A rose to Rep. Dana McLean of Columbus, who was recognized this week as an “Angel of the Year” by the nonprofit Center for Violence Prevention. The Pearl-based organization presents this award for individuals or groups who support its goals of victim safety, offender accountability and public awareness. The center recognized McLean for her legislative efforts to make it easier for victims of sexual assault to receive a rape kit in emergency rooms across the state through House Bill 928, which passed the House but later died in committee. Ever persistent, McLean continued to lead the charge for the legislation, which was added to another bill and signed into law. McLean later added the legislation to Senate Bill 2211, which was signed into law. Since her arrival in the Mississippi House of Representatives in 2019, McLean has been an outspoken and effective voice for women’s issues. As one of only 26 women (14%) in the Legislature in a state with 1.52 million females, the interests of women are sometimes a low priority for the male-dominated body. The award reflects McLean’s commitment to champion women’s causes.

A rose to Starkville Community Theatre and Golden Triangle Theatre of Columbus for bringing home multiple awards at the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival. SCT presented a play titled “The Revolutionists” and picked up seven awards, including the Warren McDaniel Award for Best Production, which recognizes overall theatrical achievement. Participating in the festival for the first time, Golden Triangle presented the play “When the Sky Meets the Sea,” receiving awards in two acting categories as well as set design. That these two theater groups earned distinctions at the statewide theater festival is hardly a surprise to those who have enjoyed their performances in the Golden Triangle. The festival shows the talent of the performers but also emphasizes the importance of arts education and community involvement in the region. We are indeed fortunate to have not one, but two, excellent theater groups. Congratulations on these well-deserved honors.

A rose to 4-County Electric Power Association, which has completed a program to provide high-speed broadband services throughout its coverage area. FASTnet now provides that service to 22,000 of its 52,000 customers in Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Clay and Noxubee counties. Legislation passed in 2019 allows the state’s electric co-ops to provide broadband coverage. The $120 million project included laying 5,500 miles of fiber-optic lines over the past six years. Providing what has become an essential service to its customers is very much in keeping with the co-op’s mission. Electric co-ops were created in the 1930s to provide electricity to customers in the sparsely populated rural areas that major companies found unprofitable to serve. The customer-owned electric co-ops allow those living in rural areas to enjoy the benefits of electricity. The same holds true for broadband services today. We congratulate 4-County for its success in making sure all of its customers have access to affordable high-speed internet service.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

READER FAVORITES

• 

  Roses and Thorns: 6-13-26

  By Dispatch Editorial Board • 1 day ago