Turner appointed to Starkville school board

Jenny Turner is the newest member of the Starkville School District board of trustees.

The Starkville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to name Turner, who has two children in the district, to the five-member board. Turner will replace board member and former board president Pickett Wilson, whose term expires in March.

Murder, assault cases continued in Oktibbeha Circuit Court

The high-profile cases of the January term of Oktibbeha County Circuit Court were continued Tuesday.

The defense team of George Johnson, 21, or Weir, filed a motion to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial. Johnson will be evaluated at the state hospital in Whitefield. Johnson’s case was continued to the April term.

Details remain sparse in MSU student’s death

STARKVILLE — Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt expects to have autopsy results for Mississippi State University student Teresa Ann Veal by Wednesday afternoon. Veal, of 100 Camden Court, Madison, was found unresponsive at Dawgs Landing Apartments on Louisville Street shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday.

Sturgis to consider new rally agreement

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally board Monday submitted a proposal to the town of Sturgis that could determine the fate of the summertime rally.

Board to decide between McInnis, Holloway

STARKVILLE — The interviews are done. Now, the five-member Starkville School District board of trustees must decide who’ll take the district from good to great. Dr. Lewis Holloway and Dr. Michael McInnis met Starkville educators, parents and community members Monday night, starting the first public portion of the superintendent search since it began.

Supervisors shoot down Trainer’s bond ambitions

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors voted Monday against a measure that would have gauged public interest in a bond package to repair county roads.

Oktibbeha supervisors to continue discussion on bonding projects

STARKVILLE — The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors will have further discussion on funding mechanisms for infrastructure projects at its Monday meeting.

District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer is keen to see the board pursue a bonding package for road work, economic development and recreation. Roads, a common thread amongst all residents, will be the focus, Trainer said.

Oktibbeha County school board to hear achievement update

The Oktibbeha County School District board of trustees will receive an update in student achievement goals at their meeting Monday. The district has administered two rounds of practice tests similar to what students will see on state exams. All grades that are state-tested have taken the practice exams.

Starkville parents pleased with superintendent search; application window closes for Columbus schools top educator

The consensus among Starkville School District stakeholders — at least those who’ve followed the superintendent search — is that the board of trustees is making all the right moves.

They say the board’s openness and inclusion of community members is a welcome change given its handling of former superintendent Judy Couey’s sudden resignation in 2011 and the manner in which she was hired in 2008.

UPDATED: SSD trims superintendent list to three

STARKVILLE — Experience played a significant factor in the Starkville School District board of trustees selection of finalists for superintendent, said Board President Keith Coble.

Lewis Holloway, superintendent of Bulloch County, Ga., and Michael McInnis, superintendent of Union School District are among the three who’ll interview in a public forum Monday, the board announced Friday. Michael Van Winkle, assistant superintendent of Jackson County School District, is also a finalist.

Oktibbeha sheriff works to build networks in community

County officials are urging residents to take ownership of their communities. On March 19, the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and Board of Supervisors will host a neighborhood-watch meeting in the courtroom of the county courthouse.

Starkville players reap rewards from solid seasons

STARKVILLE — Erik Rogers and Cory Cannon spent the past two seasons playing beside one another on the offensive and defensive lines for the Starkville High School football team.

On Wednesday, they secured opportunities in college to see how much they can maximize their talents on one side of the ball.

West Point tradition continues to extend to college

WEST POINT — Carson Miller and Brandon Edwards have dreams of playing on a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

After nearly getting offers to play at that level, the West Point High School standouts are more than ready to make a name for themselves in the fertile Mississippi junior college ranks.

Miller, a lineman, signed with Pearl River Community College Wednesday, while Edwards signed with reigning Mississippi Junior College Athletic Association champion and national champion East Mississippi C.C.

Superintendent candidates: Current roles prepared them for the job

Starkville School District superintendent candidates Walter Gonsoulin and Michael McInnis share a common thread: They each wear many hats in their current position.

MSU student association to restore campus landmark

STARKVILLE — College students used to spend down time together, either walking, driving or sitting on a campus bench. Long before the days of tracking friends’ every movement on Facebook and Twitter, Mississippi State University students had a gathering place known as “the bull ring,” a capital D-shaped bench with a shade tree in the middle.

Two injured, one airlifted after wreck

LOWNDES COUNTY — Two people were hospitalized following a two-vehicle accident just after sunrise Monday morning.

Starkville hosts first round of superintendent interviews

The first round of interviews for the vacant Starkville superintendent job is in the books.

Dr. Lewis Holloway, superintendent of Bulloch County School District (Ga.), and Dr. Michael Van Winkle, assistant superintendent of Jackson County School District, each interviewed Monday for about an hour in executive session at the Starkville School District central office on Greensboro Street.

Oktibbeha County Circuit Court

STARKVILLE — The defense team for the Weir man accused of stabbing two doughnut shop employees Thursday filed a motion to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.

Louisville Street construction to begin this week

STARKVILLE — The initial phase of the Louisville Street widening project is set to begin Monday.

Traffic will be greatly affected, as construction will force the street to one lane. At no point during construction will the street completely close, said Aaron Gregory, of Columbus-based Gregory Construction.

Residents, Elvis escape Starkville apartment fire

STARKVILLE — Seven people and a dog escaped a Friday afternoon fire at Summer Chase Apartments on Carver Drive. The dog was rescued after the roof of the two-story apartment complex caved in.