Articles by Carl Smith
Starkville restaurant tax bill clears House hurdle
The Miss. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill renewing Starkville’s 2 percent food and beverage tax through 2018 this week.
Aldermen narrow potential fire chief list to 5
Five applicants, including three internal Starkville Fire Department employees, will interview March 30 for the city’s vacant fire chief position.
Wynn, Wiseman tangle over work ethic
Ward 3 Alderman David Little and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard distanced themselves from Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn after the first-term representative accused Mayor Parker Wiseman of maintaining a minor day-to-day role as Starkville’s chief executive.
Ethics Commission dismisses 2014 complaint against Starkville aldermen
The Mississippi Ethics Commission dismissed a 2014 Open Meetings Act complaint against Starkville aldermen that alleged impropriety with an earlier school board vote.
Supes move forward with industrial development bond
Oktibbeha County supervisors approved two resolutions that continue a joint city-county process that will fund a new industrial park near the Highway 25 and Highway 182 intersection.
Aldermen, employee pay raises up for discussion
Starkville aldermen are set to vote today on pay raises for their own positions and for city employees.
Sanitation equipment issues plague Starkville
Frequent sanitation equipment failures could force Starkville aldermen to once again broach a residential rate increase after the board failed to raise monthly charges by $1.50 on Feb. 17.
Wet, cool weather hampering pothole patching
The year’s wet weather and cooler temperatures have not only caused numerous potholes to form in Starkville’s roads, but also prevented city workers from acquiring the materials needed to fix the infrastructure issues.
Legislators file renewals for Starkville’s restaurant tax
Two bills extending Starkville’s 2 percent food and beverage tax are heading to their respective Miss. House and Senate local and private committees for discussion.
Legislature passes texting-while-driving bill
A bill banning texting while driving now awaits Gov. Phil Bryant’s signature after lawmakers approved the measure Monday.
Ongoing drug investigation yields charges
Three Starkville residents face drug-related charges as Starkville Police Department and county law enforcement continue cracking down on offenders.
Arrest follows Starkville stabbing
A Thursday stabbing in Starkville injured one person and led to the arrest of another.
Heiselt to lead Starkville school board into consolidation
The Starkville School District Board of Trustees unanimously named Eric Heiselt school board president for the year.
$6M bond bill would fund new MHP substation
A bill working its way through the Mississippi Legislature would, if approved and signed by Gov. Phil Bryant, provide funding for a new Miss. Highway Patrol Troop G headquarters in Oktibbeha County.
5 internal applicants emerge for fire chief
Ten applicants, including five Starkville firefighters, are vying to become the city’s next fire chief, Personnel Director Randy Boyd confirmed Wednesday.
Starkville aldermen say ‘No deal’ to Cadence Bank
Starkville aldermen ended months of speculation surrounding a potential purchase of Cadence Bank’s Main Street property Tuesday by shifting their attention to renovating City Hall for Starkville Police Department’s permanent home.
45 candidates vying for 18 Oktibbeha seats
Forty-five individuals — 29 Democrats, 14 Republicans and two independents — formally launched their respective election campaigns after qualifying for 18 elected Oktibbeha County positions.
Insurance agent veto override absent from Tuesday’s agenda
It appears Tim Cox will continue to serve as Starkville’s insurance agent of record.
Oktibbeha elections set as last-minute qualifiers enter races
Twenty-four Democrats, 14 Republicans and two independents tossed their hats into the races for 18 elected Oktibbeha County positions before Friday’s qualification window closed.
SPD eyes camera at high-traffic Cotton District intersection
Recently acquired grant funding will give Starkville Police Department an unblinking watchman at one of Starkville’s busiest intersections.
