TIM PRATT

Residents of Oktibbeha County who have non-traditional mailbox posts could soon face fines if the posts aren’t replaced.

In order for Oktibbeha County to receive Mississippi Department of Transportation Office of State Aid road construction funds, all mailboxes along State Aid road rights-of-way in the county — not in the city of Starkville — must be placed atop 4-by-4-inch wooden posts, or “breakaway” posts, county administrator Don Posey said. Counties receive State Aid funds for road improvements and construction projects, but must conform to State Aid regulations to receive the funds.

State Aid funds for the overlay of Oktoc Road, for instance, could be withheld due to multiple mailbox posts in the right-of-way which don’t conform to State Aid standards, Posey said. Oktibbeha County receives approximately $49,900 a year in State Aid funds, he said.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

TIM PRATT

A convicted drug dealer who was deemed to be a habitual offender was sentenced Tuesday in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court to serve 17 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections on two drug-related charges.

Judge Jim Kitchens sentenced Dexter Moore to 16 years in the MDOC without the possibility of parole for possession of cocaine as a habitual offender. Kitchens also sentenced Moore to 30 years in the MDOC, but suspended 29 years, for the sale of cocaine. Moore also faces a $5,000 fine and five years of post-release supervision.

In other court business Tuesday, Judge Lee Howard sentenced Isaac Starks to a combined seven years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections system for four counts of burglary of an automobile and two counts of identity theft. Starks also must pay $4,436.16 in restitution and a combined $2,000 in fines. Three additional counts of burglary of an automobile were dropped as part of a plea bargain.

Kitchens sentenced Trevor Edmonson to one year of house arrest and five years of post-release supervision for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. If Edmonson does not complete the house arrest program successfully, he must serve six years in the MDOC.

Kitchens sentenced Willie Rogers to five years in the MDOC for felony fleeing a law enforcement officer. The sentence is to run consecutively to a sentence Rogers already is serving. He also must pay a $500 fine.

Kitchens sentenced Larry Smith to two years of house arrest for possession of a weapon by felon. If Smith completes the house arrest program successfully, he faces five years of post-release supervision. If not, Smith must serve 10 years in the MDOC.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

TIM PRATT

The trial of a Maben woman accused of killing her husband while the couple hunted in western Oktibbeha County was continued Monday until Aug. 2.

The trial of Verina Marie Childs, 38, of 3875 Jeff Peay Road, was delayed until August because the investigation is still ongoing, according to a court order.

Childs was charged with murder in the shooting death of her husband, Douglas Marion Childs, 32, on Nov. 22, 2009, off Hawkins Road. The couple lived at the corner of Jeff Peay and Hawkins roads, not far from the scene of the shooting.

Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy George Carrithers at the time said Douglas Childs was shot in the back with a rifle.

According to the court docket, Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Clemons is prosecuting the case against Verina Childs, Rob Roberson is her defense attorney and Judge Lee Howard is presiding over the case.

In unrelated business Monday, Howard and fellow Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge Jim Kitchens handed out a number of sentences.

Howard sentenced Calvin Hubbard to 10 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the sale of cocaine and an additional 10 years in the MDOC for possession of cocaine greater than 30 grams. The sentences are to run consecutively. Howard also gave Hubbard a $5,000 fine and five years of post-release supervision.

Howard sentenced Bruce Jefferson to five years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for statutory rape. Jefferson also faces a $1,000 fine and five years of post-release supervision.

Howard sentenced David Porter to two years in the MDOC for felony driving under the influence — third offense. Porter also was given a $2,000 fine and faces three years of post-release supervision.

Kitchens sentenced Wanda Larrimore to 10 years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence, for embezzlement. Kitchens gave Larrimore five years of probation, a $200 fine and ordered her to pay $1,909.50 in restitution.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

TIM PRATT

The Starkville Board of Aldermen Tuesday approved emergency repairs for a section of Old West Point Road which collapsed Monday.

Aldermen approved up to $70,000 for the engineering, design and construction work needed to repair the section of road that collapsed about 1/4 mile south of Highway 82. The funds will be taken from a future city Capital Improvement Project budget.

Columbus-based Ellis Construction will perform the repair work. It is unclear how long motorists must wait until the section of road, closed since shortly after noon Monday, will reopen.

It was a motorist Monday who noticed a roughly 4-by-4 foot section of Old West Point Road had collapsed under the weight of his vehicle after he crossed a bridge over an unnamed tributary of Sand Creek.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JACKSON — The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear arguments May 24 in Kristi Fulgham’s appeal of her death sentence for her role in the slaying of her estranged husband.

In court documents, her lawyers cited 38 possible errors in her 2006 trial.

