Articles by Carl Smith
OCSO, SPD hosting drug take-back events Saturday
Oktibbeha County residents wishing to safely dispose of prescription medications may do so at two locations Saturday during the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s Drug Take-back Day.
Henderson: Oktibbeha GOP ready to spend on candidates after primaries
The Oktibbeha County Republican Party has more than $10,000 on-hand to help push its candidates to victory in June’s general election, while Democrats say they have not yet identified if and how they’ll spend any money raised following Tuesday’s primaries.
City GPS trackers helping with efficiency
Long idling times for vehicles, joyriding and other misuses — a 2014 J5 Broaddus study of Global Positioning System (GPS) data from trackers mounted on Columbus city vehicles found these and other inefficiencies.
Starkville mayor’s race raises $80K
The three Democrats running in Starkville’s mayoral race — Damion Poe, local attorney Johnny Moore and former city chief administrative officer Lynn Spruill — have raised a combined $80,000 in campaign contributions this year, but that figure lags behind how much their counterparts had raised by this time in 2013’s municipal race.
9 aldermen candidates raise $17K for elections
Nine Starkville aldermen candidates reported taking in $17,108.25 in combined campaign donations this year as they worked to secure their respective ward races.
Prather named interim GSDP tourism director
Jennifer Prather, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s special events coordinator and Starkville Community Market manager, was promoted to the organization’s newly established director of tourism position, the Partnership announced Monday.
Neal withdraws from Starkville’s Ward 5 race
Ward 5’s municipal election will now be decided in the May 2 Democratic Primary after Republican candidate Chase Neal withdrew from the race.
Starkville records first dip in sales taxes for FY 17
Starkville recorded a 3.18 percent decline in sales tax receipts in February compared to last year’s mark, which represents the first downward trend for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
Young gets 50 years for 2015 gas station shooting
An Oktibbeha County man is going to prison for 50 years after he was convicted Thursday of shooting a gas station attendant in 2015.
New SOCSD superintendent pledges to create ’21st century school district’ in Oktibbeha
Incoming Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Eddie Peasant says he’s committed to creating a 21st century school district that prepares students for future job markets many have yet to envision.
Oktibbeha considers GPS trackers for road equipment
Oktibbeha County punted a decision on placing Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers in road department vehicles to May after supervisors raised questions Monday about employees’ productivity and how such a tracking system would affect morale.
Aldermen send second potential case to DA’s office
For the second time this year, Starkville aldermen voted behind closed doors to ask District Attorney Scott Colom to review a potential criminal case against a former city employee.
Regions picked to finance $14.5M Oktibbeha County road bond
Oktibbeha County is close to finalizing a 15-year, $14.5 million-maximum road bond for Blackjack Road and other countywide infrastructure projects and should have the funding in about 30 days.
Wiseman: Change order won’t delay SPD opening
A requested 23-day extension to the Starkville Police Department renovation contract for contractors to install information technology (IT) cabling and furniture will push the project’s date of substantial completion to June 12, but Mayor Parker Wiseman says the proposed change order will not significantly delay the project.
Restaurants buy-in to help lure visitors
It’s impossible for Jennifer Prather, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s special events coordinator, to be physically present in all 31 diners participating in Starkville Restaurant Week, guiding wait staff and assisting them through the event, but her playbook can.
Partnership may go with search firm for CEO
Sources familiar with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s search for a new chief executive officer say the organization is likely to hire an external firm to seek additional applicants after three finalists were identified but not hired this spring.
OCH audit: Hospital loses money in 2015-16
OCH Regional Medical Center’s Fiscal Year 2015-16 audit reported a $190,844 drop in its end-of-the-year net position after all operational and nonoperational revenues and expenses were accounted.
4-County plans March completion for Cornerstone substation
Cornerstone Park could again become a viable option for smaller industrial developments next year once a new 4-County Electric Power Association substation boosts the area’s power capacity.
Maulding picked as new SOCSD assistant superintendent
Hinds Community College Work-Based Learning and Internship Coordinator Christy Maulding will join the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District this summer and replace outgoing Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Education Jody Woodrum.
Perkins wants to change board appointment rules
Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins wants to amend the ordinance involving Starkville Board of Adjustment and Appeals appointments to allow his ward’s representative to serve a second consecutive term.
Chain’s life in the water leads to a lap around Key West
July 19, 2025
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