ESTABLISHED 1879 | COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI CDISPATCH.COM 50 ¢ NEWSSTAND | 40 ¢ HOME DELIVERY FRIDAY | JANUARY 26, 2018 A RECORD-BREAKING 21-0 Tronox sues FTC for blocking acquisition Company accuses commission of using delay tactics beyond normal procedures BY SLIM SMITH [email protected] Tronox Corp. has filed suit against the Federal Trade Com- mission, claiming the regulatory body is deliberating delay- ing action in an effort to block the mining/ chemical company’s Cassisa Jr. efforts to complete a sale which would more than double its sales of titanium di- oxide (TiO2). Oxford attorney Paul Cassisa Jr. filed the suit on behalf of Quinn Tronox on Tuesday in U.S. District Court of Northern Mississippi in Aberdeen. The suit is asking the court for injunctive relief against the FTC that would require Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff the FTC to either file an injunction Darienne Crosby and her cheer partner, Cody North, hype up the crowd inside Humphrey Coliseum during the Mississippi State that would allow Tronox to argue University women’s basketball game against Florida Thursday. MSU women are 21-0 for the first time in program history after its case before the court or rule the the 90-53 victory. Crosby is a senior marketing major from Picayune. North is a senior business finance major from Tremont. See Sports for full coverage, 1B. FTC has no basis for contesting the sale. The suit claims the FTC has abandoned its normal practices by failing to act on the company’s ac- quisition by keeping the case mired in administrative limbo in order to Police release video of armed robbery suspect “run out the clock” until the pur- chase agreement expires on May Masked man after receiving reports that a 21. black male entered the store In February, Tronox announced suspected of armed armed with a handgun and it had agreed to purchase Saudi demanded money. He left the Arabia-based National Titanium Di- incident still at-large store and headed south after oxide Co. LTD, also known as Cris- taking an undisclosed amount tal, which would push its sales of ti- DISPATCH STAFF REPORT of money. tanium dioxide to $3 billion, based A CPD press release de- on sales reported by the companies Columbus Police Depart- scribes the suspect as short in 2016. ment investigators have re- and thin. At the time of the Tronox operates 20 facilities leased surveillance footage robbery, he was wearing a with 15,000 employees worldwide. from a Tuesday night robbery pink shirt, black pants and Its products include titanium di- at a local gas station in hopes black shoes. oxide, a paint-additive used in a the public can help identify Authorities are asking any- multitude of products to create a Courtesy image bright white finish. The company the suspect. one with information on the Columbus police are seeking information on a Tuesday Police responded to Exxon crime to call Golden Triangle night robbery at the Exxon Gas Station on Main Street has three facilities that produce ti- Gas Station on Main Street Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530- shortly before 9 p.m. This a still shot CPD released of See TRONOX, 6A Tuesday shortly before 9 p.m. 7151. store surveillance footage. COMING SUNDAY ‘Magic’ Max earns place in Book of Golden Deeds Longtime volunteer helps with schools, Club, had no Born in Kemper County idea when his in 1939, Cullum has lived in churches, other nonprofits wife convinced Columbus since his children him to accom- were students in Columbus BY ISABELLE ALTMAN and Fishes to repairing ele- pany her to Municipal School District in [email protected] vators at First United Meth- the meeting the 1970s. He was an avid odist Church. that he would supporter of public schools, Columbus resident Max Because of his years of win an award Exchange Club member Bet- Cullum Cullum always told his chil- quiet community service, the club gives ty Clyde Jones told the club. dren to leave places better the Exchange Club of Colum- annually to little-known vol- Cullum also served in the than they were when they ar- bus awarded Cullum with the unteers throughout the com- United States Army and Mis- rived — something he appar- sissippi National Guard. Book of Golden Deeds award munity. Don’t miss The Dispatch’s special ently has practiced all over at its weekly meeting at Lion “Who (were) they talking Over the years, Cullum section How To Choose, a guide to volunteer sites in Columbus, Hills Thursday. Cullum, who about?” he joked after the has volunteered time with products and services in the Golden from serving food at Loaves is not a member of Exchange meeting. See GOLDEN DEEDS, 6A Triangle, in Sunday’s paper. WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC 1 What U.S. state has the highest Partnership holds its MEETINGS Saturday annual banquet from Jan. 31: ratio of males to females? ■ Community Health 2 Who became an overnight sensa- 5:30-9 p.m. at The Mill Lowndes County & Wellness Fair: Amer- tion singing “I Dreamed a Dream” on at MSU. Tickets are $50 Supervisors, 9 “Britain’s Got Talent”? icorps Vista and the at GSDPBanquet.com. 3 “The Kitchen God’s Wife” was Amy Columbus Arts Council a.m., County Tan’s second novel; what was her host this fair from 10 Courthouse Layla Kitko first? a.m.