in Iuka - the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains,” added Eddie. “We aren’t sugar coating or over dramatizing the experiences we sing about.” The brothers are a multi talented pair that, in their more than 30-year career, have learned how to paint pictures with words. The two founded Thomasfilms, Inc., and often personal-

pay for the expansion of Crossroads Regional Park. Debt on the approaching 15-year multi-purpose building will be retired in 2017. Supervisors are awaiting a response from the attorney general before proceeding with the project. Hinton and Mitchell both expressed to the board last month the arena would have $500,000 budgeted in a brick and mortar fund. Another $50,000 would go into the fund each month. The bond payment on the arena is currently about $440,000 per year. A new bond payment is expected to be around $535,000. According to Hinton, supervisors intend for the arena to get everything over $535,000 in a bricks and mortar fund. CA would also still get its $200,000 allotment from tourism under the new bond agreement.

“There are two things I see need to be done when talking about the Crossroads Arena,” said Irwin. “We have to get the parking lot paved and looking great and we need to paint the building … this is just as important as anything downtown.” Board members aren’t sure adequate funding will be passed their way once the park is complete. “We don’t have the security in knowing we are going to get X amount of money every year,” said vice-chairman Jane Summers. “We are at the mercy of tourism.” “I don’t have anything to do with tourism,” responded Irwin. “I recommend a meeting with them. You have a great relationship with tourism.” “All of us love the tourism board and working with Please see ARENA | 2

Farmington pushing city cleanup BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

FARMINGTON — Police Chief Tony Holmes is cracking down on property maintenance abusers in the city of Farmington. “Since the city has put in place the property maintenance ordinance, we have really been able to get some areas cleaned up,” said Holmes. The old fireworks stand across from the Exxon Central Mini Mart at 385 County Road 218 has been the reason for

Please see CONCERT | 2

numerous phone calls to the City Hall. “The property owner was first told to clean up in 2001,” said Holmes. “Since the ordinance was put in place, we have sent them two letters with the most recent letter including a notice to appear in court.” Several board members expressed concern about the property during the May city board meeting. “The people of Farmington want the property cleaned

up,” Holmes added. “We hear about it everyday.” The chief said the property would be cleaned up within 30 days. “Whether it’s the city doing it or the property owner, it will get done,” he said. Holmes said the police department and the city will continue to enforce the property ordinance throughout the summer. The ordinance, which inPlease see CLEANUP | 2

Scout, volunteers erect flagpole at Lighthouse BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

In order to fulfill his highest requirement, Boy Scout Troop 123 Life Member Morgan Toomer, his fellow Scouts, parents, troop leader and other volunteers met at the Lighthouse Foundation on Saturday morning to erect a flagpole at the corner of the building. “The scouts teach us how to go out into our communities and treat people,” said Toomer. “It also teaches us how to work and get along with others.” The 14 year-old beamed excitedly as he explained the “hole in the ground ceremony.” “This is my last requirement,” said Toomer, a student at Corinth Middle School. “I will be an Eagle Scout after this.” After unloading the truck and clearing the area, Toomer and other volunteers dug a 2-foot

Morgan Toomer and Sekiah Pollard level off the site of the Lighthouse Foundation’s future flagpole. Related photos on Page 2.

hole in the ground, assembled the flagpole, measured and leveled off the space, mixed and poured the concrete, positioned the flagpole and more as they assisted him in the achievement of his goal. “You did remember to call 811 before digging, right Morgan?,” said troop leader Kevin Roberts with a grin. “You wouldn’t want to accidently hit a waterline or something.” Whether he did or didn’t call 811, Toomer never responded. However, he managed not to hit a waterline. In the end, the flag was raised and congratulations uttered. With hard work, sweat and determination, Toomer completed his Eagle Scout project, and after a board of review later this year, will be able to call himself an Eagle Scout like his older brother Denzel.

Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 9 State........ 5

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On this day in history 150 years ago

Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12

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2015 Hwy 72 E. Corinth, MS. 38834 • 662-594-1877

Gen. Stephen D. Lee receives a telegram from Gen. Forrest, “The time has arrived, and if I can be allowed 2,000 picked men, will attempt to cut enemy’s communication in Middle Tennessee.” So begins 3 months of intense activity in northeast Mississippi.

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