This summary provides the key details from the document in 3 sentences: The document discusses a school district convocation celebrating the district moving from "At Risk of Failing" to "Successful" based on upcoming test score results. Teachers from different schools in the district were recognized for their work. The superintendent informed the teachers that with continued effort, the district aims to further improve student achievement levels.

1. State • a3 sports• b1
black wedding working hard
Governor calls church block ‘unfortunate’ St. Al builds depth in preseason
friDAY, au g u st 3, 2012 • 50¢ www.v ick sburg p ost.com Ever y day Si nCE 1883
Don ’t stop
believing! Darian “Drake” Pierce Ricky Wedgeworth
No death penalty
for inmates charged
in Vicksburg slaying
By Holbrook Mohr his rental car and beaten
The Associated Press and strangled. His body was
dumped in Bessemer, Ala.
JACKSON — Prosecu- Cupps was in Mississippi
tors have decided not to to inspect the Grand Gulf
seek the death penalty for nuclear power plant south
two inmates charged with of Vicksburg.
killing an Ohio business- The inmates were caught
man in Vicksburg after they March 14, 2011, after crash-
escaped from a prison work ing a pickup in Memphis,
program in Louisiana. Tenn. Police said that before
Sheila Wilbanks, a spokes- their capture, the men tied
woman for the U.S. Attor- up a county park worker
ney’s office in Jackson, said and stole a government
Brenden Neville•The Vicksburg Post
the Justice Department parks department truck
Warren Central Intermediate assistant principal Morgan Gates, left, principal Tonya Magee and teacher Julia Hood, decided against seeking from Madison County, Tenn.
cheer on their school during the Vicksburg Warren School District Convocation ceremony Thursday afternoon at the death penalty for Ricky Wedgeworth and Pierce
the Vicksburg Auditorium. Wedgeworth and Darian were indicted on multi-
“Drake” Pierce. She had no ple charges in U.S. District
Swinford: District now ‘Successful’
other comment. Court in Jackson. They
Wedgeworth and Pierce could have faced the death
are charged with kidnap- penalty for two counts —
ping David Cupps from a kidnapping resulting in
hotel in Vicksburg, after death and carjacking result-
Rating upgrade gives escaping from the Louisi- ing in death. They’re also
ana State Police compound charged with conspiracy
school district’s faculty in Baton Rouge on March and transporting a stolen
something to cheer about 4, 2011.
Investigators said Cupps,
vehicle. They have pleaded
a 53-year-old man from Sun-
By Pamela Hitchins bury, Ohio, was attacked for See Inmates, Page A8.
phitchins@vicksburgpost.com
DiamondJacks casinos
“Successful” will be the word for
Vicksburg Warren School District
when 2012 test scores are released
have $125M price tag
later this month, Superintendent Dr.
Elizabeth Swinford told a rollicking,
raucous, cow-bell-ringing crowd of
teachers and administrators meet-
ing Thursday at the district’s annual Bankruptcy filings reveal
convocation to jump-start the school
year. more than $412,000 in claims
Swinford capped the celebration at
By Danny Barrett Jr. for Global. The deal hinges
the Vicksburg City Auditorium with
dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com on regulatory approvals in
the news that, based on this year’s
Louisiana and Mississippi.
test scores, which have not officially
Debts to a contract Tops among more than
been released by the Mississippi
Vicksburg Junior High teachers Tonya Drake, middle, and Kimberly Vaughn, housecleaning service and $412,000 in unsecured claims
Department of Education, the district
right, cheer for their school. gaming equipment-makers listed in court papers are
has earned the Successful label.
are among DiamondJacks FSS-The Service Compa-
“When I came to the VWSD we had in just two years,” Swinford said to Since 2009, the state education Casino’s biggest creditors in nies, a Miami-based clean-
the label of At Risk of Failing. We loud cheers. “Next year we are going department has ranked schools, its parent company’s bank- ing service hired often by
are no longer At Risk of Failing, we to meet here one more time and cel- ruptcy filing, a process top the gaming industry, owed
are a Successful district. We did it ebrate it again.” See VWSD, Page A7. corporate and local execu- $50,084.86, and Chicago-
tives say is the best way to based equipment-maker
keep the place open. IGT, owed $49,452.99. The
‘Business as usual’ after Claiborne hospital takeover Legends Gaming filed for
Chapter 11 in U.S. Bank-
ruptcy Court in Shreveport
list also includes Bancorp-
South, AT&T and a photog-
raphy business in Tallulah.
