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Vol. 117, No. 158
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
Baker pleads guilty to Price murder He pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated assault, two charges of burglary of an auto, each with a seven-year sentence, and two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, each with a 10-year sentence.
By doing so, 22-year-old Craig O’Brien Baker avoids a trial for capital murder and a possible death sentence. Baker will be eligible for parole at the age of 65. If paroled, Baker will then serve a 20-year sentence for aggravated assault.
By Staff Reports
NEW ALBANY — The man charged with the 2011 shooting death of a New Albany High School coach’s wife pleaded guilty today to murder, receiving a life sentence with the possibility of parol.
The sentences for burglary of an auto and possession of a firearm will be served concurrently with the 20-year aggravated assault sentence. The 20-year sentence is to be served congruently, or after, the life-sentence for murder.
Baker was originally charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and two counts of burglary of an automobile after 31-year-old Amanda Cossey Price was killed outside Please see BAKER | 2
Easom memories will come alive BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Memories from the halls of Easom and other schools will come alive with the annual reunion and homecoming Friday through Sunday. “We are looking for a solid, action packed weekend,” said J.C. Hill, one of the coordinators with the Alcorn County Branch NAACP. Themed “Assuring the past, buzzing into the future,” the events will recognize not just the yellow jackets but other schools throughout Corinth and Alcorn County, he said. Edward Bishop Jr., son of former mayor and educator E.S. Bishop, will speak at Sunday’s 3 p.m. memorial service. “They will give recognition to all of the members who have passed, calling those names, lighting a candle and having a special prayer,” said Hill. Bishop, a Corinth native, has worn many different hats through the years. Currently owner of Premier Mortgage Company of Jackson, he previously became Mississippi’s first minority news anchor as a newsman for WJTV of Jackson. He hosted a long-running
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
TNT Fireworks sellers April Wilbanks (left) and Samantha Null prepare for a long work day on Independence Day. Located just east of Corinth on U.S. 72, the TNT Fireworks stand opens today at 8 a.m.
Provide a bang, not a burn looked, officials caution. As always, Corinth officials remind residents that the use of fireworks is illegal in the city limits, although they typically are used throughout the city around Independence Day and
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Many fireworks are flying off the shelves and into the hands of children this week. That combination is one in which safety shouldn’t be over-
Corinth heroes begin strides for St. Jude
New Year’s. While rain is in the forecast, conditions have begun to lean towards dry in the days leading up to July 4. Please see FIREWORKS | 3
BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
BOONEVILLE — Derrick Blythe believes in Booneville and he believes the city’s best days are yet to come. The new mayor of the City of Hospitality envisions a city where people are excited about the future, business is thriving and the community is working together to create a better tomorrow. “I believe that starts at the top. If you’ve got a leader or a face the community is excited about that wants things to happen and you get the community involved in the city we can do big things,” he said. He wants to see Booneville grow and improve and he understands it’s a long term pro-
BY STEVE BEAVERS A group of local heroes have no need for a cape. All the 54-member team requires is a good pair of running shoes. The Team Corinth St. Jude Heroes are warming up for another year of raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “This is our biggest group of fundraisers,” said team member Amy Smith. Last year, Team Corinth tripled in size and had 36 members collect $43,000 for the hospital. This Please see HEROES | 3
Blythe cess. “We’ve got to build more community spirit. We’ve got to do more with the county.
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Please see REUNION | 2
New mayor shares vision for Booneville
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
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program, “Power to the People.” Bishop is also a former high s c h o o l teacher of six years. He was a graduaBishop tion supply salesman for 15 years, a buyer for men’s clothing for Carson Perry Scott Company of Chicago and a sales consultant for the large Krochs and Brenthnos bookstore in Chicago. Bishop has helped youth and adult unemployed women with job placement, among other programs aimed at community improvement. Hill is particularly excited about the entertainment to be provided at the Black & Gold Ball by PurElegance, a band out of the Memphis area. “They play a good mix of music, and I think this is going to be one of the better bands that we have had,” he said. “They are so versatile and they really know how to
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The city and county have got to come together. There’s a lot of things that need to be changed. Can we achieve everything in four years? No, but we’ve got to make baby steps,” he said. The longtime chiropractor, who defeated first-term mayor Joe Eaton in the June municipal election, has deep roots in the city of Booneville and fondly remembers the thriving, bustling city of his youth. He wants to see that same activity again. Blythe, 44, is the grandson of Maxine McDougal Loveless and the late Roy B. Loveless who operated Farm Bureau in the city for many years. His father, D.B. Blythe, moved to Eastport in Tishomingo
County to find work but never strayed far from his Booneville roots. Blythe spent a lot of time with his grandparents in Prentiss County and returned to Booneville in 1987 to begin his education at Northeast Mississippi Community College. After earning his degree from Life College of Chiropractic in Atlanta in 1993 he returned again in February of 1994 to open Booneville Chiropractic, whose day to day operations he’s now handed over to Dr. Richard Alexander of Corinth as he moves into his new role as mayor. Blythe said he ran for mayor because he and his wife, Lynn, Please see BLYTHE | 3
On this day in history 150 years ago
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The siege of Vicksburg ends with Gen. Grant accepting the surrender of Gen. Pemberton and 30,000 Confederate soldiers. The campaign resulted in 1,700 killed between the two sides. Port Hudson, La., is the last Confederate fort on the Mississippi River.
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