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Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 256
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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26 pages • Two sections
Voters to decide hunting rights issue BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Voters will decide if the right to hunt and fish should be added to the state’s constitution when House Concurrent Resolution 30 appears on the general election ballot on Tuesday. The amendment reads: “This proposed constitutional amendment establishes hunting, fishing, and the harvesting of wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, as a constitutional right subject only to such regulations and restrictions that promote wildlife conservation and management as the Legislature may prescribe by general law.”
If passed, the vote would add language to the current constitution, which would make it harder to change in the future since doing so requires legislative action followed by approval of voters. The initiative sponsored by District 1 Rep. Lester “Bubba” Carpenter (R-Alcorn, Tishomingo), is the latest in a string of proposed changes to state constitutions across the country that have placed right-to-hunt measures before voters. “We’re hoping to send a message to the rest of the country that we are passionate about our hunting and fishing,” said Carpenter. “We don’t want any-
body dabbling with our sportsmen’s way of life.” Carpenter isn’t alone in his passion to give people stronger hunting and fishing rights. “It’s no secret that Mississippians love to hunt and fish,” said District 2 Rep. Nick Bain (D-Alcorn). “I support it 100 percent and it should be an easy decision for voters.” Seventeen states currently guarantee the right to hunt and fish in their constitutions, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Supporters of the Mississippi initiative are motivated by concerns over animal rights groups that have challenged hunting
rights elsewhere. “It is our right to protect and treasure hunting and fishing traditions for future generations of sportsmen,” added life-long hunter Bain. “We must preserve our rights to hunt and fish.” The proposal won’t change the Mississippi wildlife commission’s ability to regulate hunting and fishing or the legislature’s ability pass hunting and fishing laws. The measure also won’t affect laws regarding trespass, property rights, maintenance of levees or regulation of commercial activities. The amendment vote will appear alongside the controversial Senate race between Democrat
Travis Childers and six-term Republican incumbent Thad Coahran on Tuesday. Reform party candidate Shawn O’Hara is also seeking that office. The ballot also includes the race for U.S Representative between Republican incumbent Alan Nunnelee and Democratic challenger Ron Dickey. Also on Tuesday’s ballot is the area’s lone contested judicial race between incumbent Circuit Court Judge Paul Funderburk and challenger Dennis Farris of Mantachie. Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Unemployment remains lower than prior year Alcorn’s rate 1.4 percent under September ’13 BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Tom Parson has authored a book detailing the Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg. The publication can be found at the bookstores at Shiloh, Corinth Interpretive Center and Books-A-Million.
Work for Giants Ranger’s quest for history leads to new book BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Tom Parson knows how to tell a good story. Parson dishes out Civil War history on a daily basis as a ranger at the Civil War Interpretive Center. It was through an effort to increase his own skills when he came up with the idea to pen the book “Work for Giants – The Campaign and Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg, Missis-
sippi, June-July 1864.” “By trying to increase my own knowledge, I started collecting material for the book,” said Parson. The book, a second for Parson, focuses on details of the overlooked campaign in Lee County. He also takes readers on post-battle and post-war efforts to minimize the outcome of a Union victory. “There were not any good in-depth studies on the battle,”
said the ranger in compiling material. “I found most of the post-war accounts tended to perpetuate myths about the battle.” In fact, the author has an entire chapter looking at the myths. Parson, a native of Sylmar, Calif., researched untapped diaries, letters, journals and eyewitness accounts for five Please see PARSON | 2A
Event offers help for holiday grief BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Making the holidays more bearable, Legacy Hospice of the South is helping others cope with grief during the most trying time of the year. The hospice will hold a conference from 11 a.m. until noon
on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 901 Fillmore Street in the conference room of First United Methodist Church. The event will focus on the devastating effects of grief and what survivors can do to help them endure the loss of loved ones.
“For those experiencing a loss, the holidays can be extremely painful months that make the festive season difficult,” said Callie Emmons, a social worker at Legacy Hospice. “We invite everyone to
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Please see GRIEF | 2A
Alcorn County’s unemployment rate ticked slightly upward in September but remained sharply below the figure from a year ago. The latest figures released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security show the county’s September unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, up from 6.4 percent for August. The rate stood at 8 percent in
September 2013. The statewide unemployment rate moved from 7.4 percent in August to 7.3 percent for September. Alcorn County had the 13th lowest rate among the state’s 82 counties. Clay County posted the state’s highest rate at 15.1 percent while Rankin County had the lowest rate in the state at 4.8 percent. Alcorn also had the lowest rate for September among immediately surrounding counties. The county’s rate of 6.6 percent was followed by Tishomingo at 7.4 percent, Prentiss at 7.8 percent at Tippah At 8.6 percent.
Businesses unite to battle hunger BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Local merchants and business owners are on a mission to “Stock the Pantry” in time for the holiday season. “Grace Curtis and I came up with this idea as a way of giving back to the community,” said Julia Smith, co-owner of Smith. restaurant. “We would love to see the shelves at the Amen Food Pantry full.” For every donation of four canned goods, non-perishable items or monetary contribution, good Samaritans will receive a 10 percent off discount toward their purchases at participating stores from Monday, Nov. 3, through Saturday, Nov. 8. Some exclusions do apply. “We will stop giving the discount after Saturday, Nov. 8, but most stores will still have their collection boxes out,” said Grace Curtis, owner of Andie Grace.
With school winding down for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is now more important than ever to replenish pantry shelves. “For many kids, the lunch they get at school is their only meal,” said Smith. “Participants who donate at least four canned food items on Friday, Nov. 7 will receive a ticket for a free craft beer donated by Clark Beverage.” Participating businesses are Smith., Andie Grace, Blazing Noodlez, Ann’s of Corinth, T. Feazell, Clausel Jewelry, Little’s Jewelry, Today’s Dolls & Toys, Emma’s Everything, Cafe Mikes, Sanctuary Antiques, SoCo Bakery, Gingers, Adrenaline Plus, Honeysuckle Blu, J. Brown’s, Baxter & Me, Fillmore Street Tattoo, Garrett Eye Clinic, The Venue, The Purple Daisy Boutique, On Location and Simply Southern Boutique & Gifts.
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. Forrest with his captured “navy” gets into a naval battle with two Union paddle wheelers and loses one of his boats. He continues on with the vessel Undine toward Johnsonville, Tenn.