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July 31, 2003

 

Music Piracy Lawsuit Filed Against Detention Center

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

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Shreveport on Friday, July 18 by Utopia Entertainment, Inc., a Baton Rouge based record company, is seeking $150,000 in damages for copyright violations from the Claiborne Detention Center. Named as defendants in the suit are Claiborne Parish Sheriff Kenneth Volentine, LaSalle Management, the company hired by Volentine to manage the day-to-day operator of the facility, and former CDC inmate Bo Fain. The suit alleges that Fain downloaded recordings of hundreds of artists from the internet during the two years he spent at the prison. He is alleged to have then sold the CDs for $3 and used the money for the inmate welfare fund. Fain, who is serving a 12 year sentence for aggravated incest, ran a computer business in Shreveport prior to his conviction. He has since been moved to a state prison near Shreveport.

Altus, Arkansas Selected Over Homer For "Simple Life"

Fox's Reality Show To Debut In October

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

Homer was one of 25 small towns considered for Fox TV's upcoming reality show "The Simple Life." The show which was originally set to premiere August 13 was filmed over a four week period in Altus, Arkansas, population 817, and is now expected to make its television debut sometime in October. The show will feature two affluent socialites, accustomed to lavish lifestyles in Los Angeles, in a rural farm setting far different from their own. Paris Hilton, 22-year-old model and heiress to the Hilton hotel fortune, and Nicole' Richie, the 21-year-old daughter of legendary pop icon Lionel Richie, spent four weeks in Altus where they worked at a local Food Mart, pumped gas, made sandwiches, and sold live fish bait. During their monthlong stay, they also milked cows, worked for minimum wage at a Sonic Drive-In, and worked in a kissing booth to raise money for construction of a new police and fire station complex for the town.

Grand Jury Hands Down Three Indictments

The Grand Jury convened Thursday, July 24 and examined three cases and returned two True Bills. Brenda Shelton, 38, of Haynesville was indicted for the second degree murder of her husband, Bobby Shelton, during a domestic dispute around 4 AM on Tuesday, July 1. Shelton is alleged to have stabbed her husband in the chest. He was transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where he died one week later. Also indicted was John C. Hampton, 37, of Homer for cutting Erick Hamilton with a knife during an altercation over Hampton's teenage daughter on Friday, May 16 about 5:45 PM. Homer Police were dispatched to Homer Memorial Hospital where Hamilton had been taken by private vehicle. He was treated, then transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport with cuts to his abdomen, the left side of his head and his left shoulder.Both Shelton and Hampton were arraigned Monday, July 28. The Grand Jury failed to find enough evidence to return a true bill on Armarcion Henderson, 19, for shooting Gerald Hawthorne, 26, of Haynesville during an argument June 25 at the Mill Street Apartments in Haynesville. The Grand Jury convened earlier this month, on July 9, and returned a true bill on Audrey Cooper, 35, of Homer. Cooper was indicted for aggravated second degree battery. She is charged with striking Dayton Norris, 23, in the head with a 18-inch steel pipe wrench, rendering him unconscious on May 16 during a domestic argument at 716 Lodge Street in Homer.Homer Police responded to an E-911 call received by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office at 3:29 PM. Upon arrival at the scene, they found Morris unconscious. He was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital, then to the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. Norris has since been moved to the Town & Country Nursing Home in Minden. He has opened his eyes but has been unresponsive and unable to speak since the incident, and is on a feeding tube.

4-H Junior Leaders Experience Fun, Education

On Annual Claiborne Electric-Sponsored Trip Forty 4-H junior leaders from five north Louisiana parishes were taken on a two-day charter bus trip to Tennessee by Claiborne Electric Cooperative July 23 and 24. Fourteen adults, including LSU AgCenter agents, 4-H adult leaders and sponsors from Claiborne Electric accompanied the junior leaders. The trip included a tour of the Raccoon Mountain hydro-electric power station near Chattanooga. Prior to arriving at Raccoon Mountain the group watched a History Channel video which told the story of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which is the organization which operates Raccoon Mountain and many other hydroelectric plants in the Tennessee River Valley. The TVA, like Claiborne Electric Cooperative and many other rural electric co-ops, was formed in the 1930's to help provide electric power to rural residents who had never been able to receive it. Today the TVA operates a system of 50 power plants, providing power to more than 8.3 million people.

