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$articles = [['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2008-03-10', 'short_title' => "Officials get update on Reed's Metals expansion", 'short_body' => "Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cliff Brumfield and county supervisors met Thursday morning with Reed's Metals, Inc. owner Bernard Reeds to discuss his company's recent expansion and the potential benefits it may bring to the county's economy.", 'title' => "Officials get update on Reed's Metals expansion", 'body' => "\nBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cliff Brumfield and county supervisors met Thursday morning with Reed's Metals, Inc. owner Bernard Reeds to discuss his company's recent expansion and the potential benefits it may bring to the county's economy.\n\n\"Any time that we have expansion of the magnitude of that at Reed's Metals, it warrants us getting up to speed on their investments and the improvements they've made,\" Brumfield said. \"Our local leaders always like to stay apprised of what's happening with our local business base.\"\n\nAs the first step in a plan to expand its market from a residential to a commercial construction base, Reed's Metals recently added a 28,800-square-foot building in which to house several new pieces of equipment that are forthcoming.\n\n\"Now, we have a lot more machinery, more room for the commercial side of the business,\" Reed said.\n\nThe company will soon possess new equipment to streamline and increase its ability to manufacture metal roofs and buildings, including one machine that will snap-lock panels together for increased wind resistance. The 140 mph wind tolerance of the panels has increased Reed's Metals' sales in coastal areas.\n\nThe company is also purchasing new software that contains information on the building codes for every county in the country. By entering a ZIP code of a proposed building site into the software, the company can design a structure in accordance with an area's building codes and quote an estimate to the buyer in as little as 20 minutes.\n\nThese and other advancements are helping Reed's Metals expand into the markets of other states.\n\n\"We're really optimistic about being able to grow our business another 20 percent over last year,\" Reed said. \"We're hoping that, by the end of the year, we'll be able to expand up from 16 to 25 employees. We'll be able to bring a lot of business in from out of state and put a lot of tax money back into the county.\"\n\nThough Reed's Metals is not the type of massive industry commonly associated with economic development, Brumfield said such companies play in an important part in the county's economy.\n\n\"We're concerned about our small, one- or two-employee retailers and other businesses as much as we are about large employers,\" he said. \"They do have an impact on our economy on several levels.\n\n\"It's these types of industries that provide the majority of the employment that fuels our local economy,\" he continued. \"Every day, people and other businesses travel to Reed's Metals to do business, and that exposes them to other businesses in Lincoln County. Reed's Metals' business is not only good for Reed's Metals, it has positive benefits for our other businesses.\"\n\nAfter a brief tour of the company's facilities and an quick examination of the machinery within, the county supervisors approved of the progress being made.\n\n\"I like that forward progress, \" District Two Supervisors Bobby J. Watts said. \"I think they're doing a great job. This company reaches four states wide. It goes good for our state and county - they're automated, their product stands out and they're from Lincoln County.\"\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2008/03/10/officials-get-update-on-reeds-metals-expansion/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2008-06-12', 'short_title' => "'O' Foundation leads effort for complex awning...", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals commissioned to manufacture and install complex awning for 'O' Foundation.", 'title' => "'O' Foundation leads effort for complex awning installation", 'body' => "\nA local effort to shield patrons of the Lincoln County Multi-Purpose Facility from the elements is just now receiving its first donations.\n\nBrookhaven's \"O\" Foundation is extending its feelers across the city, seeking anywhere from \$5,000 to \$15,000 in donations to fund the installation of a sprawling, metal awning to cover the front entrance of the facility.\n\nFoundation president Rose \"Polly\" Powell said the awning is estimated to cover an area of 36 feet by 90 feet - enough to cover about half of the front of the building. Powell said the idea to seek a cover for the facility has been in the works since last summer, when people began to notice how the weather made people in nice clothes who were attending nice events make a mad dash through wind and rain to get inside the facility.\n\n\"There's a lot of people who use this facility,\" Powell said. \"We counted up about 100,000 last year. We have weddings, birthdays and political rallies, and sometimes the weather is so harsh we have to rent a tent to put up outside. It's hot, hot, hot; and then it's cold, cold, cold.\"\n\nIn order to raise the money, the \"O\" Foundation is seeking sponsorships. Powell said donations to the project are divided into four categories - platinum, \$500; gold, \$250; silver, \$100; and bronze, \$50. Business and personal advertisements, in honor or in memory of, will be permanently placed on the awning in different sizes according to the level of donation.\n\n\"It's really good advertising for your business because of all the people that use the multi-purpose building,\" Powell said. \"And the more you sponsor, the bigger the area you can have.\"\n\nPowell said the first donations have recently trickled in, with the project budget currently at \$250 from five bronze donations, including one all the way from a Brookhavenite residing in Italy.\n\nPowell is looking for local businesses, banks and concerned citizens to add to the total. She noted the project to place the awning will grow in quality if the budget goal is exceeded.\n\n\"We're going to make it as nice as the money we can raise,\" Powell said.\n\nAnd raising the money is all about the \"we.\"\n\nWith the Lincoln County Multi-Purpose Commission locked into its budget and managing several upgrades across the property, no county funds will be put toward the purchase and installation of the awning. The effort will be 100 percent community supported, said facility manager Quinn Jordan.\n\n\"We're within a budget year, and it goes from budget year to budget year,\" Jordan said. \"We strongly rely on community support in order to bring these needed improvements to the facility while we operate on a very tight budget.\"\n\nJordan said he and the commission encourage the project. He noted, though, that final commission approval would be needed, in order to \"dovetail\" the project into the facility's one-, three-, five- and 10-year plans already in place.\n\nWhile commission chairman Pat McCullough said he and the commission were behind the project, an engineering plan must be seen and approved before the awning plans can go forward.\n\n\"We have to see some kind of design criteria,\" he said. \"The commission is aware of the plan, but we have to see the engineering plans before final approval.\"\n\nPending final approval of the engineering specs, McCullough said the awning project would be a worthy addition to the facility.\n\n\"The idea of the construction itself is a good thing, and we don't have the money to make that type of addition ourselves,\" McCullough said. \"If anyone wants to compliment the facility with a plan like this, we'd be foolish not to take advantage of it.\"\n\nPowell is scheduled to meet with representatives from Reed's Metals, Inc. - the company that will manufacture and install the awning - at the multi-purpose facility Monday morning to examine and discuss the project and develop a cost estimate.\n\nReed's Metals owner Bernard Reed said his company will generate its own engineering plans. He hopes to have them ready to present to the commission within a week of Monday's meeting.