Inside today: Corinth election questionnaire Friday Sept. 12,
2014
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 211
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • 2 sections
Stabbing: Man faces murder charge BY JEFF YORK For the Daily Corinthian
LEAPWOOD, Tenn. — A late night verbal altercation between friends Wednesday night in McNairy County resulted in the stabbing death of one Bethel Springs man and another man from Bethel Springs charged with second degree murder. Bradley Cason, 28, of Bethel-
Purdy Road in Bethel, was killed when he was stabbed multiple times around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck. The fatal stabbing happened outside at the intersection of Hwy. 199 and Hwy. 224 in the Leapwood community between Selmer and Adamsville. William Andrew Pickett, 27, of Bethel-Purdy Road in Bethel, will
be charged with second degree murder for the stabbing death of Cason, said Buck. Cason and Pickett lived in the same house in Bethel Springs. The other connection between the two men was that Cason was dating Pickett’s sister. Pickett’s sister and mother were the other people at the scene of the altercation. “Cason was stabbed multiple
times in multiple locations, all on his upper torso,” commented Buck. When the first sheriff’s deputy arrived on the scene, Pickett was still there and was taken into custody. He is now in the McNairy County Jail, noted the sheriff. Sheriff Buck said the difference between first degree murder and Please see MURDER | 2A
Pickett
Corinth discusses Cambridge refining BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Zack Steen
North Corinth Christian Academy students performed at Thursday morning’s 9/11 Patriot Day Remembrance event at the Alcorn County Courthouse. See related photos on Page 2A.
9/11 remembrance: ‘Never forget’ BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
As the American flag was lowered to half staff at the Alcorn County Courthouse, students from North Corinth Christian Academy sang a patriotic song with an important message ... “never forget.” On Thursday morning, a crowd gathered for the Patriot Day Remembrance event sponsored by members of American Legion Post 6. The event got started around 9:47 a.m. -- the exact moment when a plane crashed into the Pentagon 13 years ago. “We want to recognize the sacrifice that has been made in this country since 9/11,” said Post 6 Commander Tommy Watson. Almost 3,000 people were
killed on September 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and committed suicide attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. “I want to remind everyone to never forget -- never forget we live in a dark world. Darkness is always nearby and the moment we let down our guard, it will find us,” said North Corinth Baptist Church pastor Bro. Bill Wages. “We shouldn’t live in fear, but with a powerful, loving and sound mind. Never forget 9/11 and the darkness of that sad day.” Corinth Gas & Water Department employee and Mississippi National Guard Col. John Rhodes remembered 9/11 started out as just another day.
“The morning was normal. We went to work and took the kids to school, but by the end of the day we were morning the lost of so many innocent people,” Rhodes said. “Our way of life was threatened and our lives were forever changed. We went to war and the war is still being fought today.” Rhodes said 9/11 gave everyone in America a chance to show their true colors. “That day Americans did want we do best,” he said. “We joined together and helped people we didn’t even know.” The short ceremony, which ended around 10:10 a.m., the moment the last place crashed in western Pennsylvania on 9/11, included a three-shot rifle salute and the playing of taps.
With analysis of the latest Cambridge International Examinations results in hand, the Corinth School District is refining some classroom strategies as it continues in the Excellence for All pilot. Superintendent Lee Childress reported on the results Monday night before the district’s board of trustees. ACT, MCT2 and Mississippi Science Test results were also presented. While some of the Cambridge results improved and some did not, decreased enrollment in some courses is causing concern about perception of the program.
“We’re going to have to have some conversations at the high school,” said Superintendent Lee Childress. “Yes, it’s tough, but we don’t need to scare you off from it.” A couple of board members said talk among students and parents is not helping. “A lot of parents are not on board with it because they don’t understand it,” said Becky Null. Childress believes emerging financial incentives will help. Mississippi State University is offering a $10,000 scholarship to students who earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Please see CAMBRIDGE | 2A
BMC hosts pastor’s day BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
BLUE MOUNTAIN — The Blue Mountain College campus will be the stage for this year’s Northeast Mississippi Pastor’s Conference. Slated for Monday, Sept. 15, the annual event will focus on Harbour “Proclaiming the Good News” (Acts. 5:42). The one-day conference will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with
registration in the Paschal Student Union Building and come to its conclusion at 2:45 p.m. Dr. Brian Harbour, founder of the SeminaryPLUS organization and Brian’s Lines (a journal for preachers) and Dr. Tommy Vinson, founder of Tommy Vinson Ministries, will serve as the keynote speakers. The two will also deliver messages during worship services, led by Dr. Gregory Long, chair of the department of fine arts and speech at BMC. “The Bible department at Blue Mountain College is Please see PASTORS | 2A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Alcorn fair hosts Junior Livestock Show BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Where’s the beef? There will be no need to ask the question come Sept. 20. Plenty of beef cattle is scheduled to be shown during the annual Alcorn County Fair and Junior Livestock Show. “It’s hard to tell from year to year, but based on last year’s number we are putting up a large tent in anticipation of all kinds of cattle,” said livestock committee chairman Patrick Poindexter. The show saw entries jump from 110 in 2012 to 142 last year. A 40x85 tent will be placed outside of the barn to accommodate the ex-
pected 160 head, according to Poindexter. “By putting up the tent, we will be able to utilize all of the barn,” said Poindexter. Work to get the barn ready started Wednesday as students in the the horticulture and shop classes of the Alcorn Career & Technology Center began setting up show rings and tying out panels for the 9 a.m.-2 p.m. event. “We will be able to spread everything out so folks will be comfortable this year,” said Poindexter. “Our goal is for people to have a good time and fun experience.” According to Poindexter, cattle will be judged on such things as appear-
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Biggersville High School junior Bradie Mitchell ties out a panel in preparation for the Alcorn County Fair and Junior Livestock Show on Sept. 20.
ance, balance and size. In the Showmanship Class, more of the focus will be placed on the exhibitor. The junior show is open to all youngsters ages 8-18 who are members of 4-H or FFA. “There is already 100 entries with a lot folks coming in from Tennessee,” said the committee chairman. Back again this year is the underage Showmanship Class. The class allows youngsters not eligible to compete in the regular livestock event due to their age to get a first experience at competing. “Every kid who enters the class gets a trophy because we want them to have a positive experience in their first show,” said Poindexter.
On this day in history 150 years ago Missouri — Gen. Sterling Price marches to retake the state where he was once governor. He unites with the cavalry under Gen. Joe Shelby, but only half of his men have weapons. He hopes to arm them by capturing guns from the enemy.
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