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March 2, 2000

Haynesville Man Arrested After Trying To Run Down Deputy
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

     On February 20, Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies were patrolling the Baileytown Road area near Dodge City when they began to pursue a 1987 GMC pickup truck. They chased the vehicle down Mac Foster Road into a wooded area where two people jumped from the truck and ran.

Willis Found Guilty Of Attempted Manslaughter
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

         Corey A. Willis, 22, of Homer was found guilty of one count of attempted manslaughter of Thomas Ridley, 30, of Minden (formerly of Homer) and one count of aggravated battery of Wallace Ridley, 32, of Homer.

Claiborne Parish Man Dies From Electrocution
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

         Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies responded to a E-911 call Thursday, February 17 to a residence on Kings Point Road just east of Homer off Hwy. 146. When they arrived, they found emergency personnel from American Medical Response on the scene working on Hardy Lee Crumb, Jr.

District Judge Candidates Speak At Forum
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

         About forty people attended a public forum February 24 at Homer City Hall in hopes of learning more about the five candidates running for the two judge seats in the Second Judicial District. Candidates in Division B are Douglas L. Stokes and Jimmy Teat, both of Jonesboro, while candidates for District Judge in Division C are Jonathan M. Stewart and Glenn Fallin, both of Arcadia and Paul Myers of Ringgold.

Mardi Gras Not Just New Orleans Celebration
- Just Ask Boudreaux
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

         Most people across the United States and here in Claiborne Parish, instinctively think of New Orleans. That is, all but Homer Elementary student Boudreaux (boo-drow) LeDoux (la-dou). This Cajun name is a dead giveaway as to the birthplace of his dad, Jack LeDoux. Jack was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana in St. Landry Parish and says Mardi Gras celebrations there and in neighboring towns far surpass the ceremonial parades in New Orleans or Shreveport.

Board Of Regents Expands Education Opportunities
in Claiborne Parish
- CLED and Louisiana Small Town Program Will Take A Step Further
By Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

         The Louisiana Board of Regents met February 24 in Baton Rouge and voted unanimously to add Claiborne Parish to the service area of Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) which now includes Caddo, Bossier, and Webster. Homer Mayor David Aubrey, Dora Ann Hatch, educator with the LSU AgCenter in Claiborne Parish, and BPCC Chancellor Tom Carleton attended the meeting.

