HEADLINES - May 9, 2002

HEADLINES - May 9, 2002

Homer Council Votes To Preserve Historic Character Of Square

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

A public meeting was held prior to the regular meeting of the Homer Town Council Monday, May 6, to allow public input on the Homer Historic District Preservation Ordinance introduced at the previous meeting. Joe Ellis Michael, president of the Homer Historic Commission, said this will help the town move forward while maintaining the historical character of the Historic District which includes buildings located on and around the Courthouse Square. To get in the Main Street program, the Town is required to meet certain criteria and this Ordinance is one of those.

J. R. “Snap” Oakes Honored On Retirement As U.S. Marshal

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

J. R. “Snap” Oakes, United States Marshal in the Western District of Louisiana and former Claiborne Parish Sheriff, retired after 46 years in law enforcement, 24 years as Sheriff in Claiborne Parish. Oakes was honored Sunday morning, April 14 at a Law Enforcement Prayer Breakfast held in the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church in Homer. Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen was guest speaker and his wife wrote a poem for Oakes. On Thursday, May 2, Deen hosted a catfish dinner at the Sheriff’s substation in Bossier City. Over 300 attended the event, including a number of politicians, civic leaders and many from the law enforcement community, as well as a large group of friends and former colleagues from Claiborne Parish.

Homer School Bond Issue Approved

Voters in Homer School District 13 went to the polls Saturday, May 4 and voted in favor of the $8.4 million bond issue to consolidate Homer schools on one campus. Unofficial returns show 403 were in favor of the proposition, while 283 opposed the plan.

Claiborne Parish Gets “Good” Ranking On School Performance

The 2000-2001 Louisiana District Accountability Report Card gave Claiborne Parish a “good” ranking, with a score of 82.9 on the District Responsibility Index. The score was based on performance in grades K-8 only. The state average was “very good” with a score of 115.6. School districts received points in four categories: 1) School Improvement, 2) LEAP 21 Passing Rate, 3) Summer School, and 4) Certified Teachers. Superintendent Gary Jones said Claiborne scored high in areas that count most, “excellent” on the LEAP 21 Passing Rate and “very good” on Summer School (Remediation). What brought the overall score down, however, was the “unsatisfactory” scores received for School Improvement and percentage of Certified Teachers in the district.

Junction City Gets $203,534 For Fire Protection Improvements

State Senator Robert Barham notified Junction City Mayor Preston Rogers they had received a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant for $203,534 to be used for water and fire protection improvements. Funds will be used to purchase a fire truck and firefighting equipment.

JC School Board Approves 2002-2003 School Calendar, Adds Day This Year

- Proceeds With Plans For New Jr. High, Gym

T. J. Connelly of Connelly Abbot Dunn & Monroe Architects of El Dorado attended the regular meeting of the Junction City School District on April 9, 2002. He spoke at length with the Board and members of the Facilities Committee about the cost of construction, design etc. of a new junior high building and gymnasium. Superintendent Alvin Kelly presented figures provided by Buster Beardsley, school financial advisor, on the construction project. Beardsley believes a millage increase of 3 mills would be sufficient for both buildings. The Board voted to hire Bailey & Associates to complete a feasibility study. The Board discussed the need to call a special meeting with the Facilities Committee to compile information which will be presented at a public meeting.

MAY 9, 2002 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.

Academic-Athletic Banquet Set May 9 At Claiborne Academy

The Claiborne Academy Academic-Athletic Banquet will be held Thursday, May 9 at 6 PM in the CA gym. All students, grades 7-12, are invited. Parents and friends are welcome. Dinner will be provided by Upper Crust Catering. No charge for students. Charge for others will be $6 per person, payable at the door.

Reception For Retired Teachers, And Employees Set For May 9

A reception will be held Thursday, May 9 for teachers and employees who are retiring from the Claiborne Parish School System. The reception will held from 5-6 PM at the Claiborne Parish School Board Annex, 418 East Main in Homer (across from the School Board office).

