No Drugs Found At Haynesville High

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

            Nineteen years ago, Sheriff Ken Bailey began his career in law enforcement. During that time, he worked hand-in-hand with the school systems in Claiborne Parish and for years was responsible for teaching the D.A.R.E. program to students in fifth and sixth grade. In recent years, problems at schools throughout the United States have steadily worsened. Bailey has continued to work to keep students at Claiborne Parish schools safe.

Realizing the seriousness of drugs in the hands of our youth, Bailey began working with School Superintendent James Scriber several months ago to devise a plan to secure the school facilities and enforce the zero tolerance drug and firearm policy adopted by the Claiborne Parish School Board.

            On Wednesday, April 20 about 8:30 AM, law enforcement officers from the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division, Louisiana State Police Hazmat, David Wade Correctional Facility officers, deputies from the Lincoln and Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Claiborne Sheriff's Office converged on the campus of Haynesville Senior-Junior High.

            Eleven canines were used in the sting operation. Some of the canines were trained to detect bombs; others were used to sniff for drugs. Using the dogs, all classrooms and lockers were thoroughly searched, as well as the parking lot. Students were kept in classrooms during the search. No weapons or illegal drugs were found on the premises.

            CPSO Detective Chuck Talley said, "I am very proud of our schools. To come up empty handed  speaks well of the schools, the teachers and the administrators."

            Due to Sheriff Bailey's continuing concern for the safety of the students, his office will continue efforts to secure school facilities. Future searches will be conducted at various times on random dates. He said, "The safety of our students is everyone's responsibility." Bailey encourages anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity or any crime to contact the his office at (318) 927-2011.

Pak-A-Bag Robbed Again

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

            Pak-A-Bag was robbed for the third time in four months last Thursday, April 21. Just after 5:30 PM, a black male entered the store wearing a black silk-like jogging suit. He brought a coke to the counter as if to make a purchase, then lifted his shirt and pointed a black handgun at the clerk from under his shirt. He told the clerk, "Give me all you got." The clerk took the cash drawer out of the register and placed it on the counter. The suspect took the cash, then  warned the clerk, "You had better not tell anyone." He then left the store and headed toward town.

            Homer Police officers Donald Malray, Jimmy Hamilton, and Anthony Combs arrived on the scene and viewed the surveillance video tape. One eye witness reportedly had seen the suspect walking  from his residence at 243 North 4th Street in Homer prior to the robbery.

            Around 7 PM, the suspect was apprehended on East 3rd Street, where he was found to be in the possession of cash and cocaine. Tookes was placed under arrest, then transported and booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was charged with armed robbery and possession of cocaine and placed under $105,000 bond.

            Tookes has several prior arrests, including another armed robbery in Shreveport in September 1983, as well as a couple of aggravated burglaries, and has served time in the Department of Corrections.

            Randy Rabb, 20, of Homer was arrested February 11 for the armed robbery of Pak-A-Bag on Thursday, February 10. Rabb allegedly entered the store about 8 PM, wearing a mask and armed with a pistol, and demanded cash.

            No arrests have been made of the robbery that occurred just after 8 PM on Christmas Eve, when a black male with a dark cloth over his face and armed with a knife entered the store and demanded cash.

            Anyone with information on this robbery or any other crime is urged to contact the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000.

Judge Hears Arguments In Marilyn Bush Case

BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer, The Guardian-Journal

            Judge Jenifer Clason heard verbal arguments by District Attorney Walter May and Eric Johnson, defense attorney for Marilyn Bush, at 1:30 p.m. April 26 in the Claiborne Parish Courthouse concerning the defendant's position that her sentence was illegal. Bush was sentenced to 10 years hard labor on April 5, 2002.

            Bush wore no expression and conveyed no emotion as her attorney argued her "illegal sentence" should be vacated and that she should be resentenced "as the court would deem appropriate." Walter May responded that the overall case history justifies the original sentence. He mentioned that the law cited by the defense as the basis for overturning Bush's sentence became effective August 15, 1999. He pointed out that the vast majority of Bush's thefts occurred from 1991-2000, a period of time substantially before the change in the law. The defense countered that at her sentencing on January 30, 2004, May had argued the sentence was illegal. Johnson contended that May was now trying to argue the opposite. May rejoindered that at the time of sentencing, he simply felt the ethical obligation to point out the sentence was illegal, and was not arguing in support of an illegal sentence.

