A rose to Navistar Defense in West Point, which landed another major military contract, announced Wednesday. Navistar was chosen to manufacture 10,000 trailers for the military’s light tactical vehicles. The JLTV A2 trailer is a multipurpose platform configured to support general purpose cargo and tactical generator mobility missions. Production will begin in 2024 in West Point. As it is with all military contractors, Navistar relies heavily on contracts to maintain its labor force. The West Point facility has grown from just 25 employees in 2020 to more than 500 today and is now one of West Point’s largest employers. This new five-year contract illustrates the success of the West Point facility. The future looks bright, indeed.
A rose to our local restaurants, who provide us with delicious ways to support worthy causes in our community. This weekend, Restaurant Tyler and TASTE Italian Kitchen in Starkville and Zachary’s Restaurant in Columbus will be hosting special fund-raising events. On Saturday, Restaurant Tyler is hosting a benefit to support Bryan Spencer through his fight with cancer from 6-9 p.m. Heavy hors d’oeuvres from chefs throughout the region will be served. There will also be live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 and all proceeds will go toward Spencer’s expenses. On Sunday, Zachary’s will host a to-go catfish plate fundraiser to help support Kaptain Edge, who was recently injured in an accident on the way home from school. Plates will be $12 and will be served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Also on Sunday, TASTE Italian Kitchen will host an all-day fund-raising event (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) to support the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, where all food proceeds will be donated to four-legged friends in need. Dogs will be present for adoption from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m.
A rose to Luke Johnson, a social worker at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, for his efforts to alert the public on the importance of lung cancer screening. During his appearance at the Columbus Exchange Club on Thursday, Johnson said the difference in the survival rate between a Stage 1 or 2 lung cancer diagnosis and a Stage 3 or 4 diagnosis tells the story. The 5-year survival rate for Stage 3 and 4 cancer patients is just 8%. But when cancer is diagnosed in the early stage (1 and 2) the 5-year survival rate shoots up to 67.8%. It’s the difference between an almost certain death sentence and a real shot at survival. We have long understood the importance of women having annual mammograms. Johnson hopes lung-cancer screening, particularly among smokers, becomes an annual practice as well. It’s a message the public needs to hear. We thank Johnson for helping spread the word.
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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