Last Thursday, January 6, 2000, Sherman Brown was given the honor of opening a homemade time capsule buried in 1988 near the steps of Haynesville High School. It was in 1988 when Brown was principal of Haynesville Elementary that teachers and parents of the kindergarten class, realizing these students would be the first class to graduate in the 21st Century, decided to bury the capsule.

Fred Campbell of Pine Bluff will keep you on your toes with his "Four Star Excitement" motivational address as the featured speaker at the Homer Chamber of Commerce's 35th Annual Banquet. The event will be held at the Homer City Hall on Monday, January 31, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.

Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead announced the investigation following the December 20, 1999 armed robbery of Bill's Dollar Store located in the Village Shopping Center has led to the arrest and indictment of one adult and three juveniles. Two of the juveniles will be tried as adults.

Homer Memorial Hospital's "Acting" Administrator James McClung called the January 6 meeting of the newly appointed Board of Directors to order. On the agenda for the first meeting in 2000 was electing officers, updating by-laws, and discussing personnel changes.

Twenty-six years ago on December 22, 1973, Edna Brown was appointed Postmistress at the Summerfield Post Office. On December 31, 1999, she retired and was replaced by Nedra Kent of Lillie.

Mayor David Aubrey Told Council Members The State Attorney General's Office Was Investigating The Scholarship Program At Homer Memorial Hospital For The Purpose Of Issuing An Opinion.

Mayor David Aubrey called the first meeting of the new year to order with only three council members present--Patricia Jenkins, Ed Watson, and Joseph Merritt. On the agenda was a beer permit application for Brookshire's, appointment of Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Police Chief, and a resolution to allow the Town business office to make night deposits at First Guaranty Bank.

Haynesville Town Council Renews Agreement With Fire District
BY Susan T. Herring,  Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Mayor Tom Crocker and the Haynesville Town Council met December 14, 1999 hired an auditor, approved an intergovernmental agreement with the fire districts, approved holidays for 2000, accepted bids on surplus equipment, and discussed concerns on Nelson Drive, drainage on Washington Street, and a number of vacant buildings.

NEWS BRIEFS
January 13, 2000

The Guardian-Journal Did Not Publish Paper Dec. 30. - NOTICE! The Guardian-Journal did not publish a newspaper December 30, 1999.   State Fire Marshal Lifts Open Burning Restrictions - State Fire Marshal V. J. Bella lifted the statewide restriction on open burning on January 4. This does not have any affect on restrictions on open burning by local or by other state agencies.     Citizens are urged to contact local fire departments prior to conducting any burning activity. Bella said, "There are still areas of the state that are very dry and citizens should use the utmost caution before conducting any type of burning. Civil and possible criminal penalties could arise from any fire that gets out of control through negligence or malice."   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.   Not All Louisiana Taxpayers Will Receive Tax Booklets - In order to save approximately $260,000, the State of Louisiana announced it will not mail pre-addressed state individual income tax booklets in January to 650,000 Louisiana taxpayers who have used alternative methods to file their income tax returns in the past two years. 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 Department's Internet web page at www.rev.state.la.us.   Claiborne Parish School Board To Meet January 13 - The Claiborne Parish School Board will meet at 7 PM Thursday, January 13, 2000 at 415 East Main in Homer.   South Claiborne Water Board To Meet Jan. 17 - The South Claiborne Water System Annual Board and Member Meeting will be held at the Cross Roads Community Center in Athens on Monday, January 17 at 7 PM. All members are invited to attend.   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.   Homer Football Banquet Scheduled For January 24 - Louisiana Tech's new head football coach Jack Bicknell will be the guest speaker at the Homer High School Football Banquet on Monday, January 24 at 7 PM. The Banquet will be held at Homer City Hall this year. Tickets are selling for $5 and can be purchased at the door.   Pine Hill Water System To Meet Monday, January 17 - The Pine Hill Water System will hold their monthly meeting at 6 PM on Monday, January 17, at the Claiborne Manor Nursing Home.   FREE Health Fair At Homer City Hall Wednesday, January 19 - The Homer Housing Authority and the Bernice Community Rehabilitation Hospital is sponsoring a Health Fair on Wednesday, January 19 from 10 AM till 2 PM at Homer City Hall. Education on strokes. Free cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure screenings. Refreshments. For "free" transportation, contact the Homer Housing Authority at 927-3579 by Tuesday, January 18. For more information, call Shaneka Ferrell or Kerry Sims at 927-3579.   Free Tickets To Louisiana Tech Basketball Game January 22 - Joe Ellis Michael has 100 free tickets to the Louisiana Tech-Arkansas basketball game to be televised on ESPN at noon Sunday, January 22.   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.   Homer High Basketball This Week - Friday, Jan. 14 - Pels play Summerfield here. Game time 6 PM.     Tuesday Jan. 18 - Pels will play Sibley here. Game time 6 PM.		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.   Cross Disability Support Group To Meet At Noon January 19 - The Cross Disability Support Group meets at noon the third Wednesday of each month at the Claiborne Council on Aging at 608 East 4th in Homer. The Group is open to all ages for people with disabilities, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's, heart disease, etc., as well as survivors, friends, caregivers, family members and the general public. Participants share their stories and hear presentations by health care professionals. For more information, call Doris Gomery at New Horizons at (800) 228-1634 or Joe Etta Williams at 927-6922.   Council On Aging Board And Advisory Council To Meet - The Annual Joint Meeting of the Claiborne Council on Aging Board of Directors and Advisory Council will be held on January 18, 2000 at 2 PM at the Claiborne Senior Center.   Northwest Louisiana Legal Services At COA January 25 - The Northwest Louisiana Legal Services will visit the Claiborne Council on Aging on Tuesday, January 25. Individual professional counseling is available from an attorney on a non-fee generating case basis. Appointments can be made by calling the COA at 927-6922 or (800) 308-8951 or by calling Northwest Louisiana Legal Services, Inc. at (800) 621-2488.   Homer Chamber Of Commerce Banquet Set January 31 - Fred Campbell, also known as General George Patton, Attila the Hun, or Class A Collored Behind the Badge, will entertain those attending the 35th Anniversary Celebration Banquet of the Homer Chamber of Commerce on January 31, 2000 at the Homer City Hall.     For tickets - Contact Mac Brakefield, Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce. homercoc@ClaiborneOne.org or call 318-927-3271   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.   Triad Of Claiborne Taking Smoke Detector Application - The Claiborne Parish SALT Council is accepting applications from persons age 60 or older who are on a low income and cannot afford to buy a smoke detector. For more information or an application form, contact Alf Pike at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office at 927-2011.   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.