Issuu

Prentiss County City leaders have cemetery concerns

Tishomingo County Burnsville plans Waterway Festival

McNairy County Law agencies get $5,000 grants

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Tuesday Sept. 22,

2015

75 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 227

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

School board approves new pay scale BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Custodial employees in the Alcorn School District will soon see a change to their pay. Set to go into effect next school year, board members approved the pay scale change earlier this month. “After research and consideration a recommendation was made to amend the pay scale to reflect yearly increases,” said

board clerk Ginger Mills. In August, board member Randy Wilbanks questioned the current pay scale used and asked for the change. “We decided not long ago that we would carry over years of experience for custodial staff from previous jobs,” said Wilbanks. “The problem now is we have a female custodial employee who has been with us forever and is topped out on pay. We’ve hired

in a new worker whose bought years with him from a previous job and he’s making as much as she is.” “That’s just not fair,” he added. The current pay scale tops out at 13 years with .20 cent raise increments per year, according to Director of Finance Kimberly Woodard. With the changes, the amount paid and raise increments will

remain the same. Pay scale caps will, however, increase to 20 years. Custodial staff members will continue to work 205 days per school year and be paid per hour. Those employees with 20 or more years experience will make $19,330 per year. Lead custodial staff members will continue to work 220 days and are salary based. The cap will give those employees an

opportunity to make $21,380 per year with 20 or more years experience.

In other business ■ The board approved 10 student release transfers to the Corinth School District. Board member Carroll Morton casted two “no” votes on

Please see BOARD | 3

County closes CR 300 for work BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Penny (Cassandra Evans) and Mrs. Thang (Jennifer McCoy) are two of the characters in the play “My Journey.” The play, performed last year at the Coliseum, is being staged in Tupelo on Oct. 3.

Motorists in the Second District of Alcorn County are encountering a detour because of a bridge replacement and a culvert replacement near Glen. While County Road 346 was already closed for a bridge replacement, there is also now a closure on the nearby County Road 300, where work began last week on the replacement of an old culvert with a concrete box culvert. This has made for a longer detour than would have been needed if the bridge project had been completed. “We had to go ahead and start the work on Road 300 before we got into bad weath-

er,” said Johnny Crotts of Cook Coggin Engineers. The Road 346 bridge project has seen a number of delays, and Crotts said every effort is being made to move things along. Interim Second District Supervisor Ralph Coln said he is sorry for the inconvenience the work has caused residents and commuters on the two roads. “I thank you for your patience and understanding,” said Coln. “I apologize for any problems and disruptions this caused anyone.” The Board of Supervisors in Monday’s meeting agreed to pay $3,226.60 — half the cost Please see COUNTY | 2

‘Our Journey’ continues awareness City school board BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

The journey isn’t over. At least not for gospel recording artist Monica Sorrell and her oldest daughter, Ebonee Sanders. Sorrell, of Corinth, is staging her play “My Journey” at the Link Centre in Tupelo on Saturday, Oct. 3. Tickets for the show, performed at the Corinth Coliseum Civic Center last August – went on sale Aug. 1. Sorrell, who wrote the play to draw attention to the multiple

sclerosis (MS) of Ebonee, is continuing to bring awareness to the disease. “My goal is for young people with disabilities to have a place to go that will stimulate their minds,” said Sorrell. “I would like to start some kind of center where people could be comfortable.” Sanders was diagnosed with a cognitive form of MS after disappearing in 2008. She was scheduled to do a gospel concert with her mother when she went missing in July. Despite

the constant efforts of many, Sanders went unfound for three weeks. A phone call from a woman named Linda near Paducah, Kentucky, began the process of reuniting Sanders with her family. Sanders was found to have multiple sclerosis (MS) after being examined by a doctor following her return home from Kentucky. MS is a disease that affects Please see JOURNEY | 2

talks testing data BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The Corinth School District Board of Trustees heard a report last week on recent assessment data. The talk covered ACT, Cambridge International Exams and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. “The ACT and the Cam-

bridge exams are going to become even more important in the 2015-2016 school year,” said Superintendent Lee Childress, “because the state has decided to use those two measures in the accountability model in terms of determining a school’s accreditation Please see DATA | 2

Pink fire truck heats up cancer cause, provides fundraising vehicle BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The Corinth Fire Department wants the community to think pink today. The pink firetruck of the Pink Heals Program will be at station 1 at City Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to bring awareness to

the cause and provide a fundraising vehicle for local groups. “We invite all cancer survivors to come and sign the truck,” said Fire Chief “Lucky” Briggs. Nonprofit groups are able to set up a booth in conjunction with the Pink Heals visit

to take donations and promote their organizations. Briggs said groups like the Boys & Girls Club and Havis’ Kids are expected to participate. The Pink Heals group emphasizes grassroots fundraising with all dollars staying local. Tour drivers volunteer up

to 21 days at a time to drive pink firetrucks and police cars across the country. The program was founded by retired firefighter and former professional athlete Dave Graybill. It has grown from a single truck driven by Graybill in

2007 to more than 150 trucks in three countries driven by hundreds of volunteers. The original focus of helping people, especially women, battle cancer, expanded to include community fundraising. The tour last visited Corinth in 2013 at Crossroads Arena.

25 years ago

10 years ago

A team from the National Park Service’s Atlanta office arrives to survey local Civil War sites. The team is gathering data to establish Corinth as a National Historic Landmark, a first step toward federal recognition notes NPS Regional Director Paul Hartig.

Lightning is blamed for a fire that destroyed a Kossuth church. Lone Oak Baptist Church caught fire during a severe thunderstorm that passed through western Alcorn County.

