Articles by Carl Smith
A taste of Starkville: CDAF highlights city’s creative prowess
Thousands gathered in the arts, food and culture of Starkville Saturday during the annual Cotton District Arts Festival.
Religion vs. Retail: Sunday alcohol sales still debated
On any given Sunday, Starkville restaurant owners and managers say you can find large crowds gathered at local eateries.
Starkville sales tax returns remain on track despite slight dip
Officials are confident Starkville’s economy is still growing despite a slight dip in February sales tax returns.
Cotton District Arts Festival showcases area’s creativity, culture
2013 Cotton District Arts Festival artisan vendors Carl Carbonell and Kate Thomas say the annual festival not only provides them with a great way to showcase their talents to a large, supportive crowd but also allows the two Mississippi State University graduates a sort of homecoming back to the art scene in which they thrived while in college.
Bryant expected to sign local school merger bills
Two Golden Triangle school consolidation bills should receive Gov. Phil Bryant’s signature by the end of the month, state Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, confirmed Tuesday.
SPD files charges stemming from fatal wreck
The Starkville Police Department filed charges against two drivers involved in a fatal Jan. 25 car wreck.
Corey pushes for city control of Parks
Starkville aldermen unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday which makes two standing city boards advisory entities, but Ward 4 Alderman Richard Corey said the same alignment should occur with Starkville Parks Commission to prevent future budgeting issues from occurring.
Consultants: OCH refinancing could save county $140,000 per year
Supervisors are hopeful that refinancing 2002 OCH Regional Medical Center’s revenue bond could save the county more than $1 million over the next decade.
Legislation could open funding for Starkville pre-K programs
Starkville School District’s Family Center Programs could see an expansion of its preschool services through the state’s recent commitment to early childhood education, program director Joan Butler told school board members Tuesday.
Apartment fire contained by sprinklers
A fire sprinkler system contained and quickly extinguished a single-unit fire at The Pointe at MSU apartment complex Friday, Oktibbeha County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan said.
Election debate will feature use of social media
Two non-partisan events will bring Starkville municipal candidates off the campaign trail and into the Greensboro Center for issues-based discussions before this year’s primary.
Changes could come to SSD student grading, advancement
Starkville School District could soon revisit its elementary and middle school grading system, district Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jody Woodrum said Tuesday.
McAlpin: DOJ desegregation order still an issue
Starkville School District Board Attorney Dolton McAlpin says Department of Justice approval is needed for future consolidation with the county school district even though legislators OK’d the matter on April 3.
Market opening for first run under Main Street control
Starkville Community Market organizers are preparing to launch the annual community event for the first time under Starkville Main Street Association’s control.
Officials hope Highway 182 upgrade will lure new businesses
Starkville officials are optimistic a series of completed and ongoing projects will spur Highway 128 redevelopment and bring new businesses to one of the town’s most crucial corridors.
City to investigate ‘serious’ parks issues
Starkville representatives are calling for the creation of a task force to investigate budgeting anomalies discovered in Starkville Parks Commission’s Fiscal Year 2012.
City wins legal battle over facility upgrades
An almost two-year legal battle over the City of Starkville’s plans to construct a new city hall and rehabilitate its current location concluded Wednesday when the Mississippi Supreme Court denied resident William McGovern’s motion to reconsider a previous appeal.
Budgeting issues emerge from park commission audit
Watkins, Ward and Stafford’s Fiscal Year 2013 audit of the Starkville Parks Commission revealed three major budgeting anomalies Thursday, including the fact SPC Commissioner Dan Moreland issued an unauthorized cashier’s check for $35,000 to help pay the department’s J.L. King Splash Pad construction bill.
Zacharias Road bill sent back to committee
A pending bill that would rename a portion of Mississippi Highway 25 in honor of former Mississippi State University President Donald Zacharias was sent back to a legislative conference committee Wednesday.
School merger bills clear hurdles
Mississippi legislators passed two individual bills Wednesday which will administratively combine school systems within Oktibbeha and Clay counties in 2015.
Blake Shapen embracing leadership under center and in the QB room
July 18, 2025
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