Retail giant Walmart announced Dec. 10 that it has launched a pilot program to deliver groceries with driverless vehicles in Houston, Texas.

The pilot program is in conjunction with California-based autonomous vehicle company Nuro, which has been providing the service to Kroger in Houston since March, according to its website.

Nuro’s R2 driverless vehicle is about half as wide as a compact sedan, shorter than most cars and has no room for passengers or drivers, reports The Verge website. Each vehicle is monitored via chase vehicles with human drivers and with remote technology as it makes its deliveries.

“Nuro’s vision of using robotics to improve lives runs parallel with Walmart’s mission of helping customers live better,” Walmart said in a statement. “Through the Houston-based pilot, Walmart aims to develop, refine and continue learning how to offer the best end-to-end customer experience.”

Walmart said it is committed to delivering groceries “with a side of time-saving convenience” through its ever-expanding grocery pickup and delivery service. The retailer offers the service in nearly 3,100 locations with deliveries coming from more than 1,600 stores.

“Along the way, we’ve been test-driving a number of different options for getting groceries from our stores to our customers’ front doors through self-driving technology,” Walmart said. “We believe this technology is a natural extension of our grocery pickup and delivery service and our goal of making every day a little easier for customers.”

Hinds Community College recently honored students named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges.”

Among those who were recognized were six Vicksburg students: Ali Cook, Felicity Delgado, Karmel Drake, Christian Oakes, Grayson Shealy and Hailey Storey.

To receive this honor, students are nominated by faculty or staff based upon their academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service to the college and/or the community as well as participation in extracurricular activities.

The Vicksburg Police Department today reported two incidents of aggravated assault.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, officers responded to Merit Health River Region, 2100 U.S. Highway 61 North, in reference to an assault that had occurred in the 700 block of Poplar Street.

The complainant reported that her boyfriend had been assaulted, suffering lacerations to the top and back of his head.

The second assault incident occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when a victim walked into the police station at 820 Veto St. and stated someone had shot him in his face.

Officers also responded to a report of shots fired on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Drusilla Lane and Fisher Ferry Road. Upon arrival, officers saw no signs of suspicious activity and found no evidence of shots fired.

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

Michael Barham

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Vicksburg Police officers arrested Michael Steven Barham, 37, of Vicksburg, on a misdemeanor warrant. Barham was found to be in possession of approximately 0.36 grams of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest. He will make his initial appearance before Judge Penny Lawson in Vicksburg Municipal Court today.