102315 daily corinthian e edition

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Prentiss County Tax assessor to step down early

Tishomingo County Couple helps protect those who protect and serve

McNairy County Police warn residents of doctor scam

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Friday Oct. 23,

2015

75 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 254

Partly sunny Today

Tonight

81

64

0% chance of rain

• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • Two sections

District works to lift graduation rate BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Alcorn School District board president Mary Coleman is concerned about her district’s graduation rate. “Our current rate is 77 percent,” said Coleman. “That

seems pretty low.” A new state mandate requires school districts attain at least a 85 percent graduation rate by the 2018-19 school year. Failure to meet the requirement will result in the district grade dropping.

Coleman and her fellow board members approved a new dropout prevention plan earlier this month. Among the changes include a restructuring of student scheduling in the middle schools and more credit bearing courses.

Last year, the district realigned its goals to the state’s goals and acted to increase the graduation rate to 85 percent, reduce the dropout rate by 50 percent and reduce the truancy rate by 50 percent. “To achieve these goals the

district has introduced more Carnegie Unit courses at seventh and eighth grade classes at Biggersville, Alcorn Central and Kossuth,” said Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith. Please see GRADUATION | 2A

Explaining the Initiative Lighthouse thrift

store closing doors BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

Staff photo by Jebb Johnston

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann (center) speaks with (from left) Frank Davis, Bill Davis and Sam McDonald following a talk before Corinth Rotary on Thursday.

Hosemann clarifies Initiative 42 process BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann visited Corinth Thursday to try to help sort out some of the confusion surrounding Initiative 42. The proposal on education funding takes up a chunk of the Nov. 3 general election ballot with a description of Initiative

Measure 42 and the Legislature’s Alternative Measure 42A. If nothing else, it is unusual. “It’s the first time in history that we’ve had competing amendments,” said Hosemann during a talk with Corinth Rotary. Initiative 42, brought to the ballot by petition, says the state “shall provide for the es-

tablishment, maintenance and support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools. The chancery courts of this state shall have the power to enforce this section with appropriate injunctive relief.” Proponents say this is needed because schools haven’t been Please see INITIATIVE | 2A

The Lighthouse Foundation is getting out of the thrift store business. The foundation’s thrift store, located next to The Open Market on U.S. Highway 72, will close at the end of October after four years of fundraising and ministry. The decision is based on finances and stewardship of resources, said foundation Executive Director Gary Caveness. He said during the last few years the store has simply not brought in enough to justify the time and expense required to keep it open. It’s final day will be Oct. 31. More than just a fundraising project, the store has turned out to be blessing in all areas of the foundation’s ministry. “The thrift store was originally started as a way to raise funds for Lighthouse programs. While this hasn’t worked out as intended, the store has actually broadened the scope of our ministry to the hurting families in the community,” Caveness said. Items donated to the store

Parade will honor veterans BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Judgement House brings message of hope BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

SELMER, Tenn. — Insecurities and pressure. Teenagers deal with them all too often. First Baptist Church-Selmer wants young people to know there is an answer to defeating the judgement of others. The solution can be found in Jesus Christ. FBC’s goal is to influence others for Jesus during its 12th Annual Judgement House, beginning Sunday at 4 p.m. “Treasured” is also scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 from 4-9 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 1

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Please see MESSAGE | 6A

Emma (Abbie Sweat) tries to convince Michelle (Molly Grace King) there is a better solution than turning to pills.

have allowed the foundation to provide clothes and other essentials to people rebuilding their lives after fires, other tragedies or getting out of prison. It also provided two full-time jobs and numerous opportunities for volunteer service. “We’re sorry to see the store close but our board of directors feels it’s financially necessary at this time,” the director said. Caveness thanked Sheila Hurst, Willie Key and all the employees and volunteers who have worked so hard to support the store through the years. He asked the community to continue to support the store during its final days and come by to visit and shop. While one chapter of outreach and service is closing for the foundation, the future remains bright. The group continues to serve the youth of the community with opportunities to learn and to connect with the message of hope through Christ. Caveness said they will continue to find new and innovative ways to support the ministry and provide for those who are hurting and struggling.

A local veteran would like to see Fillmore Street packed on Nov. 11. The 16th Annual Veterans Day Parade is slated for 10 a.m. that day. “We owe our very existence to God,” said parade organizer Bobby McDaniel. “We also owe Him for our troops who protect us every day.” McDaniel expects around 50 entries to take part in the annual parade down Fillmore and Cruise. “All of the high school bands will take part,” he said. “I also want to encourage every Boy and Girl Scout Troop to attend.” MS Project Package Coordinator and Founder Rickey Pope will serve as parade grand marshal. “Rickey and volunteers have been responsible for

sending over 60,000 packages to service personnel,” McDaniel said. It costs Project Package $6,000 to send a package to everyone serving from the mid-south. Mid-South Project Package, a volunteer 501 c 3, organization, sends around 600 packages out every month. Cost to mail the boxes are $11 per package. Following the parade, which begins at First Baptist Church, a brief ceremony will take place at the Alcorn County Courthouse. “It won’t last long, maybe 30 minutes,” added McDaniel. American Legion Post 6 will be cooking stew the night before the parade. A meal will be served at Post 6 at 11 a.m. after the parade. “Stew will also be available for people to buy Please see PARADE | 2A

25 years ago

10 years ago

Corinth Rotary Club brings the Carson and Barnes Circus to Corinth. Rotary President Ernie Rice describes the program as a fun-filled fundraiser for the club.

Corinth native Airman First Class Timothy Jeremiah Faulkner, a 2000 Corinth High School graduate, is honored by the Air Force for his hard work and dedication to duty as a member of the Civil Engineering squadron at the U.S. air base operating at Baghdad International Airport.

286.6006

HWY 72 E • Corinth MS www.brosenissan.com


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