March 2, 2000

Claiborne One Features The Guardian-Journal Briefs - Claiborne One website at http://www.claiborneone.org. features current and archived headlines and new briefs for The Guardian-Journal. You can contribute information or purchase business advertising banners by calling Joel Ponder at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-6197.   The Louisiana Small Town Program Today At 5 PM - Today, March 2, officials from the Governor's Office of Rural Development will be in Homer to discuss future plans for Homer and the immediate surrounding area with local residents. This is a very important meeting!! Everyone is encouraged to attend the open town meeting at 5 PM at Homer City Hall to share their ideas or suggestions. Be there!!   Boy Scouts And Good Will Hold Annual Clothing Drive - The Boy Scouts of Northwest Louisiana will join forces with Goodwill Industries for their Annual Clothing Drive. The Scout will distribute bags in the Homer/Haynesville area on Saturday March 4. The filled bags will be picked up on Saturday, March 11.   "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 info call 927-2976.   Homer-Mayfield School Reunion Will Meet March 7 - The next meeting of the Homer-Mayfield School Reunion will be Tuesday, March 7 at 6 PM at 100 Circle Drive, Apt. 16 in Homer.   LEAP And IOWA Tests Offered To Non-Public Students - The LEAP 21 (grades 4 & 8) and the IOWA (grades 3, 5, 6, 7) tests will be administered in Claiborne Parish March 13-17. Any non-public student interested in spring testing must register at the School Board office by 4 PM Wednesday, March 8. All non-public students entering the public system in grades 5 and 9 in 2000-2001 year will be required to take the LEAP and score Approaching Basic or above. The $35 fee, cash or money order, will be refunded if the student enrolls in public school by October 1, 2000. For more information, call Barbara Monzingo at 927-3502.   Absentee Voting Set For March 2, 3, 4, and 6 - Absentee voting for the upcoming March 14 election will be held March 2, 3, 4, and 6 from 8:30 AM till 4:30 PM in the Registrar of Voters' office located downstairs in the Claiborne Parish Courthouse.   American Legion Baseball Plans Bass Tourney Mar. 18 - Claiborne Parish American Legion Baseball to hold a team bass tournament on Lake Claiborne Sat., March 18, 6:30 AM-3 PM. Weigh-in at Gladney's Marina (formerly Benson's Bay.) For more information, call Bill Herring at 927-9312.   Claiborne Dixie Baseball Registration Today 6:30 PM - Claiborne Parish Dixie Baseball will hold summer registration Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. For more info, call Ken Bailey at 927-2011 or 927-9339.   Local Citizens' Input Essential For La. Small Town Program - The Louisiana Small Town Program wants your ideas and suggestions at an open town meeting today 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.   Relay For Life Remembers And Honors Cancer Patients - At 9 PM Friday, April 7 a special candle lighting ceremony will be held to remember persons who have been affected by cancer during the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life to be held at the Homer High School Track from 6 PM - 6 AM. Luminaries purchased for $10 to honor or memorialize a cancer patient will be lighted and placed around the perimeter of the track. Send your $10 check to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 748, Haynesville, LA 71038 along with your name, address, phone number, and the name of the cancer patient and whether in honor or in memory.				Public Invited To Meeting Concerning Healthcare Cuts - Linda Welch, Executive Director of Rural Hospital Coalition, Inc. will hold a press meeting, Tues. March 7 at 11 AM at Homer Memorial Hospital, concerning how proposed Medicaid budget cuts will adversely affect rural healthcare. The public is invited to attend.   CLED Participants To Meet Tuesday, March 21 At 7 PM - All CLED participants will meet Tuesday, March 21 at Homer City Hall at 7 PM for an ongoing discussion of the area's four top priorities agreed upon during the ten week seminar held between September and November of 1999. Participants who attended an open forum on October 26 identified a number of critical issues they felt needed to be addressed in our parish. The top four priority needs were 1) improve the educational school system, 2) drugs, 3) more and better jobs, and 4) improving community leadership. Tourism tied with number four but was addressed under the jobs category.   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.   Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD - TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call Alf Pike at 927-2011 or 927-3296.   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.   To Recycle Or Not To Recycle? - The Trailblazer Rural Development Institute is currently evaluating community interest in the continuation of the recycling program. Concerned citizens are encouraged to: 1) send letters of support to Trailblazer, 302 Reynolds Drive, Ruston, LA 71270, 2) volunteer to serve on the citizens committee by calling 255-3554, and 3) support the Recycling Program through your financial contribution mailed to the Trailblazer office.   Governor's Office To Hold Statewide Forums On Disabilities - Ten statewide public forums to be held around the state in March to solicit information to formulate a strategic plan to better serve disabled persons in Louisiana, 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.   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 ext. 144   Mt. Olive Christian School To Hold Kindergarten Roundup - Mt. Olive Christian School will hold kindergarten roundup on Tuesday, March 7 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on the main school campus in Athens. Four and five-year-olds are invited to attend one of two kindergarten classes to see what a typical day at school is like. For more information, call 258-5661 from 8 AM to 3 PM.   "Kute Kid Kontest" Helps Raise Money For D.A.R.T. - The "Kute Kid Kontest" extended dates. Portraits will be taken Wed. March 8 from 1 to 4:30 PM for children up to 5 years old. Proceeds will benefit D.A.R.T. of Lincoln which serves Claiborne, Jackson, Bienville, and Union parishes. Apply at Barnes Portraiture, 211 W. Alabama, Ruston or call 255-5568 or (800) 255-0673.