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CT-A’s ‘Charlotte’s Web’ features 43 characters BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Beloved childhood favorites will spring to life as Corinth-Theatre Arts presents “Charlotte’s Web.” Rated G, the youth-stage production, sponsored by LINK (Lead, Inspire, Nurture Kids) will be presented to school children during two special shows as part of their ongoing mission to provide the children and youth of Corinth and Alcorn County with experiences, opportunities and events which promote positive behaviors based on identified needs and focused on success in school and life. A public performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the historic Coliseum Civic Center in downtown Corinth. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. They may be purchased in advance of tonight’s show, but are not for reserved seating. “The seating is general admission – first come, first served, but there are no bad seats in the coliseum,” said CT-A Guest Director Twila Bridges. “Season tickets are available at $80 for those who wish to purchase them. It’s a great way to save money

on individual shows and to become a regular supporter and attender of all the plays.” Featuring a cast of 43, the story related through the production is one of true friendship, loyalty and determination. “It’s a very sweet story,” said Bridges. “I hope the audience realizes by watching the play that it is better to think of others more than we think of ourselves. The legacy we leave to others will be based on what we did for them, not for us.” “We have some adorable kids on this stage who are bringing such personalities to their characters. I was so impressed at auditions and it was very hard to figure out how to fit everyone into the cast in just the right way,”she added. “I love having the younger children on stage because my own daughter, who is a theatre major, started at age four with a speaking part.” Based on the novel by E.B. White and adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, the play will run approximately one hour. “Robinette has done a great job with the script. The children were offbook last week are re-

New West Nile virus cases confirmed in Mississippi Associated Press

JACKSON — Two new cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Mississippi, bringing the total to 27 cases so far this year. The Mississippi State Department of Health said Monday that Lauderdale and Marion counties each have one new case of the mosquito-borne illness. One death was previously reported in Attala County. So far this year, six

cases have been confirmed in Hinds County, five in Rankin County, four in Madison County, two each in Forrest and Simpson counties and one each in Adams, Attala, Covington, Lauderdale, Marion, Montgomery, Washington and Yazoo counties. The Health Department only releases statistics about laboratoryconfirmed cases. In 2014, Mississippi had 43 cases of West Nile virus, with seven deaths.

ally adding their body language and expressions,” said the director. “Rehearsals went great. I was privileged to have the opportunity to work with the sweetest kids ever! It’s so much fun to work on a project as a team and really come together to see it successful.” “Costuming is my love and we are sure missing our ‘Costume Goddess’, June Doyle. She made it look so easy and it is not. Jan Soltz has been a blessing by pulling items from our closet. I’ve also taken on a large part of this role by researching and then shopping thrift stores,” she continued. “The story is set in the early 1950s, so I was able to give some visual images to parents who have really pitched in to help find the correct items. Anytime you work on costumes, it is a lesson in both history and pop culture.” As she looks forward to

ries” are currently in need of sponsorships. However, it is not too early to begin discussing sponsorship opportunities for next season. Upcoming productions for the next few months include: “The Legend of Dracula” which will open on Halloween weekend and “A Christmas Carol” which will open Dec. 10– 13. (For more information contact the Crossroads Playhouse at 662-2872995. The historic Coliseum Civic Center is located at 404 Taylor Street in Corinth.)

Homer Zuckerman – Isaac Floyd Edith Zuckerman – Madison Burcham Lurvy – Jake Pearson Templeton – Caden Harvell Goose – Lorien Gray Gander – Jon Worth Garrett* Sheep – Riley Hardin Lamb – Audrey Kirkland Uncle – Jacob Dooley* Photographer – Owen Scott Reporter – Madalyn Carpenter Judge/Spectator 1 – Monica Carreon Judge/Specatator 2 – Morgan Cornelius Judge/Spectator 3 – Sydney Brooks Announcer – Jacob Dooley* Joy – Lorelai Sellers Aranea – Elisheva Marsh Nellie – Katelyn Barnwell Spectators/Fairgoers – Hayden Brooks*, Madeline Brooks, Selah Essary, Bellah Rose Floyd, Anna Greenlee, Elisa Grieser, Kennedy Hardin, Rose Hardin, Bella Kushner, Carson Kushner, Allie Marsh, Mya Miller, Olivia Page, Laurie Rushing, Maggie Rushing, Tara Sabino, Sydney Slaughter and Alyson Wilson. * Double Cast

the production, the director wished to thank the parents for their invaluable help and support. “I would also like to thank the producers, Mike Barnes, Della Miller and Cindi Bullard,” said Bridges. “They have all been exceptional and a pleasure to work with. The show is wonderful for children of all ages and will not be a long production, even though we are showing it on a ‘school night’.” In addition to season tickets, those interested in sponsoring a show may also purchase a spot on the play bill. Playbill advertising is available as follows: Bronze ($100-249), Silver ($250-499), Gold ($500999), Platinum ($1,0004,999), Angel ($5,000+). Corporate sponsorships are from $500 to $2,000 for most shows this season. “Madam’s Been Murdered”, “Tea Will Be Late” and “Edgar Allen Poe Sto-

1st Member – Samantha Simpson 2nd Member – Sadie Perriman 3rd Member – Julianne Parker Wilbur 1 – Hayden Brooks* Wilbur 2 – Jon Worth Garrett* Wilbur 3 – Jamie Gambino Charlotte A. Cavatica – T’Keeyah Cummings Fern Arable – Ava Marsh Martha Arable – Mariah Wooten John Arable – Will Senf Avery Arable – Alyssa Settlemires

she is a child in an adult’s body.” Sorrell wants other parents to be aware of problems their children might be having which could be a medical condition. “There are others out there,” she said. “Everyone doesn’t have the support group Ebonee does, so we want to get the word out there.” “My Journey” includes a cast of 15 hand-picked performers. Tickets for

the show are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The evening will be hosted by comedian Deno Posey. The cast includes: Testimony Boy – Lamar Lusk; Police Clerk – Shaterian Calhoun; Linda – Albertine “Peaches” Warren; Doctor – Wade Tye; Mother – Karen Tye; Supervisor – Jennifer McCoy; Pastor – MacDonald McCoy; Penny – Cassandra Evans; Zelda – Koli-

sha Strickland; Mrs. Ester Lee – Sharon Calhoun; Jordan – Sharice Wallace; Deacon – Russell Sorrell; Johnny – Jerry Sorrell; Joetta – Monica Sorrell. “I want people to never give up hope,” said Sorrell. “God always has the last word.”

