Saturday June 8,
2013
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 136
Partly sunny Today
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61
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • One section
Family files wrongful death lawsuit BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A jury trial began Monday in U.S. District Court for a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a gas explosion at an Alcorn County residence. The December 2010 propane gas explosion at a County Road 676 residence in western Alcorn County resulted in severe injuries to Geraldine Ruth Mullins, 67, who died the following April as the result of pneumonia related to the injuries. Her children — Susan Babb, Penny Jameyson, Carrie Joslin and Duane Peterson — are suing Pacer-Pittman Propane, LLC, alleging negligence and seeking damages including medical expenses from the date of the explosion until her death, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and punitive damages of an unspecified amount. The complaint details difficulties Mullins’ boyfriend, Jerry Wilbanks, had getting a gas heater working. He took the heater to the gas company to be examined and was informed that the service line was likely filled with air which prevented the gas from reaching the pilot. The gas company employee in-
structed Wilbanks to purge the air from the line before attempting to ignite the pilot again. It was during this attempt that the explosion occurred. Prior to that, the gas tank had been moved because of the flood of May 2010 and then returned to its original location. The complaint, which was filed in December 2011, alleges that the gas company failed to follow proper procedures and failed to warn Wilbanks of the nature of LP gas and the proper procedures to follow if an appliance will not light or if leaks are suspected. The suit also alleges the gas company failed to perform leak checks following the interruption of service in accordance with the National Fire Protection Code. In its answer to the complaint, the defendant denies any instances of negligence and argues that “the plaintiff’s decedent may have been at fault and engaged in culpable conduct …” The trial was expected to last about 10 days. Also injured in the explosion were Wilbanks, Bobby Willingham and Christine McCarron. A pet perished and the residents’ belongings were lost.
Staff file photo by Mark Boehler
A wrongful death suit was filed after a propane gas explosion injured several people at this County Road 676 residence in December 2010. An Alcorn County woman died as a result of her injuries after the explosion. The residence was destroyed by the fire.
Work begins on shed at Farmer’s Market BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Earning money for trips and toys
Staff photo by Donica Phifer
Cousins Maddox Rickman and John Thomas Gaines were open for business this week in front of their grandfather’s store on U.S. 72 in Corinth. The two Kossuth Elementary School students were selling lemonade, cookies and other homemade treats as something fun to do during their summer vacation. Rickman plans to save his money for his family beach vacation, while Gaines is saving up for a Skyflyer lego set.
Corinth aldermen and Alcorn County supervisors inked a lease agreement for the Fulton Drive farmers market property in the past week as work begins on the new covered structure. The two boards approved the property agreement in their most recent meetings. The property is owned by Corinth, and Alcorn County is leasing the property and having the shed built. The 10-year lease is at $1 per year with the option to renew for five-year intervals. Dirt work began before several rounds of rain put a halt to the work at mid-week. It will be a 40-by-100-foot pole barn with an open-air design which will allow water to flow through if the property floods. The construction contract allows 30 days for the job.
The county has the obligation to keep the property clean, safe and attractive, while the city will be responsible for mowing and will provide a garbage receptacle and portable toilet. Supporters hope the shed will be a boost to the local growers. “I would hope it will generate some excitement and encourage people to take advantage of that market and the one on Shiloh Road,” said Patrick Poindexter, county director for the Mississippi State University Extension Office. “It’s a great opportunity for growers to get their goods out there and make them available. And the public is becoming more aware of where their food is coming from and making that a higher priority.” With a covered shed, the Please see MARKET | 2
Teachers NEMCC orientation go on fun off to impressive start RIDES BY BOBBY J. SMITH
bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The best way to make kids learn is to make learning fun. That’s the idea behind the teacher instructors in a growing program pioneered by the Mississippi Department of Transportation called RIDES (Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students). On Thursday and Friday approximately 60 teachers attended RIDES training at Corinth Middle School, including 39 local teachers. RIDES is a K-8 program that enhances math and science skills by introducing kids to careers in the transportation industry. Led by teachers who have incorporated the RIDES training into their curriculum, Please see RIDES | 2
College orientation is off to a great start at Northeast Mississippi Community College, school officials say. “It was an outstanding orientation (Thursday),” said Lynn Gibson, director of admissions and records at Northeast. “We really won’t know the numbers right away, but it went great.” Thursday’s orientation saw a large increase in the number of dual enrolled and dual credit students. These are high school students who take classes at Northeast and get a head start on earning college hours while they finish high school. Dual enrolled students take classes in the afternoon hours after finishing their high school classes, and dual credit students take college classes during the school day. The dual enrolled and dual
credit system is a growing trend that is expected to get even bigger in the near future. “It’s a big thing we’re doing now, and it’s going to grow a lot,” said Gibson. “It’s a great way to earn college hours.” Orientation also includes a session for parents. Gibson said Thursday’s parent session was the biggest he has seen. “When we started out we had 20 parents,” he said. This week, “almost an entire side of the gym was filled. It’s a huge increase.” Designed to help make the parents more comfortable and better informed about their children’s campus life, the parent sessions provide parents with a wealth of knowledge about Northeast, including a section dedicated to the academic schedule. It concludes with a panel dis-
Index Stocks........8 Classified...... 15 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
Please see NEMCC | 2
Photo by Michael H. Miller
Northeast Mississippi Community College orientation counselors Gracie Cheek of Booneville (left) and China Odom of Hatley help promote the day one orientation at the Booneville-based college on Thursday. Northeast will have a second orientation day on June 18. First-time students should pre-register online for that session by June 12.
On this day in history 150 years ago Thee Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee arrives at Culpeper Court House, Va., where Gen. J.E.B. Stuart stages another elaborate cavalry review. Stuart delights in displaying his finely honed troopers, but he will soon face some unwanted and unexpected visitors.