Starkville Daily News
‘Just take the first step’
Life can and will take you a lot of places, and sometimes it brings you back to somewhere you've already been. That is exactly what happened to Cathy Austin. Austin is the director of collection management and strategy at Mississippi State University...
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STARKVILLE HIGH
AKINS, Tristen Charles ALSTON, OLIVIA Paige ANDERSON, OLIVIA Chase ARNOLD, JADAH Synae BAINE, Noa Grace BAKER, LANDON Wilson BANKS, Amaya Zikerria BANZHAF, DAVIS Frederick BARNES, ALEX Isaiah BARNES, Chelcee Alece BEAN, Jayden Dejaun BECKUM,...
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No hitter.
Mississippi State pitcher Alyssa Faircloth tossed her second career no-hitter and the first ever for the program in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday on the way to knocking off Oregon on its home field 4-0. MSU went on to win the Eugene Regional with a...
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Volunteers capture first baseball title for school
There is a first time for everything. On Friday night, the Starkville Academy Volunteers experienced that feeling and brought home the school's first baseball state championship. The Vols defeated the Brookhaven Academy Cougars 5-3 at home to claim...
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Starkville High School inducts dozens into ACT 25/30+ club
On Tuesday, Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District administrative staff hosted the annual Starkville High School ACT 25/30+ Club Luncheon, celebrating 63 students who earned a composite score of 25 or better on the ACT college entrance exam...
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Coleus foliage can be as exciting as flowers
Coleus is one of my favorite plants to use for color in the landscape. Bold, colorful and completely unfazed by the heat, these plants know how to put on a show. When everything else starts to fade under long, hot afternoons, coleus steps in with...
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‘They are ready to have fun’
Kids at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School have been a little more excited to get to school this spring thanks to the school's latest upgrade. Donors and school officials gathered in the courtyard of the elementary school Tuesday to witness the...
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MONDAY MORNING CRASH
into LP Gas on Louisville Street Monday morning. No injuries were reported according to the Starkville Fire Department. (Courtesy photos)
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Spruill reflects on military service at DAR meeting
The Hic-a-sha-ba-ha chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting Thursday at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum with Mayor Lynn Spruill as the guest speaker. The group hosted Spruill as part of its America 250...
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‘It just clicked.’
A former warehouse filled with boxes is now a bustling marketplace where dozens of local vendors sell everything from antiques to handmade goods in Starkville. The Warehouse Market brings together even more local and state businesses for consumers who...
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Brush Arbor Cemetery Community Advisory Board inaugural meeting held
The inaugural meeting of the Brush Arbor Cemetery Community Advisory Board was held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum to discuss the cemetery restoration project and get community input. The Brush Arbor Cemetery on...
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STATE CHAMPS.
Starkville Academy had five track and field athletes finish first at the Class 4A State championship meet over the weekend. Sil Santucci claimed his second consecutive high jump state title, while the 4x200 girls relay team of Elzabeth Fair, Emily...
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The W, EMCC sign agreement creating pathway to bachelor’s degrees
Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) have signed a memorandum of agreement establishing new educational pathways for students pursuing career-technical degrees who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree. EMCC...
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Cotton District getting security boost after weekend shooting
Major security changes are coming to the Cotton District in response to a shooting that left one man injured last weekend. Mayor Lynn Spruill and Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard hosted a news conference Thursday to unveil new plans for added...
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A furry life saved.
teamed up to save one of the cities smallest residents this week. A kitten had fallen down a drain and gotten stuck in a storm pipe under the road on Monday. After attempts to lure the kitten out and reach it the rescue had to be temporarily halted....
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A volunteer production.
Starkville Academy brought Agrabah to life this past weekend with its production of “Aladdin, Jr.”, featuring genies, magic carpet rides, and all the charm of the beloved ‘90s classic. (Courtesy photos)
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Another derby in the books.
captivated people and dogs alike on Saturday in the packed out Cotton District. Residents and tourists alike got to help out local businesses, eat good food and watch the best wiener dog race in the country. (Photos by Kaylin
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Clay DAR honors three Good Citizens
Horseshoe Robertson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, celebrated the three Clay County high schools 202526 DAR Good Citizens at their April meeting. To be chosen from each school, the student must exhibit traits of dependability, service,...
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Senior games.
The Mississippi Healthcare Foundation’s Senior Games were held at the Travis Outlaw Center on Thursday. Seniors from all over the state came to compete in a variety of games including volleyball and archery for the chance to walk away as champions....
