HEADLINES - July 17, 2003

School Board Reduces Homer District Tax Millage

- Postpones Naming Principals, Certified Teachers To Get $425 Check

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

Superintendent Gary Jones recommended the Claiborne Parish School Board. at their July 10 meeting, to reduce the millage on the maintenance tax in the Homer school district from 11.87 to 6.00 mills. The Homer School District pays almost twice the amount other districts pay and right now there is a surplus in that fund. He said this will result in a substantial savings for the Homer business community. Claiborne Parish is one of the poorer parishes in the State, but because of the sales tax, tax millages, and school construction, the parish has been rewarded by the State with more funding in the MFP (Minimum Foundation Program). MFP money is based partly on local effort and partly on local wealth. If the Board cuts the taxes, the District will lose about $70,000, but the Board always has the option to raise the millage back, if needed..

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Lions Club Hears Report From Warfront In Middle East

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

Louisiana National Guard Colonel and Superintendent of Claiborne Parish Schools Gary Jones, was one of two guest speakers at the noon meeting of the Homer Lions Club on Thursday, July 10. He shared information on his recent trip to the Middle East where he met with members of the Louisiana National Guard. Major Jeffery S. Bailey, who now serves as professor of Military Strategy at the University of Florida, also spoke, giving insight into his eleven years in Special Forces and shared some training comparisons between Special Forces and terrorist cells. Jones spent several days in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and on the border of Iraq. He met with members of the 527th Engineers of Ruston, 1083rd Transportation Unit of Minden, 1087th Transportation Unit of Shreveport, and 415th Military Intelligence Battalion out of Baton Rouge. Some local servicemen he saw while there were Mike Legendre, Marcus Willis, Kasey Gryder, Joe Morgan, and David Aycock.

Stabbing Victim Dies, Wife Charged

- Armarcion Henderson Arrested In Shooting Of Gerald Hawthorne

Authorities at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport advised the Haynesville Police Department that stabbing victim Bobby Shelton of Haynesville expired at 9:57 PM on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 after spending a week in the ICU unit. Shelton was allegedly stabbed in the chest by his wife Brenda Shelton, 37, following a domestic argument between the two around 4 AM Tuesday, July 1. Emergency personnel had to revive Shelton when he arrived at the LSU Medical Center later around 7:30 AM. Brenda Shelton voluntarily surrendered to Haynesville police officers July 1 and charged

with attempted murder. She is presently being held in the women’s unit of the Claiborne Parish Jail under $50,000 bond. The District Attorney’s office expects charges will be upgraded when the matter goes before the Grand Jury later this month and the bond fixed accordingly. Haynesville Police Chief Jim Garner said an autopsy is being conducted to determine the specific cause of death. In connection with the noon shooting of Gerald Hawthorne on Wednesday, June 25, Haynesville police officers arrested Armarcion “Big Bird” Henderson, 19, of Haynesville. Henderson is alleged to have shot Gerald Hawthorne following an argument that ended in the residence of Gwen Jackson in Mill Street Apartments in Haynesville. Hawthorne was treated at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport and later released. Henderson is currently being held at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center in Homer under $20,000 bond.

Parish Has Unique Opportunity To Expand Natural Resources

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

Mike Thompson, former mayor of Delhi, spoke to parish officials at a joint meeting of the Claiborne Economic Development Board, Police Jury, and Watershed District Commission on Thursday, July 10. He said we have the opportunity to emphasize our natural resources and the quality of life by offering it to retirees. He said, “The future is the surface water reservoirs—potable water, economic development, and retirement—if you want to take advantage of it.” He said Claiborne Parish may be off the interstate but it has got one of the best places in the State. Thompson traveled down the White Lightning Road on his way to Homer. He said, “What a beautiful way to come. It’s natural. It’s pretty. It’s enhancing to your feelings.” And, he added, you couldn’t ask for a better lake than Lake Claiborne. When they were making plans for Poverty Point, Thompson said he drove to Lake Claiborne State Park to get ideas and took pictures of the new cabins. He said he drove all over town to see what it was like here. Claiborne Parish has a lot of great thinkers, La. Tech at their back door, a wonderful lake, and good people—you’ve just to got to know what you are going to do. As an economic development group, you have to focus on what really works. He said, “You can’t go get industry... and probably shouldn’t.” Loy Weaver, Claiborne Economic Development Board President, shared some of Thompson’s many accomplishments during his lifetime of public service, beginning with his election as mayor of Delhi at the age of 27. He was able to attract a number of industries that provided almost 1,000 jobs, and obtained more than $10 million in grants from federal and state government. He also served as executive assistant to the governor for Rural Economic Development and provided leadership to create the LCDBG program. Weaver said instead of reinventing the wheel, they decided to ask him to share information on how the Poverty Point project was developed.

July17, 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.

Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival Cookbooks On Sale

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival cookbooks are in. They are $13 each and can be bought at several area stores. Call 927-9009 if you want to reserve one. All proceeds will go toward this year’s Festival set for November 29.

Sheriff’s Office To Sponsor Hunters Education Course

Learn to hunt the right way. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a Hunters Education Course to be held at the Homer Fire Station July 24, 25, and 26 from 6:30-9:30 PM each night. Interested persons must pre-register by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011. The course is free but class size is limited. Must be at least 10 years of age.

