Thursday Jan. 10,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 9
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • 1 section
Elementary student expelled over gun BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
A Kossuth Elementary School Student has been expelled for bringing a gun to school, according to a statement from Alcorn Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith. On Tuesday, Dec. 18, a stu-
dent at Kossuth Elementary reported reported to a teacher that another student was carrying a gun. The teacher contacted the office, and administrators came to the room. Administrators removed the child and the child’s possessions from the classroom and took
them to the office. A gun was discovered — an unloaded .22 caliber pistol manufactured in 1908 — and school officials notified the sheriff’s department and the superintendent’s office. No ammunition was found on the child or in the child’s possession.
“The Kossuth Elementary teacher and administration handled the matter in the safest and most professional manner for all parties involved,” said Smith. “The children of the class or the school as a whole were never placed in imminent danger.” Upon notification, the Al-
corn County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the school, took control of the situation and removed the child from the campus. The child was expelled from the Alcorn School District according to Mississippi Code for possession of a gun on campus.
Tentative date set for liquor sales BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The City of Corinth continues to make preparations for legal alcoholic beverage sales to begin, and those who will sell liquor in restaurants and liquor stores are beginning to publish the required notices. Pat Daily, an agent with the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau of Enforcement, met with the mayor, city clerk, police chief and other staff at City Hall on Wednesday for a discussion as the city and the ABC prepare for liquor sales in Corinth. City Clerk Vickie Roach said it appears tentatively that legal sales will begin Friday, Feb. 1. It had been unclear whether the date would be 30 days from legal publication of the ordinance
or 30 days from adoption by the Board of Aldermen, and she believes it is the latter. The board adopted the ordinance on Jan. 2. The ABC gave clearance this week to begin publishing the required legal notices for permit applicants in the Daily Corinthian. As of Wednesday, six applicants have submitted notices for publication: ■ Corinth Wine & Spirits, LLC — package retailer permit; 3113 Shiloh Road. ■ The Twisted Cork, LLC — package retailer permit; 108 Highway 72 West. ■ Ruby Tuesday, Inc. — onpremise retailer; 2110 Highway 72 West. ■ Wholesale Liquor — packPlease see LIQUOR | 2
Increase in flu cases evident at MRHC BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
December was a busy month for Magnolia Regional Health Center when it came to treating the flu. The hospital saw an increase of over 100 flu patients from last year. “Our ER is seeing an average of 100-130 patients each day with the majority presenting flu-like symptoms or positive flu cultures,” said Carl Clement, emergency department director. Thus far, MRHC has treated 115 positive flu culture patients. Last year, the hospital only saw 10 positive cultures in the month of Dec. There were 50 who tested positive for the flu in 2010. Overall, MRHC has seen an increase in patients the last month. “We have an increase of ap-
proximately 400 patients in the month of December compared to last year,” said Angela Nowlin, senior vice president of patient experience. The Centers for Disease Control are reporting an enormous cases of flu around the country. Forty-one states are reporting widespread flu activity. Outpatient visits have jumped from a base of 2.2 percent to 5.6 percent. Nine of 10 CDC have reported flu-like symptoms above the baseline of 2.2 percent. According to the CDC, each cough, sneeze or even conversation puts the virus into the air — and potentially into your lungs. The virus goes everywhere — onto railings and the salt shakers in the diner; on the Please see FLU | 3
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
National Cemetery Site Supervisor Rickie Brown was named the 2012 Worrell Contracting Company Inc. Employee of the Year.
What can Brown do for you? BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Rickie Brown has a quiet job with plenty to do. The site supervisor of the National Cemetery was rewarded for his quality of work by being named the 2012 Worrell Contracting Company Inc. Employee of the Year. Brown’s
Site supervisor named Employee of the Year ground maintenance crew was also recognized as 2012 Crew of the Year. “The National Cemetery is a holy place,” said Corinth Mayor
Tommy Irwin. “The work Rickie and his crew do is second to none … you never see the cemePlease see BROWN | 3
Girl Scouts begin cookie sales BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Girl Scout Daisies Katie Hubbard (left) and her sister, Gracie, are taking orders for cookies such as Samoas, Thin Mints and Trefoils.
Index Stocks........7 Classified......14 Comics...... 12 Wisdom...... 11
Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8
Local Girl Scouts are calling on friends and neighbors with order forms in hand as the annual cookie sale begins. Young ladies began taking pre-orders Saturday for Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Dulce de Leche, Thank You Berry Munch and Savannah Smiles. The price remains $3.50 per box for each of the eight varieties. Each sale generates funds for troop activities. “Troops do many things with their money,” said membership manager Rhonda Tennyson. “Some spend it on their badges. Some like to do trips. It can be great or small.” The cookie program is designed to foster young leaders as the girls learn about goal setting, decision making, money management,
people skills and business ethics. “Every time you support girls through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, you are increasing girls’ abilities to make the world a better place in your own community,” said Jenny Jones, marketing director for Girl Scouts Heart of the South. “We want to thank everyone for supporting the girls as they begin this year’s program.” Tennyson said Samoas, with their combination of caramel, toasted coconut and chocolate, are the top sellers locally. They were formerly sold as Caramel deLites. The top seller nationally is the Thin Mint. Girl Scouts in Alcorn County have racked up some impressive numbers in recent years, with cookie sales almost tripling from 2010 to 2012. Last year, Scouts Please see COOKIES | 2
On this day in history 150 years ago In a highly politicized court martial, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter is cashiered from the U.S. Army for his lackluster performance at the Battle of Second Bull Run. The verdict will eventually be overturned in 1879.