By Pamela Hitchins trator said Thursday. Tupelo-based Rural Health- care Development and Jerry Tuesday. The filing involves All 339 or so jobs at the
phitchins@vicksburgpost.com Employees can expect care Developers Inc., which Kennedy are working to transfer of DiamondJacks Vicksburg casino are safe,
paychecks today and the had leased the facility since make this transition as seam- casinos, hotels and ancillary officials of both Legends
Business as usual should doors of the former Patients’ October 2008. RHC had been less as possible and provide buildings in Vicksburg and and Global contend.
continue at Port Gibson’s Choice Hospital are open to in arrears in their payments care to the patients at the Bossier City to Oklahoma- “(The transition) should
local hospital — now known those needing medical care, since August, 2010, Johnson hospital,” said Johnson. based Global Gaming Solu- be pretty transparent,” said
as Claiborne County Hospital County Administrator James said. About $869,000 is owed to tions LLC, which is owned Felicia Gavin, executive vice
— following its takeover last Johnson said. Jefferson County Hospital the county, Johnson said. by the Chickasaw Nation. president and general man-
week by the Board of Super- Claiborne County super- CEO Jerry Kennedy has been Claiborne County’s Chan- The purchase price of all ager of DiamondJacks in
visors after nearly two years visors voted July 25 to retained to act as administra- cery Clerk Gloria Dotson had Legends’ assets and liabili- Vicksburg, at 3990 Washing-
of not receiving lease pay- take back the facility from tive consultant, Johnson said. ties is $125 million, said
ments, the county adminis- Patient’s Choice, managed by “The county, Rural Health- See Hospital, Page A7. Kym Koch, a spokeswoman
See Casino, Page A8.
ONLINE WEATHER DEATHS TODAY IN HISTORY CONTACT US INDEX
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cloudy; lows in the 70s Columbus sets sail from Olympics as he takes Call us
VOLUME 130 • Rose Marie Shelby Advertising....601-636-4545 Classifieds........B6
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Flood stage: 43 feet the United States wins him of cowardice. Gen. George See A2 for e-mail addresses
S. Patton
A7 the first of his four gold

2. The Vicksburg Post Friday, August 3, 2012 A7
VWSD VWSD Awards
Announced Thursday for the
Anquinette Jenkins —
Warrenton Elementary
Eleese Kemp — Warren
PRECISION FORECAST
Continued from Page A1. BY CHIEF METEOROLOGIST
2011-12 school year: Central Intermediate BARBIE BASSETT
based on a numerical score
calculated from test results Vicksburg-area schools • Warren Central High — Ja- Teachers of Buffy Willliams — Vicks-
burg Junior High
TONIGHT saturday
mie Creel
plus incremental improve-
ment year-to-year, with
and their principals • Grove Street — Lee Dixon the Year Toni S. London — Warren
Central Junior High
Vicksburg-Warren School
seven descriptors: Star, High
Performing, Successful, Aca- District — first day of Travelers Rest Christian
District winner — Jennifer
Grey, Vicksburg High
Dian Riley — Vicksburg 74° 96°
High Partly cloudy tonight, lows
demic Watch, Low Perform- school Monday: Academy — first day of Melissa Hardy — Beech- Brad Babb — Warren Cen- in the mid-70s; mostly sun-
ing, At Risk of Failing and • Beechwood Elementary — school Monday: wood Elementary tral High ny Saturday with a chance
Failing. John Johnson • Latrice McGill (director) Torri Shelton — Bovina El-
This year the department • Bovina Elementary — Miki ementary of showers, highs in the 90s
will use the five common
letter grades, A through F.
