Articles by Carl Smith
New EMCC union ground-breaking set for June 6
East Mississippi Community College officials will break ground on a new Mayhew campus student union June 6, a facility that will provide additional classrooms and serve as the school’s anchor for student services as it hopes to provide on-campus living spaces in 2018.
Starkville public works, IT expenditures remain under budget
Starkville’s public works and information technology departments’ fiscal year expenditures are expected to be under budget. Similar funding levels next year should be adequate, department heads said Friday.
Higgins: ‘Good Ole Boy’ system is out of business
Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins sternly warned Golden Triangle elected officials to stop pressuring companies for personal favors in job hires Monday.
Spec building in limbo as LINK eyes research park development
Plans to construct a speculative building to lure potential industrial developments to Oktibbeha County are on hold as Golden Triangle Development LINK officials research the feasibility and costs associated with developing a new research and development park near Mississippi State University, LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins confirmed Monday.
Report: Job training key to economic growth
The Golden Triangle has the potential to become one of the most dynamic small-area economies in the U.S. if Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties’ leaders are prepared to invest in education and expansion efforts, according to an economic and community development study delivered to community leaders Monday.
City, county record savings with internal hires
Oktibbeha County and Starkville saved a combined $54,179 by promoting internal officials to key supervisory positions within each governing body.
Board attorney vows to fight city’s ethics claim
Starkville will vigorously defend itself in a state ethics complaint alleging aldermen tend to business in secret meetings outside public view, board attorney Chris Latimer said Friday.
Suspect arrested after alleged shooting near school
Steven Bryant Thomas Jr., 19, of Starkville, turned himself in to Starkville police officers Monday and was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In the eye of the storm: FOIA shows Ward 2 Alderman Wynn set board action with private email
A Freedom of Information Act request by The Dispatch shows Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn sent an email from a private account setting up board business, an act that partially ties into a recent Open Meetings Act complaint alleging aldermen tend to city business outside the public’s view.
Wynn is focus of ethics complaint
An Open Meetings Act complaint against Starkville aldermen alleges Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn and other city representatives repeatedly participate in secret meetings and seeks a full state investigation into a pattern that dates to July 1.
Residents: Safety issues abound on Blackjack Road
About 20 Blackjack residents say they, along with commuters who use the widely traveled thoroughfare near Mississippi State University, are forced to endure dangerous conditions on Blackjack Road as heavy construction equipment associated with housing developments block and damage the street.
Perkins: Nixing alcohol sales agenda item prevents divisive discussion
An agenda item that would have set public hearings on a law relaxing Starkville alcohol sales was pulled Monday from today’s city business, officials confirmed Monday.
Alcohol law change pulled from Starkville agenda
An agenda item that would have set public hearings on an amendment relaxing Starkville’s alcohol sales was pulled Monday from Tuesday’s board meeting, officials confirmed.
Starkville aldermen consider change in alcohol law
Starkville aldermen are expected to discuss scheduling public hearings on lowering the city’s alcohol sales restrictions Tuesday, a move that could allow on-premises sales and consumption to more business parcels.
Starkville officials interested in annexation study
Starkville aldermen could contract an Oxford-based planning firm, Slaughter and Associates, to begin a preliminary study identifying possible future annexation territory.
Starkville officials interested in annexation study
A proposed board motion would enter the city into negotiations with Oxford-based planning firm Slaughter and Associates for preliminary assessments.
Aldermen expected to discuss hearings on relaxing Starkville alcohol laws
Starkville aldermen are expected to discuss scheduling public hearings on lowering the city’s alcohol sales restrictions Tuesday, a move that could allow on-premises sales and consumption to more business parcels.
Court system seeks computer upgrades in FY 2014 budget
Aldermen signaled their support Thursday for a small budget request to finish a two-year computer upgrade process for the Starkville Municipal Court system but said a project to digitize court and city clerk records would have to wait until funding becomes available.
Starkville Community Market opens 2014 season this Saturday
Starkville Community Market begins its 2014 season with a limited, early season produce market 7:30 a.m. Saturday and a new, mid-week supplemental market 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Louisville doctor clings to patient in terrifying tug-of-war
As a last-second pivot positioned Winston Medical Center directly in the path of an EF-4 tornado Monday, long-time emergency room physician Mike Henry began running through his unit and warning patients to immediately hunker down and take cover.
