Local * From staff reports

Vicksburg Warren School District transportation department officials are hoping a school bus with a sign on it will be just the ticket to entice more potential drivers.

One of the district’s buses was parked Thursday on the parking lot of a former Chevron gas station on Halls Ferry Road near North Frontage Road.

The banner declares, “School Bus Drivers Wanted.”

A spokesman for the transportation department said seven driver positions are open in the district with 9,048 students. Drivers are required to have a BCDL commercial license with a P and S endorsement.

For more information call 601-636-1478.

The school year begins Aug. 4.

Vicksburg Farmers’ Market set to blossom out Saturday

The Vicksburg Farmers’ Market will have its grand opening Saturday from 8 until 11 a.m.

The market will feature more than 20 booths with homegrown produce, baked goods and other locally produced items, along with bluegrass band Rocky Springs.

The market at Grove and Levee streets in downtown Vicksburg will be open every Saturday from 8 until 11 a.m. until Sept. 13.

For shopping ease, it is recommended that shoppers bring money in small denominations ($1 and $5 bills) and their own shopping bags.

For more information, the market’s Web site is www.vicksburgfarmersmarket.org.

Miss New South again pageant winner

The second night of preliminary competition for the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen crown again saw three winners in two categories.

Miss Meridian Haley Sowers, 14, and Miss Metro Jackson Megan McBeth, 16, tied in the active wear category Thursday night. Miss New South Morgan Lindsey Burnett, 16, took top honors in the talent preliminary.

It was Morgan’s second night to grab a preliminary win; she won the active wear category on Wednesday, the first night of the pageant at Vicksburg Auditorium.

Haley is the daughter of Ronnie and Gina Sowers. She is a student at West Lauderdale High School in Collinsville.

Megan, the daugher of Scotty and Joell McBeth, is a student at Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon. A returning competitor, Megan placed in the top 11 last year.

Morgan, the daughter of Ive and Valerie Burnett, attends Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon. She performed a jazz routine for her talent.

On Wednesday night, Miss Northridge Stephanie Standford and Miss West Central Carsyn Byars tied in the talent category.

The competition will wrap up tonight with the crowning of a new Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen 2008.

The 29 contestants are judged in active wear, talent, evening wear and interview categories. The winner will compete in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in August in Orlando, Fla.

The Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen pageant is covered by the umbrella of the Miss Mississippi Corporation, which will hold its 51st Miss Mississippi pageant in Vicksburg June 24-28.

Tickets are still available for tonight’s competition for $25. For more information, call the Miss Mississippi pageant office at 601-638-6746.