McNairy County Students improve on state tests
Prentiss County School district boosts advancement requirements
Local Corinthian Travels goes to Hollywood
Page 3A
Page 3A
Page 2A
Friday July 15,
2016
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 170
Cloudy Today
Tonight
85
70
50% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • Two sections
Fire marshal: Church blaze intentionally set BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The state fire marshal’s office investigation of the March fire at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall points to an intentionally set blaze. Jonathan Owens, a deputy fire marshal who investigated the case, could only say that “the fire has been ruled incen-
diary” and “my office was called in to assist the Corinth Police Department.” He declined to elaborate on what the investigation revealed about the circumstances of the fire, and local officials had no new information to disclose about the case. The fire, which occurred during the early a.m. hours, left
the church with mostly smoke damage. One room had some fire damage, and the sanctuary had only smoke damage. Facing an extensive cleanup after the fire, the church temporarily relocated its Little Blessings daycare program to Christ United Methodist Church and moved the church office into the neighboring Fillmore Street Chapel.
Staff photo by Zack Steen
A two-car wreck on U.S. Highway 72 slowed traffic in both directions on Thursday afternoon.
One injured in afternoon crash BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
One person was injured in a Thursday afternoon two-car wreck. It happened around 2:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 72 when the female driver of a Lexus sedan exited the Walgreen’s parking lot into the
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Chief Deputy Dusty Essary and Fire Chief Todd Welch hope to steal away the “Battle of the Badges” trophy from Police Chief Ralph Dance. Blood donors will choose which department they want to support.
Heroes battle for blood donors BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth police and firemen are ready to rumble for the cause of blood donations, with the sheriff’s department joining
in for the first time. The “Battle of the Badges” returns Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Mississippi Blood Services donor coaches to be stationed at
both City Hall and the justice center. Corinth P.D. was chosen by the most donors last year, making the series even at 7-7
Concert features rock, tropical tunes tonight BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Bringing music and fun to the Mid-South for more than 20 years, tropical rock artist Steve Hopper of Savannah, Tennessee, and the “Wolf Island Band” will appear during a live, exclusive concert tonight at The Franklin Courtyard. With a style akin to artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and The Zac Brown Band, Hopper plays a tropical blend of country, rock and R&B music, accompanied by his smooth vocals, acoustic guitar and steel drum. The Trop rock artist will open for one of the Nation’s hottest emerging bands, the “Southern Drawl Band.” Based out of Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, the popular band has been sweat-
Please see BLOOD | 2A
path of a Nissan sedan, also driven by a female, who was in the Highway 72 east bound turning lane. The driver of the Lexus suffered numerous injuries and had to be assisted from her car by emergency personnel. Please see CRASH | 2A
Schools receive high marks on state ratings BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Crossroads area school districts received high marks on accountability results released Thursday by the Mississippi Department of Education. Both the Corinth School District and Alcorn School District saw their new scores
remain unchanged from the previous year. Corinth received a “A” grade, while Alcorn County received a “B” grade on the state’s accountability system that evaluates how school districts performed in the 2014Please see SCHOOLS | 5A
People of the Crossroads Nathan Hall, Corinth Staff photo by Zack Steen
ing out their own brand of rockin’ country music distilled in the backwoods of Tennessee since 2012. A melting pot of sound, styles, attitude and entertainment, the “Southern Drawl” Band has opened for artists such as the “Charlie Daniels Band”. Entertaining audience members beginning at 7 p.m., Hopper and the “Wolf Island Band” will take the stage followed by the “Southern Drawl Band” at 8 p.m. The indoor concert will also feature a shrimp boil with fresh, gulf water shrimp and barbecue. Those who would like to enjoy the music, as well as, the shrimp boil may do so for $25.
Corinth Middle School Principal Nathan Hall loves what he does. “To have an opportunity each day to impact the life of a child is amazing,” he said. “The entire CMS staff is constantly working diligently together to help produce students that will become productive community members.” An administrator since 2013 in Corinth, Hall is a former Tupelo High School teacher and coach. He’s coached 13 total state championship teams in three different sports including cross country, track and soccer. This year, he’ll put a Warrior coaching hat on. “Myself along with a few others will actually be stepping up to help coach cross country,” said Hall. “Practice started last week and I’m pretty excited.” Hall is married to Allison, who is also an employee of the Corinth School District. Their children are CMS student, Emma and Corinth Elementary School student, Maddie.
Please see CONCERT | 2A
25 years ago
10 years ago
Alcorn County moves closer to the launch of its new E-911 system as supervisors approve the purchase of equipment.
John McCarter is honored by the Corinth Rotary Club with its Rotarian Service Above Self award.
RENTAL
Rent a 2016 Maxima today!Now! Reserve A Rental For Your Summer Vacation
Call for complete details and rates!
286.6006
BROSE
HWY 72 E • Corinth MS www.brosenissan.com