            Judge Clason then highlighted some of the various arguments considered by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in its ruling. Citing sparsity of legal precedent in this area, Judge Clason ordered May and Johnson to submit written briefs addressing several issues: If the sentence is illegal, then how should it be handled? What standard of proof should be followed:  beyond a reasonable doubt, preponderance of proof, or jury trial?

Town Could Lose $100,000 Restitution

Haynesville Council Approves Hiring 3 Police Officers

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

                Eric Johnson, attorney for former town clerk Marilyn Bush, addressed members of the Haynesville Town Council at their regular meeting on Thursday, August 21. Attorney Jim Colvin, who is handling the civil suit for the town had no objection to him speaking to the Council. He told the Council he wanted to clear up a statement made by District Attorney Walter May at their January meeting where he told the Council they would more than likely receive the $100,000 payment being held regardless of the outcome of the court appeal was incorrect.

            Bush pled guilty in April 2002 and was sentenced to ten years at hard labor with the La. Department of Corrections. She served approximately 22 months of that sentence prior to being released last February by Judge Jenifer Clason pursuant to a motion filed by Johnson to reconsider sentence and required to make $100,000 payment for restitution to the Town. May appealed that decision and that money has been held pending the outcome of the appeal.

            If the appeal is successful and Bush returns to jail, that $100,000 will not go to the Town of Haynesville. He said, "That is not Marilyn Bush's money. It was money put up by her family to get her out of prison." In the event she is ordered to return to prison, the money will be returned to the family.

            Johnson said the accounting firm Smith Pugh & Rabinowitz has been ready to settle the civil suit since December 2003. They are waiting to see if the $100,000 could be credited toward the settlement.

            H. U. "Mutt" Slaid said Clason's ruling has already been thrown out and the court wrote her up for taking that action. Slaid said as far as we was concerned, the litigation is ongoing and he didn't see anything the council could do.

            Joyce Major asked Johnson, "I don't understand what was the purpose of coming to the Council? You don't need to come here."

            Johnson said he just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding regarding the $100,000 payment he is holding.

            Majors said to think the town would accept $100,000 for all the money that she stole. "We don't have anything to discuss with you."

            Slaid said we have done without that money all these years, what is two more years. Bush never admitted taking all the money that is missing. Slaid said, "If you want to keep the $100,000 or pull it off the table, that is your business."

THE TRAFFIC AROUND THE COURTHOUSE was the topic of discussion at a meeting held Thursday, April 21 at the Police Jury Complex. Representative Rick Gallot (center) and two representatives from DOTD, District Traffic Operations Engineer Keith Tindell, (left) and District Engineer John Sanders (right) met with business owners and elected officials to consider a couple of proposals to address the traffic flow on the Square. One proposal recommended changing the direction of traffic on the west side of the Square from one-way to two-way, similar to previous plans that were tried in the past two decades.

DOTD Proposes Changing Traffic On Square

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

            State Representative Rick Gallot, DOTD District Engineer John Sanders, and District Traffic Operations Engineer Keith Tindell met last Thursday with local and parish officials and business owners to discuss two possible options that could lessen traffic problems on the Courthouse Square in Homer. Claiborne Chamber of Commerce President J. T. Taylor explained the purpose for the meeting was to address the increased truck traffic through the Square with more expected with the addition of Robinson Trucking in the Edmonds building and Malone Enterprises moving their logging operation to Claiborne Parish.

            Rep. Gallot said they were not proposing making any changes today, only wanting to allow DOTD to explain a couple of possible options that local municipality might want to implement while continuing to work to get the Hwy. 79 Bypass completed. Sanders said he lived through two changes for traffic flow on the Square in the last 39 years and frankly did not like them. Since then, more businesses have opened on the Square, new computerized signal lights  have been installed which allows traffic to move more swiftly around the Square, and striping has been repainted. He said, "Any plan we come up with, we want to make sure it is better."

