Week of February 12, 2001

Clouds with some rain and a bit of sunshine ruled the weather during the week. Temperatures were seasonable to warm with daytime highs ranging from 44 degrees to 80 and lows at night varying from 33 degrees to 66. Rainfall was measured on three days and amounted to 1.05 inch leading up to a deluge Friday.

The Mississippi River rose from a reading of 20.6 feet and forecasters said the river should reach a level of 24.6 feet today.

Sens. Trent Lott and Thad Cochran said they want Dr. Bill Ferris, a Vicksburg native, to keep his job as head of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Ferris was appointed by President Clinton in 1997 and Lott and Cochran have asked President Bush to reappoint Ferris.

Mayor Robert Walker and North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young voted to instruct the city’s legal department to prepare a proposed ordinance banning weapons on city property. Walker said the move was preventive, not based on any incidents.

Circuit Judge Frank Vollor denied bond to Anthony Green, saying he believed Green was a flight risk. Green is charged with murder in the stabbing death of his wife, Debora Johnson Green.

An early Saturday morning fire destroyed one of the buildings at the Scottish Inn. No one was hurt.

The 21 homes city officials are planning to build in the Kings area will be built on only four acres. The prices charged for the houses would also include nearly $12,000 for the .18-acre lots.

Vicksburg resident George Spratley was jailed on charges of manslaughter following a fatal collision on North Washington Street. Police identified the victim as Kelvin D. Watson.

The Vicksburg High School girls soccer team won the Mississippi Class 5A State champion title. They defeated the team from Meridian High School 3-1.

Vicksburg police and firefighters were investigating the possible link between the death of Kelvin Watson and the fire at the Scottish Inn. George Spratley, the man charged in Watson’s death. was arrested at the motel and his car was found there damaged by fire.

City officials announced plans to spend $10,000 each on each of four playgrounds to update the swings and other equipment. The playgrounds to be upgraded are Ford Yates and the ones on Pearl, Farmer and Eisenhower streets.

A warehouse at Mississippi Lumber Co. on Mulberry Street was destroyed when cars from a Kansas City Southern train derailed. The warehouse contained some custom order doors and windows along with other merchandise.

Vicksburg police officers wrote 45 tickets and made six arrests during two roadblocks set up in the city Monday. Lt. David Beard said the action focused on getting children properly restrained in cars because of National Child Passenger Safety Week.

George Spratley was ordered held without bond during a preliminary hearing in Vicksburg Municipal Court. Spratley has been charged with manslaughter in a fatal hit-and-run incident.

Robert and Tammy Jackson spend time together at work as well as at home. The Jacksons are one of three married couples employed at the Vicksburg Police Department.

Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the Vicksburg Bridge Commission the east bank of the Mississippi River is not to blame for movement in one of the piers of the old U.S. 80 bridge. The annual inspection of the bridge in January showed the Corps of Engineers said the bank stable while the pier moved 3/4 inch.

Warren County Tax Assessor Richard Holland said owners of manufactured houses can qualify for homestead exemption and save money on taxes. To get the exemption, the owners must meet several legal requirements.

James Sanders of Florence, charged with armed robbery and murder in the shooting death of Paul Moore tried to get a confession thrown out when he goes on trial in March. Judge Isadore Patrick ruled prosecutors may use the confession saying he found no evidence of coercion or denial of access to an attorney.

Police Mitchell Dent told Vicksburg officers they were not to issue citations for failure to have proof of insurance unless they also cite a motorist for a primary violation. He gave the order so the city can get clarification on issuing the citations during roadblocks.

English teacher Betsy Selby urged trustees of the Vicksburg Warren School District to return to the traditional, seven-period daily schedule. She said scheduling eight classes to meet every other day frustrates teachers and encourages laziness among students.

Deaths during the week included Mary Dabney Nicholls, Florence Evelyn P. O’Quinn, Kelvin Watson, Edger T. Birdsong Jr., Richard D. “R.D.” Evans, Ruth Morrison Montgomery, Rosalie M. Nash, Rosie Lee Williams, Clara B. Thompson, Bobbie Neal Windham, Robert Joseph Fletcher, Rose Tuccio Gordon and Susie Winston Hunter.