This week in Vicksburg Lisa Martin, of Martin’s at Midtown, began dispersing ribbons at her restaurant after she and friend Bill Ford wanted to find a way to encourage local officers.

“We just decided this would be Paint the Town Blue week. It’s like wearing a hug for an officer.”

Other downtown businesses agreed the ribbons were a great way to show support and started giving them out late Tuesday decided following Martin’s lead

“I think it’s important to support the work that our police officers are doing and to support people in our community that are doing the right things,” Sally Bullard of Main Street Market said.

“They’re the ones who respond if I need something,”

In addition to the local law enforcement being recognized this week, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. announced a pay raise package that would have top administrators in the Vicksburg Fire Department receiving pay raises from $3,500 to $10,000, while other city administrators will see a bump in pay from 2 to 3 percent under the plan.

This package, will also increase the city’s minimum wage to $8.25 an hour and installs a “tier pay system” for firefighters setting pay scales based on rank, experience and training, Flaggs said.

More positive happenings in Vicksburg this week:

• On Thursday, a ribbon cutting was held on Washington Street for Up the Ante by Lipstick and Labels. Jasmine Wheatley, business owner, said her expanded store, will now features clothing, accessories, skin products, makeup and art.

• On Saturday, a softball game was held at Bazinsky Field, to benefit the Mississippi Mudbugs who will travel to Roanoke, Va. for the Special Olympics.

Mudbgs coach Sandy Hearn said she was happy to see the community come out in support of the team. “It means a lot to see them here to show their support that they really do care about our special Olympic kids,” Hearn said.