102017 dc e edition

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McNairy Co. Former assistant district attorney is indicted

Prentiss Co. Booneville aldermen address speed bumps

Region NEMCC prepares to host band contest

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Friday Oct. 20,

2017

75 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 251 •

Partly sunny Today

Tonight

78

54

0% chance of rain

Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections

Local schools perform well in state ratings KHS ranks fourth in the state, Alcorn Central gets first A rating BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Consistency may be key for two local high school’s recent academic success. The Alcorn School District’s Alcorn Central High School and Kossuth High School each received “A� accountability grades from the Mississippi Department of Education on Thursday, and school leaders

are enthusiastic. ACHS principal Brandon Quinn and KHS principal Travis Smith have each been at the helm of their school for three years. As the two former basketball coaches entered their fourth year in August, consistency among school administration became the new normal. ACHS’s “A� grade is a first for the school since MDE began

Smith

Quinn

using the accountability letter grades more than six years ago. Last year, the school received a “B� grade. “This is huge,� said Quinn. “It’s a great representation of the hard work that the staff and

students have put in over the last few years.� KHS also improved from a “B� last year to a “A� this year. Kossuth last received an “A� in the 2014-15 school year. “When I returned to Kossuth three years ago, I inherited an amazing staff and awesome students that simply needed a bit of consistency to steady the ship,� said Smith. “We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our students and staff.� In addition to a top letter grade, KHS also excelled in

MDE accountability points. The school received 847 points, which ranked them as the fourth best overall high school in the state among 1,000 point schools. Points are calculated based on a number of items including how well students perform and progress on assessment tests for English language arts and Mathematics. It also factors in the four-year graduation rate, student performance on Biology, U.S. History and ACT tests Please see SCHOOLS | 2A

Moving forward at Farmington Schools see big success in latest state ratings BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Staff Photo by L.A. Story

Farmington Alderman Johnny Potts (from left), Ricky Newcomb (Newcomb Engineering, Inc.), Farmington Deputy Clerk Amanda Lee, Mayor Dale Fortenberry, Melinda Whited (Representative for Congressman Trent Kelly), Farmington Alderman Luther Rhodes, Farmington Alderman Shane Harvell, contractor Josh Marlar and Farmington Police Chief Keith Little gather to look over plans for the Farmington City Park and see the progress as dirt work has begun on the park’s walking trail.

Progress continues on new park BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com

FARMINGTON — The Mayor of Farmington said significant progress is being made on the Farmington City Park property. Mayor Dale Fortenberry said dirt work began Tuesday on the park’s walking trail. The trail, which will be just over a mile long and 10 feet wide, is funded by a $120k grant recently awarded to the City of

Farmington by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Recreational Trails Program. The park, located off the Kimberly-Clark Parkway, is a gently rolling 24-acre property that will include the walking trail, veterans memorial garden, pavilion and restrooms. It is also planned to include an open-air amphitheater. It is located across from the Joel Bridges property where there

is a lake alongside the road. “It felt good to see them pushing dirt around those little flags marking the trail. I don’t think we thought a year ago ... we couldn’t dream of what kind of park we were going to have. We couldn’t even see much of anything except briars, sweet gum saplings and pine trees, but it will be here before long,� said Fortenberry. Please see PARK | 2A

Three Alcorn County schools received top grades on the latest state accountability ratings, and one is ranked among the best. The Mississippi Department of Education released letter grades for schools and districts based on the state’s A-F accountability system on Thursday. Kossuth High School is ranked as the fourth best high school in the state, according to MDE. Kossuth improved from a “Bâ€? in 2016 to a “Aâ€? among 1,000 point schools this year. Alcorn Central High also improved from a “Bâ€? to an “Aâ€?, while Kossuth Elementary retained their “Aâ€? grade from the previous year. “The Alcorn School District is pleased with the progress each school is making,â€? said Superintendent Larry B. Mitchell. As a whole, the district retains a “Bâ€? accountability letter grade. The district received 643 total points and is ranked 28th overall among 147 other districts statewide. Corinth School District remains the only school to not be graded during the accountability system due to their District of Innovation status. Corinth Superintendent Lee Childress said city schools and