Boy Scouts To Distribute Bags For Clothes Saturday, May 11

Drew Harris, to fulfill his requirement for Eagle Project, he will coordinate the distribution by other Scouts of empty bags in the Homer community beginning Saturday, May 11. Residents are asked to fill bags with used, unwanted clothing and leave filled bags at front door for collection on Saturday morning May 18. Clothing will be donated to Clothes, Etc. who will distribute to those in need. More info,call Wayne Hatfield at 927-2961.

Lake Claiborne State Park 5K Run & Health Walk May 18

Lake Claiborne State Park Spring 5K Run and Health Walk over 3.1 mile path will be held Saturday, May 18, beginning at 9 AM. Trophies will be awarded in several age categories. Entry fee is $12, which includes t-shirt and race number. Call 1-888-677-2524 or 318-927-2976 for more info on how to register.

Pelican Dolls To Hold Car Wash, Bake Sale Saturday At Wal-Mart

The Homer High School Pelican Dolls will be holding a Car Wash and Bake Sale this Saturday, May 11 from 9AM - 2 PM in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Tickets for the car wash are $5 and can be purchased in advance from any Pelican Doll member or by calling Kim Herring at 927-5291.

The New Ramah Cemetery Association To Meet May 18

Annual meeting of the New Ramah Cemetery Association will be May 18, 2002 at 9 AM at the New Ramah Baptist Church.

Memorial Veterans Program Set May 28 At Homer Hospital

The 2nd Annual Memorial Day Veteran’s Program will be held in the lobby of the Homer Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 28 at 2 PM. All parish veterans and/or their families are invited. Any veteran who did not receive an invitation last year is asked to please call Gaye Brunson at the Hospital at 927-2024.

Whitehall Cemetery Assoc.Meeting Set For May 11

The Annual Meeting of the Whitehall Cemetery Association will be held on Saturday, May 11 at Whitehall Methodist Church. The Memorial Service will start at 11 AM and will conclude with a luncheon after the memorial and business meeting.

Community Blood Drive Set For Monday, May 13 In Homer

United Blood Services will be in Homer on Monday, May 13 to conduct blood drives at Wal-Mart from 9-11 AM and at Homer Memorial Hospital from 1-4 PM.

Ware’s Chapel Cemetery Assoc. To Meet Sat., May 11

The Ware’s Chapel Cemetery Association will hold their annual business meeting on Saturday, May 11 at 11 AM. No lunch will be served.

May 14 Last Day For Homer Elementary Book Fair

May 14 is the last day for Homer Elementary’s Scholastic Book Fair. Hours are 10:15 AM to 2 PM daily. Admission is free.

Legal Services To Be At Claiborne Council On Aging May 16

Legal Services will be at the Claiborne Council on Aging on Thursday, May 16. If you have any legal documents that a lawyer needs to look at, please bring them in. You can call the Council on Aging at 927-6922.

Adult Education Center At NW Tech Campus To Close For Break

The North Louisiana Cancer Support Group will meet at 6:30 PM Thursday, May 16. Cancer Survivors and their loved ones are encouraged to attend. For more info, call Gaye Brunson at 927-2024 or Bonnie Keene at 927-1517.

American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” Wrap-Up Meeting May 13

The American Cancer Society will hold their “Relay for Life” Wrap-Up on Monday, May 13 promptly at 6 PM in the Homer Memorial Conference Room. All team captains and anyone interested in participating in next year’s Relay are invited.

Homer High Cheerleaders, Flag Line Selling Varsity Gold Cards

Homer High Cheerleaders and Homer High Flag Line are selling Varsity Gold cards, good for unlimited use for buy one, get one free food items at Pizza Hut, Sonic, and Subway. Cards are good through September 2003. Contact Rhonda Porter at 927-2826 or Mary Canterbury at 927-2393.

