Articles by Carl Smith
Spruill files appeal with Mississippi Supreme Court in election contest
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill’s legal team is asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to find her election challenger, Johnny Moore, sidestepped an established process allowing political parties to handle questions or complaints raised in their own primaries.
Oktibbeha supervisors finalize FY ’18 budget
Supervisors finalized Oktibbeha County’s upcoming $56.46 million budget Tuesday that carries with it an almost 2-mill tax increase for property owners.
Some Oktibbeha voters could shift to avoid split ballots
An effort by the Oktibbeha County Election Commission to clean up split precincts created by prior redistricting efforts will place more than 250 voters in new constable and justice court judge districts ahead of November’s special elections.
PETA calls for MSU Meat Laboratory investigation
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is asking Mississippi State University’s police department to investigate and file animal cruelty charges against MSU Meat Science Laboratory workers after U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors observed two instances of inhumane slaughters this year.
Workers still exploring SPD seepage issue
Continued water seepage issues at the future home of Starkville Police Department pushed aldermen to authorize additional ground borings at the former city hall and delay the signing of a certificate of completion for the building Tuesday.
OCH posts $5.1M loss in 10 months
OCH Regional Medical Center reported an approximate $5.1 million loss after the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, and that loss could affect potential bids for the public health care facility, said consultant Ted Woodrell.
Oktibbeha supes open bids for road work
Itawamba County’s B&M Paving Company could soon be the recipient of infrastructure Oktibbeha County road improvement contracts totaling $2.6 million.
Perkins alludes to potential conflict with school board vote
Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins indirectly suggested Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller should recuse from any vote dealing with Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees candidate Sumner Davis, who leads a Mississippi State University Extension department that employs Miller on a full-time basis.
Willie Road shooting investigation yields arrest
Oktibbeha County resident Jerry Lee Obrien, 38, will be arraigned in justice court Friday after he was arrested in connection to an Aug. 24 shooting on Willie Road.
SPD using social media to reduce burglaries
Starkville Police Department Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady is trying to thwart would-be burglars one tweet and Facebook post at a time.
No tax increase expected for Starkville residents
Oktibbeha County and Starkville property owners’ expected tax rates are becoming clearer as the city’s tentative Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget does not call for a millage increase for operational expenses.
Columbus man arrested for stealing car in Starkville
A Columbus man was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing a car in Starkville.
Tagert forecasts Nov. completion of Hwy. 12 first phase
A large-scale infrastructure improvement project installing medians and updating traffic signals along the western and central portions of Highway 12 in Starkville should be completed by early November, Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert said Monday.
McGinnis calls for voter awareness ahead of special elections
Interim Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk Angie McGinnis declared September Voter Awareness Month ahead of November’s various special elections in effort to drum up interest and increase participation at the ballot box.
Miller, Montgomery urge caution with new lake offer
District 1 Supervisor John Montgomery and District 4 Supervisor Bricklee Miller say their fellow board members could be sinking money into a want, not a need, if Oktibbeha County pursues a new $2 million offer from former Mississippi State University basketball coach Rick Stansbury for his Starkville Wet ‘N Wild property at Oktibbeha County Lake.
Harrington named GSDP’s new director of membership development
Hunter Harrington — who previously worked with Mitchell Companies, Curio Brands and Learfield Sports — was named the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s new director of membership development Thursday.
1 killed in Brookville Gardens shooting
A 20-year-old Starkville resident is dead and another person is in custody after a Thursday shooting at Brookville Gardens.
A song in his heart: Starkville icon of business, service passes away Wednesday
Those close to John Robert Arnold, a prolific Oktibbeha County businessman with strong ties to the local Boy Scouts troop and First United Methodist Church, say they remember him as a man with a song in his heart — and one for everyone else.
Judge stays Moore challenge ahead of Spruill appeal
Starkville mayoral candidate Johnny Moore’s election challenge remains on hold after Special Circuit Judge Barry Ford stayed the matter ahead of an anticipated appeal from Mayor Lynn Spruill.
Little rescinds call for alcohol referendum
Ward 3 Alderman David Little will not call for a non-binding public vote on two proposed changes to Starkville’s alcohol ordinances after the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office informed him a November referendum must be paid for and administered by the city.