AUGUST 31, 2008

Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 31, 2008

Rain early in the period measured 2.55 inches before fair skies moved in. Daily highs varied widely, from 75 to 93 degrees. Overnight lows varied very little, from 70 to 73 degrees.

The Mississippi River fell most of the week, starting at a reading of 16.3 feet and declining to 12.9 feet  by week’s end. The forecast was a rise to 13.3 feet today.

Work began under court permission to clear debris from a building in the 700 block of Clay Street that collapsed on Jan. 25, 2006. Legal issues regarding the matter are still pending.

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In the season-opener of local prep football action, Porters Chapel Academy cruised past Claiborne Academy 42-14.

Preparations were made to add a memorial in the Grant’s Canal portion of the Vicksburg National Military Park. The stone structure will honor the 9th Connecticut Regiment Volunteers, also known as the Irish regiment.

A one-vehicle wreck on Culkin Road claimed the life of John M. McClelland, 28. His wife said McClelland was en route home from visiting friends. The Copiah County native is also survived by a 5-year-old daughter.

City officials said a September reopening is likely for Riverfront Park, closed for drainage improvements and an overall upgrade for most of the summer.

Vicksburg officials OK’d a fuel cost rate adjustment for gas department bills that cuts the surcharge from $8.26 per 1,000 cubic feet to $4.31. While the drop is sharp, it compares with a $1.76 surcharge on bills for the same period last year.

Tax Collector Pat Simrall said said properties making it to the tax sale for unpaid levies grew by 150 to 1,397 parcels.

A bicycle path is still in the offing for a former railroad right of way extending about 4 miles south from the river bridges. Vicksburg officials have been dealing with multiple parties, including the developers of a potential casino, to create the trail. No timetable has been established.

Michael Battalio and Katie Jenkins will lead the Famous Maroon Band at Mississippi State University this fall as drum majors. Battalio is a St. Aloysius graduate and Jenkins earned her diploma at Vicksburg High.

James Hall, 49, was arrested by Vicksburg police after two pedestrians were hit by a vehicle he was driving on Mulberry Street.

Preparations were taken in anticipation of Gustav, a storm brewing all week in the Gulf of Mexico. One person addressing the topic was Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent James Price who said lessons learned from Katrina exactly three years ago have guided steps taken for readiness.

Anticipation was high for the Red Carpet Bowl Classic, featuring Warren Central Vikings playing the Clarksdale Wildcats and the Vicksburg High Gators taking on the South Panola Tigers, who came to Memorial Stadium nationally ranked and with a 75-game winning streak. Bowl organizers honored Dr. Robert Ford and attorney Bobby Robinson for their active and consistent support of high school athletics.

Vicksburg officials added Carthage to the list of contract providers of jail space. Leake County will be paid $25 per day for housing men and $30 per day for housing women.

Timothy Pee, 22, was sentenced to treatment, house arrest and community service after pleading guilty to aggravated DUI. Prosecutors said family members of Christopher Rawlings, who was 27 and a passenger who was killed when Pee wrecked his SUV in November 2007, agreed with the sentence imposed by Judge Isadore Patrick. Earlier this summer, another aggravated DUI defendant, Brandy Wallace, 28, was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by 5 years on probation.

In addition to John M. McClelland, deaths during the week included Norma Lynn Carter, Lois M. Bori, Bobby Height, Edward Lee Habeeb, Teresa Box McPhail and John Wesley Starnes Sr.