The Mississippi River gauge at Vicksburg is predicted to crest at 54 feet on Jan. 16, and preparations are under way to help those affected.

Vicksburg Police Officers visited local residents living in low-lying neighborhoods threatened by flooding from the Mississippi River on Wednesday. The officers were warning residents of the potential danger and getting information about families and whether they have some place to go if they leave. Police Chief Walter Armstrong said seven officers visited a total of 95 residents in the Kings and Cedars areas, adding 41 people were not at home when officers called. He said officers left a flier telling residents they had been by, explaining the reason for the visit and giving a phone number to call for information.

While locals are being warned of the potential flooding that will occur, personnel at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have said they learned from the 2011 flood and will use relief wells and seepage burms to help cut down on sand boils, which will keep them from having to raise the water level at Eagle Lake.

Other happenings this week include:

• The University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University both had bowl victories. The Rebels beat Oklahoma State 48-20 in the Sugar Bowl, which was held in at the New Orleans Superdome, and the Bulldogs beat North Carolina State 51-28 during the Belk Bowl held in Charlotte.

• The Warren Central High School soccer team came away with two wins during the Greenville-St. Joseph soccer tournament on Saturday. Norwegian exchange student, Theodor Stang, scored two goals in a two-minute span of the first half beating Washington School, and in the second game of the day, WCHS beat Oxford 1-0 with Braylen Greer scoring the game’s only goal.

• Registration is under way for the free River Kids After School Art Program, which is sponsored by the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. The program has been offered for more than 15 years in the spring and the fall and is one of the most popular programs the foundation holds for youth in the area.