Saturday Dec. 27,
2014
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 118, No. 301
Cloudy Today
Tonight
54
45
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Jobless rate sees decrease BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Basket fund tops $14,700 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 fundraising 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, $14,759 has been raised, meaning $10,241 still needs to be raised to make the goal. Recent donations include $100 from Dimple Caldwell in memory of Bobby Caldwell and Lane Caldwell. Contributions to the Christmas Basket Fund can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person or persons. The tribute will be published in the Daily Corinthian. Donations can be brought by the newspaper office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or mailed to: Daily Corinthian, Attn.: Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835.
CT-A hosts New Year’s celebration
Alcorn County unemployment was at 5.7 percent in November, faring better than the prior month and a year ago. The county was at 6.6 percent in October and 6.9 percent a year ago. Mississippi’s seasonally adjusted rate for the month was 7.3 percent, down from 7.6 percent in October. The county had 850 categorized as unemployed in November, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security reported, compared to 1,020 a year earlier. The
number employed was 13,920, up slightly from 13,800 in November 2013. First claims for unemployment insurance in the county during November totaled 70, compared to 86 a year earlier, and continued claims totaled 477, down from 619 a year earlier. The county ranked 14th among the 82 counties. Tishomingo County, at 6.8 percent ranked 37th; Tippah, at 8 percent, ranked 58th; and Prentiss, at 6.6 percent, ranked 32nd. Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employ-
ment decreased 1,900 over the month and was 1,200 lower than one year ago. Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment losses were government and leisure & hospitality. Across the state, Rankin County fared best at 4.1 percent. Clay County had the state’s highest rate at 13.3 percent. Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in November, the U.S. Department of Labor reported. Forty-one states and the District of Columbia had unem-
ployment rate decreases from October; three states had increases; and six states had no change. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier; four states had increases; and three states had no change. The national jobless rate was unchanged from October at 5.8 percent and was 1.2 percentage points lower than in November 2013. Mississippi posted the highest rate among the states while the District of Columbia was slightly higher at 7.4 percent.
Corinth again offering tree recycling BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
This year’s evergreens will be given a new life as they are broken down and transformed into nourishing fresh cedar mulch during Corinth’s 17th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program. Last December, approximately 100 Christmas trees were relinquished for the effort, allowing residents the opportunity to receive free beneficial mulch for their gardens and flower beds. “Many residents take advantage of our free mulch throughout the year, but especially during recycling week,” said Street Commissioner Philip Verdung. “In addition to the cedar mulch, we have leaf mulch and several other types through the seasons.” According to Verdung, the number of trees given for disposal has suffered a steep decline as many continue to choose artificial over live trees. Donated trees should be free of lights and other Christmas decorations. “Trees that are still decorated will not be accepted,” said the street commissioner.
“Trees that are still decorated will not be accepted. The decorations must be removed.” Philip Verdung Street commissioner “The decorations must be removed.” Residents may dispose of their Christmas trees by placing them curbside for removal by the street department as they would other brush or by taking them directly to the Inert landfill on Linden Street near the railroad. “Our hours are typically from 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday,” said Verdung. “During the holidays we will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.” Pickup will begin immediately after Christmas at which time the collected trees will be ground up for mulch.
Staff photo by Mark Boehler
William Senf and his two sons, 5-year-old Thomas and 9-yearold Will, choose a live Leland Cypress at Pine Mountain Christmas Tree Farm near Kossuth earlier this month. The City of Corinth continues its Christmas tree recycling program this year as trees collected on street curbs will be turned into mulch made available to the public.
BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Inspired by the raunchy characters of acclaimed Playwright Del Shores’ “Sordid Lives”, Corinth Theatre-Arts will hold their its ever Trailer Park Trash New Year’s Eve party at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at the playhouse. A riotous event for the entire family, guests are encouraged to come as they are without judgment. “You can dress up, dress down...show up in jeans, a baseball cap, or even your jammies,” said current Board President Cindi Bullard. “We encourage everyone to come on out, be comfortable and have a good, fun time. You can bring the kids and Grandma too.” Featured activities include open mic, dance music and karaoke. “Bring your guitar, comedy act, or whatever else you choose and prepare to have a great time as we ring in the New Year,” said Bullard. “Guests can R.S.V.P or simply show up. We will have Coke products and other refreshments available for enjoyment.” The cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple. According to Bullard, the idea came about as she was searching for a way to help carry “Sordid Lives” to the MTA State Competition in Oxford. “‘Sordid Lives’ is a story about Trailer Park Trash. So, what better way to celebrate than to hold a Trailer Park Trash New Year’s Eve Party,” she said. If successful, the theatre plans to make it an annual event.
Businesses report strong holiday sales BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Business is booming in the Crossroads area as many local businesses are capping off the holiday season with exceptional sales. “I’ve been in retail for many years and have never seen anything like this,” said Tadd Feazell owner of t. feazell. “Even my friends who own businesses as far as Memphis are reporting the same thing. The economy seems to be turning around.” Rejoicing in his good for-
tune, Feazell strained to hear over the steady crowd of excited shoppers filling his North Fillmore Street Store. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “We are packed right now and not complaining.” Gift cards proved to be a popular option as many chose to let their loved ones pick their own presents. “We’ve had several customers come in today to redeem their gifts cards and quite a few others who have called to say they are holding out for our spring and summer line
and that’s okay,” said Feazell as he greeted yet another visitor. “It’s been a blessing for us left and right.” Steve McElwain, owner of Austin’s Shoes echoed the sentiment saying this year’s sales were much better than last year. “All in all, it has been a great season for us,” he said. “We currently have some after Christmas sales going and many people are taking advantage of them by cashing in their gift cards.” With no more returns than usual, the staff at Austin’s
Shoes have reason to celebrate and can now focus more on individual customer needs. Choosing to buy organic, Cyndi Stockton owner of Daisy Chain Herbals and Organics reported several of her loyal customers came in to purchase items in bulk. “Our Brown Sugar Body Polish and Joint and Muscle Balm were both very popular,” she said. A beacon of light in the dismal darkness of winter, the numbers are encouraging to small businesses as they head into the New Year.
Year in review: 2014 begins with bitter cold BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
(Editor’s note: This is the first of three stories recapping notable news from the past year. Look for the annual “Top 10” to be presented on Wednesday.) Following is a look at notable headlines from January to April:
January The year opens with a bitter cold spell in early January with temperatures dropping to
single digits, reaching as low as 5 degrees. Plumbers are in high demand as pipes burst throughout the area. Supervisors approve a pay raise for 911 employees as budgeted despite ongoing concerns about a deficit in the 911 budget. Corinth police officer Bradley Bishop shoots Christopher Lee Burrell, 28, after responding to a report of a man with a gun who forced his way into a house on Allen Street. The shooting happens on Clay Drive, where the man pointed
Index Stocks........8 Classified...... 13 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
a gun at the officer. The grand jury clears Bishop. Mississippi Silicon breaks ground in Burnsville with plans to employ 200. Mississippi Action for Progress expresses interest in combining the Corinth and Kendrick Head Start centers at the vacant East Corinth Elementary School building. The county drops Skateland as a voting precinct, moving the location to the Pinecrest Baptist Church fellowship hall. The Corinth Board of Aldermen appoints Becky Null to
the city school board, replacing Missy Woodhouse, who served 15 years and did not seek reappointment. James Everett Dutschke pleads guilty in federal court to sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama and others; he had allegedly attempted to frame Paul Kevin Curtis of Corinth. Farmington passes a public smoking ban for regular and electronic cigarettes. Two cases believed to be faPlease see REVIEW | 3
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. Butler returns to Fort Monroe, Virginia, after the failed expedition to take Fort Fisher. The mission was a fiasco and caused Gen. Grant to lose his placid temper. He demands that President Lincoln allow him to sack the political general.