HEADLINES - November 21, 2002

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Death Of Female Inmate

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

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 40-year-old female inmate, Cheryl Ivory of Homer. Ivory was found dead in her cell about 8:38 PM Sunday night, November 17, just 25 minutes after she had told jailers she was feeling better Ivory was arrested Wednesday, November 13 about 2 AM on two warrants, one for issuing worthless checks and a bench warrant for failure to appear. It was Sunday around 2 PM when she began complaining of stomach problems. The jailer contacted the nurse on call who gave Ivory some medication. Ivory began feeling better but just before 6 PM she began to complain with her stomach again. The deputy contacted the nurse a second time and was advised what medication to give her. Ivory was housed in a dormitory type setting with 10 to 13 other inmates and her cell was located next to the dispatcher’s office. It would have been easy to get someone’s attention if her condition had worsened, yet she reported she was feeling better about half an hour before her death. An autopsy was ordered by the local coroner. Ivory’s body was transported to the forensic pathologist in Bossier. Chief Deputy Chuck Talley said there was no indication of foul play and her death appears to be a health problem. The final autopsy report will take about six weeks to complete.

Review Panel Finds Haynesville’s Former CPA Negligent

- Town Can Now File Suit On Theft Of $412,711.00 Town Funds

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

Town of Haynesville officials received the Opinion of Public Accountant Review Panel pertaining to the performance of the CPA firm Smith, Pugh, & Company, LLP (formerly Smith, Pugh, & Rabinowitz) and Mike Rabinowitz during the time Marilyn Bush served as Haynesville’s Town Clerk. The Opinion of the Review Panel concluded “The evidence supports the conclusion that the firm Smith Pugh & Rabinowitz failed to comply with the appropriated standard of care as charged in the request for review.” According to Danny Newell, attorney for the Town of Haynesville, Smith Pugh & Rabinowitz were found to be negligent for not discovering the theft of former town clerk Marilyn Bush. The Town of Haynesville can now file a lawsuit against the firm to satisfy the claim in the amount of $412,711.00.

Wife Of Haynesville Mail Carrier Asks Council To Adopt Dog Ordinance

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

Linda Wilhite of Athens addressed the Haynesville Town Council at their regular meeting November 14 to ask something be done about the vicious dogs in town. Wilhite said her husband, Haynesville postal carrier Sonny Wilhite, had been carrying mail in Haynesville for 14 years and on Saturday, November 2, he was

attacked by two pit bull dogs. She said this was the second time in a year he had been attacked by vicious dogs and nothing had been done. Her biggest concern was the small children that played across the street from the home where he was attacked.

Sheriff Asks PoliceJury To Revoke, Refuse Two Bottle Club Permits

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Kenneth Volentine and Metro Narcotics Task Force Agent James Spillers James Spillers attended the meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury on Wednesday, November 7 to request the Jury deny the “bottle club” permit to Cathy Casey Banks for the VIP Club and to revoke the permit issued to David Fuller for the Tree Club. Cathy Casey Banks, Richard Banks, and David Fuller were all arrested for selling high and low content alcohol without a permit and both nightclubs were shut down the first week of November.

Marty Haggard To Sing At Ruple Church

Marty Haggard of Doyline, Louisiana will perform Sunday night, November 24 at the Ruple Baptist Church in Homer beginning at 6 PM. Haggard was born in 1958 in Bakersfield, California just two months after his dad, Merle Haggard, was sentenced to a 1-15 year sentence in San Quentin Prison. When he was six years old, his parents filed for divorce. Marty went to live with his Grandma Haggard. His mom became a heroin addict in and out of prison over the next 20 years. His dad went from being a career criminal, ex-convict to one of the most successful entertainers in the world and considered to this day as one of the greatest songwriters in country music history.

Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday, November 24

Area churches will hold their Annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 24 at 6 PM at First Baptist Church in Homer. David Deitzel, pastor of First United Methodist Church, will deliver the evening message, assisted by other area pastors. Anyone interested in singing in a Community Choir should be at the church at 5:30 PM. The offering collected that evening will go to the Homer Transient Fund.

