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March 20, 2003

 

Local Soldiers Head Overseas As War Looms

101st Airborne Division To Kuwait, 527th Engineering Battalion To Afghanistan

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

The 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky received orders Thursday, February 6 that a certain number of the 20,000 soldiers in the division would be headed overseas. Their destination is the U.S. Central Command area of operations, which includes the Persian Gulf. Among those deployed were Spc. Clint Bellew, son of Donnie and Jo Bellew of Homer; and Spc. Kristopher Darden, son of Christine Gantt of Homer.

Man Arrested With Gun At Haynesville Track Meet

Lee C. Brown, 19, of Cotton Valley, was arrested by the Haynesville Police Department on Friday, March 14 while attending a track meet in Haynesville. Brown was charged with carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon while on school property. Haynesville Police Officer Jimmy Mitchell was on duty at the track meet when he attempted to settle a disturbance. It was then he determined Brown apparently had a gun in his possession. Upon further investigation, Brown was arrested and the gun was seized. The penalty if convicted for carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property shall be a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years.

Arcadia Man Arrested For Drive-By Shooting In Homer

The Homer Police Department, assisted by members of the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office and Probation and Parole officers, arrested Elton C. Murphy without incident, on Tuesday, March 11. Murphy was charged with attempted second degree murder in connection with the drive-by shooting incident in Homer on February 27, 2003. Chief Rodney Hollenshead stated that after interviewing witnesses in the area and the victim of the shooting, a warrant was obtained for the arrest of Elton C. Murphy. Hollenshead said there were several pieces of physical evidence recovered at the scene of the shooting, at the intersection of Pearl St. and Martin Luther King Drive. All the evidence was sent to the North Louisiana Crime Laboratory in Shreveport, where it was analyzed as part of the investigation. Murphy is being held in the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $50,000. According to Chief Hollenshead, other arrests are expected after the Grand Jury convenes on April 1, 2003.

Home Invasion Results In Four Arrests

Four young men, who reportedly call themselves, "The Boot Camp Crew" allegedly forced their way into the home of a Haynesville resident during the early morning hours on Sunday, March 16. Following the investigation, Haynesville police officers arrested four men for the illegal, forced entry into the Haynesville residence. The men were identified as James Smith, 18; Daniel Manning, 17, and two male juveniles, all of Haynesville. Each of the men were charged with being in violation of the following criminal statutes: aggravated assault, aggravated criminal trespass, illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentalities, and terrorizing. Following prosecution and conviction of anyone charged with any of the above listed crimes can be sentenced as follows: Aggravated assault carries a fine of $1,000 or a sentence of six months imprisonment. Criminal Trespass - a fine of $500 Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities - imprisonment for not less than 10 years no more than 20 years. Terrorizing - Fine of not more than $15,000, imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than 15 years, or both fine and imprisonment. The results of the investigative efforts of the Haynesville Police Department indicate other arrests may be forthcoming.

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.

Parade For Peace-Prayer Vigil

Thursday, March 20, 6 PM, Claiborne Parish Courthouse

Local citizens will gather Thursday, March 20 just before 6 PM in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church behind Hibernia Bank, to begin a Parade for Peace which will end with a Prayer Vigil on the lawn of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The purpose of the Parade and Vigil is to pray for peace both at home and abroad, and to pray for the safety of our troops. Many young men and women from our own area have been deployed overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in preparation for the impending War with Iraq. At the same time, there is a sense of tension and unrest at home. Residents from Homer, Haynesville, and all of Claiborne Parish are asked to come together Thursday evening and join us as we pray for peace and for the safety of all people everywhere. If you are unable to attend in person, we ask that you join us in prayer at 6 PM on Thursday.

Local Veterinarian Gets Tax Benefits Through Renewal Community Program

Dr. John Tinsley, a Claiborne Parish veterinarian, has added 950 square feet to and remodeled 1,000 square feet of his animal clinic, and got a $77,000 tax break all with the help of the LSU AgCenter. Tinsley is just one of several businesses in the Northern Renewal Community that have received more than $8 million in tax deductions for the 2002 tax year by taking advantage of federal tax benefits available through the Renewal Community program's "Commercial Revitalization Deduction." Tinsley said he would not have known about this program had it not been for Dora Ann Hatch, an LSU AgCenter community economic development agent, telling him about it.

Public Information Office On I-69 To Open In Homer

Public Meetings Set Next Week In Haynesville, Minden, El Dorado

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. The I-69 Coalition will open a public information center on March 25 in Homer. The office will be located at 425 West Main Street and will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM. 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.

First Guaranty Bank Shows Support For Troops

As the United States prepares for war against Iraq, our soldiers and sailors are now positioned overseas ready to defend our country. Our soldiers are always appreciative of cards, gifts or personal items, and most of all, our prayers. In order to show our support, First Guaranty Bank is soliciting supplies for our soldiers and sailors serving in the Persian Gulf. Suggested items include: personal care items, non-perishable snack foods, vitamins, batteries, magazines, etc. A box will be located in the lobby of our branches located in Haynesville, Homer, Dubach, Benton, Oil City, and Vivian. Should a cash donation be offered, an account has been set up at First Guaranty so funds can be used to purchase additional supplies. On behalf of the many United States soldiers, the Bank thanks you for your participation in this community project.

