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February 14, 2002

 

Tyco Says, “It’s Business As Usual At Ludlow”

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

Tyco International Ltd. announced on January 22 it would sell its plastics subsidiary. This includes their Homer plant, Ludlow Coated Products. According to Maryanne Kane, Chief Communications Officer for Tyco, “The entire Tyco plastics as a unit is up for sale. It’s not just the (Ludlow) facility. Nothing has been announced. There are some parties that are interested. There’s no final deal. “It’s business as usual at that facility (Ludlow) and the division itself.”

School Board Extends Superintendent’s Contract, Calls Bond Election For Homer Public Schools

- David Franklin Named Head Coach At Haynesville

The Claiborne Parish School Board met in Executive Session at their regular meeting on February 7, then voted to extend the contract with Superintendent Gary Jones for one year, through July 1, 2004, at his base salary plus the amount the Board would have paid to the state teacher retirement system. Since Jones entered the drop program, the Board no longer has to pay retirement to the state. The Board also agreed to include a car allowance in the new contract.

Claiborne One Of 8 Parishes Declared “Critical Ground Water Areas”

Claiborne Parish was one of eight parishes in the 16-parish Sparta Aquifer region that was named “critical ground water areas” by the Sparta Ground Water Commission at their meeting on Tuesday, February 5 in Ruston. The Commission voted to to ask the State Groundwater Management Commission to declare all or parts of eight parishes as “critical ground water areas” as recommended by the Project Committee. The eight parishes were Bienville (east of the recharge area), Caldwell (northwest corner), Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita, Union, Webster (east of recharge area, and all of the recharge area as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey in Louisiana.

Town Employee Killed While Working On Sewer Tap

William Henry Griffin, 49, of Junction City, Louisiana died from injuries sustained while working on a sewer tap with the Junction City (AR) Water & Sewer Department. According to Junction City (AR) Police Chief Lloyd Falcon, Griffin and Public Works Director Lawrence Pumphrey were working on a sewer tap on North Poplar Street on January 8, 2002 when the accident occurred. The two had dug a hole 8-1/2 feet deep, 4 feet wide and 12 feet long. Pumphrey was on the backhoe and Griffin was down in the hole probing for the sewer tap when the west wall collapsed, pinning him to the east wall. Griffin was almost completely covered by a large hunk of clay estimated to have weighed around 2,000 pounds and large enough to fill a dump truck. Griffin, who had only been working for the town about eight months, was pronounced dead at the scene by the local coroner. Falcon said ASHA (Arkansas Safety and Health Association) had been notified and he was waiting to receive their report.

Homer High To Host Semi-Pro Football

“Garland Wranglers vs. Houston Wolverines” Saturday, February 23, 2002

Two Semi-Pro football teams will play in Homer on Saturday, February 23. The game between the Garland Wranglers and the Houston Wolverines will begin at 5 PM at the Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium. Former Homer High School Pelican Greg Walker plays for the Garland Wranglers. Admission is $5.

Jury Moves Ahead On Hoodtown Project, Votes For New Roof On Health Unit

- William Maddox Of Haynesville Appointed Constable

Engineer Brad Graff informed the Claiborne Parish Police Jury at their regular meeting February 7 that Rural Development funds would be short the amount they had applied for to make improvements to the Hoodtown water system. In 2000, the Jury applied for $90,000 for the first phase of improvements for the Hoodtown project. In 2001, they applied for another $75,000. Due to budget constraints, the State is only awarding a percentage of the money applied for. The State approved paying a total of $107,000 for both phases of the Hoodtown project. Graff said money would be short but would go ahead and advertise for bids and hope the bids come in low. Bids will be opened at 9:30 AM on March 6.

Two Haynesville Police Officers Resign...

