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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 42
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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34 pages • Three sections
Answers sought in principal’s dismissal BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
A local attorney has created a website to help handle any legal issues that may arise from the situation around the recent dismissal of Alcorn Central Middle School Principal Dan Burcham. Attorney Joseph Wallace launched the site www.alcorncentralclaims.com on Friday in
response to the ongoing controversy surrounding Burcham’s job termination this week. “When Dan Burcham’s suspension and then termination were announced, we all had more questions than answers,” said Wallace. “I started alcorncentralclaims.com for one reason. No one at the government level seemed to be looking out for
the interests of parents and students.” Since the school board’s announcement that Burcham had been suspended with pay for the course of a school investigation on Monday, school officials have been reluctant to provide any details regarding their action. When contacted for information on Tuesday, Superintendent
Gina Rogers Smith refused to comment and referred the Daily Corinthian to the board’s attorney. On Friday, school board attorney James Price confirmed Burcham’s job termination — as of Wednesday — and said he couldn’t provide any more information. Price refused to discuss the complaint’s origin or any oth-
er specifics. One teacher contacted by the newspaper said all employees had been told not to comment on Burcham’s suspension. The Alcorn County School District’s silence on the matter has raised concerns throughout the community. Please see BURCHAM | 3A
Softball complex moving forward
Girl Scouts think global BY BOBBY J. SMITH
BY JEBB JOHNSTON
bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
More than 300 Girl Scouts and adult helpers converged Saturday on the Prentiss County Agri-Center in Booneville for the first-ever FiveCounty World Think Day event. The World Think Day gives Girl Scouts of all ages an opportunity to learn about different cultures, how Girl Scouts live in other parts of the globe and get a sample of life — and food — from 10 nations around the world. “It’s a chance to learn about these countries, and the girls have an opportunity to learn about Girl Scouts’ lives in other places,” said Amanda Garvin, leader of Prentiss County’s Girls Scouts Troop 2017A, and mother of 13-year-old Scout Audri Garvin. Girl Scouts attended the event from Prentiss, Tishomingo, Tippah, Alcorn and Benton counties.
tion. His son, Nick, who joined the practice in the fall of 2010, will accompany his father in the move of the family business. Dr. John purchased the over 100-year-old building from W.O. Hathcock in 2005.
Once the property dries out, construction is expected to begin on the Corinth School District’s softball complex. The district held a meeting last week with contractor CIG, subcontractors, and architects Pryor & Morrow to discuss the revised plans and any cost changes that might occur. Revisions were based on instructions from the Army Corps of Engineers. A building permit for the project has been requested from the city. Some adjustments were also made to the length and location of the road. Superintendent Lee Childress said the property is going to need some time to dry out, but the beginning of construction is near. Located on Proper Street east of Harper Road, the property will house a softball complex with a covered batting cage, field house, entry building, stands, press box and dugouts.
Please see DODDS | 12A
Please see SOFTBALL | 2A
Please see SCOUTS | 12A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Drs. Nick (left) and John Dodd plan to move their eye clinic across the street from its current location on May 1.
Dodds eye future in downtown BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
A longtime downtown fixture is moving -- across the street. Dodd Eye Clinic, a trademark in Corinth for 32 years, will move into the former First Baptist Church building on Fillmore Street come May 1.
“I love downtown,” said Dr. John Dodd. “When I graduated in 1971 from Corinth High School, I always planned to come back … this is just a super place to be.” The CHS graduate will not be the lone Dr. Dodd in the move to the 20,000 square-foot loca-
Supper features wild dishes, gun drawings, exhibits BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The wild will be on display for a 28th time. The 28th Annual Alcorn County Wildlife Tasting Supper is slated to pay tribute Tuesday to the many things associated with area wildlife at the Crossroads Arena. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. with the door fee being one wildlife dish per person. Those who don’t bring a dish will be charged $10. The admission for children ages 5-12 is $5 with kids under 5 admitted free. “The main thing we need is plenty of dishes,” said Sandy Mitchell with the Alcorn County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The district along with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi State Extension Service, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service combine to coordinate the event. There will be a drawing for a pair of double-barrel guns during the night. A youth Rossi .243 20-gauge shotgun -- sponsored by the Corinth Bank Association -- and an adult Remington 887 Camo rifle -- co-sponsored by the Wildlife Committee and Alcorn Co. Farm Bureau -- will be given away. Tickets are $1 or six for $5. Please see SUPPER | 2A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Shane Huff and Sandy Mitchell get door prizes together for Tuesday’s wildlife tasting supper.
Index Stocks......8A Classified......5B Comics Inside State......5A
On this day in history 150 years ago
Weather......9A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....10A
Guerrillas operating out of Hopefield, Ark., have been harassing Federal shipping on the Mississippi River. The USS Hercules is driven ashore by dense fog and the guerrillas capture and burn the ship, murdering one of the crew. The town of Hopefield is burned in retaliation.
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