Wednesday June 20,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 148
Mostly sunny Today
Tonight
93
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • 2 sections
Group ranks Northeast success rate For the Daily Corinthian
BOONEVILLE — On the eve of session one of orientation at Northeast Mississippi Community College, school officials learned they can inform the incoming freshmen during tomorrow’s program that their decision to attend Northeast
was definitely a good one. According to College Measures, a joint venture of the American Institutes of Research and Matrix Knowledge Group, Northeast ranks third in the state of Mississippi in regard to success rate of giving students the best chance to
transfer to a four-year college or university. College Measures created a chart for CNNMoney to help students find the best options. Based on the percentage of students that graduated within three years or transferred to four-year colleges, it compiled
a “success” rating for each community college in the U.S. Colleges with less than 200 fulltime freshmen we not included in the study. According to Lynn Gibson, associate dean of student services and registrar, news of the lofty ranking couldn’t come at a
better time as the college prepares to welcome approximately 500-600 first-time students to campus during the first of three summer orientation sessions tomorrow. “Obviously, this is great Please see NORTHEAST | 2A
Corinth forum answers Future Fare questions BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Patsy Powers and her husband, Forrest, have started a gravestone-cleaning business.
‘Labor of Love’ Couple begins gravestone-cleaning business BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Patsy Powers has a love for cemeteries. That affection formed a grave care business. Labor of Love Grave Care — run by Powers and husband Forrest — offers professional and gentle cleaning of head-
stones along with tidying up around the grave. “To me cemeteries are peaceful,” said the Tate Baptist Church secretary, who walks at Henry Cemetery on a regular basis. “I love the history and have always wanted to decorate graves.” The mother of two was con-
vinced to try the cleaning end of the business by a Memphis, Tenn., police officer who does gravestone cleaning on the weekend. “We researched it a lot and took a grave care business course,” said Powers. “No one Please see GRAVESTONES | 2A
Mayor Tommy Irwin answered questions from Corinth residents about the proposed Future Fare project in a public forum during Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Irwin opened the Future Fare segment of the meeting with an overview of Corinth’s infrastructure problems and explained why he believes the program is a necessity. “This goes back many years. There was not a lot of money spent on Corinth,” the mayor said. “We just do not generate enough income to fix our problems.” On Aug. 21 Corinth will vote on the tax increase. Irwin said he was happy that the issue is in the hands of voter and, if successful, the project will take around 15 years to complete and will make a huge difference in Corinth’s growth — and how Corinthians see their own city. “If we’re allowed this opportunity, you’re going to see this town start shining,” Irwin
said. The most widely shared question among those who attended the forum was in regard to the length of the 12 mill ad valorem tax increase that will pay for the project. While the plan calls for a fiveyear tax increase, two Corinth residents expressed concerns that once the increase was in effect it would remain permanent. Irwin promised information, integrity and honesty — and said the only way the tax increase would continue past the stated five-year period is if the city chooses to continue the program through a referendum. A public presentation to discuss the project’s specifics is scheduled for July 31 at the Corinth High School Auditorium, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Irwin said the presentation will give the public a chance to learn all of the details of Future Fare. “When you attend this meeting, you’re going to know Please see FORUM | 2A
Tourism board approves 3 grants BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
A trio of events were granted funding by the Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) during a light June meeting. The Magnolia Antique Car Club received $1,000 from the tourism board for its 44th annual show set for October. “It’s a pretty large event that brings people downtown to eat and shop,” said board president Chris Porterfield. Funding will be used for a hospitality tent during the event that also coincides with the Hog Wild BBQ Contest and Festival. “They always have a good turnout,” added tourism director Kristy White in her first week back from paternity leave. The Rotary Club of Corinth was approved for $1,500 to be used for the civic club’s annual Austin’s Shoes Run with Rotary 5K in October. Funds earned from the run are used for several of the club’s projects such as the teacher of the year awards, student of the month awards, Boys & Girls Club and Lighthouse Education programs. Corinth High School’s cross country team was granted
$750 by the board. The money will go toward electronic timing to be used in the Corinth High School Cross Country Invitational on September 29. Last year, 19 teams along with 1,500 people attended the event. “The electronic timing permits us to invite more schools to participate in the event,” said CHS Head Coach Larry Mangus in a written request to the board. Squads from all over north and central Mississippi took part last season as 589 runners finished the race. In other business: ■ A reprint of the All Aboard Corinth brochure was approved at a cost of $5,600 for 25,000 brochures. ■ The board’s calendar of events is changing from a printout form to digital in July due to the rising cost of printing and postage. ■ White announced to the board that Canadian cyclist Chris Greig will make a stop in Corinth as he attempts to set a record solo unsupported bicycle ride from Alaska to Florida. Greig is expected to make the stop sometimes around the week of July 16. The next board meeting is set for July 10 at 8 a.m.
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Art Camp Hanna Jefcoat works on an art project during the first week of the Children’s Art Camp at the Corinth Artist Guild. The camp is for 7-9 and 10-13-year-olds and is directed by Teresa Smillie and Vicki Avery. Related photo on Page 2A.
Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......5B Comics......3B Wisdom......2B
Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A
On this day in history 150 years ago President Jefferson Davis, irritated with Gen. Beauregard’s unauthorized visit to a health resort, assigns Gen. Braxton Bragg to the permanent command of the Confederate Western Department.