Haynesville Council Calls For Street, Sewer Tax Renewal Purchases New Fire Truck Mayor Mickey Mayfield informed the Haynesville Town Council at their regular meeting on January 8 that the streets and sewerage tax expired December 31, 2001. On motion by H. U. Slaid and second by Joyce Major, the Council voted unanimously to call an election to continue the tax which generates approximately $38,000 per year. The election will be held on the most acceptable of possible dates of April 6, May 4, or July 20.

Homer Council Votes To Name Street After Jesse T. Jones

Homer Mayor David Aubrey suggested the Homer Town Council adopt a resolution to honor former Street Superintendent Jesse T. Jones who passed away Monday, February 4 at his home, and to consider possibly naming a street after him. All five Councilmen, as well as Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead, unanimously agreed to work together to come up with an appropriate way to recognize the commitment and loyalty of Jones, who didn’t even miss work the day he died. Aubrey appointed Patricia Jenkins, Joe Merritt, Calvin Wortham, and Rodney Hollenshead to a committee to work on the project at the regular meeting of the Homer Town Council on February 11.

Homer Native Daughter Lauded For Her Gift Of Life

Peggy Deas Godfrey, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Deas of Homer, was recently featured in an article in the Valley Courier, a weekly newspaper serving the San Luis Valley in Colorado. The article published January 5, 2002 entitled “Godfrey’s gift is one of life” was written by Gilbert Konishi, director of the San Luis Valley Museum. He compared Peggy’s character to that of the pioneer women of the past--those who would “work side by side of any man in rain or snow, sometimes carrying a baby on her hip, doing whatever had to be done to survive in this harsh land.”