Ginn
• Bowmar Avenue Elementa-
Vicksburg Catholic School Joanne Ryan — Bowmar El- Parents of
— first day of school ementary
VWSD’s composite score ry — Tammy Burris Wednesday: April Ross — Dana Road El- the Year WEATHER
places it in the former Suc- • Dana Road Elementary — • St. Francis Xavier Elementa- ementary District winner — Renee This weather package is
cessful range and earns a C Ethel Lassiter
letter grade. ry — Mary Arledge Latasha Banks — Grove Styles, Sherman Avenue Ele- compiled from historical
• Redwood Elementary — • St. Aloysius High — Mi- Street School mentary and Warren Central
The theme for this year’s records and information
convocation was Don’t Stop
Randy Broome chele Connelly Wyn Pratt — Redwood El- Intermediate School provided by the U.S. Army
Believing. Teachers and prin- • Sherman Avenue Elemen- ementary Deann Hill — Beechwood Corps of Engineers, the
cipals gathered school by tary — Ray Hume Porters Chapel Acade- Betty Smith — Sherman Elementary City of Vicksburg and The
school, decked out in green, • South Park Elementary — my — first day of school Avenue Elementary Elisa Haggard — Bovina El- Associated Press.
red, yellow, orange and other Wanda Fears Thursday: Darryl Floyd — South Park ementary
• Warrenton Elementary —
matching T-shirts, waving
signs, beating thundersticks, Janice Hatcher
• Pam Wilbanks Elementary Amy Jackson — Bowmar El- LOCAL FORECAST
Heather Gordon — Warren- ementary
blasting air horns and yelling • Vicksburg Intermediate — Agape Montessori Chris- ton Elementary saturday-sunday
Bridgette Harris — Dana
school spirit cheers. Sharon Williams tian Academy — first day Regina O’Leary — Vicks- Mostly cloudy, showers
“What a year this is going Road Elementary
• Warren Central Intermedi- of school Aug. 13: burg Intermediate Tonya Kenney — Grove and thunderstorms likely;
to be,” Swinford told them. ate — Tonya Magee • Lois Christian Mary Frances Jackson — Street School highs in the 90s, lows in
“If we keep our energy • Vicksburg Junior — Anto- Warren Central Intermediate Natalie Azlin — Redwood the 70s
levels up like this our kids
nio Cooper (interim) Vicksburg Communi- Mary Ann Peoples — Vicks- Elementary
are going to rock and our
test scores are going to keep
• Warren Central Junior — ty School — first day of burg Junior Susan Trest — South Park STATE FORECAST
going up and up.” Cedric Magee school Wednesday: Herman Biedenharn — Elementary
• Vicksburg High — Derrick • Renee Kendrick (adminis- Warren Central Junior High TONIGHT
The VWSD was rated At Vicki Wester — Warrenton
Risk of Failing in 2010, and Reed trator) Karla McHan — Warren Partly cloudy; lows in the
Elementary
moved up last year to Aca- Central High mid-70s
Kelli Randolph — Vicks-
demic Watch. Swinford and achievements, reminded all showed improvement, this burg Intermediate School
other speakers encouraged saturday-sunday
the faculty to continue to aim
of the important role of edu-
cators — everyone connected
year’s results will have no
schools rated At Risk of Fail- Teacher Assis- Tammi Sims — Vicksburg
Junior High
Mostly cloudy, showers
for higher levels of student and thunderstorms likely;
achievement and to be united
with the schools — in today’s
society.