Character Counts! Training Held For Teens, Teachers

- Nine Parish Schools Attended Sixth Annual Workshop

Homer City Hall was the site of the sixth parish-wide CHARACTER COUNTS! training for selected teens and teachers from schools in Claiborne Parish. Approximately 115 teens, teachers, and visitors from neighboring parishes attended the session Thursday, October 24. Nine schools: Athens, Pineview High, Homer High, Haynesville High, Homer Jr. High, Haynesville Jr. High, Junction City High, Junction City Jr. High, and Summerfield attended the CHARACTER COUNTS! Workshop along with teachers from each high school who will work with the teen teachers during the 2002-03 school year.

NOVEMBER 21, 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.

Saturday Rummage Sale To Benefit Local Resident

A Community Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, November 23 at Homer City Hall to raise funds for Joyce Prince Kading of Homer who is recuperating from two major brain surgeries. Anyone interested in contributing an item for the sale can call JoAnn Hansen at the Clerk’s office 927-9601 or Linda Futch at 927-6126.

N. Louisiana Cancer Support Group Meets Thurs. Nov. 21

N. La. Cancer Support Group will meet Thurs., November 21 from 6:30-8:00 PM at Willis-Knighton Claiborne Regional Health Center Conference Room in Homer. The topic will be Cancer Research: Meeting the Challenge, Saving More Lives. Visitors, new members welcome. For more info, call Gaye Brunson at 927-2024, Bonnie Keene at 927-1517 or the ACS at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Homer Lions Are Selling Bergeron Pecans $6 Bag

The Homer Lions Club Annual Pecan Sale has begun. A 12 oz. bag of fresh Bergeron pecans is $6. See any Lions Club member or call Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead at 927-4000 to place your order.

Homer Pels Will Travel To Ferriday 2nd Round Playoffs

The #10 Homer Pelicans (8-3) will travel to #7 Ferriday (8-3) in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs on Friday, November 15. Homer High will pre-sell tickets for $5 until noon on Friday. Tickets at the gate will be $6. The two routes to Ferriday take approximately 3 hours. You can either go 1) east on I-20 to Tallulah, then south on Hwy. 65, or 2) east on I-20 to Rayville, then south on Hwy. 137 thru Winnsboro and Sicily Island. Kickoff is 7 pm. Go Pels!

Christmas Lighting Contest Looking For Entrants

Businesses and homeowners are being encouraged to enter Christmas Lighting and Decorating Contest. Categories for businesses are 1) Best Window and 2) Best Over-all. Categories for homes: 1) Large Homes and 2) Small Homes. Deadline for all entries is Friday, Dec. 6. Entries will be judged Monday evening December 9. Call Miss Lizzies at 927-9009 or Delores Leggett at 927-3360.

Haynesville Lions Club Hold Annual Smaked Ham Sale

Haynesville Lions Club will hold their annual Smoked Ham Sale Wed., November 27. Hams are $25. Contact Hugh Miller at 624-0259, or any Lion member.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #73 To Meet At Library

American Legion Auxiliary #73 will meet November 25 at the Claiborne Parish Library. Members will be wrapping gifts for veterans in Veterans Hospital in Shreveport. All donations are welcome.

Dr. Dennis Nave To Speak On Family Caregivers Month

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month “Share the Caring,” Dr. Dennis Nave will speak on “Providing Care For The Caregiver” at the Arbor of Minden on Thurs. Nov. 21 from 10:30-11:30 AM. For more info, call Sandra Frith at 624-3665.

Athens High School PTA To Hold Meeting Thurs. Nov. 21

Athens High School PTA will hold its monthly meeting at 6 PM Thursday, Nov. 21 in the school cafeteria.

Historic Commission To Meet Wednesday 5:30 PM City Hall

The Homer Historic District Commission will meet at 5:30 PM November 20 at Homer City Hall. Included on the agenda will be a public hearing concerning the Town of Homer’s application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for intial plans to renovate the two wooden buildings at the southeast corner of the square. The meeting is open to the public.

Willie Burns, Jr. To Sponsor Thanksgiving Dinner To Homer City Hall

Willie Burns Jr. will sponsor Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings for the more needy, less fortunate individuals who live in Claiborne Parish on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2002 from 11 AM - 2 PM at Homer City Hall.