“Up until the last couple of years, a lot of children didn’t take the ACT that were going to graduate from high school.” Out of 135 graduates in the latest year, 128 took the ACT, a measure of college readiness, which has a maximum score of 36. Math, reading and science are each hovering around average scores of 20, all above the state average. One of the key

statistics is the number of students meeting the college and career readiness measures as defined by ACT as a score of 18 on the English section, 22 in math, 22 in reading and 23 in science. Last year, 70 percent of the district’s students met that number for English, 31 percent in math, 40 percent in reading and 30 percent in science. The number of students meet-

ing the measure in all four components of the ACT was 19 percent in the district and 13 percent in the state. While 19 percent is not a good number, it compares favorably with results across the state, said Childress. The district has identified geometry as an area where students may need a refresher before the ACT.

Cast

JOURNEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance and sensation such as numbness. “Doctors have gone above and beyond to find out what was causing Ebonee’s problem,” said her mother. “So many things go with MS that we have had to deal with … Ebonee’s smile lights up everyone she is around, but

(For more information about “My Journey” go to monicasorrell.com or call 662-872-0072.)

DATA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

rating.” An examination of fiveyear ACT trends in the district shows the English score falling from a high of 21.8 to 20.6 in the latest year, apparently because of a larger pool of students taking the test. “Over the last several years, we have moved towards more universal testing,” said Childress.

COUNTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

— for relocation of power lines for the Road 300 project. The culvert replacement is funded through the state aid program. In other business:

■ The board accepted Trustmark’s bid of 1.61 percent on a $500,000 note for road purposes. Each district gets $100,000, as has been done in prior years. Other bids were Farmers and Merchants, 1.9 percent, and Ban-

corpSouth, 2.39 percent. ■ New Veterans Service Officer Steve Wallace received approval to hire Jill Bascomb as a part-time employee for the office to work up to 16 hours per pay period. Bascomb is a 911 employee.

Local/Region

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Today in History Today is Tuesday, September 22, the 265th day of 2015. There are 100 days left in the year. The Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, begins at sunset.

Today’s Highlight in History On September 22, 1975, Sara Jane Moore attempted to shoot President Gerald R. Ford outside a San Francisco hotel, but missed. (Moore served 32 years in prison before being paroled on December 31, 2007.)

On this date In 1515, Anne of Cleves, who became the fourth wife of England’s King Henry VIII, was born in Dusseldorf. In 1776, during the Revolutionary War, Capt. Nathan Hale, 21, was hanged as a spy by the British in New York. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in rebel states should be free as of January 1, 1863. In 1911, pitcher Cy Young, 44, gained his 511th and final career victory as he hurled a 1-0 shutout for the Boston Rustlers against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. In 1927, Gene Tunney successfully defended his heavyweight boxing title against Jack Dempsey in the famous “long-count” fight in Chicago. In 1949, the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb. In 1950, Omar N. Bradley was promoted to the rank of five-star general, joining an elite group that included Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall and Henry H. “Hap” Arnold. In 1964, the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” starring Zero Mostel, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 3,242 performances. The secret agent series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, premiered on NBC-TV.

Across the Region Booneville considers city cemetery concerns BOONEVILLE — Booneville leaders are considering options for improving upkeep at the city cemetery and dealing with problem cats. Those placing decorations on graves at the city cemetery need to place all items on the tombstones in accordance with existing city policy, said Mayor Derrick Blythe. He said the city has received numerous complaints about the grass not being trimmed close to tombstones, but workers can’t trim close if items are on the ground and they don’t want to risk damaging keepsakes left at the graves. Alderman Mark McCoy said the issue is about taking proper care of the cemetery and respecting the graves and it is impossible to keep it as neatly as it should be if they can’t trim the grass correctly. Alderman David Bolen asked the board to consider options for dealing with numerous stray cats in the city. Bolen said he is a cat lover, but the sheer number of animals some people have around their properties create a safety and health hazard. Blythe noted the current ordinance limits residents to four domestic animals per residence, but it’s difficult to enforce with cats because officials have to prove the animals in question actually belong at the residence and aren’t just strays. The board agreed to research how the issue is handled in surrounding municipalities and consider it further at a future date.

New grants available in Alcorn, Tishomingo TUPELO — The Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area recently announced a new community grants program, which will be available to all eligible counties in Northeast Mississippi, including Alcorn and Tishomingo counties. Four funding levels are available including transportation grants up to $1,000 to help defray the cost of school field trips; flash grants up to $2,500 to go toward local cultural and heritage projects; small cap grants up to $5,000 and large cap grants up to $20,000 designed to assist community or regional level initiatives. The CREATE Foundation in Tupelo will administer the grants, which will total up to $150,000. Grant application workshops will be held in November and

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Waterway Festival set for Saturday in Burnsville BURNSVILLE — The annual Burnsville Waterway Festival is set for this weekend. The event, set to kickoff at 8 a.m. on Saturday, will feature a 5K run, arts and crafts vendors, all-day entertainment and an antique car show. All activities are scheduled to take place on the grounds of the Burnsville City Hall.

Events planned for Hispanic heritage month TUPELO — The Natchez Trace Visitors Center has a slate of activities planned for National Hispanic Heritage Month. A film and a photo exhibit will be open until Oct. 15. The film tells the story of Hernando de Soto’s trek through the New World in the 1500s. The photo exhibit showcases national parks that have a Hispanic influence, including Dry Tortugas National Park. De Soto’s historic expedition will be the focus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. A troupe of reenactors from Arkansas will set up an encampment. There will be stories, demonstrations and hands-on activities to teach visitors about de Soto and his dealings with the Chickasaws along the Natchez Trace during the winter of 1540-41. In addition, Tombigbee Pioneer Group will demonstrate crafts and skills from the late 1700s to the early 1800s. Saturday is also National Public Lands Day, when volunteers are invited to help with projects at national parks. It’s open to groups and individuals. All of the events are free. The Natchez Trace Visitors Center in Tupelo is open from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

SELMER, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer and Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole announced the Tennessee agencies that received grant awards totaling $17.8 million to support highway traffic safety efforts. The McNairy County Sheriff’s Department and the Selmer Police Department will each receive a $5,000 grant to assist both departments with high vis-

FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama’s Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program is ranked as the fourth best value in the nation for 2015 – 2016 according to the Top 50 Best Value Residential Masters in Education as ranked by TopMastersinEducation.com. The ranking was based on the cost for full time graduate students living on the campus of public four year colleges and universities and included the average cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board and transportation. In addition to affordability, UNA graduate programs boast small classes taught by full time professors, multiple delivery formats, and excellent partnerships with community stakeholders. The MAED program is offered in twenty different certification disciplines that are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Alabama State Board of Education. In addition, the school counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). UNA is the oldest four year university in Alabama, celebrating 185 years of preparing teachers and school leaders. More information is available at www.una.edu/education.