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Super Bulldog Weekend Best foot forward
Bryce Chance gives his best effort for the Mississippi State Bulldogs on the baseball field. There was no better example of that than his final at-bat during Tuesday night's 6-2 win by the Bulldogs over the Memphis Tigers. Chance hit a ground ball...
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This National Arbor Day, let’s plant and water trees
The Starkville Town and Country Garden Club encourages everyone to plant and water trees in celebration of National Arbor Day on Friday, April 24, 2026. “One of the four objectives of the garden club is to raise awareness and provide education...
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CDAF 40
The 40th annual Cotton District Arts Festival was held Saturday bringing in large crowds to appreciate and buy products and pieces from local artisans. (Courtesy photos)
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He’s back.
Josh Hubbard did not want to let the suspense linger into the summer. On Friday afternoon, Hubbard announced through a video message that he was returning for his senior season with the Mississippi State men's basketball team. “Let's call 12 one more...
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‘I am in it to let others know they are not alone’
It was a teary-eyed affair at the Starkville Public Library on Thursday as Mississippi author Rhonda Dibiase discussed her emotional memoir, “Fear Finds Faith.” The book is based on Dibiase's experience during her mother's lengthy battle with lupus...
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‘A quilt has stories to tell’
Lifelong quilter Carol Cantrell spoke about the history and preservation of quilts at the quilt laden Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum Wednesday. Cantrell, who has been quilting since she was 10 years old, spoke about her relationship with quilting as...
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KEEPING STARKVILLE BEAUTIFUL
Keep Starkville Beautiful collaborated with the Mississippi State Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association along with WFA Faculty, Students for a Sustainable Campus and WFA Graduate Student...
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CRAWFISH BOIL 2026
The 2026 King Cotton Crawfish Boil was held Saturday, April 11. Starkville residents and tourists alike flocked to socialize within the community, have fun and enjoy some delicious food. (Courtesy photos)
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RUN CLOSURES
Temporary road closures will be enacted today along the route of the Kites and Rainbows Run. Residents should expect intermittent delays along the route as officers assist runners through intersections. The temporary closures will be from about 8:00...
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‘SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AT ITS FINEST’
Starkville has yet again claimed its spot as the top small town in the South with its victory in the USA Today poll. Starkville competed against 19 other small towns in a four-week voting period after being nominated by a panel of travel experts. “It...
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‘I got elected to serve Mississippians’
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson announced Wednesday at a campaign event in Starkville that he will run for a new office in 2027. Watson officially declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor, taking another step up the political...
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Starkville senior living community hosts royal photoshoot celebrating the women who inspire their families, neighbors, and community every day
For the women of Starkville and the surrounding area, getting older has never looked more regal. The Goldton at Adelaide recently honored its residents with a one-of-a-kind photoshoot in celebration of International Women's Day — complete with jeweled...
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International Institute celebrates
Mississippi State's International Institute is marking its 15th anniversary with a series of scholarly events and special festivities to celebrate the university's strategic global work. Founded in 2011, the International Institute is MSU'S connection...
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Oral, head and neck cancers are preventable
April is recognized as Oropharyngeal (mouth/throat), Head and Neck Cancer Prevention Month, and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is spreading awareness that many of these cancers are largely preventable. Of the roughly 560...
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Local student performing in nationally-recognized cemetery tour
A cemetery tour by candlelight among historic gravesites may seem like the setting for a Hollywood horror movie, but one such tour takes place far from California and involves history rather than horror. The setting for this performance is Friendship...
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MSU names Mcdaniel National Alumnus of the Year
Mike Mcdaniel, of Houston, Texas, will be honored by Mississippi State University as its National Alumnus of the Year during the MSU Alumni Association 2026 Awards Banquet on Friday, April 17. A native of Cleveland, Mcdaniel graduated from MSU in 1979...
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STEM CAMP
Students in the STEM and Imaginarium camp got the opportunity to learn about advanced materials, fibers and composites through STEM activities on this week. The students got to make kinetic sand, experience balloon polymer magic, practice measurements,...
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Effort to reverse new majority-black Mississippi Senate districts snuffed out quickly in Legislature
The Senate Rules Committee on Monday afternoon killed a last-minute measure that would have turned two majority-black state Senate districts back into majority-white districts if the U.S. Supreme Court weakens the federal Voting Rights Act as many...
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NEW FIRE TRUCK
The Maben Fire Department was able to purchase a new brush/ rescue truck thanks to generous grant funding from Senator Bart Williams and Representative Rob Roberson. In the past, the department has relied on using Mississippi Forestry Program trucks...
