Dangers Facing
Children On The Internet was the topic of a workshop held last week, sponsored by
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Webster Detective Scott Tucker (left)
gave a power point presentation. Tucker, along with (l.-r.) Claiborne Juvenile
Officer Ben Booth, Sheriff Ken Bailey, and Springhill Police Officer Dale
Sindle of Homer, are members of the newly created NW Louisiana ICAC (Internet
Crimes Against Children) Task Force.
Danger Facing Children On The Internet
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Webster Parish Detective Scotty Tucker conducted a
workshop in Claiborne Parish last week at the request of Sheriff Ken Bailey, to
provide information to the public on the danger facing our children over the
internet. He said the Northwest Louisiana ICAC (Internet Crimes Against
Children) Task Force formed last August, began as a 2-day training session last
summer by the State Attorney General’s Office.
In those two days, they had 19 people online trying to
meet 12-14 year old teens. Bossier City Marshal Johnny Wyatt immediately
realized there was a problem in this area and decided to form the task force,
which he did with the support of the AG office. Since that time, the Task Force
has made approximately 187 arrests.
Tucker said, “Our mission is to protect the children
from sexual exploitation and to educate parents, families and communities, and
to take these type offenders off the street.”
Molestation of a child no longer means you have to touch
a child. Tucker said, “These guys molest a child in ways we cannot imagine, in
their minds, warping our kids.”
There are two types of sex offenders: situational and
preferential. Situational offenders are not looking for victims, they just take
advantage of a situation when it arises. Preferential offenders, the type the
Task Force is dealing with, will go to great lengths to gain access to our
children—by employment, volunteering, and even marriage.. On average, they
spend 6-8 hours on the internet every day.
Tucker said he gave this same talk at Lakeside High
School recently. The following day, two students started talking. They ended up
arresting Lakeside Softball Coach James Jared Thompson, 24, of Homer. He was
charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer solicitation
involving juveniles for sexual purposes.
Another case involved a man from Minden who met a woman
from Dallas over the internet. She was employed, he was not. He offered to babysit
her children. They develop a relationship and within 2 months they are married.
He convinces her to move to Minden, with her two young daughters. Two weeks
after the move, he rapes the 2-year-old. Agents then discover he has also raped
the 4-year-old.
In another case, a girl from Arkansas met what she
thought was a 15-year-old boy from San Diego on the internet, in a Christian
chat room. The boy was actually a 56-year old predator. He was able to learn
her name, school, church and softball team. He drove to Arkansas and kidnapped
the girl. One of her friends saw the van and gave a description to the police.
An officer in another town spotted the van and called in a SWAT team. The man
ran inside a building, then shoots and kills himself. The girl’s nude body is
found in the van. She had been chained, raped, and beaten to death. This was a
few of the real life stories Tucker shared with participants.
About 80% of youth age 7-18 receive inappropriate emails
daily and some will write something online they would not have said in person.
To protect your children, do not place the computers in
an isolated area such as a bedroom; put in an area open to others. Tell your
children never to give out any personal information on-line. Even an innocent
posting of pictures with school uniforms or jackets will help a predator track
a child. Other tips include: 1) learn everything you can about computers; 2)
communicate with your children, 3) make sure your children don’t divulge too
much information; and 5) consider using computers or internet management
software.
Tucker said during the most recent operation, the NWICAC
Task Force arrested Jimmy Yates of Shreveport, Aaron Hare of Sulphur, Steven
Rider of Jennings, Bobbie C. Durning of Ozark, Arkansas, Michael McCowen of Minden,
Kevin D. Haltom of Bossier City, Charles Anthony Scheidel of LaPlace, Patricia
Hold of LaPlace, Chris Gene Bourgeois of Jennings, Paul Paben of Bossier City,
Clarence Butler of Corpus Christi, Texas, Matthew Paben of Bossier City, Samuel
Ticheli of West Monroe, and Frank Vincent Cordaro of Ruston.
NWICAC Task Force Agents have presented this information
to over 3,500 children and adults since the Task Force was formed. To arrange a
presentation in your area, contact the Task Force through the Bossier City
Marshal’s office at 318-741-8855. For more information, go to the Louisiana
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website at
http://www.icac.ag.state.la.us/
Accident Kills Homer Man
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
A 58-year-old Homer man was killed when the 2003 Mack
saltwater truck ran off the road and flipped on its side around 12:45 PM on
Saturday, May 19. Charles L. McVay, whose address is listed as 736 North Main
in Homer, was northbound on Pattontown Road, 5.2 miles south of La. 2, when the
accident occurred.
