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HEADLINES
February 17, 2000

Headlines in the February 9 article of The Times, Page 1B, read "Homer hospital rebounds from past budget problems," a point echoed on the front page of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, TN on February 10. No doubt the flu epidemic helped improve the financial condition of the hospital in December and January, but as evidenced at the Hospital's Finance Committee meeting on Monday February 14, budget problems are far from over.

The new sign, "Village of Athens, City Hall and Fire Station" should be in place and fully lighted by the time the new mayor, alderman, and clerk meet Thursday, March 16. At the December 14 meeting of the Board of Alderman for the Village of Athens, Mayor Bobbie Powell and Alderman Jack Spurlock submitted their resignations effective March 13.

The Haynesville Town Council met Tuesday, February 8, approved several requests by Police Chief David Mills, considered filing a suit against Entergy, and discussed the deterioration of the water storage tank. All members of the Council were present except Kenny Killgore.

At the February 10 meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, jurors accepted the recommendation of Butch Bays to give parish employees a pay raise. On motion by Murray Powell, second by Roy Mardis, jurors unanimously approved a five percent across-the-board pay raise.

The Town of Homer Recreation Committee met Monday January 24 to discuss the Mayfield Park Project, the Legion Hut Trail, and setting up a Recreational District to provide funding for recreation facilities and programs.

