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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Vol. 120, No. 223
Supervisors reallocate county funds BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors took action Monday night to finalize the plan for reallocation of funds stemming
from the state auditor’s civil demand against Charles Rinehart, the former sheriff. The previous board acted on a portion of the items in question last December, and the state au-
ditor’s office recently requested an update on the matter. The situation deals with purchases that were deemed legal but, for whatever reason, were paid for out of the wrong funds.
Step toward success
“I received last week a letter from the auditor assuring the board that making the reallocation was in compliance with the law and agreeing to permit the reallocation to be made in quar-
BY JEBB JOHNSTON
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Alcorn Central senior Cody Hubanks learns about jobs in healthcare from Amy Austin, the employment specialist and surgical technician at Magnolia Regional Health Center.
High school seniors ponder their futures BY BOBBY J. SMITH Local high school seniors took a step toward success at the annual Alcorn College and Career Fair. Presented by the Alcorn Career and Technology Center, the annual event brought seniors from Corinth, Biggersville, Alcorn Central and Kos-
suth together with a total of 41 representatives from businesses, industries, the military, institutes of higher learning and local, state and government agencies. “We want to help students make a smooth transition into the next phase of their lives, after high school,” said Jennifer Koon, CTE counselor at the
Alcorn Career and Technology Center. “This event is a great opportunity for students to see many of the options which are available to them.” Northeast Mississippi Community College Recruiter Lamar Walker said he is seeing a great deal of interest in com-
Ramer Days festival moves to larger venue
Please see FUNDS | 2
Funds would help clean up properties jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
bsmith@dailycorinthian.com
terly payments,” said Board Attorney Bill Davis. The reallocation, when complete, will total $146,465.63
Please see SENIORS | 2
Corinth will seek funds from a blight elimination program to help accelerate its demolition of declining residential properties. With an eye on several neighborhoods, the city is preparing an application for submission to the Mississippi Home Corporation, which will distribute funds through the Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program. If the city wins funding, it would be reimbursed for demolition costs. “It’s a win-win for the city and the property owner,” said Code Enforcement Officer Kim Ratliff. “The city itself will have eliminated a blighted property. The property owner will then have possession of a property that is free and clear not only of a dilapidated edifice, but will also have the ability to either rebuild or sell to someone that will rebuild.” Working with a total of $20 million, Mississippi Home Corporation anticipates about 1,500 homes will be demolished statewide. For Corinth, the funds would allow the cleanup program to have a larger focus on demolitions. “We have a certain budgeted amount each year where we like to target demolition and cleanups,” said Ratliff. “That
“It’s a win-win for the city and the property owner.” Kim Ratliff Code enforcement officer budgeted amount allows us to do some demolitions, but we also have to do a lot of grass cutting and different things.” Mowing of overgrown lots is often much of the focus of the city’s property cleanup efforts. This week, the city adjudicated the cost of mowing about a dozen addresses, adding the cost to the property tax bill. The city has identified several target areas for house demolitions if the infusion of funds materializes, such as the Mathis Road area; South Corinth; and some properties in the subdivision in the Mississippi and Tennessee Street area, along with the Violet and Lilac Street area. Cities that receive funds will be eligible for further funding in a second round. To be eligible, properties must be declared by the local government to be substandard, uninhabitable and/or a threat to health and safety. Please see BLIGHT | 2
People of the Crossroads Brandy Smith, Glen Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
(Editor’s Note: The following story by Steve Beavers first appeared in the Independent Appeal. It is being reprinted with permission.) RAMER, Tenn. — The Ramer Days Fall Festival has already outgrown its initial site. The festival, originally scheduled to be held on the grounds of the Ramer Civic Center, has been moved to the Ramer Ball Park on Saturday. “We will have more room,” said one of the organizers Wayne Elam. “It will also be safer with people entering and leaving the ball park.” The festival is a combined effort of the Ramer Ruritan Club, Ramer Alumni and Ramer School. A full-day of activities are
Brandy Smith and husband Derek have been married for 18 years. But the beginning of their relationship was long before. “My husband and I were middle school and high school sweethearts,” said Smith, the 36-year-old longtime deputy clerk at Corinth City Hall. They have one son, 12-year-old Jaxon, a seventhgrader at Alcorn Central Middle School. Smith’s hobbies include traveling in support of Jaxon’s baseball team with the Zone Baseball Academy. “It keeps us really busy. That, church and work — that’s what we do,” said Smith. She and her husband both are 1997 graduates of Alcorn Central High School. A lifelong member of Glendale Baptist Church, Smith’s roots are deep in the Glen community. “I’ve lived in Glen all my life,” she said. “They took me home from the hospital right to the hillside where I grew up.”
“This could grow to be a pretty big thing. We are expecting close to 1,000 people throughout the day.” Wayne Elam Ramer Days Organizer being planned for the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. event. The Ramer Days 5K Run/Walk will get things rolling at 8 a.m. “This could grow to be a pretty big thing,” said Elam. “We are expecting close to Please see FESTIVAL | 5
25 years ago
10 years ago
The United Way of Corinth/Alcorn County kicks off its annual fund drive. Herman Gray is honored as honorary drive chairman for his years of service to the group.
Glen resident Levi Hendrix’s taxidermy skills are on display as Northeast Mississippi Community College hosts an exhibition of his work.
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