HEADLINES - June 27, 2002

HMH Health Fair Was Huge Success--Almost 500 Participants

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

Homer City Hall was a perfect example of “where good health and community come together” when almost 500 local residents signed up for the Health Fair sponsored by Homer Memorial Hospital this past Saturday, June 22. The event was an overwhelming success with over 40 booths offering free tests for glucose and cholesterol, PSAs, as well as checks for blood pressure, heart rate, bone density, height, weight, vision and glaucoma, body fat analysis, oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, and free eye exams by Dr. Greg Woodall. T-shirts and refreshments were provided, along with lots of give-aways and drawing for door prizes. Activities for young children included fingerprinting by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the moonwalk and face painting.

Haynesville Council Welcomes New Business, Five New Police Officers

- Ronnie Fields Hired As Recreation Director

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

Haynesville Mayor Mickey Mayfield recognized Earl Linder and Jackie Foster at the regular meeting of the Town Council on June 20. Linder and Foster are making plans to open a new business in Haynesville. North American Pulp Molding LLC will be housed in the Ansel Edmont building and will produce egg cartons from recycled newspaper. Equipment will be delivered in late August with plans to start production sometime in September The plant will initially employ 30 people with hopes of expanding to 60. Later in the meeting, the Council approved a resolution endorsing participation of North American Pulp Molding, LLC in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.

Homer Conducts “Smoke Tests” As Part Of Sewer Rehabilitation Program

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

The old saying, “where there is smoke, there is fire” may not have been the case in Homer this week. Any smoke seen around town could very well have been “smoke tests” being conducted by the Town of Homer. As part of a “Sewer System Rehabilitation Program” to eliminate costly storm water inflow into the Town’s wastewater system, inspection crews began conducting smoke tests on Monday, June 24.

One Dies, Four Injured In Head-On Collision

Following a week of intense saturation by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and just hours after State Trooper Kevin Baxter was in Homer passing out safety literature and simulating the effects of a roll-over accident, a 16-year-old Homer boy was killed and four others were injured in a head-on collision two miles east of Homer on Hwy. 146 just before 3 PM, Saturday, June 22. Nicolas

Jackson, 16, died at the scene after he was ejected from the ‘94 Buick Century driven by his sister, Nadica Jackson, 13. According to police reports, the vehicle left the road to the right in a curve, then abruptly steered back onto the roadway, crossing the enter line and colliding with an eastbound ‘95 Dodge truck driven by Ronald C. Perry, 46, of Homer.

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Juneteenth Celebrated With Gospel Extravaganza, Festival, Pageant

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

Juneteenth was celebrated in Homer this past weekend beginning with a Gospel Extravaganza on Friday, June 21 at Homer Junior High School. Homer Mayor David Aubrey served as Master of Ceremonies for the event which included a 32-member Adult Community Mass Choir under the direction of music director and program coordinator Norman Meadors, three Praise Dance Groups featuring children from local schools and churches, and dramatic readings.

Celebrate The “Fourth Of July” At Lake Claiborne

Celebrate Independence Day this year by attending the Annual Fireworks and Boat parade on Lake Claiborne on Thursday, July 4, beginning with a Patriotic Boat Parade at 7:30 PM. Fireworks will be shot from the Lake Claiborne dam beginning approximately 9:10 PM. The best place to view fireworks is from a boat, the shoreline around the lake, or the area at the end of the dam nearest the spillway. Neither the public nor any boats will be allowed within 420 feet of the firing area due to rules governing safety issues

JUNE 27, 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.

TRASH BASH SATURDAY!!

A Trash Bash will be held in Homer on Saturday, June 29 from 8 AM until 3 PM at the old Coca-Cola Plant on East 3rd, one block east of Piggly Wiggly.

Claiborne Boys & Girls Club National KidsDay Sat., Aug. 3

The Claiborne Boys & Club will host National KidsDay “Celebrating Kids Nationwide” on Saturday, August 3 from 8 AM - 5 PM in the First Guaranty (Woodlands) Bank and Piggly Wiggly area. Food, games, entertainment, and great family fun. Booths are available starting at $40 for 10x10 and $50 for 20x10. For more information, call Sabrina Smith at 927-2718 and Oubin Ramey at 927-6355.

Haynesville Town Hall Now Collecting Newspapers

The Town of Haynesville has joined with Trailblazer to assist in their newspaper recycling efforts according to Mayor Mickey Mayfield. A newspaper recycling bin was placed at Haynesville Town Hall on Friday, June 23. Mayfield encourages all Haynesville residents to bring newspapers to Town Hall. Homer City Hall and R & S Hardware in Athens also have recycling bins available for newspapers.

