Tuesday Sept. 11,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 219
Mostly Sunny Today
Tonight
87
59
No chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 Section
Petition drive begins for liquor vote BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A petition for a vote on the legalization of alcoholic beverage sales in Corinth has begun. Supporters launched a website on Monday at corinthforavote.com to promote the petition drive. The petition can be downloaded at the site and is circulating by e-mail. It can
also be found at several local businesses, said John Orman, a supporter of the effort. It is also being promoted through a facebook page, “Corinth for a Vote.” The petition calls for an election under a new state law. Senate Bill 2497, which was signed into law earlier this year and changes the eligibility re-
quirements for municipalities that may hold liquor referendum elections, had been awaiting federal approval. A letter dated Aug. 23 from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office gives apparent clearance for the law to take effect. “The petition is neither for
nor against,” said Orman. “It’s ‘Do we want to have a vote?’ The city of Corinth has never had the opportunity to vote on this before. I know there are a lot of people who probably don’t want an election, but I’m not opposed to the Democratic process taking place.” He said many people have asked about when the petition
would begin and how to get it, and that sparked the idea for the website. The law allows cities of more than 5,000 population to hold a liquor referendum if at least 20 percent of the city’s registered voters sign a petition — a number that is between 2,300 and Please see VOTE | 2
Dream Center seeks volunteer efforts Court
hands out sentences
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The Hope Dream Center is on its way to becoming a refuge for Corinth’s most vulnerable citizens — but there is still much work to be done. “After many hard struggles, the huge obstacle of installation of a sprinkler system has been completed,” said Annie Saffore, president of the Hope Dream Center board. In order to follow city building ordinances, the Hope Dream Center had to install the sprinkler system before renovations of the old Tate Street Baptist Church buildings could begin. Hope Dream Center organizers are now ready to start the second phase of getting the facility ready, which involves renovating the structures. “We want to thank all those who have so generously contributed their time, money and efforts for this worthy cause and now ask for your continued support in the renovation phase,” said Saffore. Organizers ask that all the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and others who
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Annie Saffore, president of the Hope Dream Center board, needs the community’s help in completing the shelter for homeless women. have pledged their services to contact board members at 2875657, 808-0291, 808-0347 or 808-1824.
The facility is still in need of showers, furniture, decorations and other elements. All assistance and donations
from the community will be appreciated. Please see DREAM | 2
Alcorn County Fair starts up tonight
The following are the remainder of pleas and sentences from the recent term of Alcorn County Circuit Court, according to court records: ■ Christopher James Hughes, 36, possession of two or more precursors — 10-year suspended sentence with five years of postrelease supervision and $1,000 fine; conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine — Concurrent 10-year suspended sentence ■ Johnny Buchanan, 41, felony DUI — sentencing deferred ■ Billy Ray Vunkannon, 30, burglary and larceny of a building — Seven-year suspended sentence with five years of post-release supervision and $2,000 fine ■ Charles Ratliff, possession of marijuana — 10-year suspended sentence with five years post-release supervision and $1,000 fine ■ Timothy C. Barton, 41, false pretense (two counts)
BY STEVE BEAVERS
Please see PLEAS | 2
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Ferris wheel and funnel cakes. That and much more can be found as the Alcorn County Fair opens tonight at the Crossroads Arena. “It’s starting to look like a fair,” said fair committee secretary Sandy Mitchell on Monday. “This year everything has fallen into place.” The fun begins at 5 p.m. with Crescent City Carnival and T-NT providing plenty of rides and fun activities for the whole family. Armbands for the carnival will be available from 6-10 p.m. nightly — Tuesday through Friday — for $15. Prior to 6 p.m. tickets can be bought to ride carnival rides. On Saturday, armbands can be purchased from 1-5 p.m. and 6 p.m-10 p.m. for $15. An all-day armband can be had for $20. Cost for the armbands does not cover admission to the fair on Friday and Saturday night. Admission is $5 each of those two nights. A petting zoo, something fresh for the fair in its second year back, is also slated for a 5 p.m. start. The petting zoo will give youngsters a chance to see close to 80 animals up close. “This is supposed to be a really good show,” said Mitchell. Sponsored by the Alcorn County Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau and Mississippi Land Bank, the zoo is set to provide children an opportunity to feed the animals for a $1. “People will get a chance to pet some things they have never seen before,” said petting zoo owner Donnie Richardson. Please see FAIR | 2
Antique tractors go on display BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Jason Haynie feeds a three-legged duck that is part of a petting zoo at the Alcorn County Fair. Around 80 animals will be available at the petting zoo starting at 5 p.m. today near the barn area and carnival of the Crossroads Arena.
Index Stocks........7 Classified......14 Comics...... 13 Wisdom...... 12
Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8
The Alcorn County Fair is providing old time fun. Members of the Tri-State Flywheels Antique Tractor Club will be showing off the old that looks almost new during the community event at the Crossroads Arena. The club will have up to 12 antique tractors on display inside the arena during the fair. “We will have a bunch of old tractors that people use to farm and make a living with,” said club president Jimmy Whitfield. From a 1949 Allis-Chalmers to several antique John Deere models, the Flywheels have plenty of stories lined up for those who want to hear about the old models. “We do around 30-40 shows and rides a year,” said Whitfield. “Everyone in the club loves old tractors and getting together.” Old tractors recall fond memories for most. “The show brings those old times back to life,” said club secretary Bernice Woodruff. “It’s a bigger hit with the older folks because they can relate to those times,” added Woodruff’s husband, Johnny.
On this day in history 150 years ago General Kirby-Smith captures Marysville, Ky., near Ohio. With Confederate offensive drives in Kentucky and Maryland and another about to begin in Mississippi, the Southern army has seized the initiative.