HEADLINES - September 27, 2001

Homer Girl Arrested In Death Of Baby

The Louisiana State Police arrested a 16-year-old female from Homer on Monday, September 24 for the apparent drowning of her newborn son. The baby was born Wednesday, September 12 and according to Kevin Baxter, spokesman for the state police, the baby was allowed to drown in the toilet. The girl called the baby's father, also a juvenile, who then called Homer Mayor David Aubrey. Aubrey later carried the boy and baby to Homer Memorial Hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead.

Jurors Approve Reapportionment Plan

Haynesville Not Included In Renewal Community Plan

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Claiborne Parish police jurors approved the fourth plan for reapportionment presented by Gray Stothart with the Coordinating and Development Corporation (CDC) at their September 6 meeting. Stothart said all three initial plans were genuine majority/minority districts. After studying the three proposals presented on a large scale map, jurors asked Stothart to make some changes. The biggest change in the fourth proposal was moving Lisbon from Gene Coleman's district to Roy Mardis' district. Jurors unanimously approved the proposal. The Justice Department will now have 60 days to comment. The new district plan will be in place by the 2003 election.

Clean City Committee Sets Date For Trash Bash And Benefit BBQ

The Clean City Committee was organized from the Homer Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Town of Homer. The objective was to pick up trash on Highway 79 going through Homer, to work with the Town getting dilapidated houses renovated, repaired or demolished; to work with the Town to get unlicensed cars removed, and to get lots cleaned up and the accumulation of trash removed. The Committee tries to hold a "Trash Bash" every month at the old Coca-Cola plant on East 3rd. The next "Trash Bash" is planned for Saturday, September 29. The operational income of the CCC is obtained through the sale of garbage bags and through voluntary donations. On Friday, October 12, they will hold a Benefit Barbecue at noon at Homer City Hall. Tickets are $10. For more information, call the Homer Chamber of Commerce at 927-3271 or Pete Pearson at 927-2342.

Claiborne To Host First Regional Police Jury Association Meeting

Claiborne Parish will host possibly the first ever regional meeting of the Police Jury Association on Saturday, October 27. Last October, local juror T.E. "Gene" Coleman was elected Region Four President He said, "In serving as President, it gives us the opportunity to host the Regional meeting in Claiborne Parish, therefore, gives us an opportunity to showcase our parish."

Character Counts! In Fifth Year--430 Kids And Counting

A person of character is a good, upright person who demonstrates honesty and integrity each and everyday, who knows the difference between right and wrong and does not let peer pressure dictate their actions, and who does what is right even when no one is watching. They are someone to look up to and admire, a role model for others to follow. Character education is an important component of a child's total education that goes beyond the 3 R's. Knowledge without goodness is wasted. Theodore Roosevelt, one of our country's great leaders, said it best, "To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

Cause Of Deadly Fire Ruled Accidental

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Louisiana State Police and an Independent Fire Investigator have completed their investigation of the mobile home fire on August 19, 2001 west of Homer that took the lives of two small Homer children. According to a news release issued by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined, although it appears to have started in the children's bedroom.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2001 NEWS BRIEFS

Claiborne One Website Features The Guardian-Journal Briefs

The Claiborne One website at www.claiborneone.org features news from Homer, Haynesville, Junction City, and all of Claiborne Parish, To contribute news or to purchase an advertising banner, call Joel Ponder at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-6197.

Friday Last Day For Boy Scout Eagle Project Coat Drive

Boy Scouts Troop 72, in conjunction with Community Services, Claiborne Cleaners, and Al-N-Way Cleaners, will end their coat drive Fri. Sept. 28th. Drop off points - Wal-Mart, Regions Bank, Hibernia Bank, and First Baptist Church, or call Chris Hatfield at 927-2961 for pick up. Only new and used coats in good condition will be accepted, then cleaned and distributed to needy families in local area.

Still Time To Register For Homer Elementary 4-Year-Old Pre-K

Pre-K classes are still not full. Parents of four-year-olds who are interested in enrolling their children in the Pre-K program at Homer Elementary should call the school at 927-2393.

Junction City Parent-Teacher Conference Rescheduled

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Junction City High School Parent-Teacher Conference set for September 27 has been rescheduled. It will be held on Tuesday, October 2 from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Haynesville Elementary To Sponsor Red Cross Coin Drive

The Haynesville Elementary School will be sponsoring a coin drive for the Red Cross for the "USA CRISES" from Monday, September 17 through October 8. The public and town businesses are invited to participate. All coin (or bill) are being accepted and will be greatly appreciated.

Benefit Concert For Red Cross Set For Saturday, Sept. 29

A Benefit Concert for the American Red Cross for victims of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 at Crossroads Lounge. At 7:30 PM-Dick's Hat Band (Pat Gladney and Dick Dorrell), 9 PM-Torch (Christina Gladney, Julie Bray, Shannon Lonon), and 10 PM-Mud (pie) - (Rusty and Brian, formerly of Militia). If you can't make it out to enjoy the music, please come by and make a donation.

