Articles by Carl Smith
Moore challenging mayoral election with Democratic Party
Starkville mayoral candidate Johnny Moore is contesting his six-vote loss to Mayor-elect Lynn Spruill and asks the Oktibbeha County Democratic Party to count “improperly excluded ballots” or hold a special election if the comingling of “legally and illegally cast ballots” prevents the determination of the true winner of May 16’s primary.
MBI: Suspect shot after attempting to run over SPD officer
One person was wounded in an officer-involved shooting Saturday after he allegedly attempted to run over a Starkville law enforcement agent, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations spokesperson Warren Strain said.
Four alderman seats on the line Tuesday
Starkville voters will take to the polls Tuesday and decide four competitive ward races.
Jackson man charged in Friday shooting in Starkville
A Jackson man is behind bars after he allegedly shot someone on Pilcher Street Friday.
Neighboring property owners appeal industrial park zoning affirmation
A legal fight attempting to block a Golden Triangle Development LINK-backed industrial park in Starkville is not yet finished.
Oktibbeha County eyes Sturgis fire ratings expansion
A new fire protection area in District 4 could provide homeowners significant savings with their insurance premiums later this year.
Ruling puts Starkville industrial park back on track
Plans for an almost 400-acre, Golden Triangle Development LINK-backed industrial park could again gain traction after Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens affirmed a previously issued zoning change for the combined properties.
8 Starkville aldermen candidates raise $28K this year
Eight Starkville residents running for four aldermen seats have raised about $28,000 since Jan. 1, campaign finance reports filed Tuesday show.
Oktibbeha County’s chancery candidates preparing for nonpartisan race
Oktibbeha County’s six chancery clerk candidates are now preparing for a nonpartisan race in November after election law changes effective July 1 will repeal statutes on party primaries ahead of special elections.
Search on for missing Starkville man
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a Starkville man who has been out of contact with family for about two weeks.
Starkville admits inadvertent error with untimely FOIA production
The city of Starkville admits in a recent ethics defense it failed to provide former George M. Bryan Airport fixed-based operator Kenneth Aasand documents in a timely manner and attributed the error to a “lack of communication and follow-up.”
Traffic stop yields multiple charges against Starkville man
A Starkville man was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors after a Saturday traffic stop.
Hotel approval still in limbo after meeting fails to produce quorum
An attempt to provide developer Mark Nicholas with a new public financing option for his anticipated boutique hotel project failed Tuesday as a special-called meeting lacked a quorum of aldermen, but Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn says she’ll call for another gathering before June 6’s regularly scheduled board meeting, which also coincides with election day.
1 person injured in Monday Sprint Mart shooting
One person was injured and another was arrested following a Monday shooting at the Academy Road Sprint Mart.
Documents: Nicholas seeks tourism rebate for hotel, won’t pursue local TIF funds
Starkville aldermen could approve a new incentive package for developer Mark Nicholas’ Cotton Mill hotel project Tuesday that would negate a previous tax increment financing pledge.
2 Starkville men implicated in weekend burglaries
Two Starkville men could face jail time for their alleged roles in two weekend burglaries.
Moore, Spruill both seek ballot box examinations
Mayoral candidate Johnny Moore and Mayor-elect Lynn Spruill have both filed requests with the Oktibbeha County Democratic Party to review the results of last week’s runoff election.
Howard to call for OCH referendum
District 3 Supervisor Marvell Howard said he will call upon fellow supervisors to call for a referendum on the fate of OCH Regional Medical Center at the county’s June 5 board meeting.
Moore may challenge Starkville mayor’s race
Mayor-elect Lynn Spruill’s primary runoff lead was reduced to six votes Thursday after Starkville election commissioners accepted one remaining affidavit ballot and certified the results for both the Ward 1 Republican and the citywide Democratic races.
Spruill wins Starkville mayor’s race by seven votes
Lynn Spruill is set to become Starkville’s first female mayor after she retained a seven-vote lead over challenger Johnny Moore once affidavits from the Democratic Primary runoff were processed Wednesday.
Blake Shapen embracing leadership under center and in the QB room
July 18, 2025
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