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Of the week
BJ Hendrix showed his athletic ability at second base for the Starkville Yellow Jackets in a recent baseball game at West Point. Hendrix made a leaping grab of a line drive that ended a threat by the Green Wave to leave two runners on base and helped a...
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TRAINING
13 Starkville firefighters have officially begun a two week training course working toward earning their Fire Department Apparatus certification. The class is hands on and will require long days and real work driving and operating apparatus, pumping...
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CHAMPS AT THE CAPITOL
Senator Bart Williams and Senator Angela Turner Ford on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, led presentation of Senate Resolution 64, commending Starkville High School Girls Basketball Team for winning 2026 MHSAA Class 7A State Championship, and Senate Resolution...
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Fundraiser:
Blue Plate Mafia served food to community members and police officers on Saturday to help raise money for injured SPD officer Colby Huffman’s family. Members of the community got to enjoy good food and engage with Starkville police and city leaders...
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Ex-wrestler Teddy Dibiase is found not guilty on all counts in Mississippi welfare scandal
Ted “Teddy” Dibiase Jr. began to cry as soon as the federal court clerk read aloud the first of 13 not guilty verdicts. By count seven, tears fell into his lap. When the clerk finished reading the verdict – not guilty on all counts in a notorious...
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Floyd talks about short story writing at Books and Authors
The Friends of the Starkville Public Library hosted author John Floyd as part of their March Books and Authors event on Thursday. Floyd, the author of over 1,100 short stories, spoke to the group about his passion for writing and gave key insights...
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‘Follow your passion’
Louie Gallo is the Managing Editor at the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and Museum at Mississippi State, a job many may not think about but one he finds great joy in. History was always in the cards for Gallo who began his fascination at a...
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A FAMILY DONATION
The Starkville Fire Department, alongside Modern Woodmen, presented two donations to the family of Firefighter Caleb Cistrunk to support the family after his passing this past year. “While no gesture can truly ease their loss, we hope this small act...
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Softball attendance records broken during series at MSU’S Nusz Park
It was a historical weekend for Mississippi State softball in more ways than one. Not only did the Bulldogs defeat the nation's No. 1 team for the second year in a row at Nusz Park in a 1-0 walk-off win in game two of the series against the Tennessee...
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‘Take me to church’
The Black Prairie Blues Museum will celebrate the homegrown soul of Annie & the Caldwells with a free afternoon blending live music, student art, and performances, honoring the Caldwell family band whose disco soul rhythms have carried real-life...
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Storm leaves one dead, three injured across state
Violent thunderstorms tore across Mississippi on Wednesday night causing substantial damage across the state and even a fatality. The storm, which arrived late Wednesday, brought with it strong winds, heavy rain and good conditions for the formation...
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Take a Spring Break from mowing
This spring, why not go a little wild? Those colorful wildflowers springing up in your lawn are not only beautiful and cost-free but also support biodiversity. That's why the City of Starkville is implementing a reduced mowing strategy this Spring...
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MIDTERM PRIMARIES HELD
Neither incumbent House District 3 Republican Michael Guest nor challenger Democrat Michael Chiaradio ran opposed in Tuesday's primaries. The two still appeared on the ballot and will do so again in November. In Oktibbeha's portion of House District...
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FORMER STARKVILLE RESIDENT RELEASES NEW SUPERHERO NOVEL
Superheroes are at the heart of modern pop culture, masked vigilantes protecting the biggest cities on the planet, but now Mississippians are finally receiving a hero of their own. “The Interns” is the latest book by former Starkville resident Roland...
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MSU Alumni Association honors outstanding volunteers
Mississippi State's recent Alumni Volunteer Leadership Weekend gathered Bulldogs from across the country to recognize outstanding alumni chapters and individuals, while providing networking and learning opportunities to enhance future engagement. The...
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‘We want more local food’
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson visited Starkville on Thursday, March 5 to talk about the ongoing Make Mississippi Healthy Again initiative. The event, which was hosted by the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club, focused on...
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WISH TO REALITY
Kadien Manuel got to have his cake and eat it too on Wednesday afternoon. Not only did have a Make-a-wish come true with a trip to Walt Disney World in a couple of weeks, but he got to meet Mississippi State men's basketball player Josh Hubbard in the...
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Emotions run high at Aldermen meeting
The Board of Aldermen met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday where emotions were high and key topics were discussed including future public hearings to ban a currently legal drug. Tensions were quickly heightened at the beginning of the...
