Highs ranged as far as 89 degrees as fall continued trying to break summer’s hold. Lows were mostly in the lower 70s, although the temperature dipped into the 60s a couple of nights. Only .06 inch of rain was recorded.

The Mississippi River also had an unsteady week, starting at 14 feet on the Vicksburg gauge before jumping to 18 feet, then starting to fall. A reading of 17.2 feet was forecast for today.

The United Way of West Central Mississippi had a rousing kickoff event for the major portion of its annual fund drive. The group plans to top the $1.5 million raises to support 20 local service groups.

Former District 1 Supervisor Petesy Smith joined Retha L. Summers, John Rundell and Gordon Carr in seeking four of the five Warren County Election Commission seats. No one filed in District 3 as the deadline passed. Also, no one has filed to seat two seats that will be open on the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees, although qualifying for those posts remains open.

A defensive stand in the closing minutes secured a 7-0 victory for Vicksburg High School over Warren Central. Porters Chapel and St. Aloysius also posted wins.

Spring flooding was followed by torrential fall rains, making this a challenging year for area crops. Extension Agent John Coccaro said he still believes there’s strength in the local market.

The keel was laid for yet-another exploratory offshore oil platform by the employees of LeTourneau Technologies in Vicksburg. The giant rigs are assembled on the banks of the Mississippi River, then floated to final outfitting docks in Texas. Completion of the rig just begun is expected in June 2010.

The weekend after performing the National Anthem at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, country music star, Trace Adkins, performed for about 3,000 fans in a free outdoor concert at Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg.

Red Cross and Salvation Army officials said they were restocking and inventorying supplies in case Hurricane Ike followed the path of Hurricane Gustav, which required major shelter operations in Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Association of Partners in Education announced that the late Grey Ferris, former school board leader and member of the state Senate, would be the group’s top honoree this year. The Winter-Reed Medallion will be presented to his family at an Oct. 14 banquet.

Kiefer D. Slaton of Vicksburg High School and Rachel C. Clarke of St. Aloysius High School were named National Merit Semifinalists based on their scores in the national examination process.

Jurors deemed Jason Davis, 22, guilty of murder in the September 2007 shooting death of Thaddeus Jeffery, who was 21. Davis had claimed self-defense in the homicide that occurred at Mission 66 and Clay streets, but prosecutors noted Jeffery was shot in the back. The sentence will be life without parole.

A new sign went up on Washington Street to direct visitors to the Vicksburg Convention Center, nestled on the hillside below. The sign violates city restrictions, but was granted a waiver by city officials.

District 5 Supervisor Richard George, board president, said the county should be wary about accepting a $3.9 million federal grant to clean bayous, most of which are inside Vicksburg. The project is supported by District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon, but George pointed out difficulties in obtaining easements to perform the work and the cost of upkeep, if the county accepts that responsibility, after project completion.

A round of phone calls, e-mails and in-person advice resulted in something of a run on gasoline stations as Hurricane Ike moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Many stations did not raise prices, but did ask patrons to self-impose a 10-gallon limit.

Deaths during the week included Wiley E. Hambright, Joseph Squire Jr., Sarah L. Smith, Sarah Lee Ballard, Billy Bryant Puckett Jr., the Rev. Carl S. Barnes Sr., Lem Conner Sr. and Rosie Lee Sims.