Tuesday Aug. 20,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 198
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 Section
Police investigating pair of shootings BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth police are investigating two shootings Sunday night and early Monday that happened about five hours apart and left two men injured. Robbery was involved in both situations, and police believe the same suspects may be involved in both shootings.
The earliest of the two happened about 8:10 p.m. Sunday. The victim told police he was at the intersection of North Polk and Highway 2 when he saw a male subject walking toward his vehicle, said Detective Capt. Ralph Dance. The motorist rolled down the vehicle window, and the man pulled a gun.
The victim noticed another subject also approaching. One got in the passenger seat, and the other got in the back seat of the vehicle. Dance said it appears the suspects had the man drive to a wooded area where they robbed him and shot him in the leg. The two men then ran from the car. The victim drove himself to the Corinth Police Department,
reporting that he had been robbed and shot, and an officer took him to the hospital. Dance said the suspects are described as black males, one standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and, weighing 130 to 140 pounds and with his hair in dreadlocks. The other is believed to be about 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds, with short hair.
The second shooting happened about 1 a.m. Monday on Wick Street. Dance said a Hispanic male was in a yard of a residence when two black males and a black female approached. They demanded money from the subject, and he told them he didn’t have any. Please see SHOOTINGS | 2
City Park judges measures
Shelter funding draws crowd
BY JEBB JOHNSTON
“The tournament has always been for a great cause and that will continue,” said the founder. “Havis (Hurley) worked really hard last year for something these kids will remember forever … I am excited to be part of it this time.” Whitehurst started the tournament to honor his late father – Owen B. Whitehurst – with the first scrambles held at Hillandale Country Club before moving to Shiloh Ridge. The four-person scramble is open to everyone and is set for a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Eighteen holes of golf, with cart included, comes with a package of tourney comfort color T-shirt, tote bag, Subway lunch and awards ceremony.
County supervisors on Monday backed away from a proposed funding cut for the Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter. The proposed cut rallied a crowd of supporters who attended the meeting of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors. The county has a proposed budget in hand with a public hearing set for 10 a.m. Sept. 3. The board had proposed cutting shelter funding 50 percent to $12,500, but the board seemed agreeable Monday to funding the shelter at $25,000. The shelter submitted a request for $50,000. Supervisors previously expressed concern about animals not being accepted. Shelter Manager Charlotte Doehner acknowledged the concerns and said it is not the shelter’s goal to turn people away. The longest time an animal has been held was three months, she said. “Animals that are sick or vicious or that we feel are unadoptable, we are required by law to hold them for five days,” she said. Each one gets a health check and shots. The group is still working towards no-kill status. “The no-kill shelter actually opens up opportunities for us to apply for grants and also to reduce costs,” said Doehner. “I know a lot of people feel that by putting animals down we
Please see DISNEY | 2
Please see FUNDING | 3
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Crossroads Regional Park will consider new security measures in light of the rape that occurred at the park last week. Park Director Todd Witt told the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors Monday morning that the park has relied on only the city police for park security but now may take that a step further. “What we are looking at is possibly putting a full-time security person there, maybe an extension of the police department or sheriff’s department,” he said. “We would like a licensed person to do this.” The park would likely target the security on time periods when there are fewer activities in progress. The park is supposed to be closed to the public between midnight and 6 a.m., the park manager said. The park has in the past considered using security cameras but was advised against it because of liability issues. Witt said it may be time to reconsider. “Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, you can’t have enough security,” said Witt. “It’s something we’re definitely going to have to look at.” He said the park commission has looked at security issues in the past but more in terms of curbing vandalism problems. Please see SECURITY | 2
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Owen B. Whitehurst Memorial Tournament founder Mike Whitehurst (right) helps David Dilworth with his swing.
Owen Whitehurst Memorial Tournament Annual golf scramble aiding special needs Disney outing BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Since it’s beginning, the Owen Whitehurst Memorial Tournament has sought to make a difference in the lives of young people. The goal continues through a different route in year 13 of the annual golf event. Organizers of the four-person scramble have jumped on board to help provide lasting memories for special needs children after providing five scholarships to Alcorn County high school graduates for the past 12 events. This year money
raised during the scramble, set for Aug. 31 at Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club, will go to help fund a trip to Disney World for a group of area special needs children. “Throughout the year we have been looking for things of great need to donate the proceeds,” said tournament founder Mike Whitehurst. “When I saw the story about the trip for the special needs kids, I knew that’s what we needed to do.” With the help of the CREATE Foundation, one $500 scholarship will continue to be offered to a student in the county, according to Whitehurst.
Murphy among acts opening for Daniels BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Country Music artist and songwriter David Lee Murphy compares songwriting to fishing. “It’s like fishing in that I miss more than I catch,” he said with a laugh. Fans shouldn’t be fooled by the 54-year-old’s comparison. The Herrin, Ill., native has landed a boatload when it comes to writing top hits. “You have to be crazy to get in this business and I was told that,” said Murphy. “But there is a huge thrill when you have a song reach number one … it’s like winning the Super Bowl and you have to savor it because
it doesn’t happen often.” Murphy is set to bring his performing and writing skills to the Crossroads Arena on Saturday as part of the opening acts for Charlie Daniels. “It’s always a thrill to see Charlie,” said Murphy, who will play with the icon for the first time. “He is a great guy and I have always loved listening to his music.” Saturday won’t be the first time Murphy has been to Corinth. He was the featured performer during the 5th Annual Hog Wild Festival in 1995. “I remember performing down by the railroad tracks,” he said of his first visit. “It was a lot of fun.”
His “Dust On The Bottle” and “Party Crowd” have become staples at country radio and have gained a permanent spot on the repertoire of every country music cover act. “Party Crowd” was the most played song on country radio in 1995 and “Dust on the Bottle” spent two weeks at number one. Both songs were part of Murphy’s debut MCA album Out With A Bang which went platinum and became the best-selling debut album by a male country artist in 1995. “I am so caught up in the songwriting world I don’t have as much time to tour,” said
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 9 State........ 5
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
Please see MURPHY | 3
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
David Lee Murphy will be part of the opening acts for Charlie Daniels on Saturday at the Crossroads Arena.
On this day in history 150 years ago The Union bombardment of Fort Sumter, S.C., continues. The fort is destroyed, yet the Confederate defenders continue to resist. 450 Confederate guerillas under Capt. William Quantrill begin a raid into Kansas to avenge the 5 women killed in the building collapse in Kansas City.
August is CATARACT Awareness Month Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. and blindness worldwide!
x x x Dr. John Shipp, M.D.
Cataracts are a natural result of aging when the eye’s lens turns yellow and cloudy. Nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts. Symptoms may include blurred vision, glare, faded colors, or needing more light for reading.
Call 662-286-6068 or go to www.shippeyeclinic.com to schedule your cataract evaluation.
Cataract Lens
Eye Care Specialists 3302 W. Linden St. Corinth, MS 38834 (662) 286-6068