Prentiss County State tourism official to speak in Booneville.
Tippah County Ripley lawmaker switches parties.
Tishomingo County Belmont native wins eighth CMA award.
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Friday Nov. 6,
2015
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 266
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • Two sections
C Spire drops Corinth fiber plans BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The chief executive officer of C Spire has indicated to the City of Corinth that the company is not currently working toward deployment of residential fiber service in the city.
On behalf of the city board, Alderman Chip Wood contacted C Spire CEO Hu Meena to request an update on the company’s intentions regarding the 1 gigabit per second Fiber to the Home service. As a former market manag-
er for C Spire, it is something Wood gets asked about frequently. “Currently our resources are fully committed to bringing fiber to communities that have solidly proven they want it the most,” Meena wrote in reply.
“Therefore, we are unable to build out in Corinth at this time.” But he does not shut the door entirely, saying he is unable to speculate “what might be worked out in the future.” Last December, Corinth met
the required number of preregistration signups in the area from Shiloh Road north. Wood said the company then had another target number for signed service contacts, and that numPlease see FIBER | 6A
Food fundraiser benefits chapel 2 charged in Coke
machine break-ins
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@hotmail.com
An apple a day might keep the doctor away. The First United Methodist Women hope four cases of the fruit can generate some funds. Nine ladies with the group were busy recently peeling cases of apples for its annual Frozen Food Sale. The annual sale will be part of Red/Green Market on Nov. 21. Money earned through the sale will be used for the preservation of Fillmore Street Chapel. The chapel, which dates back to 1871, is a popular wedding venue in downtown Corinth. The sanctuary is well-suited for musical presentations and competitions due to its acoustics. It is often used for concerts open to the public. The FUMC group uses proceeds to make at least one structural improvement and one cosmetic enhancement to the popular chapel. Five years ago, the women’s group put their cooking expertise to work in an effort to keep the chapel in pristine condition. Around 40 apple pies are planned to be sold during Red/ Green Market. Other popular dishes such as lasagna, chicken divan, chicken spaghetti,
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth police have charged two Alcorn County men in a series of Coke machine break-ins. Matthew Antle, 27, and Torey Studdard, 24, both of County Road 324, Corinth, were arrested Oct. 29 and each charged with grand larceny, felony malicious mischief and possession of burglary tools. The two remained in custody Thursday afternoon with bond set at $30,000. “Beginning in August, we began seeing a series of Coke machine break-ins throughout the city,” said Detective Dell Green. “As of the beginning of October, Coke had reported almost 50 machines vandalized across Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Ann Chappelle mixes items together to put in the crust for 40 apple pies. See related photo on page 6A. cornbread dressing, spaghetti, breakfast enchiladas and sausage rice casserole will also be available at the food sale. “Volunteers cook the casseroles and bring them to the church,” said Gail Stables with the First Methodist Women,
who was busy using an apple peeler to get the massive amount ready for the pies. The group’s booth will be located on the southeast corner of the CARE Garden. Beginning at 8 a.m., food will be sold on a first come and first served basis.
King offers advice to tourism board BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking to take the next step to bring more tourists to the area. Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Project Manager Bobby King is helping the tourism board in their quest. King met with a few of the tourism board members during an informal roundtable discussion on Thursday. “It’s not that things are so bad here,” said board member Laura Albright. “We just want to make it better … we are interested in making this work.” King left the board with several things to think about. “Tourism is about what you have that I can’t get anywhere else,” he said. “You are who you are … do what you do best.” King passed along some Fiscal Year 2015 estimated num-
several counties in Mississippi and one in Tennessee.” A review of surveillance footage at several of the sites led police to identify the two men as suspects. Green said they were apprehended in the county with the assistance of the sheriff’s department following surveillance of their residence. A search of the vehicle uncovered evidence from the soda machines, including change drawers and locks. Damage to the machines totaled several thousand dollars. The vandalized machines were at a variety of locations such as gas stations, parks and businesses. Charges in other jurisdictions are anticipated. Detective Adam Rencher investigated the case.
bers to the group. Mississippi is projected to see an economic impact of $6.1 billion from visitor spending in FY 2015. “Mississippi has a healthy tourism economy,” said King. “Tourism is the third to fourth largest industry in the state.” Tourism boards across the state face five challenges, according to King. 1. Understanding their local and private legislation and board responsibly 2. Fulfilling constituent expectations while staying within the law 3. Setting annual short term goals developed internally by the board and staff 4. Setting longer term goals based on board, community and partner input 5. Establishing an annual Program of Work (POW) covering all major aspects of the
organization “Make sure you have some achievable goals,” said King. “More transparency to the public builds better constituents.” The project manager told the local board it has three opportunities in the next fiscal year. “You have a wonderful product to create a greater awareness of Corinth to a much broader audience,” he said. “It’s not about more money, but putting it where it needs to be … where it will give a solid payback.” The board also has an opportunity to generate a higher CVB revenue which means higher sales tax collections and to facilitate a renewed Corinth spirit of hospitality among local citizens. “You are trying to unite a community,” said King. “Change has to come from your heart and not from the books.”
Tuesday crash kills one BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
An Iuka man died in a onevehicle crash in Alcorn County Tuesday night. Coroner Jay Jones identified the victim as Timothy Tigner, 46. The crash, reported at 9:04 p.m., happened on County
Road 107 near the Five Points intersection east of Corinth. Jones said Tigner was driving a Toyota Camry and apparently lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a tree. Funeral services for Tigner are set for 1 p.m. today at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka.
Veterans Day events set BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
American Legion Post 6 is going hog wild for veterans. The local post kicks off Veterans Day activities on Saturday with its Freedom Ride. Members of the Post 6 also will be selling barbecue plates for $8, starting at 11 a.m. The ride, which covers 110 miles through Alcorn, Prentiss, Tishomingo and Tippah counties, is slated to begin at 1 p.m. “There will be no fee to ride,” said American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Department Historian Tina Hurst. Riders are welcome to make donations, according to Hurst. The 16th Annual Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Following a brief ceremony at the Alcorn County Court-
house, Post 6 will host its annual stew luncheon around 11 a.m. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary will draw the winner of a patriotic quilt made by Mary Dell Dicks during the luncheon and bake sale. Dicks, a longtime quilter, produced a multi-color quilt which consists of 19 different stars along with 20 small flags and one bigger flag. “All money received during the events go toward local veteran programs,” said Hurst. “The money doesn’t leave this area.” Some of the programs sponsored by the local post includes Boys State, Girls State, oratorical contest for high school students, flag etiquette at schools and other numerous programs of the organization.
25 years ago
10 years ago
Jimmy Tate Waldon cruises to reelection to the Alcorn School District Board of Trustees. Waldon was unopposed for another term as the fifth district representative on the board.
The Merchants Association of Downtown Corinth begins efforts to promote retail and shopping in the city. Heidi Ducote, president of the group, says they hope to draw attention to the vibrant retail scene downtown.
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