Alcorn County Nelda Elves will ride Saturday
Sports Corinth, ACHS battle on the hardwood
Prentiss County Christmas parade bring ‘rockabilly’
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Friday Nov. 17,
2017
75 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 275
Partly sunny Today
Tonight
66
60
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
Fire destroys Palmer-Handrail Millwork BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — A second massive fire in Alcorn County in four days has destroyed a local business. The 12:30 p.m. Thursday blaze at 35 Alcorn County Road 324 just west of Glen provided a potential dangerous situation due to possible chemical explosions, but 11 fire units representing at least seven departments were able to contain major developments. The blaze destroyed the large Palmer-Handrail Custom Millwork building, according to Alcorn County Assistant Emergency Management Director Jackie Pharr. “It’s a total loss,� said Pharr at the scene. “We are just trying to contain it due to lots of chemicals in there.� Destroyed were a large work area and an upstairs office space. “It’s a big one,� said Pharr, as he directed water tanker after tanker to battle to blaze. “Corinth coming out was a big help,� added Biggersville Fire and Rescue Chief Jonathon Rider, whose Biggersville Rehab truck provided water and other help to some 20 firefighters at the scene. Glen, Farmington, BiggersPlease see FIRE | 2A
Staff photo by Mark Boehler
Firefighters begin attacking the blaze at Palmer-Handrail Custom Millwork about 1 p.m. Thursday. The building was a total loss.
Agency releases survey results BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Corinth police officers check out handcrafted bird houses by Billy Dawson. The extended Red Green Market is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Corinth.
Red Green Market brings 76 vendors BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
The regions finest selection of handcrafted goods will welcome shoppers to this weekend’s annual holiday shopping event, the Red Green Market. While rain is in the forecast for Saturday, organizers hope the showers hold off until after the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. outdoor event is held at the Corinth Depot and C.A.R.E. Honor Garden. Sixty-seven vendors – including 13 new vendors – are currently scheduled to attend the market, according to Crossroads
Museum Executive Director Brandy Steen. “Red Green Market is the best time to start Christmas shopping,� said Steen. “There will be some amazing artisans and craftsmen here offering one of a kind goods. There really isn’t a better gift than a handmade gift. It’s something that will be more meaningful and more cherished by the recipient.� Saturday’s market will mark the last Green Market of the season. The museum will celebrate Please see MARKET | 5A
25 years ago
“A Miracle on Fillmore Street� is announced as the theme for the annual Corinth Christmas parade.
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Corinth is throwing a party, but not inviting anyone. That’s according to Berkeley Young, a research strategist contracted by Visit Corinth to survey area visitors and residents. A total of 1,914 surveys were received earlier this year through web-links, email invitations and social media shares. Young said 647 surveyed were visitors, while 608 were Alcorn County residents. Those surveyed included 553 day trip visitors and 147 overnight visitors – a number Young said needs improvement. “You want more hotel rooms, but your hotel occupancy is below 60 percent. To increase that, you must get more overnight visitors to town. When the average occupancy grows by just a bit, new hotels will want to build here,� said Young. “And that’s needed bad. It’s been 20 years since a new hotel was built in Corinth – I’ve never seen a market go that long.� Corinth’s 290 rooms has garnered the city only a 2.2 percent increase in occupancy rate since 2011. Of the 147 overnight visitors surveyed, 58 percent said shopping and dining was their
primary reason for traveling to Corinth. A little over 11 percent said it was Pickwick Lake or Civil War heritage that got them here. Daytrippers also said shopping and dining was their number one reason to come to Corinth. “Sometimes I have to go into a town or a city where there’s just not a lot there to offer, but Corinth has a lot to work with,� said Young. “God has been very good to Corinth.� Young’s research showed overnight visitors spent an average of $532.15 in Corinth on lodging, dining, shopping and attractions and events, while daytrippers spent only $178.46. Based on tax relief, the yearly average is an increase over 2011. Total visitor spending has seen a 30 percent increase since 2011. Corinth numbers rank 18th statewide behind 7th ranked Tupelo and 11th ranked Oxford. “Downtown Corinth looks amazing. It’s beautiful – the trees are trimmed, the lights on the trees are nice, the sidewalks and streets are clean and the stores are full, but 80 percent of the parking spaces are empty,� said Young. “That means you’re ready for the Please see SURVEY | 2A
10 years ago
Intense rain produces flash flooding in Corinth with more than three feet of water standing in the Harper Square Mall parking lot. 2014 GMC ACADIA SLE STK# 23324A
LOCAL TRADE!