Week of December 31, 2001

Winter weather came in with a vengeance, sending area residents scrambling for sweaters and heavy coats and fussing about how high their heating bills may be. Highs ranged from 57 degrees to 38. Lows were from 43 degrees to 20. There was no rain reported.

The Mississippi River fell from a reading of 37 feet on the Vicksburg gauge to 31.5 feet by week’s end. Forecasters said the river should continue to fall and reach 29.7 feet by sometime today.

Warren County Court Judge Gerald Hosemann was arrested at his Hinds County property by officers from the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department who charged him with aggravated assault charges in the beating of Juanita “Nita” Johnston. Hosemann overnight before being released on $25,000 bond.

The assets of Haworth Home Health Agency of Vicksburg and two sister companies in Louisiana were ordered sold by a bankruptcy judge. The three companies were sold to Louisiana Health Care Group Inc. for $160,000 plus assumption of $120,000 in debts.

The Vicksburg Inspection Department wrote a letter to the Vicksburg Warren School District citing deficiencies in the empty Halls Ferry School building. Building Inspector Charles James said he hopes to discuss the situation with district officials and have them correct the problems.

Dr. James Valentine, who has practiced veterinary medicine in Vicksburg for the past 35 years, announced his retirement. People from the Vicksburg Animal Hospital and others said they will greatly miss him.

Vicksburg police arrested Levi Bland on two counts of murder after he called to report “two people down” in the home he shared with them. Police said the victims were Annie Mae Davenport, Bland’s mother, and Egnation Davenport, his stepfather.

State Rep. George Flaggs, who has worked as a youth court counselor for years, said Warren County Court and Youth Court Judge Gerald Hosemann planned to issue a statement dealing with the aggravated assault charges filed against him in Hinds County. The charges stemmed from the beating of Juanita “Nita” Johnston, a retired court reporter.

Officials of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission said the jobless rate in Warren County dropped from 3.9 percent in October to 3.6 percent in November. They gave credit for the improvement to hiring in retail businesses for the Christmas holidays.

Levi Bland made his first court appearance in Vicksburg Municipal Court following his arrest on murder charges in the deaths of his mother and stepfather. Municipal Judge Lewis Burke ordered Bland held in the Warren County Jail without bond pending action by the May term of the Warren County grand jury.

A New Year’s Day fire at The Landings on Fairways Drive destroyed a building that contained 10 apartments. Firefighters from the Culkin and Northeast volunteer fire departments battled the blaze for several hours hours.

Warren County Court Judge Gerald Hosemann released a statement saying he is innocent of the beating of Juanita “Nita” Johnston. The sworn document on which the arrest warrant for Hosemann was printed. In it, Johnston identified Hosemann as her attacker and says he tied her up before inflicting the injuries and, she believes, leaving her to die.

The Delta Queen, operated by a financially troubled cruise firm, made its last stop in Vicksburg for the 2001 cruising season. On the historic steamboat was a couple from Vancouver, British Columbia, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a group of family and friends.

The 114th Military Police Company of the Mississippi National Guard was activated and sent to Fort Campbell, Ky. The company has a detachment in Vicksburg and members here joined fellow members in packing up for the move to Kentucky.

Belynda Lane was taking a bath in her Mount Alban Road home when she was forced out by fire. Warren County fire officials said it appeared the fire started in the rear of the house.

Fount Beard, who lives on Oak Ridge Road, credits cutting, splitting, stacking and selling firewood with keeping him going at 77. Beard retired from LeTourneau 20 years ago following three heart attacks.

Dr. Warren Jones, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, toured the new River Region Health System hospital. While in Vicksburg, the New Orleans native also spoke to the Vicksburg Rotary Club.

Deaths during the week included Lois Street Ferris, Laura B. Henderson, Sammie Lee Taylor Sr., Leroy Kimble Sr., Fannie Mae Scarber, John Taylor Cartwright, Dorothy Lee Waites Berry, Annie Hobart Warren, Maggie Lois Randolph Chisley, Frances Juanita Pearson, Julius Clark Jr. and Lillie Mae Smith Rushing.