Articles by Cullen Paradis
Intervention courts give alternate path for guilty pleas, rehabilitation
Michelle Easterling is the first to admit that being a judge isn’t an easy job.
Collapsing bank closes section of East Gerrard Road for three weeks
A section of East Gerrard Road will be closed in both directions starting Sunday as workers make emergency repairs to address “a direct threat to public safety.”
After nearly three decades of firefighting, Davis made chief at SFD
Dewayne Davis has been promoted to fire chief, taking the helm of a largely healthy department that nevertheless faces challenges with employee retention and pay.
Main Street redesign work to begin this summer
The city has approved an almost $7.6 million bid to begin the first phase of its Main Street redesign, which will temporarily obstruct traffic somewhat as it transforms its downtown into a destination.
Cotton District Arts Festival returns this weekend after 18-month hiatus
The Cotton District Arts Festival is coming back this weekend after an 18-month absence, boasting a concentrated layout and host of new artists selling their wares.
Emergency management faces staffing shortage, severe weather
Oktibbeha county’s emergency response agency is struggling to keep its staffing and volunteer numbers up, while it has also been facing a series of severe weather events this year.
Oktibbeha cracks down on illegal racing hotspot
Flipped cars. Broken bones. Lawns torn and bushes annihilated. Horseshoe Circle has in recent years become a popular destination for illegal racers, and county government has had enough.
Oktibbeha sheriff’s office will soon unveil app for dept, jail info
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office is getting an app, giving the public access to tip lines, community resources and live information about public safety hazards and inmate status.
Oktibbeha humane society opens new $1.2M medical facilities, animal housing
It’s not the easiest time for animal rescue efforts, Bert Troughton told a crowd Tuesday at the Oktibbeha County Humane Society.
Oktibbeha compiles list of 245 uninspected bridges, culverts
Oktibbeha County has finally completed an inventory of all its minor bridges and drainage infrastructure, allowing engineers to begin the daunting task of actually inspecting them to see whether residents have been driving cars and school buses over sections at risk of collapse.
High prices, declining donations hit food pantries hard
When residents of the Golden Triangle find their budgets tightening, food banks are there to help fill the gap. Now, however, food prices are bad enough that food banks are struggling to make ends meet.
Police officer, barber get into verbal altercation over Hwy 182 congestion
Larry ‘Luv’ Johnson’s barber shop has struggled financially as the Highway 182 revitalization has torn up streets and forced traffic to back up around his business.
Spruill narrowly escapes runoff in mayoral primary
Incumbent Lynn Spruill has won the Democratic mayoral primary, narrowly avoiding a runoff against former Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough.
Three arrested in Saturday shooting on Sand Road
Three suspects have been arrested for a shooting over the weekend that resulted in no injuries and involved a child.
Starkville kicks off new phase of Spring Street project with $1.1 million
Starkville has accepted $1.1 million from the state to begin the northern phase of the Spring Street connector project, bringing the area simplified lanes, expanded sidewalk and room for bikes.
International antiques dealer brings replica life mask of Abraham Lincoln to Columbus
Anyone in Columbus Monday evening will have the rare chance to gaze upon the real face of Abraham Lincoln — or as close as you can get 160 years after his death.
Golden Triangle Regional Airport maneuvering for $2 million land buy
The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is proposing to buy a strip of land beside its runway, requiring a loan of roughly $1 million that would be paid off by area municipalities.
Federal funding questions leaves future of farming group in limbo
When Elmarie Brooks retired from the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Consolidated School District in 2017, it didn’t mean she was done helping her community.
Dems argue experience vs. change for Starkville mayor
Starkville’s three Democratic mayoral candidates took the stage again Monday night for one of their last opportunities to make their cases ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.
