Temperatures at or just below freezing were recorded on four of the week’s seven nights, but sunshine increased as each day passed. Highs ranged from 43 degrees to 60. Rain was recorded one day and measured .25 inch.

The Mississippi River continued to fall on the Vicksburg gauge, increasing hopes that the channel could hold snowmelt and flooding might be avoided this spring. The river started the week at 34 feet and fell to 31.1 feet by week’s end. The forecast was for a reading of 30.4 feet today.

Fares for rides on NRoute will rise for the first time since the city’s transit system was launched in 2006. Director Evelyn Bumpers said the system received $50,000 from the fares toward its operating budget last year, covering about 6.5 percent of costs. Ridership is increasing, she said, for the system, which is also to be expanded. The new base fare will be $2 instead of $1.50.

After at least 10 years of talks and planning, stakes with yellow and pink flagging marked out a possible route for extending South Frontage Road across rail tracks to the Outlets at Vicksburg area. State engineers said they are close to wrapping up a field review for what would be a $12.1 million project, but had no real estimate of when construction might be initiated.

Civic organizations converged in the city for regional meetings. Top officers of Rotary International and Civitans were part of the separate conventions.

Baseball season opened for St. Aloysius. The Flashes beat the visitors from Scott Central 10-0.

Jeanne Simmons, Sarah Jersey and Leslie Sadler were named new members of Paws Rescue, a nonprofit animal welfare group.

Dr. James Price, superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District, said new contracts for National Board Certified Teachers will not contain a specific pledge to pay a salary supplement. Instead, he said, the top teachers will get a pledge that the district will pay whatever the state provides.

The Warren County Courthouse was packed for the retrial of Dane Davenport, 47, accused of multiple counts of child molestation. Davenport was acquitted of charges involving the same youths in Oktibbeha County and jurors were not able to reach a verdict in an earlier trial here. Court officials said 600 summonses were mailed to prospective jurors.

Vicksburg got ready for the 31st Run Thru History and related events that will bring thousands of visitors the first Saturday of each March.

Payroll matters will be more tightly controlled, Mayor Paul Winfield said, due to tighter times for the city budget. The mayor said each raise will get a close look.

Visits by restored World War II aircraft provided an opportunity for former crew members to tell about their experiences aboard the planes.

Kate Akers, Kyley Wells and David Young were Gold Key winners in a national student art competition. All three are Warren Central students.

Vicksburg High School’s presentation of “Little Shop of Horrors” included Caleb White as Seymour and Markeith Burks as Audrey II.

Bert Winschel, a Marine sergeant and son of Terry and Therese Winschel of Vicksburg, was seriously wounded in combat in Afghanistan. The Winschels said they had talked with Bert and believe he will recover.

Police believe the body found below an Interstate 20 overpass was one of two men who had robbed a small grocery store on U.S. 61 South minutes earlier, been chased by and in a shootout with the store owner. The store owner was not arrested or charged and the search for a second suspect was under way.

Deaths during the week included Mavis Marie Barnes, George Edna Sherman, Lonnie Lytle Wilson, Florence Cameron Davis, James “Jim” Harrison Sr., Loveice Clyde Stevens, Mamie Diggs, Betty McDaniels, Patsy Collins Bradley, Ruby Price Hunt, Robert Earl Stewart Jr. and Mary Louise Fant Carlson.