Thursday July 25,
2013
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 176
Partly Sunny Today
Tonight
87
62
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 Section
Investigators nab 2 on marijuana charges BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Narcotics investigators made two marijuana busts on Tuesday. Richard Laczko, 52, of 1714 Foote Street, Corinth, was arrested by the Alcorn Narcotics Unit and charged with manu-
facturing marijuana. Bond was set at $3,000. Officers responded to a complaint of possible drug activity at the residence, according to Narcotics Officer Darrell Hopkins. Laczko approached officers as they arrived, and officers explained the concerns of drug
activity. Hopkins said Laczko handed over the marijuana that was growing beside the residence, and officers found more marijuana inside the house. Laczko was taken to the county jail. In a separate case, Dusty Mc-
Donald, 25, of 205 County Road 220, Corinth, was also charged with manufacturing marijuana. Bond was set at $3,000. Hopkins said officers met with McDonald and explained why they were there. McDonald then directed the officers to a shop behind the
house where marijuana plants were growing. Officers retrieved the plants and transported McDonald to the county jail. The Farmington Police Department assisted the narcotics unit in the County Road 220 investigation.
Back to the Future
Jobless rate falls
Salvation Army relocates to original home
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
“Money generated from the thrift store is put right back into the community,” noted the director. The director said the move wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless work of employees, especially assistant director Cindy Burcham. “Cindy kept everyone going in the right direction,” said Miles. “It was a total team effort.” The Salvation Army is open 9
Midway through 2013, Alcorn County’s unemployment rate continues to show some year-to-year improvement. Numbers released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security show the county’s seasonally unadjusted rate at 8.8 percent, up from May’s revised 8.3 percent and bettering the year-ago figure of 9.3 percent. The seasonal increase is typical as students flood the labor market for the summer. The county had 1,340 people categorized as unemployed for the month, compared to 1,470 a year earlier, and 14,760 employed, up from 14,460 a year ago. Initial claims for unemployment benefits during the month numbered 85, up from 68 a year ago, and continued claims numbered 981, up from 745 a year ago. Regular benefits paid totaled $142,240, up from $106,269 a year ago. Neighboring counties also saw rates creeping upward for the month, with Tishomingo at 10.5 percent, up from 10 percent in May; Prentiss, 10.3 percent, up from 10 percent; and Tippah, 11.5 percent, up from 11 percent.
Please see FUTURE | 3
Please see JOBLESS | 3
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Salvation Army is back where it all started. A whirlwind move was completed by agency workers over the weekend, putting them back at a familiar spot. The agency is back up and running at 2200 Lackey Drive, a place it spent 16 years before moving to a location on U.S. Highway 72, after being closed for 31⁄2 days. The building had been used as the agency’s bale operation the last two years. “The crew worked so hard getting everything ready to open Tuesday,” said Salvation Army Director Michelle Miles. “I couldn’t ask for a better crew.” Seven employees from the local agency plus another three from Ripley worked diligently Thursday through Monday in putting items out. The agency was closed from noon Thursday through Monday before reopening Tuesday. “We still have some things we need to do, but for the most part everything is going well,” said Miles. “We had a really good day Tuesday.” Miles said new signs are in the works to draw more atten-
Rivers Stroup steps down
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Salvation Army Director Michelle Miles (left) and assistant director Cindy Burcham put items out at the agency’s new home on Lackey Drive. tion to the Salvation Army’s new home. “We have a lot of new ideas,” she said. “Right now, we just want to get the word out we have moved for those who want to donate items.” Customers can expect to see some changes following the move. “The thrift store is going to be bigger and brighter than ever before,” said the director. “All of our merchandise has been newly sorted and put out
Volunteers are backbone of Alcorn County Fair BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
A longtime educator with ties to Alcorn County has resigned from his post in Prentiss County. A new principal has been named for Thrasher following the resignation last week of principal Rivers Stroup. Prentiss County School District Superintendent Randle Downs said the district’s board of education voted last Thursday to appoint Jason Potts as principal of the K-12 school in the southwestern part of the county. Potts previously served as special education instructor at Wheeler school. Stroup, who has been waging a long battle against esophageal cancer, submitted his formal resignation last Wednesday, said Downs. Stroup previously served as assistant superintendent of the Alcorn County School District and also held the post of principal at Alcorn Central High School.
and no one is going to beat our prices.” Miles plans on bringing back the bale sales along with a senior citizen discount day on Wednesday. “Senior’s Day will allow those 55 and over to receive a 15 percent discount when they check out,” said Miles. The Salvation Army is an emergency need agency. Proceeds from the thrift store help fund the social service programs of the agency.
It takes volunteers to make things work. Alcorn County Fair committee member Danny Turner thanked the Corinth Civitan Club for its help in making the event a success during the club’s regular meeting on Wednesday. “The fair is successful because of community volunteers,” said Turner. “It’s not our fair, it’s the community’s fair and it takes everyone to make it work.” The fair is set for its third year back when gates open Sept. 1721 at the Crossroads Arena. Last year, 9,400 people took in the old-fashion fun over the five days. The number was an increase from the 8,000 who attended the previous year. “There is still a demand for an old-time fair,” said Turner. “Things have gone better than anticipated and we are always looking for new volunteers with fresh ideas … so far we have some really great plans.” Turner laid out the fair schedule for the club with the event
being kicked off by a cheer-off sponsored by The Dinner Bell. “The kids rea l l y loved it last year and we thought it was good way to start the fair,” said the committee member. This year the event will be open to squads in surrounding areas. The Crescent City Carnival will be ongoing all five nights, opening at 1 p.m. on the final day. “They are really good folks who are easy to work with,” added Turner. A couple of free events are also slated to be back. Pony rides will be available Friday and Saturday night. The popular petting zoo also returns for all five nights.
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“ W e a r e building toward m a k ing the fair free as possible,” s a i d Turner. Other events set to t a k e place over the five days include REVOLVE, a contemporary Christian event, on Wednesday night. Pickin’ on the Square moves from the Alcorn County Courthouse to the Arena on Thursday night with Breaking Grass being the featured entertainment during the Pickin’ at the Fair. The Excel by 5 free children’s health screening is also set for Thursday night. The Mid-South Talent Show, which is the last qualifying show for the MidSouth Fair, is slated for Friday night. On Saturday, Miss Fairest of the Fair and the livestock show
will be two of the big events on the final day. Organizers also have plans for the lawn mower pull and antique automobiles/ tractors being back this year. “A fair is always centered around a livestock show,” said Turner. “Our show has grown tremendously and we are expecting over 100 entries this year.” A quilt show, canned and baked goods contest, and an art contest are also planned. A&E “Duck Dynasty” stars Willie and John Luke Robertson will be on hand for the final night. “The fair is bringing in lots of people into the area,” said Turner. Helping the community continues to be the focus of the fair. This year organizers plan to help local schools. “Our big focus is on education and helping our schools with some programs that seem to fall through the crack,” said Turner. “We have been fortunate to give back and if all goes well we will be able to do so much more this time.”
On this day in history 150 years ago
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
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Gen. William T. Sherman has successfully driven Gen. Joe Johnston’s forces from Jackson. Sherman destroys railroad tracks in all directions from the capital, then begins a return march to Vicksburg.
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