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2008/06/12/o-foundation-leads-effort-for-complex-awning-installation/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2008-11-21', 'short_title' => "Chamber honors Reed's as top industry", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals garners Industry of the Year honors Thursday at the 2008 Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Banquet.", 'title' => "Chamber honors Reed's as top industry", 'body' => "\n\tReed's Metals owner Bernie Reed said diversifying his inventory might have been a part of the 25 percent growth this year that helped lead his business to garner Industry of the Year honors Thursday at the 2008 Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Banquet.\n\nIndustrial Development Foundation Chairman Bill Sones said Reed's Metals had shown other area businesses what it is to grow from the ground up.\n\n\"Our industry of the year is a true success story,\" he said.\n\nSones added that when the business opened up 10 years ago, it operated out of a temporary building. It has now grown to be a viable, vital part of the Lincoln County economy.\n\n\"From where we started from, it's almost unbelievable to me that we've gotten this far,\" Reed said. \"It means an awful lot to us.\"\n\nSones said Reed's Metals, in addition to its growth, is on target to make \$12 million in volume this year.\n\n\"I never would have dreamed that we'd have gotten this far,\" said Reed, who attributed his success to people who have helped him in Lincoln County. There are a lot of great people we're working with, and some really good people who have helped me out through the years. I'm so proud of this county, they've been very supportive of us.\"\n\nAmong other honors presented during the chamber's annual banquet at the Thames Center at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, the Agribusiness of the Year Award went to Bardwell Dairy. It is owned by Leon and Debbie Bardwell.\n\nLincoln County MSU Extension Service Director Rebecca Bates said the farm has garnered many other honors in recent years, including 2008's Master Dairymen of the Year from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.\n\n\"They've won numerous honors, not just tonight,\" Bates said, pointing out that in addition to upkeeping such excellence, the Bardwells still milk 65 heifers a day.\n\nThe Soapbox Award, given for an individual who has done outstanding work to promote the community, was awarded to Roberta Johnston. Johnston, 87, was recognized for her years of service to King's Daughters Medical Center and Habitat for Humanity.\n\n\"This award is not given annually, but it is given at specific times to individuals of special distinction,\" said Steering Committee Chairwoman Rita Rich.\n\nEducator of the Year went to Bogue Chitto teacher Kathy McKone, who has taught science for 20 years and beat out three other finalists for the honor.\n\n\"She believes every minute is a teaching opportunity, no matter where you are,\" said 2008 Chamber President Rob McCreary.\n\nAmbassador Chairman Imogene Ryan and Chamber Membership Chairman Jim Jolly both received recognition for their service to the chamber in the past year as well.\n\nMcCreary told the group that the chamber has some new programs in the works for the coming year.\n\nThey include chamber gift cards, which can be purchased and spent at any participating chamber member business in town. This, he said, should help keep holiday money at home.\n\n\"We appreciate your Christmas shopping, and when you make your decisions we hope you'll think about the businesses that supported our children's athletic teams, bought ads in the yearbooks, supported the civic groups and donated their time to the community,\" he said. \"Fifty-six percent of Brookhaven's general fund comes from sales tax, and we as a community need to make an effort to shop at home.\"\n\nMcCreary also outlined some of the chamber's victories since the last banquet, emphasizing the fact that Brookhaven and Lincoln County schools have become models for other school districts in the Mississippi Scholars Program. In addition, he said, the chamber helped to spearhead a leadership symposium simulcast program with 10 national leadership speakers that was held in the spring at Easthaven Baptist Church.\n\nChamber officials also touted the Small Business Roundtable, the brainchild of local businessmen George Faust and Jolly, who wanted to create an opportunity for small business owners to get together and listen to speakers and brainstorm ways to improve their companies and community.\n\nFinally, McCreary turned the chamber reins over to 2009 President Stan Foster of State Bank.\n\n\"I'm passing the torch to the very capable hands of Stan Foster,\" McCreary said as he thanked those who made his tenure as chamber president possible over the last year.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2008/11/21/chamber-honors-reeds-as-top-industry/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2009-10-19', 'short_title' => "Reed's expands as metal plant's business grows", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals, Inc., a growing metal manufacturing plant on Highway 84, is undergoing its third expansion project in as many years and will soon pull in more workers, produce more metal and pour more income into Lincoln County.", 'title' => "Reed's expands as metal plant's business grows", 'body' => "\nMany companies have wilted during the dry spell of the national recession, but one Brookhaven business continues to blossom.\n\nReed's Metals, Inc., a growing metal manufacturing plant on Highway 84, is undergoing its third expansion project in as many years and will soon pull in more workers, produce more metal and pour more income into Lincoln County.\n\n\"My goal is to employ 50 people by the end of next year,\" said Bernie Reed, company owner and president. \"Once this new building is up, we'll be able to put on at least 10, 15 more people, hopefully.\"\n\nTo expand the facility's production capabilities and serve its ever-increasing regional market, Reed's Metals is undergoing a \$1.6 million expansion that will add 32,000 square feet of production space and necessitate the hiring of 15 more employees. The forthcoming commercial building fabrication shop will house new metal-producing equipment and a pair of heavy lifting cranes, and will measure 400 feet long by 80 feet wide.\n\nOnce completed, Reed's Metals will be nearly 110,000 square feet.\n\nReed said the new expansion is being undertaken to allow the company to step up production for its growing markets, which span eight states. The company has recently taken on three new out-of-state salesmen to manage the demand coming primarily out of Mississippi and Louisiana, with growing markets in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Tennessee.\n\nThe company is continuing on a 20 percent per year growth rate, Reed said, despite the national economy. He said sales are up in 2009 another 21 percent over 2008, when the company took in \$12 million revenue. This year the company intake will edge close to \$15 million.\n\n\"I can't understand it, but we're having a really good year,\" Reed said. \"We've been blessed.\"\n\nThat year is paying off for the local economy and the 35 employees who work at Reed's Metals. Reed said the company averages a monthly payroll of around \$118,000, and pays out just more than \$1.4 million annually.\n\nSuch numbers are what made Reed's Metals the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce's Industry of the Year in 2008. To get there, the company had to will itself against making traditional business decisions as the economy and the metal market crumbled.\n\n\"We've doubled our advertising and took more market share, and we keep our inventory up,\" Reed said. \"A lot of people cut back on inventory trying to save money, and they cut their advertising. But people who doubled their advertising gained so much more market share.\"\n\nAnd when new customers are attracted to Reed's Metals, they are served quickly. Reed has built the company around same-day service, and has the tools to do it. Several of the metal-shaping machines are computer-controlled with continually-updated that software that contains the building codes for almost every municipality in the country. The software designs its own construction plans and churns out metal roofs and buildings that will can pass a city inspector's checklist upon delivery.