Sgt. Merritt and Trooper Hartshield with the Louisiana
State Police investigated the accident. According to the report, the truck
topped a hill, then went off the road on the right, traveled 250 feet then
overturned on the driver’s side. There were no skidmarks on the roadway. McVay
was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is not
suspected.
Haynesville Council Joins Parish Cleanup
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
The Haynesville Town Council voted to support a
parishwide clean up day on Saturday, June 23 and to pay a portion of the
certification fee, up to $500, for Claiborne Parish to become an affiliate with
Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Carla Smith reported on a meeting she attended on May
3 to discuss establishing a Keep Claiborne Beautiful organization and
submitting an application to become an affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful
(KLB) .
Smith said there were a number of benefits for becoming a
KLB affiliate, such as opportunities to apply for numerous grants for
anti-litter and beautification programs. Keep Morehouse Beautiful has managed
to obtain over $45,000 in the past 5 years. The initial certification fee,
between $1,700-$2,300 depending on population figures, will provide training
through a one-day workshop. The Council also agreed to pay $50 toward the
annual $200 renewal fee.
Carla Smith read the following poem, asking the other
council members to work and strive for this goal, “Devote yourself to loving others,
devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating
something that gives your life purpose and meaning.”
Smith also reminded the Council of the clean up day and
white good pickup between Friday, May 25 and Sunday, June 3. The parishwide
clean up to be held from 9 AM - 12 PM on Saturday, June 23 will be followed by
a noon lunch.
Lauren Tichenor distributed sign up sheets to council
members and invited them to attend a public meeting to be held at 6 PM on
Thursday, May 31 in the Police Jury Complex. ….more
CPSO Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest
Deputy Roger Ellerbe with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office was patrolling on U.S. Hwy. 79 South on Sunday, May 20 when he stopped a
vehicle for speeding 68/55 bearing Texas License Plate 760GWW. There was one
passenger in the vehicle, Eleanor Cornelius of Dallas, Texas. A check revealed
driver of the vehicle, Benny Warren, 47, of Homer was driving under suspension.
Deputy Matt Harris joined Deputy Ellerbe in the stop.
Upon further search of the vehicle, deputies found a metal pipe approximately
four inches in length with copper Brillo and tape wrapped around one end on the
front passenger seat. This pipe had residue on it and is commonly used to smoke
crack cocaine.
Deputy Ellerbe questioned Warren and Cornelius as to the
ownership of the pipe. Warren stated it was his. Also found in the vehicle were
two 12-ounce cans of Schlitz Malt liquor that had been opened.
Warren was placed under arrest for speeding, driving
under suspension, open container and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was
booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond to be set.
Cornelius was given a citation for open container.
Woman Arrested For Criminal Mischief,
Felony Theft
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Chief obtained a warrant on Thursday, May 10
for Mary Nguyen, 
owner of Mary K Printing on Hwy. 79 in Homer, following an
investigation into the 
“David Newell District Attorney” T-shirts that were stolen,
painted with a number of inflammatory and degrading statements, then
distributed sometime before 8 PM along a number of streets in Homer, around the
Claiborne Parish Courthouse, and at least one known location in the parish on
Tuesday, May 8.
After contacting Newell, Chief Russell Mills found the
shirts had been at Nguyen’s store, although actual printing had been done by
Bill Gray. After interviewing several persons, Nguyen was contacted by phone
and admitted she had defaced and distributed the shirts. When she failed to
come to his office on Wednesday, May 10, Mills obtained an arrest warrant the
following day.
On Wednesday, May 16, Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies
Randy Pugh and Matt Harris arrested Nguyen, 40, of Minden. She was charged with
criminal mischief (RS 14:59) and theft over $500 (RS 14:67). She was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Jail with bond set at $10,500.
Criminal mischief is the intentional performance of a
number of acts including placing graffiti upon property without the consent of
the owner in such a manner and in such a location as to deface the property and
be visible to the general public. A person who commits the crime of criminal
mischief shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned
for not more than six months in the parish jail, or both.
The person found guilty of theft of $500 or more shall be
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than ten years, or may be
fined not more than three thousand dollars, or both.
This “No Dumping”
Sign
shot full of holes with piles of trash dumped in the background along Dutchtown
Road is a clear indication of the lack of concern some people have for the
beauty of our parish. This is only one of several illegal dumpsites recently
photographed by Police Juror Bob McDaniel.