Dedication,Open House Set For New Parish Office Complex

A Dedication Ceremony followed by an Open House will be held by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury on Monday, July 1 from 4:00 PM-5:30 PM. The public is invited to come by for refreshments and to tour the new Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office Complex, which houses the offices of the Police Jury, the LSU AgCenter, Registrar of Voters, Emergency 911, and Representative RIck Gallot. .

Cancer Memorials For American Cancer Society

Please send all Cancer Memorials to the American Cancer Society, c/o Julia Lentz, 910 Edgewood Drive, Homer, Louisiana 71040. For more information, call 927-9868.

Summer Reading Program At Library June 10 - July 12

The Claiborne Parish Library will hold their Summer Reading Program, “Chilly Silly Summer At The Library” from June 10 to July 20. Registration for children ages 3-12 is now open. The program is free! For more details, call Nancy Smock at 927-3845.

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Both Homer Municipal Pools Open Monday-Saturday

The Mayfield Pool hours are Monday - Thursday, 2 PM - 7 PM and Friday and Saturday from 12 noon - 3 PM. A swim camp will be conducted in July. Specific dates will be posted later. Persons should contact the pool at 927-4859 for price information or pool rentals. The Homer Natatorium is open Monday-Saturday from 12:30-5:30 PM. Admission is $1.50. For more info, call Connie Cochran at 927-2857 or 927-6007.

LSU AgCenter--Surface Water Management Options On July 2

The LSU AgCenter will present a program on Surface Water Management Options on Tuesday, July 2 at 1 PM in the Police Jury Office Complex. Paul S. Eagles with the U.S. Corps of Engineers will discuss options to decrease the use of the Sparta Aquifer. For more information, call Dora Ann Hatch at 927-3110.

Caney Lake Will Close July 13 For Triathlon On Sun. July 14

The Caney Triathlon will take place at Caney Lakes Recreation Area on July 14. Starting time for the event is 7:30 AM until approximately 12 noon. The Caney Lakes Recreation Area will be closed to day use users all day Saturday, July 13 through Sunday until 1 PM July 14. This action is necessary to provide for safety as race officials prepare for the Triathlon. We are sorry for the inconvenience in normal activities during this even.

Normal activities and access will resume at 1 PM on Sunday, July 14.

Pineview High Multi-Class Reunion Set For Saturday, July 27

The Pineview High School Multi-Class Reunion will be held Saturday, July 27. Graduating classes from 1979-1985 are encouraged to attend and enjoy a day of fun and getting reacquainted. Family Activities will be held at the Lake Claiborne State Park from 10 AM-4 PM and Adult Activities with include a Saturday evening Banquet from 7:30 PM-12 midnight at the Lisbon Civic Center. For more information, call Jimmy Franklin, Jr. at 927-6810.

Pupil Progression Plan Available For Public View At School Board

The Claiborne Parish School Board will revise and adopt the Pupil Progression Plan at its regular meeting July 11, 2002. This plan sets local policy for promotion, retention, and testing of students in the Parish Schools. A draft plan will be available for public view and comments in the Claiborne Parish School Board Office at 415 East Main in Homer during regular business hours.

Summer Arts Camp For Kids Will Be In Homer July 22-26

North Central Louisiana Arts Council to hold Summer Arts Camp for Kids at Homer City Hall July 22-26. The weeklong arts program exposes children to the arts and nurtures creativity in a supportive, pressure-free environment. Students in 1st to 7th grade may sign up to attend daily classes from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM at a cost of $40. For more info or to register a child call 255-1450.

Council On Aging, AARP To Offer 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course

The Claiborne Council on Aging has joined with AARP to offer a “55 Alive/Mature Driving Course” to be held the latter part of July at the Claiborne Senior Center at 608 East 4th in Homer. The 2-day course will be taught from 12:30-4:30 each day. The fee is $10. Some insurance companies may offer discounts to graduates of the course. Registration will end July 5. For more info, call Barbara McCullough at 927-6922..

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. Call Rhonda Porter at 927-6091 or Mary Canterbury at 927-2393.

Copies Of Report “Vision For A Better Tomorrow” Now Available

Copies of the report “Vision for a Better Tomorrow” prepared by the Planning Committee for the Claiborne Economic Development Board have been printed and are now available at the First Guaranty Bank, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, and Homer and Haynesville City Halls.