\n\n\"If people want it, they can come get it - we've got it,\" Reed said. \"Now matter how many customers we get, we keep adding machinery to keep same-day service going. It's been a big part of our success.\"\n\nReed said customers can visit his company unannounced, sit down with a sales rep, place an order and leave with metal in less than one hour.\n\n\"Coming in here and getting a custom roof, cut for your house, is just as easy as going to Wal-Mart and getting your grocery list,\" he said.\n\nBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield said the addition of 15 jobs in the current economy is \"outstanding, something any town, big or small, can appreciate.\"\n\n\"This is an example of how locally owned industry can be the backbone of an improving economy,\" he said. \"Although the recession is taking its toll on many, there are not only signs of life but prosperity beginning to rise. Reed's Metals has weathered the storm and is coming out even stronger.\"\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2009/10/19/reeds-expands-as-metal-plants-business-grows/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2009-10-19', 'short_title' => "Reed's expansion good for area", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals on Friday confirmed plans for its third expansion in three years. The \$1.6 million venture will add 32,000 square feet of production space and mean the addition of 15 employees for the company.", 'title' => "Reed's expansion good for area", 'body' => "\nWhile reports of business shutdowns and job losses remain pervasive in the current economy, it must be remembered that not all news is bad.\n\nReed's Metals on Friday confirmed plans for its third expansion in three years. The \$1.6 million venture will add 32,000 square feet of production space and mean the addition of 15 employees for the company.\n\nCompany employment plans should have at least a small positive effect on local jobless rate numbers that appear to already be improving. Totals released last month showed Lincoln County with a jobless rate of 9.5 percent in August, a 1.4-point drop from July and the second-lowest rate in the area.\n\nWe are hopeful that more positive business activities and jobless rate reports lie ahead to help part the ominous economic clouds that continue to lie on the horizon.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2009/10/19/reeds-expansion-good-for-area/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2010-03-05', 'short_title' => "Brookhaven business aids college reclamation effort", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals proudly contributes to rebuilding effort of war-torn African Bible Colleges University in Liberia.", 'title' => "Brookhaven business aids college reclamation effort", 'body' => "\nIn the fourth chapter of Nehemiah, the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with haste because \"the people had a mind to work.\"\n\nIn the second chapter of a Christian school on the west coast of Africa, a war-torn campus is being rebuilt with help from Brookhaven because a few workers here were of the same mind.\n\nTo put the finishing touches on a project to reclaim African Bible Colleges University Liberia from the jungle after 16 years of abandonment, local metal manufacturing industry Reed's Metals, Inc., is providing an expansive metal building to serve as the college's new gymnasium. The company sold the building at a far reduced price after a chance meeting with three local ABC supporters that must have taken place, they say, due to the guidance of God.\n\n\"Sometimes we try to force things to happen, but God makes it happen for us,\" said Brookhaven's Johnny Lynch, who helped close the deal on the building. \"There was a lot of prayer involved.\"\n\nABCUL was built in 1976, the first of three colleges - ABC University Malawi was built in 1988, and ABC University Uganda was added in 2005. Dr. Del Chinchen founded the school after years of mission work in Liberia, and it soon began to turn out classes of Christian-educated leaders.\n\nThe school operated successfully until 1992, when it was abandoned during the First Liberian Civil War.\n\nThe war began in 1989 in Nimba County, where ABCUL is located, when the infamous future dictator Charles Taylor staged a rebellion against the government. The war would end with Taylor's election as president in 1997, by which time around 200,000 Liberians were dead and hundreds of thousands more had fled the country.\n\nAfter ABCUL was abandoned, Taylor's rebels looted the school, stripping away anything valuable and leaving the shells of buildings to be taken by the jungle. In 2005, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected president and peace was finally attained. Taylor has since faced trial in The Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity.\n\nABC leaders returned to Liberia in 2005 to inspect ABCUL. The sight was overgrown and barely recognizable. But rebuilding began with Johnson-Sirleaf's support.\n\nBy the time Brookhaven's Ed Williford, ABC's director of development, visited the campus last November, rebuilding was nearing completion and the first class in 16 years was well into its sophomore year.\n\nOnly one building remained unrestored - the gymnasium, the pride of the campus and at one time likely the only gymnasium in Liberia. Williford received instructions from Chinchen.\n\n\"He said we're going to rebuild our gymnasium. Y'all go back and find someone to help us,\" Williford said.\n\nWilliford returned to his home at The Inez, wondering what to do, until he picked up an October edition of The DAILY LEADER and read a story about the success of Reed's Metals, which was then undergoing its third expansion. Here was the answer, he thought.\n\n\"I figured that was the Lord's message to me, to find some way to see that guy,\" Williford said.\n\nWilliford tried to arrange a meeting with Reed's Metals owner Bernie Reed. He enlisted the help of his son-in-law - Johnny Lynch - and his friend and former mayor Bob Massengill. The three called on Reed numerous times, but was unable to track him down.\n\nThen, as they see it, God took over the negotiations.\n\n\"Two weeks later, Johnny called and said, 'Guess who just walked into my office?'\" Williford said.\n\nReed came into Lynch's office by mistake, looking for another office. The two businessmen talked shop, and Lynch brought up ABCUL. A meeting was planned for the following Monday.\n\nAt that meeting, Reed sealed the deal by selling ABCUL a 125x95-foot metal building at cost, generating no profit for his own company and saving ABC \$8,000 to \$10,000 on the project. He also agreed to ship the material to the port, where Firestone - which manages a rubber plantation in Liberia and has a good relationship with ABC - will deliver the parts to Liberia.\n\nTo Williford, it was a relief and a message from God.\n\n\"We knew none of what (Reed) was made of when we read that article, but I think the Lord just put it on his heart,\" he said.\n\nFor Reed, charity is nothing new.\n\n\"We always try to help churches, colleges and that sort of thing. Every church we give a discount to, help them with fees or just throw something in there to help them out,\" Reed said. \"It's just what I feel like I should do. I'm just glad we could be a part of it.\"\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2010/03/05/brookhaven-business-aids-college-reclamation-effort/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2011-10-30', 'short_title' => "Heavy Duty Expansion", 'short_body' => "Reeds Metals installs new purlin mill.", 'title' => "Heavy Duty Expansion", 'body' => "\nBernie Reed smiled broadly as he waited for the piece of equipment to be unloaded.\n\nGetting the 65,000-pound component for Reed's Metals' new purlins mill would be no easy task. A coordinated effort involving four wrecker service trucks' tow cable systems was needed to get the heavy equipment lowered from the delivery truck to the ground.\n\n\"This is the last piece of equipment we need to be able to do everything for a metal building in-house from start to finish,\" Reed said. \"That's why I'm so excited.