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April 26, 2001

 

Homer Man Drowns In Pond Near Athens

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Darryl Shawn Bailey, 25, of Carter Drive in Homer, drowned around 8 PM on Monday, April 23, while fishing with two friends. Bailey, Lakeidrick George, 26, of Pearl Street in Homer, and Derrick Ford, 24, of Carter Drive, were fishing on a small private pond about eight miles west of Athens on Hwy. 518 when the aluminum boat they were fishing in began to take on water and sank. All three were fully clothed, but only Ford was wearing a life preserver. George managed to swim to shore before realizing Bailey was struggling. He removed his heavy clothes and swam back to help.

State Inmate Escapes From Parish Work Detail, Turns Himself In

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

State inmate Thomas P. Stephens, 32, escaped from a parish work detail on Thursday, April 19. According to Chuck Talley, chief investigator with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the crew from the Claiborne Detention Center (CDC) had just completed the day’s work and had returned to the parish barn on Hwy. 79 beside Ludlow Corp. about 3:35 PM. While cleaning up, Stephens managed to slip out, unhitch the chipper and drive off in the parish work truck. He was last seen heading west on Hwy. 79 toward Minden.

Council Approves Plan For Addition To Homer Hospital

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Homer Town Council, at a special called meeting Monday, April 23, granted permission for the Homer Memorial Hospital Board to advertise for bids to construct a building to house the ten geriatric beds presently located in Haynesville. Hospital administrator James McClung said Medicare has made it increasingly difficult to run these beds offsite. Presently, HMH is paying $5,000 per month, or $60,000 per year, to rent the Haynesville facility from Hospital Service District No. 1. At an estimated cost of $400,000, the facility will pay for itself by savings generated from those rental costs.

Bids On Haynesville School Bonds To Lower Millage

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Claiborne Parish School Board held a Special Meeting Thursday, April 19 to open the sealed bids for the purchase of $8,100,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2001, for the Haynesville District. All four bids came in well below the expected 5.5 percent interest rate. Board members awarded the low bid of 4.928 percent to Morgan Keegan & Co. Superintendent Gary Jones said, “This bid was much better than we anticipated and will lower the millage rate from 35 mills to 31 mills, a savings of about 11 percent.”

LHA President Commits To Help Homer Memorial Hospital

By Susan T. Herring,

Lynn B. Nicholas, President & CEO of the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA), made a visit to Homer Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, April 11, where she spent two hours touring the facility and discussing the LHA agenda with hospital administrator James McClung and board chairman Buddy Pixley. Nicholas said, ”(LHA) needs to work hard during this state legislative session. This hospital is there for this community, we need to make sure the state resources are there for this hospital." To contact your state legislators--Call Rep. Rick Gallot at (318) 251-8480, Sen. Robert Barham at (318) 728-6830, or Sen. Foster Campbell at (318)746-2078

National Day of Prayer Set For May 3 On Courthouse Square

On Thursday, May 3, 2001, the citizens of Homer will join millions of Americans to observe the 49th National Day of Prayer as they come together on the grounds of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse at 12 Noon for a time of prayer. The Homer Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group join together to sponsor a prayer meeting to pray for our nation, its leaders, local and state officials, law enforcement personnel and the family. At 11 AM, Trinity Southern Methodist Church will be open for a Prayer Vigil to end at 11:30 AM with the reading of Dr. Billy Graham's prayer he wrote for the National Day of Prayer this year. This prayer will be prayed across the nation from coast to coast at 12:30 PM EST. The Call to Prayer at the Courthouse will be given shortly before noon by the sound of the siren of a Homer Police car circling the Square. Plans for the meeting to be brief enough to enable the participants to attend and have time for lunch before returning to work.

