Thursday Nov. 15,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 275
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • One section
Sales tax collections continue to rise BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Sales tax collections continue to move forward in the new fiscal year. Corinth’s share of sales tax proceeds received in November rose about $5,000, or 1 percent, to $437,063.12. That reflects sales activity in local businesses during the month of September. Combined with a solid increase last month, which was the first month of the new fiscal year, the city has a year-to-date haul of $880,989.68, an increase of almost 3 percent from the same point in the prior fiscal year. The trend thus far is holding close to that of the prior fiscal year, which ended with an increase of 2.6 percent. Across the northeast Mississippi region, results were decidedly mixed, with only three of 11 area municipalities posting gains — Corinth, Walnut and Ripley. The statewide trend was positive, however, with a 3 percent increase from the same month a year ago at $32.16 million. Municipalities receive 18.5 percent of the sales tax proceeds collected within their boundaries, and that monthly figure accounts for about 60 percent of Corinth’s operating revenue. The 2 percent tourism tax result was not yet available for the month. Other sales tax results from the region: ■ Booneville — $138,830.23 (-6%) ■ Burnsville — $12,253.33 Please see TAX | 2A
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Alliance award winners were: (from left) Joe Franks, Tommy Ledbetter, Elizabeth Whitehurst, Brittany Burcham, Rebecca Spense and Mary Katherine Butler.
Alliance honors volunteers BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The Alliance honored those who make the extra effort to serve Corinth and Alcorn County at the group’s annual Service Awards, held Tuesday night at Crossroads Arena. The awards ceremony was part of the Alliance’s 18th Annual Meeting. Rebecca Spence received the Spirit of Service Award. The award honors an individual who has demonstrated leadership in community service organizations, dedicated many volunteer hours to helping others and worked to improve the quality of life in Corinth and Alcorn County.
Spence is active in many organizations throughout the community. She serves on the LINK Board of Directors and is involved in the living history events at the Contraband Camp. She serves on the Commission for the Future of Alcorn County, the Hospital Board of Trustees and the Project Attention Board. Spence also spearheads the Juneteenth celebration, was a volunteer with the Alliance’s Corinth to College program and Mississippi Scholars. She works with the Boys & Girls Club, volunteers with the United Way and works with many other community groups and organiza-
tions. “With so many lives touched and our community benefitting from her longtime dedication and service to the betterment of our community, we are honored to present this year’s Spirit of Service Award to Rebecca Spence,” said Alliance Community Development Council Chairperson Myra Strom. The Youth Leadership Award, given to a young adult who has demonstrated leadership in scholastic achievements, was given to Elizabeth Whitehurst. Her honors include: 4.0 GPA, National Honor Society, Jr. National Honor Society, perfect state
test scores and continual high achievement in all areas of study. Whitehurst graduated from the Alliance’s Junior Leadership Academy and is a winner of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts. “She participates in many organizations and clubs and has done enough community service projects in the last four years to fill three pages,” Strom pointed out. Other award winners of the night include Tommy Ledbetter (Volunteer of the Year); Mary Katherine Butler (Jack Please see ALLIANCE | 2A
Residents reminded of fall cleanup rules ‘Its a Rap II’ aspires to encourage area youth BY JEBB JOHNSTON
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
RIENZI — Hopewell Baptist Church is reaching out to young people. Community role models are set to bring a positive message of encouragement on Saturday morning at the church. “Its a Rap II” is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event is the second in effort to present a “you can do it” attitude to area youngsters. “This year we have some very powerful mentors,” said Rebecca Spence, one of the event organizers. “We will combine the information from the speakers along with performances by praise teams.” Those slated to speak are author and motivational speaker Tommy Mabry along with Corinth Middle School Principal Charles Beene and Houston School District Assistant Superintendent Chad Spence. “Tommy is a graduate of Tougaloo College who has a powerful story of life and the many
obstacles he had to overcome to be successful,” said Spence. Several attorneys from the Memphis, Tenn., area as well as other administrators and teachers will provide support during the program. Performances by Christian rappers, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi, and the Hopewell Warrior Cheerleaders and soloist will take place during the day. “Children really enjoy the day because of the high energy,” added Spence. “No one will be bored as the youngsters showcase their talents.” Lunch will be provided free and door prizes will be awarded. “We want all teens and youth to attend the fun and inspirational program,” said Spence. The church is located on 464 Highway 356. For more information about “Its a Rap II” call Rebecca Spence 662-286-0705, Angie Jumper 662-210-0841 or Orber Dye 662-416-3118.
With many people cleaning up leaf-covered lawns, the city is reminding residents of rules that should go with fall cleanup. Disposing of leaves by burning is allowed but not without first contacting the fire department. “We want to remind residents that if they do burn leaves, they are required to have a burn permit,” said Fire Chief Rob Price. “The permits are free and they
and unstop them,” he said. Drains that become stopped up with leaves also contribute to street flooding, said Bynum. The city has plenty of leaf bags available at the street department between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The leaf vacuum is making the rounds, as well. The collected leaves will become mulch at the inert landfill. Please see CLEANUP | 2A
Kossuth High participates in FFA convention BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The Kossuth High School chapter of Future Farmers of America was one of 43 teams to participate in the recent National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event. The event was held in conjunction with the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Led by advisor Brad Gillmore, the Kossuth team was
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can contact the fire department to get one.” Free leaf bags available to city residents at the street department on West Shiloh have been going at a quick pace as residents rake and bag leaves. Street Commissioner Jim Bynum said it’s a big help to the city if residents will use the bags and avoid raking leaves into ditches, gutters, along the curb and into the street. “When you rake or blow leaves into the street, it costs the city for crews to come out
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awarded a Silver emblem. Members also competed for individual awards with 167 other participants. Four team members won individual awards: Lee Hopson (Gold emblem), Trey Rogers (Silver emblem), Will Downs (Silver emblem) and Brittany Killough (Bronze emblem). The National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management CDE is a competitive event that tests the student’s ability to select and manage
quality dairy cattle. Event components include six classes of dairy cattle, herd record evaluation and dairy management team activity. Each team competed at local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing its home state at the National FFA Convention & Expo. Held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the event is one of the many educational activities Please see FFA | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago President Lincoln and several members of his cabinet narrowly escape death or injury when a rocket test goes awry at the Washington Navy Yard. Adm. John Dahlgren is so shaken by the explosion of the Hyde rocket that he orders the development of the weapon to be canceled.
LEE PRESTAGE GENERAL SALES MANAGER Lee invites all his Corinth and Alcorn County friends to see him for a great deal on a new or pre-owned vehicle. Call his personal cell phone number: 662-284-6152. WWW.SAVANNAHCHRYSLERDODGEJEEP.COM
CALL 800-284-5811 The Mid-South’s Fastest Growing Dealership
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