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March 13, 2003

 

Hospital Board Addresses Security Problems

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Board of Directors of the Homer Memorial Hospital met Tuesday, February 18. Among the issues discussed were a number of security problems that have been reported since the Hospital did away with the security personnel. Hospital Administrator James McClung said they've had at least three different instances and asked the Board to allow him to hire one man to work from 6 PM until midnight. He said this is the most critical time according to the emergency room supervisor and the medical staff. McClung said he might possibly want to employ a second individual so someone would be on duty seven days a week. The Board voted to hire a person to work security and to send him to school to be certified.

School Board Gives Go Ahead For Summerfield Softball Field

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Summerfield softball players and their parents filled the meeting room of the Claiborne Parish School Board Thursday, March 6, as a show of support for Principal D'Arcy Stevens' request that the Board approve the purchase of four acres of land adjacent to the campus across Horseshoe Road for a new softball field. He also asked the Board to match the $10,000 raised by the Summerfield PTO. The Board approved the purchase of the property and paying the $10,000 in matching funds from the parishwide maintenance fund. Jones said the School would need to donate the land back to the School Board.

Police Jury Approves Road Name Changes

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury approved a list of road name changes presented by Glenda Greer, Director of Claiborne Communications District E-911, at their meeting on Thursday, March 6, The changes were needed for safety reasons and to avoid possible confusion over road names when dispatching emergency personnel to a residence. The following road name changes for 2003 were approved: Dogwood Road to Webb Country Road Garrett Hill will remain the same; Garrett Lane will be deleted Hill Farm Drive from Hwy. 9 on north side to intersection with Gladney Farm Road-private unnamed from there around to Hwy. 9 on south side. Hill Farm Road from Hwy. 9 near south side of perimeter north to intersect with Hill Farm Drive Hodges Road to Gladys Hodges Road Jones Road to Earl Jones Road Kelly Road to Lonely Way Lake Landing to Liberty Hill Landing Lakefront Lane to Breeze Lane Lakeshore Lane to Peaceful Bay Lakeside Road to Daydream Drive Lakeview Road to Doves Rest (appropriate abbreviation - Rst) Lewis Road to Trudie Road Main Road to Sam Main Road Miller Road to Frank Miller Road Pecan Lane to Pecan Tree Lane Taylor Lane to Malcolm Loop Walker Lane to Rolling Hills (Hls) Greer said these names will be sent to the postal system and the phone company database. The house numbers will not change, so residents will not need to replace the blue/white reflective number signs. Residents will need to begin changing addresses with the U.S. Post Office, Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security, etc. after March 21.

Haynesville Native Has Duck Decoy Featured In Recreation Life Magazine

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Haynesville native Frank Price recently published an article in the December 2002 issue of Recreation Life, the No. 1 sporting publication for the outdoor world. The article entitled "The Magic of Motion" recalls Price's first experience duck and goose hunting. It was in 1972 when one of his dad's friends, Larry Walker of Haynesville, took him on a hunting trip to Lake Charles as a high school graduation present. It was then his love of duck hunting or as he calls it, his "waterfowl obsession" began.

Claiborne Parish-The Heart Of The Louisiana Purchase

Jubilee To Feature "Homemade Ice Cream" Contest

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Claiborne Parish Jubilee Committee met Monday, March 10 to continue making plans for the festival planned for Saturday, May 10. Rhonda Porter said she had almost completed the design for the logo for the T-Shirt and should have it by the next meeting. The Committee decided they preferred the theme, "Claiborne Parish-Heart of the Louisiana Purchase" and wanted to use that on the T-Shirt, possibly encircling the graphic design of the Courthouse, using a portion of the State's emblem. The Committee decided to hold a "Homemade Ice Cream Contest" to coincide with other events scheduled for the day. Besides the arts and craft displays from some of the more talented residents in the parish and area, there will be all day entertainment, educational booths and craft demonstrations, a health fair by Homer Memorial Hospital, a pet show or petting zoo through the LSU AgCenter, and a short drama reflecting some history of Louisiana Purchase era by the Homer Drama Club under the direction of Denice Owens. The Committee hopes to have rules and regulations for entering and judging the arts and crafts display ready by the next meeting on Monday, March 17 at 5 PM in Homer City Hall. Anyone wishing to help with any portion of the Jubilee is encouraged to attend.

Weekly D.A.R.T. Meetings Held For Children Exposed To Domestic Abuse

If you know of a child who has either been a victim of or a witness to domestic violence, DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) can help. Children's Playgroups are held locally each week in conjunction with the local area Women's Group. The DART Playgroups offer an opportunity for children to interact with other children who have been, or who presently are, going through similar situations. The Children's Playgroup is led by child advocate Aarin Austin and includes a short lesson, games, books, arts and crafts. The focus of each week's group is different and covers such topics as anger management, safety, feelings, and many other subjects. These activities are geared to help children of domestic violence. In addition, women of domestic violence are urged to participate in the adult class. This class helps the adult to vent her own emotions in dealing with her abuse. For more information or if you or someone you know is in need of DART's services, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Ellen Gamble or Aarin Austin at the Claiborne Parish DART Office at 318-927-2818.

Clawsons Accepting Donations For Relay For Life Luminairies

Deborah and Patrick Clawson, along with Clawson Chiropractic employees Donna Bennett and Terri Hollenshead are assisting Bonnie Keene, Chairman of the Claiborne Parish 2003 American Cancer Society "Relay For Life" set for April 5 at Homer High School football stadium. The Clawsons will be collecting donations for the luminaire ceremony, where candles shine from paper bags decorated with messages in honor of those who battle cancer and in memory of those who have been lost. Luminaries are $10. Call 927-2320 for more information, or mail your $10 check payable to the American Cancer Society to Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony, 727 West Main, Homer LA 71040. Enclose you name, address, phone and the name of the person you wish to honor or memorialize.

I-69 Corridor (Shreveport to El Dorado) Public Meetings Scheduled

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department are preparing an environmental impact statement to construct a section of the proposed Interstate Highway 69 between Interstate Highway 20 near the town of Haughton, Louisiana to US Highway 82 near the town of El Dorado, Arkansas. Open forum meetings will be held with the public to provide information about the study as well as address questions and issues of concern. During the meetings a formal presentation will be given about the project at the top of each hour. The study team will be available throughout the course of the meeting to answer questions and concerns. Comment forms will be distributed for written input. Meeting Schedule: El Dorado Area - Tuesday, March 25, 2003, 4-7pm, South Arkansas Community College, West Campus, Library Auditorium 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR Haynesville Area - Wednesday, March 26, 4-7 pm, Claiborne Parish Fair Barn Complex, 1563 Fairgrounds Drive, Haynesville, LA Minden Area - Thursday, March 27, 4-7pm, Minden Civic Center Complex, 520 Broadway, Minden, LA For more information visit the project website at http://www.i69arkla.com or call the project toll-free hotline at 1-877-886-9233. Beginning March 25, the program office at 425 West Main Street, Homer, LA will be open as a public information center from 8am to 5pm.

NOTICE TO READERS THE GUARDIAN-JOURNAL HAS A NEW TOLL-FREE LINE AT 1-877-480-9918. Archived Guardian Journal Headlines & News Briefs from November 1999

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.    Support, Information & Photo Contributions Needed for Claiborne One - A community effort is needed in collecting information for Claiborne One. For contribution ideas, see the open letter from Claiborne One's local web site designer. In addition, business and organization sponsorship support is needed to insure continued growth of our site. Visit the Claiborne One Spnsorship Page 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.    Homer Memorial To Offer Free Childbirth Preparation Class - Homer Memorial Hospital will offer Childbirth Preparations Classes beginning Thursday, February 6. Classes are free and are open to anyone wishing to attend. To register, call the hospital at 927-2024 and ask for the OB nurse.    Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive - Archived images from the recent Homer Christmas Festival and Parade are now online. Upcoming image archives to include: Haynesville Butterfly Festival 2000, Homer Christmas Festival 1999, Claiborne Parish Scenery, Lake Claiborne State Park and more. To submit your images for inclusion in the Claiborne One Image Archive you may email them to webmaster@ClaiborneOne.org.    Lake Commission To Meet Thursday, March 20, 5:30 PM - The Claiborne Watershed District Commission, (Lake Commission) will meet Thurs, March 20 at 5:30 PM at the Police Jury Office Complex. The agenda includes fishing and hunting regulations, petition for study of flooding on Lake Claiborne by US Army Corps of Engineers, first artificial reef project completed Jan. 8, follow-up of scheduled draw down of the Lake, DOTD inspection of the dam, and report on March 13 meeting at the Depot in Arcadia to discuss area economic development and proposed legislation for state management of Louisiana Waters.    Stuffing Needed For Dolls And Teddy Bears-Can You Help? - Local ladies who meet the first Tuesday every month to make dolls and teddy bears as gifts for needy children and lap robes for the elderly, need more stuffing for the bears and dolls. The ladies meet at the Homer Church of Christ Annex building on West Main (Hwy. 79) between 9 AM and 2 PM. For more information, call Kay Lowery at 927-4705.    Dollmaking Has Resumed At Church Annex Building - Local ladies began meeting again Tuesday, Jan. 7 to make dolls and teddy bears to be donated to local authorities for use as gifts for needy children in the area and throughout the state. Ladies will also be making lap robes for the elderly. Meetings are held the first Tuesday every month from 9 AM - 2 PM at the Homer Church of Christ Annex Building on West Main. (Hwy. 79). For more information, call Kay Lowery at 927-4705. Donations for materials are welcome.    New Cabins At Lake Claiborne State Park Are Open - Ten vacation cabins opened at Lake Claiborne State Park on January 9, 2001. Units rent for $65 with a 2-night minimum on weekends. and have everything but towels and soap. To reserve your cabin, call toll free (877) CAMP-N-LA (226-7652) from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Image archive of Lake Claiborne State Park now online.    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.    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.    Lake Claiborne State Park Events - For information on upcoming events - Call 1-888-677-2524 toll free or 318-927-2976.    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.    Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD - TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call 927-2011.    Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer - The Homer Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within an eight mile radius of Homer may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Homer. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting Mac Brakefield, Executive Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271.				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.    Trash Bash Set For Saturday - The Homer Clean City Committee will sponsor their regular Trash Bash this Saturday, March 15.    Educational Seminars For Seniors Begin Today, Feb. 27 - A series of educational programs designed to inform senior citizens on 1) banking and cost saving tips, 2) wills, estates, and other legal documents, 3) health and safety tips, and 4) insurance will be held Thursday, February 27 at 11 AM at the Cadenhead Community Center in Haynesville and in Homer at Homer City Hall at 1:30 PM. The Seminar will also be held at Homer City Hall on Saturday, March 22 at 1 PM and on Thursday, May 22 at 1 PM. For information call Joetta Williams at 927-3579 in Homer or Renee L. Buggs at 624-2552 in Haynesville, or Valena Lane at 247-6676 or Tonya Jackson at 255-3632.    Deadline March 29 On Christmas Festival Cookbook - March 29 is the last day to submit recipes for the Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival Cookbook. Please send 3 or 4 of your favorite recipes as soon as possible to Miss Lizzie's, 400 West 3rd St. Homer, LA 71040.    