Stewart Announces Candidacy For
District Judge - Division C

Jonathan M. Stewart, A 46 year old Arcadia attorney has announced as a candidate for District Judge, Division C. Voters in Bienville, Claiborne and Jackson Parishes will be able to vote for this judgeship on Tuesday, March 14, 2000. A vacancy was created in Division C when Judge Robert Y. Butler retired, therefore there is no sitting judge running for this judgeship.

Based on the number of bytes of data in the genealogical archives at USGenWeb, Ohio recently edged Louisiana for the number one spot in the nation. In November 1999 Louisiana had 184,132k of raw text data, followed closely by South Dakota with 174,060k. At that time Ohio was third with 125,564k. Peggy Beaubouef, coordinator for the Winn, Lincoln, and Claiborne Parish archives says, "The really valuable asset to any archives are the cemetery files or any original records, such as Bible records, private collections or diaries, courthouse records, etc. Information that people in other states don't readily have access to. That's what makes the archives, and the internet for that matter, such a valuable research tool for people."

The American Legion Post #73 met Monday, November 29 at 7 PM at the Claiborne Parish Library. Prior to the meeting, Mayor David Aubrey, Robert Moore, Benjamin Wright, and Susan Herring met to discuss plans to renovate the Legion Hut building for a multi-use community center to be used jointly by the Claiborne Council on Aging and the American Legion Post 73.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 73 met Monday, November 29 at the Claiborne Parish Library. Auxiliary members present were President Jenifer Clason, Ruth Sims, Ruth Miller, Lona Hammett, Louise Tinsley, Eva Martin, Carol Jones, Freda Hinze, Louise Riggs, Olean Wright, and Susan Herring. Others present were Post Commander Robert Moore, Mayor David Aubrey, and Benjamin Wright.

