Articles by Abigail Sipe Rochester
Dachshund derby coming to Cotton District
“Ladies and gentlemen, start your wiener dogs,” Alden Thornhill, organizer for the Starkville Derby, told The Dispatch.
Subdivision off Poor House could get city treatment
Aldermen on Tuesday approved a developer’s agreement for the Glen Creek subdivision, which is a 80-acre development south of the city located off Poor House Road.
Retrial of Dustin Nixon begins for 2018 Longview murder
“I wasn’t counting them, but I do remember five shots. It could have been more, but I remember five shots,” Hailey Jackson Wells said on the witness stand Tuesday on the first day of the murder retrial of Dustin Nixon.
‘Focused attack’ at Sprint Mart involves modified Glocks
A “focused attack” Sunday night involving gunfire outside the Sprint Mart at Highway 182 and Old Mayhew Road dealt minor injuries to two victims and have police looking for suspects.
Handle With Care trauma response coming to SOCSD
First responders arrive at a traumatic situation involving a child. By class time the next morning, the child’s teacher has a message from the school district with the child’s name and three words: “Handle With Care.”
Late June ‘soft opening’ new goal for Cornerstone
The crack of baseball bats and the roaring of fans have filled baseball fields across the country since the end of March.
But Cornerstone Park is still only filled with the sound of construction with Mayor Lynn Spruill now pushing for a “soft opening” in late June.
Library transforms into speakeasy this Saturday
While libraries are typically quiet, the Starkville Public Library will be roaring Saturday night.
Election 2023: Roads, teen violence addressed at Oktibbeha Democrat forum
Eleven Democratic candidates running for county positions in 2023 introduced their platforms at a forum at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse Annex Tuesday night. Conversation ranged from roads to teenage gun violence.
Fifth Starkville Pride celebration planned for weekend
Starkville Pride is returning to the city for its fifth year this Friday.
Travis Outlaw Center closing for most of May for renovations
Terry Tate said the buckling and slippery floors of the basketball court at the Travis Outlaw Center have started to throw off his game.
Crawfish boil returns to Fire Station Park on Friday night
The sound of bubbling pots and the smell of Cajun seasoning are about to fill the air at Fire Station Park once again, as the King Cotton Crawfish Boil returns for its seventh year this Friday.
$4.4M in street improvements to begin in May
Aldermen on Tuesday approved a $4.4 million bid from APAC for work on 25 roads throughout the city.
‘Case-by-case’ tax abatements available for developers
Aldermen on Tuesday adopted a tax abatement ordinance that gives the board power to determine what businesses receive them “on a case-by-case basis” without a clear policy on how those abatements will be granted.
20-percent rate hike considered for sanitation services
City residents could spoon see their sanitation bill increase by $3.25 per month.
Fans use Super Bulldog Weekend as way to mark reunions, wedding showers, more
STARKVILLE — This weekend, record breaking numbers of Mississippi State fans, alumni and visitors flocked to the city for the 37th Super Bulldog Weekend, which was focused mostly on the Maroon and White spring football game and the Bulldogs’ three-game baseball series against Ole Miss.
Is your child in danger? Check the Urban Dictionary
Parents find a string of emojis in their child’s phone they don’t understand. Little do they know, these emojis mean their child is using drugs or they are the target of human trafficking.
Man arrested for murder on Teagarden Lane
A man is in custody after allegedly murdering a woman at the mobile home park on Teagarden Lane.
Polk statue, new mascot to be unveiled during 37th Super Bulldog Weekend
Super Bulldog Weekend is about to take over the city for its 37th year.
SOCSD deputy superintendent retiring at year’s end
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is looking for a new assistant superintendent.
Shot teen arrested after release from OCH
The victim in an aggravated assault outside a convenience store earlier this month has now been charged with aggravated assault.
Chain’s life in the water leads to a lap around Key West
July 19, 2025
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