Saturday Dec. 6,
2014
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 285
Cloudy Today
Tonight
60
39
40% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • 1 section
City may consider e-cigarette rules BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
City of Corinth leaders may consider a public ban on electronic cigarettes. Emily McGrath, project director of the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Alcorn and Tippah County, made a brief presentation on e-cigs to the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen this week and presented a suggested ordinance. The board did not engage in a discussion of whether to proceed with an ordinance, but Mayor Tommy Irwin later said he expects it is something the city will give consideration. Alderman at Large Mike Hopkins,
a former smoker who uses electronic cigarettes, said he would support an e-cig public ban. A number of Mississippi municipalities have already placed limitations on the use of e-cigs in public. McGrath said she has had a number of questions from the community about electronic
cigarettes and related vapor products. “There are no regulations right now, which is very scary,” said McGrath. There is no age restriction, and McGrath said use is particularly growing among collegeaged people. “The health consequences of
the use of e-cigarettes and the exposure secondhand to e-cigarette emissions are unknown … The use of e-cigarettes in public places and workplaces also may complicate the effort to enforce and comply with smoke-free laws,” she said. Please see RULES | 2
Man faces meth, marijuana charges Staff reports
Corinth police made a felony drug arrest following a traffic stop on Wednesday. Steven Flax, 21, of South Parkway Street, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of mari-
juana. Bond was set at $3,000. Detective Dell Green said Flax was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Officer Matt Wood, and he was found to have a small bag of marijuana and approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine on his person.
Winter Bazaar offers unique gifts BY KIMBERLY SHELTON
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Rienzi Elementary School kindergarten student Clarabeth Newell won first place in the kindergarten individual fiction category of the Alcorn School District Reading Fair competition.
Fair gets kids excited about books BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Rienzi Elementary School kindergarten student Clarabeth Newell got a little excited Thursday night. Dressed in a bright red ladybug costume, the six-year-old sat on the edge of her front
row seat as winners were announced during the Alcorn School District Reading Fair at the Mississippi State Extension Center in Corinth. As Elementary Curriculum Director Tammy Johnson stood in front of the standing room only crowd of kids and their
parents, she announced first place in the kindergarten individual fiction category. “Ekk ... I won, I won,” Clarabeth said as she bolted from her seat. “I can’t believe I won.” The youngster took top honPlease see BOOKS | 2
kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
The Easom Community Center will hold a Winter Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Easom Gym at 700 South Crater Street on Saturday, Dec. 20. “It is going to be a great shopping experience,” said Samuel Crayton chairman of the Easom Foundation. “There will be food and fun for everyone.” Held in conjunction with the 3 p.m. Children’s Christmas Play, the Bazaar will fea-
Teen uses Christmas spirit to aid charities Restaurants to compete for best decorations
ture crafts, handmade goods, clothing, accessories, home decor, unique Christmas gift items and baskets. “Please come join us as a shopper or vendor,” said Crayton. “The registration deadline for our vendors is Monday, Dec. 15.” (Those who wish to sell their items by becoming vendors may call 662-2847361 for more information about associated fees and how to obtain a registration form.)
“We’ve been looking at other communities in the surrounding area and decided that is was time to start a decorating tradition of our own.” Lynn Fielding Town clerk
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Aylah Chelmowski wants to stir things up for Christmas. The 13-year-old is out to raise money for a small orphanage in Ecuador and a local charity during Christmas. To accomplish her goal, Chelmowski needs help from local restaurants to make her Christmas Spirit Program (CSP) pay off for the charities. “Spirit is something we need to work on during this time of year,” said Chelmowski. CSP is a competition between restaurants to see which one has the best Christmas decorations. “I came up with the idea while sitting in a restaurant,” said the 13-year-old. According to Chelmowski, the winner of the contest will be determined by a panel of judges and patrons of the establishment. “They will be graded on friendliness, service and of course decor,” she said. “The winning restaurant gets a plaque and small cash prize.” Cost to enter the contest is $25. Restaurants have until Monday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. to take part in the contest. As of Thursday afternoon, eight food establishments have jumped on board. “I think it is a great idea,” said
Lights to brighten holiday season at the Glen Town Hall BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Aylah Chelmowski hopes to raise money for an orphanage and local charity through the Christmas Spirit Program.
“They will be graded on friendliness, service and of course decor. The winning restaurant gets a plaque and small cash prize.” Aylah Chelmowski Chelmowski’s mother, Barbara. “Now we have to see if we can get some people involved.” All proceeds will be split between the orphanage and charity. “I like to see all the decorations during Christmas,” said Aylah.
“Hopefully, I can raise $300-$500 for charity.” Individuals can vote for participating restaurants by texting 662594-4322. Deadline to vote for the best decorations is Dec. 22.
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
Casting light on a joyful season, the Glen Town Hall recently added a sparkling display of lights to the exterior of their building. “We’ve been looking at other communities in the surrounding area and decided that is was time to start a decorating tradition of our own,” said Town Clerk Lynn Fielding. “We plan on holding an annual Christmas lighting.” Illuminated with shapes of reindeer, doves, a Christmas tree, Santa and his sleigh and the words “Peace on Earth”, the hall is decked out with whimsical figures. Santa waves to those passing by as icicle lights
hang and glisten from the gazebo. A guiding star sits atop, a beacon of hope and brighter days ahead. The multi-colored lights come on somewhere between 4:30 and 5 p.m. and stay lit until daylight. “We put the lights up shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday because we had the necessary funds available and felt like it was a great way to be able to give back to the community,” said Fielding. “We’ve had several positive comments about them already and hope that everyone will take the opportunity to come out and enjoy them.” The lights will remain up until after New Year.
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. Grant is losing patience with Gen. Thomas at Nashville. He again orders Thomas to go on the offensive against Hood, but Thomas waits — this time for fresh horses for his cavalry. Grant plans to remove Thomas from command.