Mitchell to pay restitution, gets
probation
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
former town clerk of Homer will not do any prison time, but she has been placed
on probation and must pay back the money she took from the Town of Homer.
Rita
Mitchell, of Homer, pleaded guilty to theft over $500 and was sentenced to four
years at hard labor with the Department of Corrections. That four-year sentence
has been suspended. Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer Clason ordered
Mitchell to pay restitution to the Town of Homer in the amount of $15,345.47,
plus five years of supervised probation. This amount is to be paid within 42
months of the commencement of her probation.
In
addition, said District Attorney Jonathan Stewart, she was ordered to pay $335
in court costs. Her sentence will begin in March, and if she fails to pay the
court costs, she will spend two months in jail at the Claiborne Parish Women’s
Facility in Homer.
Eric Johnson, the attorney
representing Mitchell, said everyone involved was satisfied the plea agreement.
“Ms.
Mitchell regrets what happened and looks forward to putting the matter behind
her,” he said. “I think everyone involved was satisfied with the plea. Judge
Clason and the district attorney’s office were primarily concerned with the
town receiving restitution and she agreed to it as a condition of the plea.”
Mitchell
was arrested in March 2008 and charged with felony theft over $500 after
discrepancies in a citizen’s water bill came to light. Further investigation
revealed that town records had been altered to cover up money she had allegedly
taken from the town.
Following
the town’s investigation, Mitchell was terminated in September 2007. In October
of that same year, she filed a lawsuit against the town for violation of open
meetings laws, stating the town violated the law when it met in executive
session after asking the meeting be held in public. She also sued for damages.
According
to Homer Town Attorney Jim Colvin, that suit was dismissed on the grounds that
the mayor and town council could not be sued in their official capacity. In
other words, they could not be sued as representatives of the Town of Homer.
However,
the entire suit was not dismissed. In response, the town countersued for damages,
return of the money stolen and other monies.
Colvin
said that all the claims against the town were dismissed as meritless. But, the
countersuit, which is seeking the money owed to the town by her, is still in
effect.
Stewart
praised Investigator David Watson for his work, citing his experience in white
collar crimes investigations during his tenure with the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service (NCIS).
“We
have a wonderful resource in Claiborne Parish, Mr. David Watson,” the district
attorney said. “Mr. Watson did the forensic work to uncover the amount
(mentioned above).We’re very fortunate to have him as a resource, and he did an
excellent job in this case.”
If the
case had gone to trial, prosecuting attorney Jim Hatch said the district
attorney’s office had strong evidence to prosecute.
“I was
expecting to go to trial,” Hatch said. “I had the subpoenas issued and had
reviewed the documentation. Our investigator did a terrific job, and we had the
evidence ready to present. I was certain I had a strong case. It means now that
the town will recover approximately $15,000 that we were able to clearly show
had been stolen.”
Colvin,
on behalf of the town, said they were pleased with the sentence, but this does
not mean the civil countersuit filed against Mitchell will be dropped
immediately. Once restitution has been paid in full, the countersuit will then
be dismissed.
“We’re
very pleased that a guilty plea was entered and that restitution was ordered,”
Colvin said, “so the town will be receiving all the money back that was taken.”
Homer Mayor David Newell agreed.
“It’s
unfortunate that she, or anyone, put herself in a position to be prosecuted,”
Newell said. “With that being said, as the mayor, I am glad to see the town
will be compensated for any loss that was due to her theft.”
Homerite wanted for fraud
Minden authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in
apprehending a wanted individual.
Jerry
Allen, 31, a resident of the 600 block of Greer Road in Homer, is wanted on
five counts of bank fraud.
In
October 2008, Jerry Allen allegedly deposited a check bearing another person’s
name into his personal checking account. The check in question was written on
an account that had been closed for two years. Minden detectives say
afterwards, Allen made cash withdrawals totaling $1,300 from his account using
an automatic teller machine (ATM).
“Jerry
Allen is a resident of Homer, but he has been known to frequent Minden,” said Minden Lt. Dan Weaver.
