AUGUST 24, 2008

A mild and muggy weather week was recorded in Vicksburg with daily highs limited to the upper 80s for the first time since early spring, Lows were in lockstep, dropping either to 70 degrees or 73 degrees every night during the period. Rain was recorded on two days and measured 1.41 inch.

The Mississippi River was on a steady fall through the week, starting the period at 23.5 feet on the Vicksburg gauge and falling to 16.3 feet by week’s end. The forecast was for a reading of 15.7 feet today.

Members of Pleasant Green Baptist Church organized a special remembrance service to recall a 1964 sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the historic church at 817 Bowman St. King, who was assassinated in Memphis four years later, was building his message of promoting racial equality through peaceful means that led to his receipt of a Nobel Prize. Ernest Walker, now a deacon at the church, was 13 at the time, remembered the speech as “dynamite,” but also the fear that surrounded King’s appearance.

Nate Holman and Nonie Johns said their Oak Street cottage was their dream home, but had become a nightmare due to crime in the area. Most of their neighbors are good people, they said, but also live in fear. After a story on their situation appeared, Holman said a gunshot was fired toward the couple’s home. He said he and his wife quit their jobs, listed the house for sale and will move away from Vicksburg.

About 45 members of the Mississippi Writers Guild gathered in Vicksburg for their annual conference.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said no tax hike will be needed to fund the City of Vicksburg’s next spending plan. It will largely mirror the $31.5 million spending plan being followed in the current fiscal year.

Solomon “Dewey” Harris, 44, was pronounced dead at River Region Medical Center, a week after he was taken there from jail where he was awaiting a December trial on a murder charge. An autopsy confirmed Harris died of a rare skin disease known as Stevens-Johnson.

In a meeting with Warren County supervisors, Tom Macher, manager of the International Paper Company mill at Redwood, said he expects the plant to be making paper on Sept. 25. It has been closed with more than 300 employees laid off since a boiler explosion on May 3.

The Vicksburg District of the Army Corps of Engineers tapped Garland L. Cary, a retired engineer, as the newest addition to its Gallery of Distinguished Employees.

Work began on a $4 million parallel taxiway and instrument landing system at Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport. Also in progress is construction of a new terminal and fire station building at Vicksburg Municipal.

The 15,951 tons of dry cargo offloaded at the Port of Vicksburg’s terminal in July was the most in 18 months.

Two businesses and the Red Carpet Bowl Committee donated misting fans to both public high schools for use on sidelines and in dugouts for hot-weather sports.

With devices fees included, July revenue tax collections from casinos in Vicksburg outpaced July 2007. Overall, however, collections of the tax were down about 1.7 per cent with two months left in the fiscal year.

Warren County supervisors indicated they will likely enact a 3.05-mill tax increase to raise operational funds, especially for fuel in the road department.

Toni Tinese Lowe received her doctorate in higher education from Jackson State University.

Alice Williams said she was excited to watch her granddaughter, Angela Williams, compete as a sprinter in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Grand jurors indicted Keiwana Hoza Jones, 25, for manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend’s 4-month-old son, Matthew Parker. An autopsy indicated the infant died of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Jurors no-billed the defendant in another homicide, deciding that James Ainsworth acted in self-defense in shooting his brother-in-law, Donald Wayne Vinson, in February.

In addition to Solomon Harris, deaths during the week included Shirley Nell White, John Wesley Holden Sr., Mary Alice Harris Bell, Violet Marie Carlisle, Rhody Campbell Dolly and Beatries Culbert Mayfield.