            `Sanders said the 3-way turn lane between North 8th Street and La. 2 was a practical project, has been submitted as a safety project and has a good chance of being constructed within the next five years.

            Tindell presented maps of the existing traffic pattern around the Square and two possible options, listing the pros and cons for the changes. The first option would allow traffic to travel north and south on the west side of the Square only. A truck route would be designated on Hwy. 79 north to La. 2, then east to La. 9. The advantages would be to eliminate trucks circling the Square; to reduce traffic on south, east, and north sides of the Square and ease pedestrian crossings and make it easier to angle park; fewer signal light knockdowns, safer for vehicles on the inner lane. The disadvantages would be the loss of 8 parking spaces, the left hand turn for southbound traffic, more traffic on west side of square making it harder for pedestrians crossing,

            Town councilman J. C. Moore said trucks are the major problem and always have been. He said, "The only way to solve the problem is to get the trucks off the Square....need to speed up the Bypass."

            Former mayor Joe Michael agreed with Moore, that completing the Bypass was the only way to get trucks off the Square. Michael's Men's Store and Claiborne Drug are the only two businesses left on west side of Square, and the last time traffic was changed to two-way, Michael's lost over 40% of their business.

            Sanders said they would love to complete the Bypass but the problem is funding. With the increase in oil prices, people purchase less gas which has hurt the DOTD budget, since revenue comes from 18 cents per gallon of gas sold.

            Suggestions were made to consider designating a truck route without changing traffic on Square, looking at having northbound trucks enter the Square from East Main and follow Hwy. 79 to La. 2 to La. 9.

            Tindell explained the other possible option would be to leave traffic flow as is and to simply build up the curbs at the corners of buildings.

            Gallot said he would like a local consensus before making any traffic changes on the Square and assured everyone he had not given up on the Bypass.

Relay For Life Tops Goal, Raises $27,230

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

            Co-Chairmen Nancy Mason and Sandra Griggs are more than thrilled about the outcome of this year's "Relay for Life" in spite of the fact they only had seven Relay Teams participating. The Relay not only met, but exceeded their goal by more than $2,000, taking in $27,230 this year for cancer research.

            "It is a testament to the community, to see a desire for a cure for this disease_to give so generously," remarked Christina Griffin, who serves this region as Community Representative for the American Cancer Society. "I was really touched to see so few people raise so much money." She added, "I don't think anyone could turn down Miss Elbie Dickens when she asks for a donation." Apparently, Elbie's efforts did not go unnoticed this year. She was presented the Life Inspiration Award for her exuberance and unending support for the American Cancer Society.

            Contributions are still being accepted at Regions Bank in Homer. Any money collected between now and August 31 will be added to this year's total. On Friday, May 6, a drawing will be held for a wood carving of a hummingbird carved by David Hood. Chances are $2 each and can be purchased at Regions Bank.

            Mason and Griggs expressed their appreciation to members of the Relay For Life committee for helping to make this year's event so successful. Committee members were Elbie Dickens, Bonnie Keene, Shane Huffstetler, Scott Ferguson, Patricia Folts, Cynthia Mitchell, and Rochelle Hall. They also thanked members of First Praise for providing entertainment during the Relay.

            Anyone who would like to sign up for next year's event and work on the planning committee can contact Christina Griffin be emailing her at . More information is available through the American Cancer Society. They can be contacted at 1-800-ACS-2345 or online at www.Cancer.org.

Claiborne Jubilee "Best In Show"

Offers $300 Prizes

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

            The theme for the 2005 Claiborne Parish Jubilee to be held Saturday, May 14 is "Patterns, Pictures, and Poetry_Art in Claiborne Parish" The Jubilee will feature Art and Quilt Shows and Poetry competition.

            A "Best Of Show" prize of $300 will be awarded in each area_Art, Quilt, and Poetry.  The Best of Show for Art is being given by Lawson and Anna Laura Wilder in memory of his mother, Lena Wilder, whose paintings are displayed in one of the decorated store windows downtown.