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State student team develops AI Procurement solution
The AI Innovation Hub serves to effectively, securely and ethically accelerate statewide AI adoption, modernize public services and strengthen Mississippi's talent pipeline through collaborative proof-ofconcept developments. Designed to position the...
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Mississippi State continues to grow and thrive
Mississippi State student and faculty spent the latter part of the week celebrating nearly 150 years of the university. MSU officially turns 148 years old on Saturday marking another year of growth and change for the university. Originally founded on...
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DONATION
Starkville Chick-fil-a donates to Kiwanis Club of Starkville’s 13th Annual United We Feed Food Drive: Coleman Mcclelland, Marketing Director for Chick-fil-a, Starkville, from left presents Kiwanis Club of Starkville members including Richard Switzer,...
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‘I love being part of those light bulb moments’
Teachers work to teach a classroom full of students various subjects throughout the year, but some students may need additional help, that's where Jerrion Shelton comes in. Shelton is an interventionist at South Side Elementary School where she works...
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Town and Country Garden Club begins tree rescue project
A Starkville Town and Country Garden Club (STCGC) historic tree rescue project has begun thanks to Burns Dirt and the City of Starkville. Everyone knows the City of Starkville is upgrading Main Street as well as Hwy 182; and unfortunately, some...
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Accenting Dr. John A. Peoples
Approaching one hundred years young, Dr. John A. Peoples continue to enjoy quality of lifestyle. A native of Starkville, his birthplace was the residence located at the entrance to Henderson Middle School off highway 82. His father owned and operated a...
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A life between the lines of history
As Black History Month continues it's important to highlight those who have helped make Oktibbeha County what it is today, but not everyone has been etched into the history books the same way. Anderson Boyd was born in February 1835 in South Carolina,...
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Hubbard awarded Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup
Josh Hubbard put together one of the greatest individual performances in Mississippi State history on Wednesday night and now the rising Bulldog legend is being honored for what he's accomplished off the court. The prestigious Coach Wooden Citizenship...
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‘The humblest of beginnings can start in your hometown’ Cool Papa Bell's lasting impact
Starkville and Oktibbeha County are the homes of hall of famers in multiple different sports, one of those being the lightning fast Cool Papa Bell. James “Cool Papa” Bell was born in Starkville in 1903 where he grew up until about the age of 17. He...
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Aldermen and Supervisors hold Special Call Meeting
The Starkville Board of Aldermen alongside the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors held a Special Call meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss city and county matters. The meeting began with a presentation from John Cunningham of Neel-schaffer...
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‘What’s better than putting books in the hands of kids’ Oktibbeha elementary schools get big book boost
Elementary schools in Starkville and Oktibbeha County got the chance to expand their libraries thanks to donations from the Starkville Rotary Club. Last week, Starkville Rotarian Stan Miller along with various other members visited elementary schools...
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Cutest Couple ‘Being in each other’s presence is enough’
Valentines Day has finally arrived and Starkville's cutest couple has officially been crowned. Blake and Kelly Stewart have known each other through perhaps every important stage of life. They first met in 2005 while they were in sixth grade, but they...
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STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HIRES MORGAN AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Brett Morgan has been hired as the next head football coach at Starkville High School. Morgan was with West Point since 2009 with the last two as head coach. (SDN file photo) Starkville High School has its new football coach and he's bringing a...
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‘I always try to help them when I can’
Starkville's parks are one of it's shining features and bring members of the community together on a daily basis, and parks and recreation workers like Raffiel Jones make sure they continue to shine every day. The Amory, Mississippi native has lived...
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Hamer’s Presidential Award of Freedom now on display at the Two Mississippi Museums
The Two Mississippi Museums are now displaying the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer. Fannie Lou Hamer's Presidential Medal of Freedom was donated by her family to the Mississippi Department of Archives and...
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A barrier broken
Oktibbeha County and Starkville have a strong connection to Black history with significant figures going back to Reconstruction, but one man left a lasting impact on Starkville and Mississippi State University just over 60 years ago. Starkville native...
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Wells spoke to Starkville Garden Club about how to host
Lynn Wells, a member of the Oxford Garden Club, spoke to Starkville Town and Country Garden Club about how to host a butterfly release at their February 5, 2026, meeting at the home of Beverly and Nelson Jones. “The Starkville Town and Country Garden...
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CARR LEAVING SHS FOR POSITION IN THE NFL
Starkville High School is back in the market for a new head football coach. Multiple sources told the Starkville Daily News that head coach John Carr is headed to the National Football League. Carr is expected to be hired by new Cleveland Browns coach...
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