HEADLINES - July 18, 2002

Evonne Ferrell Sentenced To Juvenile Life

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

Evonne Ferrell pled guilty Friday, July 12 for allowing her newborn son to die in the toilet after giving birth at her home on Wednesday, September 12, 2001. Although 16 years old at the time, Ferrell was indicted for first degree murder by a Grand Jury and charged as an adult.

Homer Police Investigating Burglary At Local Pharmacy

The Homer Police Department is currently investigating a break in at the Claiborne Drug store. Investigating officers told reporters that one of the store employees discovered the break-in while opening the store on the morning of Monday, July 15, 2002.. Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead said entrance was gained through the rear of the building. Once inside, suspects removed several controlled drugs from the pharmacy including Oxycontin, Lortab, Lorcet, several different types of anxiety medication, in addition to several bottles of Tussionex. Investigating officers recovered several pieces of evidence at the scene which may prove valuable in the investigation. On Tuesday, July 16, 2002, a citizen discovered a quantity of coins and a cap near the Kendrick-McAdams-Carpenter Insurance building. This evidence will be taken to the Northwest Louisiana Crime Lab to e analyzed as well. Chief Hollenshead said that Larry Talley, owner, had not completed an inventory of the pharmacy.

Haynesville Councilman Robbed, Reward Offered

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

Haynesville Councilman H.U. “Mutt” Slaid was robbed on Friday afternoon, July 12 while working in his front yard. He had just completed a paint job and had sat down to rest when he was approached from behind. The person stuck what appeared to be a gun in his back and demanded his money. After Slaid complied with the request, the suspect took the money and left. Sometime prior to the crime, two black males had stopped to ask for work but left when Slaid had none. No one was injured. The Haynesville Police Department is conducting a thorough inquiry and have several leads. A $1,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of this crime. The mandatory sentence for armed robbery is imprisonment at hard labor for not less than 5 nor more 99 years without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Anyone with information on this crime, please call the Haynesville Police Department at 624-1311.

Homer Council Hires New Auditor, Postpones Increase In Water Rates

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

The Homer Town Council voted at a Special Called Meeting on Monday, July 15 to engage the auditing firm of Cook & Moreheart of Shreveport to conduct the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002. Due to new Government Auditing Standards it is not appropriate for auditors to perform both audit and consulting services for the same client. The firm estimated approximately 175-225 hours ranging from $35 for clerical to $95 for the partner, for a total cost of between $12,000 and $15,000.

Homer Town Council Agenda - July 15, 2002 Meeting

• Hire Firm To Conduct Audit For Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2002

• Hire Engineer For Testing LCDBG Street Grant Project

• Utility Rates

• Public Works Office Manager

• Letter From Humane Society

• Homer Natatorium

Low Bid On Homer School Bonds To Lower Millage Rate

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

Four sealed bids were received on the $8.4 million General Obligation School Bond for Homer School District 13 at the July 11, 2002 meeting of the Claiborne Parish School Board. Board members awarded the low bid of 4.49 percent to Morgan Keegan. Other bids received were from Prudential--4.58%, UBS Paine Webber--4.50%, and Stephens, Inc.--4.58%. The lower interest rate means a savings to local taxpayers by lowering the anticipated millage rate to at least 35 or 36 mills.

Claiborne Parish School Board Agenda - July 11, 2002 Meeting

• Homer School Bond Bids

• Setting Tax Millages 2002

• Revisions-Student Handbook

• Furniture Junction City School

• Summerfield Kindergarten Bldg

• Bid For Fuel 2002-2003

• Purchase Two School Buses

• School Playground Equipment

• Pupil Progression Plan

• Personnel Evaluation Plan

• Consolidate Election Precincts

• Homer Bond Oversight Committee

• Permission To Advertise Athens Principal, 2 Asst. Principals

• Personnel Actions

• Approval To Pay Fees LASE

Committee Makes Plans For 2002 Christmas Festival And Parade

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

The Louisiana Bicentennial Committee met Monday, July 15 at 5 PM at Homer City Hall. Two local events have been planned to coincide with the yearlong festivities planned throughout Louisiana in 2003. The Claiborne Parish Jubilee with Arts and Craft Show will be held May 10, 2003 and the Christmas Open House and Taste of Homer will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9, 2003.

Haynesville Moves Ahead With Redistricting Plan

- To Vote Next Meeting On Cooperative Endeavor Agreement With Boys & Girls Club

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

The first reading of Ordinance #568 establishing the new Board of Councilman Districts in Haynesville was read at a Special Called Meeting of the Haynesville Town Council on Tuesday, July 2, with the second reading on the agenda of the regular meeting Thursday, July 18. Once approved, the reapportionment plan will be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for approval. The Council reviewed the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Claiborne Boys & Girls Club and voted to have Councilman Alvin Kendrick get with the Mayor’s office to determine the dollar amount and bring back a recommendation for approval by the Council at the next meeting..