ing or Low Performing. Five
will be Academic Watch, five tants of the Year Frances and Dennis Chip-
ley — Warren Central Junior
highs in the 90s, lows in
within their schools and as a “For you to move up, for Successful and two High Per- District winner — Belinda the 70s
district. High
you to improve on this year, forming, she said. Davis-Smith, Vicksburg In-
“We succeed together and everybody needs to get The two schools that made termediate School
Mary Jane Cooksey —
Vicksburg High
Almanac
fail together as a team,” said engaged,” said Cook, naming the highest gains were Vicks- Bobbie Wilson — Beech- Henrietta Dagher — War-
Bryan Pratt, president of bus drivers, custodians and burg Junior High School and Highs and Lows
the VWSD Board of Trust- wood Elementary ren Central High
cafeteria workers along with Warren Central Interme- High/past 24 hours............. 91º
ees. “Some of our teammates Cindy Lewis — Bovina El-
teachers and parents. diate, two schools that had Low/past 24 hours............... 80º
might need support and ementary
“You are doing a fantastic been placed in At-Risk status
encouragement. Speaking job, but don’t stop believing by state Department of Edu-
Sara L. Brown-Walker — Others Average temperature......... 86º
Normal this date................... 81º
from the Board of Trustees, that there’s not more sky up cation and were required Bowmar Elementary
District Administrator of Record low..............63º in 1920
we all know that we are on a there,” Cook said. “We can’t to implement formal school Mychal Winters — Dana
the Year — Derrick Reed, Record high......... 100º in 2011
long journey, and we are so afford to lose a single child. improvement plans. Road Elementary
Vicksburg High School, prin-
proud of each and every one Work together. Never accept Official test results and Alma L. Jackson — Grove
of you.” cipal Rainfall
mediocrity. Pull, drag, what- school ratings will be Street School
Keynote speaker Dr. James Best School Spirit — War- Recorded at the
ever it takes. Get it out of released at the end of Monica R. Evans — Red- Vicksburg Water Plant
Aaron Bradford Cook, ren Central Intermediate
them.” August, a state education wood Elementary Past 24 hours.................0.0 inch
founder of JABC Educational In 2010, the VWSD had department spokesman said Most Improved Discipline,
Candace Reed Goodwin — This month................ 0.0 inches
Services Group and a minis- four schools labeled At Risk last week. Secondary — Warren Cen-
Sherman Avenue Elemen- Total/year.............. 35.76 inches
ter, retired U.S. Army Lieu- of Failing, four Academic “We’re just excited about tral Junior High School
tary Normal/month......0.30 inches
tenant Colonel and member Watch, two Successful and their gains and look forward Most Improved Discipline,
of the Board of Trustees of Gloria Polk — South Park Normal/year........ 33.74 inches
two High Performing, Swin- to the great things they’re Elementary — Dana Road
Chamberlain-Hunt Academy Elementary
ford said. going to do next year,” Pratt Elementary
in Port Gibson, among other Though not all schools said. Solunar table
Most active times for fish
Hospital and wildlife Saturday:
A.M. Active............................ 7:25
A.M. Most active................. 1:13
Continued from Page A1.
P.M. Active............................. 7:48
sent a number of letters to other equipment were not The hospital’s license has cal Center in Batesville and supervisors will decide long P.M. Most active.................. 1:36
RHC chief Ray Shoemaker removed from the building. not yet been transferred, and embezzling $250,000 from term. Hiring a management
requesting payment, said Going forward, all oper- during what is expected to be the hospital in April 2006. company or leasing the hos- Sunrise/sunset
Johnson. Not receiving pay- ations at the facility will a two-week transition, RHD Shoemaker has reportedly pital again are options, John- Sunset today........................ 7:58
ment, supervisors voted in become the county’s respon- staff is continuing to provide maintained his innocence son said. Sunset tomorrow............... 7:58
May to terminate the lease sibility for the time being. some assistance, Johnson and vowed to appeal the con- “In leasing, the county is Sunrise tomorrow.............. 6:19
agreement, but until last “The current pay period is said. viction. He has not yet been not responsible for making
week had not filed injunc-
tions or eviction notices, he
expected to be the respon-
sibility of Rural Healthcare
“They are cooperating to an
extent,” he said. “They are
sentenced.