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

Claiborne Parish Public Schools To Close Next Week - Claiborne Parish Public Schools will close the week of March 24-28 for Spring Break. Schools will reopen Monday, March 31.    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.    Military Prayer List - Robert M. French, Michael R. Pearce, David R. Nutt, Joe D. Quarles,Terrance A. Smith, Lemuel A. Wells, LaDarrell T. Willis, Rametria S. Banks, Cooly Calvin, Tiffany M. Hamilton, Gary K. McCline, Phyllis D. Wartley, Anthony C. Bailey, Ryan A. Barraclough, Robert N. Carter, Orlando J. West, Patice K. Ford, Beau Bower, Jamin Perkins, Jake Hooker, Reese Barrington, Aaron McDaniel, Jr., Kirk Dorrell, Geoffry Moore, John Mark Tabor, Fred Cox, Kristopher Darden, Clint Bellew, Alisha Davila, Clay Williams, Kirk Dorrell, Chris Ebarb, Brian Dees, Jim Philpot, Angela Smith, John Davis Peep, Judd Parker, Casey Heard, David Hardy, Lance Fife, Lee C. Banks, Jr., Jimmy Mason, Stuart Mason, Blake Mason, Marcus Willis, James Alan Burns, Jason Vise, Matthew Ratliff, Tess Hughes, Adam White, Leonard Michael Legendre, Samuel Kasey Gryder, Khieem Jackson, Martin Carnell, Warren Fielding, Will G. Shrout, Ashley Henderson, Joe Duranz Levingston, Angel Smith.    Haynesville Town Council To Meet Thursday, March 20 - The Haynesville Town Council will meet on Thursday, March 20 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers.    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.    Child Passenger Safety March 31, Safety Seat Check Up April 5 - Due to the fact that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children, the Louisiana State Police and Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force will sponsor a "Child Passenger Safety Awareness Meeting" on Monday, March 31 at 10 AM at the Claiborne Willis Knighton Regional Health Center at 104 Morris Circle in Homer (past Synco Motors). Please call Lenora Holm at 318-676-5286 or email her at lholm@dhh.state.la.us by Friday, March 28 if you plan to attend. On April 5 between 10 AM and 1 PM, you can stop by the Homer Wal-Mart for a "Child Safety Seat Check Up" where you can learn how to install your child safety seat in your vehicle and to properly secure your child in his seat. Hands-On teaching by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians. Call 318-741-7411 for an appointment. Nine of 10 Louisiana parents are using their child's car seat wrong!    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.    Mt. Olive Christian School Announces 21st Annual Auction - Mt. Olive Christian School announces its 21st Annual Auction to be held April 3-5, 2003. The auction will begin at 6:00 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday night. The outside sale will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Consignments are welcome, and donations are appreciated. For more information, contact Len Gantt at 243-0674 or 258-5483.    A.C.T. Test Preparation Workshops Scheduled - A.C.T. Test Preparation Workshops for high school students will be held from 1 - 3 PM at Homer High School on Saturday, March 22 for science and math and on Saturday, March 29 from 10 AM-noon for science, math and English/reading. Call Melanie Sims at 258-3710, Debra Harmon at 927-0098, and from 10 AM till noon on March 22, 29, and April 5 at the St. Duty C.M.E. Church in Arcadia and the New Hopewell Baptist Church in Bernice. Interested teachers may contact Valena Lane or Tonya Jackson before March 1 at 318-255-3632 or 318-247-6676.    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.    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.    Deadline Miss Corney Creek Pageant Is Friday, March 28 - The deadline to enter the Miss Corney Creek Pageant is Friday, March 28, March 21 for the photogenic portion of the competition. Girls age 1-18 who live within a 50 mile radius of Bernice may enter, in 7 age categories. The Pageant will be held April 5. Applications are available at Hrkins Appliance in Bernice, Claiborne Insurance in Homer, Mr. Tuxedo in El Dorado, or by calling Danielle Harkins at 318-285-9743.    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.    Girl Scout Volunteers Needed In ClaIborne Parish - Girl Scouts Pelican Council is looking for adults to volunteer as leader or co-leader for a Girl Scout troop in Claiborne Parish. If you are interested or want more information, contact Micki Garren at 318.220.0234 or 800.539.2342, ext. 23.    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 Parish Retired Teacher's Unit Meeting - The Claiborne Parish Retired Teacher's Unit will celebrate Retired Teacher's Day, Thursday, March 20,2003, with a breakfast at 9:00a.m. at Lane Chapel C.ME. Church in Homer. All retired teachers are invited. Please come!!    Am. Legion, Auxiliary Need Sponsors For Girls, Boys State - The American Legion & Auxilary, Homer #73, have begun their Boys and Girls State fundraiser. Letters have been sent to past sponsors in Homer. New sponsors are also welcome. Donations are also welcome. The total needed is about $3,000 and only about $1,000 has been raised so far. Interviews will be held at Tall Timbers on Sunday, March 23 for applicants. Last year, 8 girls and 3 boys were sent. For more info, call Carol Jones at 927-3549.    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.    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.    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.
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