Kay Moffitt, Biggersville Elementary School interventionist; Rebecca Penney, BES interventionist; Melissa Voyles, Alcorn Central Elementary School teacher assistant; Anna Kirk, Special Ed teacher assistant; Josh Dowdy, Kossuth Middle School head baseball coach; Zack Scott, Kossuth High School assistant baseball coach; Roxane Dabbs, Pre-K teacher assistant; Mallory Hamlin, teacher; and April Shook, Pre-K teacher assistant. ■ The board approved the following resignation requests: Cindy McCain, Kossuth High School teacher; Lawrence Morris, KHS teacher; and Andrew Ragan, Data Support Specialist. ■ The next meeting is set for Oct. 12 at 5 p.m.

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three students, although a reason was not given. One in-district transfer was approved from Biggersville Elementary School to Alcorn Central Elementary School. A Prentiss County School District student was also approved by the board to transfer into the ASD. ■ The board approved the following new hires: Jeff Harvell, Kossuth Elementary School assistant; Jan Neilson, Alcorn Central Elementary School interventionist; Felicia Morris, Rienzi Elementary School interventionist; Johnnie Harvell, Alcorn Central Middle School interventionist; Paula Tyson, ACMS interventionist; Lisa Wood, ACMS interventionist;

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ibility enforcement. There are multiple elements that contribute to a safe roadway system, including an accurate traffic safety data collection and analysis system, welltrained and well-equipped law enforcement personnel, and effective emergency medical and trauma systems. A major part of roadway safety is educating motorists about laws and good driving behaviors. “These grants help fund a variety of enforcement, legal, and educational initiatives across the state,” Schroer said. “All of these efforts, from DUI prosecution, to speed enforcement, to child passenger safety training, support the mission of saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads through partnership with numerous public and private organizations.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding to GHSO. The grants, totaling 437 for the 2015-2016 funding cycle, were awarded to 376 agencies that successfully applied for funding based on a defined problem and statistical need. Each year, GHSO accepts applications from agencies across the state for available highway safety funds. Applications are reviewed and scored by GHSO and external highway safety advocates. The agencies that meet funding criteria received awards. “Tennessee’s decline in traffic fatalities has occurred because of the dedication and commitment from our partners across the state,” Poole said. “They are coming up with ideas and programs that are creative, innovative, and solid. They are

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Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4 • Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Corinth, Miss.

The media’s stupid Trump obsession CNN gathered together all of the Republican presidential candidates at the Reagan Library for a highly touted debate and could hardly think to ask them about anything exDonald Trump. Rich cept By one count, 44 percent Lowry of the questions touched on National Trump. Why even pretend it’s Review going to be a debate? Just bill it as a seminar on the worldview and foibles of Donald Trump, with occasional diversions into matters of greater public import. The CNN event was typical of a press that has lost its mind, not to mention its dignity, over Donald Trump. The media follow him with the obsessive interest of a wide-eyed fangirl who’s fallen for the latest boy band. Everything about him is pored over and dissected, and he is treated as the biggest thing to happen in American life since the arrival of the Beatles or the moon landing. A meteor could strike the Earth, and the first question that much of the media would think to ask is, “Yes, but how will it affect Donald Trump’s poll numbers?” There’s no doubt that Trump deserves serious coverage. He is at the top of the polls. He’s entertaining. He represents an intriguingly populist, heterodox element within the GOP. But none of this explains or justifies him becoming the missing Malaysian plane of American politics. A couple of weeks after the first debate in August, a CNN analysis found that Trump got more coverage on the nightly news than all of his competitors combined. Trump got 36 minutes and 30 second on the broadcasts. Ben Carson, who would get the biggest poll boost from the first debate, got all of 11 seconds. CNN itself has been a prime offender. According to a Wall Street Journal report, between his announcement in June and midSeptember, Trump had been the subject of more than 2,100 CNN reports, roughly twice as many stories as those of the next most reported-on candidate, Jeb Bush. It’s not just that Trump dominates the coverage himself. Whenever another candidate gets on the air, he or she is invariably asked questions about the latest controversies about Trump (and some candidates have foolishly played the game by attacking Trump to try to get attention). Pope Francis will be lucky not to be repeatedly asked about Trump’s favorite Bible verse during his visit here. The cable networks treat Trump campaign rallies like a car chase. They go to them live and follow them to the end. The rallies are considered theoretically newsworthy, although they are always the same – Trump talks about his poll numbers, about building a wall and about Jeb Bush’s low energy, over and over again. Ben Carson should be considering suing for equal time. He, too, is an outsider who has struck a nerve and rocketed up in the polls, but he gets a fraction of the coverage of Trump. No one consistently live-broadcasts his events. No one badgers all the other candidates to address every little thing he says. The difference is that Donald Trump rates. So the self-styled gatekeepers of our politics, who take themselves so seriously, are happy to slum it with him. Any other candidate would be delighted to get Trump’s wall-to-wall coverage. But it comes with a downside. We are a culture of intense, and transient, interests. The line between being the hottest thing in the country and yesterday’s news is thinner than ever. With every moment that Trump is on the screen, we get a little closer to the moment when people might get sick of him being on the screen. Even Miley Cyrus probably thinks he is overexposed. If it’s too much to expect the media to give up its Trump obsession, it can at least vow never again to ask a candidate not named Donald Trump about Donald Trump. The other contenders don’t deserve to be made bit players in a media-driven reality show. (Daily Corinthian columnist Rich Lowry can be reached via e-mail: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com.)

Prayer for today My Father, may I know the delight of true friendship which is responsive and sincere. May I never feel so secure in myself that I will cease to want friends, or be so dependent on others that I will be continually seeking them. May I understand the value of having a stanch friend and of being one. Amen.

