A rose to workers and management at Steel Dynamics’ flat-roll plant in Columbus. Last week, SDI president Mark Millett singled out the Columbus facility’s performance as a key factor in the company’s record-setting 2017 performance.
Last year, the Indiana-based company reported the company’s net income more than doubled from $446 million in 2016 to $803 million, while net sales increased from $7.8 billion to $9.5 billion in 2017.
Millett said the Columbus facility shipped about 220,000 tons of steel during 2017, a massive increase, and that its proximity to Mexico had been a big part of the company’s expanded direct sales to Mexico. While SDI bought the facility from Russian-based Severstal in 2014, the community worried about the new company’s commitment. Since then, the company has lived up to even the most optimistic view, adding a $100 million paint line in 2017 while setting production records. Our community is fortunate to have SDI as a stable and growing member of our industrial community.
A rose to Victoria Vivians, Morgan William and Blair Schaefer for achieving what no group of Mississippi State basketball players have ever done before.
On Thursday, MSU earned a hard-fought win at Missouri, a victory that placed the three players in the record books as the winningest senior class in program history. Along with Roshunda Johnson, who transferred to MSU two years ago, the MSU seniors have now won 112 games, besting the mark set just last year by the team that went to the NCAA Championship game. This year, the Bulldogs led by the four seniors, all starters, are off to a 23-0 record and are ranked No. 2 in the nation. Although there are many goals yet on the horizon, the distinction of bringing home the most victories in school history is a feat that should not be overlooked. Congratulations!
A rose to the irrepressible Gill Harris and his group of musicians who will again bring the big band era to life with a Friday concert at Trotter Convention Center in Columbus.
An evening with Harris and the Big Band Theory begins at 8 p.m. The audience can anticipate a repertoire influenced by iconic band leaders like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Stan Kenton.
Vocalists Denise Reid and Roger Burlingame of Columbus are also featured in the concert that encourages audience members to take advantage of the Trotter’s expansive dance floor.
The annual night of big band music has been a longtime passion of Harris, who began playing trumpet as a teenager in his school band and went on to play in the Army Band in Atlanta.
For ticket information, call 662-328-2787 or drop by the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center on Main Street.
A rose to the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District for finding a new way to recruit teachers for the district.
The Jacket Job Fair, which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Sudduth Elementary School, is a way to make the teacher recruiting and hiring process more personal for all applicants, SOCSD Superintendent Eddie Peasant said.
At a time when finding good teachers is ever more difficult, the decision to hold an event where district officials and teaching candidates can meet eye to eye and answer questions in an informal atmosphere may give the district a leg up on other districts.
In 2007, Peasant said, there were 7,600 new teacher’s licenses issued in the state. However, in 2017, there were only 600 new licenses issued. As the teaching pool shrinks, any efforts to reach out to candidates is important for the success of district.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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