Don’t forget to vote today! Polls open 7-7 McNairy County Pickwick Sports City of Selmer elections State park’s new cabins Pigskin Picks winner set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be complete next year. for Week 10 announced. Page 3
Tuesday Nov. 3,
2015
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 263
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • One section
20 correctional officers furloughed BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Approximately 20 correctional officers are affected by the furlough in place at the Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility. Sheriff Charles Rinehart submitted a list of the employees to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors Monday morning. The layoff is expected to be
temporary until the situation with state inmates is resolved. Rinehart said representatives of the WIN Job Center met with the employees on Friday. Following Thursday’s removal of state inmates by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, some of the affected workers were shifted to duties with the county jail. The board approved the transfer of
another to the Juvenile Detention Center, which was in need of another male officer on staff, the sheriff said. In other matters affecting the jail, the board went into executive session to discuss its contract for jail accreditation consulting services with Mississippi Correctional Management, Inc. After reopening the meeting, the board voted to ter-
minate that contract. The county had continued its relationship with Irb Benjamin’s MCM for accreditation purposes after MCM’s involvement in day-today management ended. In other business: ■ The board made a number of reappointments to boards of directors — Sandy Mitchell, Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; Lex Mitch-
ell, Magnolia Regional Health Center; J.C. Hill, Alcorn County Human Resource Agency; Doug Mitchell, Tuscumbia Water Management District; and Robert Wolfe, Michael McCalla and Danny Joe Turner, The Alliance. ■ Supervisors approved use of the courthouse grounds during Veterans Day parade activities on Nov. 11.
MDOC: No more payments Voters will decide fate BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
The Mississippi Department of Corrections says it will make no further payments to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors following last week’s contract suspension and removal of inmates from the Alcorn Regional Correctional Facility. “MDOC’s legal staff is looking at whether we have a continuing obligation to make payments,” said Grace Fisher, MDOC Communications Director. “But, considering the ongoing criminal investigation and the egregious breach of the current contract, it is our position that no further payment should be made.” Board of Supervisors President Lowell Hinton had said he believed MDOC would be required to continue making monthly payments to the county whether inmates are being housed or not. The county faces a loss of
“MDOC’s legal staff is looking at whether we have a continuing obligation to make payments. But considering the ongoing criminal investigation and the egregious breach of the current contract, it is our position that no further payment should be made.” Grace Fisher MDOC Communications Director more than $442,000 in revenue if inmates are not returned by January. All 240 state inmates were removed from the jail on Oct. 29 by MDOC agents following an investigation by the State Auditor’s office. Agents cited public safety, mismanagement and misuse of funds as reasons for the shutdown. According to Hinton, Sheriff Charles Rinehart was in charge
of the jail at the time of the suspension. MDOC has said state inmates would not be returned to Alcorn County until after a new sheriff is elected. “MDOC is not confident in the ability of the current administration to perform in the best interest of public safety,” added Fisher. Today’s general election will decide Rinehart’s replacement, however the sheriff elect will not take office until January.
of Tish Co. liquor sales BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
IUKA — Voters will again get the chance today to help decide the fate of liquor sales in Tishomingo County. The “for” or “against” vote will join an already crowded general election ballot. In September, the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors accepted a 1,600 signature petition from A Coalition for a Dry Tishomingo County member Tony Curtis. The petition was presented to the board just in time to appear on today’s ballot. Liquor sales have been legal in Tishomingo County since a May 2013 election saw the liquor referendum pass by just 42 votes. Voters approved the sale of liquor and beer in that election. State law states liquor refer-
Although recent political talk has been dominated by the liquor reform vote, several other races are also garnering the attention of locals ahead of today’s general election. endums can be held every two years. The official ballot language reads, “an election has been ordered on the issue of whether or not the sale, distribution
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Craft Ladies make items for annual open house BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Santa’s helpers have been busy. The Magnolia Regional Health Center Craft Ladies have made numerous items for next week’s annual Christmas open house of the gift shop. “There are a bunch of new items,” said MRHC Auxiliary’s Linda Carpenter. All items are handmade. Things such as blankets, gloves and all kinds of decorative items will be available outside the gift shop on a table. The open house will be held
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Magnolia Regional Health Center Craft Ladies Betty James (left) and Lucy Duffy get items ready for the annual Christmas open house at the gift shop. See related photo on page 2.
Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Lucy Duffy always comes up with some really cute Christmas items,” said Carpenter. “The Craft Ladies have all kinds of neat things ready for the open house.” Proceeds from the shop are used to purchase newborn blankets, medication for patients who cannot afford it along with equipment and renovations at the rehab center of the hospital. The auxiliary also uses proceeds to award scholarships to medical students each June. The gift shop is located near Entrance B of the hospital.
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Salvation Army officials announce plans to open a new store and office in Corinth. Unit Chairman Doris Baker says the move will establish a local Salvation Army Service Center serving the area.
John W. Little is sworn in as mayor of Glen. He follows in the footsteps of his late father, Bobby Little, who passed away while in office on Oct. 8.
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