February 14, 2002

Reserve Your Trees Now For Trailblazer Tree Initiative - Orders are still being accepted for the annual Trailblazer Tree Initiative to be held February 12-14, 2002. Available trees include mulberry, persimmon, white and pink dogwood, pecan, black walnut, mayhaw, sawtooth oak, river birch, rep maple live oak, green ash, tulip poplar, crape myrtle, and Bradford pear. To reserve your trees, Stella daylilies, or azaleas, call 255-3554.    “Firehouse Jammers” Have Moved To Claiborne Electric - The “Firehouse Jammers” have outgrown the Homer Fire Station. They are now meeting at Claiborne Electric on Hwy. 146 All are welcome to bring their instrument and join in “picking and singing,” or just sit back and enjoy the music, the coffee and refreshments, every Friday night from 7 PM till. For more info, call Jerry Brown at 927-3792. «More»    Town Of Homer Offices Will Be Closed Monday, February 18 - The Mayor’s Office and the Business Office of the Town of Homer will be closed Monday, February 18 in observance of President’s Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 19.    Plans For Annual Homer High Class Reunion For 1974-1978 - Plans are underway for the 2nd Annual Homer High Class Reunion for the years 1974-1978 scheduled for this August. One representative for each class is asked to attend the meetings. For more information or to pick up your T-Shirts from last year’s reunion call Fred Young at 927-2372 or Gary Jenkins at 927-9379.    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.    American Legion Auxiliary Selling Blue Star Banners - The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #73 has Blue Star Banners on sale at the General Discount Store in Homer (behind Gray’s Jewelry) for $7 each. Blue Star Banners are hung in the window of a family when a family member is currently serving in the military during a time of war.    Plans For Annual Homer High Class Reunion For 1974-1978 - Plans are underway for the 2nd Annual Homer High Class Reunion for the years 1974-1978 scheduled for this August. One representative for each class is asked to attend the meetings. For more information or to pick up your T-Shirts from last year’s reunion call Fred Young at 927-2372 or Gary Jenkins at 927-9379.    The Musical Drama “The Passion Of Jesus” Set For March 29-31 - The annual outdoor musical drama “The Passion of Jesus” will be presented by the Bethel Baptist Church in Lillie, Louisiana. Performances with a cast of 120 dressed in authentic costumes will be held at 7 PM each evening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Martch 29-31, at the church . Bethel Baptist Church is located 2.3 miles west of Hwy 167 (1.8 miles south of Junction City or 5.3 miles north of Lillie) on the Bethel Church Road. Admission is free. Bring a lawn chair...    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. For info, call the health unit at 927-6127.    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.    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.    Homer Memorial Hospital now offers MRI's - Homer Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the availability of MRI procedures two days a week in Homer.    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.    Lake Claiborne State Park Events - For information on upcoming events - Call 1-888-677-2524 toll free or 318-927-2976.    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.				Homer High To Host Semi-Pro Exhibition Football Game - Two Semi-Pro football teams will be in Homer on Saturday, February 23. The game between the Garland Wranglers and the Houston Wolverines will begin at 5 PM at the Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium. Former Homer High School Pelican Greg Walker plays for the Garland Wranglers. Admission is $5.    Homer Elementary School To Hold Family Activity Night - Homer Elementary School’s Family Activity Night (F.A.N.) will be held on Thursday, February 21 from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM. Kindergarten through 4th grade students and their families are invited. Please join us for fun, food, and fellowship.    Easter “Tour Of Churches” Set For Sunday, March 4, 2-4 PM - An Easter “Tour of Churches” will be held on Sunday, March 24, from 2-4 PM. This will be a benefit for the Rolling Hills Ministry Disaster Relief Fund. Four churches will be open to the tour--Holly Springs Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Bethlehem Methodist, and Ruple Baptist. Tickets for the event will not be sold but donations will be gratefully accepted.    The Junction City Annual Staff Selling Dragon Yearbooks - The Junction City Annual Staff are selling Dragon Yearbooks for $25 until February 22. Persons can pay a $10 deposit and the balance later, or pay $25 with an option to pay $3 additional to put their name on the cover. Mail payments to Junction City High School, P.O. Box 790, Junction City, AR 71749. Yearbooks are expected to arrive in September 2002. Call Dale Hux at (870) 924-5453 for info.    Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer - The Homer Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within an eight mile radius of Homer may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Homer. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting Mac Brakefield, Executive Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271.    Youth Rally On Abstinence Will Be Held For Essay Winners - A Youth Rally, hosted by the Pregnancy Aid Center, will be held at the Community House on Bridwell Street in Minden on February 16 from 10 AM-Noon. The Rally will focus on “Abstinence--The Choice of a New Generation.” The guest speaker is the talented Linda Baker, minister, teacher, guest lecturer, and music director. Those attending will find it greatly enlightening. All students in Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville who took part in the Essay-Writing Contest are urged to be present, also the teachers who gave them assistance. Recognition and certificates will be given each participant. Ministers, parents, teachers, interested adults and youth in grades 6-12 are invited and welcome.    Attention: It’s Time Again To Do Another Birthday Calendar - Claiborne Academy is collecting names for another birthday calendar. All friends, family and loyal alumni of Claiborne Academy are asked to contact any CA student, Ginger Woodall at 927-3702 or Tracie Wilder at 927-5295 to submit names or anniversaries at $1 each, or to order calendars at $10 each.    Weatherization Assistance Program Underway In Claiborne Parish - The Bossier Office of Community Services’ WAP Program is taking applications for 2002-2003 for Claiborne Parish. The WAP Program is designed to help low-income families, with priority given to the eligible elderly, children, and handicapped persons. WAP services reduce energy cost through conservation, such as caulking and sealing cracks, weather stripping, insulating attics, installing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. To qualify, both client and dwelling must meet requirements. Eligibility is based on household income. All clients must provide documentation of proof of income. Federal regulations prevent discrimination of any kind. For more info, call Jack Hearst, at (318) 747-1045 or (800) 624-9692.    Claiborne Council On Aging Events - Bingo is played every Friday after Lunch. Lunches are served daily Monday thru Friday. Exercise treadmills and rowing machines are available. Slip and molds are available for ceramics.    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.    Trailblazers, Inc. Collecting Newspapers For Recycling - Trailblazers, Inc. of Ruston is collecting newspapers for recycling and is 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. Newspapers ONLY. Please do not place colored ad slicks or magazines in bins.
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