Articles by Tess Vrbin
MSU planning health and safety measures for returning students, employees
Trying to keep Mississippi State University afloat during a global pandemic while being mindful of health and safety has been “like driving through a dense fog or trying to swim in mud,” MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw told the Starkville Rotary Club at its virtual meeting on Monday.
Aldermen interview two parks director candidates
Starkville aldermen interviewed two candidates for the vacant Parks and Recreation executive director position at their Friday work session.
Digital archive seeks to capture impact of COVID-19 on MSU
When the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. in mid-March, Katie Starliper started keeping a diary of what was obviously going in the history books.
Free face masks available at 6 Oktibbeha locations Saturday
Four fire departments in Oktibbeha County and two other locations in Starkville will distribute free face masks Saturday from 9-11 a.m. as part of a statewide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Parents share mixed opinions on road test waiver for new driver’s licenses
Demetrice Jones of Louisville said it was “a load off” her back when her 16-year-old daughter, Dshiya, got her driver’s license Tuesday at the license bureau just east of Starkville.
“She just got a job at McDonald’s in Louisville, and now that she’s got her license, I don’t have to drive her,” said Jones, who has other children.
SOCSD, facing possible shortfall of $2.1M, braces for budget cuts due to pandemic
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District could see a funding cut of more than $2 million from the state as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, district Chief Financial Officer Tammie McGarr told the board of trustees at its Tuesday meeting.
Youth court judge: Some youths amass 50 felony charges by age 18
All 50 states have seen protests against police brutality and systemic racism in the past two weeks, but Oktibbeha County Youth Court Judge Lydia Quarles saw another lesson to be learned from the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in May.
Thousands turn out for racial justice march, rally in Starkville
Organizers predicted at least a few hundred people would show up for Saturday’s racial justice march and rally in Starkville. The actual turnout topped 2,000.
Starkville to reevaluate special event permit process in light of racial justice protest
Unlike many racial justice protests across the nation over the past week, Saturday’s march and rally in Starkville came and went without any violence or arrests.
Engineers: No conflict of interest for Pritchard on county lake dam project
The allegation that Oktibbeha County Engineer Clyde Pritchard has a conflict of interest in the potential replacement of the Oktibbeha County Lake Dam is unfounded, according to Pritchard and peer engineers from other counties.
Starkville considers granting permit for Saturday’s racial justice march
Starkville city leaders will likely hold a special-call meeting Friday to consider granting a permit for local activists to hold a march for racial justice on Saturday, but activists say the march will happen regardless, in light of protests nationwide calling for an end to systemic racism and the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police.
Peco Foods could have 300 jobs by 2022
The Peco Foods chicken processing plant in West Point will add more than 200 jobs to its existing 44 when the addition of a par-fry facility is complete. Par-frying (short for partial frying) is the first step in the frying process and the food is frozen, packaged and distributed afterward.
Jackson stepping down from District 15 Senate seat, citing health concerns
State Sen. Gary Jackson (R-French Camp), who represents part of eastern and southern Oktibbeha County, announced Monday that he will retire after almost 17 years in office, citing health concerns.
MSU student injured, former student killed in DeSoto County car wreck
A former Mississippi State University student died, a current student was injured and a third person died Sunday afternoon in a car crash in southern DeSoto County.
Oktibbeha supervisors delay passage of 4-year road project plan
Oktibbeha County supervisors had planned to discuss and pass their 4-year road project plan at Monday’s meeting, but they tabled it until the next meeting, June 15.
Street improvement plan in Starkville set for third year, $1 million
Aldermen will approve changes to Starkville’s bond-funded Street Improvement Program at Tuesday’s meeting after City Engineer Edward Kemp presented them to the board at Friday’s work session.
Rep. Taylor, local activists plan racial justice march for Saturday
State Rep. Cheikh Taylor (D-Starkville) does not want the city he represents to end up on CNN this weekend.
Starkville hopes to reduce auto insurance claims
Starkville officials say city employees must take steps to avoid accidents and fender-benders with city owned vehicles after Liberty Mutual dropped the city as a property, vehicle and equipment policyholder due to the number of claims.
SOCSD adjusts credit recovery program for distance learning
Starkville High School students who need to take summer courses in order to advance can complete those courses virtually after the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously for its credit recovery program to accommodate distance learning.
City leaders reflect on two months of uncertainty
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill’s “idea of something wonderful” is seeing the city hustle and bustle, she said, a view she usually has from the window behind her desk in her City Hall office.