A verse to share “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8

Bernie does Liberty University Self-declared socialist and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders entered what his supporters must consider the belly of the beast on Monday. He spoke at the conservative evangelical Liberty University in Virginia. Some of those supporters sat in reserved seats, ensuring his remarks would be received with some applause. Liberal and Democratic speakers at Liberty are not as rare as one might think. In 1983, Sen. Ted Kennedy visited and spoke about religious freedom, standing up for the right of conservative evangelicals to be heard in the public square. Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered a message from Jerry Falwell’s pulpit one Sunday morning. Donald Trump has also spoken at the school. The reception to Sanders from Liberty students was more gracious than what conservative speakers usually get on liberal campuses, if indeed they are invited. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice backed out of giving the commencement speech at Rutgers University last year when students and faculty protested her involvement in the Bush administration’s support of the Iraq War. In 1987, Jeane

Kirkpatrick, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew as the comCal mencement Thomas speaker at Lafayette ColColumnist lege when the faculty voted 60-34 to protest her receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree. These were victims of what passes for diversity and pluralism on too many campuses. Sanders’ message at Liberty was familiar. He railed against “income inequality” and trashed the rich. His proposal to raise taxes, offer free health care and free college would cost $18 trillion, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal. The central flaw in his socialist philosophy is that by penalizing success, you get less of it, along with less wealth to tax. And people who get free stuff often suffer diminished initiative and are robbed of a work ethic. If the amount of available money were fixed (it isn’t) and I took more than you did, that would be unfair, perhaps immoral, though Sanders’ view of morality appears to stop at the abor-

tion clinic door. Sanders said, “...I do believe that it is improper for the United States government to tell every women in this country the very painful and difficult choice she has to make on that issue. ... I believe in women’s rights and the right of a woman to control her own body...” What about the rights of the unborn? Pragmatically, fewer babies mean fewer future taxpayers for his socialist programs. The lessons for building wealth are not a mystery. That doesn’t mean everyone can earn a CEO’s salary, but it does mean that by making right decisions one can live independent of government. Here are mine. First, get married. Having a spouse and children is a prime motivator for wealth-building. Second, save and invest. Even small amounts with compound interest begin to produce wealth. Third, don’t work just to pay bills. Like the poor, bills you will always have with you. Build enough wealth so the bills won’t matter, assuming you live within your means. Fourth, find someone who is poor and help them learn and practice these principles, perhaps donating some of your time to assist with

their wealth-building. Fifth, don’t assume in our increasingly mobile and technological age that you will keep one job your entire life. Be ready to change jobs, and even move when you hit a ceiling. Consider starting your own business, which may seem challenging at first, but can produce more than just financial rewards. There is a downside to wealth, mentioned by sages throughout history. King Solomon said, “Whoever loves money never has money enough” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) and the classic warning from St. Paul, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). As in all things, balance and moderation are best. Republican presidential candidates should promote ways for people to escape poverty and for the middle class to climb the economic ladder. It is part of our history, though many may have forgotten, or never learned it in school. Building wealth built America. Tearing down the wealthy will lead to higher unemployment and economic collapse. That’s what Bernie Sanders and other leftists refuse to understand. (Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.)

Mississippi is leader in addressing challenges BY TOM EPPES Guest Columnist

OXFORD — The cost of higher education is becoming an issue in the presidential campaign, with candidates generally agreeing on two points: High cost makes a college education inaccessible to lower-income Americans who need a diploma to advance up the economic ladder. And those who have access to loans are left with staggering debt. An estimated eight million people are now in student loan default, and many more struggle each month to make payments. A third problem doesn’t earn as much attention – the devastating effect of debt on students who drop out before earning a diploma, either because they were poorly prepared for college or ran headlong into health issues, family issues or another tough life experience. Their loans aren’t forgiven, but their lack of a diploma can have an enormous impact on their ability to make payments. Is there an answer? Yes: A focused, all-hands-on-deck commitment to student success without reducing one bit of the rigor of a leading academic institution.

Reece Terry

Mark Boehler

publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

editor editor@dailycorinthian.com

Willie Walker

Roger Delgado

circulation manager circdirector@dailycorinthian.com

press foreman

For the elite private universities who pride themselves on the number of applications rejected and the quality of students admitted, the freshmen retention rates are extraordinary. Columbia and Yale report 99 percent freshmen retention, and other “Ivies” hang close with 97-98 percent. Percentages are similar for the Honors College at the University of Mississippi (UM), which achieved 97.8 percent retention in the 2013-2014 year. Viewed more broadly, the University of Mississippi’s overall retention rate doesn’t look as good, but it’s remarkable nonetheless. Ole Miss is the retention leader among the state’s public universities, setting an alltime record of 86.5 percent retention for the new 201516 academic year. Why is 86.5 percent a good number? Consider the differences between the elite freshmen classes at Harvard, Princeton and public flagships in Virginia and North Carolina. They have become prestigious at least partly through exclusivity, accepting only the highest performers. In Mississippi, exclusivity is flipped on its head. In fact, all public universities here accept any

resident with an ACT score of 16 and a class GPA of 2.5. That’s considered by ACT experts to be the very minimum standard for college success. How has Mississippi’s flagship university become a retention leader, even in that environment? A retention culture gained real momentum in the past six years at Ole Miss as almost every campus school and department joined the retention initiative through various programs and under the leadership of a Retention Advisory Board representing 16 departments and supervised closely by former provost and now acting chancellor Morris Stocks. New methods for improving retention are constantly tested, but just a few of the biggest contributors include: • A first semester class that teaches new students how to be successful in college (now includes 80 percent of nonHonors College students); • FastTrack, which accepts about 10 percent of freshmen into a program with smaller classes and selected professors who commit to broader student engagement and mentoring; • A Center for Student Suc-

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cess that monitors grades and reaches out to struggling students with personal advisers; • Detailed daily reporting that arrives in 36 inboxes every morning with retention information sorted by gender, ethnicity, residency and even retention data within each school; • More than 250 clubs that offer every student an opportunity to engage with others, and feel at home more quickly; • The Luckyday Scholarship, which offers financial aid as well as tutoring/counseling, required study hall and social events that help form a Luckyday culture; • And one unofficial contributor to success: reporting retention data by school has created friendly competition between the deans for improved retention in the schools they lead. Student success requires a personal commitment to every single student, a difficult challenge in a large university but the best answer to improved retention, student success and better lives for more people. (Tom Eppes is Chief Communications Officer at Ole Miss. Contact him at teppes@olemiss.edu.)

