Before we dive into this week of work and play, let’s take a look at the good news that made headlines last week:

Natchez aldermen entered an agreement with Great River Development to negotiate an option for a convention center hotel within 60 days. In addition, on Friday city officials signed an option agreement with Worley Brown LLC to develop the Pecan Factory site. If Worley Brown exercises the option, it would pay an additional $450,000 to buy the property and develop 75 luxury condos on the site.

Work has begun in earnest on improvements to Minor Street, once thought of by some as one of the most rundown streets in Natchez. The project will include curbs, gutters and storm drains, widening of the street and addition of a sidewalk and parking area along one side of the street.The Concordia Parish Airport is getting a $490,033 grant to build a new taxiway in preparation for building new hangars next year.

A self-service fuel station will also be built in the next few months, and grant money expected in 2006 will pay for new runway lights.

Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen announced the town is negotiating with developer Vernis Stanaland to build a new shopping center on U.S. 65 north, a building that will contain a grocery, clothing, drug and discount stores.

The final project may have as much as 300,000 square feet of retail space. The project could be started as soon as spring 2007.

The Natchez Housing Authority has received a $532,734 federal grant to replace door locks and aging utility room doors, provide security, replace kitchen fixtures, do needed maintenance and help save for future improvements as various complexes. It also received $17,344 for being rated a high performer during HUD’s latest annual evaluation, money that will also be used for various work items and security.

Here’s to another week of good news.