Smith campaign has pile of cash despite being outraised by McLean

Candidates for Mississippi legislative offices had raised thousands of dollars by the end of the first reporting period Friday, when candidates were required to report contributions and disbursements to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.

Oktibbeha sheriff’s race nets $6K-plus in fundraising

Two candidates in the Oktibbeha County sheriff’s race have raised more than $6,600 in campaign funding, according to campaign financing reports submitted to the circuit clerk’s office by Friday’s filing deadline.

Starkville weighing regulations for Airbnb properties

Julie Baca, who lives in Oktibbeha Gardens, wasn’t very familiar with Airbnb.

That changed a few months ago, when the owners of a nearby house began using the online service to regularly rent it out to visitors.

Starkville officials pitch 1-percent tax at forum

Local leaders made their cases for a new 1-percent tourism tax to support Starkville’s parks and recreation system — including the construction of a new $20 million-plus recreation facility with tournament-ready fields at Cornerstone Park — at a Thursday night forum.

Indiana barbershop murder suspect arrested in Starkville

A man wanted for a deadly shooting at a barbershop in Indiana was arrested in Starkville on Thursday.

Starkville couple buys antebellum home for bed and breakfast

One of the oldest houses in Starkville will find new life when it opens as a bed and breakfast this fall.

New info suggests baby left in toilet may have been born dead

The Mississippi 16th Circuit District Attorney’s Office has dropped an initial second-degree murder charge against a woman accused of birthing her baby in a toilet and abandoning it.

Gilmore joins Ward 5 race

Three candidates are now running for Starkville’s Ward 5 alderman seat after Kayla Gilmore entered the race.

DA’s office plans to re-present Fisher case to grand jury

The Mississippi 16th Circuit District Attorney’s Office has dropped initial second-degree murder charges against a woman accused of birthing her baby in a toilet and abandoning it.

Aldermen OK $1 million for pedestrian path, street improvement work

Starkville is moving ahead with roughly $1 million in road and pedestrian improvement work after aldermen approved two projects during Tuesday’s meeting.

Key: Solar power growing, diversifying

Keith Key said most people have an image of a typical solar power customer. “Most of the people I talk to think they live out in the country, eat tofu and are bare-footed,” Key said. “They’re off the grid, you know, and they’re the only people interested in that.”

Blackjack Road project stalls on right-of-way acquisition

Oktibbeha County is hoping to soon begin work on a road improvement project along Blackjack Road but is waiting for easements from property owners.

MDOT: Highway 12 Phase 1 reduces crashes by 42 percent

The first phase of the Highway 12 safety improvement project in Starkville has, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, led to a significant reduction in crashes along the corridor.

VanHorn qualifies for Ward 5 race

A second candidate has filed paperwork to run in a May 30 special election to fill former Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller’s seat.

SPD investigating Northside Drive shooting

Starkville Police are investigating a Sunday night shooting that hospitalized a male victim.

Oktibbeha Young Leaders graduates its first class

Memory Shuffield found himself answering one question more than others during the first year of the Oktibbeha Young Leaders program.

Starkville to undertake historic property survey

Starkville will soon be the first city in the state to undertake a survey to identify all of its historic properties.

Beatty qualifies for Ward 5 race

The first candidate running to replace former Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller qualified on Thursday for a May 30 special election.

Federal lawsuit settled between Oktibbeha and ex-road worker

A federal lawsuit against Oktibbeha County and County Road Manager Fred Hal Baggett has settled.

Former Starkville parks director pleads guilty to defrauding state

Former Starkville Parks and Recreation Director Herman Peters has pleaded guilty for his role in an embezzlement case that saw multiple former parks employees arrested in 2017 and 2018.