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Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

State/Nation

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Across the Nation Associated Press

Pope visit thrills Catholic lawmakers WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner has been trying for 20 years to get a pope to come talk to Congress. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says it’s “thrilling beyond words.” This week’s historic address by Pope Francis to a joint meeting of Congress has lawmakers of all political affiliations and religious backgrounds buzzing. For the many Catholic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including Republican Boehner and Democrat Pelosi, the occasion carries special significance, even as they brace for the unconventional pontiff to make both parties squirm with his focus on hot-button political and social issues. Ahead of Thursday’s speech, many lawmakers said they hope that the leader of the globe’s 1.2 billion Catholics will provoke members of Congress to pause, reflect, and refrain, if only temporarily, from the partisan struggles and political bickering that normally dominate the House chamber where he will speak. At the same time, lawmakers have begun invoking the pontiff to make points on one issue or another, with Democrats in particular hopeful that he will provide backing against the Republican majority on issues such as income inequality, immigration and climate change.

Court suspends AG’s law license HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s highest court on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of state Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s law license, a step that could trigger efforts to remove her from office as she fights criminal charges. The unanimous order by the state Supreme Court’s five justices also could prompt a legal challenge from the first-term Democrat. In the meantime, it leaves the state’s top law enforcement official in charge of a 750-employee office and a $93 million budget but without the ability to act as a lawyer. The state constitution

requires the attorney general to be a licensed lawyer, but the court said in the order that its action should not be construed as removing her from office, raising questions about her ability to do the full range of duties associated with the office. In a statement, Kane said she was disappointed in the court’s action, but grateful that it recognized her rights as an elected official.

Group seeks facts on Islam curriculum NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A religious organization has requested records pertaining to Islam curriculum from all Tennessee school districts. Spokeswoman CeCe Heil from the American Center for Law & Justice tells The Tennessean the Christian-based nonprofit made the open records request after concerned parents contacted them. The group advocates and litigates freedom of religion and free speech issues. Heil says the requests are being made to all 146 school districts and state special schools. The organization is requesting records and information on what students are learning about Islam and other religions, how students are being taught and what resources teachers are using. The state provides academic standards, which Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen says are designed to provide a deep understanding of how world religions have affected world history.

Survey: Co-eds face unwanted contact COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nearly a quarter of undergraduate women surveyed at more than two dozen universities say they experienced unwanted sexual contact sometime during college, according to a report released Monday. The results of the Association of American Universities Campus Climate Survey come at a time of heightened scrutiny of the nation’s colleges and universities and what they are doing to combat sexual assault. Just last week, Vice President Joe

Across the State

Biden visited Ohio State University to highlight several new initiatives, including mandatory sexual violence awareness training for the school’s freshmen beginning next year. The survey was sent this spring to nearly 780,000 students at the association’s member colleges, plus one additional university. About 150,000 participated in the online questionnaire. The results were generally in line with past surveys on sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses — and confirmed that alcohol and drugs are important risk factors. “How many surveys will it take before we act with the urgency these crimes demand?” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, who is pushing for passage of a bill that would address how sexual assault cases are handled on campus and the resources available to help students. Researchers cautioned against generalizations from the data, partly because experiences of different students and at different schools could vary widely. It was not a representative sample of all the nation’s colleges and universities.

Wrestler’s brother jailed in homicide PITTSBURGH — The brother of pro wrestler and former Olympian Kurt Angle has been jailed on charges he killed his wife during an argument about vodka at their home in the Pittsburgh suburbs. David Angle, 62, told Allegheny County homicide detectives that he began arguing with 57-year-old Donna Angle about 3 a.m. Sunday after she offered him some vodka. “He told her he didn’t want any, but she continued to badger him about drinking with her,” detectives wrote in a criminal complaint. “He said all of their arguments revolved around alcohol and added that he has ‘anger issues.’” The suspect told police his wife tried to kick him during the argument, so he dragged her off a couch by grabbing both of her arms, then put his foot on her chest while continuing to pull her arms, the complaint said.

Associated Press

Wife: TV newsman awakens in hospital JACKSON — Longtime Mississippi TV journalist Bert Case is improving while he remains hospitalized to recover from an infection. WAPT-TV reports the 76-year-old Case awoke from sedation Monday at St. Dominic Hospital. He was admitted three weeks ago with sepsis. His wife, Mary Weiden, says Case answered questions from hospital staff members early Monday, saying he knows he works in TV. Case recently celebrated his 50th year on the air in the Jackson market. One of his most memorable on-camera interviews happened in June 1999. Case, then with WLBT-TV, asked Gov. Kirk Fordice about traveling to Paris with a woman who wasn’t the first lady.

Lawmakers hold budget hearings JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers are holding two days of public hearings to start planning how state government will spend taxpayers’ money during the coming year. The 14-member Joint Legislative Budget Committee is meeting Monday and Tuesday to consider requests for fiscal 2017, which begins July 1. This year’s budget hearings are considerably shorter than they were in the past, because lawmakers reduced the number of agencies making presentations. Among those speaking to the committee are leaders of the Department of Education and the community college and university systems; and directors of the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health. All agencies are required to submit written requests showing how much they propose spending on employees, supplies and services. Those are posted to the Legislative Budget Office website, as is a schedule for the hearings, which are held at the Woolfolk state office building near the Capitol. The online information is new this year, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson, R-Poplar-

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DIVERT OR WITHDRAW FOR BENEFICIAL USE THE PUBLIC WATERS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Notice is hereby given that on the 15th day of June 2015, Farmington Water Association, Inc., 4100 CR 200, Corinth, MS 38834, filed renewal application No. MS-GW-15023 for a permit to continue to divert or withdraw the public waters of the State of Mississippi for beneficial use from the Paleozoic Aquifer, in the county of Alcorn, for Public Supply purposes, subject to existing rights, the following amount of water at the indicated location: PERMIT #

