New committee could vet Mill parking deck proposals

The process of seeking professional services for the former CottonMill development project has started, and Starkville aldermen will again deliberate over housekeeping measures associated with the venture at their 5:30 p.m. City Hall meeting tonight.

Supes can’t agree on employee payroll request

County supervisors stalemated on two votes Monday surrounding a payroll change request for a tax office employee which emerged during closed session.

Zacharias remembered as ‘transformative’ presence

Former Mississippi State University President Donald Zacharias, 77, died Sunday of complications from multiple sclerosis after an extended illness.

Taxpayer funds, private donations fuel municipal building litigation

Divisions between Starkville’s political ideologies are emerging through how a legal battle over municipal facilities’ construction is funded. The City of Starkville spent $44,979.77 to fund litigation costs defending its municipal facilities plan, officials confirmed Monday.

Personnel request could send supervisors behind closed doors

County supervisors could go behind doors for a personnel matter during their 9 a.m. Monday board meeting at the county courthouse.

SFD: Electrical short sparked Thursday hotel fire

Starkville Fire Department Training Officer Charles Yarbrough confirmed an electrical short in a lamp’s wiring caused a single-unit hotel fire Thursday.

Legal battle over City Hall construction continues

Legal attempts to block the city’s construction of a new municipal facility are ongoing, Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman confirmed Thursday.

Officials: Proposed Starkville-MSU transit system will benefit residents

A proposed public transportation system linking the entire community is on track and should help lower traffic congestion, aid economic development efforts and strengthen the bond between Starkville and Mississippi State University, city and university officials said Wednesday.

Charities compete for SCVB donation

Convention and Visitors Bureau officials nominated three local charities – Sally Kate Winters Family Services, Oktibbeha County Humane Society and the Reclaimed Project – to compete for a $5,000 donation during March’s inaugural Starkville Restaurant Week.

Preservation Commission approves guidelines for historic districts

The Starkville Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to submit to city aldermen its previously agreed upon recommendations establishing three historic districts’ design guidelines.

HPC could send historic district design standards to aldermen

Today, Starkville’s Historic Preservation Commission could recommend the nomination and adoption of three historic districts and their related design standards to the city board of aldermen.

The commission meets 5:30 p.m. today in the City Hall Courtroom.

Supes pick local architect for courthouse renovations

Last week, county supervisors picked local architectural firm Thomas S. Jones and Associates to manage almost $300,000 worth of renovations to the Oktibbeha County Courthouse.

Primaries should decide board of aldermen races

If no other candidates qualify for Starkville’s municipal elections, the full makeup of the incoming board of aldermen would be decided by the city’s May 7 primary.

The deadline for candidate qualification is 5 p.m. March 8.

Starkville opposition mounts against school consolidation

Three Starkville public school groups co-signed a letter last week opposing a state House bill calling for the consolidation of Starkville School District and Oktibbeha County School District.

Legislative support for school consolidation may be waning

Although House Bill 716 rapidly passed through the State House Education Committee and the full chamber, Mississippi Senators say they will take time to study the bill and address numerous questions surrounding potential school consolidation.

County volunteers quickly extinguish fire

A Thursday morning structure fire was quickly contained by Oktibbeha County volunteer firefighters, County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan said.

Concerns emerge over impact of consolidation

Committed, caring and community minded — that’s how Starkville School District stakeholders said they want to define the essence of their school system during a strategic planning session Thursday at Hilton Garden Inn.

Clock ticking for ‘eyesores’

Starkville aldermen cleared the way Tuesday for demolition projects associated with dilapidated structures and issued three extensions to property owners looking to rehabilitate their properties.

Aldermen choose Snowden as first community developer

The Starkville Board of Aldermen hired former Tuscaloosa, Ala. economic developer William L. “Bill” Snowden Tuesday to serve as the city’s first director of community development.

SSD stakeholders laying path for district’s future

Starkville School District officials are holding the second round of scheduled strategic planning sessions to define the system’s mission, vision and values 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn.