HEADLINES - March 6, 2003

Council Reinstates Treasurer On Advice Of Attorney

- Former Mayor Addresses Council Concerning Budget

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

Mayor Huey Dean apologized to those attending the Town Council meeting Monday, March 3 for not being able to accommodate everyone due to the available space, but they were not set up to record the meeting in the City Hall auditorium. Town attorney Wayne Smith advised the Council they would need to reinstate Treasurer Debra Sarpy since, according to the Town Charter, she had been appointed for a one year term February 7. Councilman Johnette Faulkner asked if the Council could amend the Town Charter to combine the Clerk and Treasurer into one position. Smith said it could be done, but it would be a 3 to 4 month process but won't have an effect now. Billy Kirk Jenkins asked if the Town were operating illegally. Smith said you could consider that, but the Town has operated in the past without a specifically appointed treasurer. The Council approved by a vote of 4 to 1 J. C. Moore's motion to reinstate Debra Sarpy with the same $250 reduction in salary as Town Clerk Lana Pugh. Thomas McDonald voted against the motion.

Homer Officers Investigate Drive-By Shooting

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

Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead reported that on Thursday, February 27 at approximately 6:50 PM, Myron T. Allen, 28, of Homer was shot while driving eastbound on Pearl Street in Homer. Allen had just crossed the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive when a black Cadillac passed him from behind. According to eyewitnesses, someone leaned out the window and began firing a handgun toward Allen, hitting his vehicle seven times. One shot went through the car door, striking Allen. This caused him to accelerate and veer to the left, striking the right rear of the passing Cadillac.One witness called 911and informed the dispatcher on duty that Allen had been taken to Homer Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle. Officers responded to the scene and questioned several witnesses who described the vehicle as a late 80s or early 90s model Cadillac with at least two people in the car. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified immediately and asked to “be on the lookout” for a black Cadillac with possible damage to the right rear. Evidence at the crime scene suggests a 9mm caliber handgun was used. Homer Police officers have since located and seized the vehicle believed to be involved in this crime as part of their ongoing investigation. Officers are presently looking at two possible suspects. Chief Hollenshead said Allen was treated at Homer Memorial, then transferred to the trauma center at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, where he remains in serious condition. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please contact the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.

Hundreds Attend Highway Summit In Junction City

- Voice Support For Four-Laning Hwy. 167 From Arkansas To I-20

Junction City Mayors Preston Rogers (LA) and Jerry Brewer (AR) welcomed a large crowd to the Highway Summit held Monday, March 3 in the Junction City Senior Citizen Center. Brewer said, "I've never seen so many politicians in all my life." Besides the two U. S. Congressmen Mike Ross of Arkansas and Rodney Alexander of Louisiana who hosted the event, a number of other elected officials were in attendance. Ross introduced Arkansas officials and Alexander introduced officials from Louisiana, which included members of the panel as well as numerous mayors from along and near the Hwy. 167 corridor.

Shreveport Fire Chief Gives Advice To Students At Homer Elementary School

In anticipation of the upcoming IOWA and LEAP tests, the students at Homer Elementary were treated Thursday, February 27 with the privilege of having Chief Kelvin Cochran come to speak and encourage them about their future. Special guest for the occasion was Assistant Superintendent of Claiborne Parish Schools, Sherman Brown. A native of Shreveport, Kelvin Cochran as a five-year-old boy, spellbound by Shreveport firefighters fighting a fire across the street from his house, dreamed that one day he would be a firefighter. That dream came true in 1981 when he was hired on with the Shreveport Fire Department. His childhood dream "out-did-itself" when he was appointed Fire Chief in 1999.

