Divers Search For
Drowning Victim
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Divers ended
Tuesday's search around dark for a 35-year-old Princeton man who apparently
drowned Monday, July 4th in the 1,000 foot channel on Lake Claiborne, in an
area near Snake Island out from King's Point and from the old Sandy Creek boat
landing. The search was expected to resume Wednesday at daybreak according to
Lt. Richie McCarthy with Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries, who said they would continue looking until the man's body is found.
Four adults and
four children were enjoying a holiday outing on their barge Monday, when one of
the children, a young boy
believed to be about 8 or 9 years old, started to panic as he
drifted away from the barge and his life jacket began sliding upward. One of
the two woman swam to the boy to help pull him back to
the barge, but was unable to calm the boy down and called for help. One of the
men swam out to help, but went under the water about half way. He never came
up. Calls for help were answered from a nearby boat.
According to
Sheriff Ken Bailey, the 911 call came in about 4:30 PM. By the time Deputy Jeff
Pugh, who patrols the lake during the summer months, arrived on the scene, the
barge had drifted between some stumps and Pugh had to help pull the barge back
into open water.
Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries under the direction of agent Kenny Balkom
coordinated the search effort. Within a couple of hours, four divers from the
Homer Fire Department and Fire District 6 began searching the waters where the
man was last seen, and continued their search until dark.
Sheriff Bailey
said the search resumed Tuesday morning around 6:00 AM with three divers,
assisted by the Shreveport Fire Department's K-9 Search and Rescue cadaver
dogs. Although one dog made an alert rather quickly, around 6:15 AM, divers
were unable to locate a body. Another alert around 9:00 AM was equally
unsuccessful. Divers continued to search the remainder of the day., with a second dive team arriving in the afternoon.
Authorities had
not released names of any of the individuals involved in the accident as of
Tuesday evening. Agents said the children were all wearing life jackets, however the four adults were not.
Sheriff Warns Of Danger Of Meth Labs
Sheriff Ken Bailey Asks Area Residents To Watch For
Suspected Meth
Lab Activity
Desired by its
users because it produces artificial highs which outlast cocaine; it is highly
addictive and costs much less. It is methamphetamine, otherwise
known on the street and by its users as `ice', `chris',
`glass', or just plain old `meth'.
Sheriff Bailey
indicated, "Because it doesn't take an elaborate set up to manufacture
methamphetamine, it is being illegally manmade in homes right here in Louisiana
and across America. Drug dealers and drug rings have left the confines of their
inner-city environments and have set their sights instead for slower-paced,
family-oriented small towns." `Meth' cooks are
setting up labs in houses, apartments, hotel rooms, storage sheds and even in
cars.
But how
widespread is the threat? According to the most recent statistics released by
the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 15,000 labs have been reported.
Of those, nearly half were found in nine states located in the heartland.
Meanwhile, the
market for the drug continues to be robust, particularly with youth. The
National Institute of Health's Monitoring the Future survey reveals that more
than 6% of high school seniors have used methamphetamine at some point in their
lives. The figure drops only slightly (5.2%) for sophomores and 8th graders
(3.9%). Figures also indicate that some 12.4 million Americans age 12 and older
have tried `meth' at least once, with the majority of
previous-year users falling between 18 and 34 years of age.
So what is the
reason for the increase of methamphetamine? One reason is the relative ease
with which it can be made and the substantial profits which can be derived from
the sale of the illegal drug. Within a two-hour period, a `meth'
cook can turn a $200 investment of over-the-counter chemicals into a $2,000
profit from the sale of illegal `meth'.
There are
numerous recipes to create the highly sought-after drug, many of which use
simple over-the-counter cold medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These are then combined with chemicals
(most are cancer-causing agents) which are then `cooked' in makeshift labs.
"The grave
danger," says Sheriff Bailey, "is that when
these chemicals are combined, they can produce a highly toxic, combustible
atmosphere that can literally explode at any time during the process."