Jerry
Allen is described as a black male, five feet, nine inches tall and weighing
155 pounds.
Anyone
with information as to the whereabouts of Jerry Allen is encouraged to contact
the Minden Police Department at 371-4226, the Homer Police Department at
927-4000 or any local law enforcement agency where he might have been seen.
This
story was reprinted with permission from the Minden Press-Herald.
Fries pleads not guilty
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Canadian sex offender who burglarized Homer’s First Baptist Church before Christmas has pleaded not guilty to charges of simple burglary of a religious
building.
Arraigned
Tuesday morning, February 3, Shawn Thomas Fries, 43, walked into the courtroom
at 9:45 a.m. in shackles and a prison uniform. Indigent defender Paul Garner
told Second Judicial District Court Judge Jenifer Clason that Fries wished to
waive his right to formal arraignment and enter a plea of not guilty.
Clason
gave Garner 15 days file pre-trial motions for discovery and disclosures. After
that, the district attorney’s office will have 15 days to respond to those
motions.
The
case has been continued until April 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Defense
counsel reserved the right to file motions to the timeliness of the 72-hour
hearing and other related issues.
Fries
was arrested on Tuesday, December 16, after the Homer Police Department
received a complaint regarding a burglary at First Baptist Church in Homer. A small safe and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the church. At
the time of his arrest, officers arrested him under another name, Christopher
A. Weinbender.
The
Guardian-Journal printed the story of
the burglary along with the criminal history of Weinbender. Shortly after the
newspaper hit the streets that week, it was discovered that Weinbender wasn’t
who he seemed to be.
Further
investigation by Homer Police revealed that Weinbender was in fact Shawn Thomas
Fries, a known sex offender in Toronto, Canada. Canadian authorities say he’s
wanted for a probation violation after serving time for crimes against
children. According to those authorities, penalties for the probation violation
carry a 22-month prison sentence.
Fries
has been held at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center without bond since his
arrest.
DARE ‘dares’ to make a difference
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Clinton
and Colton Crumpler, twin seniors at Homer High School, were the featured
speakers at the annual D.A.R.E. graduation last Tuesday, Jan. 27. The event,
held at Homer High School auditorium, was attended by sixth grade students from
five of the six Claiborne Parish Schools.
All 335
sixth grade students in the parish completed the 12 week program in the months
of September through December 2008. The schools participating this year were Homer Junior High School, Athens High School, Summerfield High School, Claiborne Academy and Haynesville Junior High School.
Ben
Booth, the D.A.R.E. officer with Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, took over
the program six years ago from Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey who had been
at the helm of the program for 13 years.
The
DARE program, Drug Awareness Resistance Education, was established in 1983 in Los Angeles, California as a way to provide children the education they would need to avoid
drugs, alcohol and violence. After 25 years in service here in the United States, the program is also taught in 17 foreign countries.
At the
time that Sheriff Bailey established the program in 1990 the program was 17
weeks long instead of the current 12 weeks. Bailey said, “I do really believe
this D.A.R.E. program is the best around. We raise our kids up in the best way
we know how and hope they do right.”
Bailey
ended with a word to the kids in attendance, “Remember the things Dep. Booth
taught you.”
Booth,
who has 17 years with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, said, “We don’t
get them all, but if we save one its worth the time and the money. We can work
all day long, but if we don’t have the support of the parents, its so much
harder.”
Each of
the 335 Claiborne Parish sixth graders were required to write an essay after
the 12 week program was completed to explain what they think about what they
learned, how it has and will affect them and what their thoughts are about the
program.
A
winning essay was chosen from each school and a grand prize essay was chosen
out of the winning essays. The winner from Athens High School was Tamarius
Wall, from Homer Junior High was Eddie Emerson, from Summerfield High School
was Tyler Anderson, Callie Williams from Claiborne Academy and Carlie Powell
from Haynesville Junior High.
Carlie
Powell was selected as the grand prize winner and after reading her essay to
the attendees, was awarded a brand new Mongoose XR-75 10-speed bicycle donated
by Mike Powers, the General Manager of Wal-Mart of Ruston.