\"\n\nThe purlins mill came to the Lincoln County business in four shipments from Broussard, La. The heaviest component came Thursday afternoon and all parts were expected by Friday morning.\n\nReed said a new purlins mill costs around \$1.3 million, but he was able to find one at the Louisiana auction for about half that amount. The cost of the equipment was one factor in getting the four trucks from Davis Wrecker Service involved in the delivery process.\n\n\"It's the only safe way to get it off without bending one of the shafts,\" Reed said.\n\nReed said he hopes to have the purlins mill, which is used to make certain support beams for a building's roof, up and running in about three weeks.\n\nThe mill will eventually have its own building, which Reed hopes to have constructed in about four to six months. For now, the mill will be housed elsewhere at the company on Highway 84.\n\n\"We're knocking out some walls and going to make it work until we can get a new building to house it,\" Reed said.\n\nReed said the mill is about 175 feet in length from start to finish and will need 6 feet of foundation because of the weight. Soil testing is currently under way on the planned location for the new mill.\n\nA purlins mills was in his long-range plans, but Reed said getting it now will allow the company to speed up those plans by about three or four years. Reed was unsure if the mill would lead to any new jobs, but he was optimistic it would boost the company's efforts to surpass \$5 million in annual sales next year.\n\n\"We're not banking on it, but that's what we hope,\" Reed said.\n\nReed said his would be the only purlins mill he knew of in Mississippi south of Highway 82. Others are in Pontotoc, Batesville and Oxford.\n\n\"There's nothing around here close,\" Reed said.\n\nReed said the mill would allow the company to minimize inventory space. He said orders for purlins, which can be formed in the shape of a C or a Z, could be done the day before they are to be shipped.\n\n\"You feed the material in one side and it'll come out a finished product on the other,\" Reed said.\n\nCliff Brumfield, Brookhaven-Lincoln County executive vice president, applauded the new addition to Reed's Metals. He said the company has seen \"phenomenal\" growth since it started in 1998.\n\n\"Reed's Metals continues to be well-equipped to provide quality services to its customers, which in turn brings in dollars to Lincoln County,\" Brumfield said.\n\nBrumfield said it is exciting to see the company grow, especially in light of current economic conditions around the country. He expected continued growth from the company.\n\n\"Reed's Metals is definitely on the right track and one to watch in the coming years,\" Brumfield said.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2011/10/30/heavy-duty-expansion/", 'images' => ['expansion4/4eacb6564f3af.image.jpg']], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2011-11-04', 'short_title' => "Bryant rallies Republican troops in...", 'short_body' => "Republican candidate for governor Phil Bryant spoke to supporters at Reed's Metals Thursday, encouraging them to participate in the Nov. 8 general election.", 'title' => "Bryant rallies Republican troops in advance of Tuesday's election", 'body' => "\nRepublican candidate for governor Phil Bryant spoke to supporters at Reed's Metals Thursday, encouraging them to participate in the Nov. 8 general election.\n\n\"Don't be apathetic and think we've got this,\" Bryant said. \"We've got to get the vote out.\"\n\nBryant, the state's current lieutenant governor, faces Democratic candidate Johnny DuPree in the race for governor.\n\nWord of mouth is one of the most significant factors in influencing votes, according to Bryant.\n\n\"Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers who you are going to vote for,\" he said.\n\nBryant also spoke about how he and his opponent have conducted themselves in the race.\n\n\"I have a Democratic opponent, and we have very different visions for the state,\" Bryant said. \"But we have not attacked anyone. We have redefined how you run for office.\"\n\nBryant was joined by three Brookhaven-based candidates for state and legislative office: Becky Currie, the incumbent House District 92 candidate seeking re-election; Cindy Hyde-Smith, the current Senate District 39 senator who running for state commissioner of agriculture and commerce; and Sally Doty, running to fill Hyde-Smith's District 39 seat.\n\n\"I am so pleased to be joined by these strong Republican women,\" Bryant said.\n\nBryant had high words of praise for Hyde-Smith. He said she is someone who understands the full significance of the commerce and agriculture position.\n\n\"That word commerce in there is important,\" Bryant said. \"It's not just about rodeos.\"\n\nHyde-Smith returned Bryant's compliment and praised his abilities on the campaign trail.\n\n\"There is no harder campaigner than Phil Bryant,\" Hyde-Smith said. \"He is a machine.\"\n\nFollowing his brief words, Bryant mingled and spoke with members of the crowd.\n\nHe discussed local Republican politics with John Roberts, chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Party.\n\nWith Dustin Bairfield, Republican candidate for circuit clerk, he emphasized the need for Republican candidates in local races.\n\n\"We've got a lot of sheriffs and judges that are going to have to realize, with Barack Obama in the White House they're going to have to make a change,\" Bryant said.\n\nBefore his left Lincoln County, Reed's Metals owner Bernie Reed took Bryant on a brief tour of the facility.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2011/11/04/bryant-rallies-republican-troops-in-advance-of-tuesdays-election/", 'images' => ['bryant-rallies/4eb415419759a.image.jpg']], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2011-11-04', 'short_title' => "Governor Phil Bryant Visits", 'short_body' => "Governor Phil Bryant, Representative Becky Currie, Senator Sally Dotty, and Commissioner of Agriculture Cindy Hyde-Smith Tour Reeds Metals manufacturing facility in Brookhaven, MS.", 'title' => "Governor Phil Bryant Visits", 'body' => "", 'author' => "", 'link' => "", 'images' => ['news-pb/P1016635.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016642.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016643.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016663.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016668.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016708.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016713.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016777.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016811.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016953.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016955.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016960.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016989.JPG', 'news-pb/P1016994.JPG']], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2012-01-17', 'short_title' => "Movie Metal", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals, Inc. has built, sold and installed a 72- by 80-foot metal building for a movie company that is shooting a film in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in 2012.", 'title' => "Movie Metal", 'body' => "\n\tBrookhaven is going Hollywood. Well, sort of.\n\nReed's Metals, Inc. has built, sold and installed a 72- by 80-foot metal building for a movie company that is shooting a film in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in 2012.\n\nThe film will star Tom Cruise in a science fiction feature and will either be called \"Horizons\" or \"Oblivion.\" The title is still undecided.\n\nReed's Metals, Inc. installed the building in Mansfield, La., for the film. According to Reed's Metals owner Bernie Reed, the company was chosen to construct the building due to its ability to finish it quickly.\n\n\"We didn't even know we were building this building for a movie when they first contacted us,\" said Reed. \"They wanted it built within two weeks and we did that for them.\"\n\nSales Manager David Forehand said other companies said they could build the structure in four to six weeks, but movie producers needed it faster.