Beatty, Sistrunk retain alderman seats as Carver awaits affidavit count Incumbent Ben Carver patiently awaits the final number of the Ward 1 election results being counted by City Clerk Lesa Hardin and Election Commissioners Dave Holley, Jessica Hill, Seth Pounds, Rowan Haug, P.C. McLaurin, Community Development Administrator Lyle MeCaskey and volunteer Cindy Alderman. The affidavit votes for the Ward 1 race will be counted Wednesday morning. Tyler B. Jones/Dispatch Staff
STARKVILLE At least two incumbents regained their seats on the board of aldermen after Tuesday’s general election, while a newcomer will represent Ward 4.
Ben Carver
Ward 1’s election is still too close to call, but incumbent Republican Ben Carver holds a 13-vote lead over Democrat Christine Williams with 15 affidavits to process today.
Aldermen still mulling juvenile curfew after second hearing From left, Mark Ballard, Sandra Sistrunk and Lynn Spruill
Aldermen plan to wait two to four more weeks before a final vote on a citywide juvenile curfew, following a second public hearing on the matter Tuesday at City Hall.
Police Chief Mark Ballard, who fielded aldermen’s questions at the hearing, has asked for an ordinance establishing a juvenile curfew and truancy law to decrease auto burglaries and, in turn, mitigate juvenile crime.
If passed, the curfew would apply to ages 17 and under. It would run from midnight to 5 a.m.
As mentioned in the first public hearing in May, many variables contribute to juvenile crime, Ballard said, but auto burglaries are often the key component in Starkville. Minors steal firearms out of vehicles and then use those weapons to commit violence, he said. Just this year, 36 firearms have been stolen out of vehicles as of Tuesday, he said.
Aldermen receive update on Starkville park finances, new hours
STARKVILLE Starkville Parks and Recreation Executive Director Brandon Doherty updated the board of aldermen on the department’s finances, upcoming projects and amended park hours at a board work session Friday.
Currently, Parks and Recreation has outlined 90 projects to complete over the next few years. These plans include building a bathroom at the J. L. King pavilion, replacing the gym floor at the Outlaw Center and installing cameras, gates and lights at Moncrief Park. Doherty said the department examined each park and figured out the needs of them individually.
Brandon Doherty
Starkville, Oktibbeha considering juvenile curfews
Lynn Spruill
Authorities in Starkville and Oktibbeha County are weighing whether to implement a juvenile curfew in an attempt to decrease crime among teenagers and pre-teens.
Oktibbeha County supervisors announced Monday they would host a public hearing to address the potential of a juvenile curfew in June. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said after she heard the county was considering a curfew, she wanted to establish one as well.
“We are at a crossroads in my opinion,” Spruill said in the city board of aldermen’s work session April 30. “We have had activity north, south and in the middle of our city, and I think this is a time to recognize, to some extent, that we want parents to do it, but parents don’t seem to be parenting like they need to be.”
Starkville residents voice concerns about park shooting
Starkville city leaders met with residents on April 22, 2021 to discuss park safety after a shooting happened at McKee Park earlier in the week.
A meeting tonight allowed Starkville residents to voice their thoughts on safety issues at McKee Park, this after a shooting happened there recently while children were present.
Posted: Apr 22, 2021 9:29 PM
Updated: Apr 22, 2021 10:14 PM
Posted By: Brianna Bynum
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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - A meeting tonight allowed Starkville residents to voice their thoughts on safety issues at McKee Park, this after a shooting happened there recently while children were present.
Dozens of people met at the park and voiced their concerns. Some residents said they want to see changes including a park curfew and a greater police presence.