Here are a couple of odds and ends, presented in sort of a stream of consciousness manner.

• The social media rumors that a Krystal plans to locate someplace on U.S. 61 north of Vicksburg and that Golden Corral plans a restaurant in what looks like a former restaurant on Pemberton next to the mall are apparently just that.

We checked with Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. this week, who told us neither company has made official inquiries as far as he knows.

We called Joe Dove, who is a representative of Cook Commercial Properties, which represents the empty former restaurant building on Pemberton and asked about the Golden Corral rumor.

“If they have any interest in this property, that’s news to me,” Dove said. “However, if it’s on Facebook, I think I’ll give them a call.”

Perhaps Mr. Dove can work his magic with the Golden Corral folks. Who knows?

I’m not a big chain restaurant person, but discussion of these rumors prompted conversation in the newsroom about what we would like to see come to Vicksburg. Arby’s, Applebee’s and TGIFriday’s were top contenders. Maybe someday, sigh.

•  Several weeks ago, Debra Calhoun, who is a senior vice president with the Waterways Council in Washington, D.C., and Austin Golding, who is executive vice president at Golding Barge Line, came to talk to us about the state of transportation on our nation’s inland waterways, as well as some infrastructure needs.

John Surratt reported on that meeting and presented what I think are some staggering facts about transportation along the Mississippi and other American waterways, and the room for growth.

Anyone who gets on the interstate for anything knows the trucking industry is at a peak right now. Our aging system of roadways in this country can’t accommodate much more by way of truck transportation.

However, did you know a 15-barge tow is equal to 1,050 tractor trailer trucks, 216 rail cars and six locomotives?

“If we take away the capacity of the water base, you wouldn’t be able, none of us, in any part of the country, be able to drive anywhere because of gridlock,” Golding said. “We produce the least amount of emissions. It’s the safest. It’s the most fuel efficient (transportation system). We can go 615 miles compared to 413 by rail and 155 by truck. It’s the silent workhorse of the transportation supply chain.”

That’s a message more people need to hear.

And because of such, the waterways transportation industry is booming. Hinds Community College Vicksburg has partnered with that industry locally and offers training for employees who want to go to work on a boat on our nation’s rivers.

Golding said starting wages are good, and those who aspire to become pilots and who make it to that job, can earn from $130,000 to $150,000 a year.

Let’s hope the Waterways Council is successful in getting the message out about efficient and cost-effective transportation on America’s waterways.

That’s something critically important to us who live along the Mighty Mississippi.

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Jan Griffey is editor of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.