Cub Scout Pack 7 To Hold Bass Tournament Saturday, Sept. 29

Cub Scout Pack 7 to host 1st Annual Open Bass Tournament Sat., Sept. 29, 6 AM-2 PM. Participants can fish anywhere in Claiborne Parish. Sign in at BSA Hut across from school board and weigh in at Lisbon landing. Applications available at Michael's Sporting Goods, Wal-Mart, Keith's Food Mart, Mini-Mart, M&M Hardware, or any Cub Scout. Entry fee is $20, Big Bass $5. Cash prizes, based on entry fees. Call 927-2961.

Homer Mayfield Alumni Committee To Meet October 2

The Homer-Mayfield Alumni Committee will hold their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, October 2 at 6 PM at 906 South 4th Street in Homer. All interested person should attend.

Junction City Homecoming Parade Changed, Reception Set

The parade route of the Junction City Homecoming Parade has been changed. The parade will line up in front of the Elementary building, go south on Hwy. 167, turn west on 4th Street (next to Hardee Mart), then take Elm Street back to the school. The parade will start about 1:30 PM on Friday, September 28 following the Pep Rally at 12:30. Junction City Alumni are invited to a Homecoming reception from 2:30-6 PM in the Home Ec building. All former Dragosn are asked to stop by and sign guest book. Looking for info on oldest living alumni. Call (870) 927-4576.

Northwest Legal Services At Council On Aging Thursday, October 18

Northwest Legal Services will be at Claiborne Council on Aging on Thursday, October 18. If you have any legal documents that a lawyer needs to look at, you can call the COA at 318-927-6922 or 1-800-308-8951, or Northwest Legal Services at 1-800-621-2488. If you are wanting to know anything about legal documents, please call for appointment.

Mt. Olive Christian School Estate Auction Set For Sat. October 13

Mt. Olive Christian School will be holding an estate auction on Saturday, October 13 at 10 AM at the middle school campus (1-1/2 miles east of Athens on Hwy. 518). The estates of C.O. and Essie Keen and Calvin Pardue have been donated to MOCS and limited consignments will be accepted. Call Len Gantt at 258-5483 or 243-0674, or the main campus at 258-5661, for more info or a flyer. You will not want to miss this auction!

Account Set Up At Regions Bank For Haidyn Jace Herring

An account has been set up at Regions Bank to defray expenses for Haidyn Jace Herring and his parents Jamey and Wendy (Brown) Herring of Spearsville. Haidyn was born September 16, over three months premature and will be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe until December. Deposits can be made at any Regions Bank location.

Pelican Dolls To Hold Baked Potato Supper October 12 At 5 PM

The Homer High School Pelican Dolls will hold a baked potato supper on Friday, October 12 at the high school cafeteria from 5-6:30 PM prior to the Homer-Springhill football game. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance from any Pelican Doll or from Kim Pumphrey, sponsor. Meal includes baked potato with all the trimmings, tea and dessert. For info, call 927-2985.

Donated Items Sought For Doll Making In Homer!

Items are needed to make dolls and other gifts for Christmas--fabrics, lace, tape, ribbon, thread, sweat pants, sweat shirts, etc. Ladies meet the first Tuesday of each month at the Homer Church of Christ Annex Building on West Main to make dolls, lap robes, doll quilts, pillows, etc. Volunteers are welcome. For more info, call Jo Ann Kendrick at 927-3069.

Claiborne Parish Health Unit Now Offering Pneumonia Shots

The Claiborne Parish Health Unit has the PPV-23 pneumonia vaccine for high risk individuals, age 65 years and older. Shots are administered on Fridays from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, but will be by appointment only sometime in the future.

Homer Memorial Hospital To Hold Childbirth Preparation Classes

Homer Memorial Hospital will be offering Childbirth Preparation Classes beginning October 15. These 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 Memorial at (318) 927-2024 and ask for the OB nurse on duty.

Ford Museum Needs Photos From WWII Home Front

The Herbert S. Ford Museum is searching for photos taken on the Home Front during World War II of the activities that occurred in Claiborne Parish--scrap metal drives, war bond sales, Red Cross gatherings, etc. Photos of our WWII veterans are also needed for display for the upcoming Produce for Victory: Posters on the American Home Front, 1941-1945 exhibit from the LEH and Smithsonian Institute. For more information, call Linda Volentine at 927-9190.

Lisbon To Hold Public Hearing On LCDBG Funds For Housing

The Village of Lisbon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 9 at 6 PM at the Lisbon Civic Center to get views on the housing and community development needs of the Village and of planning the submission of an application for La. Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) funds for 2002-2003 .

Absentee Voting For October 20 Election Will Be October 8-13

Absentee voting for the October 20 election for District 9 Police Juror and for the Claiborne Parish Recreation District Ward 2 & 3 proposition in Haynesville will be held Monday, October 8, through Saturday, October 13. The office of the Registrar of Voters at 518 East Main will be open from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday and from 8:30 AM-noon on Saturday. New voter registration and address changes must be made by Wednesday, September 19. For more information, call Patricia Sanders at 927-3332.

Homer Masonic Lodge To Hold Charity Bass Tournament

The First Annual Masonic Charity Bass Tournament will be held on Lake Claiborne on Saturday, October 20. First Place will pay $350, with $300 for the Big Bass. There will be a prize of $100 for the Kids Under 12 Big Bass and $100 for the Lady Angler Big Bass. (based on 50 teams entering) For additional information, contact Tom Brewton at 927-6619 or Dick Dorrell at 927-9200.