Each of
the five essay winners were awarded a medal, a $50 saving bond and a free
personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut of Homer. All students were awarded
certificates of completion for participating in the program.
Clinton
and Colton Crumpler, the night’s speakers, were taught in the sixth grade by
Bailey and again in the eight grade by Booth in the program. As such fine
examples of what the program likes to turn out, the two seniors at HHS were
asked to address the families attending the graduation and offer a word about
the difference D.A.R.E. makes in their every day lives.
The two
young men are the sons of John and Sylvia Crumpler of Homer and the grandsons
of Frank and Jane Speer and Ray and Faye Crumpler. They are members of Homer United Methodist Church.
After
recently competing in the All-State football game in South Louisiana, the twins
were selected and invited to participate in the Down Under Bowl in Australia.
Area
banks and businesses offered door prizes to be given out to the students
attending the program. Fifty dollar savings bonds were donated by Regions Bank
and Citizen’s Bank of Haynesville and $25 savings bonds were donated by Capital
One Bank, Gibsland Bank & Trust of Athens and First Guaranty Bank.
Pizza
Hut donated a number of personal pan pizzas and mini flashlights and
calculators were also given away.
The
program is currently taught in 60 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana.
Oops! Store gets hit by car
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The driver of a 1991 Cadillac Fleetwood
ran into this wall, Friday, January 30, at the Valero gas station and
convenience store, located on the corner of U.S. Hwy. 79 and La. 2. According
to the Homer Police Department, Robert M. Herring Jr., 37, of Homer, stated his
brakes failed when he pulled into a parking space in front of the store. The exterior
of the building sustained minor damage, while the inside wall below the window
had been knocked almost completely out. The impact scattered several 12-packs
of sodas across the floor. According to the store clerk, police say, this is
not the first time a car has damaged this particular wall. Herring was cited
for a suspended license due to nonpayment of child support.
K-9 hit during arrest
The Guardian-Journal
A K-9
police dog was hit by a suspect during a traffic stop on January 31.
An Arkansas man who was pulled over for no seat belt ended up with more charges when police
arrested him.
According
to arrest records, Ray Charles Murphy, 43, of Emerson, Arkansas, was charged
with DWI 6th, with a bond of $50,000; no seat belt, with a bond of $500; driving
under suspension, with a bond of $500; resisting an officer with force or
violence, with a bond of $1,000; two counts of battery of a police officer,
with bond set at $1,000 each; and injuring/killing a police dog, with a bond of
$1,000.
Reports
say that Haynesville Police initiated a traffic stop at Nelson Drive and La.
516 in Haynesville for no seat belt. Officers believed Murphy to be intoxicated
after making contact with him. A background check revealed that his driver’s
license had been suspended.
According
to reports, Murphy reportedly became agitated and combative when police
attempted to arrest him. Reports also indicate the suspect hit the K-9 police dog
on the scene of the traffic stop.
Haynesville
Officers Tim Cox and Aaron Christian were the arresting officers.
Once
Murphy was placed under arrest and read his rights, he was booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, where, as of press time, he remains incarcerated.
Leash law in full force
The Guardian-Journal
The
issue of stray dogs has been a major concern of late and the Town of Homer is now enforcing its “leash law.”
Animal
Control Officer Billy Adams said he’s picked up quite a few animals in the last
few months since he came on board. It’s still a major concern – and now the
laws are being enforced.
“That’s
one of the major concerns here,” Adams said. “The stray dogs around here are
just unreal right now.”
Homer
Police Officer Joseph Henry made it clear that the owners of any loose dogs
within the corporate limits of Homer will be fined.
According
to the town’s ordinance, penalties include a fee of $15 plus $5.50 per day for
a boarding fee. For any licensed and currently vaccinated dog or cat not
wearing a current tag is a base fee of $20. For unlicensed dogs or cats, the
fee is $25. If someone’s animal has been impounded more than once within a
365-day period (one year), the fee goes from $20 to $25 for the second
impoundment and $30 for the third and subsequent impoundments.