\"We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver fast service,\" said Forehand.\n\nThe building will be covered in asphalt to make it look like an ice-covered hideaway in Iceland.Reed's Metals has been in business since 1998 and has worked on plenty of projects, but this was not the biggest. That title would go to a 120- by 300-foot riding arena built a few years ago.\n\nThe movie will be shot starting on March 12 and should wrap up in August.Co-starring with Cruise will be Jessica Chastain. Also starring in the film will be Olga Kurylenko and Andrea Riseborough.\n\nJoseph Kosinski will be the director.Universal Studios will be putting out the film, which is set 3,000 years in the future and will star Cruise as a lone soldier trapped on Earth after being sent there to remove the alien race that has taken over the planet.\n\nMovie fans can expect a release sometime in 2013.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "The Daily Leader", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2012/01/27/movie-metal-2/", 'images' => ['movie-metal/movie_metal.jpg']], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-04-19', 'short_title' => "Reed's Metals has expansion in works", 'short_body' => "\"Reed's Metals Inc. opened in Brookhaven in 1998, but since 2010 they have been growing rapidly with four new locations,\" said owner Bernie Reed.", 'title' => "Reed's Metals has expansion in works", 'body' => "\nReed's Metals Inc. opened in Brookhaven in 1998, but since 2010 they have been growing rapidly with four new locations, said owner Bernie Reed.\n\nThe other locations are in Jackson, Tenn.; Benton, Ark.; Lake Charles, La.; and Tupelo. \"And, there are other locations on the radar,\" he said.\n\nThe latest growth is happening at home base and is a 60-by-120-foot expansion to increase floor space for manufacturing and warehousing. Reed said the addition will be ready for use within a couple of weeks.\n\nThe expansion became necessary, Reed said, because of increasing sales.\n\n\"Due to the high volume of metal buildings we are shipping around the southeast, we had to expand.\"\n\nReed said he is consistently adding employees to the business and with this single expansion his company is adding \$10 million more to the Brookhaven economy. He employs 64 employees in the Brookhaven location alone, and between 115 and 120 employees in all locations. He explained that Reed's is more than a place to buy metal buildings.\n\n\"We are a roofing manufacturer and a metal building manufacturer,\" he said. Last year he said they sold 325 buildings. In 2012 that number was 205. His success, he said, is due to the company's focus on what customers need and giving the same respect and attention to the small residential jobs that they do the large commercial jobs.\n\n\"We have a professional team here that knows the product,\" he said. \"We give free estimates, too. There is no job too small and every job is important.\n\n\"We offer seven profiles of roofs – corrugated, traditional 5-V, many types of residential and commercial panels. But, I think the biggest thing that makes this company a success is that our sales staff makes it so simple to come in, find what you need, order it and have it cut and ready the same day.\"\n\nReed said their metal barns can be ordered and manufactured within 21 days. At every location they employ the best local contractors.\n\n\"We have hundreds of reputable contractors across the southeast that we can send out to customers for an estimate,\" he said.\n\nLocally Reed contracts a great deal of work with R.K. Wallace Construction Co. of Jayess.\n\n\"Wallace Construction Co. is putting up the expansion,\" Reed said. \"We've used Robert [Wallace] to put up a lot of our buildings. He's very professional. He gets in and gets the job done.\"\n\nReed offers more than 20 colors for roofing, siding and metal buildings. The business is located at 19 E. Lincoln Drive. You also can call 601-823-6516, or visit the website at www.reedsmetals.com.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Rhonda Dunaway", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2014/04/19/reeds-metals-has-expansion-in-works/", 'images' => ['brookhaven-expansion/0420-Reeds-Metals.jpg']], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-06-28', 'short_title' => "Reed’s Metals donates to Dream Home project", 'short_body' => "Reed's Metals of Brookhaven recently donated \$10,000 worth of metal roofing materials to be used in the construction of St. Jude's Dream Home located in Flowood.", 'title' => "Reed’s Metals donates to Dream Home project", 'body' => "\nReed's Metals of Brookhaven recently donated \$10,000 worth of metal roofing materials to be used in the construction of St. Jude's Dream Home located in Flowood.\n\nThe home will be used as a fundraiser to aid St. Jude's \$1.9 million dollar daily operating budget and tickets are being sold for \$100 each.\n\nThe home is valued at an estimated \$415,000. If potential buyers purchase a ticket before July 4, 2014, the buyer will also be entered to win a \$1000 gas card donated by Butler Snow.\n\nTickets may be purchased at any Jackson area Regions Bank, Ross Furniture in Flowood, online at www.dreamhome.org or over the phone at 1-800-371-6789.\n\nThe winner will be drawn on Sept. 21, 2014 on WLBT.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Special Report", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2014/06/28/reeds-metals-donates-to-dream-home-project/", 'images' => ['donate-stjude/donatetostjudeinterview.jpg'], 'caption' => "Pictured is Bernie Reed, president of Reed's Metals, being interviewed by a WLBT news crew near the construction site."], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-07-19', 'short_title' => "Reed’s Metals donates to Dickerson Place", 'short_body' => "Reed’s Metals Inc. of Brookhaven recently donated metal for a new equipment shed at Baptist Children’s Village’s Dickerson Place in Brookhaven.", 'title' => "Reed’s Metals donates to Dickerson Place", 'body' => "\nReed’s Metals Inc. of Brookhaven recently donated metal for a new equipment shed at Baptist Children’s Village’s Dickerson Place in Brookhaven.\n\nThe project was a joint effort of the Lincoln County Baptist Association and Central Baptist Church’s Brotherhood. Thirty-nine churches in Lincoln County make up the Lincoln County Baptist Association that all participated in the mission project. They also received outside donations to assist with installing the new equipment shed on Friday, July 11.\n\n\"A special thanks goes out to Bernie Reed and all of the Reed’s Metals team for donating all the metal for us to be able to do this today, \"said Larry Callender, Brookhaven native and also chairmen of the Brotherhood who spearheaded the mission project at Dickerson Place. \"We are really grateful to have this kind of support.\"\n\nReed’s Metals donated corrugated siding in \"galvalume.\" Other men from the association were there to help install as well.\n\nWhen asked what this project and these donations mean, Andy Gill of Brookhaven commented, \"... a peace of mind helping someone out.\"\n\nCorey Bomberger added, \"I just started going to church at Central Baptist Church myself. They asked me if I wanted to get involved ... and I did.\"\n\nCallender is proud his mission project came to fruition. \"I just have a special soft spot in my heart for children who don’t have a home. There are kids who’ve been here since birth up until they go off to college. This is their home.Callender is proud his mission project came to fruition. \"I just have a special soft spot in my heart for children who don’t have a home. There are kids who’ve been here since birth up until they go off to college. This is their home.\n\n\"And it’s a wonderful place, and this is a great project. We have to also thank Joyce Wilson, director of the Dickerson Place, who asked for our assistance. And we have to thank all the people and companies, like Reed’s Metals, who helped us do this,\" Callender said.\n\nBrookhaven resident, Ruben Johnson, serves as officer for the Lincoln County Baptist Association. He, too, pushed up his sleeves to make this happen.