Arrests Expected In Homer High Vandalism

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

            As many as five young men and one female, are expected to be arrested within the next two days for damaging school property according to Homer Police Captain Donald Malray and officer Russell Mills. Sometime after midnight on Saturday, May 14, Homer High School was vandalized. Damages are estimated between $3,500 and $5,000.

            According to Homer High Principal Dwight Mitchell fourteen locks on exterior doors were filled with Super Glue and had to be replaced. Two benches were broken. Sidewalks and benches were painted with graffiti, some writing included "2006", "Haynesville," and "Tors Rule." Trees were rolled with bathroom tissue. Trash and debris was scattered around the school and syrup was poured on sidewalks, in gas tanks of one tractor and truck, and in window air conditioning units on the north side of the building. There was also other damage to the grounds.

            According to Malray, several tips came in Monday which led officers to question the suspects, all who are either students or former students at Homer High. Some gave voluntary statements explaining their part in the crime.

            Suspects will be charged with simple criminal damage to property in excess of $1,000. If convicted, the offenders shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned with or without hard labor for two years, or both.

Students Suspended After Drug Search At Homer High

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

            Two students at Homer High School were suspended following a drug search at the school conducted on Tuesday, May 3. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office, assisted by officers and dogs from David Wade Correctional Center, conducted a search for approximately ninety minutes. Lockers were searched as well as the parking lot. Students were placed in lockdown in their classrooms, then students were searched from randomly selected classrooms.

            No drugs were found in any lockers or in the parking area, but two students were found to be in possession of what appeared to be marijuana. The substance was sent to the crime lab for verification. As per school policy, the suspended students will be recommended for expulsion, and depending on their age, the length of time could be up to two years.

            School Superintendent James Scriber and Sheriff Ken Bailey worked together several months to devise a plan to secure school facilities and enforce the zero tolerance drug and firearm policy adopted by the Claiborne Parish School Board. On April 20, the first search was conducted by law enforcement officers from Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division and Hazmat, DWCC officers, and deputies from Claiborne, Lincoln, and Caddo Parish Sheriff's offices. No drugs were found.

            Scriber said it took a lot of coordination to put that search together. He and Sheriff Ken Bailey felt they could handle random searchs on a smaller scale and will continue to do so at all high schools and junior high schools in the parish. Bailey said, "We will kick in high gear next fall."

            Scriber said, "Anyone who thinks their school is exempt is not facing reality, because drugs are so prevalent in our society."

            Homer High Principal Dwight Mitchell said he was proud of the job they do at Homer High. "I am disappointed that anything was found, but thankful that it was only to the extent it was and not at an accelerated level," Mitchell went on to say, "We do not live in a perfect world. We know we are going to have kids that smoke cigarettes and do other questionable things, but it is our duty to discourage it and keep our schools as safe and clean, and above board as we can."

            Bailey, who worked as the DARE officer for 13 years, said, "The number one thing is the safety and protection of our children."

            Bailey said once the crime lab results are in, the two students involved could face arrest, jail time, probation, and/or fine.

I-69 Alt. 4 (2&3) Crucial To Claiborne

The Alternative 4 With Options 2 & 3 Coalition Meets Mondays And Fridays At Noon At The Police Jury Complex. All Supporters Are Urged To Attend And To Fill Out I-69 Comment Forms For Alternative 4 With Options 2 & 3 And Submit Before The May 30, 2005 Deadline.

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

            Just how important is it for Claiborne Parish to have the I-69 Alternate 4 with options 2 and 3 selected for Claiborne Parish? Are you tired of your children being forced to leave home to find a good jobs? Are you concerned about the dwindling population and the lack of jobs? Do you care what happens to this parish? These were just some of the questions presented at the last meeting of the I-69 Alternative 4 (Options 2&3) Coalition which has been meeting at noon every Monday and Friday at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex. According to one coalition member, Jane Walker of Haynesville, "Well, here is your chance to bring your children home."

            From comments which are part of public record available at the I-69 Program Office in Homer, some Claiborne Parish residents seem to think it makes no difference which direction the interstate takes between Haynesville and Haughton. One comment even went as far as to mention the age-old rivalry between Homer and Haynesville, as if one town might fear the other would reap more benefit. Alternative 4 (Options 2&3) Coalition members agree it is time for the people in Homer and Haynesville to unite for the good of the entire parish.

