Friday Dec. 21,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 307
2012 Christmas Basket Fund
Today
Tonight
49
25
0% chance rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
Shooting leaves 1 dead High winds hit area
“A Community Tradition”
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Police Chief David Lancaster. Police arrived at the Combs Court Apartment complex
The limbs were falling and the power was on and off thanks to high winds in the Corinth area on Wednesday. According to a wind advisory from the National Weather Service, the winds blew from the west at 20 to 35 mph on Wednesday, with gusts up to 55 mph a possibility. A wind advisory is given when the National Weather Service expects sustained winds of 25 to 39 mph or gusts between 40 to 57 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. People are advised to secure loose outdoor materials and refrain from working on elevated surfaces. In Alcorn County, the wind meant downed trees and road signs, damaged power lines and intermittent power out-
Please see SHOOTING | 2A
Please see WINDS | 2A
Basket fund tops $17,000 The spirit of giving is alive and well in the Crossroads area as donations continue to arrive daily for the 17th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/ Daily Corinthian 2012 Christmas Basket Fund. The civic club and newspaper have set a $20,000 community fundraising goal this year so 1,000 food baskets could be given away to local families last Saturday at the Crossroads Arena. The event was a huge success this year with plenty of need. The total now stands at $17,396, meaning just $2,604 needs to be raised from the community as there will be no corporate match this year. Food was distributed on faith the goal will be reached by Christmas Day. Recent donations include $100 anonymous gift; $100 from Dale and Ann Walker; $56 from the Lunch Bunch MHV Homemakers; $100 from Brad Brawner in loving memory of Becky Brawner; $50 from James and Linda Jones; $200 from Sam and Barbara Tull; and $500 from New Hope Presbyterian Church. Donations can be the perfect time to make a holiday tribute to a special person. Contributions can be made “In honor of” someone living or “in memory of” someone who has passed. They can be family or friends, co-workers, employees, bosses or even groups who have made an impact on a person’s life. All tributes will be published in the Daily Corinthian until Christmas Day. Donations can be brought to the newspaper office at 1607 Harper Road or mailed to Daily Corinthian, Attn: Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, Miss. 38835. Please note the business office will be closed Christmas Day.
Sunny
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday at this Combs Court apartment on White Street.
Victim shot multiple times; no charges filed BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
A man is dead following a shooting at a Corinth apartment on Thursday.
At 2:48 p.m. a call came in to the Corinth Police Department from a resident of 1002 White Street saying “they had just shot somebody,” according to
Grand jury clears Booneville police officer BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
BOONEVILLE — A Booneville Police Department officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of a local man shot and killed in April as officers responded to a domestic disturbance call.
The district attorney’s office has confirmed the case was presented to a grand jury which reviewed it and determined there was no wrongdoing on the part of Officer Rusty McCoy. “The facts of that case have been presented to a Prentiss County Grand Jury and that
grand jury found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of Officer Rusty McCoy,” said a statement issued by the office of District Attorney Trent Kelly in response to a request by the Banner-Independent for an update on the case. State law requires grand
jury proceedings to remain secret for at least six months, a rule which had prevented the district attorney’s office from previously commenting on the status of the case. David Andrew “Dave” CurPlease see OFFICER | 2A
Bread of Life Food Ministry feeds the hungry BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
No one left hungry — physically or spiritually. The Bread of Life Food Ministry and Tate Baptist Church combined to feed the needy both ways during its annual Christmas Message & Luncheon. “This is a wonderful thing,” said chef Ben Betts, who was in charge of preparing the meal. “Seeing the joy in people who come gives me a good feeling.” A special service started in the church sanctuary at noon. Shiloh Baptist pastor Philip Caples delivered the message, while Tate Minister of Music Richard Tenhet led the music. Around six volunteers from Tate Baptist assisted Betts in preparing a meal for 150 people. Sunday School classes provided
the many desserts. “It's an honor to be the host church and serve others,” said Tate member Linda Pratt. “God has blessed me in so many ways that I want to share His love with others,” added member Susan Beard. The meal has been hosted at the church since 2007. “The luncheon has been such a blessing,” added Bread of Life Food Ministry Director Tim Alvis. “We love for people to see what the ministry does and how Tate has been a big blessing in it.” Volunteers said the serving never gets old. “It's one day were we can help put a smile on their face,” said Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Please see MINISTRY | 2A
Gale and Guy Judkins get a plate ready during Christmas Luncheon at Tate Baptist.
Crossroads Arena eyes host role of roundball tournament BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Some hoop to help the House. A pair of supporters of the Lighthouse Foundation want to bring a national high school basketball tournament to the Crossroads Arena. Lighthouse spokesmen Vince Overholt and Gary Caveness approached the board with the idea Wednesday.
“We are looking to bring teams who will draw crowds outside of the area,” Vince Overholt told the seven-person board. “People who don't typically come to Corinth will come to see nationally ranked players and teams.” Both Overholt and Caveness, executive director of the Lighthouse Foundation, said the proceeds would be used for the Lighthouse.
“That is our ultimate purpose,” said Overholt. “The Lighthouse is a true non-profit … we scratch and fight for every dollar.” Local teams will also be involved in the tournament plans, according to Overholt. The potential hoop tourney would be held Nov. 29-30 with 14-15 teams taking part. “We want this to be the basketball tournament of the
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year,” added Overholt. The Crossroads Arena has been home to the Alcorn County Basketball Tournament since 2005. Arena officials purchased a permanent floor in 2006 after renting a floor and goals the first two years. The lone basketball events held at the facility have been the ACT and a visit by the Harlem Globetrotters. “We have been wanting to do
something like this for a long time,” said board vice chairman Alva Dalton. Overholt and Caveness said two other sites — Northeast Mississippi Community College and Itawamba Community College — are also being considered to host the event. “We want the tournament to be here and aren't expectPlease see ARENA | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago At Davis Mills, Van Dorn’s 3,500 cavalrymen are fought to a standstill by 250 Union soldiers. The Confederates attack the small outpost three times and are forced to abandon the attempt and find an alternate spot to cross the Wolf River.
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