April 26, 2001

Shreveport-Bossier Firefighters To Host Benefit For Michael Waits - Shreveport-Bossier firefighters will host a 3-day benefit rodeo at the Double R Arena in Stonewall, LA, April 27-29 for Michael Waits of Arcadia, who was recently diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a degenrative nerve disorder known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Waits is the son of Mack and Margaret Waits and brother of Ann Holomon and Sondra Waits, and is married to Cora Phillips Waits, formerly of Haynesville. Activities will begin at 7 PM Friday with bull riding, then 10 AM Saturday with wild cow milking, suicide blue chip and pinball, and Sunday at 1 PM with branding, pasture roping, mugging, and team penning. Michael has been on medical leave from the Shreveport Fire Dept. since February and recently returned to light duty at the Shreveport Fire Academy. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Arcadia and is a volunteer with the Arcadia Fire Dept. and North Bienville Fire District. For more info on entries and events, call Mike Dooley at (318) 741-8323 or 987-2601 or Steve Dooley at (318) 673-6612 or 965-0992.    Absentee Voting For May 5 Election Set For April 23-28 - Absentee voting for the May 5 election for mayor and police chief in Haynesville will be held April 23-28. The Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters will be open from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday, and from 8:30 Am - 12 Noon on Saturday    American Legion Baseball To Meet At Armory Park Today - American Legion Baseball will hold an organizational meeting, Thursday, April 26 at 7 PM at the Armory Park. All interested parties are asked to please attend. For more information, call Bill Herring at 927-9312.    “First Praise” Christian Music Program Set For Friday May 4 - “First Praise,” a Christian music program will hold its first performance at the Claiborne Country building on Hwy. 9 north in Homer on Friday, May 4 at 7 PM. Performances will be held once each month. Come and enjoy Christian music and fellowship with performers Tommye Jane English, Nancy Nelson, Chris Sherrill, and many more. Admission is free and handicap accessible.    Are Drugs Affecting Your Family Or A Friend? - Narconon (the name means "No Drugs") was established in 1966 to help people get off drugs and they have been active in drug rehabilitation and eradication ever since. Narconon provides answers to drug addiction, free assessment, evaluation and referral services to internationally recognized alternative and traditional treatment facilities. Drug addiction can be overcome. Call 1-800-468-6933 or visit their website at www.stopaddiction.com.    Are You Being Hurt By Someone You Love? - Are you being hurt by someone you love? D.A.R.T. can help! D.A.R.T., the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, serves the parishes of Claiborne, Lincoln, Union, Bienville, and Jackson, and 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.    Annual Law Day Celebration Set For May 4 In Union Parish - The Third Judicial District Court and Union Parish Bar Association announce its annual Law Day Celebration at the Union Parish Courthouse at 12 Noon Friday, May 4. This year’s theme is “Protecting the Best Interests of Our Children.” Federal District Judge Robbie James will be honored and will present an original oil painting of the Courthouse by Larce Holder which is being donated by First United Bank. The public is encouraged to attend.    College-Bound Students Register For ACT Exam By May 4 - The next ACT Assessment will be held nationwide on June 9. College-bound high school students must register by May 4. The test fee is $23. Students can get information on registering from their high school counselors or can register online at www.act.org. The late registration deadline is May 18    Trailblazers, Inc. Is Collecting Newspapers For Recycling - Trailblazers, Inc. of Ruston is collecting newspapers for recycling and will be picking up newspapers at the following locations--Homer City Hall, Haynesville City Hall, and Athens City Hall. Papers can be bound with string or placed in paper bags. No plastic bags. People are encouraged to drop off newspapers ONLY. Please do not place colored ad slicks or magazines in the bins.    