Fulgham, now 33, was convicted of capital murder in Oktibbeha County. She is being held at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County. She is one of three women on Mississippi’s death row.

Prosecutors said Joey Fulgham was shot once in the head while he slept in his home in May 2003. They claim Kristi Fulgham wanted money.

Fulgham’s lawyers argued that Joey Fulgham had abused her and she suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Fulgham has also filed a post conviction petition in a separate case, which is before the state Court of Appeals.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

OFFICIAL AGENDA
THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010
5:30 P.M., COURT ROOM, CITY HALL
101 EAST LAMPKIN STREET

I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND A PRAYER IN HONOR OF NATIONAL PRAYER WEEK

III. APPROVAL OF THE OFFICIAL AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

IV. APPROVAL OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN MINUTES
A. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE BOARD OF ALDERMEN RECESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2010.
B. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE BOARD OF ALDERMEN RECESS MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2010.

V. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS
MAYOR’S COMMENTS: THERE WILL BE FOUR POWER OUTAGES SCHEDULED AT FROM 3:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 AM TOMORROW MORNING,
MAY 5 AND THEN AGAIN ON JUNE 5, JULY 10 AND AUGUST 7, 2010.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN COMMENTS: ALDERMAN CARVER PRESENTS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH RECOGNITION TO SHALAMARK SIMPSON OF THE PARK COMMISSION

VI. CITIZEN COMMENTS

VII. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
A. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY DAN MORELAND, CHAIRMAN OF THE STARKVILLE PARK COMMISSION AN MATTHEW RYE, PARK DIRECTOR ON THE QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN AS REQUIRED BY MS CODE §21-37-37.
B. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY JON MAYNARD OF THE GREATER STARKVILLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP AND KATHY GELTSON FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF THE GAP PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF STARKVILLE.
C. PUBLIC APPEARANCE BY BOBBY GRIMES PRESENTING THE PROPOSED FORMATION OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE MULTI JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCE.

VIII. PUBLIC HEARING
A. SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE CREATING AN HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION.

IX. MAYOR’S BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF CHANGING THE MAYOR’S BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE TO THE CITY OF STARKVILLE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE WITH THE ADOPTION OF MISSION STATEMENT, PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE AND THE APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP
AS PROVIDED IN THE PACKET.
B. CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF STARKVILLE BE IDENTIFIED BY MDA AS A GAP MUNICIPALITY.

X. BOARD BUSINESS
A. INTERVIEW OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE VACANT STARKVILLE SCHOOL BOARD POSITION.
B. CONSIDERATION OF MAKING THE APPOINTMENT TO THE VACANT STARKVILLE SCHOOL BOARD.
C. REPORT ON THE FINDINGS REGARDING SPEEDING CONCERNS ON BLUEFIELD ROAD
D. CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF A TREE ADVISORY BOARD, WITH MISSION STATEMENT, RULES AND STRUCTURE AND THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SAID COMMITTEE.
E. CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE CREATING AN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
F. CONSIDERATION OF MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS FOR THE POSITION IN WARD 2 WITH A TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2010.
G. CONSIDERATION OF MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITY FOR THE POSITIONS WITH A TERMS ENDING JUNE 1, 2010.
H. CONSIDERATION OF MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO THE PARK COMMISSION FOR THE TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2010.
I. CONSIDERATION OF ADVERTISING FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR A NEWLY VACANT POSITION ON THE STARKVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ANY CURRENTLY VACANT BOARD POSITIONS.
J. CONSIDERATION OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE PUBLIC APPEARANCES POLICY TO REFLECT A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS PER ANY BOARD MEETING.
K. CONSIDERATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE LOW BID FROM CIRCLE J LAWN CARE FOR THE MOWING CONTRACT FOR THE GROWING SEASONS OF 2010 AND 2011 FOR THE 182 AND UNIVERSITY ODDFELLOWS CEMETERIES.
L. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE REGISTRATION AND ATTENDANCE OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, THE CITY CLERK AND THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO THE MISSISSIPPI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE HELD IN BILOXI, MS, FROM JUNE 27, 2010 TO JULY 1, 2010.

