Articles by Carl Smith
Supes continue to mull possible bonds for road improvements
Oktibbeha County supervisors took the next step Monday toward funding Blackjack Road improvements and are mulling the prospect of issuing up to $10 million in bonds for other improvement projects.
Trainer: All projects ‘on the table’ for road bond
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer said all pending Oktibbeha County road, bridge and infrastructure projects will be “on the table” for discussion Monday as board members hold a workshop on a potential general obligation bond for infrastructure improvements.
Barricaded man puts Starkville elementary on lockdown
Henderson Ward Stewart elementary complex in Starkville was placed under a precautionary lockdown on Thursday as local police officers responded to an incident where a man reportedly made threats to his Pilcher Street neighbors and barricaded himself within a home.
Starkville increasing police presence in Cotton District
The Starkville Police Department is increasing its physical presence in the Cotton District after a Mississippi State University student was shot to death there earlier this month.
Former teacher gets one year for computer luring
A former Starkville Academy teacher will serve one year in prison after pleading guilty to two computer luring charges.
Carver calls for consistency with TIF issuances
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver says he will not support any new tax increment financing (TIF) packages until Starkville develops clear guidelines for their implementation or until the incoming administration takes office after next year’s municipal elections.
Teacher’s Facebook post draws public criticism
After discussing a personnel matter behind closed doors for almost an hour Tuesday, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District officials declined to comment about the employment status of an elementary art teacher or any possible disciplinary action taken against her after she posted a questionable Facebook message last week during school hours.
Ellis: Time to reboot Oktibbeha’s Democratic Party
District 38 Rep. Tyrone Ellis and Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman are widely considered to be the faces of the Oktibbeha County Democratic Party, but Ellis is set to become the party’s primary standard-bearer after Wiseman steps out of public office on June 30.
Carver, Wynn mulling Starkville mayoral bids
On the heels of learning Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman will not run for re-election, Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn said they would consider a mayoral campaign if the right conditions emerge.
Brown, incumbent election commissioners hold onto vote leads
Election night leads for school board candidate John Brown and incumbent Oktibbeha County Election Commissioners Myles Carpenter and Greg Fulgham solidified into victories on Monday as processed absentee and affidavit ballots did not significantly impact their respective vote margins.
Wiseman won’t seek third term as Starkville mayor
Parker Wiseman will conclude an eight-year stint as Starkville’s mayor on June 30 when he steps away from local politics.
Wynn bringing Wal-Mart TIF package back for vote
Aldermen are expected to again consider a $1.35 million-maximum tax increment financing package Tuesday that would help land a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in east Starkville and construct a public roadway to spur new development.
2 Starkville shooting suspects now face capital murder charges
Two Columbus men allegedly linked to a Starkville homicide last weekend now face capital murder charges.
3 groups submit SOCSD superintendent search proposals
Three firms are vying for a contract to handle the upcoming search for Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Lewis Holloway’s successor.
EAEOCS representative specifies plans for old Moor High School
Oktibbeha County’s old Moor High School could become a museum for local public education efforts and a home for educational support services if a lease or purchase agreement can be reached between the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.
Brown, election commission incumbents take leads into today
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees candidate John Brown, District 1 Election Commissioner Greg Fulgham and District 3 Election Commissioner Myles Carpenter appear to be on the path to victory after Tuesday’s General Election.
SPD arrests fifth suspect allegedly tied to Starkville robbery, shooting
Starkville Police Department arrested a Columbus teenager Tuesday for his alleged role in a weekend robbery and subsequent shooting in the Cotton District.
MSU student found dead at Green Oaks home
A Mississippi State University student was found dead at her Green Oaks home Sunday, Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt confirmed.
Renewed push expected for Blackjack pedestrian safety improvements
Starkville in Motion, a local advocacy group that promotes pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, is expected to renew a call for safety improvements along Blackjack Road after a Mississippi State University student was hit by an alleged drunk driver this weekend.
Oktibbeha residents push supervisors for paving projects
As a group of Oktibbeha County residents called upon supervisors to invest in local infrastructure and pave their gravel roads Monday, activist Fred Allen shared with them the strategy he used to convince board members to repave New Light Road after almost a decade of lobbying: persistence.
