Tuesday July 22,
2014
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 172
Rhodes on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of a hearing that is scheduled for Sept. 17. “It is important to recall that Mr. Rhodes has not been convicted of any crime and remains innocent until proven guilty,” said Davis. “However, because the charge against him relates to the state auditor’s still-ongoing investigation, the board believed it was in the best interests of all concerned to take this action at this time. The board will continue to monitor events as they transpire and wishes Mr. Rhodes and his family well during this
BY JEBB JOHNSTON Alcorn County Purchase Clerk Paul Rhodes is on administrative leave. The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors went into executive session Monday morning to discuss the situation in light of Rhodes’ arrest last Thursday by officials with the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office. Rhodes was charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree, a felony offense, in connection with an ongoing investigation. Board Attorney Bill Davis said the board voted to place
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
Purchase clerk on leave jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
P.M. storms
difficult time.” The longtime purchase clerk posted bond after last week’s arrest and was present for Monday’s meeting of the board as normal. The clerk was arrested on a warrant signed by Special Agent Bo Howard of the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office. During the course of the investigation of a complaint received last December against 2nd District Supervisor Dal Nelms, Howard worked out of the supervisors’ office on Fulton Drive. After seizing Nelms’ county-issued phone on July 3, Howard discovered a text
message conversation between Nelms and Rhodes in which Rhodes revealed that he had been sneaking into the meeting room and using his phone to take photos of the contents of the investigator’s notebooks, according to an affidavit by Howard. The affidavit further states that Rhodes sent the photos to Nelms by text message. Howard alleges that Rhodes is involved in a conspiracy to embezzle and/or convert money, equipment and property from Alcorn County with Nelms and several Alcorn County vendors.
Center’s new rates decided BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A special meeting of the Corinth Board of Aldermen on Monday included adjustments to rates at the Johns Street Community Center and the purchase of an administrative vehicle. Before going into executive session for fire and street dePlease see BOARD | 2
Financing plans for Crossroads park expansion released BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The financing plan for the expansion of Crossroads Regional Park is moving forward. The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors on Monday passed a resolution of intent to proceed with a bond sale of up to $5.75 million to cover the expansion cost. A public hearing on the bond will coincide with the board’s Aug. 18 meeting. Sam Keyes of bond counsel Butler Snow said $5.75 million is likely more than will be needed for the project, but the figure will provide a bit of a cushion. If there is no opposition, the county could have funds in hand for the project within a few months. Keyes said the plan is to combine the new bond amount with the restructuring of the outstanding balance on the arena bonds for new financing terms not to exceed 20 years. It can all take place within the parameters of the 2 percent tourism tax without requiring any new tax, he said. Part of that tax currently goes to pay the arena debt. Plans for the park expansion, designed by Cook Coggin Engineers, include: ■ Widening of Clark Street ■ Five new ball fields along Droke Road on the east side of Please see PARK | 2
This rendering by Cook Coggin Engineers shows the planned park expansion.
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Trust and ‘Aube’
Education veteran Dane Aube took the position as Corinth High School principal on July 14, a position previously held by Russ Elam.
Corinth High School names new principal BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
When students return to class on Aug. 7 at Corinth High School they’ll be greeted by a new face. Louisiana native Dane Aube officially become a Corinth Warrior on July 14 when he took over the seat as CHS principal, a position previously held by Russ Elam. “Everyone has been exceptionally nice during my first week,” said Aube. “I’m so proud to be here in Corinth. I love this town and the people in the community have been very welcoming.” Aube has spent the last six years at Hancock Middle School near Bay St. Louis where he served as principal to more than 1,100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
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“When I first got the call, I started doing research on CHS and I got really excited,” said the education veteran. “Corinth has one of the finest schools in the state.” Originally from Port Sulphur, Louisiana, Aube said he first heard about the job opening when he received a phone call last month from Corinth School District Superintendent Lee Childress. “It’s rare to find an area that has so much support for the public school system,” Aube added. “CHS has great community support, school board support and 100 percent focus on academic programs ... that combination isn’t often seen in public schools.” Childress said he’s happy to have
On this day in history 150 years ago
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The Battle of Atlanta commences when Hood hurls 36,000 of his men against the 30,000-man Army of the Tennessee. The commander of the Union army, Gen. James B. McPherson, is killed. The Confederate attack fails and Hood loses 8,000 men.
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Please see AUBE | 2