According to the Patients’
ends meet; that is up to the
lessee. The hospital is turned
RIVER DATA
said. Developers,” Johnson said, also making arrangements to Choice website, the hospital over lock, stock and barrel to Stages
In addition to retaining estimating staffing levels at transfer out of the hospital.” is a “25-bed critical access the operating company,” he Mississippi River
Kennedy, board actions last about 100 full-time-equiv- In addition to the money facility that provides acute said. “If it is managed, if hos- at Vicksburg
week included taking out alent positions. “With the owed Claiborne County, RHD care and emergency ser- pital revenues do not meet
Current: 1.5 | Change: +0.4
property insurance and county taking it forward, the chief Ray Shoemaker was vices; (and) inpatient and hospital expenses, the county
Flood: 43 feet
obtaining a restraining order assumption is the county is found guilty March 2 in U.S. outpatient behavioral health is on the hook to meet those
against RHC. going to look at developing a District Court in Oxford of services. Other outpatient expenses.” Yazoo River at Greenwood
Sheriff Marvin Lucas said plan of action, with the assis- 10 counts related to kick- programs include respira- Current: 8.7 | Change: -0.1
his deputies assisted with tance of a consultant, to pay backs and bribery while an tory and physical therapy.” Flood: 35 feet
making sure computers and them.” executive at Tri-Lakes Medi- It is not yet clear what Yazoo River at Yazoo City
Current: 5.2 | Change: +0.2
deaths Flood: 29 feet
Yazoo River at Belzoni
Ida Mae Page Scott Pallbearers will be James at 2 p.m. Saturday at W.H. Rosie Lee Tillman She was 86. Current: 5.4 | Change: -0.1
E. Scott, Winfield Scott Jr., Jefferson Funeral Home with W.H. Jefferson Funeral Flood: 34 feet
UTICA — Ida Mae Page Robert Moore, Marc Anthony the Rev. Johnnie L. Williams Rosie Lee Tillman died Home has charge of Big Black River at West
Scott died Monday, July 30, Burnett, Edward Lee Curtis officiating. Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at arrangements. Current: 1.8 | Change: -0.1
2012, at her home. She was and Andrew Claish. River Region Medical Center. Flood: 12 feet
100.
Big Black River at Bovina
Mrs. Scott was retired from Rose Marie Shelby Current: 6.6 | Change: NC
Copiah County Schools with
more than 30 years as a first- Rose Marie Shelby died Flood: 28 feet
grade teacher. Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, at
She was preceded in death Shady Lawn Nursing Home. StEELE BAYOU
by her husband of 67 years, She was 68. Land....................................69.0
Winfield Scott Sr. Ms. Shelby was retired River....................................49.0
Survivors include two from Interna-
daughters, Artha Mae Claish tional Plastics MISSISSIPPI RIVER
of Augusta, Ga., and Rosa Corporation
of Los Ange-
Forecast
Burnett of San Antonio,
Texas; two sons, James Scott les and was Cairo, Ill.
of Cheltenham, Md., and a member of
Saturday....................................9.6
Winfield Scott Jr. of Lumber- Poplar Hill
Sunday.......................................9.1
ton, N.J.; two sisters, Ledora M.B. Church.
She was Monday.....................................8.9
Surgeno of Utica and Ear- Rose Marie
preceded in Memphis
line Jenkins of Palo Alto, Shelby
Calif.; five grandchildren; death by her Saturday...................................-4.8
four great-grandchildren; parents, Brent Sr. and Cora Sunday......................................-5.8
four great-great-grandchil- Thompson Shelby. Monday....................................-7.3
dren; and other relatives and She is survived by four Greenville
friends. brothers, Brent Shelby Jr. of Saturday................................. 11.3
Services will be at 11 a.m. Natchitoches, La., Charles Sunday.................................... 12.0
Saturday at Temple Christ Shelby and Michael Shelby, Monday.................................. 11.3
Holiness Church with the both of Vicksburg, and Vicksburg
Rev. Clarence Cazar, pastor, Ulysses Wolfe of Dallas, Saturday....................................2.6
officiating. Burial will follow Texas; two sisters, Henrietta
Sunday.......................................3.7
at Temple Christ Holiness Shelby and Brenda Shelby,
Monday.....................................4.4
Church Cemetery. Visitation both of Vicksburg; and
will be from 7 until 9 tonight nieces, nephews, cousins and
at Westhaven Memorial other relatives.
Funeral Home. A memorial service will be