123116 daily corinthian e edition

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Tippah County Investigation continues into body found in woods

Prentiss County Patrols to increase for holiday weekend

Community Columnist reflects on coming new year

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Saturday Dec. 31,

2016

75 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 120, No. 316

Rain Today

Tonight

49

47

50% chance of rain

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

Patrols increase for holiday BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The holiday weekend will bring an increase in the number of state troopers patrolling the highways. The Mississippi Highway Pa-

trol’s enforcement period for the holiday runs from 6 p.m. Saturday through midnight Sunday evening. The agency plans multiple safety checkpoints at various locations throughout the state to remove

impaired drivers. Last year’s New Year’s holiday period included 79 highway crashes with no fatalities. “If plans include alcohol, please designate a sober driver before festivities start,” said

Christmas Basket Fund donations can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person or persons. The tribute will be published in the Daily Corinthian.

Please see PATROLS | 2

Jobless rate declines in latest report

Basket fund tops $14,800 The 21st Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket has grown to $14,899. A $23,000 fundraising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 17. The baskets were given away on faith the goal will be reached. Recent donations include a $100 anonymous donation and $394 from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Christmas Basket Fund donations can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person or persons. The tribute will be published in the Daily Corinthian. The special fund will remain active until the end of the year. Donations can be brought by the newspaper office or mailed to: Daily Corinthian, Attn.: Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835.

MHP spokesman Capt. Johnny Poulos. “No one should begin 2017 with being arrested, facing medical bills, legal fees and perhaps losing their job. If loss

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

respond. “If neighbors complain about the noise, we will ask that they be respectful and stop doing it,” he added. “We will be responding to calls and asking people not to shoot fireworks because it is illegal and those who choose to ignore the ordinance need to be aware of that.” Fireworks are able to be used throughout other areas of Alcorn County. According to Blogin, the fireworks industry has made great progress in improving

Alcorn County unemployment hit 4.8 percent in November, showing a decrease from the prior month and year. The county ranked 14th among the state’s 82. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security counted 770 as unemployed during the month, compared to 890 a year earlier, when the jobless rate was 5.6 percent. It was 5.4 percent in October. The number employed in the county was 15,230, rising from 14,870 a year earlier. The labor force, which includes everyone who has a job or is considered to be looking, was 16,000, rising by 240 over the year. First-time claims for unemployment benefits in the county numbered 43, compared to 74 a year ago, while continued claims numbered 319, compared to 453 a year earlier. Benefits paid totaled $52,524, compared to $56,072 a year ago. Mississippi’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell in November to 5.7 percent, matching the lowest rate since February 2004. The rate was 6.6 percent a year earlier. The number unemployed in the state was 73,400, the lowest since January 2004 and 11,900 less than a year ago, according to MDES. For the year since November 2015, employment in the state

Please see FIREWORKS | 2

Please see JOBLESS | 2

Staff photo by Zack Steen

Daniel Nooner of TNT Fireworks restocks the stand on Friday afternoon. The fireworks stand, located on U.S. Highway 72 East just outside the city limits of Corinth, opens today at 9 a.m.

Officials urge fireworks safety BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Officials are urging safety first when using fireworks over the next few days as Crossroads residents ring in the New Year. “Every year, safety is our first priority as families begin to plan their New Year and holiday celebrations. While fireworks are the most iconic and festive way to celebrate the New Year, there can be dangers if fireworks are used improperly,” said Nancy Blogin, president of the National Council on Fireworks Safety. “Consumers should purchase

fireworks from a reputable company or fireworks stand, check local and state laws for fireworks use in your city and check all instructions on fireworks packaging before use.” Fireworks are illegal to shoot within the city limits of Corinth. “We realize people will continue to do shoot fireworks on New Year’s Eve despite the ordinance,” said Corinth Police Chief Ralph Dance. “All we ask is that they please do so safely and with caution.” Dance added if his department receives complaints from neighbors, officers will

Corinth blood drives aim to add to supplies

People of the Crossroads Mostafa Shamssolari, Corinth Staff photo by Kimberly Shelton

BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com

Bringing health to others in the New Year, Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) has planned two community blood drives in Corinth. Life-saving blood donations will be collected via the MBS Donor Coach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 and Thursday, Jan. 5 at Walmart. In addition to knowing they have made a difference in the health and wellbeing of others, each donor who gives blood will receive a free T-shirt as a thank you for their gift. For added convenience, donors can now check their overall cholesterol levels on their MBSConnect account. “Make a New Year’s resolution to save lives,” said MBS Public Relations Specialist Su-

san Ates. “Every two seconds, someone needs blood which only comes from one source – gracious donors like you.” “By committing to donating blood with Mississippi Blood Services on a regular basis,

Making a living one quarter at a time, Eagle’s Nest Arcade Owner Mostafa Shamssolari says he always longed for a bully-free place to have fun as a child. “I also dreamed of owning my own business, so when the Eagle’s Nest came up for sale, I decided to buy it,” he said. “I’ve always loved to be around people and when I’m not, I run crazy, so it seemed to be a good fit.” Watching over his many customers for over 20 years now, “Mo” considers himself blessed to have regular players from as far as Tupelo, Potts Camp, Ashland and parts of Tennessee. Born in Abadan, Iran, the 58-year-old grew up in the Iranian city of Ahwaz. A Jackson State University graduate, the avid cruise ship traveler is the father of Judy Shamssolari of Bolivar, Tenn.

Please see BLOOD | 2

25 years ago

10 years ago

North Mississippi Health Services enters into an agreement with the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors for construction of a new $4.8 million hospital.

NEMCC English instructor Amanda Garvin has an article published in the journal APS Teaching and Learning Systems.


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