Vicksburg has many positives, and it is due in part to those who give back to the community.

On Monday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution to rename Marcus Street for former Vicksburg Warren superintendent of schools and Rosa A. Temple principal James E. Stirgus Sr.

“James E. Stirgus Sr. is an educator, superintendent in the Vicksburg schools,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said, “And we should have a long time ago recognized this phenomenal man; this man who has educated so many, impacted so many people’s lives.”

Stirgus’ oldest daughter, Connie Stirgus Marley said the decision to name the street after her father “really meant a lot, because I believe my father sacrificed a lot to try and do what he thought was right, especially for the city of Vicksburg, especially for the students of Rosa A. Temple High School.”

Stirgus spent nearly 35 years as a teacher, principal, superintendent and doing various other jobs in Warren County’s education system. He served as principal of Rosa A. Temple High School and later as superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School System.

4Bess Averett serves as the executive director of Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, and she has been named to the Friends Alliance steering committee, a national committee supported by the National Park Foundation.

“Being a part of the steering committee, she said, “Is a great opportunity for us and certainly our park to get a little bit more recognition. We’ll meet often with the people who make decisions for the national parks. I think it will certainly benefit Vicksburg.”

The Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign is nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works with the Vicksburg National Park to promote the park and enhance the battlefield and promote public appreciation for the history it represents.

4The Mississippi Hardware building project, called the Mississippi Center for Innovations and Technology in Senate Bill 3065 is slated to receive $2.5 million. Mayor George Flaggs Jr called the allocation “great, great news for the city of Vicksburg. I want to commend the Legislature and particularly (Sen.) Briggs Hopson for being able to lead on that, and the leadership of the state.”

•         Linda and James Fondren, who are the owners and developers of the building that will house the Catfish Row Museum, say the multifaceted museum and interpretive center is expected to open in 2021. “We are hoping by fall of 2019 to have a ‘sneak preview’ for the community to preview some of the exhibits and cafe plans,” Linda Fondren said. The Catfish Row Museum will highlight the distinctive contributions of African-American as well as Lebanese, Jewish, Greek, Italian and Chinese communities,” Fondren said. “It will also provide a needed modern and lively venue for students and families to gather for programs to pass down traditions, knowledge, and skills to the next generation through partnerships with the farmers market and other cultural and educational organizations.”