HEADLINES - September 19, 2002

Fire Destroys Historic Building In Haynesville

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

The Town of Haynesville lost one of their historic buildings to a fire on Thursday evening, September 12. An Emergency 911 call came in at 10:18 PM from a motorist who had driven by and noticed smoke coming from Cornerstone Christian Books and Gifts located at the corner of Main Street and U.S. Hwy. 79. Haynesville fire trucks were on the scene in minutes. Haynesville Fire Chief Mark Furlow immediately dispatched the Homer Fire Department and requested Fire Districts 4 and 6 be called. By 10:30 PM, several fire trucks were on the scene pumping water on the smoking building.

Young Man Dies In House Fire

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

Brandon Becnell, 18, of Minden died in a house fire just south of Homer on Monday, September 5 about 1:28 AM. Becnell and another 16-year-old boy were visiting at the home of James and Katrina Colbert at 188 Jones Road. They were asleep on two sofas in the living room of the small frame house when Ms. Colbert woke up coughing. She and her husband opened their bedroom door and could see smoke and flames in the living room area. They alerted the two young men and managed to get out of the house with their 13-month old baby. They ran next door and called 911. It was then they realized one of the boys was not with them. They ran back to the house and attempted to go in, but by this time the house was engulfed in flames. Firefighters from the Homer Fire Department and Fire District 5 responded to the call. Once the fire was extinguished, they found the body of Becnell in the hall area near the back door. At present, the cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Ethics Board Cites Homer Police Chief

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

On Thursday, September 12, the State of Louisiana Ethics Board met and ruled on a number of issues involving North Louisiana officials including one regarding Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead. Hollenshead received a $2,500 fine for being paid to provide part-time security for Homer Memorial Hospital during his off time after he was elected Chief of Police in 1994. Hollenshead stated he had provided security prior to his election and was asked by the hospital to continue after taking office. In December 2001, Hollenshead was told by the hospital administrator and their attorney he should no longer provide security for the hospital because it had been brought to their attention that he was in violation of the State’s Code of Governmental Ethics. After receiving confirmation from the State Attorney General’s office, Hollenshead resigned. Hollenshead said, “I would never knowingly violate the State’s Code of Ethics nor hurt the hospital or the Town of Homer that I have worked so hard for. I

have always worked part-time jobs and was unaware that it was unethical after becoming Chief of Police.”

Two Killed In Accident Near Lisbon

Louisiana State Police Troop G worked an accident around 9:45 AM on La. 2 just east of Lisbon and Hwy. 518 on Monday, September 16, with assistance from Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies. Two young Shreveport women, Anita S. Gardner, 21, and Kenya E. Jones, were killed instantly when their 1995 Pontiac Grand Am collided with a 1987 Freightliner driven by Jimmy D. North, 29, of Ben Wheeler, Texas. Gardner, the driver of the Grand Am, was westbound on La. 2 when her car left the road to the right, then over-corrected to the left and into the path of the eastbound truck. Parts of the vehicle were strewn along the side of the roadway when the rear of the vehicle broke apart after being hit, leaving only the front portion of the car intact. The back seat was gone and the front seats were resting on the ground. Both women were ejected and killed on impact. North, who was wearing a seatbelt, received no injuries. Claiborne Parish Deputy Coroner, Dr. Scott Haynes, pronounced both driver and passenger dead at the scene. Their bodies were taken to the Bossier Parish Coroner’s office.

Billy Kirk Jenkins Announces His Candidacy For Town Council District 2

I, Billy Kirk Jenkins, announce my candidacy for District II Town Councilman. First, let me say, I am the son of Roger and Geneva Jenkins, the husband of Vanessia Thompson Kirk, and the father of five children. I am a member of the Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church, where I hold many positions--President of the Steward Board, Vice President of the Trustee Board, and Vice President of the Usher Board. I have been employed by Claiborne Electric Cooperative for 20 years. Lastly, I love people.

Griffin Seeks Re-Election To Parish School Board

Griffin has eleven valuable years of experience on the Board. This is important for implementing policies set by the present Board. Qualifications: Fifteen years of teaching experience in the Claiborne Parish System. Presently, serving on the Biology faculty at Grambling State University. His teaching responsibilities are mentoring and teaching incoming freshman, in addition to serving upper classmen. He has earned the Bachelor's of Science Degree from Paine College; Master's Degree from Grambling State University; plus 30 hours of graduate studies from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston; University of Tennessess at Nashville; Centenary College in Shreveport, and Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. He has attended three National School Board Convention Seminars on future trends that are successful in education.

Will Maddox Announces Bid For Parish School Board

In making his announcement for Claiborne Parish School Board, District 2, Will Maddox said the following:."I, Will Maddox, would like to announce that I'm running for School Board District 2. I am very concerned about our kids future because their future is our community, parish, state, and country's future! I believe we need to support not only our children but also the ones that teach, train, and minister to them. The young people today need to know that we care about what they are doing for and to their lives. We need to make sure they have access to any and all opportunities that are available.

Davidson Seeks Election To Claiborne Parish School Board

In announcing his candidacy for Claiborne Parish School Board District 6, Tommy Davidson said the following: "I, Tommy Davidson, announce my candidacy for Claiborne Parish School Board District 6. I am 53 years old and a 1967 graduate of Athens High School. I am married to the former Sandra Zappa of Athens. I graduated from La. Tech in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration. I will use my knowledge to handle your tax dollars wisely and efficiently.