NEWS BRIEFS
February 17, 2000

Claiborne Parish School Board Meets Feb 17 - The Claiborne Parish School Board will meet at 7 PM Thursday, February 17 following the work session at 6 PM.   St. Jude Benefit Concert Scheduled Saturday, Feb. 26 - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Benefit Concert featuring bluegrass, country, and gospel will be held at the Homer High School auditorium on Saturday February 26 at 6:30 PM. Admission is $5. Other contributions will be appreciated.   Claiborne Academy Selling Yearbooks Jan. 31 to Feb. 18 - Claiborne Academy yearbooks will be on sale January 31 to February 18 for $30 in the office, from elementary teachers, or Mrs. Burns. This year students can personalize their yearbook. For more information, contact a member of the journalism staff.   American Legion Post #73 To Meet At Library Feb. 24 - The American Legion Post #73 will meet in the Claiborne Parish Library on Thursday, February 24 at 7 PM.   Black Heritage Celebration Planned Saturday Feb. 19 - The production "Because I Too Sing America" is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 19 at 7 PM at Homer City Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. For more information, call Naomi Levingston at 927-3600 or Linda Robinson at 927-1312.   Homer Memorial Hospital Offers Free Bone Density Screening - Homer Memorial Hospital will offer a free bone density screening Tues. Feb. 29 and Wed. March 1, 10 AM-3 PM. One of every two women past menopause is at risk for osteoporosis. Women over age 55 should call 927-2024 to sign up.   Claiborne Council On Aging Hosts Free Health Screening - The Claiborne Council On Aging and Springhill Medical Center will hold a free health screening Thursday, February 17 from 10-11 AM at the Senior Center, 608 East 4th Street, Homer. Cholesterol will be checked free of charge. Come by and bring a friend. For more info call 927-6922.   Board Of Supervisors To Meet Wed. February 23 - Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders said the Claiborne Parish Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday, February 23 at 10 AM at the Registrar's Office to draw commissioners and alternates.   Public Forum For Judge Candidates Set For Feb. 24 - The five candidates for District Judge, Division B and C, have been invited to attend a public forum Thursday, February 24 at 5 PM at Homer City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.   Local Citizens' Input Essential For La. Small Town Program - The Louisiana Small Town Program wants your ideas and suggestions at an open town meeting rescheduled for Thursday, March 2 at 5 PM at Homer City Hall. Officials from the Governor's Office of Rural Development will discuss future plans for Homer and the immediate surrounding area. To get an accurate picture of the community it is very important to have good representation from all areas, including but not limited to, education, health care, churches, public works, civic organizations, elected officials (local, parish, state), financial institutions, businesses, and others. If you have questions, call the Mayor's office at 927-1312.   EPA Water Regulations, Land Use Control Threaten Rights - A special meeting has been called for Monday, February 21 at 6 PM in the West Monroe Civic Center at 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe. The EPA is proposing to further expand its regulatory authority to include agricultural and forestry operation through federally approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation programs, presenting a major threat to private landowners, no matter how big or small. If you are interested in uniting with national agricultural and forestry organization to fight these rule changes, you should attend this important meeting. For more info, call the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation at (225) 922-6211, the Louisiana Forestry Association at (318) 443-2558, or the LSU Ag Center at (225) 388-2544.   Claiborne Parish Dixie Baseball Seeking Board Members - Claiborne Parish Dixie Baseball is seeking nominations for Board Members for the 2000 baseball season. Board members serve three year terms. Anyone wishing to serve can contact Ken Bailey at 927-2011 or 927-9339.      Registration forms have been mailed to all who played in the league last year. Others can register at the Council Chambers on March 2 at 6:30 PM.   "Miniature Wonders Nature Walk" At Lake Claiborne - Learn about the small and easily overlooked plant, animal and insect life at Lake Claiborne State Park. The Nature Walk will take place on Saturday, March 4 from 9 to 10 AM and participants will have the opportunity to view them up close through hand held lenses. For more information call 927-2976.   Lake Claiborne To Host "Attracting Hummingbirds" March 11 - On Saturday March 11 from 7-8 PM, the park naturalist at Lake Claiborne State Park will teach visitors how to identify and attract hummingbirds. Hummingbird biology and the habitats of this unique species will also be discussed. For more information, call 1-888-677-2524 toll free or 318-927-2976 locally.   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. To register, call Joe Etta Williams at 927-6922.				Hospitality Training Set For February 17 CANCELED - The one-day seminar entitled "Hospitality Training" planned for Thursday, February 17 at Homer City Hall was canceled due to the low number of applicants. The Homer Chamber of Commerce, Haynesville Chamber of Commerce, and the LSU AgCenter will try to reschedule the seminar at a more convenient time for business owners. The goal of the seminar was to better prepare our community for the increasing tourism in our state and our parish by offering an inexpensive way 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, which would also serve as a benefit to employers.   Claiborne Parish Head Start Accepting Applications - Head Start is now recruiting and accepting applications in Claiborne Parish for three, four, and five year-olds born before October 1. Head Start offers many benefits to the child, family and special services for children with special needs. To enroll a child, you must have a certified birth certificate and proof of income. For further information, contact Connie Joyner at 927-6230 or 377-7022 est. 144   Mount Olive Christian School To Hold Book Fair - A Scholastic Book Fair will be held at Mt. Olive Christian School February 22-29. The Book Fair will be at the Middle School from 8 AM to 3 PM.   Claiborne Parish Has New Volunteer Archive Coordinator - The Claiborne Parish Archives at the U.S. GenWeb Project has a new volunteer coordinator...Kelly Priestly of Simsboro. Priestly took over the job on January 24 and has since given the site a new look, as well as adding over eighty new biographies submitted by Gwen Moran-Hernandez.   Deadline Feb. 18 To Claim Old Records At CPSB Special Ed - Claiborne Parish Special Services (Special Education) will destroy records of students who graduated prior to 1990 and received special education services. Any parent, guardian, or student (must be 18 years old) can claim records by presenting a picture I.D. at the Special Ed office at 500 North 3rd no later than February 18, 2000.   D.A.R.T. In Homer Every Thursday From 9-12 AM - D.A.R.T. of Lincoln is committed to ending domestic violence by providing shelter, legal assistance and counseling. Representatives are in Homer every Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM. For more info call (800) 281-7885 or the 24-Hour Crisis Line at (318) 251-2255.   Newspaper Recycling Program Stopped Temporarily - Due to complications with several aspects of collecting newspapers, Trailblazer announced the newspaper recycling program is being temporarily stopped. Persons interested in serving on a citizens committee to address a long range plan for recycling should contact the Trailblazer Office no later than February 29 by calling (318) 255-3554. Committee members will develop a plan for recycling, fundraising, networking, and marketing the recycling concept in this area. Letters of support and program donations should be mailed to P. Ellzey Simmons, Trailblazer Rural Development Institute, 302 Reynolds Dr., Ruston, LA 71270.   Governor's Office To Hold Statewide Forums On Disabilities - Ten statewide public seminars will be held around the state in March to solicit information from individuals with disabilities and their family members in order to formulate a strategic plan that better meets the needs of individuals with disabilities within the state of Louisiana. These forums will also serve to inform individuals with disabilities and their families about the existence and role of the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs. Meetings will be held in Monroe on March 29 from 6-8 PM at St. Francis Senior Plaza on Oliver Road--contact Shelley Thomas at (318)_361-0236 and in Shreveport on March 30 from 6-8 PM at the Willis Knighten Community Center at 2401 Bessie Street--contact Frances Hilburn at (318) 539-3388.   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!!   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.   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.