Homer High Track Team To Sponsor Spaghetti Lunch - The Homer High School Track Team is sponsoring a Spaghetti Lunch on Sunday, March 16 from 11 AM - 1:30 PM at the Homer High School cafeteria. Plates are $5, dine in or carry out.    Account Set Up At Regions Bank For Cancer Patient Alicia Lewis - An account has been set up at Regions Bank in Homer to help defray expenses for Alicia Lewis, who is presently undergoing chemotherapy and will soon face radiation treatments for breast cancer. Her present condition making her unable to return to work at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.    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.    ACS's 2003 "Relay For Life" Committee To Meet February 19 - The American Cancer Society's 2003 Relay For Life will be held April 5, 2003 at Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium. Rather than the normal overnight event, the Relay will begin at 2 PM and conclude at 2 AM on Sunday, April 6. The next planning meeting will be held at noon on Wednesday, February 19 in the meeting room at Linder Motor Lodge. For more information or to sign up a team, call Bonnie Keene at 927-1517.    Claiborne Parish Police JuryMeeting Agenda Online - Visit The Claiborne Parish Police Jury Official Proceedings site page for Meeting Agendas. Meetings are held each Wednesday (general discussions) and Thursday (decision making session) after the first Monday of each month. Agendas are presented the day before the Wednesday meeting.    Homer High FBLA To Have Bake Sale Saturday - On Saturday, March 15, Homer High FBLA members will hold a Bake Sale in front of the Homer Wal-Mart from 9AM-1:30 PM, with cakes, cookies, pies, brownies, cobblers, teacakes, and other baked goods. To request a special item or place an order, contact any FBLA member or June McClure at 927-5291. Funds will be used to send the local FBLA District I winners to the State Leadership Conference in Baton Rouge March 28-April 1. Please support our local group.    Claiborne Electric To Hold Annual Meeting Saturday, March 22 - Claiborne Electric Cooperative will hold their annual meeting Saturday, March 22 at the Homer High auditorium. The meeting will begin with singing by "Men of Calvary" at 1 PM followed by the business meeting at 2 PM. Featured speaker will be newly elected Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell. Highlight of the meeting will be the drawing for ten $1,000 college scholarships.    Claiborne Council On Aging Events - Bingo is played every Friday after Lunch. Lunches are served daily Monday thru Friday. Exercise treadmills and rowing machines are available. Slip and molds are available for ceramics. Our Claiborne Council on Aging site page is now online...    “Firehouse Jammers” Have Moved To Claiborne Electric - The “Firehouse Jammers” have outgrown the Homer Fire Station. They are now meeting at Claiborne Electric on Hwy. 146 All are welcome to bring their instrument and join in “picking and singing,” or just sit back and enjoy the music, the coffee and refreshments, every Friday night from 7 PM till. For more info, call Jerry Brown at 927-3792. «More»    D.A.R.T.’s WAVE Group Meets Every Wednesday In Homer - D.A.R.T.'s newly organized Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Group "WAVE" (Women Against Violence Everywhere) meets every Wednesday in Homer from 5:30-6:00 PM. Family violence and domestic abuse is a concern in which all members of the community must become involved to ensure a safe and secure home for everyone. If you or someone you know is in a relationship that is violent or abusive, help is available. For more information, call (318) 513-9373 or (800) 281-7885.    Police Jury Collecting Old Tires Without Rims - The Police Jury is now collecting old tires without rims at their barn location at 4070 Hwy. 79 South, next to Ludlow. The site has been approved by the La. Department of Environmental Quality for a collection sit for old tires. The Police Jury will not accept tires unless the rim has been removed. Tires with rims will be rejected. Residents can drop off their waste tires during regular working hours Monday-Friday. For more information, call the Police Jury office at 927.2222.    Have A Drug Or Alcohol Problem? Narconon Can Help. - Currently there are between 15 and 24 million drug addicts in the United States. Narconon means not drugs or narcotics-none and is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that has brought hope to the problem of addiction. Through our hotline and web-site we offer free assessments and over 11,000 local referrals. If you or someone you know has a drug or alcohol addiction call Narconon today at (800) 468-6933 or visit us at www.stopaddiction.com. Addiction can be overcome, Narconon can help.
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