Warmer temperatures on Saturday and Sunday were an added bonus for an eventful week in Vicksburg. The 7th Annual Chili For Children Cook Off, sponsored by K Hits 104.5 and Lady Luck Casino was held on Saturday, and locals came out in full force for the fundraiser for the Warren County Children’s Shelter. This year, the event had its largest crowd with estimates of more than 3,000 and raising a grand total of $16,450, which was $3,000 more than last year.

“I want to say this is one of the better turnouts we’ve had since we’ve been doing this,” said Tami Milazzo, who is on the advisory board for the children’s shelter.

Ameristar Vicksburg was named the winner of the chili cook-off. The second place award went to Austin’s Camp Chili and third place went to Nobie’s. Awards were also presented to the Volunteer of the Year, or the Wild Man Shoe Award, going to Dwayne Fuller, Best-decorated Booth to River City Misfits, and the people’s choice award went to Elevate Church.

• Awards for cooking did not end this week with the Chili cook-off, Beechwood Restaurant and Lounge was named one of the 13 Best Steakhouses in the South, holding its own against steakhouses in Dallas, New Orleans and Atlanta.

Country Outfitter Style published the list, and Beechwood was the only restaurant in Mississippi to earn a spot on the list.

Will Hood, who owns Beechwood with his uncle Rocky Nosser, said he was surprised to learn about the recognition in the publication, but was excited Beechwood made the cut.

“We just use the best meat we can get, and we don’t cut any corners with any of our food.”

The restaurant serves about 500 steaks a week or 2,000 a month, and is prepared by chef Derek Wells.

Other positive happenings this week in Vicksburg include:

• The streets in Ford and Kings and Mississippi 465, the main road to the Eagle Lake community, have been opened as the Mississippi River begins returning inside its banks after reaching a 50.5-foot crest.