So, what are
the possible signs of a home-based `meth' lab
operating in your neighborhood? Look for:
• Unusual, strong
odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone, rotten eggs or dirty diapers)
• Houses in which the
curtains or blinds are blacked out
• Dumped items such as
red, chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner, duct tape, antifreeze
and lantern fuel cans
• Aerosol cans of
starter fluid, with puncture holes in the bottom
• Peeled casings from
lithium batteries
• White powder residue
• Renters who always
pay in cash
Meanwhile, if
you discover or happen to stumble across a suspected `meth'
lab, there are some very specific protocols that should be followed:
• Do not touch any
paraphernalia or chemicals present.
• Get to a safe
location, keeping in mind that you could be contaminated.
∙ Try and recall
everything you saw or smelled that could be helpful to a decontamination unit
that will be called in to investigate.
• Immediately contact
the Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement.
• When suspicious of
illegal activity taking place, keep a record, but do not alert or confront the
suspects.
• Check with other
neighbors to see if they also suspect a problem.
• Develop an
evacuation plan. It may be as simple as taking the family to a neighbor's home.
• If you see children
living in the home, note and log their condition. If they appear to be
neglected, abused, or in any immediate harm, contact law enforcement and social
services agencies immediately.
• In the event of an
explosion or fire, DO NOT try to fight the fire. Call
911 and provide the operators with your neighborhood's suspicions of the home
being used as a `meth' lab. This will enable
firefighters and law enforcement officers to take the appropriate precautions.
• Keep your family and
neighbors at least 500 feet away and UPWIND of smoke and fumes emanating from a
suspected home-based `meth' lab that caught fire.
This will help you avoid fumes that contain high dosages of toxins and
contaminates.
Sheriff Bailey
said, "Methamphetamine manufacturing is a dirty, dangerous business.
However, with the proper amount of diligence and awareness among neighbors,
these places can be identified and shut down...without endangering people who
live nearby."
Anyone with
information on a suspected meth lab or other illegal
drug activity is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 927-2011, the
Homer Police Department at 927-4000, or the Haynesville Police Department at
624-1355.
MEMBERS OF THE HAYNESVILLE TOWN COUNCIL were sworn in during a ceremony on Thursday,
June 30, at the Haynesville Fair Complex. Following an opening prayer by Bobby
Washington, mayor of Cullen, Mayor-Elect H.U. Slaid
invited Rep. Rick Gallot to make a few comments. Mayor-elect Slaid
welcomed elected officials and guests and made a few comments about the future
of Haynesville. While introducing the council, he noted that Alvin Kendrick had
served on the council 28 years and Joyce Majors had served 16 years, and Carla
Smith's father, Carl Frazier, had served as a councilman and as mayor of
Haynesville. The new council and Mayor Slaid were sworn in by Mayor Slaid's son, Jack "Buddy" Slaid, attorney at law, of Minden. The council
members are Alvin Kendrick - District 1, Alvin Moss - District 2, Joyce Majors
- District 3, Renee Buggs, District 4 and Carla Smith
- District 5. Following the council's
oath of office, Anthony Smith was sworn in as Chief of Police.
Water Systems Restrict Usage
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The South
Claiborne Water System and the Town of Homer recently placed restrictions on
outside water use. South Claiborne serves most of the southern part of
Claiborne Parish, south of Homer. According to Dianne Sanders, all customers
are instructed to stop using water outside their homes until further notice_that means no watering yards or gardens and no
washing cars.
According to
Sanders, the Village of Athens has been purchasing water from South Claiborne
since their well went down last October. The additional consumption of water by
Athens and the lack of rainfall have contributed to the restriction on water
use.
On Tuesday,
July 5, the Town of Homer issued a similar restriction on water use for town
customers. Mayor Huey Dean said residents with even-numbered addresses are
asked to water their lawns on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Customers with
odd-numbered addresses are being asked to water lawns only on Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Severe drought
conditions in the region contributed to a number of water systems including the
City of Minden to issue voluntary restrictions on outside water use. In
addition, more than a dozen parishes and counties in Northwest Louisiana, East
Texas and South Arkansas recently issued burn bans. Annual rainfall in
Northwest Louisiana is
down almost 16 inches so far this year according to the National Weather
Service. Unless the region receives significant rainfall over the next few
weeks, the dry conditions could also lead to an increase in wildfires.
