Aldermen deny housing development on Yellow Jacket Drive

The Starkville Board of Aldermen Tuesday denied a developer’s request to rezone 4.98 acres on Yellow Jacket Drive for a medium-density housing development.

Search begins for funds to improve culvert and drainage systems in Starkville

On a ride through the Sunset subdivision west of Starkville, Bobby Bardwell points to a pool of water in a culvert at the corner of Greenwood Street and Chisholm Drive. 

Tall grass pokes through the water’s surface. Empty bottles and cans float nearby. 

Police search for stolen four-wheeler, mower

The Starkville Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate two pieces of equipment stolen recently from area homes.

City recycling program: 25 tons and counting

In an effort to keep sustainable living fresh in the public’s mind, the city of Starkville is introducing residents to one new facet of its recycling program every month.

New system to offer easy access to local information

STARKVILLE — Residents of Starkville and Oktibbeha County could be the first in the state to dial 311 for non-emergency calls.

Kappa Sigma appeals charter revocation

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity is appealing a decision by the organization’s national office to revoke its charter.

Study: Heart attacks down since smoking ban

STARKVILLE — A Mississippi State University study released Monday shows a 27 percent decrease in heart attacks among Starkville residents since the city passed its no-smoking ordinance in 2006.

Greta Bryan helps victims, families as they go through emotional court cases

Throughout the recent capital murder trial of Bobby Batiste in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, family and friends of victim Andreas Galanis sat in a group two rows behind the prosecution’s table, sometimes in tears, other times stoic.

The group sat through graphic testimony and photos of the crime scene; detailed stories of deception and fraud; and even pictures of Galanis’ battered and lifeless body.

Yet, through it all, one woman was by their side, even though she never met Galanis or his family until shortly after the murder.

Shooting suspects’ family members arrested

The Starkville Police Department is still searching for two men involved in a weekend shooting on North Montgomery Street, but three of the suspects’ family members were arrested this week for withholding information about their whereabouts.

Plane’s owner, instructor uninjured after pair forced to make belly landing at Starkville airport

No injuries were reported Thursday afternoon when the landing gear on a Cessna Cutlass 172RG malfunctioned and the aircraft slid to a halt beside the runway at George M. Bryan Field.

Boy Scouts prepare for trip to Rocky Mountains

STARKVILLE — While their friends spent Halloween weekend trick-or-treating around the Golden Triangle, a group of local Boy Scouts took to the woods to prepare for an upcoming trip to the mountains of New Mexico.

Tobacco-free policy begins this month for city employees

City employees accustomed to using tobacco on the job have less than two weeks left to enjoy their habit.

The Starkville Board of Aldermen in September adopted a tobacco-free workplace policy for employees, set to go into effect Nov. 15.

Supes OK new wastewater district

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors Monday approved a resolution officially creating the East Oktibbeha Wastewater District.

Authorities yet to release name of fire victim

STARKVILLE — A pair of dogs laid lazily in the tall grass along Townsend Road Monday afternoon and another stood alert just inside a thin wire fence.

The hound in the yard barked menacingly at anyone who approached while the charred remains of a mobile home loomed in the background. The roof of the trailer was melted and scorched, and the blackened insides of the structure were visible from the dusty, unpaved road.

The home belonged to an elderly man who died Sunday when the structure caught fire and he was unable to escape. Authorities have not released the identity of the man, only saying he was in his early 70s.

Police continue search for weekend shooting suspects

The Starkville Police Department was still searching today for two suspects involved in a weekend shooting on North Montgomery Street.

Bobby Batiste sentenced to death

After three hours of deliberation today, an Oktibbeha County jury sentenced 29-year-old Bobby Batiste to death for the capital murder of his rommate last year at 21 Apartments.

Local activist protests Batiste’s all-white jury

STARKVILLE — A community activist is protesting the all-white jury in the trial of a former Mississippi State University student accused of killing his roommate.

Evidence contradicts Batiste’s account of killing

STARKVILLE — Thursday testimony suggests a former Mississippi State University student on trial for capital murder might not have been totally truthful last year in statements to authorities regarding the death of his housemate at 21 Apartments.

Defense Attorney: Batiste was attacked first

STARKVILLE — Jurors in the capital murder trial of Bobby Batiste got their first glimpse Wednesday at the brutal slaying of Mississippi State University student Andreas Galanis last March at 21 Apartments, but defense attorney Jim Lappan threw the panel a curve ball when he said during opening statements that Galanis was the aggressor and initiated the fatal fight with Batiste.

Attorneys question potential jurors about death penalty

It’s been a long two days for Bobby Batiste.

Sitting silently with his team of defense attorneys in front of a packed courtroom at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse, the former Mississippi State University student has faced more than 100 prospective jurors in his capital murder trial, all the while knowing 12 members of the group ultimately will decide whether he lives or if he dies.