N. La. Cancer Support Group To Meet Thursday, July 17

The bimonthly meeting of the North Louisiana Cancer Support Group will be held Thursday, July 17 at the Willis-Knighton Regional Health Center Conference Room beginning at 6:30 PM. For more information, call Bonnie Keene at 927-1517.

Homer High School Football Physicals Changed To July 29

Homer High School Varsity and Jr. Varsity physicals have been changed from Tuesday, July 22 to Tuesday, July 29 at 2 PM at the Homer High Fieldhouse.

Homer Christmas Festival To Hold Golf Tournament Aug. 9

The Homer Christmas Festival Tournament, three man scramble (27 holes), will be held Saturday, August 9 beginning at 8 AM. Entry fee is $120 team.

Jacob Hollenbeck Co-Ed Softball Tourney July 25-26

The 3rd Annual Jacob Hollenbeck Co-Ed Softball Tournament will be held July 25-26 at Jacob’s Field in Haynesville. Eight team limit. Entry fee is $125. Homer Run Derby on Saturday. Call 624-1782 or 624-3005 for information. Sponsored by Westside Baptist Church.

Pinehill Water System To Hold Monthly Meeting July 28, 6 PM

Pinehill Water System will hold their monthly meeting Monday, July 28 at 6 PM at Claiborne Manor Nursing Home.

Haynesville Town Council Will Meet Thursday, July 17 At 6 PM

The Haynesville Town Council will meet in regular session on Thursday, July 17 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers.

Last Two Meetings To Discuss Strategic Plan For Parish

The Strategic Plan for Claiborne Parish titled “Vision For a Better Tomorrow” has been the topic of several public meetings held throughout Claiborne Parish. The last two meetings will be held at:

Athens - Thursday, July 31 at Mt. Olive Christian School

Homer - Monday, August 18 at Homer High School

All meetings begin at 7 PM. Following introductory comments by parish officials and a Power Point presentation of the Plan, the public will be invited to participate in a question and answer session. These meetings are critically important to the future of our parish. Please plan to attend and participate.

Homer High School Class Of 1984 To Hold Reunion Meeting

Homer High School Class of 1984 will meet to begin plans for their class reunion. The meeting will be held Thursday, July 17 at 6 PM at the Mayfield Pool. For more information, call Maz Bursey at 927-9899.

Pupil Progression Draft Plan Available For View At School Board

Claiborne Parish School Board will revise and adopt the Pupil Progression Plan at its regular meeting on August 8, 2003. This plan sets local policy for promotion, retention, and testing of students in the Parish Schools. A draft plan will be available for public view and comments in the Claiborne Parish School Board office at 415 East Main in Homer during regular business hours.

Mt. Olive Christian School To Host 21st Annual Rodeo In Athens

Mt. Olive Christian School will host its 21st annual rodeo on July 25-26, 2003 at 8 PM nightly at the Gantt Arena in Athens, produced by the Bergeron Rodeo Company again this year. This year promises to be the best ever with world renowned clown Rudy Burns coming back as our “man in the can”, musical chairs on horseback and muttin’ bustin’ for the kids. Trail Ride will leave Gantt Arena in Athens at 3 PM on Saturday, July 26 for a 7 mile ride. If you bring a horse and ride in the parade Friday night, you get in free. Look for more details in coming weeks. For more info, contact Len Gantt at 258-5483 or 243-0674. Admission is $6. To purchase advance tickets call Tammy Jump at 258-5640.

Homer Elementary School To Hold Registration July 28 - August 9

Registration will be held at Homer Elementary School for the 2003-2004 school year from July 28 to August 9 beginning at 8 AM. To register, students must have a copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card, and updated health card. For more information, call 927-2393.

Mt. Olive To Begin K-3 Program For Upcoming School Year

Mt. Olive Christian School announces they are beginning a K-3 program for the upcoming school year. This will be a full-day program in a structured learning environment. Enrollment packets are available at the school (258-5661) or by calling Tammy Jump at 258-5640. Open enrollment is continuing for all other grades.

Homer High Pelican Dolls, Flag Line Selling $1 Chances

Homer High Pelican Dolls and HHS Flag Line are holding fundraisers to purchase uniforms and equipment. The Flag Line are selling $1 chances on $100 gift certificate at Wal-Mart. The Pelican Dolls are selling $1 chances on a custom made chest with bottom lined in cedar or a custom made 8 gun cabinet, both on display at Regions Bank. Contact any Pelican Doll or Flag Line member or Mary Canterbury at 927-6839. Drawing will be held July 10.

Claiborne Classic Car & Bike Show Looking For Donations

Rickey Bearden is looking for contributions for the 2nd Annual Lake Claiborne Classic Car & Bike Show to be held October 4, 2003 as a benefit fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Donations are needed for the silent auction and for giveaway bags. Call Bearden at 927-9740.

Easy Tips From Trailblazer For Reducing Waste In Your Home

Approximately 572 tons of liquid cleaner and 132 tons of toilet bowl cleaner are washed down drains every month. Read labels and buy products low in toxicity. Try using household items such as vinegar and water as cleaning agents. Mercury can be found in some thermometers and thermostats. Look for digital or alcohol-based alternatives. Call Trailblazer at 255-3554 for additional tips on reducing waste at home.