The gates on the Steele Bayou Control Structure were closed at around 2:30 p.m. Monday, Drew Smith, chief of Water Management for the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed to Vicksburg Daily News.

“River conditions are such that the gates needed to close,” Smith said.

The Mississippi River was at 46.69 feet as of 2 p.m. and is projected to crest at 49 feet on April 9.

In a related development, Bob Broadwater with the Mississippi Department of Transportation said MDOT will probably close State Highway 465 once again from Highway 61 to the intersection with the backwater levee within the next 48 hours. Water was already near the edge of the roadway, he said, adding that there is some undermining of the roadway just south of the old gin that will have to be addressed once the water recedes.

Currently, the Backwater is at 94.7 feet, and there are 427,000 total acres flooded including 154,000 acres of crop land, said Levee Board Chief Engineer Peter Nimrod in an email update this afternoon. The Backwater is predicted to crest between 95 feet and 95.5 feet by mid-April. At 95.5 feet there will be 454,000 total acres flooded including 172,000 acres of crop land.

Mississippi River predictions:

The National Weather Service unofficial forecast for the next 16 days matches up with the official forecast shown above, Nimrod said.

• Arkansas City is slowly rising and could crest near 42’ in 7 days.
• Greenville is slowly rising and could crest near 53.5’ in 9 days.
• Vicksburg is slowly rising and could crest near 49.5’ in 10 days.

Nimrod also provided the following Backwater facts in his update:

• The Backwater went 33 years (from 1984 until 2017) without ever being above 94 feet (over 400,000 acres flooded).
• In the past three years, the Backwater has eclipsed 94 feet every year.
• In 2018, it was above 94 feet for 14 days.
• In 2019, it was above 94 feet for 147 days.
• So far in 2020, it has been above 94 feet for 40 days and counting.

Vicksburg Police officers arrested a man Saturday for possession of drugs and a gun after he called to say someone had shot into his house.

Officers arrested Darren Mazie, 34, of 3062 Wisconsin Ave., who had reported that his residence had been shot into around 3:30 a.m. March 28. While looking for bullets inside the house, officers saw bags containing over 100 grams of marijuana. He was also in possession of a loaded handgun.

Mazie has been charged with felony possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Other reported incidents for Friday March 27 through Sunday, March 29:

Officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Hillside Drive in for an auto burglary on Sunday, March 29, at 3:53 p.m. The victim stated that someone went into her glove box and stole her 9mm Taurus handgun. The vehicle had been left unlocked the previous night.

Vicksburg Police officers responded to three shots fired calls. They found no evidence of shots fired at any of the scenes.

• Friday at 11:27 p.m., officers responded to the area of Second and National streets.
• Sunday, at 1:48 a.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard.
• Sunday at 9:12 p.m., officers responded to the area of Cherry Street at East Avenue.

If you have information on any of these incidents, please call the Vicksburg Police Department at 601-636-2511.

AMENDMENT TO POLICY AND PROCDURES FOR CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PHASE 1, ADOPTED ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 AND CITY OF VICKSBURG CIVIL EMERGENCY PLAN ADOPTED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020, AND

PROCLAMATION OF AN EMERGENCY DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID -19), PHASE 2, EFFECTIVE AT 12:00 NOON ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 ARE HERBY AMENDED AND CONSOLIDATED

WHEREAS, March 16, 2020, the City of Vicksburg adopted Phase 1 Recommendations and Policy and Procedures for the safety of Vicksburg citizens and City employees and to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and;

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, City of Vicksburg and Warren County adopted a Joint Emergency Resolution regarding the pandemic COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, the City of Vicksburg adopted the City of Vicksburg’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Civil Emergency Plan to address payment of essential and non-essential employees; and

WHEREAS, on March 22, 2020, effective March 23, 2020, pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, and as amended, entitled Civil Emergencies, the Mayor proclaimed that a Civil Emergency existed and declared that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has spread across this nation is a worldwide pandemic and as of March 29, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 758 confirmed cases and 14 deaths in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Health and the CDC have advised all citizens to practice social distancing which is staying at least 6 feet apart from one another; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States, the CDC, the Governor of Mississippi and the Mississippi Health Department have recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people be avoided; and

WHEREAS, extraordinary measures related to the spread of the Coronavirus are necessary for the health, safety, welfare and good order to protect the public.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN §§45-17-1 THROUGH 45-17-13; and

• 33-15-17 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED, HEREBY ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY CONTINUES TO EXIST IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IN MISSISSIPPI AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, DO HEREBY AMEND AND CONSOLIDATE THE AFOREMENTIONED POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PROCLAIMED MEASURES AS FOLLOWS (CHANGES IN RED TEXT):

FOR THE PUBLIC:

