Highs in Vicksburg dipped from the upper 80s to the mid-50s and back up to the mid-60s, while overnight lows dipped from near 50 into the 30s. Nearly an inch of rain fell during the week.

The Mississippi River climbed locally from 2.9 feet to 6.5. Forecasters were predicting another increase and expected a local reading of 8.7 feet for today.

Crime prevention and youth intervention bumped a new jail from the top of the list of recommendations made each quarter by the Warren County grand jury. A new jail has been one of several recommendations for at least two decades and the jury’s top priority since at least 2008.

In a breakdown released by Vicksburg Warren School District officials, consolidation of the district’s secondary schools drew the most comments during last month’s community forums. District officials are examining the responses and suggestions, and plan to make after-school student instruction a priority.

About 600 people attended the Hobbs Freeman Arts and Nature Festival hosted by the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation through a National Park Service grant. The event featured storytellers, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities and a mix of live music.

The body of Mardy Eugene Blackmore was found dead from a gunshot wound outside a building at the Vanguard Apartments complex where he lived. Charged with his murder were Christopher Glen Polk and Tamares “Binky” Dillon, both 32, who were listed as residents at the complex.

A pack of wild dogs roaming U.S. 61 South near Walmart is creating problems for residents and motorists. People are urged to stop feeding the dogs because the food leads them to bypass traps, Georgia Lynn of the Vicksburg-Warren County Humane Society said.

Two sanitation firms (Waste Management and Waste Pro of Mississippi) have been given the OK by the Warren County Board of Supervisors to haul garbage in non-municipal areas. Two additional firms are working toward board approval.

Local election results included former Vicksburg High football coach Alonzo Stevens defeating four-term incumbent Zelmarine Murphy in the race for the school board’s District 2 seat; and Jan Whatley defeating Petesy Smith for the District 1 spot and Sara Carlson Dionne defeating incumbent John Rundell for the District 4 spot on the election commission. A runoff will pit Gordon Cordes against Lonnie Wooley for the commission’s District 5 seat. Additionally, the presidential race saw Warren County vote with Democrats for the first time in 68 years.

Charles C. Craft, former superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District, died in Ridgeland at the age of 76. Craft replaced Dr. Ed Gilley in 1989 and held the position until 1994.

Rondell Galvin, scheduled to stand trial for murder in April, was released by Judge Johnny Price after being held without bail since an arrest on Oct. 29 for two separate felony charges. Price ruled there was no probable cause to hold him without bail on the additional charges — one for burglary and one for malicious mischief.

In addition to Blackmore, local deaths during the week were Amy Kathryn Ameen Walker, Nancy Bagby Smith, Annette Thomas, Robert Lee Pettis, Erma J. Culberson, Alberta Prater Henyard, Mark Earnest Bridges, Geraldine R. Bufkin and Lelia S. Walker.