\n\n\"Anytime you can help anybody in need...we should. That’s what Jesus would do. We have to always step out on faith and go where work is needed. We use what resources and availability we have ... and we try to do it,\" said Johnson.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Daily Leader Staff", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2014/07/19/reeds-metals-donates-to-dickerson-place/", 'images' => ['donate-dickerson/donatetodickersonplace.jpg'], 'caption' => "Pictured are (from left) Glen Bardwell of Union Hall, Ruben Johnson of Harmony, David Gibson of Central, George Higdon of Central, Mike Grim of Central, Glen Cliburn of Central, Larry Callender of Central, Anthony Gill of Central, Corey Bomberger of Central and Gerald Smith of Central."], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-10-25', 'short_title' => "Lt. Gov. tours Reed’s Metals", 'short_body' => "Friday afternoon, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves visited Reed’s Metals in Brookhaven for a tour around the company’s facilities and to speak with the company’s owner, Bernie Reed and city officials.", 'title' => "Lt. Gov. tours Reed’s Metals", 'body' => "\nFriday afternoon, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves visited Reed’s Metals in Brookhaven for a tour around the company’s facilities and to speak with the company’s owner, Bernie Reed and city officials.\n\n\"It’s always great to be back in Lincoln County,\" Reeves said about the visit.\n\nReeves’s visit was intended to emphasize his dedication to supporting home-grown businesses that provide jobs for Mississippians.\n\n\"Reed’s really embodies what we are trying to do as a government,\" Reeves said, when speaking about Reed’s Metals.\n\nHe said the company employs 60 to 70 people in Lincoln County and over 100 others throughout its other locations around the south.\n\nReeves asserts the government doesn’t create jobs, but the government should create the environment that encourages job creation within the state and among businesses. Reeves said when he and his colleagues consider passing legislation they ask if it will help encourage private sector investments.\n\nSome of Reeves other platforms involve lowering the tax burden on citizens and small businesses. This provides explanation for his interest in Reed’s Metals and the number of jobs the company has created in its approximately 16 years of operation.\n\nAlso during his visit, both before and after his tour Reeves talked about education reform and the efforts he and his colleagues have taken to provide such reform. Reeves said they’ve changed the way the state rates schools by switching to a letter grade system which they hope would facilitate comprehension among children’s parents and grandparents.\n\nOther efforts include Third Grade Gate, which keeps third graders who aren’t reading at the proficiency level from being promoting to the fourth grade, reading coaches who go into schools to help students and allowing public charter schools in the state.\n\n\"Every kid deserves to have an education,\" Reeves said.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Nathaniel Weathersby", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2014/10/25/lt-gov-tours-reeds-metals/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-11-20', 'short_title' => "Bernie Reed cites hard work as key to success", 'short_body' => "I recently read an article advising foreigners on how to adapt to life in the United States. It noted, \"Life in the U.S. is generally fast paced and busy. People don’t want to waste time on anything, even food. That is why the U.S. invented fast food and is the largest consumer of fast food.\"", 'title' => "Bernie Reed cites hard work as key to success of Reed’s Metals", 'body' => "\nI recently read an article advising foreigners on how to adapt to life in the United States. It noted, \"Life in the U.S. is generally fast paced and busy. People don’t want to waste time on anything, even food. That is why the U.S. invented fast food and is the largest consumer of fast food.\"\n\nWe are a culture that wants what we want, and we want it now! For example, in order to provide more speed to consumers, Amazon recently partnered with the U.S. Postal Service for Sunday deliveries. Companies that will succeed in this new era will find ways to deliver an outstanding customer experience with the speed consumers are demanding.\n\nMy interviewee this week, Bernard T. (Bernie) Reed, understands the mindset of today’s consumer, and he has built a thriving business based on meeting his customers’ needs. Reed is the owner of Reed’s Metals Inc. based in Brookhaven, Mississippi, which provides metal roofing and metal buildings direct to consumers. Reed is originally from Florida, but he grew up around the country as his family worked in a seasonal agricultural business. As an adult, Reed planted his roots in Monticello and started a pine tree reforestation business; however, the business was seasonal so he wanted to find something else to do in the off season. In 1998, at the age of 28 he decided to start Reed’s Metals with a pair of hand shears and a forklift. From that humble beginning, the company quickly grew and today Reed’s Metals has over 160 employees in five locations: Brookhaven; Tupelo; Benton, Arkansas; Lake Charles, Louisiana; and Jackson, Tennessee.\n\nI have found that success leaves clues, and so I was curious about the secrets to Reed’s rapid growth. Reed shared that he learned early on the value of hard work. He was homeschooled and worked in his family business from a young age. As a business owner, he models a strong work ethic for his employees. He also has a passion for customer service. He shared, \"From day one we have strived to provide fast service for our customers. Even today, a customer can come to our store, choose what they want, and leave with their metals 30 minutes later.\"\n\nReed also emphasizes the importance of creating a positive customer experience with every encounter. He noted, \"I emphasize the appearance of both our stores and our people. We also greet our customers at the door and try to provide remarkable customer service.\"\n\nScaling that kind of customer service is never easy. Many people can talk the talk of customer service, but I have found it is much harder to walk the walk and continue to deliver outstanding customer service as organizations grow. While his business has grown to multiple locations, he regularly visits every store and has frequent huddles with his employees to emphasize the values on which the company was built.\n\nReed also shared that he has surrounded himself with great leaders in his organization. Like other successful entrepreneurs, Reed understands the importance of hiring very talented people and letting them do their jobs. Savvy leaders understand their own strengths and limitations and hire talented people to shore up their weaknesses. Reed is a great Mississippi success story. His focus and passion are contagious. With a solid business model and plans for further growth, I know Bernie Reed and Reed’s Metals will be having an impact for years to come.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Martin Willoughby", 'link' => "http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/11/20/willoughby-bernie-reed-cites-hard-work-key-success-reeds-metals/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2014-12-06', 'short_title' => "Reed's Metals shows a giving heart", 'short_body' => "Reed’s Metals, Inc. of Brookhaven recently celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday by showing the true meaning of the old saying, \"It’s far better to give than to receive.\"", 'title' => "Reed's Metals shows a giving heart", 'body' => "\nReed's Metals, Inc. of Brookhaven recently celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday by showing the true meaning of the old saying, \"It's far better to give than to receive.\"\n\nLast Wednesday, the metal manufacturer on East Lincoln Road delivered a full Thanksgiving meal to four local families. While employees did not cook the meal, the families enjoyed a full meal complete with a whole turkey. Employees were asked to donate either money or \"fixings\" for the needy families.\n\nSales Manager, Bull Foreman, decided to donate cash to fill in the gaps of items that still needed to be donated.