Tuesday Oct. 16,
2012
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 249
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Salmonella victims file lawsuit against eatery Lawsuit against Don Julio's states there were 158 food poisoning cases BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Numerous victims of a salmonella outbreak last November and December have filed a lawsuit against the owners of Don Julio Mexican Restaurant. The suit was filed Thursday in Alcorn County Circuit Court by Jorge Alvarado of Booneville, along with dozens of additional plaintiffs from Corinth and surrounding areas, against Rafael Tapia, Ernesto Flores and Luis Silva, according to court records. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to
be determined by a jury. The complaint states that some victims became critically ill, were hospitalized and suffered lost wages. The plaintiffs are all individuals who ate at the restaurant between Nov. 25 and Dec. 5, 2011, or came into contact with someone else who did, and contracted Salmonella Typhimurium, the complaint states. At the time, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported that 59 individuals tested positive for salmonella. The complaint states that the CDC has since revised the number to 158,
with 36 requiring hospitalization and 103 requiring other medical treatment. After its investigation, MSDH said the outbreak appeared to be isolated to the Mexican restaurant located at Corinth Commons. The restaurant closed for a brief period while it made an improvement plan that was approved by MSDH. During the investigation, the lawsuit states MSDH dispatched an environmentalist to the restaurant who “noted several deficiencies, including improper storage of raw food products over cooked
food products in the cooler and unwashed kitchen knives.” On a second visit three days later, MSDH and local environmentalists “observed several deficiencies not noticed during the December 2, 2011 inspection, any one of which could have contributed to cross-contamination between raw food products and finished food items,” the complaint states. “Agents and employees of MSDH were advised that these food handling practices were part of Don Julio’s everyday initial preparation for opening.” The complaint states that two
Veterans Day parade requests entries
employees of the restaurant reported gastrointestinal illness on Nov. 27 and 28, 2011. It further states that MSDH concluded that one or more of the workers was the most likely source of the illness. In an interview after the restaurant reopened, a co-owner of Don Julio said employees had always been careful but were now being “extremely careful.” Casey Lott of the Langston and Lott law firm of Booneville is representing the plaintiffs. The complaint represents one side of the legal argument.
Counterfeit substance sale spurs arrest
BY JEBB JOHNSTON
BY STEVE BEAVERS
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Planning has begun for the annual Veterans Day parade and tribute to living war veterans. The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, which is the day following Veterans Day. Organizer Bill Huff is now seeking entries to join the procession. The 13th annual parade will give special recognition to the National Guard because so many are active with the guard locally, said Huff. Each year’s parade recognizes a particular war or branch of the military. “The parade is to honor the veterans past and present,” said Huff. “This is primarily for our living veterans, although we do recognize those who are deceased. Memorial Day is for our deceased veterans.” Huff welcomes marching bands or groups that want to march or ride in the parade, which will follow the usual parade route beginning at First Baptist Church. The annual American Legion stew fund-raiser will also be part of the day’s activities. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution
IUKA — Tishomingo County Sheriff Glenn Whitlock is applauding an amendment by the state legislature. In the amendment, the Sale of Counterfeit Substance is now considered a felony. Prior to the July 1 change, the crime was classified as a misdemeanor. “An example would be if a person sold a substance like a vitamin, claiming it to be Hydrocodone,” said the sheriff. The change has helped the department in a recent arrest of a Corinth man. Lionel Staton, 27, was arrested for three counts of Sale of Counterfeit Substance. Staton, who was out on probation before the arrest, has been transported back to the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Six others arrests have been released by the Tishomingo County's Sheriff's Department. ■ Jason Blunt, 40, of Tishomingo, Aggravated Assault and Felony Malicious Mischief. ■ Eleazar Benitez, 30, Iuka, Fondling. ■ Nicky Davis, 39, Iuka, Sale of Marijuana. ■ Michael Dees, 54, Iuka, Sale of Hydrocodone. ■ Steven Puckett, 47, Gold-
Please see PARADE | 2
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
First Baptist Minister to Children Jennifer Jefcoat (left) and church member Annie Richardson are part of the church effort to raise money for the Oasis Medical Center by selling 750 pumpkins during its Pumpkins on Main event.
Pumpkin patch raises funds for Oasis BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
First Baptist Church has turned its front lawn into a pumpkin patch. The church — at 501 Main Street — is using pumpkins to reach others while at the same time helping a worthy cause. Members of the church started its Pumpkins on Main with 750 of the orange fruit. Pumpkins are being sold through October 31 with all proceeds going to the Oasis Medical Center. Those interested in purchasing a pumpkin can do so from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. “We know there are other places to get pumpkins and we aren't in competition with any
of them,” said Minister to Children Jennifer Jefcoat. “This is an opportunity for the church to get involved in the community and to also help an awesome ministry.” The pumpkins come in all sizes from small to large with the cost ranging from 50 cents to $25. “We realize everyone buys pumpkins for Halloween,' said Jefcoat. “When they come on the lawn, we want them to feel God's love.” “We are selling the experience to meet and reach out to people,” added church member Annie Richardson. Richardson played a big part in the idea of the patch after seeing one while traveling
through Oxford. “I just thought it was something the community could benefit,” said Richardson. “Our first day has been awesome.” Wednesday the church will be having a fall festival in its fellowship hall to go along with the patch endeavor. The festival is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. with all kinds of free games and food available. Families are also encouraged to make photos while looking for the perfect pumpkin at the patch. On October 25, the Courthouse Pickers will provide entertainment on the lawn at 6 p.m. Entertainment will also be on site for October 20 with a different group slated to perform.
Please see ARRESTS | 2
Lights will illuminate after-school programs BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The lights will be on area children come Thursday. Lights On Afterschool is slated for 6 p.m. at the Crossroads Museum. The event will see the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi along with the after-school programs of the Lighthouse Foundation, Pathway Christian Academy, Project Attention and the Sportsplex teaming up to bring more support for after-school organizations. District 5 State Representative Kelvin Buck will be the guest speaker. “Kelvin has a great love for children,” said Corinth Unit Director Christy Grice, who is a first cousin to the represen-
tative. “I have been trying to get him to speak during Lights On Afterschool for 5 years … everything fell into place this year.” Rep. Buck, a former alderman in Holly Springs, is a member of the NAACP and advisor to the Boys Scouts of America. A native of Tupelo, he is a three-term representative and married with three children. “He is the oldest of seven children and knows about the opportunity of being given a chance,” said Grice. “On Thursday, he will laying down his political hat and talking about the importance of young people.” The local club will be one Please see LIGHTS | 2
Classmate benefit
Adamsville High School sophomore Laura Shiver and the AHS art class painted several different pumpkins to raise money for Adamsville freshman Lucas Scott of Michie. The pumpkins were auctioned during a community benefit on Friday night. Organizers helped raise close to $8,000 during a spaghetti supper, silent and live auction and cake walk during the night. Scott has been hospitalized since February.
Index Stocks........7 Classified......14 Comics...... 13 Wisdom...... 12
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Department of Tennessee which includes all of Tennessee and Kentucky west of the Tennessee River as well as North Mississippi and Cairo, Ill. He immediately begins plans to seize the initiative and commence operations against Vicksburg.