Articles by Tess Vrbin
Oktibbeha supes appoint former water management district director as county representative
Oktibbeha supervisors appointed David Kennard, former executive director of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District, to the state-run agency’s board as an Oktibbeha County representative.
Spruill, 5 aldermen to seek re-election in 2021
Starkville’s first female mayor will run for re-election in 2021.
Mayor Lynn Spruill announced her candidacy in a press release Monday, in which she said she wants to focus on “continuing the growth in Starkville” if re-elected.
Adelaide to add 46 houses next year for third phase in ongoing development
Almost all the residents of the south side of Adelaide Boulevard are families with children, and almost all the residents of the north side are retired.
Lowndes sees more than 500 new COVID cases in a week
Lowndes County continues to see the largest area increases in positive COVID-19 cases by the week, Mississippi Department of Health data shows, with more than 500 new cases between Dec. 9 and Wednesday.
OCSO toy drive still growing in 4th year
After a Tupelo family’s house burned down last year, the mother heard from the local Salvation Army that her children could still get toys for Christmas, even if she would have to drive to Starkville to pick them up.
Columbus woman challenges state eviction laws after losing personal property to landlord
It was raining on Feb. 21, 2019, but Samantha Conner wasn’t allowed to take shelter under the awning outside the Chateaux Holly Hills apartment complex in northern Columbus.
The landlord, Kevin Casteel, told her she had to leave the property entirely, not just the unit in which she and her son had lived since November 2016.
Aldermen to consider a new recycling program
Two months after suspending its recycling program, Starkville might get a new one Tuesday that is not expected to be the financial burden to the city that the previous one was.
Starkville residents weigh in on sidewalk plan through city survey
About a decade ago, when Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill was the city’s chief administrative officer and Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk was serving her first term, city leaders wanted to install “sidewalks to nowhere.”
Live Christmas trees gain popularity during pandemic
Lisa Klutts can “count on three fingers” how many times in her adult life she has had a live Christmas tree, she said. But this year she decided it “would be a treat.”
PACCAR plant recognized for 10 years in Golden Triangle
Femi Johnson initially wasn’t sure if PACCAR would hire an international student as an intern.
The Nigeria native had heard from a classmate at Mississippi State University about the internship and decided to apply despite her doubts.
SOCSD will consider SHS reorganization, other building renovations
Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District will consider investing $42 million in major renovations at most of its buildings, particularly Starkville High School, in a few years at the suggestion of a consulting firm.
Oktibbeha supes approve pay raises for 6 road employees
Oktibbeha supervisors approved pay increases for six of the county’s 37 road employees with a 3-1 vote at Monday’s meeting after Road Manager Fred Hal Baggett made the suggestion based on job performances that he said deserved a raise.
Main Street roundabout near completion
If all the stars align, the roundabout at Main and Second streets in Columbus could be complete and open by the end of the month, city engineer Kevin Stafford said.
Golden Triangle COVID cases spike along with state
Lowndes County saw the Golden Triangle’s largest spike in positive COVID-19 cases in a week’s time since the pandemic began, with 283 from Nov. 25 to Wednesday, according to Mississippi Department of Health data.
Tupelo cigar lounge owner makes case to locate in downtown Starkville
Mayor Lynn Spruill had not considered that Starkville could be home to a cigar shop and lounge until a business owner from Tupelo approached the city with the idea about a month ago.
Cities discourage large groups in social events, holiday shopping season
All three cities in the Golden Triangle are discouraging residents from gathering in large groups due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — including by canceling annual holiday events or adapting them to go on without crowds.
Starkville annexation hearings underway in chancery court
Oktibbeha County residents opposed to Starkville’s effort to annex land east of the city have the opportunity this week in chancery court to challenge the officials spearheading the effort.
Grammy-winning blues artist to help benefit Starkville dance studio
When Bobby Rush won a Grammy Award in 2017 for Best Traditional Blues Album, he said he was “taking it back to Mississippi.”
Area hospitals see spike in COVID cases, have not reached ICU capacity
COVID-19 cases in the four Golden Triangle counties continue to increase as the holiday season begins and local hospitals continue to manage several symptomatic patients per day.
Area residents alter Thanksgiving plans due to COVID-19 concerns
Lisa Long has never cooked a Thanksgiving turkey before, but she will this year.
Her family gathers in a group of about 15 most years, usually at her house in Starkville, and everyone brings a dish. She usually makes a side dish or a dessert while someone else handles the turkey, she said, but this year the group is limited to just her household — her, her husband and their 10-year-old daughter — due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.