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Woman dies after fall at Pickwick Lake.
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Tuesday July 7,
2015
75 cents
Daily Corinthian
Humid Today
Tonight
91
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20% chance of thunderstorms
Vol. 119, No. 158
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Contract awarded for park expansion BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The start of construction of the Crossroads Regional Park expansion should be just weeks away following Monday’s awarding of the contract.
With the bond sale completed, the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors on Monday awarded the job to Michael Pittman Construction Co. of Corinth at $4,875,208.86. County Engineer Kent Geno of Cook Coggin
said this should clear the way for work to begin around Aug. 1. The bond sale closed at $5.5 million, and a number of fees associated with the project were deducted from that figure. A few things were trimmed from
Road map pillows featured on ‘Good Morning America’ kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
lighting levels on the ball fields, removal of the northern 350 feet of Clark Street from the upgrade to that route, and removal of one set of restrooms. Please see CONTRACT | 2
Heated remarks made over pay raise freeze BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Pay raises approved Monday for several Alcorn County employees will be the last of the current fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to put a freeze on any further pay hikes before the new budget year begins on Oct. 1. That motion included approval of pay raises for hourly employees in the tax collector’s office. The board initially took Tax Collector Larry Ross’ request under advisement because of budget concerns. Later in the meeting, Third District Supervisor Tim Mitchell proposed an across-the-board freeze on pay increases in a motion that failed 3-2. Fifth District
BY KIMBERLY SHELTON Recently appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Corinth artist Jessica Humphreys impressed viewers with her Southern charm and colorful road map design pillows. Capturing the true flavor and essence of each state, the 18x18 muslin and burlap pillows feature vivid pigments and handpainted designs. “I have always been a lover of all things map, globe and travelinspired. I love the bold colors of vintage road maps and the folky art a lot of them have. My road map design is homage to that,” said Humphreys. “I use a four-step process in hand creating each one. First, each state is thoroughly researched. I look at old road maps, state landmarks and funky oddball tourist attractions. Then, I hand draw in ink, the state and landmarks in my own style.” Next, the 28-year-old carefully hand paints each design with acrylic washes in bold colors. “Finally, I go back in and reink the whole piece,” said the Memphis-born crafter. “This gives every state a very painterly and illustrative look.” According to Humphreys, the concept for her whimsical pillows came about after she was approached by Southern Apparel and Serendipity Owner Jan Patterson and former owner Amanda Sugg to create an updated version of their popular “My South,” the state inscribed with Southern lingo on it. A huge fan of GMA’s Deals and Steals segment, Patterson was so impressed by Humphreys’ designs she decided to
the scope of the park project to fit within the remaining available funds. “We tried to choose what would be the least impact on the overall project,” said Geno. Those changes include lower
Supervisor Jimmy Tate Waldon then offered the successful motion to approve Ross’ request but freeze others until Oct. 1. Ross said the raises are not a problem for his budget. He said the office’s spending is currently more than $19,000 under budget, and the proposed raises will cost $2,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year. In some heated remarks directed at the board, Ross said he wants equity, fairness and transparency. “Y’all just do the same thing every time and you won’t hear a fuss out of me,” he said. Mitchell said his concern is being a good steward of counPlease see RAISES | 2
Pursuit ends with wreck; teen cuffed and stuffed BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Jessica Humphreys, 28, proudly displays her Mississippi-inspired road map pillow. submit them for consideration. “No one knew how it would be received, but GMA came back saying they loved it and would love to feature it,” said an incredulous Humphreys. “It has been a whirlwind.” The young artist received the
news while visiting a friend’s dad at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. “Amanda messaged me with the news,” she said. “There was such a mix of emotions at Please see PILLOWS | 2
A Chester County, Tennessee juvenile is in police custody after an assault and high speed chase that ended in Alcorn County Sunday afternoon. The 17-year-old male was meeting with a Department of Children Services worker in Henderson, Tennessee when he attacked the female worker and stabbed her several times in the neck with a pen. The juvenile then stole the worker’s vehicle and led police on a three-county wide high speed pursuit down U.S. Highway 45 before making a turn onto
a county road in Alcorn County. “The chase ended on Wenasoga Road just outside the city limits when the teen lost control of his vehicle and wrecked,” said Corinth police chief Ralph Dance. “Once captured, the teen was taken back to Tennessee.” Dance said several city police officers responded to the wreck, but did not participate in the pursuit. Alcorn County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene. Henderson, Tennessee poPlease see CHASE | 2
Corinth’s annual ‘Battle of the Badges’ ready to draw blood BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth police and firemen will call on the community to join them in a life-saving cause. The annual Battle of the Badges is back with the two departments facing off in a friendly rivalry to generate the most blood for United Blood
Services. The event is set for 2 to 8 p.m. July 23 at the Mississippi State University Extension Center behind Crossroads Arena. The fire department won the competition last year, giving FD a 7-6 lead in the series. Chief Lucky Briggs hopes to see his department hold onto the tro-
phy for another year. “It’s not about us,” he said. “It’s about the lives that the blood saves. It’s a way that everyone can participate in saving lives.” Police Chief Ralph Dance said his department hopes to reclaim victory this year as the two departments enjoy the friendly
competition for a good cause. “At this time of year, there are a lot of accidents and people needing blood,” he said. UBS bills itself as the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Magnolia Regional Health Center and other hospitals in the region. The summer brings a great need for dona-
tions, especially from those who have type O blood, according to UBS. Donors will have a chance at winning prizes and must be at least 16, weigh at least 110 and be in good health. Donors can sign up online at bloodhero.com and use the sponsor code “badgebattle.”
25 years ago
10 years ago
Slugburger Festival 1990 welcomes The Platters. Downtown association Director Debbie Staufer invites everyone out for a fun night of classic rock.
Keith Greene is hired as Corinth High School’s 13th head basketball coach. He follows David Robbins who left the post for a job at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
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PROGRESS
Doug Ann Michael Rick Jumper Hardin McCreary Jones
Neil Paul
Marea John Wilson Hayes
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