Vera R. Meadors Announces Candidacy For Claiborne Parish School Board

Vera R. Meadors is announcing her candidacy for District 7 School Board Member.She is the wife of Mr. Norman Meadors Sr. She is an active member of Sibley Church of God in Christ. She has two sons which attend Claiborne Parish Public Schools, Tarez and Norman Jr. Mrs. Meadors has been a residence of Claiborne Parish all her life. She is the daughter of Mrs. Betty Walker and the late Lester Ray Walker. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Italia Walker and teh late Zelma Evans and she is the niece of Mr. Mansfield and Erlene Walker whom reared her.

Thomas McDonald Announces His Candidacy For District 4 Town Council

Thomas McDonald is announcing his candidacy for the District 4 Town Council seat in the Town of Homer. Thomas is a native of Junction City, Arkansas where he graduated from Junction City High School. He attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, then took a job as manager at Laney's Body Shop in El Dorado where he worked for 26 years, before moving to Homer where he has resided for the past 23 years.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2002 NEWS BRIEFS

Claiborne One Is Presently Soliciting New Sponsors

The Claiborne One website at www.claiborneone.org features news from Homer, Haynesville, Junction City, and all of Claiborne Parish. They are presently soliciting new and added sponsors. To contribute news or purchase advertising banner, call Joel Ponder at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-9674.

Sheriff’s Office To Sponsor Women’s Defensive Safety Class

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office will offer a Women’s Defensive Safety Class on Tuesday, October 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Homer Fire Station. Instructor will be Steve Risner with Probation and Parole. For more info, call 927-2011.

HMH And HHS To Hold Mock Drill On Tuesday, Sept. 24

Homer Memorial Hospital and Homer High School with the assistance of the HHS Medical Academy, Claiborne Ambulance, and local law enforcement will hold a “Mock Drill” for a simulated chemical explosion at Homer High School on Tuesday, September 24 between 10:00-11:00 AM.

Former CA Cheerleaders Invited To Cheer Homecoming

The Claiborne Academy varsity cheerleaders would like to invite all former cheerleaders to cheer on the sidelines with them during the homecoming football game on Friday, September 27. Just wear any suit or jogging suit that is red, white and blue.

Homer High Student Council Selling Gourmet Cookie Dough

The Homer High School Student Council will be selling 3 lb. buckets of gourmet cookie dough until Tuesday, Sept. 24. They have several flavors this year. For more info or to place an order call Kim Herring 927-5291.

Absentee Voting For October 5 Election Is September 23-28

Absentee voting for October 5 election will be September 23-28 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday, and from 8:30-noon on Saturday. Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders invites voters to come by for a demonstration of the new computerized voting machines at her office in the Police Jury Office Complex.

Reception To Honor 1992, 1993 CA Classes Friday, Sept. 27

A reception honoring the Claiborne Academy Classes of 1992 and 1993 will be held on Friday, September 27 at 6 PM in the Claiborne Academy administrative building prior to the CA vs. University Christian Prep game. Former teachers and parents of class members are invited to enjoy refreshments and visit with class members and their families.

Claiborne Parish Watershed District To Meet September 26

The Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission will meet Thursday, September 26 at 5:30 PM at the Police Jury Complex. Speakers include DA Walter May and James Seales with DWF. Also on the agenda are dam maintenance, plans for Lisbon Landing improvements, and progress on the first Artificial Reef on Lake Claiborne.

N. Louisiana Cancer Support Group To Meet September 19

The North La. Cancer Support Group will meet Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-8:00 PM at WK Regional Health Center conference room in Homer. Call Gaye Brunson at 927-2024 or Bonnie Keene at 927-1517 for info.

Sheriff’s Office To Hold Annual “Dinner With Friends”

The Sheriff’s Office will hold their annual Sportsman’s Banquet Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 PM at Homer High cafeteria. To attend the Banquet, a person must have a valid hunting license or be 60 years of age

Pelican Dolls Have A Few Homeropoly Games Left

The Pelican Dolls have a few Homeropoly games left, now selling for $10 each. These games are unique and make great gifts! They also have a few “Homer Pelican” license plates left for $3 each. For info, call 927-5291.

“Write-On Project” Seeking School Supplies Donations

The Claiborne Parish Office of Family Support’s First Annual Write On! Project is collecting school supplies for needy children. Supplies for each child are 1-2” binder, 3 pencils, 3 pens, 1 pkg. wide-ruled looseleaf paper, 1 ruler, and 3 single subject wide-rule notebooks--also tissues, crayons, & scissors. Call Sharon Chandler at 927-3518, ext. 33.

Christmas Festival Committee Holds Poster, T-Shirt Contest

Christmas Festival Committee is sponsoring a Poster and T-Shirt Contest with the 2002 Christmas Festival theme “An Old Fashioned Christmas” for any K-12 student in a Claiborne Parish School. The winning entry will be the Official 2002 Festival Tee-shirt. First prize $75, 2nd prize $25. Entries must be turned in at Miss Lizzie’s by October 1. Call 927-9009 for more information.

Homer High Spirit Club To Meet Thursday, September 19

The Homer Spirit Club, formerly the Homer Band Boosters, will hold their next meeting on Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 PM in the Band Room. The Club will represent the Pelican Dolls, the Homer High Cheerleaders, Homer High Flag Line, and Homer High Band.