The
Town of Homer has had a “leash law” at least since 1989. Ordinance 771 states
that all cats and dogs over the age of four months are required to have
licensure and tags. Animals also must be vaccinated against rabies once per
year.
In
Section 12, every owner must keep their animals “humanly” confined or restrained
“so as to prevent its running at large.” This means the animal should be in an
enclosed area or on a secure leash.
“At
large dogs and cats not in compliance with the foregoing shall be subject to
impoundment,” it states.
Adams has the authority to enforce limited police powers,
including obtaining warrants relative to violations of the rules and
regulations set forth in the ordinance and animal cruelty statutes and assist
law enforcement personnel in making arrests for those violations.
He also
has the authority to enforce the fines for having to pick up the animals and
have them impounded.
If
these animals are impounded, they are taken to the Claiborne Animal Clinic
where they are boarded for four working days unless the owner claims the animal
first. This allows the owner time to claim them. The owner must then pay
boarding fees plus the cost of a rabies shot if it has not had a current one,
said Dr. John Tinsley, veterinarian at the Claiborne Animal Clinic. If the
animal is not claimed or adopted out within that time period, the animal is
euthanized.
To be
clear, he said, “we’re talking about the animals that are brought in by the dog
catcher, through the town’s ordinance.”
Homer Elementary students see
motorcycles up close
The Guardian-Journal
Students
in grades 3-5 at Homer Elementary participated in the Louisiana Young Readers’
Choice Award (LYRCA) program last week.
Student
readers voted for their favorite book from the LYRCA nominee list. To qualify
to vote, a student had to read at least three books.
Selecting
from the 2009 LYRCA nominees, Homer Elementary students chose as their favorite
The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine.
Students
were treated Friday, January 30, to a visit by some “cool motorcycle dudes”:
Barry Roberts, Gene Clark, Joe Thorpe, Charles Rushing, Tommy Wyant, and Edna
Wyant (the latter being a “cool motorcycle dudette”).
The
cyclists emphasized to students the importance of learning to read and of
getting an education. They also discussed the 2008 LYRCA book, Once Upon a Cool
Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O'Malley, a third grade Accelerated Reader book.
(Maggie
Harris contributed material for this article.)
Athens native retires at alma mater
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Master Gunnery Sergeant Aundra Coleman,
pictured right, accepted the flag of the United States flown in Virginia during retirement ceremonies held at Athens High School Friday, January 30.
The Guardian-Journal
Friday,
January 30, was a special day for one Marine as he came full circle.
Master
Gunnery Sergeant Aundra Coleman retired right where his military career began –
Athens High School.
Describing
his high school days, Coleman told the story of how it all began when he and a
couple of his friends went to the recruiting office in Shreveport to sign up –
and so began his 26-year military career.
A
graduate of Athens High School, Coleman began his military training in August
1982. He began his career in communications in 1983, where he was assigned as
base communication center operator at the Marine Corp Logistic Base in Albany, Ga..
Throughout
his military career, he and his family have been stationed throughout the United States, with many trips overseas for Coleman which included Germany, Iraq, China and Kuwait.
He was
last stationed to the marine Corp Base in Quantico, Va., as the chief of staff
and assumed the duties as base inspector/base beautification program officer in
charge.
According
to his biographical information, his personal awards and decorations include
the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal with one
star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one
star in lieu of second award and Good Conduct Medal eighth award.
An
officer who attended the ceremony said Coleman had greatly impacted her life.
Major Victorian Paulson told family members and those in attendance that his
guidance and impact helped her mature in her military career.
“We
admire, emulate you and seek you out,” she said. “Let me thank you from all of
us for having the privilege of serving with you.”
Others
had good things to say about Coleman, a testament to his impact to the United States military.
Master
Gunnery Sergeant Milton Lewis said that although his career was great, much
credit should go to his wife, Theresa, because she took care of the family as
well as supported her country throughout her husband’s career.