XI. DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
A. AIRPORT (ALL ITEMS ON CONSENT)
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR IN-KIND SERVICES FROM THE CITY FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORK IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,811.68.
B. BUILDING, CODES AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
C. OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
1. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS DOCKET AS OF APRIL 28, 2010.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE CLAIMS DOCKET FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS EXCEPT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS OF APRIL 28, 2010.
3. REPORT OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2010, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 21-35-13 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972 ANNOTATED.
D. COURTS
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
E. ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT (ALL ITEMS ON CONSENT)
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE NEW VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR THE NORTHWEST SUBSTATION FROM THE LOW
BIDDER, WESCO/DIVERSIFIED SUPPLY COMPANY AT A PRICE OF $20,500.00.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN TVA “RATE CHANGE AGREEMENT” EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 1, 2010.
F. ENGINEERING AND STREETS
1. REQUEST CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID FOR THE REED ROAD WIDENING PROJECT AND AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTURAL AGREEMENT WITH SAID CONTRACTOR.
2. REQUEST CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID FOR THE 2010 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTURAL AGREEMENT WITH SAID CONTRACTOR.
3. REQUEST APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 12-HOLLIS II IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,435.00 IN ORDER TO INSTALL HYDROSEEDING FOR THE PROJECT.
4. REQUEST APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 27-YELLOWJACKET IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,479.00 IN ORDER TO INSTALL HYDROSEEDING FOR THE PROJECT.
5. REQUEST APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 14-HOLLIS IV IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,509.76 IN ORDER TO INSTALL HYDROSEEDING FOR THE PROJECT.
6. REQUEST APPROVAL OF INVOICE FROM ELLIS CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,800.00 FOR THE SERVICES RENDERED ASSOCIATED WITH THE OLD WEST POINT ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT.
G. FIRE DEPARTMENT
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FOR THIS AGENDA
H. PERSONNEL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE TAWNYA SANDERS TO FILL THE VACANT POSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR AND BOARD.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE PHILLIP CHANCE CUMMINGS TO FILL THE VACANT JOB OF CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTER.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE REKKA CARTER TO FILL THE VACANT JOB OF GENERAL CLERK / RECEPTIONIST AT THE ELECTRIC
DEPARTMENT.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT WITH LUKE MCMAHEN FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SERVICES TO PERFORM
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR DUTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2010 STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE TO FILL A VACANT POSITION OF OPERATOR 2 IN THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT DIVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES DUE TO THE UPCOMING RETIREMENT OF JEREMIAH MARSHALL.
6. REQUEST APPROVAL TO EXPAND THE JOB DUTIES OF MICHELLE POLK TO ASSIST DOUG DEVLIN IN PUBLIC SERVICES WITH ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND SPECIAL DUTIES AS SPECIFIED WITH A CORRESPONDING SALARY ADJUSTMENT
AS SET FORTH IN PERSONNEL POLICIES.

I. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. REQUEST CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL TO JOIN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCE.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ALLOW OFFICERS JULIUS GANDY AND LAURA ROBERSON TO ATTEND DARE OFFICER TRAINING IN INDIANOLA, MS ON JUNE 1 – 11, 2010, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,304.00, WITH ADVANCE PAY REQUESTED.
J. PUBLIC SERVICES
1. REQUEST APPROVAL TO PURCHASE WATER PIPE AND ACCESSORIES FROM CENTRAL PIPE, THE SUBMITTER OF THE LOWEST QUOTE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,919.30 FOR A WATER LINE ALONG GRETA LANE AND TO MS HWY 25.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL TO ISSUE A NOTICE TO PROCEED TO STIDHAM CONSTRUCTION, THE LOWEST SOURCE OF SUPPLY BIDDER, TO INSTALL A WATER LINE AND HYDRANTS ALONG GRETA LANE AND TO MS HWY 25 IN THE AMOUNT OF 14,987.50.
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST SOURCE OF SUPPLY BIDDER, TO INSTALL AND TIE-IN A NEW 24” FORCE MAIN AT THE WASTEWATER PLANT.
K. SANITATION DEPARTMENT (ALL ITEMS ON CONSENT)
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE BEST AND SOLE BID FROM STARKVILLE RECYCLING FOR THE FIFTY (50) SURPLUS CONTAINERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $.14 PER POUND (36-6 YD) AND $.15 PER POUND (14 – 8 YD) IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,775.00.

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. PENDING LITIGATION
B. PERSONNEL

XIII. RECESS UNTIL MAY 18, 2010 @ 5:30 AT 101 LAMPKIN STREET IN THE CITY HALL COURTROOM.

DISPATCH STAFF REPORT

The Oktibbeha County Circuit Court term is in recess until Monday, but judges Jim Kitchens and Lee Howard issued a handful of sentences earlier this week.

Kitchens sentenced Sarita Alred to 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but suspended 10 years, for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Alred also faces five years of post-release supervision and a $5,000 fine.
Howard sentenced John Lucas to eight years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but suspended the sentence, for possession of cocaine more than .1 gram but less than 2 grams. Howard gave Lucas five years of probation and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine.
Howard sentenced Mark Enis to eight years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence, for possession of cocaine greater than 0.1 gram but less than 2 grams. Enis faces five years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.