NEWS BRIEFS
January 27, 2000

Fred Campbell To Speak At Homer Chamber Banquet - Fred Campbell of Pine Bluff, AR, also known as "Mr. Motivation," will speak at the 35th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet on January 31. The theme of this year's banquet is "HOMER 2000...Proud of Our Past..Building for Our Future." Tickets are $20. Tables may be reserved but only if you are seated by 6:45 PM. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, January 26.   Girl Scouts To Take Cookie Orders Jan. 28 to Feb. 12 - Troup 344 Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts of Homer will be taking orders for girl scout cookies from January 28 to February 12!! Cookies are $3 per box and will be delivered beginning in March. Support your local scout troop. Please contact a girl scout, Troop Leader Denice Owens, or Assistant Troop Leaders Melissa Smith or Karen Rushing.   Chicken Spaghetti Lunch On Super Bowl Sunday - The Golden Tornado Quarterback Club will sponsor a chicken spaghetti lunch on Super Bowl Sunday Jan. 30 from 11 AM till 1 PM at the Haynesville High Cafeteria. Plates are $5. Dine in or take out.   Local Musicians Meet Friday Nights At Fire Station - Local musicians are still "pickin' and grinnin" Friday nights in Homer. From 6 PM till, you will find them "picking and grinning" from country to bluegrass to gospel at the Homer Fire Station on West Main. Everyone is welcome!!   Lake Commission To Meet Monday, January 31 - The Claiborne Parish Lake Commission will meet on Monday, January 31 at 5:30 PM in the Police Jury Meeting Room.   "Relay For Life" Meeting Tuesday, February 1 at 5 PM - The Claiborne Parish Chapter of the American Cancer Society will hold a meeting Tuesday, February 1 at 5 PM at Homer Memorial Hospital to discuss the Annual "Relay for Life" fund-raiser tentatively scheduled for April 7, 2000. Anyone may organize a team to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Gaye Brunson at 927-2024.   Black Heritage Celebration Set For 7 PM February 19 - The production entitled "Because I Too Sing America" will be held Saturday, February 19 at 7 PM at Homer City Hall. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted. For more information contact Naomi Levingston at 927-3600 or Linda Robinson at 927-2269 or 1312.   Athens High To Host Family Literacy Night February 3 - Athens High School will host a Family Literacy Night Thursday, February 3 at 5:30 PM. This event will feature storytelling, classroom visitations, refreshments, and door prizes. Parents and children (K-8) are encouraged to attend.   American Legion Post To Meet Monday January 31 - American Legion Post #73 will meet Monday, January 31 at 5:30 PM at the Claiborne Parish Library.   Athens High School To Hold Book Fair February 1-8 - Athens will have a Scholastic Book Fair February 1 through 7 from noon until 3 PM. Admission is free and open to everyone. For more information call 258-3241. The Book Fair will also be open during Family Literacy Night on Thursday, February 3 beginning at 5:30 PM.   Mayor David Aubrey To Speak At Lions Club January 27 - Mayor David Aubrey will be the guest speaker at the Homer Lions Club meeting on Thursday, January 27 at noon.   Hospitality Training Planned For February 17 At City Hall - In order to better prepare our community for the increasing tourism in our state and in Claiborne Parish, the Homer Chamber of Commerce, Haynesville Chamber of Commerce, and the LSU AgCenter will offer a one-day seminar entitled "Hospitality Training." The seminar will be held Thursday, February 17, 2000 at Homer City Hall from 10 AM to 2 PM. The goal of the seminar is to train front line people, those people that tourists come in contact with first--to improve their skills and educate them on the importance of tourism to the local economy.     Business owners are encouraged to enroll their employees and encouraged to send as many employees as they wish. Cost of the seminar is $5 and includes lunch. Deadline to sign up is Friday, February 11. Checks should be made payable to Homer Chamber of Commerce. For more information or to obtain a registration form, call Dora Ann Hatch at 927-3110.				Ultimate Wrestling Alliance Coming To Haynesville High - The Ultimate Wrestling Alliance (UWA) will be at Haynesville High School Saturday February 5, 2000 at 7:30 PM.   Claiborne Academy Yearbooks On Sale Jan. 31 to Feb. 18 - Claiborne Academy yearbooks will be on sale from January 31 through February 18 for $30. Books may be purchased from the office, the elementary teachers, or Mrs. Burns. This year students will have the option to personalize their yearbook. For more information, contact a member of the journalism staff..   Not All Louisiana Taxpayers Will Receive Tax Booklets - Louisiana taxpayers who have used alternative methods to file their income tax returns for the past two years will not receive a pre-addressed state income tax booklet. Unaddressed booklets are available at libraries, regional offices and from the IRS, or by calling toll-free (888) 829-3071. Taxpayers may also download an individual income tax return form from the State's Internet web page at www.rev.state.la.us.   D.A.R.T. In Homer Every Thursday From 9-12 AM - D.A.R.T. representatives are in Homer every Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM to offer shelter, legal assistance and counseling for domestic violence cases. For more info call (800) 281-7885 or the 24-Hour Crisis Line at (318) 251-2255.   Check Out The Claiborne One Website! - The official website for Claiborne Parish is looking good! If you haven't checked it out, you should! Information is still needed from public officials, schools, organizations, and residents, also current events, history of the area, and local attractions. Please call Joel Ponder at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-6197 or visit the site at http://www.claiborneone.org.   Council On Aging To Offer 55/Alive Mature Driving Course - The Claiborne Council on Aging and AARP will offer a 55/Alive Mature Driving Course on February 23 and 24 from 12:30 PM until 4:30 PM at the Claiborne Senior Center at 608 East 4th Street. The fee for the course is $10 and the last day to register is February 17. Some insurance companies may provide a discount to graduates of the course. For more information or to register, call Joe Etta Williams at 927-6922.   Local American Cancer Society Kicks Off "Relay For Life" - The Claiborne Parish Chapter of the American Cancer Society met recently to kick off the Annual Spring Relay for Life. The fund-raiser is tentatively scheduled for April 7, 2000. Anyone may organize a team for the relay. You do not have to be affiliated with a health care organization or have had a personal experience with cancer--just be interested in helping raise money for the American Cancer Society and willing to have a great time! For more information, call Gaye Brunson at 927-2024.   Homer Memorial Hospital To Hold Childbirth Classes - Homer Memorial Hospital is offering "Childbirth Preparation Classes" beginning January 11. Classes are free and are open to anyone wishing to attend, regardless of where they plan to deliver. For more information or to register, call Homer Hospital at 927-2024 and ask to speak to the OB nurse on duty.   4-H Plans Alumni Reunion In Baton Rouge In Year 2000 - The Louisiana 4-H Foundation has planned a 4-H Alumni Reunion to be held in Baton Rouge during National 4-H Week in the year 2000. For more details, call Jason Holmes or Lisa Garcia at 927-3110 or visit the website at www.agctr.lsu.edu/4h.   Looking For Adventure? Try The New Scouting Program - Are you interested in high adventure activities? Do you like to rock climb, rappel, hike and tons of other outdoor activities that are limited only by your imagination? Are you between the age of 14 and 20? If you answered yes to the above questions and would like to know more about this new and exciting program, there will be an open house at the BSA Scout Hut across the street from the Claiborne Parish School Board office on Monday, November 29 at 7 PM.     For more information call Jennifer Roberts (318) 868-2774, Mickey Anglin at 927-9080, or Wayne Hatfield at 927-2961 or 9420.