“We
thank you for sitting beside our brother for all these years,” Lewis said to
Mrs. Coleman.
It was
later in the ceremony that Coleman presented his wife with a bouquet of roses
in appreciation for standing by his side.
So,
what now? Coleman says he plans to stay in the communications field as a
civilian. Although he and his family will not stay in Athens, this is the place
he calls home.
“This
is where I was raised, where I went to school, played basketball – everything,”
he said.
He, his
wife and two daughters will return to Fredericksburg, Va.
Ford Museum Hosts Gourd Workshop
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Kathy
Pace, local gourd artist and craftsman, conducted a 3-day workshop at Ford Museum in Homer from January 26-28.
Pace
guided more than thirty participants as they transformed dull, brown gourds
into colorful, imaginative baskets, whimsical figures, and other creations.
Mostly
self-taught, Pace said she became interested in the humble gourd a couple of
years ago when she and her husband were traveling in Arkansas.
“At one
of our stops we saw birdhouses, baskets, snowmen, Santas, pitchers, dippers,
musical instruments—these beautiful productions—all made from gourds. I told my
husband, ‘I think I could do that,’ so I read some books and have been making
things out of gourds ever since.”
This
was Pace’s first gourd workshop, and it was evident that interest was high
among participants. The museum’s upper room was abuzz as students selected
gourds, then threw themselves into creating their projects.
Pace
displayed several examples of gourd handiwork—intricately carved and
brightly-painted baskets, a snowman figure, a pitcher—to give everyone ideas as
to what can be accomplished using feathers, pictures, beads, paint, shoe
polish—the possibilities are endless.
Long-thought
to be native to Africa, recent DNA evidence suggests that gourds are indigenous
to Asia and spread from there around the world.
Related
to pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, and squash, gourds are probably the first plant
to be used by humans for containers and vessels, even before clay and pottery.
“It’s
hard to make a mistake with gourds,” Pace said. “They come in all sizes,
shapes, textures, colors. They are inexpensive and versatile. Best of all, you
can use ordinary things around the house in creating your own unique works of
art.”
This is
one of several workshops hosted by Ford Museum to teach how to make items
reminiscent of an earlier time.
Open to
the public, workshops are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Interested ones may email fordmu@shreve.net or call 927-9190. Participants
should bring a sack lunch.
—o—
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up
over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head . . . Jonah was exceeding
glad of the gourd.—Jonah 4:6, King James Version
Gallot speaks to Haynesville Lions
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Louisiana
State Representative Rick Gallot was in attendance at the regular meeting of
the Haynesville Lion’s Club on Tuesday, February 3, along with Representative
Henry Burns and Senator Mike Walsworth.
After
returning from his recent trip to Washington to attend the annual ‘Washington
Mardi Gras,’ Rep. Gallot was more that ready for the downhome cooking of the
Uppercrust Catering who served the noon meal.
When
Gallot realized he was to be the day’s speaker he decided to turn the tables
and have his legislative colleagues say a word or two also. All three men had
nothing but good things to say about our parish. From the beautiful lands to
the hometown feel, the men have each been made to feel right at home.
“I was
happy to be a small part of the Homer Bypass project and I have always been
made to feel at home here,” Gallot said.
In
return, Walsworth who has been in the state legislature for 13 years said,
“There would be no Homer Bypass without Rick Gallot -- no ifs, no ands and no
butts.”
Walsworth
is the head of the Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security.
Rep
Henry Burns also had only great things to say about Gallot also, “No one
manuevors a bill quite like Rick Gallot and does a more effective job than
him.”
Gallot
briefly touched on ethics reform and the Louisiana budget deficit, which has
fluctuated from a billion dollar deficit in 2006 after the Hurricanes, to a $2
billion dollar overage, back to a deficit this past year.
Proposed
legislation would make a number of budget cuts to rectify the budget problems,
if passed.
“Ultimately
we are elected to serve you,” Gallot said.
He is
the chairman of the House and Governemental Affairs Committee and a member of
the House Executive Committee. Gallot currently has a law office in Ruston.
