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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 96
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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28 pages • Two sections
Police recover more Curtis in court: than 40 stolen signs ‘I didn’t do it’ BY HOLBROOK MOHR & JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press
OXFORD — Federal authorities have produced scant evidence linking a Mississippi man to the mailing of ricinlaced letters to the president and a senator, his attorney says. Christi McCoy said after a court hearing Friday that the government has offered no evidence to prove her client, Paul Kevin Curtis, had
Daily Corinthian
Farmington Police Tony Holmes and Jerry Mayhall sort through the more than 40 road signs recovered on Friday.
Investigation continues; charges will be filed BY BOBBY J. SMITH Farmington police recovered more than 40 stolen road signs on Friday afternoon. The signs included railroad crossing signs, speed limit and stop signs, “Do Not Enter” signs, county road markers, a sign warning motorists to look out for horseand-buggies (apparently from an
Please see CURTIS | 2A
Corinth tornado began one career
Sunday April 21, 2013
Staff photo Bobby J. Smith
bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
possession of any ricin or the seed from which it is extracted — castor beans. An FBI agent testified during the hearing that he could not say if investigators had found ricin at Curtis’ home, and McCoy said the evidence linking the 45-year-old to the crime so far has hinged on his writings posted online. He is adamant that he did not do this, and she said she
Amish community), a “No Dumping” sign, a road construction barrel, a marker designating Brandi Road — and many, many more. All of the signs were confiscated at a residence in the Farmington community shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, said Deputy Chief of Police Jerry Mayhall. “We went to the house looking for somebody we wanted and
found all of those signs,” Mayhall said. The investigation is ongoing, Mayhall said, and charges are on the way. “To this extreme, it’s not going to be tolerated,” he said. While they know the signs were stolen, one of the biggest jobs will Please see SIGNS | 3A
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
As a young boy, Troy Kimmel Jr. was frightened by lightning and thunder. Now, as a meteorologist, big storms are his bread and butter. One tragic day in Corinth — April 19, 1970 — helped set him on his future path when a deadly tornado swept through the city. South Corinth took the brunt of the storm, which killed four or five people, depending on whether a man who had a heart attack at the time is included. A native of Kilgore, Texas, Kimmel and his family came to
Corinth in the late 1960s with Pepsi Cola. “My dad came up and opened up the Pepsi plant that is the old white building that sits on the hill on Johns Street even today,” said Kimmel, who shared his memoKimmel ries on the 43rd anniversary of the storm. Please see TORNADO | 3A
Alcorn County health Friends, family wish Bynum well officials offer free shots BY JEBB JOHNSTON
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Alcorn County Health Department will be recognizing National Infant Immunization Week by offering free shots starting Monday. Free immunization for youngsters two months through the age of 18 begin at 8 a.m. Monday and continue through Friday. “We are hoping to have a big response,” said Alcorn County Coordinating Nurse Ellen Hendrix. “A free clinic is offered every year, but most of the time people wait to the last minute to get their child immunized.” Should individuals not take advantage of the free opportunity week, a $10 fee will be charged the rest of the year. “No appointment is necessary,” said Hendrix. The health department staff is providing free immunization from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Vaccinations during the promotion include protection for infants, children and adolescents against the following diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus,
Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal, HPV and Rotavirus. The Mississippi State Department of Health recommends immunizations for infants and children from birth through 18 years of age for protection against childhood diseases. Seventh graders entering the eighth grade are required to have a Tdap shot. The shot protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). “We are planning for 150 doses of each age group and we can get more if needed,” said the coordinating nurse. “Parents need to see that their children get their shots now and out of the way before waiting just days before school starts.” “Immunizations are essential to give infants and growing children a healthy start in life,” added MSDH State EpiPlease see SHOTS | 2A
Jim Bynum is enjoying a new chapter in life. Friends, family and associates gathered at City Hall Friday afternoon to wish him well after his recent retirement from the City of Corinth. Known for his jovial personality and 24/7 dedication to the job of street commissioner, Bynum enjoyed meeting a big crowd of well-wishers. He had managed Corinth’s streets and sanitation since 1999. “I enjoyed being able to help other people,” he said. “My biggest concern was the safety of the people, whether it was their home and property or the streets they drove on.” He worked a couple of years with the Corinth Street Department in the late 1980s. From there, he went to the Corinth Gas & Water Department for a couple of years and then the Corinth Housing Authority for seven years before returning to the street department. Whenever snow or ice struck in the middle of the night, a tree fell across the street or the underpass flooded, Bynum and his crew were on the case.
Index Stocks......8A Classified......5B Comics Inside State......5A
Weather......9A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....10A
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Dorothy Hopkins congratulates Jim Bynum on his retirement at City Hall Friday. He admits it wasn’t always easy. “It was stressful at times, more so than I thought I could handle,” he said. A memorable challenge during his time was the May 2010 flood, which brought concerns about adequate drainage to the fore. As luck would have it, he was working with the street department on the two
occasions in the past 25 years when Corinth had 8 to 10 inches of snowfall. He also dealt with animal control. “He gave everything each and every day,” said Mayor Tommy Irwin. “They don’t make them like Jim Bynum very often.” Please see BYNUM | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago Grierson’s Raid. After a skirmish at Palo Alto, Miss. Grierson splits his force and sends half the men back to LaGrange. The Confederates take the bait and follow the column heading north which leaves Grierson to continue south to Newton Station.