Help Keep Claiborne Beautiful
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has." —Margaret Mead
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Lauren Tichenor, the LA VISTA worker assigned to Claiborne
Parish, has been working with several elected officials and concerned citizens
to organize a local effort to clean up trash and litter, to promote recycling,
and to establish a beautification program in Claiborne Parish.
Leigh Harris, executive director with Keep Louisiana
Beautiful, met recently with Alice Stewart to provide information on what would
be needed for Claiborne Parish to become an affiliate with Keep America
Beautiful. 
Harris said the three aspects of KLB were 1) anti-litter, 2) recycling,
and 3) beautification. The one-time certification fee for Claiborne Parish to
become a Keep America Beautiful affiliate is $2,300 for populations
15,000-30,000, which would entitle the parish to a one-day workshop. For
populations under 15,000, the fee would be $1,700. After that, the annual
renewal membership fee would be $200.
On Wednesday, May 3, Tichenor and Stewart attended a Keep
Morehouse Beautiful meeting in Bastrop. Morehouse Parish became an affiliate of
Keep America Beautiful 4-5 years ago. They returned with a lot good
information. They learned how KMB was originally formed. Key participants were
International Paper, Waste Management, the sheriff’s department, fire
department, city governments, local volunteers, garden club, chamber of commerce,
education, and boy scouts.
Efforts to clean the city of Bastrop through litter clean
up, removing abandoned buildings, and raising awareness paid off. This month,
Bastrop was selected Cleanest City of their size in Louisiana. Just six years
ago when the State Main Street staff did their initial assessment in Bastrop,
they cited liter as a major problem.
Several individuals from Claiborne Parish attended a
meeting on Monday, May 7 to discuss the organizing a “Keep Claiborne Beautiful”
board. Alice Stewart presented a power point presentation summarizing
information from the meeting with Leigh Harris and the one in Bastrop.
Those attending the May 7 meeting were Stewart, Carla
Smith (Haynesville Town Council), Pete Pearson (Homer Clean City Committee),
Melissa Watts and Emma Lee Tingle (Claiborne Electric), Barbara Monzingo
(School Board), Scott Greeson (E-911 Director), Gene Coleman (State Farm), Ann
Burton (Clean City Committee & Emerson Oil), Robin Bridges (LSU AgCenter),
Bob Robinson (Homer Industrial Board), Dora Ann Hatch (LSU AgCenter & N.
La. Economic Alliance), Cynthia Steele (Claiborne Parish Industrial Board), and
Patricia Jenkins (Homer Town Council & Clean City Committee).
Attendees agreed to hold a public meeting and invite
Leigh Harris, KMB board members, Bastrop Fire Chief David Jester, and Ouachita
Parish Deputy Wayne Heckford. A meeting has been set for 6 PM on Thursday, May
31 in the Police Jury Conference Room. Several members of the Keep Morehouse
Beautiful have agreed to attend and share information with elected officials
and interested citizens in Claiborne Parish. Donna Curtis, Executive Director
for Shreveport Green, agreed to fill in for Harris, who will not be able to
attend.
Tichenor poses this question to all Claiborne Parish citizens,
“Why should you help?” Although there are many reasons to take pride in our
community and clean it up, she gives these four reasons: 1) to improve our
quality of life as citizens of this parish, 2) to build a sense of pride in our
community, 3) to enhance our prospects of economic development, and 4) to be
able to pass our precious resources on to our children.
All Claiborne Parish residents interested in joining the
Keep Claiborne Beautiful organization, who would commit to working toward the
beautification of their community, is encouraged to attend the meeting on May
31. Refreshments will be provided by Mr. and Mrs. Gurvis Vines.
Persons are also urged to sign up to participate in a
parishwide clean up day to be held from 9 AM - 12 PM on Saturday, June 23.
Plans are to provide free T-shirts or baseball caps to all who participate in
Homer, Haynesville, Summerfield, Lisbon, Athens, and Lake Claiborne, followed
by a free lunch at noon. If you plan to participate, please call Lauren
Tichenor at 927-7129 so she can determine how many people to plan for.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy-- but to
matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make a difference that you
have lived at all." - Leo Rosten
The 2007 Senior Expo held Saturday at Homer
City Hall was a huge success with more than 100 seniors in attendance. Each
senior received a goodie bag with information on the many services available
for parish seniors, in addition to free blood pressure checks, entertainment,
and lunch.
