Articles by Tyler B. Jones

Aldermen considering negotiations for sportsplex
Starkville aldermen are considering a memorandum of understanding to negotiate a contract with a development company for the new sports facility at Cornerstone Park.

Oktibbeha County fire being investigated as arson
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating Thursday’s house fire on Fulgham Road as arson. Oktibbeha County Fire Department arrived

Community garden expanding at site on 31st Avenue North
Columbus is getting an expanded community garden for fresh-grown produce for residents to enjoy.

Starkville middle, high schools adding piano labs
It’s been a while since Shayla Paige has played the piano.
The Starkville High School junior and member of the school choir’s Chamber Singers, she’s excited to again “tickle the ivories” beginning next fall.

COVID vaccine clinics set for Saturday in Oktibbeha County
OCH Regional Medical Center and Oktibbeha County Emergency Management are partnering for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic Saturday at various locations throughout the county.

SOCSD to offer summer enrichment sessions
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District will be offering enrichment learning experiences for students in the district throughout the summer.

BancorpSouth, Cadence banks enter into merger agreement
BancorpSouth Bank and Cadence Bank announced in a press release Monday that the two companies have joined together in a merger agreement to create a new Southeastern bank.

De-masking: ‘The next step for back to normal’
Gloria Herriott said business at Hollyhocks Gift Shop has been booming in just the last few days.
The change, she said, coincides with her ending the mask-wearing requirements in the gift store she owns on Fifth Street in Columbus.

Oktibbeha funds facilities study as first step in designing new headquarters
The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors approved an initial facility study assessment for $12,000 Monday morning to evaluate existing county buildings and possibly pave the way for building a new county headquarters.

Monday Profile: Rico ‘The Sonic Guy’ brings fresh ideas to fast food mainstay
Many customers arrive at the Sonic Drive-In on U.S. Highway 45 in Columbus ready to buy a large Diet Coke or an order of mozzarella sticks. Inside is General Manager Rico Collins, not dictating his employees’ duties but instead assisting them in cooking, making drinks or whatever help they may need at the moment.

Reserve officers supported SPD at events, through pandemic
STARKVILLE — As the lights faded from the bars and restaurants of the Cotton District on March 26, just like every weekend night, Capt. Brian

4-County unveils fiber internet service rollout plan
4-County Electric Power Association unveiled its rollout plan Thursday for FASTnet, a fiber broadband service, for parts of rural Clay, Choctaw, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee and Oktibbeha counties.

Bird scooters available for rent in Starkville
Bird scooters have arrived in Starkville.
Bird, an electric scooter ride-sharing service, delivered a fleet of 25 scooters to the city Tuesday. Mayor Lynn Spruill said she has been communicating with Bird, and the company has a privilege license to conduct business in the city.

Starkville-based online retail company receives $100K to grow team, expand marketing
Starkville-based company Rocketing Systems, with its popular online marketing product, Buzzbassador, has received a $100,000 investment to expand its team and marketing strategies.

Reusing plant seeds are a cost-efficient and nostalgic gardening alternative
When planning a garden, most people think to just buy new seeds from a store or nursery, but saving seeds from plants and vegetables and reusing them the following year is an option as well. While this process might be a bit tedious, it is a great way to retain beloved plants and be more cost-efficient.

MSU administers COVID vaccines on campus
As all Mississippi adults become eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations per Gov. Tate Reeves’ announcement last week, Mississippi State University is now offering vaccines to every faculty and staff member, as well as some students.

SOCSD to give $4,000 incentives for 7-12th grade science teachers
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees approved a certified teacher incentive of $4,000 for each new hire or rehire of secondary science teachers for the 2021-22 school year during a special-call board meeting Monday morning.

Weinermobile coming to the Golden Triangle
The Hotdoggers are coming to Starkville.
The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile will be on Main Street downtown Tuesday from 2-3:30 p.m.