1. Social distancing should be enforced throughout the City – stay at least 6 feet away from
2. Anyone 65 years or older, or anyone with underlying medical conditions, should not be in or near gatherings of over 10
3. After visiting a location where the virus is verified to be present, a person should not go into crowds and should practice social
4. Precautions at any gathering or business should include proper hand hygiene, social distancing and enhanced ventilation (HVAC/open windows).
5. Persons shall not visit hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance, to visit residents receiving imminent end-of-life care, or as otherwise directed by the healthcare facility, provided in the professional opinion of the supervising physician or other supervising healthcare professional at such facility that such visits can be accomplished without unreasonable risk to staff or other residents of such facilities. In lieu of in-person visits, electronic visits are encouraged.
6. All daycare facilities shall close at 12:00 noon on Monday, March 30, 2020 until April 6, 2020. The closure will be re-evaluated on or before April 6, 2020.
7. A city-wide curfew will be strictly enforced from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Persons should not be on the public street or in any public place unless it is for traveling to or from work or for medical personnel in the performance of their duties, or to a business that is open such as grocery store or gas station. First Responders and law enforcement are exempt from this
8. During this emergency, funeral services are recommended to be held outside at grave side with a limit of 25 persons, and social distancing should be practiced. Alternatively, funerals are recommended to be on the property of a funeral home or in the City of Vicksburg Auditorium. Funeral services held inside shall be limited to 10 persons, and social distancing should be practiced. Regardless of the location, all funeral services shall be at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 m. through April 6, 2020. Use of the City Auditorium will allow space for social distancing and will be available for funerals at no cost during this civil emergency. Any repast or other meal will not be allowed at the City Auditorium.
9. Most places that have public assembly such as theaters, churches and religious entities, places of entertainment, and other places where the public gathers from time to time have already adopted policies of closing or limiting the number of persons allowed inside at the same time. There should not be gatherings of more than 10 people at an
10. Bars, nightclubs, lounges, taverns shall close, except to the extent that such establishments may only provide take-out, pick-up, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. Restaurants and private clubs shall close dine-in services, but may provide pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. There shall not be more 10 employees and 10 customers inside abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close by 11:00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 p.m.
11. Retail and convenience stores shall allow no more than 10 persons inside the store and no more than 10 persons in the parking lot/gas service areas of the premises at any one time.
12. Liquor stores shall have no more than 10 persons, including employees, inside at any one time.
13. Barber and beauty shops, nail and tanning salons, and spas shall close at 12:00 noon on Monday, March 30, 2020 until April 6, 2020. The closure will be re-evaluated on or before April 6, 2020.
14. Meals for seniors (65 and over), vulnerable adults and handicapped adults, will be available at the Salvation Army on Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31, for curb-side pick-up, and at the Vicksburg Convention Center Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3. Curb-side pick-up will be available at these locations between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Photo ID confirming 65 or older must be provided.
15. For any City of Vicksburg public meetings, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Architectural Review, code enforcement hearings, or public gatherings in a city building, there will be no more than 10 people in the room and social distancing shall be practiced. For meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Mayor will determine which 10 people will be permitted to be present, giving priority to Division Heads and the Deputy City Clerk. A Vicksburg Police Officer will escort people in and out as needed. Alternate viewing options include online streaming, VTV channels, and the City of Vicksburg training room (no more than 10 people). This policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 17,
16. The measures detailed in this Proclamation (other than those referring to places that are venues of public assembly) apply only to the specific businesses listed.
17. Violations of this Proclamation will be subject to misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45- 17-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and 90 days in

FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG:

1. Division Heads have designated the essential and non-essential employees for their respective departments. The following applies through April 6, 2020:

All employees who have been designated essential are expected to report to work unless any COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases affect them or their household or they have a school-aged child that is out of school.

All employees designated non-essential may rotate work every 2 days if required by their supervisor.

Hourly employees who are designated as essential employees and come to work will be paid time and a half for actual hours worked. Non-essential hourly employees who rotate in to work will be paid time and a half for actual hours worked. There will be no exchange of hours worked by employees unless approved by the Division Head. Salaried employees will be paid their regular salaries.

2. A $500,000 personnel budget will be deducted from the $3 Million reserve fund, if
3. All police personnel should take proper precautions, such as wearing gloves, when making physical contact with the
4. Every city-owned restroom will be checked for sufficient amounts of soap and/or hand sanitizer, and paper towels each hour of the workday through April 6. This policy will be re-evaluated on or before April
5. The City of Vicksburg Senior Center will remain closed through April 6. The closure will be re- evaluated on or before April
6. The City of Vicksburg is suspending water and gas customer disconnects as required by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. The City will follow the guidelines of the MPSC which currently prohibit disconnects until May 14, 2020.
7. All City-funded employee travel for any distance over 100 miles outside of Vicksburg is suspended, unless deemed necessary by the Mayor, until April 13, 2020. The city-funded travel suspension policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 13,
8. Any city employee, or family member within their household, who comes in contact with a person confirmed to have the virus is to immediately report it to the City of Vicksburg Safety Director Steve Williams (601.738.0029) or the Human Resources Department (601.631.3710). This policy will be revaluated on or before April 13, 2020.
9. The City of Vicksburg is relaxing its dress code policy to provide for the comfort of its employees through April 6, 2020. This policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 6,

THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020 AT 12:00 NOON AND SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL APRIL 6, 2020 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED HEREIN.

THIS THE         DAY OF                                 2020.

GEORGE FLAGGS, JR.

MAYOR, CITY OF VICKSBURG, MS

ATTEST:

CITY CLERK WALTER W. OSBORNE, JR.