VOLUME

RATE

LOCATION

MS-GW-15023

0.51 MG/D

632 MG/D

NW, NW, S10, T02S R08E

Any person, firm, association, or corporation, deeming that the granting of the above application will be truly detrimental to their rights to utilize the waters of said source, may protest in writing to the Permit Board of the State of Mississippi, ATTN: Lisa A. May, PO Box 2309, Jackson, Mississippi 39225, setting forth all reasons why said application should not be approved. Letters of protest must be received within ten (10) days of this publication. If not protested, a permit will be issued on or after ten (10) days following publication date. If protested, the application will be taken for consideration by the Permit Board of the State of Mississippi in its offices at 515 East Amite Street, Jackson, Mississippi, on or after, Tuesday, the 10th day of November 2015, at which time all interested persons may appear and be heard by the Permit Board. OFFICE OF LAND AND WATER RESOURCES Lisa A. May, RPG Permitting Branch Chief

Daily Corinthian • 5A

ville, said the website gives the public greater access to details about how agencies propose spending money. “It just makes it easier for legislators and everybody,” Frierson said Monday.

City seeks solutions to declining property SOUTHAVEN — Southaven is wrestling with how to address blighted property, and answers aren’t coming easily. After more than 30 minutes of debate, aldermen last week tabled consideration of a proposed maintenance code offered by Mayor Darren Musselwhite and city staff. They agreed to further discussion on dealing with deteriorating residential properties, although two aldermen — Kristian Kelly and Raymond Flores — wanted a vote on the plan suggested by Musselwhite during a special meeting Sept. 4. At issue are older properties, primarily in the city’s original west end area near the state line, that have fallen into disrepair and prompted calls for action from area residents. A passionate Musselwhite told aldermen at last Tuesday’s meeting he would not be a “donothing” mayor who fails to take action while endless discussions take place. “If you do nothing,

you’re gonna wake up in 15 years and it’ll be a different place,” Musselwhite said. The proposed maintenance code would go well beyond mowing overgrown lawns as the city does now, also giving the city control over the general condition of the property and allowing it to require improvements deemed necessary to keep the property in good repair. Musselwhite said without some measure of control over property conditions, the city risks seeing the overall character of its neighborhoods decline over time.

University police jurisdiction expands STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University Police Department has concurrent jurisdiction with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office on all roads and streets located within 500 feet of university property in Oktibbeha County. The Commercial Dispatch reported Attorney General Jim Hood approved an inter-local agreement between MSU, Oktibbeha County and the city of Starkville authorizing the expansion of jurisdiction. The agreement was also approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. MSU will also have secondary jurisdiction in the city of Starkville.

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6 • Tuesday, September 22, 2015 • Daily Corinthian

Deaths Ivy Lee Evans

MSG Ivy Lee Evans, 83, of Corinth passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at Dogwood Plantation. He was born in Rattan, La. on October 10, 1931, to the late Hoy and Maggie Brown Evans. He retired from a distinguished career with the Air Force after 26 years and 1 day. After his retirement he worked as a security guard for 18 years with ITT. MSG Evans was an avid runner. He encouraged many people to begin walking/ running programs. He himself ran a 5 or 10k every weekend and held multiple state records for his age group. His love for running was exceeded only by his love for his family, with whom he spent many happy hours. He was a faithful member of Strickland Church of Christ. MSG Evans served proudly and faithfully in every role he filled — from master sergeant to grandfather. His devotion and inspiration will never be forgotten. Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from Evans 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Magnolia Funeral Home. A celebration of MSG Evan’s life with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, officiated by Minister Brad Dillingham. Interment will follow at Corinth National Cemetery. Pallbearers include Mike Coln, David Nowell, Gary Walden, Randy Wood, Randy Beaty and Ronald Michael. Magnolia Funeral Home is caring for the family. Those left to honor MSG Evan’s memory include his son, Dr. Steven Lee Evans (Jeanne) of Zionsville, Ind.; his daughter, Shelaine Shappley and (Dr. Robert Shappley) of Corinth; his precious grandchildren, Natalie Evans, Laura Evans, Amelia Shappley and Avery Shappley; an aunt, Janie Brown Meredith of Poway, Ca.; other relatives and a host of friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 41 years, Betty Elmina “Stevens” Evans and his sisters, Mary Smallwood and Gay Humphreys. Online condolences may be expressed at magnoliafuneralhome.net.

Thomas Calton

IUKA — A graveside service for Thomas Edward Calton, 75, was held at 5 p.m. Monday at Sardis Cemetery in Iuka. Mr. Calton died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. Survivors include two sisters, Ollie Vanderford (Johnny) and Dorothy Smith (Franky). He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Clyde Calton and Mary Rececca Hudson Calton; three brothers, Robert Calton (Earline), Clyde Calton, Jr. and Willie Andrue Calton; and two sisters, Lois Marie Rice (Bobby) and Mary Dell Calton. Bro. Franky Smith officiated. Ludlam Funeral Home of Iuka is in charge of the arrangements.

Lynn Rutledge

WALNUT — Funeral services for Lynn Ragan Rutledge, 81, of Walnut are set for 11 a.m. today in The Heritage Cha-

pel of Ripley Funeral Home with burial in Camp Ground Cemetery at Walnut. Mrs. Rutledge died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at Golden Living Center in Ripley. She was a Walnut resident and was retired as an office administrator for Sears in Memphis after 45 years and was the wife of the late Joe Wayne Rutledge. A native of Tippah County and graduate of Chalybeate High School, Mrs. Rutledge was a member of the Camp Ground United Methodist Church. After retiring from Sears, she returned to the Walnut Community. Visitation will continue at The Ripley Funeral Home 2 hours before services. Survivors include her nieces, Sheila York of Dyersburg, Debra Kennedy (David) of Middleton, Tracy Luna of Ripley, Johna McMillin of Walnut and her nephews, Frankie Simpson (Nelda) of Saltillo and Alvin Shelby (Peggy) of Memphis.