Claiborne Parish Native Dies After Being Shot In Bossier

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

Just after midnight on Friday, July 5, former Claiborne Parish resident, Jessie Clyde Battle, Jr., 36, was found sitting in a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the intersection of Eastman Street and Old Benton Road. Another car passing by called 911 and reported the Jeep sitting in the travel lane at the stop sign. Bossier City police officers arrived to find Battle had been shot numerous times in the upper body. The windows on the Jeep were rolled down. He was taken to the LSU Medical Center where he died sometime after noon on Saturday, July 6. Battle was working security at the Boomtown Casino, formerly Casino Magic on Thursday, July 4 He got off work at midnight and was apparently headed home when he was shot. Detective Jeff Cole, lead investigator with the Bossier City Police Department, said they were looking at all the leads and were unsure at this time if the shooting was random or intentional.

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JULY 18, 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.

Meeting Set To Discuss Corney Lake Drawdown, Restocking

Summerfield High School will host a public meeting on Monday, August 5 at 6:30 PM for the U.S. Forest Service pertaining to the restocking and concerns about the drawdown at Corney Lake.

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.

Homer Golf Club Invitational Tournament Set For July 20-21

The Annual Homer Golf Club Invitational Tournament, a 2-Day Best Ball-Scramble, will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21. For information or to sign up, call Linda Tuggle by Friday, July 19 at 927-3118. If no answer, leave message.

Special Meeting Of Homer-Mayfield School Reunion July 23

A special called meeting of the Homer-Mayfield Alumni school reunion will be held at 6 PM Tuesday, July 23 at 906 South 4th in Homer. All committee members and concerned persons are asked to attend.

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.

Parish Library To Hold Ending Programs July 24 And 25

All children, all ages, who have finished requirements for the “Silly Chilly Summer” reading program at the Claiborne Parish Library are invited to attend the closing program on Wednesday, July 24 at 10 AM in Haynesville and on Thursday, July 25 at 2 PM in Homer. Certificates and prizes will be awarded. The last day to turn in reading time is Saturday, July 20. We hope you enjoyed and will continue reading all summer. See you at the library!

Haynesville Council To Meet Thursday, July 18 At 6 PM

The Haynesville Town Council will meet Thursday, July 18 at 6 PM in Council Chambers.

Ford Museum To Close July 17 & 19, Wednesday & Friday

The Herbert S. Ford Museum will be closed Wednesday and Friday, July 17 & 19.

Bicentennial Committee To Meet Monday, July 29 At 5 PM

The next meeting of the Louisiana 2003 Bicentennial Committee will be Monday, July 29 at 5 PM in the upstairs conference room at Homer City Hall. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Bicentennial Committee, as well as subcommittees for the Christmas Parade, Christmas Festival, Christmas Lighting, Christmas Open House and Taste of Homer/Claiborne. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. For more info, call Susan Herring at 927-3541.

Election For Tax Renewal In Haynesville Set For Sat. July 20

An election will be held Saturday, July 20 to vote on a 10-year tax continuation to maintain and operate the streets and sewerage system in the Town of Haynesville.

CPSO, DWCC To Sponsor August Hunter Safety Courses

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

Mt. Olive Christian School Rodeo Set For July 26 And 27

Mt. Olive Christian School will hold its 20th annual rodeo on July 26 & 27 at 8 PM nightly at Gantt Arena in Athens. A trail ride will leave Reed and Norma Simpkins’ homeplace at 2 PM Saturday. The 20th annual rodeo promises to be the biggest and best yet. The Bergeron Brothers Rodeo Company will produce the rodeo. The famous musical chairs on horseback will be featured. For more info or to purchase tickets, call Leo Gantt at 258-5483 or 243-0674, or the school at 258-5661.

Homer-Mayfield School Reunion Set For August 1-4, 2002

The Homer-Mayfield School Reunion will be Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4. Individual classes will get together on August 1. Registration will be held at Lane Chapel CME Church 9 AM-3 PM Friday, August 2. On Friday, the Business Meeting will be 3:00-4:30 PM followed by a Banquet at 7:30 PM at Homer City Hall. On Saturday, August 3 a Picnic Lunch at 12:00 noon at Lake Claiborne State Park and a Concert at 9 PM at Mayfield Park, or at Homer City Hall if bad weather. Worship services will be Sunday, August 4 at 3 PM at Homer High School auditorium. Registration is $100 per adult and $20 per child under 17. Tickets in registration packet must be presented at banquet and picnic. Concert tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at gate.

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.

Homer High School Classes of 1974-1978 To Hold Reunion August

The Homer High Classes of 1974 through 1978 will hold their Class Reunion August 16-18. Their next monthly meeting will be Sunday, July 21 at 6 PM at Homer City Hall where they will compose all correspondence received from classmates. They ask all who attended Homer High with members of these classes to be present.

The Committee wants everyone to be satisfied with the final locations and activities planned. Contact Gary Jenkins at 927-9379 or Fred Young at 927-2372.