Articles by Carl Smith
Britt indicted on new child luring, exploitation charges
Two child enticement charges against Jody Wayne Britt were retired this month after new evidence prompted an Oktibbeha County grand jury to indict the former Starkville Academy coach on two counts of luring a child to engage in sexually explicit communications via computer and one count of child exploitation.
Aldermen approve SPD renovation contract
Law enforcement agents are forecast to move into the newly renovated Starkville Police Department in May after aldermen unanimously tasked the Columbus-based Weathers Construction Inc. to rehabilitate the city’s former administrative home this month.
SPD taking in supplies for donation to victims of La. flooding
Starkville police and Animal Control agents are collecting supplies for the victims of recent flooding in Louisiana.
Hyde-Smith picked for spot in Trump ag policy group
Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith begins putting her statewide experience to work on a national level today as an adviser on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s agriculture policy committee.
Oktibbeha Co. raises taxes for bridge fund
Oktibbeha County property owners are expected to pay a higher tax rate in the upcoming fiscal year after supervisors unanimously approved an additional 1-mill levy for its bridge repair fund Monday.
SOCSD adds controls after FY ’15 audit finds deficiencies
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Chief Financial Officer Tammie McGarr says the school district has implemented or is in the process of adding new policies after an audit of Fiscal Year 2014-15 found five deficiencies with how the district monitors federal awards, food services and receipts from athletic events.
Former NBA player Outlaw indicted on drug charge
Former professional basketball player Travis Outlaw was arrested Tuesday after a grand jury indicted him on a felony marijuana charge.
Most scaled-down SPD bids come under $5.4M budget
Aldermen are poised to fund Starkville Police Department renovations after seven of eight project bids received by the city Thursday came in under the $5.4 million budget allocated for the work.
New South Weekends series features night market
The first ever Friday Starkville Community Market, offering pop-up shopping vendors, live music and local food and beverage tastings, will kick off the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s New South Weekends event series on Sept. 2, the day before Mississippi State University’s football game against the University of South Alabama.
Arrests made in connection to gas station robbery
Starkville police officers and agents with the U.S. Marshal Task Force arrested two suspects allegedly tied to a recent armed robbery at a North Jackson Street gas station.
Starkville man killed in Highway 12 wreck
A Starkville man died Tuesday after a single-car accident on Highway 12.
Interconnections abound with OCH analysis
A man directly connected with the firm Oktibbeha County supervisors hired to conduct an analysis of OCH Regional Medical Center once played a major role in a failed effort to acquire the hospital.
Two sought in gas station armed robbery
Starkville police are searching for two suspects involved in an armed robbery of a North Jackson Street gas station Sunday.
Starkville, Oktibbeha County OK adjusted Academy Sports TIF
Oktibbeha County supervisors and Starkville aldermen paved the way for a new Academy Sports retail store last week, approving a $1.5 million-maximum, 15-year tax increment financing plan for the development.
O’Kelly sentenced to 20 years for second-degree murder
Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard handed down a 20-year sentence to Skylar O’Kelly for giving a LSD-like drug to former Mississippi State University student Parker Rodenbaugh that caused his death in 2014.
Social media threats lead to Starkville man’s arrest
A Starkville man previously charged with assaulting an officer was arrested Thursday after allegedly threatening a law enforcement agent’s life on social media.
Manning given life sentence for 2014 murder
An Oktibbeha County man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2014 shooting death of Christopher Houston.
State audit shows misappropriations in Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee counties
The annual state auditor’s report, released Friday, showed misappropriation of funds in 48 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, including four in the Golden Triangle.
Trainer calls for millage increase to support road projects
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer will pitch a millage increase in the next two months for countywide road paving and reclamation projects.
No objections emerge against Oktibbeha industrial park bonds
Both Oktibbeha County supervisors and Starkville aldermen continued a process to issue a combined $14 million in general obligation bonds for a new industrial park after no organized protests or objections to the financing package emerged this week.