Cemeteries get creative to steady shaky finances BY CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Forget the old joke about people dying to get in. Cemeteries are getting more interested in attracting the living. With cremations expected to outpace burials in the United States for the first time this year, it’s a way for cemeteries that rely on the sale of gravesites and services to make up for lost revenue. “We have to get creative,” said Steven Lillie, president of the rural Black River Cemetery Association. “A lot of people are getting cremated and sitting on someone’s mantel forever, or getting scattered.” The Cortland Rural Cemetery this spring cut the ribbon on a new “cemetrail” and arboretum, which encourage visitors to wander the 44-acre site and linger at new signposts to read about the people buried there, the geology of the rock used for markers, the artistic style of the monuments and the trees that shade them. The 20 stations, created in collaboration with the State University of New York at Cortland, include QR codes for smartphone scanning. “We decided to try to reposition the cemetery as a cultural and historical and natural place, as opposed to just a place to memorialize people,” said John Hoeschele, president of the Cortland site’s board of directors. He coined the term “cemetrail,” which is funded by a $30,000 “Operation Greenspace”

grant from the J.M. McDonald Foundation. “You can find all kinds of grants; for trails, for concerts. You can find grants for art shows and genealogy. All of these kinds of things open up the doors for grant dollars whereas just cemeteries — nobody funds cemeteries.” A July report by the National Funeral Directors Association said that by the end of 2015, the cremation rate will have increased by more than 50 percent over the last 10 years. Cremations are projected to account for 48.5 percent of services this year, surpassing for the first time the burial rate, which is expected to be 45.6 percent, the report said. Even people who are both cremated and buried deliver less revenue because multiple sets of cremated remains are often put in a single plot, or if interred alone, in a smaller space. “It’s definitely a concern every cemetery board of directors or trustees has to have,” said Bernard Stoecklein Jr., the president of several New York and New Jersey cemeteries and founder of the notfor-profit Friends of Rural Cemeteries. “They have to determine how they’re going to care for the cemetery down the road because the cost of putting cremains in the ground, or in a crypt or niche, is less than digging a grave.” Larger cemeteries with famous or historic figures have enthusiastically embraced cemetery tourism in recent years, charging admission for guided excursions. Buffalo’s For-

est Lawn Cemetery has a “Sunday in the Cemetery” concert and lecture series and trolley tours past the graves of President Millard Fillmore and other native sons. Allegheny Cemetery in Pennsylvania hosts the Annual Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival, known as Doo Dah Days, each summer. California’s Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where the big old-time stars are buried, is a well-known tourist destination. But independent rural cemeteries without such obvious draws have been finding ways to take advantage of other assets. The Black River Cemetery in rural northern New York has opened up some untouched acreage to selective logging for extra income. To save money, it has relied on prisoners from the nearby Watertown Correctional Facility to clean up the grounds, Lillie said. Riverside Cemetery in Alexandria rents some of its land to grow hay. Cortland gets a rent check from SUNY, which uses some of its land for parking for its dining hall. Marion Cemetery in Ohio offers a buy one, get one plot sale around Memorial Day and recently sent out its first-ever fundraising mailing, superintendent Jim Riedl said. The cemetery is considering a car show to bring people in, he said, citing other cemeteries that have staged egg hunts and yoga classes and named streets within the grounds after donors to balance the books. “Up until about 10 years ago it was a stress-free job,” Riedl said.

Members hailed as heroes in Alabama church shooting BY PHILLIP LUCAS Associated Press

SELMA, Ala. — The pastor and members of the congregation that wrestled a gun away from a man police say opened fired in an Alabama church are being praised as heroes. James Junior Minter,

26, is being held without bond in the shooting of his infant son, the child’s mother and the church pastor, Earl Carswell, who tried to intervene Sunday morning, according to District Attorney Michael Jackson. Selma police Lt. Curtis Muhannad said officials

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believe Minter was upset over a recent breakup with the 24-year-old woman and visitation issues with their son. His former girlfriend’s name hasn’t been released. Police have said the couple’s domestic dispute was the likely motivation. Minter was arrested shortly after police say he opened fire during a church service at Oasis Tabernacle Church in east Selma, Alabama. He’s expected in court Monday afternoon, Jackson said. Witnesses told police Minter entered the white, single-story church that sits on a tree lined, twolane road and sat in the front row between the woman and the baby, according to a statement

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released by the Selma Police Department. Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend, 24, fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand. Carswell, 61, then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church. “A whole lot more people could have been shot,” Jackson said, “They all played a heroic role.” The pastor, woman and baby were in stable condi-

tion. After he fled the scene, Minter was captured by police less than a mile away. His vehicle was left at the scene and a gun was recovered at the church, the statement said. Former Selma Mayor and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church minister James Perkins visited the scene and said he paused service at Ebenezer to pray for the victims Sunday morning. “It’s hard to comprehend it, it’s hard to understand it but a lot of people are struggling. A lot of people are stressed,” Perkins said. “We walk by faith, not by sight. We still have to believe that there’s goodness in most people.”

Minter was being held at the Dallas County jail. Minter had been arrested before, police said. Court records show he was charged with misdemeanor menacing after he was accused as part of a group of three men who stopped James Campbell, 19, while he walked through a neighborhood in Selma on Oct. 15, 2010. Campbell said in a statement to police that one man held a gun on him and punched him in the face while Minter and another man also held guns on him. No charges were filed until Campbell told police about the incident seven months later, and the case was dismissed without prosecution on June 30, 2011.

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MADISON, Wis. — Warning that the Republican presidential race has become too nasty, Scott Walker exited the 2016 campaign on Monday and urged others to quit, too, and “clear the field” so someone can emerge to take down front-runner Donald Trump. The announcement marked a dramatic fall for Walker, who was struggling to generate money and enthusiasm after surging into the race’s top tier earlier in the year. He will return to his job as governor of Wisconsin, where his term runs through 2018. One of the last Republicans to enter the race, Walker joined former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as one of the first to leave it. He found himself unable to adjust to Trump’s popularity or break out in either of the first two national Republican debates.

Daily Corinthian • Tuesday, September 22, 2015 • 7

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