Louisiana Chapter Of I-69 Highway Coalition To Hold Public Meetings

The Louisiana delegation of the I-69 Mid-Continent Highway Coalition met Wednesday, February 26 in Bossier City. The group was briefed on information from Chairman John D. Caruthers who recently returned from a meeting of the seven state coalition in Washington DC. The group had important meetings with members of Congress as they were preparing the draft of the 2003 transportation bill. This bill will be adopted later this year and will authorize funding for the nation's highway programs. By the end of March, several meetings will be held to provide public input into the identification of the corridor which will link El Dorado, Arkansas with I-20 in Louisiana. The meetings will be held at 4 PM and 7 PM on the following dates: March 25 - South Arkansas Community College Library auditorium at 300 South West Ave. in El Dorado, ArkansasMarch 26 - Claiborne Parish Fair Barn Complex at 1583 Fairgrounds Drive Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will establish an information site in Homer, and provide web-site access to I-69 alignment information.

Spring Test Dates For Claiborne Parish Schools Set For March 10-14

LEAP, Iowa, Graduate Exams Set For Next Week

The Claiborne Parish School Board will be conducting annual LEAP tests, Iowa tests, and Graduate Exit exams during the month of March and April. According to Instructional Supervisor Barbara Monzingo, the following testing schedule will be followed: Leap 21 for grades 4 and 8 - March 10-14, Graduate Exit Exam 21 for grades 10 & 11 - March 10-14, Iowa Test (ITBS) for grades 3, 5 6, 7 - March 10-14, and Iowa Test (ITED) for grade 9 - March 10-14.

MARCH 6, 2003 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.

Relay For Life Team Leaders To Meet March 18 At HMH

The Relay For Life Team Leaders Meeting for March has been changed to March 18 at Homer memorial Hospital at noon. The March 4 meeting was cancelled.

Deadline To Order Junction City Yearbooks Is Fri. March 7

The Junction City Annual Staff will be selling 2003 Dragon Yearbooks until Friday, March 7. The price is $25. You will have the option of having your name put on the cover for an additional $3. You may pay the entire $25 or you may pay $10 now and the rest when it arrives this fall. Don't miss out! No extras will be ordered this year. Any questions, call 870-924-4576.

Kindergarten Roundup Set At Mt. Olive Christian School

Mt. Olive Christian School will hold its Kindergarten Roundup on Friday, March 7 at 9:00 a.m. Come see what a day is like in kindergarten. There will be a short program. Refreshments will be provided. If you would like more information, call the school at 258-5661.

Pre-K, K-5 Registration New Students Haynesville Elementary

There will be an open enrollment registration for any new student entering the Haynesville Elementary Pre-K and K-5 beginning now and will continue until classes are filled. In order for a child to be put in a Pre-K or K-5 class, you must bring the following: 1) birth certificate, 2) Social Security card, and 3) shot record from the Health Unit or Doctor's office. Registration packets will be filled out at the school registration for the 2003-04 school term which will be held in August.

Haynesville Fire Station To Hold Blood Drive Monday

Haynesville Fire Station will hold a Blood Drive on Monday, March 10 from 2-6 PM on the mobile bus. There are several reasons to give blood, such as 20-month-old Coleson Shaw of Minden, who was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia or Kayla Jernigan, a student at Herndon Magnet who is a sickle cell patient. Both need regular blood transfusions..

Claiborne Bass Busters Will Meet March 6 At Fire Station

Claiborne Bass Busters will meet March 6 at 7 PM at the Homer Fire Station. For info, call Daryl Cheney at 927-4943.

State Rep. Rick Gallot Sets Office Schedule For March

State Rep. Richard "Rick" Gallot will see constituents in the Homer office located inside the Police Jury office at 507 West Main Street, Homer, La. on the following dates in March: Monday, March 19; Tuesday, March 18; and Tuesday, March 25 from 9 AM to 12 PM. For an appointment contact Lari Talbert at 800-676-2111 or call the Homer office at (318) 927-2519.

Claiborne Jubilee Committee To Meet Monday, March 10

The Claiborne Jubilee Committee will meet Monday, March 10 at 5 PM at the Homer City Hall. All interested persons are invited to attend.