The Presbyterian
Village
was one of many exhibitors at the 2007 Senior Expo held Saturday, May 19 at
Homer City Hall. Resident Dealie Speer and employee Carlette Sanford
distributed information about the Village. They gave away pins, eyeglass kits,
and packages of “Come Grow With Us” garden seed. Lucy Dickens, Elbie Dickens’
mother, was winner of the door prize, the beautiful floral arrangement
displayed at their table.
Triad Holds 13th Senior Expo
BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature
Writer, The Guardian-Journal
“We want this to be a fun day for seniors, and we could
not have ordered better weather,” says Gene Kendrick of the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s office at Saturday’s 13th annual Senior Citizens Expo at Homer’s City
Hall. Kendrick continues, “Last year’s attendance was down because of bad
weather, but it’s great this year.” Well over a hundred are here today.
Consulting the program for the morning’s activities, I
notice that refreshments have been available since 7 a.m. It’s 9:30 when I get
here. People are continuing to arrive.
This morning’s program appears both informative and
practical. A number of displays have been set up by area organizations to
exhibit products and explain services of special interest to seniors.
Where to go first? I get in line for the free blood
pressure checks. Hmmm, 138/88. Not bad, but not as good as I hoped. (Note to
Self: Do more walking with Kaye.)
I mosey over to the Social Security table and renew
acquaintance with Sharon from the Minden office. As the morning progresses, I
am not surprised that Sharon and her coworker have a steady stream of
questioners. Social Security pays the bills and buys the groceries for many
seniors throughout Claiborne Parish.
The Life Care Medical Supply table is drawing many
visitors. Life Care offers a wide range of medical supplies to help individuals
stay at home. Their products also contribute to one’s comfort in a longterm
care setting.
Sheriff Bailey’s alerts seniors to the latest scams aimed
at them as well as suggestions for protecting oneself. He suggests contacting
his office about anything that seems questionable.
Each year seniors look forward to the Expo’s door prizes.
Once again, area merchants were so generous with door prizes that no one goes
away empty-handed: Humming bird feeders, picture frames, fans, clocks,
flashlights, meals at local restaurants, floral arrangements, many gift
certificates—far too many goodies to list here—are presented to seniors who are
here for practical assistance. As Sheriff Bailey puts it, “We are here to
improve the quality of life for our older ones.”
Goodie bags for each attendee have information that
describes many services for parish seniors. Some of these include a calling
system to check on a senior’s safety and welfare; free smoke detectors;
emergency assistance, food, and clothing for fire victims; public
transportation for medical and personal business; utility assistance; caregiver
respite; a local foodbank; rental assistance; low-cost, quality food; budget
counseling; Senior Rx (assistance in getting necessary medications for those 60
and over); flu shots, pneumonia shots, and blood pressure checks upon request;
and more.
Some of this year’s exhibitors include Presbyterian
Village, Agape Northwest Hospice, DHH Medicaid’s LaChip Program, the
Alzheimer’s Association of North Louisiana, Claiborne Parish Office of
Community Services, Homer Senior Care Center, Angel’s Healthcare Sitter
Service, HMH-Claiborne Home Health, Claiborne Manor Nursing Home, David Raines
Community Health Center, Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehab, Professional Home
Health, and Leslie Lake Retirement Center among others.
Today’s Expo concludes with the “First Praise Ministry”
singers providing a musical program followed by free hamburger dinners for all
in attendance...yum-yum.
-0-0-0-
“Beautiful young people are acts of nature, but beautiful
old people are works of art.” (anonymous).
KTBS Reporter Chrissi Coile Grand
Marshal For 2007 Fireworks, Boat Show June 30
KTBS 3 News Reporter Chrissi Coile will serve as Grand
Marshal in the Claiborne Parish July 4th Fireworks and Boat Show to be held
Saturday, June 30. Donations are still needed. Please send your check to
Claiborne Fireworks, Inc. P. O. Box 181, Homer, LA 71040. For more information
on the fireworks, contact Fred Lewis at (318) 927-9180. For information on the
Boat Show, contact Dick Dorrell at (318) 927-0039.
Homer Firefighters were dispatched to
this structure fire on Hwy 79 about 5 miles south of Homer in the area known as
"Smoot Bottom” about 5:45 PM on Monday, May 21. Homer Fire Chief Dennis
Butcher said it was a suspicious fire, however the cause of the fire is still
under investigation. It was determined that a vehicle parked behind the
structure, which had been destroyed by the fire, had been reported stolen in
Bossier City. The incident is being investigated by the Homer Fire Department,
the Claiborne Parish Sherif’s Office, and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s
Office. Above, Homer volunteer firefighter Scott Shackelford prepares to pump
water on the fire. ---Photo by Rusty B. Gilbert
Want To Quit Smoking?
