Week of January 2, 2005

Clouds dominated the weather most of the week and threatened rain, delivering a couple of times. Highs each day ranged from 50 degrees to 74 and lows from 42 to 55 degrees. Rain was reported on two days and added up to .22 inch.

The Mississippi River dropped from 31.1 feet on the Vicksburg gauge to 28.7 feet before reversing and ending the week at 29.5 feet. Forecasters said the rise would continue and the river should reach 32.3 feet today.

A walking tour of the downtown area of Vicksburg has proved popular with visitors who arrive in the city aboard steamboats. Pat Strange of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau came up with the idea and coordinated the route and the local guides.

Fire investigators said a small blaze at the W.H. Jefferson Funeral home may or may not have been arson. The fire was found in a basement garage, but only caused minor damage in that area and some smoke damage in the main area of the funeral home.

Mike Kavanaugh gave the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic preservation a house located on land he owns off Lee Road. The foundation arranged to have the house, which was assembled from pre-Civil War cabins, given to Webber Brewer and his wife, who moved it to Freetown Road where they plan to restore it.

The Vicksburg Warren School District will have months of planning in preparation for a return to community schools in August. One of the tasks that face administrators is the drawing of district lines for the community-based elementary schools that will be created.

A California couple, Carolyn Stepnenson and Paul Caudillo, bought Annabelle Bed and Breakfast Inn from George and Carolyn Mayer. At the same time, Cliff Whitney III said The Corners bed and breakfast, owned by his family, is also up for sale.

Officials of Big Lots! said they will open a store in Vicksburg about the end of March. The store will be in the Dixie Plaza shopping area and will feature closeout merchandise from major manufacturers.

Local Realtor Pam Beard said the old Kmart building on Pemberton Boulevard is back for sale. The asking price for the building is $2.75 million.

Nikki Nobles received the Young Adult Volunteer Award from the Mississippi Health Care Association. She was honored for her work with residents at Covenant Health & Rehab in Vicksburg.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors appointed Paul Winfield of Vicksburg as its new attorney for 2005. The move ended the wrangle over Randy Sherard, who had served as board attorney for the past 13 years.

David McDonald, District 1 supervisor, was elected president to succeed Charles Selmon, District 3, who served in 2004. Michael Mayfield, District 2, was elected board vice president.

Dirt work began on the site of the old Vicksburg Holiday Inn where a new Hampton Inn and Suites will be built. Manager Joe Liddell said owners hope to open the new hotel in early 2006.

The old Sears building on Washington Street is again for sale after the person who said he would buy it pulled out of the deal. Thad Pratt reportedly told city officials he would not continue the project under the terms and conditions the city imposed.

Officials of the Vicksburg Warren School District began surveying teachers to see who might want to move to the Bovina School if that building is opened. The board of trustees of the Vicksburg Warren School District will vote on the matter Jan. 20.

Vicksburg’s incumbent aldermen, Sid Beauman and Gertrude Young, were the first to qualify to run for their offices in this year’s city elections. Beauman will run as a Republican and Young as a Democrat.

The trials of people charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Warren County will again be in Warren County Justice Court, said County Prosecutor Ricky Smith. The trials had previously been held in Warren County Court when Johnny Price, who is now county court judge, was county prosecutor.

Warren County delegates on the E-911 Commission were accused of trying to keep the lid on and keep city delegates from finding out about an incident at the 911 Dispatch Center in October. Peggy Wright, the interim director, and others claim the actions only fed the problems at the center.

Officials of the Kansas City Southern Railway said the company had launched a renovation program on 17 miles of track through the Vicksburg area. In addition, the company is installing a centralized control system in the area to allow dispatchers improved control of trains.

Local deaths during the week included Katherine Elizabeth Brandley, Luther Earl Clark, Irene Foster Summers, Helen Harvey Coupon, Carolyn D. Evans, Hilner Vivian Connors, Ritz Marshall Smith, William T. Allen Jr., James O. Amos Jr., the Rev. Willie J. Calvin, John Austin McBroom Sr., Willie B. Swirls and Luetta Tenner.