            Alternative 4 with options 2 & 3 will bring the Interstate 69 path further south, with an interchange on La. 2 east of Blackburn in Claiborne Parish, approximately 7 miles west of the La. 2-Hwy. 79 intersection at Linder Motor Lodge. This second  intersection in Claiborne Parish will provide a better opportunity for tourism and economic development for the proposed North Hills Lake Project, as well as provide recharge to the Sparta Aquifer.

            The Coalition mailed out approximately 100 packets last Monday to state and federal officials and representatives of all federal and state agencies who have influence over the selection of the I-69 alignment, listing the top reasons why Alt. 4 with Options 2 & 3 is the best choice and urging them to take action in support of that alignment.

            Comment forms and data sheets were sent home this month with all school children in the parish. Parents are being urged to take a few minutes to complete the form and mail it in.

            Letters were mailed Tuesday to all members of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce asking them to have all their employees and family members complete and comment forms and return to the Chamber by Friday, May 20. Executive Director John Watson explained in the letter the importance of having two interchanges in Claiborne Parish and urged them to take a role in shaping the future of the parish.

            Elected officials, governing bodies, and organizations who are supporting Alternative 4 with Options 2 & 3 include Homer Mayor Huey Dean, the Homer Town Council, Haynesville Mayor Mickey Mayfield, Minden Mayor Bill Robertson, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, the Minden Chamber of Commerce, the Haynesville Lions Club, the Homer Lions Club, the Claiborne Parish Watershed Commission, Claiborne Industrial Board President Dennis Butcher, the Minden Lions Club, and the Minden Evening Lions Club.

            The resolution passed unanimously by the Claiborne Watershed Commission on May 9 in support of Alternative 4 with Options 2 & 3. Among their reasons was the close proximity to the proposed North Hills Lake Project, the minimized adverse effects to Bayou Dorcheat, and the ability to provide enticement in Claiborne Parish for future economic development in an economically depressed region.

            The I-69 Project Team distributed handouts at the three public meetings held May 10, 11, and 12 in El Dorado, Haynesville and Minden.

Advantages for Alternative 4 listed on the handouts were as follows:

   ∙ Represents a modified version of Alternative 4 presented to the public in June 2004 and is the slightly preferred alignment based on public comments

   ∙ Consolidates a pipeline, railroad, and the proposed Interstate crossings of Bayou Dorcheat at an existing, disturbed site

   ∙ Results in the least adverse effect to the recreational and scenic use of Bayou Dorcheat from visual and noise effects

   ∙ Provides closest proximity to proposed North Hills Lakes Project development in Claiborne Parish

   ∙ Less recharge area traversed for combined Sparta and Chicot Terraces aquifers than Alternative 5 and its options

   ∙ Slightly fewer grade separations and fewer cross road terminations than Alternative 5

   ∙ Option 3 reduces adverse relocation and noise effects to the residential area along LA 3008 near the Grove community, otherwise affected by Alternative 4 and Alternative 4 with Option 2

There were only two disadvantages for Alternative 4. They were:

   ∙ Affects more surface waters and wetlands associated with the spring-fed streams in the vicinity of Glass Creek, a tributary to Flat Lick Creek in Claiborne Parish

   ∙ Alignment abuts fewer existing communities that would otherwise benefit economically from close proximity to the new Interstate.

The five disadvantages listed for Alternative 5 were as follows:

   ∙ Alt. 5 is the longest alternative

   ∙ Option 1 directly affects one recorded archeological site

   ∙ Alt. 5 and 5.1 impacts the most heavily used reaches of Bayou Dorcheat with visual and noise impacts

   ∙ Scenic stream crossings are strongly opposed based on petitions submitted to Louisiana Scenic Stream Coordinator

   ∙ Traverses one additional oil and gas field (Cotton Valley) which increase the potential for unforeseen construction issues.

            The Dorcheat Scenic River & I-69 Project is headed up by Lane and Syralja Merritt of Cotton Valley. Over the past three years, they have spearheaded a drive to inform citizens about the scenic beauty and recreational benefits of Bayou Dorcheat and collected over 3,700 signatures on a petition asking Scenic Rivers to deny a permit to cross the middle and upper portion of the Bayou. They believe Alternative 4 with Options 2&3 is the best selection for the I-69 path through Claiborne and Webster and encourage all Louisiana and regional residents who agree with them to submit a comment form to the I-69 Program Office in Homer listing Alternative 4 with Options 2&3 as the preferred I-69 alignment, stating their reason is to protect the scenic beauty and recreational benefit of the middle and upper areas of Bayou Dorcheat.

