It was a mixed weather week in Vicksburg with two days of steady rain totaling more than 2.7 inches. Daily highs covered a wide range, from 46 degrees to 72. Lows also varied widely, ranging from 30 degrees to 52.

The Mississippi River fell most days, starting the week at 7.7 feet on the Vicksburg gauge and ending at 6.2 feet. The forecast was for a reading of 6.1 feet today.

Fires marred the day after Thanksgiving for owners of three homes. Firefighters were called on to contain damage at 707 Locust St., 5670 N. Washington St. and on High Street near East Avenue. No one was injured in any of the blazes.

Vicksburg police staffing roadblocks issued 25 citations, mostly for seat-belt violations. Part of the motivation was the national Click It or Ticket campaign. The fine for the violation is $36.

Holiday events were plentiful and included toy drives, a visit by Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express with Santa aboard, the downtown Parade of Lights and a Christmas caroling contest.

Lester G. Tzotzolas has been named senior vice president of commercial lending by Guaranty Bank and Trust.

Raccoon-hunting enthusiasts here were excited to learn the American Coon Hunters Association World Championship will be based in Vicksburg for the first time in its 62-year history. The competition centers on the abilities of coon dogs. No raccoons are killed.

Jerell Tyrone Thomas was thrown from his pickup and killed when it veered off U.S. 61 South near Yokena. Thomas, who was alone in the vehicle, was headed to work at River Region Medical Center. He was 26.

The placing of Christmas decorations at City Hall provided another sign that the holiday season is here. One change is a new Santa in the display crafted by workers in the Maintenance Department and painted by six seniors representing the Vicksburg Senior Center.

Fire Chief Keith Rogers said he has found a way to offer more training to firefighters and paramedics locally, which will save the city money and decrease the amount of time it takes for the city staffers to earn stepped raises.

Warren County supervisors moved another $24,000 from the general fund into the fund from which private garbage haulers can be paid for delinquent bills. The shift increased to $59,000 the amount moved so far this year.

Wayne and Patricia Grey opened a new business, Wayne’s Bistro, on U.S. 61 North.

New members were tapped for the Vicksburg High School Honor Society.

Lakena Nakiel Wiggins, a 2006 Warren Central graduate, was inducted as a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Armond Trevillion, one of four brothers to be charged along with another man in a June 2007 homicide, became the second person convicted in the case. At 28, he had already served a 15-year sentence for aggravated assault in an earlier Vicksburg homicide, and will serve life without parole. Prosecutors said the victim in the case, Justin Maurice Harris, was tracked down and shot because he was dancing too close to Armond’s girlfriend.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 10 for attorney Marshall Sanders, who entered guilty pleas for two federal tax evasion charges.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said Vicksburg has a good shot at a $60 million federal allocation to a company to conduct security-related testing. Venues for the work would be Vicksburg Municipal Airport and the federal Engineering Research and Development Center.

Warren County supervisors said they would not need a formal interview process to select a new board attorney. Four-year attorney Paul Winfield has resigned effective Dec. 31 and will run for mayor of Vicksburg.

In addition to Jerell Tyrone Thomas, deaths during the week included Robert Lee Jr., Adam Walker Jr., Cynthia Lynne Dillon, Ralph Douglas Brown, Anne F. Heard, Richard Ray Pugh and Clarence A. Sims.