            The Best of Show for the Quilt Show to be held May 13 and 14 is being given by Dr. James and Margaret Gladney in memory of Mrs. Ellen Henrietta DeLoach, "Loachie," their long time neighbor and friend.

            The Best of Show for Poetry is being given in honor of Claiborne Parish native, Peggy Deas Godfrey, cowboy poet, by her parents, Dr. Tommy and Kay Deas.

Art entries can be received on the Courthouse Lawn at 8 am on Saturday May 14. All pieces should be framed or otherwise mounted for display. Entries are being sought from the following categories: Drawing, Painting, and Miscellaneous to be judged by age group: Children-8 and under; Junior-9-12; and Youth 13-17. Adult categories are Drawing, Painting Photography, and Original Craft for 18 and up. Professionals will be judged separately. Adults will receive cash prizes and others will receive savings bonds. In the event of rain the art show will be held in the Homer Town Hall.

            In the adult category, Best of Show wins $300. First Place wins $75 plus ribbon, Second Place - $50 plus ribbon, and Third Place - $25 plus ribbon.

            In each of the children age groups there will be one Best of Show - $100 Savings Bond and Ribbon. First Prizes are $50.00 Savings Bond and ribbon. Second and Third Prizes are ribbons.

            Entry fees for adults are $6 or $20 for up to four. After May 10, entries will be $25 for up to three and $10 each. There is no entry fee for age 17 and under.

            Poets of all ages are encouraged to submit a maximum of three works each. The deadline to enter is Friday, May 6. Prizes will be awarded by age using the same age categories as art. Children-8 and under; Junior-9-12; Youth 13-17 and Adults age 18 and up. Entries should be emailed to or mailed to 309 North Main, Homer, LA 71040 and must be legible to be judged. Winners will be contacted prior to May 14 and will have the opportunity to read their works during the awards ceremony on the Courthouse Lawn at 2 pm. Savings bonds will be awarded to those winners age 17 and under and adults will receive cash prizes. All entries will be on display May 14.

            A quilt documentation clinic for the Louisiana Quilt Project will be held Tuesday, May 10, from 10 AM - 4 PM, prior to the opening of the quilt show on May 13-14. All quilt related events will be held in the Police Jury Office Complex. Quilts must be brought to the Jury Complex by May 11. Dr. Susan Roach, Folklorist from the faculty of LA Tech will be on hand with her staff to receive quilts for registering and photographing.

            For more information call Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566, email her at , or write the Claiborne Jubilee, 309 North Main St., Homer, LA 71040. Entry forms are available from the address above or at the parish website www.ClaiborneOne.org/jubilee

THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER will be observed on Thursday, May 5 at noon on the lawn of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. Members of the Homer Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group witnessed Homer Mayor Huey Dean sign a proclamation encouraging his fellow citizens to join in prayer, asking that God's light illuminate the minds and hearts of our people and leaders, so we may meet the challenges that lie before us with courage, wisdom and justice.

Warning To Property Owners In Town Of Homer

            The Town of Homer and the Clean City Committee are serious about cleaning up this community. Property owners in the Town of Homer are warned that action will be taken if properties are not cleaned up. Town residents are asked to remove unlicensed cars from yards. Old dilapidated and burned houses must be torn down. Overgrown lots must be cleaned up and mowed. Notices will be mailed to those who do not take steps to clean up their property. The citizens of Homer are encouraged to cooperate and help get the town cleaned up.

Homer Elementary School To Host Open House

        .Homer Elementary School will host an Open House on Thursday, April 28 from 5:00-6:30 PM to allow the community to come by and view the newly remodeled building and the new additions to the school. Renovations to the existing building and construction of two new wings and a multi-purpose room, and the addition of a new library began during the 2003-2004 school year. Students in grades Pre-K through 4th grade began classes in the fall of 2004. Fifth grade students will be added to the campus this fall in August 2005.

NOTICE: Deadline For Advertisements

No Later Than 5 p.m. On Mondays

All display and legal advertisements for The Guardian-Journal must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week in which it is to appear. Classified ads will be received until 12 p.m (noon) on Tuesday prior to the Thursday publication date. Thank you for your cooperation.