Aberdeen’s defense rises to challenge in win vs. Shannon

ABERDEEN — The Aberdeen High School football team was humbled in its Week 1 loss to Columbus.

Shannon High caught the wrath Friday night.

Aberdeen held Shannon to 45 yards of offense, forced four fumbles and scored a touchdown in a 22-14 win.

Zipcar shared-vehicle service officially launched at MSU

STARKVILLE — Having a list of places to go and things to do without a vehicle is a quagmire many Mississippi State University students face — until now.

Concert showcases talent from gospel workshop

STARKVILLE — If you’re a fan of gospel music, you’re in for a treat Saturday.

Peter’s Rock Temple Church of God in Christ on Highway 182 will host a free gospel concert at 6 p.m. Saturday. Brandon Mitchell and Natchez-based gospel group S.W.AP. (Singers With A Purpose) will perform with the Peter’s Rock choir for approximately three hours.

Republican candidates not in the Oktibbeha primary prepare for November

STARKVILLE — While eight Democratic election candidates in Oktibbeha County had to campaign for two primary cycles, their Republican counterparts breathed easy knowing they’d clinched a spot in November.

Armstrong Middle School break-in suspects caught on camera

The Starkville Police Department is looking for one juvenile and has another in custody in connection with two break-ins at Armstrong Middle School.

Movin’ Maroon: MSU Students show off their alternative-fuel vehicle

STARKVILLE — Renewable energy is often the elephant in the room when thinking of solutions to reduce dependence on foreign oil for everyday transportation. Gas-electric hybrids, electric and hydrogen fuel systems have been developed over the years, but the solution to mass-production hasn’t yet been found.

Rain or shine, Starkville will party

STARKVILLE — Hopefully, rain won’t threaten the Friday night boogie this year. The second annual Downtown Block Party, the first installment of the 2011 New South Weekends events, will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 23, the night before Mississippi State University hosts Louisiana Tech.

Bryan falls to Gladney in Oktibbeha sheriff runoff

STARKVILLE — There’ll be a new sheriff in Oktibbeha County next year. Steve Gladney outlasted Dolph Bryan 2,753 votes to 2,322 in Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff and will face lone Republican candidate Rudy Johnson in November.

New address system designed to improve emergency reponse

STARKVILLE — About 9,000 Oktibbeha County residents are getting new addresses, as part of an effort to make the 911 system more efficient.

Runnoff candidates urge voters to return to polls

STARKVILLE — For runoff candidates in Oktibbeha County, much of their campaigning over the last three weeks has centered around getting voters to show up and vote for them again.

Johnny DuPree: ‘I’m the only candidate who has worked in every branch of government’

Johnny DuPree doesn’t need to be overly charismatic or wow crowds with eloquent speeches about how he plans to change the state of Mississippi. He’s done it, albeit at a local level.

Bill Luckett: ‘I love this state and want to make it better’

Not being a career politician is a quality Bill Luckett thinks Mississippi needs in its next governor.

Runnels, Starkville Academy roll to victory

STARKVILLE — There are plenty of carries to go around in the Starkville Academy football team’s option offense.

But after rushing for a career-high 187 yards and three touchdowns Friday to lead Starkville Academy to a 38-3 win against St. Andrews Episcopal, junior running back Colby Runnels staked his claim for the lion’s share moving forward.

Starkville rocks the park, Sept. 17

Cindy Melby’s travels throughout the country with the band Nash Street opened her eyes to what events small towns can host with limited budgets.

Melby, whose two daughters, Caroline and Hannah, are members of Nash Street, has studied event venues and planning in cities of all sizes.

After child mauling, County revisits vicious-dog laws

MABEN — The lack of a vicious dog ordinance in Oktibbeha County could soon change.

County citizens are outraged following the vicious attack of five pit bulls on the sons, ages 4 and 10, of Katie and Robertsen Riehle, Saturday on Self Creek Road. Both children were treated at OCH Regional Medical Center, while the older of the two was later transported to University Medical Center in Jackson.

Starkville Police Department realigned

Starkville Police Department has some familiar faces in new roles following a recent department realignment. On Aug. 5, SPD had 15 members of its staff change job responsibilities or assignments.

Service Dawgs give back to community

Volunteerism continues to spread throughout the area. Through the Mississippi State University program 2011 Service Dawgs, more than 300 students fanned out Tuesday to 23 different sites in the Golden Triangle to donate time and service to local organizations.

Website explains the details of Starkville municipal plan

To help paint the picture of Starkville’s municipal master plan, the city launched a website Tuesday to answer citizen inquiries.

Aldermen pass $16.26M budget in split vote

Starkville’s fiscal year 2012 budget was adopted Tuesday night with no new opposition from citizens or board members. The $16.26 million budget, which went through its second public hearing in two weeks, passed with a 3-2 vote; Aldermen Roy A. Perkins and Henry Vaughn voted against it; Aldermen Ben Carver and Richard Corey were not present at the time of the vote.

Citizens get to weigh in on Starkville budget

Citizens of Starkville will have their final chance to voice their opinion on the city’s proposed 2011-12 budget during today’s Board of Aldermen meeting.