Friends Of Library To Hold Annual Membership Drive

The Friends of the Claiborne Parish Library will soon be celebrating twenty years as a support group. Supporters of books, reading, and the library banded together in the parish community in 1984 to work for the support and improvement of the Claiborne Parish Public Library system. Through the efforts of this group many improvements have been made to the parish libraries and the bookmobile. The group has sponsored many excellent programs and events at the library for almost 20 years. The "Friends" have raised funds that have been used for summer reading activities, staff workshops, matching grants, guest authors, library celebrations, library furnishings, and many other needed items and activities. Memberships begin with $5 for senior adults, $10 for individuals and students, $17 for families and other levels such as patron and corporate, leading to the $500 life membership. The names of life members are engraved on a plaque placed in the library in their honor or memory. In recognition of the upcoming 20th anniversary of the "Friends of the Claiborne Parish Library", the group is asking for all supporters of the library and reading to join them in renewing their memberships for the 2003-04 year. We also ask that everyone who loves the library or who wants to honor the importance of the library in their lives become a member this anniversary year. In honor of this event, the "Friends" will be purchasing benches with a plaque inscribed with the names of book and reading lovers and library supporters who donate the supporting membership of $125. This amount can be paid in installments during the 2004 year until the total $125 is reached. Reading benches will be purchased in December 2004 for both the Homer and Haynesville libraries. Memorials in the supporting amount in memory of loved ones or honorarium for a special teacher or reader will be so noted in the inscription on the benches' plaques. Please join us in supporting our library. Your support can make a difference in the lives of others. "Friends" membership forms are available at the libraries and on the bookmobile, or you can mail your membership to the Claiborne Parish Library, 901 Edgewood Drive, Homer, LA 71040. Submitted by Denice Owens President, Friends of Claiborne Parish Library Foundation Board President, Claiborne Parish Library Trustees Board.

Vision For Parish Includes Lakes, Recreation, Tourists, Retirees

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

"Retirees are the cleanest industry we can attract," according to Dr. Nelson Philpot. "The average retired couple brings more than $54,000 to the parish each year." After that turns over, they will add more than $81,000 to the economy, most spent locally. At the first of five public meetings to be held over the next six weeks, Philpot presented an outline of the strategic plan for Claiborne Parish, "Vision for a Better Tomorrow," to about fifty people who attended the meeting held at the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn on Monday, June 16. He said the centerpiece of the plan is water resources, recreation, tourism, retirees, and the timber and poultry industry. Philpot said, "Our goal is to facilitate discussion and we need everyone involved." The Visions book includes 80 recommendations for a parishwide strategic plan, the first 25 are prioritized, although some of the ideas will never be implemented. Among the list of assets in Claiborne Parish are its water resources which include the potential for several new lakes. Work is already underway in Webster Parish to expand the lake over the Sparta Aquifer recharge area in the west part of Claiborne Parish. This lake would not only ease the stress on the Aquifer, but could provide opportunities for retirees and recreation. Meetings will be held at Mt. Olive Christian School in Athens on Thursday, July 31, and at Homer High School on Monday, August 18. All meetings begin at 7 PM and will include a Power Point presentation of the Strategic Plan followed by a question and answer session. The Power Point presentation used in "Vision for a Better Tomorrow" meetings is available online (DSL or Cable connection and MS Internet Explorer recommended). The abridged version of the Visions Book is also online (PDF format).

Lake Claiborne State Park To Host "Starry Night"

Saturday, August 2, 8:00 PM

Lake Claiborne State Park will host "Starry Night" on Saturday, August 2 at 8 PM, a stargazing event that will allow visitors to view the vast star fields of the Milky Way galaxy and beyond through a traveling astronomical observatory. Starryteller David P. Alford (Mr. Dave), director of SPAR Planetarium, who has been director of the planetarium in Shreveport for 11 years, will present this programs and a similar program "MoonWalk"on Saturday, September 6, both at 8 PM. Persons can register for either program by sending their name, the number attending, and phone number to: Lake Claiborne State Park, P. O. Box 246, Homer, LA 71040. For more information, call 927-2976 or toll free 1-888-677-2524.

National KidsDay Picnic

Saturday, August 2, 2003 - 11-4 PM, Mayfield Park

The National KidsDay Event On The Square Has Been Canceled Due to a lack of vendors, The Claiborne Boys & Girls Club has announced they will cancel the 2nd Annual National KidsDay planned for the Courthouse Square on Saturday, August 2 and will celebrate the event with a National KidsDay Picnic at the Mayfield Park from 11 AM - 4 PM. The public is invited to attend. The day's events will include lots of food, games, and entertainment. For more information on the Picnic or programs available at the Club, call Executive Director Leroy Hamilton, Jr. at 318-927-2718. Donations will be gladly accepted and greatly appreciated.

