It is official. The holiday season kicked off Saturday with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Outlets at Vicksburg. An estimated 600 people attended the event, which featured musical performances by school groups and individuals, carriage rides around the mall and the arrival of Santa Claus. In addition to the tree lighting event, the Salvation Army officially got underway with their Angel Tree and kettle program. The Angel tree program allows people in the community to purchase toys and other necessary items for children and senior citizens who might not receive anything for Christmas.

Recapping some of this week’s highlights include three crosses erected of the Halls Ferry exit on Interstate 20 as part of the Crosses Across America project, which is headquartered in Vicksburg. A group of men from Wynndale Baptist Church in Terry installed the crosses Saturday morning. Crosses Across America was organized by the Rev. Bernard Coffindaffer as a roadside ministry in 1984 and has continued through the leadership of local resident, Sara Abraham, who is the executive director of Crosses Across America.

Ten women in Vicksburg earned the distinct honor of being recognized for their work in the city and the honorees were Jennifer Akers Harper, director of the Vicksburg Senior Center; Johnnie Bernice Coleman-Johnson, trailblazer and retired nurse; Dr. Josephine Calloway, career educator; Emmarie Flaggs Anderson, community volunteer and advocate; Kay Lee, servant leader; Shonna Morton, business owner and community volunteer; Arlene Smith, career educator; Angela Turner, community leader; Stacey Waites, social worker and Lee Ann Whitley, servant leader and career educator.

For the first time since 2002, Warren Central High School won in the first round of Class 6A north state playoffs beating Tupelo 45-20.

A $7,500 Haven grant, which is designed to aid disabled service members and veterans,  was awarded to Steven and Cortrina Williams. The Haven grant is given out on a first-come, first-served, homeowner-by-homeowner basis and the money can be used to help a qualified veteran modify or improve an existing home, help with construction costs for a new home, or pay for a third-party home inspection.

The Vicksburg-Warren School presented was presented with the Crystal Star Award in San Antonio, Texas for its work in implementing The Leader in Me, an initiative based on the popular book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”