Week of March 9, 2003

The weather during the week was mild with only one day of rain. Highs ranged from 59 degrees to 78 and lows ranged from 39 degrees to 56. The rainfall total was 0.34 inch.

The Mississippi River fell from a crest of 39 feet on the Vicksburg gauge to 36.9 feet by week’s end. Forecasters said the river should be at 33.1 feet today.

The Vicksburg High School Gators won the Class 5-A boys State Basketball Championship for the first time in 23 years. The team, unranked at the beginning of the season, defeated Starkville High School 61-54 in overtime.

Jacobs Entertainment Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, has a 120-day option to buy part of the land owned by the bankrupt Vicksburg Chemical Co. on Warrenton Road. Company officials said they want to develop the 500-acre site for a casino and two golf courses.

The volunteer fire department system in Warren County celebrates 20 years in operation this year. The Culkin department is one of the oldest and department veterans recall the first truck that was converted from an old Coca-Cola delivery vehicle.

Abraham’s Department Store celebrates its 75th anniversary in March. Owner Frances Abraham Thomas recalled how her father and his brother opened the store and discussed the philosophy the owners have operated on since.

Leanne Metzger Dyess became a national advocate for tort reform following the wreck that resulted in severe injuries to her husband, Tony. Neurosurgeons that could treat were not available, she said, due to fear of lawsuits.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said the city’s request for a local and private bill to allow a special sales tax is to help the city attract a Bass Pro Shop store to the city. The tax would apply only to sales at the store, if it should come to Vicksburg.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace raised a Blue Star Banner on the pole at the sheriff’s department in honor of the five members of the department called into military service for the possible war in the Middle East. The Vicksburg Police Department and the Vicksburg Fire Department also have people called to military duty.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of Richard Smith as a justice court judge and announced they will take applications for people interested in being appointed to serve until January. Smith had to resign because he’s running against Gil Martin for the 9th Circuit Court District Attorney’s office.

City and county officials set dates for public hearings on the application of Vicksburg Factory Outlets for tax increment financing for a nine-store expansion. The shopping center is planning an $8.4 million wing and is asking for $1.1 million in TIF from both governments.

Vicksburg officials took another step in the process of getting federal money to clean up the old Ludke Electric Co. site. They said they hope to get the money for the cleanup from the Environmental Protection Agency in June.

Herman Smith, superintendent of the Old U.S. 80 Bridge over the Mississippi River, told the Vicksburg Bridge Commission gaps between sections of the roadbed could indicate more serious problems with the more than 70-year-old structure. The commission authorized its engineering firm to inspect the bridge and approved the rental of special equipment to do the job.

Ronda Elaine Ragan of St. Rose, La., died when her Mercury Tracer collided with an 18-wheeler on Mississippi 3. Her son Rowan Ragan, 3, was also in the car, and was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg moved to take back city property that had been leased to Anderson-Tully Co. and subleased to a now-defunct casino company. Mayor Laurence Leyens said the city may develop the land as a park or recreation area.

The city’s television channel, Channel 23 on local cable, will likely remain only on the cable for the time being, said Mayor Laurence Leyens. He said the estimated $250,000 cost of broadcasting is more than the administration planned to spend.

A local and private bill to allow the City of Vicksburg to impose a 2 percent sales tax on a Bass Pro Shop store if it came to the city will likely pass the Mississippi Senate, said Sen. Mike Chaney of Vicksburg. Rep. George Flaggs, also from Vicksburg, said he did not oppose the legislation but said it would have to be drafted to keep the tax from becoming a general sales tax.

Local deaths during the week included Carie Eugenia Wadsworth, Clayton A. Strong Sr., Evelyn Louise Bryant, the Rev. Curtis M. Lott, Hortense Moore Ferguson, Willie Humes Jr., Charlotte Adelle Conrad, Paula Grayson, Helen W. Hearn and Klara Sally Rev Koock.