MDE are still working on the development of a differentiated accountability model. “Last year was our first year to administer Cambridge Exams in grades 3-8 and we will be working with the Mississippi Department of Education on how to incorporate these results into an accountability system that measures both achievement and growth,â€? said Childress. “We anticipate completing this work during this school year and having an accountability rating assigned (next year).â€? Individual county schools also retaining the same grade from the previous year include Kossuth Middle, “Bâ€?; Biggersville Elementary, “Câ€?; and Biggersville High, “Câ€?. Alcorn Central Elementary improved from a “Dâ€? to a “Câ€?, while Alcorn Central Middle was the only county school to receive a lower grade than the previous year. ACMS fell from a “Bâ€? in 2015-16 to a “Câ€? in 201617. “Alcorn Central Middle School’s new principal Jeff Boren has already put a strategic plan in place to improve the overall performance,â€? said Mitchell. “These changes are evidence of the progress which the Alcorn Please see RATINGS | 2A

Weekend walk in Tupelo brings meaning and hope to community BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com

TUPELO — The Out of the Darkness Walk takes it name seriously because that is precisely what participants set out to do — end the darkness of suicide and bring about the light of awareness and hope. The Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk will begin with registration at 12 p.m. Saturday at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Tupelo. Registration is free, but donations are welcomed. “Donations are accepted and very much appreciated to help with the cost of American

Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education materials, educational flyers and handouts and helps support our Survivor Day which will be held on Nov. 18, said Marsha Jensen, member — Mississippi Chapter of the AFSP and event chair for the North Mississippi Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk. She said there will be hamburgers, pizza slices and AFSP merchandise available for sale such as T-shirts, bracelets, keychains and water bottles. Jensen said one can register as a team or an individual the day of the walk. One does not

even necessarily have to “walk� — just come out and support and/or donate. Some of the activities will begin as early as 1 p.m. with a dance performance by a member of one of the registered teams. The speakers will start around 1:25 to 1:30 p.m. followed by a prayer and the balloon release. After the balloon release, the walk will begin. The walk itself is a simple mile-long trek, but she said next year it will return to being a 3K walk. After the walk, there will be prizes for first and second place for Top Fundraiser and first

25 years ago

The newly renovated Mall of Corinth is renamed Harper Square Mall by owner Truitt Stockton. Â

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them. On the college level, the DVD “It’s Real� is given to college students in Mental Health and shows them people — some of whom are suicide attempt survivors — and how they were helped. In a prior interview, Jenson had said, “Getting information regarding suicide to people is important because the suicide rate is extremely high right now,� said Jensen. “The suicide rate in the state of Mississippi is the twelfth leading cause of death. One person dies by suiPlease see WALK | 2A

10 years ago

Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church celebrates its 150th anniversary. Â

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place for Top Team fundraiser and they will hand out door prizes, announce the fundraising total and have the closing ceremony. Support is important for the organization because the AFSP’s education program helps to raise awareness and provide hope for everyone, including some of those among the highest risk age groups. DVDs are provided to high schools where students can view the “More Than Sad� program. The informational DVD discusses awareness, prevention and helps relate to the students there is help available for

*: ALL DEALS & PAYMENTS ARE PLUS TAX & TITLE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THESE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OR PAYMENT SHOWN. DOCUMENT PROCESSING FEE NOT INCLUDED. ALL DEALER DISCOUNTS, MANUFACTURES’ REBATES ALREADY APPLIED TO PURCHASE PRICE UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE. PRIOR DEALS EXCLUDED. FROM DEALER STOCK ONLY; NO DEALER TRANSFERS AT THESE PRICES. ACTUAL VEHICLE MAY DIFFER FROM PICTURE. DUE TO PUBLICATION DEADLINES VEHICLE MAY ALREADY BE SOLD. RESIDENTIAL RESTRICTIONS MAY AFFECT REBATES ALLOWED. SEE SALESPERSON FOR DETAILS. #: INCLUDES THE CHRYSLER CAPITAL FINANCE REBATE WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE THRU THEM TO GET THE PRICE &/OR PAYMENT SHOWN. ^: INCLUDES CHRYSLER NON- PRIME FINANCE BONUS CASH WHICH REQUIRES FINANCING THRU CHRYSLER CAPITAL. SEE SALESPERSON FOR QUALIFICATIONS. ^^: INCLUDES $1000 BROSE TRADE ASSIST WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO TRADE IN A VEHICLE. DEALS GOOD UNTIL 10.27.17.


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