Von Wafer Signs With
Lakers
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Native
Von Wafer, recently completed his second season with the Florida State
University basketball team, 
but this fall he will not begin a third season with
the Seminoles. Instead, on Tuesday, July 5, the 19-year-old headed west for California
where he will begin practice with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wafer, who
stands 6' 5" tall, was the Lakers' third pick in the second round of the
NBA Draft. He was the 39th overall selection, the ninth pick of the second
round. Wafer's dad, Ray Johnson, formerly of Homer, said Von tried out for 12
NBA teams and all thought he was very intriguing. He completed 85% at one camp
and 80% in another.
Wafer began his
basketball career at Pineview High School with coach
Patrick Lindsey, before moving to Cleveland, Texas his senior year and
graduating from Heritage Christian Academy.
The FSU website
states Wafer was one of the top 3-point shooters in the ACC in the last two
years, with 108 3-point field goals in 61 games for a 1.8 game average, which
places him tied for 11th in Florida State history. Wafer's best game was nationally
televised against No. 3 ranked Wake Forest, where he scored seven 3-point field
goals in a career-high 30 points, the first time he had scored that many
points.
Wafer was one
of only seven McDonald's High School All-Americans to play for the Seminoles
and ranked 15th among the ACC leaders with a 1.34 3-point field goals made per
game average in 2004, one of only three freshmen to rank in the top 15 among
all conference players in that category. He was twice named ACC Rookie of the
Week during the 2003-2004 season, and one of only
three ACC freshmen to win the award multiple times during the season.
HOMER LIONS CLUB OFFICERS were installed at the annual banquet held Thursday, June 23. Bob
Robinson (center) will serve as president, replacing Barry Roberts (back,
left). Other officers are (front, l.-r.) Glenda Greer, treasurer, (Rogers) Edna
Wyant, secretary; Patrick Gladney, tail twister;
(Robinson), Michael Blazier, first vice-president;
and directors Beverly Crain and Peggy Pike. Not pictured is James Robert
Michael, second vice-president; Jennifer Pyle, third vice president; Wayne
Smith, lion tamer, and director Terry Shelton. Robinson said, besides the
Club's normal charitable fundraisers, he is looking forward to a good year,
with continued service and prosperity for our community.
"The More Things Change,
The More They Stay The
Same"
BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer, The Guardian-Journal
French humorist
Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr once observed, "The
more things change, the more they stay the same."
Looking through
back issues of the Guardian-Journal from 25 years ago could cause one to wonder
how much things change_or don't. Here is a sampling
of headlines from 1980 along with headlines from recent issues of the paper:
"Rural
Clean Water Comments Called For" Compare that
with recent headlines "Critical Designation for Sparta Essential" and
"Water Legislation Could Affect Local Decisions".
"Drug
Sentence Set for Haynesville Man" Compare that with recent headlines: "Cocaine, Firearm Arrest Made" and
"Haynesville Man Guilty of Growing Marijuana".
"Parents
Need to Lead Fight Against Crime" Compare that
with "First Conviction in Truancy Laws" which reported a parent's
seven children's 302 unexcused absences from school.
"Rate
Increase Granted LP&L" Compare that with this recent headline,
"Entergy Should Heed Federal Ruling, Reduce Rates".
"School
Board Elects 7 New Principals" (and a few days later) "Charges of
Discrimination in Hiring Homer Principals Aired at Board Meeting" (and a
few days later) "U.S. District Judge Rules in Favor of School Board"
Compare that with the recent headline "School Board Appoints New
Principals" and the article reported allegations of discrimination in selecting
principals.
The more things
change, the more they seem to stay the same.
