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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 143
• Corinth, Mississippi •
Partly sunny Today
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20 pages • Two sections
Again: Sales tax down, tourism up BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A trend of small decreases for Corinth sales tax continued in the latest reported month. Figures released by the Mississippi Department of Revenue on Friday showed the city will receive $464,977.28 this month, a decrease of 1.5 percent, or about $5,000, from one year ago. This month’s sales tax
diversion reflects sales activity in local establishments during the month of April. It is the fourth consecutive month of declines. The Christmas shopping period of December was the last month to produce positive growth. The year-to-date total of $4.121 million is up about half of a percentage point from the same point a year earlier.
Collections across the state for the latest month rose 3.5 percent, but northeast Mississippi didn’t follow that pattern, with 11 area municipalities posting decreases. The 2 percent tourism tax collected at Corinth restaurants and hotels had another big month, however, with $101,257.29, an 11 percent spike, and only the third month
that the tax has ever generated more than $100,000. The tax has posted eight consecutive monthly increases. The year-to-date total for the tourism tax is $816,862.45, a 5 percent increase. Other sales tax results from the region (percentages rounded): ■ Booneville - $144,569.65 (-6%)
Local families celebrate Juneteenth
■ Burnsville - $12,035.97 (-16%) ■ Farmington - $4,045.46 (-20%) ■ Glen - $1,971.75 (-1%) ■ Iuka - $63,582.49 (-16%) ■ Kossuth - $3,509.29 (-3%) ■ Rienzi - $3,881.92 (-9%) ■ Ripley - $98,341.35 (-8%) ■ Tupelo - $1,459,613.48 (-0%) ■ Walnut - $17,831.80 (-5%)
Firearms rally celebrates HB 2
“Juneteenth teaches kids to see a person and not color.” Zella War
speakers, door prizes, entertainment, food and crafts. “We want to show the liberal gun grabbers that they are not going to get very far in Mississippi,” said Bobby McDaniel, one of the rally organizers. When the group gained approval for the courthouse grounds for the rally, the question arose of firearms on county property. McDaniel said it was been ruled that those attending can carry firearms, but unloaded with empty chambers and cartridges to insure safety. The ultimate decision rests with the sheriff, who has final say on activities on the court-
BY MARK BOEHLER
E.S. Bishop Park buzzing with summer activities
editor@dailycorinthian.com
A group of Alcorn County citizens want to show their appreciation to the local legislative delegation for their efforts to insure passage of what has become known as “Mississippi House Bill 2” which further protects gun carrying rights protected in the Second Amendment. The core appreciation rally has now grown to a full day of activities called the Second Amendment Firearm Freedom Day. Set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Saturday, July 6 on the grounds of the Alcorn County Courthouse, it will be a day of
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
E.S. Bishop Park was filled with music and laughter during the day and into the night. The festive occasion was part of the annual Juneteenth Celebration that celebrates local pioneers who worked to achieve their goals after being freed from slavery. “Juneteenth teaches kids to see a person and not color,” said Zella Ware while helping her daughter, Tkeya, with her hair. While young children took their turn on the playground equipment and on party jumpers, others had the grills and conversation going full force. Staff photo by Steve Beavers “The day gives children something to do and still en- Zella Ware helps daughter, Tkeya, with her hair at the annual Juneteenth Celebration Please see JUNETEENTH | 2A at E.S. Bishop Park.
Please see RALLY | 2A
Herman Gray remembered for genuine love of community BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Herman Gray left a mark of genuine caring for his community and others. Gray, 80, died Friday at Magnolia Regional Health Center. “Herman had a great influence on his church, the Kiwanis Club and everything he was involved with,” said fellow Kiwanian and First United Methodist Church member Harold P. Smith. “He was honest, thoughtful and a prince of a man.”
The long list of accomplishments for Gray, born near Jacinto on July 29, 1932, continued up until his death. He and wife, Janet Davis Gray came to Corinth in 1958 when he founded the accounting firm of Chism, Jones and Gray. The Master Gardener went on to organize the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the Mississippi Society of CPAs after moving to the city. As a long-time member of the Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, he helped create the Yocona Area
Foundation, received the Silver Beaver award in 2000, and was named a lifetime sustaining member in 2012. He used his skills as a Master Gardener to teach urban children how to garden. The past president of the Corinth Kiwanis Club organized the Corinthian Garden at the Lighthouse Foundation. “Herman was one of our first Master Gardeners in Alcorn County and was always a pleasure to work with,” said Patrick Poindexter, County Director with the Mississippi
Index Stocks......8A Classified......6B Comics Inside State......5A
State Extension Service. “He was a driving force behind the garden at the Lighthouse and he will be truly missed.” The father of four was the longest tenured Kiwanian, having been a member of the club since Dec. 29, 1958. He served as president of the club in 1961. The community-minded gentleman also served as president of Chamber of Commerce and was the driving force behind plans to build a facility for the organization. An active member of Unit-
ed Way of Corinth and Alcorn County Board of Directors, he was named the Junior Auxiliary’s Citizen of the Year in 2000. Gray Mr. Gray is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet Davis Gray; children, Linda Please see GRAY | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago
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Confederate troops sing “Maryland, My Maryland,” as they wade across the Potomac from Virginia. Tensions build as Gen. Hooker and Gen. Halleck disagree on how to respond. Hooker wants to march forward and confront Lee while Halleck wants the army to follow the Confederates.
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