Inside today: 9 inserts with lots of savings Alcorn County Auditor gives $30,000 to D.A.’s office
Prentiss County Law enforcement urges holiday safety
Tishomingo County Society seeks grants for courthouse upgrades
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www.dailycorinthian.com
Sunday Dec. 20, 2015 $1.50
Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 304
• Corinth, Mississippi •
BY JEBB JOHNSTON One important ingredient is fueling the tourism business. “For the last four or five months, people seem to be traveling more because of the gas prices,” said Alcorn
Basket fund nears $9,000 The spirit of giving the holiday season is alive and well in the Alcorn County area. Donations are beginning to pour in for the 20th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fundraising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 5. Baskets were given away based upon faith the goal will be reached. So far $8,980 has been raised, meaning $16,020 still has to be raised to meet the goal. Recent donations include $100 from Soltz and Taylor families in memory of Jean Taylor; $50 from Bailey and Reichel Smith in memory of Erin Sanders; $200 anonymous gift in memory of Dock L. Oaks and J.C. Mathis; $100 from Ronnie and Natalie Sleeper in memory Please see BASKET | 6A
Board takes no action on pay change BY ZACK STEEN
Tonight
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Welcome Center Supervisor Sherry Brown. Although the last fiscal year’s visitation total was down 2.7 percent based on the number of people who sign in at the state welcome center, recent months have seen an uptick. The period
from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, had 115,456 visitors, compared to 118,607 a year earlier. “I feel like we’re going to have an increase in this fiscal year because of the gas
Officials offer farewell BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Peggy Roach believes in celebrating Christmas all year. The 71-year-old crafter just loves what the time of year means. Roach’s talent for Scherenschnitte has brought a simple piece of paper to life on both ornaments and cards. “Most people have never heard of it,” said Roach of the German word which means scissor cuts. Roach, owner of Peggy’s Craft Closet, has completed thousands of the cuts since the 1980s with those pertaining to Christmas being her favorite. “I work on Christmas all year,” she said. “I love what it represents.” Handmade designs of trees, candles, angels, Christmas presents, ornaments and even a Nativity scene have all been made by Roach. “I think it’s simple,” she said. “It’s like cutting out pa-
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
County supervisors had their last scheduled meeting of the year Friday as the current term enters its final days. The new board will convene for the first time on Monday, Jan. 4. A couple of departing officials made comments as the meeting came to a close. Although he had a short time on the board, Ralph Coln said he has enjoyed serving for the Second District. “I appreciate everybody having faith in me to allow me to be a part of this system,” he said. “I met a lot of good people and hope the county moves forward in an aggressive manner with the new board coming on next year.” He served what was left on the term of Dal Nelms, who resigned July 24. Outgoing Chancery Clerk Bobby Marolt also said farewell. “I want to thank the people of Alcorn County for letting me serve two terms ... it was a pleasure to work with the county to help the families out, to help the kids out,” he said. It was also the last meeting for Gary Ross after three terms in the Fourth District. He made no comment. The board had a light agenda that included action on the following: ■ Supervisors approved Main Street Corinth’s request to place a bicycle rack on the south side of the courthouse. It is one of several racks Main Street is in-
Please see CRAFTER | 2A
Peggy Roach has brought thousands of ornaments and cards to life through her Scherenschnitte talent.
Please see COUNTY | 6A
Please see TRAVEL | 5A
Crafter loves holiday season BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
After being tabled in November, an administrative office pay scale adjustment died this week before the Alcorn County school board. Alcorn School District Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith presented the board with information last month on the 35year pay scale adjustment for all district employees, including the positions of accounts payable, board secretary, purchasing clerk/fixed assets and human resources/payroll clerk. The adjustment would not become effective until the 201617 school year. Smith, who will vacate her position later this month, said board members had asked several months ago for the change
Today
24 pages • Two sections
Low gasoline prices equals more travel jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Some sun
Staff photo by Zack Steen
School board member reflects on his service
Alcorn County’s new second district supervisor James Voyles received well wishes from Alcorn School District Board of Education President Mary Coleman last week. Voyles resigned from his post on the school board in order to serve as supervisor beginning in 2016.
BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
After serving the people just one year, James Voyles knew he was ready for the next step. The three-year board member of the Alcorn School District Board of Education resigned from his post earlier this week. He’ll take the oath of office as Alcorn County’s new second district supervisor on Dec. 29. “It has been an honor and a privilege to
Please see PAY | 6A
Please see VOYLES | 6A
25 years ago
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Corinth High School weathers a computer virus attack. The Dark Avenger virus strikes their system, but Milton Sandy Jr., a member of the Horizon’s computer and technology committee, is able to repair the problem without loss of data.
The Corinth Civitan Club makes Christmas brighter for local kids in need. The club provides 12 children with lunch, toys, clothes and shoes in partnership with Belk of Corinth.
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