DWCC To Hold Fall Arts & Crafts Festival November 30, Dec. 1

David Wade Correctional Center will hold their 2002 Fall Arts & Crafts Festival featuring wood crafts, art work and leather crafts on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 8 AM - 4 PM both days. DWCC is located at 670 Bell Hill Road, off Hwy. 79 South northeast of Homer. For more info, call 927-9631.

Christmas Festival Sponsoring Cookie Contest For Ages 5-15

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival is sponsoring a Christmas Cookie Contest for ages 5 to 15. Cookies will be judged on presentation, originality and taste. Children should bring cookies to Info Booth on the Square at 10 AM November 30. There is no charge to enter.

Haynesville Elementary Taking Orders For Dressing, Rolls

Haynesville Elementary is taking orders for fresh Christmas dressing, ready to pick up on December 19, just in time for Christmas. The price is $12 gallon and $6 half gallon. Rolls are also available for $2.50 dozen. You may place your order by calling Haynesville Elementary at 624-1084 or contact any Haynesville Elementary teacher. Deadline Dec. 12.

RetiredTeachers To Sponsor TripTo See Marshall Christmas Lights

The Claiborne Parish Retired Teachers’ Unit is sponsoring a trip to Marshall, Texas on December 5 to tour the Christmas lights. The cost is $10. If you are interested call Marie Gray 927-6705, Lenora Birch 927-3218, Merdis Holyfield 927-6157, or Geraldine Coleman 624-1847.

Festival Committee Selling Lights On Memory Tree And Wreaths

The Claiborne Christmas Festival will sell lights on the Memory Tree “in memory” or “in honor” of an individual for $5. The tree will start with all "red" lights. As donations are made, lights will be changed to white "in memory" of someone and blue “in honor” of someone. To place an order call Dale Tully at 927-9009 or mail your check to Claiborne Christmas Festival, c/o Dale Tully at Miss Lizzie's, 200 West Third, Homer, LA 71040. Persons or individuals may also purchase one of the Christmas wreaths to honor or memorialize someone. The price is $175 and includes a small plaque to be placed on the light pole under the

Reserve Seats Now For Chartered Bus To The Bayou Classic

Willie L. Burns will be providing a bus ride to the Bayou Classic for a fee of $35 to and from New Orleans. Bus seating is limited to 47 seats, so hurry and reserve your seat to the game. The bus will leave from the old A&P Shopping Center (Dollar Store parking lot) in Homer on November 30 promptly at 5 AM. For more details call 927-9707. Tickets for the Bayou Classic are NOT included!!

Flu Shots Now Available At Claiborne Parish Health Unit

Flu shots are now available at the Claiborne Parish Health Unit at 624 West Main in Homer by appointment. Shots are available to anyone over age 50 or to any high risk individuals. A fee of $10 will be charged for those not covered by medicare or medicaid. Please bring medicare or medicaid card with you. Call 927-6127 for information.

Homer High Cheerleaders Selling Play Station 2 Chances

Homer High Cheerleaders are selling $1 chances to win a Play Station 2. Drawing will be held during the Homecoming game between during the Homer and Lakeside Friday, November 8. To purchase a chance see any Homer High Cheerleader or call Rhonda Porter at 927-6091.

Homer High FBLA Search For Former Members

This year the Louisiana State FBLA Committee is organizing an Alumni Division for Louisiana FBLA, and each chapter is responsible for locating former members, family, or friends who would like to remain connected to FBLA. If you would like to become a member of the Louisiana FBLA Alumni Division and the National FBLA-PBL Professional Division, please contact any FBLA member or call Mrs. June McClure at the Homer High Business Lab, 927-5291.

Reserve Your Homer Elementary School Yearbook Now For $15

Reserve you Homer Elementary Yearbook now. Until February 1, 2002, the price is $15. After February 1, 2003, yearbooks will be $20. Cash payments only are accepted.

Absentee Voting Set For The December 7, 2002 Election

Absentee voting for the December 7, 2002 Election will be held Monday-Wednesday, November 25-27 and Saturday, November 30 from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The Registrar of Voters will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 & 29.

American Legion, Legion Auxiliary Seeking Dues Not Paid

The American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary #73 are collecting dues for the 2003 year. If 2002 dues are not paid, you must pay both no later than Dec. 31, 2002. Please make sure information on notices is correct. Anyone who did not receive a notice should contact Carol Jones.