HEADLINES ‑ December 6, 2001

Homer Fire Department Earns Class 3 Fire Rating

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

Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher informed the Homer Town Council at their regular meeting Monday, December 3 that he had received official notice from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana that the fire rating classification for Homer has changed from Class 4 to Class 3, effective January 7, 2002. This is the first fire department in Claiborne Parish to ever achieve such a rating and the first department to ever respond and operate a ladder truck. Butcher said, "It is indeed quite an accomplishment and puts us in a class with towns such as Minden and Ruston that have numerous paid people on their fire department. It is a rare case when you see a volunteer fire department get a Class 3 rating."

Haynesville Hires New Superintendent, Raises Garbage Rates, Approves New Fire Truck

‑ Haynesville Police Arrest Shongaloo Man For City Hall Burglary

• Haynesville Police Officers Jason Branch and Alfred Hay heard glass breaking while patrolling Friday, November 2. They found Lonnie Minnifield, 42, of Shongaloo had broken into and was attempting to burglarize Haynesville City Hall. According to Police Chief Jim Garner, Minnifield was arrested and charged with burglary, attempted burglary, two counts unauthorized entry, resisting an officer, threatening a public official, and simple criminal damage. He is presently being housed at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center under bond of $13,000.

The Haynesville Town Council raised garbage rates, approved advertising for a new fire truck, hired a new town superintendent, and considered lease of the municipal airport at their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 13. Mayor Mickey Mayfield informed the council Mike Dunaway had accepted the position as town superintendent at an annual salary of $36,500.

Grassroots Effort Urges Prosecution In Death Of State Rep. Pinkie Wilkerson

District 34 State Senator Charles Jones (D‑Monroe), members of the Legislative Black Caucus and other elected officials, community leaders and ministers across the state are joining forces in a grassroots effort to urge prosecution of those responsible for the death of State Representative Pinkie Wilkerson. Rep. Wilkerson died August 2000 after her stopped vehicle was rear‑ended by another vehicle reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed in a construction area on I‑20 in Bossier City.

Homer Junior High And Trailblazer Team Up To Recycle Newspapers

The success of the recycling program of the Trailblazer Rural Development Institute during the 2000‑2001 program can easily be measured in pounds. With the help of many volunteers from the five parishes participating in the recycling program‑‑Claiborne, Lincoln, Union, Jackson, and Bienville, Trailblazer kept 99.9 tons of newspaper out of landfills. This year over 30 tons of newspaper has already been saved from local landfills.

Haynesville Man Killed In Accident

Joseph D. Howard, 31, of Haynesville died from injuries received in a one vehicle accident approximately 10:49 PM Tuesday, November 27. According to Louisiana State Police Troop G report, Howard was driving at an excessive rate of speed in rainy weather when he failed to negotiate a curve on the Dykesville Road. The 1990 Chevrolet Astro van left the road, overturned and hit a large tree, killing Howard on impact. Howard’s two‑year‑old daughter Christina was a passenger in the van. She was taken to Homer Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. An autopsy is being conducted at the pathology lab in Bossier Parish.

Library’s Success Due To Support Of Citizens

‑ Claiborne Parish Library Has Proudly Served Parish For 50 Years

BY DENICE OWENS

The Claiborne Parish Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and it is something the citizens of this parish should celebrate as one of their greatest accomplishments. In the history of public libraries and in recent years there have been many libraries closed due to lack of appreciation and support at library tax renewal elections. That is not the case in Claiborne Parish where education and libraries are considered basic and cherished needs for our citizens.

Truck Reported Stolen Found Submerged In Lake Claiborne

A 2001 Chevrolet extended cab truck belonging to Gene and Randy J. “Bubba” McKenzie was pulled from the Lake Claiborne Sunday morning after being reported stolen. The truck was discovered by Jim Zey and Dennis Butcher while duck hunting. The two noticed debris floating in the lake near the public boat landing on La. 2 (Lisbon landing) and what appeared to be the top of an antenna sticking about an inch out of the water, about sixty feet from shore.

DECEMBER 6, 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.

Lake Commission To Meet Thursday, December 13

The Lake Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, December 13 at 5:30 PM in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury board room.

“Trash Bash” Set For Saturday, December 8

The Homer Clean City Committee will hold their monthly “Trash Bash” on Saturday, December 8 from 8AM‑3PM at the old Coca‑Cola Plant.

Trailblazer Encourages Parish Residents To Recycle

Jim Marsalis, Claiborne Parish representative on the Trailblazer Board, would like to encourage all parish residents to turn in their newspapers at one of three recycling bins located in the parish, at Homer and Haynesville City Halls and R&S Hardware in Athens. Homer Junior High is also collecting old newspapers. For more information, call Marsalis at 927‑2826.

Parent Night Set At Claiborne Boys & Girls Club‑Haynesville

The Claiborne Boys & Girls Club‑‑Haynesville Unit will hold a Parent Night for all interested parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends on Monday, December 3 at 7 PM. For more info, call Connie Tell, Rene Buggs, or Linda Beene at 624‑1188 after 4 PM.

Hospital To Hold “Holiday Blues Or Depression” Seminar

Sandra Frith, Program Director for the Homer Senior Care Center, will be speaking on “What Triggers Depression in Older Adults?” in the Conference Room of the Homer Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, December 11 at 10 AM. The program will help develop coping skills aimed to help manage holiday stressors.

Homer Lions Club Members Selling Pecans For $6

The Homer Lions Club is selling pecans for their annual promotion. A fresh crop of Bergeron pecans arrived recently and can be purchased at the Homer Police Station or from any Lions Club member. The 12 oz. bags sell for $6. Pecan Chairman Rodney Hollenshead said funds raised from the sell of pecans are used for various charities supported by the Lions Club, such as the Eye Bank and Crippled Children’s Camp.

Tickets Available Now For $500 Christmas Cash Giveaway

The Homer Claiborne Chamber of Commerce will give away their annual $500 Christmas cash on Thursday, December 20. Tickets are $1 donation and are available at the Chamber office, Dr. Greg Woodalls’ office or from any Chamber board member. The drawing will be held 12 noon on December 20 at the Chamber office located in Ford Museum. For more information call Mac Brakefield at 927‑3271. Everyone is eligible for the drawing, including all chamber memberships and board of directors.

Sparta Aquifer Study Results To Be Presented December 14

The results of the Sparta Aquifer study will be presented at a meeting to be held at 2 PM on Friday, December 14 at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse in Ruston.

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.