Pineview Softball Tournament May 18 Moved To Mayfield Park

The Softball Tournament scheduled at Pineview High School is now being held at the Homer Mayfield Park on Saturday, May 18 from 10 AM until. All teams welcome. A color TV will be raffled at 6 PM. Don’t miss it! For more info, call Hester Green at 927-4870 or O.D. Willis at (318) 353-9883.

Adult Education Center At NW Tech Campus To Close For Break

The Claiborne Parish Adult Education Center, located on the Northwest Louisiana Technical College campus in Homer, will be closed for the summer break May 29 through June 30. Testing for new students will be Monday, July 1 at 8 AM. Anyone wishing to enroll may contact the center at 927-5302. The center provides free instruction to anyone 17 years of age or older who is interested in obtaining a GED or wishes to improve his/her reading, writing, or math skills.

Volunteers Needed For Haynesville Butterfly Festival

The Haynesville Chamber of Commerce and The Haynesville Garden Club would like to invite anyone who is interested in our Annual Butterfly Festival activities to please call 624-0057 or 624-0458 as volunteers are needed.

Claiborne Parish School Board 2002 Driver’s Education Class

Driver’s Education Class at Homer High School will begin Monday, June 10 at 8 AM. Students may register at the School Board. Class size is limited, so register early. Registration fee is $180.00, payable by money order or cashier’s check to the Claiborne Parish School Board. All driver’s education students must be 15 years of age on or before June 10, 2002 and must bring birth certificates for proof of age.

Parish Government And Municipal Boards To Meet In May

Haynesville Town Council now meets the third Thursday every month. Next meeting is Thursday, May 16 at 6 PM.

Claiborne Parish Police Jury - Wednesday, May 8 at 10 AM for work session and Thursday, May 9, 10 AM for regular meeting.

Claiborne Parish School Board - 7 PM Thursday, May 9 following the work session at 6 PM

Junction City, Louisiana Town Council - Thursday, May 9 at 6 PM.

Junction City School Board - Tuesday, May 14 at 7 PM.

Sparta Groundwater Commission To Receive Report On Study

Sparta Groundwater Conservation District Commission will meet Thursday, May 9 at 2 PM in the IFM (Institute for Micromanufacturing) Building auditorium in Ruston, at the corner of Hergot Street and Tech Drive. Dudley Hixson of Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson will present the results of the draft Sparta study.

Lake Claiborne State Park 5K Run & Health Walk Sat. May 18

Juneteenth Pageant Set For Friday, June 21 At City Hall

Juneteenth Pageant will be held in the Homer City Hall on Friday, June 21 at 6:30 PM. Pageant entrants must attend 4 of 5 training/practice sessions (1st Session May 11). The four categories are “Wee Miss” (ages 4-7), “Little Miss (ages 8-12), “Junior Miss” (ages 13-15), and “Miss” (ages 16-20). Please contact Annette Young at (318) 927-2372 for more info.

Pre-Registration Set For Pineview’s Pre-School

Pre-registration for the 2002-2003 Pre-school program at Pineview is May 6-10 during normal school hours. To register your child bring: 1) Birth Certificate (must have State Seal), 2) Updated Health Record (white or yellow health card), and 3) Social Security Card. Your child must be 4 years of age on or before September 30, 2002 to enter this program.

Haynesville Elementary Pre-K Testing Set For May 20-30

The Haynesville Elementary Pre-K will begin testing May 20-30. Call 624-1566 to make an appointment for your child to be tested for the upcoming school year 2002-2003. Appointments will be made for those students who have pre-registered at the school office. School information packets will also be filled out in the Pre-K building at this time.

D.A.R.T. Support Group Meets Every Wednesday In Homer

Weekly meetings of the newly organized Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Group “WAVE” (Women Against Violence Everywhere) will be held in Homer from 5:30-6:00 PM. For more info call (318)513-9373 or (800) 281-7885.