Claiborne Electric To Hold Ribbon Cutting, Open House

Claiborne Electric Cooperative will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for its new headquarters office located at 12525 Hwy. 9 south of Homer on Sunday, August 10, 2003. The ribbon cutting will begin shortly after 2 PM followed by the open house from 2-5 PM. The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

SUV Rolls Over, Pins Driver

Lakeidrick T. George, 28, of Homer, was pinned under his vehicle following an early morning accident on La. 534 (Weller Tank Farm Road) sometime before daylight Saturday, July 26. A passing motorist discovered the red 1998 Ford Explorer overturned in a ditch about 3-1/2 miles north of the Webster/Claiborne parish line and called for help. The Homer Fire Department and other emergency personnel arrived on the scene just before daylight and found George under his vehicle in a semiconscious state. After freeing George, he was moved by Claiborne Ambulance to the Life Air Rescue helicopter which had landed on the roadway near the accident. George was then transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport with severe head injuries. The only passenger Nekevrick Milsap, 6, was wearing a seat belt and sustained only minor injuries.It was undetermined as to when the accident occurred since the engine was cold by the time emergency personnel arrived. According to Louisiana State Police Troop G reports, the driver of the vehicle was not cited or arrested, and no alcohol was involved in the accident.

3-Day Immunization Program Begins Thursday

Statewide Program To Help Ready Kids For School

In order to help parents prepare their children for school and daycare this fall, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, through their Shots for Tots program is holding a statewide open immunization effort throughout the state. The Shots for Tots program mission is to have every child up to date on their immunizations by age two.This effort is set to begin Thursday, July 31 and continue through Saturday, August 2, in community health clinics statewide. While children are the primary focus of the program, adults may also get any necessary immunizations that they are lacking such as adult tetanus or other immunizations required to enter post-secondary institutions. 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

The Herbert S. Ford Museum - Louisiana Purchase Exhibit - An Exhibit exploring the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on north-central Louisiana will be featured in the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, located in the former Hotel Claiborne. The exhibit examines the culture of Native Americans who first inhabited the area. The museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts reflecting the life, culture and society of North Louisiana Hill Country. The Ford Museum will be closed June 27-July 7. For inquiries call Beverly Smith at 927-2223 or Toni Robertson at 927-6855. The Museum will reopen July 9 for regular hours, Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 AM - 4 PM, closed from 12 noon until 1 PM.    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 Sponsorship Page for more information.    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.    Long Time Claiborne Parish Residents Announce Opening of Web Site - Claiborne Parish Business owners, B.G. and Rochelle Hall announce the opening of their new web site. Operating their business, Hall Boat Lifts, from their home on Lake Claiborne, the Hall's have provided Boat Lifts and Accessories for over 24 years. Interested parties are invited to visit them on the web at www.Boat-Lifts.US.    Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive - Archives Now Online include: Christmas Festival and Parade 2000 Lake Claiborne State Park Corney Lake Natl Park Claiborne Parish Jubilee 2003 To submit your images for inclusion in the Claiborne One Image Archive you may email them to webmaster@ClaiborneOne.org.    Government And Municipal Boards To Meet In August - The Homer Town Council will meet Monday, August 4 at 6 PM. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will meet Wednesday, August 6 at 10 AM for their work session and on Thursday, August 7 at 10 AM for their regular meeting. The regular meeting of the Claiborne Parish School Board will be 7 PM Thursday, August 7 following the work session at 6 PM.    Office Of Family Support To Extend Hours Tues. & Thurs. - The Claiborne Parish Office of Family Support located at 622 East 2nd Street will extend its regular hours from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Monday, August 4.    Claiborne Academy To Host Back To School BBQ Aug. 11 - It's back to school time and Claiborne Academy will host their annual back to school BBQ on Monday, August 11 beginning at 5:00 PM. Tickets are on sale for $7 and may be purchased now. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 PM in the school gym. For additional information, please contact the school office at 927-2747.    Lake Claiborne State Park Events For July And August - Local nature programs scheduled for July and August at Lake Claiborne State Parks are: Thurs., July 31 - Arts & Crafts: Toys of the Past, 7 PM Sat., Aug. 2 - Starry Night: Planetarium Telescope, 8 PM (must pre-register) Thurs., Aug. 7 - Arts & Crafts: Making A Bird House, 7 PM Sat., Aug. 9 - Animal Homes, 4 PM Sat., Aug. 9 - Story Time, 5 PM Sat., Aug. 16 - Arts & Crafts: Leaf Rub, 5 PM Sat., Aug. 23 - Arts & Crafts: Splash & Sponge, 10 AM Sat., Aug. 30 - Wacky Games: End of Summer Fun, 4 PM For more information, call 318-927-2976 or toll free 1-888-677-2524, or visit the Office of State Parks website at www.lastateparks.com.    Loyd Manuel Campaign Fundraiser Set For Saturday, August 2 - Loyd Manuel will hold a Campaign Fundraiser at 981 Abercrombie Road in Athens on Saturday, August 2 from 8 AM until.    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.    Claiborne Country Offers Clean Family Atmosphere Saturday Nights 7:00 till 10:30 pm - Claiborne Country located in the old North Louisana Hayride Building at Petersons Construction, presents dancing on Saturday Nights with one of the South's best bands "Sound of Gold". Caliborne Country Offers a Clean Family Atmosphere, No Smoking and No Drinking allowed. The band plays mostly older Counrty with 60's Rock and Roll mixed in. Admission is $7.00 for adults and under 12 free with an adult.    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...    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.				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. For more information, call 927-9009.    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.    Homer Elementary 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.    Homer/Mayfield Classes 1957-59 To Hold Reunion August 1-3 - The Homer/Mayfield classes of 1957, 1958, and 1959 Dallls Chapter of Dallas, Texas are extending an invitation to all classmates and friends to attend and celebrate the 10th Class Reunion on August 1-3, 2003. For more information, please call Ola Crew Allen at 214-371-7031, E. Peral Lee Johnson at 281-448-9167, C. Kennedy at 318-247-6417 or L. C. Johnson at 310-329-9729.    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.    Vision For A Better Tomorrow - Copies of the Strategic Plan for Economic Development of Claiborne Parish Will be Distributed and Discussed at a Series of Public Meetings. All Meetings Will be Held at 7:00 p.m. and Will be Open to the Entire Parish. Meeting Schedule: Athens: Thursday, July 31 at the Mount Olive Christian School. Homer: Monday, August 18 at the Homer High School. Following Introductory Comments by Parish Officials, a PowerPoint Presentation of the Strategic Plan Will be Made. The Public Will Then be Invited to participate in a Question and Answer Session Regarding Our Vision For A Better Tomorrow. These Meetings are Critically Important to the Future of Our Parish. Please Plan to Attend and Participate. Copies of the Strategic Plan are Available at the Police Jury Office, Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne Parish Library, Banks, and Selected Businesses. The Power Point presentation used in "Vision for a Better Tomorrow" meetings is available online (DSL or Cable connection and MS Internet Explorer recommended). The abridged version of the Visions Book is also online (PDF format).    Parish Library To Host Book Signing For Jason Williams - Claiborne Parish Library in Homer to host a book signing for Jason O'Neal Williams on Saturday, August 2 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Williams will be signing copies of his first book of poetry, My Story-Through My Eyes. He will also read selections from his book. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.    Trailblazer Offers Tips For Reducing Waste In Your Home - According to the USDA, 27% of our nation's food supply was wasted during 1995. Possible remedies are to plan ahead for meals and buy only what you need to use up food and keep it fresh. Don't forget to compost leftover fruit and vegetables. Call the Trailblazer office at 1-318-255-3554 for more information on backyard composting and additional tips on reducing waste at home.    Honer High School Class Of 1984 To Hold Reunion Meeting - Homer High School Class of 1984 will hold a meeting to begin 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.    Claiborne Parish Police Jury Meeting 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 School Season Tickets, Box Seats Go On Sale August 4 - Homer High School will begin selling Season Tickets for the 2003 Football Season on Monday, August 4. Previous holders of season tickets, parking passes, and box seats will be given the opportunity to renew. Those not renewed will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Ticket prices are as follows: General Admission - $5.00 Season Tickets - $20.00 Lower Box Seats - $25.00 Sky Boxes - $25.00 Parking Passes - $15.00 For more information on ticket purchases, call 927-2985 or go by the Homer High School office. Presale tickets for all home games will be available for $4.00 in the Homer High School office until 3:00 PM each day the week of the game.    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.    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.    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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