\n\n\"I think it's great that we participated in this project,\" he said. \"I think we should always be helping the less fortunate.\"\n\nReed's Metals volunteers sent out nomination forms and then collected an application pool of families in need this season. Four were chosen to be honored with a tub of Thanksgiving food items to prepare at home to make the day run smoother than originally anticipated.\n\nOne donation came about when a female contractor came into the showroom a couple of weeks ago to make a purchase and sat down with one of the Reed's sales representatives. The customer and employee got into a personal conversation about how times get tight. The customer explained her current situation of a medical illness hitting her family hard emotionally, financially and physically. That's when the sales representative listened attentively and realized that this particular customer would make a perfect candidate for receiving some extra Reed's Metals Thanksgiving assistance.\n\n\"I always like helping people. It made me happy to see her face light up when I told her we were sending extra help her way,\" said Laraye Waldrop, inside sales representative at Reed's in Brookhaven. \"She was so thankful we did that for her.\"\n\nReed's Metals employees know they have been blessed with success…and beyond measure. The company that began in 1998 has since grown into a multi-million dollar corporation that knows hard work and giving back goes hand-in-hand.\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Special Report", 'link' => "http://www.dailyleader.com/2014/12/06/reeds-metals-shows-a-giving-heart/"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2015-02-15', 'short_title' => "REED'S METALS, INC.", 'short_body' => "Guided by its founding principle of \"Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed,\" Reed’s Metals, Inc. of Brookhaven is putting a personal stamp on the metal roofing and steel building industry in the Southeast. Reed's Metals is a multi-million dollar metal provider, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and fabrication methods. Headquartered on a 20-acre site in Lincoln County, the facility produces steel buildings of any size and offers a complete line of multiple roofing panel profiles in 20+ colors with same day service on all roofing orders.", 'title' => "REED'S METALS, INC.", 'body' => "\nGuided by its founding principle of \"Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed,\" Reed’s Metals, Inc. of Brookhaven is putting a personal stamp on the metal roofing and steel building industry in the Southeast. Reed's Metals is a multi-million dollar metal provider, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and fabrication methods. Headquartered on a 20-acre site in Lincoln County, the facility produces steel buildings of any size and offers a complete line of multiple roofing panel profiles in 20+ colors with same day service on all roofing orders.\n\nBernard \"Bernie\" Reed began Reed’s Metals on June 1, 1998, near Monticello in rural Lawrence County. Using a single hand cutter, he began filling roofing orders at night, the same orders he had personally acquired earlier in the day. The next day, those orders would be delivered.\n\n\"I started in a tiny green shed with one employee, one forklift and \$10,000. We ordered 74 sheets of roofing materials in seven colors from Mountain Metals in Kentucky to get us going,\" said Reed, who now employs 70 at the company’s five locations. \"As we got orders during the day, we would pull the needed sheets that night and hand cut them by the headlights of a car.\"\n\nSix months into his business endeavor, a customer approached Reed with the opportunity to expand his operation. \"He had a 60 x 80 foot building near Brookhaven that he offered to rent to me for \$400 a month,\" said Reed. After moving into a more hospitable work space, business began to increase. By August 2001, Reed saved enough to acquire a structure of his own on the site of his current Brookhaven location.\n\n\"When we moved to our present site in the old Latco building, we had about 22,000 square feet of operating space, much different from the tiny green building we started in,\" he joked. His big boost, however, came in the face of disaster.\n\nFollowing the widespread devastation from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Reed found himself without power for 10 days. \"People were calling me at home as soon as the cellphone service was back up begging me for materials. They needed roofs repaired covering expensive machinery or needed repairs to critical buildings. I had to get back to work,\" he said. After power was restored to the area, Reed reopened, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep up with demand.\n\n\"If you go to the Coast, you’ll hardly see a shingled roof now. A lot of our competitors stepped it up to 10- or 12-hour days, but we ran 24/7 for five straight months following Katrina. People were in need of rebuilding, and we were committed to our same-day policy and to getting people what they needed,\" said Reed, citing an estimated 115 orders per day filled following the disaster.\n\nReed saw his business continue to grow and, beginning in 2007, expanded his operation three times in the course of three years. In 2011, he brought in the last piece of equipment to bring the process for completing a metal building from start-to-finish under one roof--a Purlin mill.\n\n\"We have a lot of expensive programs and equipment but [the Purlin mill] is necessary for us to get everything done here on site,\" Reed said. The construction of the new facility, which is used to create bends in certain support beams required in the stabilization of a building’s roof, grew Reed’s Brookhaven operation to more than 120,000 square feet.\n\nReed’s Metals now has five manufacturing locations across Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas, as well as a design and engineering center in Columbus to assist with professional-grade custom designs. The company is a leading seller and manufacturer of metal roofing and pre-engineered steel buildings in the Southeast and employs more than 70 workers. Reed credits his success to his appreciation for his customers and attention to detail. \"We don’t buy business. We sell customer service,\" he said, adding that every customer, or even a potential customer, receives a hand-written thank you note from him or his staff. With more than 400 metal buildings and more than 8,000 metal roofing jobs in a single year, that equates to a lot of thank you notes.\n\n\"It’s the little things, all the way down to tying down their load. If you ever call here and get an automated system, I won’t be here anymore,\" assured Reed, adding that the company prides itself on stellar customer service, same-day turnaround on materials, and a commitment to excellence. \"We don’t forget about our customers once the job is done, we follow up, we do customer surveys to make sure they are completely satisfied with the job we did. If there’s something wrong, we will fix it.\"\n\nReed also does his part to support other Mississippi businesses. \"We purchase our raw steel from Nucor (which has two locations in Mississippi: Flowood and Starkville) and our scrap materials are sent for recycling to Severstal (recently purchased by Steel Dynamics, Inc.) in Columbus. The only operation we do not perform in-house is paint-all of our paint is done in Byram by Metal Coaters Mississippi.\" Admitting he still has aspirations for further expansion in the Southeast, Reed’s current focus is on taking care of his clientele and educating the public about the benefits of metal roofs.\n\nHe said the new technologies used at Reed’s Metals can create a more protective barrier for roofs withstanding up to 140 mph winds, meets IBC safety standards, are EnergyStar rated and can even lower homeowner insurance rates. Reed’s Metals has offered their quality metal roofing for the same price since 2008. With more than 80 years of combined experience from Reed’s staff, \"there is no job too small or too big,\" said Reed.\n\nAside from the love for his customers and his passion for business, Reed also has a love for his community and fellow Mississippians. The company is well recognized for charitable giving including, in 2014, taking part in the St. Jude Dream Home, donating a shed for the Baptist Children’s Village, and delivering Thanksgiving dinners to local families.