            Dr. Alice Stewart has developed a website for the Dorcheat Scenic River & I-69 Project at http://dorcheat.home.att.net/  It includes information on the Louisiana Scenic River System, the Alternative Crossing Comparison Study, Bayou Dorcheat, Sparta Recharge Area, and Rural Development. It also includes how to submit your comments, talking points and a sample letter. For more information about this Project, call the Merritts at 318-832-4899 or email them at .

            Comments can be submitted to the I-69 SIU 14 Program Office, 425 West Main Street, Homer, LA 71040. Comment forms are available at the Program Office or you can submit your comment in letter form as long as you  include your full name, address, phone number, your I-69 Alternative choice, and at least one reason for that choice. Anonymous comments cannot be fully considered.

            Comments will also be accepted via the website at www.i69arkla.com. All comments must be received or post-marked by May 30, 2005 to become part of the official record.  For your convenience a comment form is available on this page. This will be the LAST CHANCE to submit public comment on the I-69 alignment you prefer. The final decision will be made sometime after the comment period ends May 30 and will be announced later this year.

            DO NOT DELAY. FILL OUT YOUR COMMENT FORM TODAY!

Congressman Works On Homer Bypass

            The Homer Bypass Project was the subject of a meeting held Monday, May 2, in Congressman Jim McCrery's Washington, D.C. office. Jerry Williams, General Manager for Claiborne Electric Cooperative and Chairman of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce Transportation and Lakes Committee, presented pictures of the Bypass project to members of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 

            The Louisiana DOTD completed clearing and grubbing of the right-of-way for the Homer Bypass in mid 2003.  Since 2003 the project has been stalled due to no funds being available. According to John Sanders, District Administrator for the La. DOTD, the construction contract was projected to be awarded in 2003.  The project is estimated to cost $13.5 million to complete.

            The Bypass would start near the intersection of US 79 and State Highway 9, Southwest of Homer and extend approximately 3 ½ miles to State Highway 2, just west of the US 79/ Hwy 2 intersection North of Homer. When the project was started it was to be funded 100 per cent by the State of Louisiana.  The State of Louisiana is now using all available funds to match federal funds. 

            Projects funded 100 per cent by the State are not required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (NEPA) Claiborne Parish citizens have become familiar with the NEPA process being used to locate the path for Interstate 69 across the parish.  This process is more costly and time consuming than the environmental impact and alternative route assessment performed by the Louisiana DOTD.

            At the Congressman's urging the FHWA will be working with the Louisiana DOTD in an attempt to develop a way of complying with the NEPA process, utilizing the state assessment as a starting point.  If the solution can be worked out, it may be possible for the State of Louisiana to secure matching funds to help finish the Bypass Project.  McCrery pledged his support to help with the project during a meeting with local officials in January, prior to the Claiborne Chamber Banquet.  Louisiana State Representative Richard Gallot, and State Senator Robert Adley have been working with the Louisiana DOTD for a number of years to find a solution to this problem.  Last November,  John Bradberry, Secretary of the Louisiana DOTD, toured the project site.

"Splish_Splash: Read!"

Summer Reading Program Begins June 6

            Get ready for a big splash at the Claiborne Parish Library this summer. Louisiana public libraries will celebrate the wonders of water with oceans of activities for children of all ages. Kids are invited to come aboard their local library and set sail for adventure by sighing up for the 2005 Summer Reading Program "Splish_Splash: Read!"

            Children will receive bookmarks, pencils, cups, and tattoos to lure them into getting hooked on books. Special events will include a Beach Party and Luau and a visit from Harvey Rabbit.

            The 2005 Summer Reading Program at the Claiborne Parish Library begins on June 6 and runs through July 16. Kids will have a "whale of a good time" at programs and storytimes. Haynesville children of all ages will meet at the library on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 for storytime. In Homer children ages 3-K will have storytimes on Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM and children in grades 1-3 will meet at the library at 2:00 PM on Thursdays. Children who have finished grades 4-6 will meet on Tuesday afternoons beginning July 5 and ending July 30. Programs will include storytelling, music, books, and crafts, all guaranteed to make kids want to dive into reading.

July 4th Fireworks & Patriotic Parade Set for July 2

                The 2005 Patriotic Boat Parade and July 4th Fireworks Display will be held Saturday, July 2 at the Lake Claiborne dam off Hwy. 518, same as last year. Thanks to the efforts of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and Fred Lewis, there will be additional parking this year. Donations are being sought to help fund this year's fireworks event. Contributions can be made by send your check to Claiborne Fireworks, Inc., 180 Post Oak Road, Homer, LA 71040. For information, call Fred Lewis at 927-9180.

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