March 23, 2008

An official forecast above flood stage for the Mississippi River at Vicksburg topped the weather news during the week. Initially, forecasters said the river would top out at 43.5 feet, but later raised the estimate to 46 feet, exactly 3 feet above the flood level. During the week, the Mississippi started at 37 feet on the Vicksburg gauge and rose steadily to 39.1 feet.

The week also included the official first day of spring and the weather mirrored that fact. Highs most days were in the 80s and lows dipped into the 50s and 60s. There were two exceptions after a cold front when lows were in the upper 30s. Rain preceded that front and measured .13 inch.

Trustmark announced it would close its oldest branch in the city. Located at Cherry and East Avenue, the branch is no longer in the city’s commercial flow.

City Attorney Nancy Thomas explained that Vicksburg’s new alcohol-control ordinance will be most apparent in convenience stores. The law still allows sales of single cans of beer for off-premises consumption, but they may no longer be displayed in the iced tubs that have been popular near cash registers.

Plans are taking shape for many events to accompany a scheduled June 12 performance by Blues superstar B.B. King in Vicksburg.

Multiple sources confirmed that after a healthy period for contractors in 2006, business slowed in 2007 in the area. New home permits were down 40 percent across Warren County and building permits dropped from 139 to 80.

The Vicksburg Theatre Guild presented its second lifetime achievement award to William “Buddy” Hallberg Jr., calling the 72-year-old local star Vicksburg’s Cary Grant. The previous recipient was Georgina Stanfield.

Irish Catholic priests assigned to Vicksburg P.J. Curley and Patrick Farrell talked about St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland where the holiday also has secular aspects, but is primarily a religious holiday.

A truckload of Sears goods ready to be delivered was reported stolen here and was recovered in Monroe.

Conservation specialists began specialized work to clean bronze statues in the Vicksburg National Military Park and apply a wax sealant. The work is being funded with public dollars and by the new private Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park group.

Although revenue generated by taxes on casinos was up for local governments and schools in February, the trend so far this fiscal year has been a slight decline.

After telling the judge he’d spent years regretting the acceptance of a bribe, former Vicksburg police narcotics officer Kevin Dewayne Williams, 37, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Williams was caught in a 2002 sting when he was reportedly agreed to accept $3,000 payoff from an undercover FBI agent to protect a drug deal.

Bobby Robinson, associate city attorney for the City of Vicksburg, was injured in a three-vehicle wreck on Indiana Avenue. Robinson was treated in Jackson for facial lacerations and an eye injury.

Vicksburg High had no problem with Warren Central on the diamond, defeating the Vikings 9-0.

Members of the Vicksburg Lions Club were conducting their annual broom and mop sale. Proceeds support club projects.

School officials said they will need $1.5 million more to cover higher fuel and utility costs in the coming year. The total may be raised without a tax increase, said Superintendent Dr. James Price.

A lone man robbed the Britton & Koontz branch on U.S. 61 North. Authorities said they believe the robber had a vehicle stashed nearby. The amount of money taken was not disclosed.

Deaths included Clayton Michael Davidson, Katherine Hathorn, Joy J. Newton, Henry E. Cloud, Patsy Vanderford Null, Edna Clarice Pownall, Edward Edeburn Erb Srr, Ruby Ross Hackler, Charles E. Lee and J.V. Kirkpatrick.