Claiborne Parish School Board, Police Jury To Meet

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will meet at 10 AM Wednesday, March 5 for their work session and at 10 AM Thursday, March 6 for the regular meeting. The Claiborne Parish School Board will meet at 7 PM Thursday, March 6 immediately following their work session.

Public Meeting On Quail Management On Caney Ranger District

The Caney Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest will hold a public meeting on Quail management regarding the Caney Ranger District. The purpose is to gain information from the public as to what the concerns are to Quail management activities, and to give an opportunity to interested parties to give input for future project development. The public meeting has beenscheduled for 7 PM, March 6, 2003 at the Caney Ranger District at 3288 Hwy 79 in Homer. If you have questions, call 927-2061.

Claiborne Academy 70s Reunion To Be Held Saturday, March 15

The Claiborne Academy 70s Reunion will be held Saturday, March 15, 2003 from 6:00 to 12:00 PM at the Haynesville Fair Complex. All former and current faculty, alumni, and interested friends of Claiborne Academy may contact Patrick Gladney or Joellyn Lewis at 927-9601 for more information.

Four A.C.T. Workshops Scheduled For March

Community Coordinating Council, Inc. and Rep. Richard Gallot, Jr. announce A.C.T. Workshops for high school students on March 8, 15, 22, and 29 at Arcadia, Bernice, Homer, and Ruston. Interested teachers may contact Valena Lane or Tonya Jackson before March 1 at 318-255-3632 or 318-247-6676.

Cattlemen’s Association To Meet March 6 At Hill Farm

The Claiborne Parish Cattlemen’s Association will meet at 6 PM March 6, 2003 at the Hill Farm Research Station. Dr. Ron Del Vacchio, LSU AgCenter’s Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, will be speaking about the various programs offered for Louisiana beef cattle producers. A meal will be served. Hope to see you there! If you have not paid your parish and state dues, please bring it with you and give to Mr. Jimmy Monzingo, Secretary/Treasurer of the Claiborne Parish Cattlemen’s Association.

The Guardian-Journal Looking For Active Military Personnel

The Guardian-Journal is working to compile a list of active military personnel from our area. Anyone who knows someone currently serving active duty in any branch of the armed forces is asked to please contact Susan Herring by calling (318) 927-3541 or (318) 927-9312, or send an email to guardianjournal@aol.com or kimdeann@bellsouth.net. Any church, school, classroom, organization, or individual who would like to adopt one of these serviceman while they are away from home serving our country are also asked to contact Herring at The Guardian-Journal.

Homer Fire Department Conducting Annual Fundraiser

The Homer Fire Department began conducting their annual fundraiser Monday, February 24. A representative of the HFD is going door to door offering 11x14 portraits. Anyone with questions can call Dennis Butcher at 927-3881 or Ronnie McKenzie at 927-2149.

Pelican Quarterback Club To Hold Bass Tourney March 29

The Homer High Pelican Quarterback Club will hold their annual Bass Tournament on Saturday, March 29 at Parden’s Paradise. For more information or entry forms, call club president Bill Owens at 927-3939 or coach Glen Kyle at 927-5212 or 927-4658.

Christmas Festival To Hold 1st Annual Big Bass Tournament

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival will hold a Big Bass Tournament on Lake Claiborne on Saturday, April 5 from 7 AM to 3 PM from Parden’s Paradise. Entry fee is $25 per person. Cash prizes of $300 First, $200 Second, and $100 Third will be awarded. For more information, call Joe Freeman at 927-1135, Ann Freeman at 927-6357 or Dale Tully at 927-9009.

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Legion Auxiliary Unit 75 Selling Gold Star Banners

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #75 is selling Gold Star Banners. They are available at The General Store for $7 each.

Christmas Festival Committee Needs Recipes For Cookbook

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival 2003 are collecting favorite recipes from people in the community to be published in a beautiful spiral bound cookbook. Each recipe that is selected will show the name of the contributor. Please send 3 or 4 of your favorite recipes as soon as possible to Miss Lizzie’s, 400 West 3rd St. Homer, LA 71040.