Vicksburg Warren School District trustees have voted an additional $10,000 for levee construction at Redwood Elementary.

The emergency expenditure, approved Friday by a 3-1 vote, with District 3 Trustee Jim Stirgus Jr. dissenting by phone and District 2 Trustee Zelmarine Murphy not present, increases to up to $65,000 the amount approved to protect the low-lying school off U.S. 61 North.

Wednesday, the board voted to build a levee around the west and north sides of the school. Friday’s increase will allow the school to be completely enclosed.

AT&T waiving fees

for homes, businesses

AT&T will waive some fees and allow a free month of services for flood victims.

Charges have been lifted on services for people displaced from their home or business and for dial-tone service in a temporary location. A free jack and wiring is offered for temporary locations.

Fees are also waived for voice mail service, remote access to call forwarding, busy line forwarding, message waiting indicator, Star98 Access and Voice Mail Companion Services Package.

For details, visit www.att.com or call 888-757-6500.

Governor requests

declaration for aid

Gov. Haley Barbour has requested a federal disaster declaration for 14 counties, including Warren, Claiborne, Sharkey and Issaquena.

Also part of the request are Adams, Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Jefferson, Humphreys, Tunica, Washington, Wilkinson and Yazoo counties, said a statement from the governor’s office Friday.

The declaration would make residents, businesses and others in the areas eligible for federal aid.

Salvation Army

seeks donations

The Salvation Army is accepting donations of food and supplies.

Hygiene and baby products, clothing and nonperishable food will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the agency’s headquarters at 530 Mission 66. Delivery and pickup may be arranged.

Financial donations may be sent to: The Salvation Army, 530 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39180. Make checks payable to Salvation Army Vicksburg with MS Flood 11 in the memo line.

To volunteer, e-mail msflood11volunteer@gmail.com. For other information, call 601-529-7574 or 769-220-2346, or e-mail msflood11@gmail.com.

Coast Guard sets

hazmat guidelines

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking residents and businesses to protect the environment from hazardous materials leeching into floodwaters.

Officials have issued the following guidelines:

• Vehicles — Move them out of the flood zone before the water rises. If not, remove all fuel and oil products in any tanks.

• Barrels/cans — Paint, thinner, pesticides, gas, diesel or any other hazardous materials should be removed.

• Tanks — For fuel, oil or other products stored in a tank, please contact the USCG Marine Safety Detachment Vicksburg, 601-636-5516, for information.

Water, septic systems

at risk, MDEQ warns

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is urging owners of wastewater treatment systems or septic tanks to prevent contamination from floodwaters.

Propane, gas or diesel fuel tanks and chemicals in the treatment process should be secured or moved to a safe location, MDEQ says.

Also, power to on-site waste systems should be turned off and control panels protected. Removal of electrical devices in the system could reduce startup costs and delays once floodwaters recede.

For assistance, call MDEQ at 601-961-5171 or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency emergency line at 800-222-6362.