Tishomingo County Eight students score over 30 on ACT
Pickwick Veterans play golf today for free
Sports Regular basketball season begins locally
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Daily Corinthian
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Vol. 119, No. 270
• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
New sheriff takes over jail, prison BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Sheriff-elect Ben Caldwell is getting an early start on part of his new job. The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors voted in a special meeting on Tuesday to contract with Caldwell for management of both the regional correctional facility and county jail effective immediate-
ly. Sheriff Charles Rinehart, whose term expires at the end of the year, gave his consent. The board approved Caldwell’s request to hire Allen Lyles, who works for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, as warden effective Dec. 1 with pay of $4,000 monthly. The move comes after the Mississippi Department of Corrections pulled state inmates from the cor-
rectional facility and gives Caldwell the authority to immediately begin working with MDOC toward the return of inmates. Reimbursements for those prisoners pay the county’s debt on construction of the new facility. “I’ve been in contact with MDOC over the last several days,” said Caldwell. “They don’t want to hold Alcorn County hostage, and they
will work with us and try to speed this process up as much as possible.” About 20 correctional officers are currently laid off because of the lack of inmates. “The most important thing right now is the county and those employees out there and getting the Please see CALDWELL | 5A
Caldwell
Veterans prepare stew luncheon School board wants appointed leader BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The stew is on – almost. Around 400 gallons of Brunswick Stew will be ready to eat by 11 a.m. today at American Legion Post 6. Post 6 veterans were busy all day Tuesday getting ready for the annual free luncheon. The post expects to feed close to 300 people today. Individuals will be able to eat at no cost. Those wanting to take stew home can purchase it for $6 a quart. Veterans got up early to get the 250 pounds of beef, chicken and pork ready in five huge cooking pots. Another 100 gallons each of corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and other seasonings also make up the tasty stew. “We have modified the stew just a little bit,” said Post 6 Commander Tommy Watson of the over 50-year tradition. The stew event is the post’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Money raised from the event will go to fund the many programs of the post. Festivities to honor veterans begin at 10 a.m. today with the 16th Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Corinth. MS Project Package Coordinator and Founder Rickey Pope will serve as parade grand marshal.
BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
American Legion Post 6 members Dwight Johnson (left) and Michael Blome cook beef and pork for today’s Brunswick Stew luncheon set for 11 a.m. at the post.
Putting the authority back where it should be. Alcorn School District leaders united Monday on a resolution which will end the district’s long running use of the electoral process to fill the superintendent of education seat. “It’s a historical decision that will greatly benefit our students,” said board member Russ Nash. “It will take a lot of politics out of the school system and give the authority back to board members.” The resolution urges the Mississippi Legislature and the governor to support the passage of a bill to change the selection of the Alcorn County superintendent from election to appointment by the Alcorn County school board. The board hopes to find a local representative to sponsor the bill and introduce it in January during the next Legislative session. If the bill is approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate, it would appear before the governor to be signed and would become
a law in July 2016. “Coahoma County got it done this year without a problem. I think now is the perfect time for us. With a new superintendent about to take office, it will give us four years to transition to the new process of finding and hiring a superintendent,” said Nash. “This would give us -- the board -- the ability to look for a superintendent not just in this county, but across the state and country as well.” Nash added, “it will also give us the ability to find someone who we think is the best person for the job.” Nash said if passed, the district could seek superintendent selection help from the Mississippi School Boards Association, where he also serves as a board member. Board president Mary Coleman commended her fellow board members for unifying together on the resolution vote. “This is a big step ... but I think it’s a step in the right direction,” she said. Coleman, Nash and the Please see BOARD | 5A
Local veteran reflects Lighthouse Toy Store seeks support on his 24-year career BY BRANT SAPPINGTON
bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
The clock is ticking for those in need to seek help this Christmas from the Lighthouse Foundation Toy Store. Little more than a week is left for people to register for assistance from the annual program that helps provide Christmas gifts to children in struggling families in Alcorn County. The
BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Remembering those who paid the ultimate price for freedom this Veterans Day, Command Sgt. Maj. David D. Mills reflected upon his 24 years of military service. Born and reared in Rocky Mountain, N.C., the reverend was just 17 years old and in the 10th grade when he made the decision to trade his scholastic career in for the life of a solider. Enlisting in the United States Army in December of 1954, Mills was eager to travel the globe and to aid in the war effort. “When you’re young, everyPlease see MILLS | 2A
final day for registration is Thursday, Nov. 19. Foundation Executive Director Gary Caveness said he knows there’s a great need for help as families struggle in a difficult economy and he strongly encourages those in need to get registered for the program. Due to limited financial and volunteer resources, only those who preregister will be able to
receive help when gifts are distributed on Dec. 10. Registration sessions will be held each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through next Thursday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon each day at the foundation on Johns Street. There will also be one evening registration next Tuesday, Nov. 17 Please see STORE | 5A
Annual Christmas Basket Fund begins BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Rev. David D. Mills
It’s the season of giving. A civic organization and local newspaper are combining to put the phrase into action again this Christmas season. The 20th Annual Corinth
Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund will begin receiving applications, starting today through Friday, Nov. 20. An application for the basket fund can be found on Page 2 in today’s newspaper. Applications for the yearly
project are also available at the newspaper office at 1607 South Harper Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Deadline to accept applications is 4 p.m. on Nov. 20. Please see BASKET | 5A
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House numbering begins for the county’s upcoming new Enhanced 911 system. Jim Loncar, E-911 coordinator, says all homes and other buildings must have consistent numbers for the system to work.
Kingsford Manufacturing Company breaks ground on its new plant near Glen. Director of Manufacturing Solids Jeff Brubaker praised the community and officials for support of the project.
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