“Free” Nicotine Gum, Patches, Lozenges
Available While Supplies Last
The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW is
currently offering free, four-week supplies of nicotine replacement therapy
products and counseling services valued at $200 to those who are ready to quit.
The limited offer of free nicotine gum (Nicorette),
patches (Habitrol) or lozenges (Commit) is available to Louisiana tobacco users
who call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and enroll in free, telephone-based cessation
counseling which began May 15 and will continue through June 30, while supplies
last. You may also call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or
1-800-227-2345.
Call now while supplies last, and make sure to tell your
family and friends!
Mt. Olive Christian School Commencement
May 11
Mt. Olive Christian School in Athens held commencement
exercises on Friday, May 11, 2007, in the school auditorium.
Valedictoran was Matthew Michaud. Salutatorian was
Spencer Smith.
Mt. Olive Christian School graduates for 2007 receiving
diplomas were Amanda Adkins, Matthew Michaud, Spencer Smith.
Junction City Graduation May 18
Junction City High School commencement exercises were
held Friday, May 18, 2007, at 8 p.m. in the Junction City football stadium.
Rodney Margis was valedictorians and Emily Dolden-Loftin was salutatorian.
Junction City High School graduates for 2007 receiving
diplomas were James Anderson, Shay Barnette, Michael Boone, Michelle Clark,
Mitchell Cole, Jessica Courtney, Jeremy Crew, Rebecca Cunningham, Emily
Dolden-Loftin, Ashley Dopson, Dennis Dunn, Carmen Duran, Justin Easter, Ashley
Edwards, Joey Falcon, Alicia Ford, Racheal Garner, Angel Gibson, ShaCazza
Green, Kristen Griffith, Sam Havard, Brianne Henry, Julio Hernandez, Rachel
Holland, Rio Holmes, Justin Hoof, Kurtis Hoof, Daniel Hopson, Scarlotte Hust,
Teri Johnson-Pate, James Love, Jeremy Malone, Rodney Margis, Jessica Maxfield,
Marizette Mayweather, Alexis McDonald, Ryan McIntosh, Chris Miller, Nick
Miller, Jasmine Moore, Sade Mosley, Steven Moss, Cornelius Nathan, Dominique
Noble, Anthony Raines, Amber Ray, Jennifer Sheffield, Erik Shepherd, Meg Smith,
Sarah Smith, Lindsay Spooner, Sam Spooner, Daniel Tanton, Brittney Tate, Haley
Taylor, Kayla Taylor, Meghan Thurlkill, Adam Tuma, Bethany Verdin, Shan Wade,
Whitney Waller, Alexis West, Memree Williams, and Arlaina Woods.
Summer Reading Program Kicks Off Friday,
June 1
The Claiborne Parish Library announces the 2007 Summer
Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Book a Trip”. The program will include
“trips” to China, Mexico, Russia, Ireland, and Holland as well as a road trip
across the United States of America.
Pre-registration begins on May 21 and continues
throughout the 6 week program which ends on July 14. The Grand Kick-Off will be
Friday, June 1 from 1:30p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Castle bouncer will be at the
library in Homer for all children who register for the summer reading program.
The 2007 reading program begins on June 4 and ends on July 14.
Many different activities and special guests have been
planned for children ages 3 through 4th grade. Storytimes will be held in
Haynesville each Wednesday, for all ages, beginning June 6 at 10:00 a.m. In
Homer, children ages 3 through kindergarten will have storytime at 10:00 a.m.
on Thursday mornings and grades 1 through 4 will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday
afternoons.
For more information call 927-3845 or 624-0364. This and
all library programs are free and open to the public.
The Annual Homer
Heritage Invitational Golf Tournament was held at Homer Country Club on May 18. The
purpose of the event is to express appreciation to the people of Homer for
establishing such a wonderful environment in which to grow up. Sponsors
include individuals from Claiborne Parish, other parts of Louisiana, and
several states. Approximately 100 persons enjoyed the occasion. Mrs. Comiel
Kendall of Shreveport was named Honorary Captain of this year’s event. Left,
she is presented a plaque by Bob Haley and Ben Haley. Above, she is shown with
some of her former students. Mrs. Kendall and her husband, Phil, were teachers
at Homer High School from 1941 - 1958.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