Homer Memorial Hospital Health Fair - Homer Memorial Hospital Health Fair to be held on April 27th, 10 am - 2 pm, in hospital lobby. A wide variety of test will be performed including Eyescreening, Glaucoma Check, Blood Pressure & Weight, Body Fat Analysis and many more... «Full Story»    Donations Being Collected For Daniel Peterson Monument - Donations are being collected for a headstone for the grave site of Daniel Peterson and Nancy Colby Peterson in the Peterson Cemetery at Pleasure Point just off White Lightning Road. Any Peterson descendant who would like to make a donation should please contact Susan Herring at 927-3541 or 927-9312, or mail donation to 231 North Main, Homer. The Peterson Cemetery Memorial and Graveyard Workings will be held Saturday morning, April 28, and will end with a covered dish lunch at noon. Donations for the upkeep of the cemetery can be sent to Odessa Roberts, 134 Willow Street, Homer.    The LSTP Drug Committee Will Meet Wednesday, May 2 - The Louisiana Small Town Program (LSTP) Drug Committee will meet at noon at Homer City Hall on Wednesday, May 2.    Claiborne Council On Aging March Calendar Of Events - Bingo is played every Friday after Lunch. Lunches are serveddaily Mondy thru Friday. Exercise treadmills and rowing machines are available. Slip and molds are available for ceramics.    New Cabins At Lake Claiborne State Park Are Open - Ten new vacation cabins opened at Lake Claiborne State Park on January 9. Units rent for $65 with a 2-night minimum on weekends. and have everything but towels and soap. To reserve your cabin, call toll free (877) CAMP-N-LA (226-7652) from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Image archive of Lake Claiborne State Park now online.    Claiborne Baseball/Softball Schedules and Scores Online - Claiborne One to feature baseball and softball schedules and scores for Claiborne Parish Schools. Now online: Homer, Haynesville, Summerfield, Mount Olive and Junction City. Coming Soon: Athens, Pine View and Claiborne Academy. Please email updates to schedules and scores to GJ_Editor@ClaiborneOne.org.    Grief Support Group Meets 1st And 3rd Mondays - The Grief Support Group meets every 1st and 3rd Monday at 6 PM at the Homer Memorial Hospital Conference Room. The Group is open to anyone experiencing grief over a recent or past loss. For more info, call Toni Camp at 371-1140.				The Claiborne Charity Classic Golf Tournament - The Haynesville & Homer Golf Clubs invite you to participate in our Third Annual Claiborne Charity Classic Golf Tournament, May 4-6. Two-man teams will compete in a Best Ball Competition, two days 18 holes per day at Homer Golf Course and one day on Haynesville Golf Course. Event will begin with a social at Olde Town Farms on Friday, May 4th. A Dinner and Dance will be held at the Homer Country Club, Saturday, May 5th. Tickets are $35 each ($60 per couple) and available at First Guaranty Bank, First National Bank in Arcadia, Haynesville City Hall, Killgore's Pharmacy in Haynesville, Merle Norman Emporium in Homer, Buffalo's in Magnolia and Porterville Store in Cullen. For more information, contact George Tigner at George Tigner at 624-1171.    National Day Of Prayer To Be Observed May 3 In Homer - On Thursday, May 3, at 12 noon, citizens of Homer are encouraged to join millions of Americans in observance of the 49th National Day of Prayer on the grounds of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, being sponsored by the Homer Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group.    Co-Ed Softball Tournament Scheduled For Saturday, May 5 - The Homer High Student Council is sponsoring a Co-Ed Softball Tournament Saturday, May 5 at Homer Armory Park. Entry fees are $75 per team with a limit of ten teams. Deadline to register is Wednesday, May 2. Contact Kim Pumphrey at 927-2985 (HHS) or at home (870) 924-5779.    Haynesville Elementary To Hold Spring Music Program May 4 - The preschool and kindergarten classes of Haynesville Elementary School will present their annual spring music program Friday, May 4, at 9:30 AM in the school auditorium. The preschool will be performing two of Aesop’s fables, The Little Red Hen and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The kindergarten class will perform the musical It’s Saturday, The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 624-1084.    Pre-K, Kindergarten Registration Set At Pineview, Summerfield - Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will be held at Pineview - Monday-Friday, May 7-11, during normal school hours and at Summerfield - Friday, May 4 from 8 AM - 2 PM A child must be four years old by September 30, 2001, to register for the Pre-Kindergarten Program. A child must be five years old by September 30, 2001, to register for Kindergarten. Parents must bring the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, and an up-to-date health card.    