HEADLINES - July 4, 2002

Homer Council Considers Utility Rate Hike, Sends Dog Catcher To School

- Mayor David Aubrey Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

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

Public Works Director Calvin Wortham conducted a survey of utility rates in neighboring towns. On the average of five other municipalities, the water rate in Homer was about 84 cents lower per 1,000 gallons. The Town of Homer charges $1.80 per 1,000 gallons inside the city limits and $2.90 outside. The sewer rate is based on water usage and the Town charges $2.15 per 1,000 gallons inside and $4.10 outside the city limits.

Town of Homer July 1, 2002 Meeting

• Utility Rate Increase

• Full-Time Employee Raises

• Animal Control Officer

• House On Pearl Street

• Contract Services For Wastewater Treatment Plant

• 2002 Ad Valorem Taxes

• Declare Emergency Water Well

• Contribution I-69 Coalition

• Loud Music-Noise Ordinance

• New Bathrooms - Armory Park

Three Children Injured In One-Vehicle Accident

-Auto Accidents #1 Killer Of Children In Louisiana

• On Thursday, July 4, The Louisiana State Police, With The Assistance Of The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office And The Homer Police Department, Will Be Conducting Sobriety Checkpoints In Claiborne Parish.

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

Three children were injured Tuesday, June 25 after being ejected from the 1984 Nissan extended cab pickup driven by Kelly R. Brown (Walker), 24, of Haynesville, The pickup crossed the center line and left the roadway to the left on La. 2 approximately 7 miles east of La. 9 about 1:20 PM , traveled 215 feet in the grassy ditch, then crossed back over to the gravel shoulder on the right. The vehicle traveled another 69 feet, before Brown attempted to steer sharply back onto the roadway, over-correcting and causing the vehicle to overturn several times before landing upright.

Celebrate “4th Of July” On Lake Claiborne

The Annual Fireworks and Boat Parade will be held Thursday, July 4 as part of the Independence Day Celebration. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office will lead the Patriotic Boat Parade which will begin at 7:30 PM and will include the Lake Claiborne State Park, Sport Pointe, the public boat launch, Coleman Creek, Parden’s Paradise, and Port-au-Prince. Boats are asked to display an

American flag and other patriotic decorations. Fireworks will be shot from the Lake Claiborne dam and will start at approximately 9:10 PM. Neither the public nor any boats will be allowed within 420 feet of the firing area, due to rules governing safety issues.

Son Of Homer Couple Serving Country As Airman On Indian Ocean Base

BY JOHN DENDY, Army & Air Force Hometown News Service

CAMP JUSTICE, Indian Ocean--The sonof a Homer couple, Senior Airman Nicholas Jiles, son of Ray and Betty Jiles of Homer, serves his country on a watery edge in the war on terror. His new, albeit temporary, home is a narrow tropical jungle reef in the Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of the southern India coast.

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JULY 4, 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.

Parish Library Announces Story Times, Holidays

The Claiborne Parish Library will be closed July 4-6 for the July 4th holiday. There will be no storytime in Haynesville or Homer July 10 and 11. Instead, there will be an extra-special storytime at 2:30 PM on Friday, July 12, in Homer. Harvey Rabbit and Friends, Laura and Tim Allured will be back in town for one performance only. This fun-filled program is for children of all ages and is free! So round up your neighbors and head on down to the Claiborne Parish Library Friday, July 12. Harvey will be there with all his friends with a brand-new program of fun and laughter.

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.

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.

Account Set Up At Regions Bank For Ronnie Perry

An account has been set up at Regions Bank for Ronnie Perry who was injured in an automobile accident on Saturday, June 22. Perry’s injuries are expected to keep him from returning to work at Ludlow for possibly one year. This means he will have no income.

Claiborne Boys & Girls Club To Hold Eddie Eagle Program

The “Eddie Eagle” Program, a gun safety program sponsored by the National Rifle Association, is teaches youth what to do if they find a gun. The program will be taught by Jason Holmes on Thursday, July 11 at 11AM in Homer and at 1:30 PM in Haynesville. Sabrina Smith, Executive Director for the Club encourages all youth and their parents to attend this very important program on gun safety.

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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.

Town Of Homer Offices To Close Thursday, July 4

The Mayor’s Office and Business Office of the Town of Homer will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

CPSO, DWCC To Sponsor Two Hunter Safety Courses In August

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office along with David Wade Correctional Center will sponsor two Hunter’s Saftey Courses in August. The 3-day courses will be held at the Homer Fire Station. The 1st course will be held August 1-3 and the 2nd on August 8-10. Classes will be held 6:00-9:30 PM on Thursday and Friday and from 8:00-11:00 AM on Saturday. Pre-registration is required. Classes are limited to 30 students. Call the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011 for more info or to sign up.

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..