Welcome to Corinth, all the Crossroads Chili Cook-Off Teams Saturday April 6,
2013
50 cents
Green Market 8-5; Chili Tasting Noon-2; All at The Depot in Downtown Corinth
Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 83
Today
Tonight
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0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Authorities arrest burglary suspect BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
A 47-year-old burglar from Memphis named Robert Pernell Morton was on the run in Kossuth this week. A four-wheeler joy ride ended in the suspect's arrest and a load of stolen items — including guns and groceries — returned to its rightful owner. Morton had separated earlier in the day Wedneday from his two partners-in-crime somewhere near the Tennessee line. They had a car, but Morton had only his two feet. The pair in the car were soon apprehended by Tennessee law enforcement, but Morton’s spree was not over. Not yet. Morton made his way to a residence on County Road 711 and broke in, according to Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office investigators. Somewhere along the line Morton had lost his shoes — and had soiled his socks something awful during the walk. Memphis was a long way, so Morton took a new pair of socks and a pair of New Balance shoes. Before continuing his trip back to Memphis, Morton decided to take a few more things. He got a 32-inch flat-screen TV, two shotguns, a rifle, assorted medication, most of the groceries in the house (including four racks of baby back ribs and a 12-pack of Coke Zero), a Husqvarna chainsaw, a toothbrush — and a Honda four-wheeler to haul himself and all his loot
Mostly sunny
Planning highlights city work session BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
The Memphis burglar was caught across the line in Tippah County on this stolen four-wheeler — loaded down with stolen items from a Kossuth residence. back to Memphis. Even a blanket was stolen to conceal the haul. Morton donned a red and black plaid shirt — also stolen from the house — and fled on the Honda. According to Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department investigators, the burglar stopped at a store to ask for directions back to Memphis. The thief took a wrong turn and headed toward Ripley. Alcorn County law enforce-
ment had been on the lookout for a suspicious person in the area since a call came in around 3 p.m., following the BOLO call that led to the arrest of Morton’s partners in Tennessee. Later that evening the Sheriff’s Office got a call from the man on County Road 711 about the theft of his four-wheeler, guns and all his groceries. Investigators responded to the residence and be-
gan the investigation. Shortly after 7 p.m., they received a call that Morton had been apprehended by Tippah County law enforcement at Spout Springs, just across the county line on Highway 2. Officers from the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department made the short trip across the line and determined
made a brief stop in Corinth to pick up travel money playing the bagpipe. He drew a huge crowd as he played at the corner of the Shiloh Road BP and Parkway. “I haven’t Moe gotten the same kind of response in the North like I did the South,” he said. “It has been harder to make some money.”
Leaving his home in Laramie, Wy., the 18-year-old has put 26,000 miles on his vehicle in crossing 30 states since August. “When I started the trip, I hoped to get an idea on what I wanted to do the rest of my life,” he said. At this point of the journey the young man, who is selftaught on the bagpipe, still isn’t sure what is next. “This is the longest I have been away from home,” he said. “I would like to be home by May 13 for my cousin’s birthday, but I don’t know if I
will make it.” Moe spent 10 days in the Everglades and has made his way along the East Coast. Most nights are spent inside his vehicle in the parking lot of a Walmart. “I have been to some nice places since I left Corinth,” said Moe. “The people in Tennessee and Florida were both very nice.” His travels have taken him from Alaska to California and to the provinces of Canada over the last eight months. He began the long journey following graduation from high school.
Corinth officials are planning a meeting with representatives of The John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development. The Corinth Board of Mayor and Aldermen will hold a special work session meeting with Joe Fratesi and Phil Hardwick of the Stennis Institute on Friday from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Joe Vann’s cabin at 815 Rivercliff Lane in Pickwick, Tenn. County officials have also been invited. The group will hear insights from Fratesi and Hardwick and have some discussion of planPlease see STENNIS | 2
Symphony orchestra tickets on Bagpipe player now up north in Massachusetts sale now BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Kevin Moe is some where in Massachusetts. The bagpipe player who made a stop in Corinth on Feb. 13 during a trek across the country is headed to a friend’s home in Canada after reaching his destination of the Florida Everglades. “It has been a lot of fun,” said Moe via cell phone Friday afternoon. “I didn’t know what to expect when I started the trip.” Moe, dressed in a kilt with accessories such as a sporran, Balmoral cap, hose and flashes,
Please see ARREST | 2
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Tickets are on sale now for the Corinth Symphony Orchestra spring concert “Una Serata in Italia” (“An Evening in Italy”), slated for Saturday, May 11, at the Corinth Coliseum Civic Center. The theme for the concert is Italian composers and their compositions, including Mendelssohn’s “Italian Symphony.” Conducted by CSO maestro Maurice Weatherall, the show will also include a performance Please see TICKETS | 2
Elks Lodge hosts concert BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Tonight the Elks Lodge will host an evening of diverse musical entertainment featuring bands from the area and around the region — and styles ranging from psychadelic rock to feelgood hip-hop. Lineup for the show includes Set in Stone, Ben Ricketts, PELL and Light Beam Rider. Set in Stone is a pop/rock band from Corinth. Members are Alex Sellers (guitar, vocals), Casey Parks (guitar, vocals), Kyle Harvey (bass) and Jesse Hurst (drums). Second up is Ben Ricketts, a 19-year-old songwriter and musician whose recently-recorded EP meshes acoustic guitars and traditional influences with electronica styles. Tonight will be Rickett’s first local show amid a string of out-of-town performances. “I’m really excited,” said Ricketts. “I’ve been playing more and
more out of town, but it’s always fun to do local shows — especially with somebody like PELL coming from a distance.” Ricketts said he hopes the show will prompt local people to get out and hear some different music. PELL is a Starkville-based hiphop/rap artist who plays shows throughout the region. His album “Calphonic,” released in December, is available on bandcamp. com. The show will conclude with local psychedelic rock band Light Beam Rider. The band has recently played shows in Jackson, Oxford, Tupelo and New Orleans. Light Beam Rider is: Jesse Sutton (bass), Daniel Sowards (lead guitar), Thomas Sweat (lead vocals, guitar) and Ian Manus (drums). The show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. The Elks Lodge is the home base for the local Elks Chapter. Please see ELKS | 2
Biggersville Celebration
The 2012-2013 Biggersville Lions celebrated their Class 1A state basketball championship with their fans Thursday night in the Lions’ Den. Players signed autographs. Lainey Jackson Little — the daughter of Jana and BHS Head Coach Cliff Little — displays the autographed basketball that was raffled off during the festivities. Lion fan Trevor Ramsey won the keepsake
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Start photo by H. Lee Smith II
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago Following the complaints of Charles F. Adams, the U.S. Minister in London, the vessel Alexandra is seized by British authorities. The apparent diplomatic victory is later reversed by the English courts, which releases the vessel for eventual service by the Confederates.