Articles by Carl Smith
Carpenter ousts Crump; Haug heads to Nov. general election
Two-thirds of Oktibbeha County’s justice court seats are now set after Larnzy Carpenter defeated long-serving District 2 Judge W. Bernard Crump in Tuesday’s Democratic runoff election.
Holloway will return as SOCSD supe after suspension
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Lewis Holloway will return to work Sept. 8 following a period of unpaid leave.
Higgins: New industrial park in works
The Golden Triangle Development LINK is narrowing the field of potential sites for a new Oktibbeha County industrial park, but CEO Joe Max Higgins says he expects land acquisition costs to drive the cost above the failed Innovation District’s $10 million price tag.
Wiseman promises veto of board’s insurance pick
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman will soon veto four aldermen’s decision to choose the Integrity Group as the city’s insurance agent of record Tuesday because the deal costs $149,000 more than the lowest submitted bid and is expected to drive up monthly out-of-pocket rates for employees.
Starkville aldermen raise sanitation fees
An almost seven-hour Starkville Board of Aldermen meeting yielded motions to raise sanitation rates beginning Oct. 1 and place the city’s entire parks and recreation department on probation.
Weaver-Reese resigns from school board
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District trustee Juliette Weaver-Reese resigned her post Tuesday after serving on the school board less than two years.
School board could decide Holloway’s fate Monday
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District trustees could decide the fate of Superintendent Lewis Holloway’s continued employment with the district in a special-call meeting Monday, said board President Eddie Myles.
Wynn to introduce new public comment resolution
Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn will introduce a resolution requiring Starkville residents wishing to speak at board meetings to fill out an application for comment time.
Social media posts at heart of GTRA arrests
As many Mississippians struggle to understand how two of their own could allegedly fall under the influence of radical extremists’ messages, a Mississippi State University assistant professor of marketing says groups like the Islamic State group (IS) find recruiting success by selling their organization as a brand that can fill various voids in their lives.
Judge denies alleged IS supporters’ bond
A federal judge denied bail Tuesday for two Starkville residents accused of materially supporting a terrorist group.
Feds: Starkville duo planned to join ISIL
Federal authorities say two people taken into custody at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport on Saturday intended to fly to the Middle East and join Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) operatives in Syria.
Election results unchanged after affidavits
The end results of Tuesday’s Oktibbeha County Democratic and Republican primaries went unchanged after election officials added about 100 additional affidavit votes to the totals Wednesday.
SPD searching for armed robbery suspect
The Starkville Police Department is searching for an unidentified man who held up a gas station at gunpoint.
Second arrest made stemming from Central Ave. incident
Starkville police officers charged a second suspect with aggravated assault in connection with a July Central Avenue incident.
Randle holds constable seat, Williams re-elected
District 2 Constable Curtis Randle and District 5 Supervisor Joe Williams secured victories in Tuesday’s Democratic primary and will return to their respective seats next term.
School supe: Building split ‘does not meet intent of law’
A July letter addressed to supervisors from Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Lewis Holloway says the county’s decision to split the use of the former Oktibbeha County School District’s administrative home between the new district and emergency management “does not meet the intent” of law approved by legislators.
Tuesday’s Democratic primaries could decide 4 local Oktibbeha seats
Tuesday’s primary elections could settle four Oktibbeha County races and bring clarity to others.
Oktibbeha supervisors mum on state flag issue
Oktibbeha County supervisors are not scheduled to discuss whether to remove the Mississippi state flag from county-owned property Monday, but board members say they’ll deal with the issue if it’s forced.
13 Oktibbeha candidates miss pre-election campaign finance deadline
Ten of Oktibbeha County’s 44 county-wide candidates failed to turn in campaign finance forms due Tuesday, and two more candidates submitted their respective documents after the deadline.
