Taste
Wednesday Dec. 17,
2014
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Home & Garden
10 ideas for easy party snacks.
Cassia provides blooms as temperatures drop.
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 294
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 24 pages • 3 sections
Election commissioner to resign BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Keith Settlemires is resigning as a county election commissioner as he prepares to launch a campaign for another county office. He presented his resignation
to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors on Monday. Later, he confirmed that he intends to run for sheriff, which will be an open post with Charles Rinehart not planning to seek reelection. Settlemires said he has en-
joyed serving for the past 10 years as the fourth district election commissioner. “If it’s God’s plan, I look forward to working for the people of Alcorn County in another capacity,” he said. Settlemires, an investigator
Basket fund tops $6,600 The spirit of giving this Christmas season is alive and well in the Alcorn County area. Donations continue to arrive for the 19th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fund raising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 6. Baskets were given away based upon faith the goal will be reached. So far, $6,627 has been raised, meaning $18,373 still needs to be raised to make the goal. Recent donations include $100 from J.E. Newcomb Trucking in memory of James and Bonetha Newcomb; $35 from Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church; $100 from Mason St. Luke Baptist Church; $100 from Brad Brawner in memory of Becky; $100 anonymous gift in memory of Elbert and Mae Mitchell; $200 from Randy Long in honor of extraordinary Rotarians Rob Skelton, Gerald McLemore, Allan Lee, Steve Icardi, Ronnie Sleeper, Dorothy Senf, Phil Hinton and Keith Carlton. Please see FUND | 2A
ACHS hosts ‘holiday hoops’ BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — Alcorn Central has a post-Christmas present ready to be delivered. The high school has plenty of basketball set for Dec. 29-30. The 8th Annual Peggy Bain Holiday Hoops Tournament will see 32 teams battle in two gyms over the two days. “We are excited about the competition,” said Bain’s daughter and Alcorn Central Lady Bears Head Coach Charlette Foster. “I think each pool will be competitive.” Both days of action begins at 9 a.m. with the last contest slated for a 7:30 p.m. start. There is four pools for both boys and girls teams. Admission to each day is $5. “We wanted to keep the cost at $5 for families can come in together and watch some basketball,” said Foster. “Admission is good for both gyms Please see HOOPS | 2A
with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, said the law requires an election commissioner to tender his resignation prior to qualifying to run for another office. His resPlease see RESIGN | 2A
Animal owners will go to trial BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Crossroads Chevrolet Buick GMC owners Brenda Smith and Jeff Smith talk with Region IV Mental Health Center Community Support Specialist Valerie Gunther and Executive Director Charlie Spearman about Region IV’s program to help kids in need.
Donation helps holiday program BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Spreading joy to children who would otherwise go without this Christmas, a local good samaritan has made a generous contribution to the Region IV Mental Health Center. Jeff Smith, owner of Crossroads Chevrolet Buick GMC said he was inspired to give to the center after speaking with one of its caseworkers. “She came in and purchased a vehicle from us and we began talking,” he said. “We had been doing Toys for Tots for several years and were searching for another worthy cause to give back to.
After hearing her story, I felt good about it.” According to the mental health center, 100 percent Smith’s $3,000 donation will directly benefit children and their families in the Crossroads area. “Thanks to his recent monetary donation, our staff will be able to help many children this holiday season,” said Region IV Executive Director Charlie Spearman. “I was very appreciative of his heartfelt contribution to help with the kids we serve.” Each year, the mental health facility attempts to solicit donations in order to
provide children with toys and proper clothing. “Our staff coordinates with local teachers in the city of Corinth and Alcorn County to identify children in need,” said Spearman. “They then go into the homes and see what each child’s needs and wants are. Once the needs have been uncovered, they go out and purchase as many of the items as possible.” Spearman wished to thank Smith and the staff at Region IV for their selfless devotion to others. “The lives of so many families will be enriched due to their efforts,” he said.
The owners of the two large puppy mills raided in October by the Humane Society of the United States and the CorinthAlcorn Animal Shelter made their second appearance in court Tuesday for arraignment. Larry and Juanita Meeks and Orville and Gloria Greenhaw each pleaded not guilty to animal and livestock cruelty, neglect and abuse in connection with the search and seizure of more than 170 abused animals. Shelter representatives are set to present evidence, including hundreds of photos, gathered by investigators during the raids to Judge Jimmy McGee when the trial begins in Alcorn County Justice Court on January 20. If convicted, the owners could face fines, but no jail time. “An action must be taken against these property owners. A message must be sent to anyone else in our community doing this kind of activity,” said Charlotte Doehner, shelter volunteer director. “We will see this to the end. We’re not giving up.” Humane Society officials assisted the local shelter in the removal and on site treatment of the abused animals from Greenhaw’s property in northeastern Alcorn County about Please see ANIMALS | 2A
Corinth City Hall plays vital role in community BY DAVID HUWE For the Daily Corinthian
The six-part series that recently reflected on the accomplishments of the past four years in the City of Corinth also touched briefly on the day-today tasks of each of the departments: fire, police, sewer and streets. Each of these departments relies heavily on administrative services that are housed in the municipal building, or Corinth City Hall, located at 300 Childs Street. In addition to housing the board room and the mayor’s office, the handful of administrative employees
housed in the municipal building provide a variety of vital services that indirectly affect the health, safety and welfare of Corinth’s citizens, property owners and business owners.
Financial Administration/Records & Licenses None of the services provided by the various departments could take place without proper funding. The city receives its operating income from four primary sources: sales taxes, ad valorem taxes, fees and fines. Based on the
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projected amount of these revenue streams, the board of mayor and aldermen, along with the city clerk and department heads, develop the city’s budget that must be adopted by Oct. 1 of each year. Following the adoption of the budget, the city must still go through the processes of competitive purchasing as required by the State of Mississippi to assure that taxpayer dollars are properly managed. After that, the city must account for these purchases by maintaining an inventory of these assets until such time as they are no longer needed
by the city, in which case they must be disposed of according to procedures mandated by the state. Like most businesses, the city must staff task areas such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and insurance management. As a public entity and an agency of the state, the city has additional responsibilities and tasks for which it is responsible. Included are the conducting of elections, and record-keeping associated with the public meetings during which the city’s business is Please see CITY HALL | 3A
On this day in history 150 years ago Nashville — A strong Confederate rear guard action allows the remnant of the army to escape to the south. However, a relentless pursuit by Federal cavalry makes for a nightmare retreat through the snow on frozen roads.
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