-2 p.m. at the Thursday, Feb. 1 Feb. 6: Co- 4 What is the common term in the ■ Music, spoken word Second grade, Annunciation Rosenzweig Arts Center, lumbus City Northern Hemisphere for the day of tribute: Rescheduled 501 Main St. (resched- Council, 5 the year when the Sun reaches its from Jan. 16, the uled from Jan. 16). p.m., Municipal northernmost point in the sky? Columbus Arts Council High 61 Low 48 Free health screenings, Complex 5 What is the Chicago Bulls cheer- hosts music and spoken Partly sunny leading squad called? snacks, on-site instruc- Feb. 6: Cale- Full forecast on word at 7 p.m. at the Answers, 8B tors for yoga, yogaflex, donia Board of page 2A. Rosenzweig Arts Center, pilates, plus info from Aldermen, 6 in observance of Martin area nonprofits. Free. INSIDE Luther King Jr. Day; p.m. Town Hall follows exhibit opening Feb. 9: Lown- Classifieds8B Obituaries 5A Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. $10 des Co. School Comics 6B Opinions 4A ■ GSDP Annual advance; $12 at door. Felicia Metcalf likes District Board, Crossword 7B Religion 7B Banquet: The Greater For information, call fishing, sewing, decorating 11 a.m., District 138TH YEAR, NO. 271 Dear Abby 6B Starkville Development 662-328-2787. and baking. office DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471 2A FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SAY WHAT? DID YOU HEAR? “In the second half, defensively, we were really good. Fourteen forced turnovers in the second half. Thirty-six points in the paint in NBC’s Holt says he approached the second half. Our defense really turned into offense.” MSU women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer, talking about his North Korea with eyes open Friday team’s 90-53 victory against Florida on Thursday night. Story, 1B. Anchor and chor said. “We talk about this place, we hear the network facing bellicose language from YOUTH TOURNAMENT its leader and we hear the A youth basketball tournament drew plenty of players and criticism for reaction from our country. fans to the Boys & Girls Club court in Columbus Jan. 13. It’s important to get on the Scene&Seen presenting an air- ground. You go to a place like North Korea with brushed view of your eyes wide open.” Holt’s reports began the dictatorship Saturday and continued af- BY DAVID BAUDER ter he returned to the U.S. AP Media Writer on Tuesday — and there was a marked change in NEW YORK — NBC tone after he got home. News anchor Lester Critics like former Fox Holt learned while going News commentator Eric through customs in North Bolling tweeted disgust Korea that his request to with Holt’s on-air com- visit the heavily-fortified ment on Monday that he border with South Korea had been treated with re- had been denied, and he spect by the North Kore- was headed to a ski resort ans. The New York Post, instead. in an editorial, said that His schedule was not “we’re still trying to fig- his own, and Holt is only ure out why NBC ‘Night- the latest journalist to ly News’ and Lester Holt learn the price of peek- decided to shill for North ing into one of the world’s Korea’s dictatorship.” most restrictive societies. Holt’s first trip to North It was clear even from Korea was timely, with in- Holt’s early reporting that ternational tensions high he was being shown only Kyla Temple, Jariel Chatman, Jaliah Brooks and Curtez Guyton and NBC weeks away what the regime wanted from broadcasting the him to see. While at the Winter Olympics from ski resort, he said on Sun- South Korea. But Holt day’s “Today” show that and NBC also faced crit- “what you’re seeing here icism for presenting an certainly flies in the face air-brushed view of the of a country that’s under- dictatorship. going crippling sanctions “I absolutely think the and that may be part of trip was worth it,” the the reason we were invit- NBC “Nightly News” an- ed to see this.” CONTACTING THE DISPATCH Office hours: Main line: n 8 a.m.-5 p.m.