Entrants Needed For Claiborne Parish Flag Design ContestEntrants Needed For Claiborne Parish Flag Design Contest - The Claiborne Parish Police Jury, in cooperation with the Claiborne Parish 4-H program invite all Claiborne Parish students to enter the Claiborne Parish Flag Design Contest. Entry deadline is May 25, 2001. Cash awards of $100, $50, and $25 will be awarded in three categories--grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. For more information, call the LSU AgCenter Extension Office at 927-3110.    Registration For Summer Driver’s Education Class To Begin May 7 - Driver’s Education Classes will begin Monday, June 11, 8 AM at Homer High School. Students may register at the School Board office beginning May 7. Class size is limited, so early registration is encouraged. The registration fee is $180, payable by money order or cashier’s check to the Claiborne Parish School Board. Bring proof of age at time of registration. All driver’s education students must be 15 years of age on or before June 11, 2001.    Indian Creek Bowman To Hold St. Jude Benefit May 5 - Indian Creek Bowman, Inc. will hold 7th Annual St. Jude Benefit 3-D Bow Shoot on Saturday, May 5. All proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Shooting times are 9 AM - 1:30 PM except Pro Class which will be 9 AM - Noon. Concessions available. The range is 4 miles East from Crossroads Grocery on Hwy. 615, off Hwy. 159 in Shongaloo. Contact Dean Claunch at 624-0761 or Mary Strange 846-2632.    Summerfield High School PTO TO Hold Fish Fry, Auction May 5 - The Summerfield High School PTO is holding a Fish Fry, Auction and Raffle on Saturday, May 5 at 6 PM. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now for $7.5 from all Summerfield teachers and PTO members.    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 927-2011.    Country, Bluegrass, Gospel Music Every Friday In Homer - Every Friday night in downtown Homer, amateur musicians from all over the Ark-La-Tex meet at the Homer Fire Station to enjoy a little country, bluegrass, gospel, and fellowship. Anyone is welcome to join in, or just sit back and enjoy. For more information, call Ed Dettenheim at 927-5253 or Jerry Brown at 927-3792. «Full Story»    Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive - Archived images from the recent Homer Christmas Festival and Parade are now online. Upcoming image archives to include: Haynesville Butterfly Festival 2000, Homer Christmas Festival 1999, Claiborne Parish Scenery, Lake Claiborne State Park and more. To submit your images for inclusion in the Claiborne One Image Archive you may email them to webmaster@ClaiborneOne.org.    HMH offers MRI's - Homer Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the availability of MRI procedures two days a week in Homer.     The JCAHO-accredited system, provided by Alliance Imaging, is a Siemens 1.0 with a fast pack. The moblie MRI produces images as good as an on-site MRI.     MRI procedures performed in Homer by Alliance Imaging specialists are read by radiologists from Diagnostic Associates; films become part of the patients permanent record and stay on-site at HMH.     Appointments should be made through your physician; the ordering physician does not have to be a local physician.     "We are proud to offer this service to our community. Residents no longer have to drive to Shreveport to receive a state-of-the-art MRI examination." reminds Homer Memorial Radiology department.    Attention: Girls, Grades 1-6 Invited To Join Girl Scouts - Girl Scouts of American Troop 344 invite all girls in grades 1-6 to "Where Girls Grow Strong,". For more info call Melissa Smith at 927-4585 or Stacey Hollenshead at 927-4601.    Claiborne One Site Additions Under Construction! - The complete Community Service Directory originally produced by The Family First Coalition will be presented online. Information covered includes: Educational Programs & Resources, Hotlines, Health && Medical Resources, Social && Community Programs, Clubs && Organizations, Related Internet Resources and much more. Portions are now online with additions monthly. The Internet Multi-Search page searches/opens up to six sites with one entry. A variety of links are now online: Search Engines, Meta-Search Engines, Health/Medical, International News, Online Newspapers, News/Discussion Groups, Sports News, Software, Entertainment, Acceptable Sites for Teens, Kids/Educational, Travel, Job Search, Financial/Stock Market News, Online Shopping and now Metric Conversion Calculators. Coming soon will be Clip Art, HTML and Javascript Repositories.
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