\n\n\"We started poor with not much to work with, and have seen a lot of success,\" he said. \"We just want to give back.\"\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Secretary of State", 'link' => "http://www.sos.ms.gov/Pages/Reeds-Metals-Inc-Full.aspx"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2015-03-05', 'short_title' => "New Vice President", 'short_body' => "I'm proud to annouce that Linda Netterville, former President of Executive Essentials based in Fort Smith, Arkansas servicing 60 companies across 3 states has joined forces with me as Vice President of Reed's Metals", 'title' => "Linda Netterville becomes new Vice Predsident", 'body' => "\nI'm proud to annouce that Linda Netterville, former President of Executive Essentials based in Fort Smith, Arkansas servicing 60 companies across 3 states has joined forces with me as Vice President of Reed's Metals\n\nLinda has the credentials and experience necessary to help propel Reed's Metals to be the best metal roofing and metal building company across the United States\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Bernie Reed", 'link' => "", 'images' => ['new-vp/newvicepresidentnews.jpg'], 'caption' => "Pictured is Bernie Reed, president of Reed's Metals, alongside Linda Netterville, vice-president of Reed's Metals"], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2015-03-19', 'short_title' => "Letter from ABC", 'short_body' => "Thank you very much for the beautiful gymnasium you provided for our mission in Liberia.", 'title' => "Letter from ABC", 'body' => "\nDear Mr. Reed & Everyone at Reed's Metals,\n\nThank you very much for the beautiful gymnasium you provided for our mission in Liberia. Please tell your staff thank you for the excellent construction. The gentleman who erected the building for our mission - John Corely - puts up building all over the world, and said he has never done an easier build. Every beam and bolt was spot on - no problems at all - in fact during the entire erection of the gym he said he only had to drill ONE HOLE, which is almost unheard of. John has insisted that we only order from Reeds in the future, because when you are putting up buildings overseas it makes our job so much easier if we know every bolt, beam and hole is accurate. Thank you Reed's!\n\nAnd by the way, African Bible College is now the only university in Liberia to have its own gym, and your building is by far the nicest gymnasium in the country!\n\nMay God bless, \nPaul Chinchen, President \nAfrican Bible Colleges, Inc. \n[Liberia / Malawi / Uganda]\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "African Bible Colleges", 'link' => "", 'images' => ['abc/abc_gym_1.jpg', 'abc/abc_gym_2.jpg', 'abc/abc_gym_3.jpg', 'abc/abc_gym_4.jpg', 'abc/abc_gym_5.jpg'], 'caption' => ""], ['location' => 'Brookhaven', 'date' => '2015-05-02', 'short_title' => "Red Roof Chicken Villa", 'short_body' => "The metal roof I purchased has really put the finishing touch to my Chicken Villa. It causes big attention and is eye catching.", 'title' => "Red Roof Chicken Villa", 'body' => "\nDear Mr. Reed & Everyone at Reed's Metals,\n\nThe metal roof I purchased has really put the finishing touch to my Chicken Villa. It causes big attention and is eye catching. Businesses that choose to use a red metal roof like I did, will notice that the eye focuses on the roof first. We had a hail storm with huge size hail and there was minimal damage. It still looks BRAND NEW! I would do it all over again if I needed to. Luckily, I will never have to buy another metal roof again. That's the beautiful advantage of a metal roof. I highly recommend Reed's Metal roofing to anyone and everyone. In fact, we have three metal roofs from Reed's Metals: barn red, which is a carving house for my husbands decoys, Galvalume roof for our farm house, and of course, the red roof on our fabulous chicken villa. We are a proud customer of Reed's Metals\n\nBillie Remson\nTylertown, MS\n(Red Roof Chicken Villa featured in Stages Magazine May-June 2015 issue)\n\t\t\t\t", 'author' => "Red Roof Chicken Villa", 'link' => "", 'images' => [], 'caption' => ""]];
$dirname = dirname(__FILE__);
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$newArticle = new NewsArticle(['date' => $article['date'], 'short_title' => $article['short_title'], 'short_body' => $article['short_body'], 'title' => $article['title'], 'body' => $article['body'], 'author' => $article['author'], 'link' => $article['link']]);
$newArticle->slug = preg_replace("/[^a-zA-Z0-9 ]+/", "", $newArticle->title);
$newArticle->slug = str_replace(' ', '-', $newArticle->slug);
$newArticle->slug = strtolower($newArticle->slug);
$newArticle->location()->associate(Location::where('name', '=', $article['location'])->first());
$newArticle->save();
if (isset($article['images'])) {
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private static function append_news()
{
$newsArticles = NewsArticle::all();
foreach ($newsArticles as $article) {
array_push(static::$allPages, ['loc' => URL::to('/news/' . $article->slug), 'mod' => $article->updated_at->toDateString(), 'freq' => 'monthly', 'pri' => '0.5']);
}
}
<?php
use App\Models\SiteComponents\NewsArticle;
$title = "News";
$articles = NewsArticle::query()->orderBy('date', 'desc')->get();
?>
@extends('page')
@section('content')
<div class="spacer"></div>
<div class="title row">
<h1>Reed's Metals News</h1>
</div>
<div class="row">
<img class="float-right" src="/static_img/news.jpg" />
@foreach( $articles as $article )
<p><a href="/news/{{ $article->slug }}">{{ $article->short_title }} - {{ date('F j, Y', strtotime($article->date)) }}</a></p>
<p>{{ $article->short_body }}</p>
@endforeach
</div>
@endsection
/**
* Remove the specified resource from storage.
*
* @param int $id
* @return Response
*/
public function destroy($id)
{
$class = NewsArticle::find($id);
if ($class->delete()) {
return Response::json('success', 200);
} else {
return Response::json('error', 400);
}
}
Route::get('api/zip/{code}', function ($code) {
$zip = ZipCode::where('zip', '=', $code)->first();
if ($zip == null) {
abort(404);
} else {
return $zip;
}
});
// We'll let the admin panel define its own routes instead of
// setting them all up here manually
Route::match(['get', 'post'], 'admin/{one?}/{two?}/{three?}/{four?}/{five?}', 'AdminController@router');
Route::controllers(['auth' => 'Auth\\AuthController', 'password' => 'Auth\\PasswordController']);
Route::get('images/{one?}/{two?}/{three?}/{four?}/{five?}', 'SiteComponents\\ImageController@loadImage');
// A few oddities
Route::get('/news/{article}', function ($article) {
$viewing = NewsArticle::where('slug', $article)->first();
return View::make('dynamic_pages.article')->with(['title' => $viewing->short_title, 'article' => $viewing]);
});
Route::get('/locations/{location}', function ($location) {
$viewing = Location::where('name', ucwords(str_replace('-', ' ', $location)))->first();
return View::make('dynamic_pages.location')->with(['title' => $viewing->name, 'viewingLocation' => $viewing]);
});
Route::get('/galleries/{gallery}', function ($gallery) {
$viewing = Gallery::where('slug', $gallery)->first();
return View::make('dynamic_pages.gallery')->with(['title' => $viewing->name, 'gallery' => $viewing]);
});
Route::get('/specials/{special}', function ($special) {
$viewing = Special::where('title', ucwords(str_replace('-', ' ', $special)))->first();
return View::make('dynamic_pages.special')->with(['title' => $viewing->title, 'special' => $viewing]);
});
// Some SEO redirects
/**
* Create a new controller instance.
*
* @return void
*/
public function __construct()
{
$this->middleware('auth');
view()->share(array('description' => 'Another Test', 'keywords' => 'More, tests', 'locations' => Location::all()->sortBy('name'), 'models' => ['Analytics', 'Tools', 'Quotes', 'ContactUs', 'EmploymentApps', 'CreditApps', 'ChatLogs', 'User'], 'homepage' => HomePage::where('location_id', '=', Location::current()->id)->first(), 'colors' => Color::all(), 'profiles' => MetalProfile::all(), 'news' => NewsArticle::where('location_id', '=', Location::current()->id)->get(), 'pages' => Page::where('location_id', '=', Location::current()->id)->get()));
}