Homer police chief recall efforts begin

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

A former Homer police officer’s brother is setting in motion efforts to recall Homer Police Chief Russell Mills.

Wayne Rayburn, brother of former Homer police officer Mike Rayburn, said he wants the recall in connection to circumstances surrounding his brother’s former position.

From here on in the story for purposes of clarification, Wayne Rayburn will be referred to as “W. Rayburn” and Mike Rayburn will be referred to as “M. Rayburn.”

“Normally, I don’t get involved in politics at all,” said W. Rayburn, “but after this situation with my brother, all we have is Russell’s (Mills) side of the story. Some of it just doesn’t make sense.”

These efforts come in the wake of an incident that took place Tuesday, May 19. According to reports, on that day, M. Rayburn and Chief Mills had words regarding the officer’s conduct. Later that morning, M. Rayburn barricaded himself inside his home and caused a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“They (M. Rayburn and his wife) were having marital problems — they were split up and she was seeing somebody,” W. Rayburn said. “There’s just a whole lot of truth that’s got to be found, and I want to find it.”

M. Rayburn remains in the Intensive Care Unit at LSU Health Sciences Center. According to W. Rayburn, his brother is “slowly but surely making some progress.”

“He’s in ICU, and he’s still in kind of a coma state,” W. Rayburn said. “The doctors think he’s trying to wake up. If he continues to make progress, hopefully we’ll have Mike back.”

W. Rayburn also says doctors are attempting to wean M. Rayburn off the ventilator.

“Mike can’t fight for himself; he can’t put his story out there, so it’s my duty as his brother to defend him and fight for him,” W. Rayburn said. “I believe the citizens of Homer deserve a chief that’s going to be fair and impartial. All I ever wanted from the whole thing was to keep Mike’s medical benefits intact. There’s been several different stories reported – one saying that Mike quit and one saying that Russell terminated him. The town attorney said he was terminated and the mayor said it had to go before the board of selectman (town council). That’s why I went to the meeting on the first (Homer’s Town Council meeting on June 1) to find out what their deal is.”

Mills contends that M. Rayburn quit, but said that under the circumstances, the officer was also terminated for insubordination and breaking policies and procedures as well as police protocol.

“Regardless of whether he quit or was terminated, he separated himself from employment when he left his post as a police officer,” Mills said. “He left his shift; he left while on duty without authorization and that’s grounds for immediate termination.”

Reportedly, on the day of the shooting, M. Rayburn pulled over an ambulance, allegedly for improper lane usage; however, that traffic stop was not recorded.

The Homer Police Department recently purchased video microphones for their portable radios and officers are now required to record every aspect of a traffic stop. Once officers exit their patrol units, the video microphones are to be turned on. Mills says in regards to the traffic stop, M. Rayburn did not turn on his video microphone, nor did he notify dispatch that he was out on a traffic stop.

According to Mills, on the day in question, M. Rayburn was called into his office and when Mills attempted to discuss his conduct, he became very agitated. He said several attempts were made to calm the officer down, but was unable to do so. Capt. Donald Malray attempted to calm him as well, but to no avail.

When M. Rayburn left the Homer police station that fateful day, Mills says he contacted the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to intercept him before he made it home in order to get him medical attention. Unfortunately, M. Rayburn was never stopped. According to police reports, M. Rayburn threatened to kill himself and anyone who tried to stop him.

“The events that led up to that day were between Mike and his wife, not between me and Mike,” Mills said. “When he came into the office after being called, I felt he already had it in his mind to leave, because I told him that I’d received a phone call and needed to talk to him in regards to a complaint.”

Mills said earlier events surrounding this incident indicated that leaving was his intent.

The chief said M. Rayburn’s biggest strength was his compassion for other people.

“He would take longer on anything than the average police officer,” said Mills. “He went out of his way to help other people. That was Mike. It takes every spoke on a wheel to make those wheels roll, and Mike was one of those spokes. As far as I knew, there was no friction between me and Mike other than making him do things in a timely manner, until that day.”

Mills said at the time of the incident, M. Rayburn was under a lot of stress.

“He was having problems at home — he had a lot of stress on him,” he continued. “It’s just sad that they want to put the blame on me. I had no personal issue with Mike Rayburn. I feel like I did everything in my power to keep Mike Rayburn here.”

According to an article from The Shreveport Times, there were questions as to why M. Rayburn was allowed to take his service weapon out of the police station that day. Mills said that all officers’ service weapons are not department issued. Each officer owns his own service weapon.

In regards to the recall effort, Mills stated that he and his officers would continue to do their jobs.

In order for a recall petition to be considered, the law says that at least 33 and one third of the voters in the district in which the public officer’s recall is being sought must be gained. To date, Homer has 2,076 registered voters within its corporate limits. That means approximately 685 registered voters within Homer’s corporate limits must sign the petition within 180 days (6 months) before a recall can even be considered.

The law states a chairman and vice chairman must be named in order to handle all of the particulars of the recall petition process. As of press time, W. Rayburn says that those two positions have not been named. Once those two positions are named, the petition must be returned to the Secretary of State’s office “prior to the entering of any signatures on a petition.”

After all the required, handwritten signatures are obtained, then it must go to the local Registrar of Voters for verification. Patricia Sanders, Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters, said there are several things that must be verified before it goes to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office including names, addresses, and whether each person on the petition is a registered voter within the district of the public officer being recalled.

Once this takes place, the Secretary of State’s Office will then determine whether to call an election. According to law, the governor will then “issue a proclamation ordering an election to be held for the purpose of voting on the question of the recall of the officer.”

The election will be ordered on the next available date as specified in R.S. 18:402(F).

Even if the number of required signatures are obtained, this does not mean that Mills will be automatically or immediately recalled. An election will be held where voters will decide to recall or not.

If the majority of the voters wish to recall Mills, then he is, effective immediately pending election results, removed from office, where regular vacancy proceedings will begin.

The ballot would look something like this: “SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE RECALL OF (Here state name and title of the officer whose recall is at issue.)” Following would be two boxes to check, which would read “FOR the Recall…or AGAINST the Recall.”

According to R.S. 18:1300.12, “The majority of the votes cast shall determine the result of the recall election. If the proposition for the recall does not receive a majority of the votes cast, the effort to recall shall have failed. Votes shall be tabulated and returns made, declared and promulgated as at a general election.”

 

LSP conducts insurance checkpoint

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Louisiana State Police were in Claiborne Parish Tuesday morning conducting an insurance checkpoint.

One driver was arrested after she put her life and others in danger in an attempt to flee the checkpoint, said Troop G Sgt. Jason Parker, the trooper running the checkpoint.

Carmesha George, 22, of Homer, was arrested for reckless operation trying to flee the checkpoint.

According to Troop G Spokesman Doug Pierrelee, George made a U-turn before getting to the checkpoint, traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour. She nearly caused an accident.

“It’s unusual for someone to go to that much effort to keep from getting caught for no insurance,” Pierrelee said.

Once troopers caught up with her, her vehicle was towed for no insurance.

“She risked her life and a whole lot of other lives trying to get away from us,” Parker said. “It was needless.”

Six no insurance violations, 10 other citations and the arrest were all done within two hours of the insurance checkpoint.

The six drivers cited for no insurance had their license plates pulled and a yellow stickers were put on their back windshield.

Pierrelee called the checkpoint a success, saying it now gives troopers a better idea of where they need to concentrate their efforts.

“It was a success in identifying a target rich environment,” he said. “That area today held a lot of what we were looking for at that time.”

Pierrelee said it is not only important to have insurance on a vehicle, it’s the law.

The Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance, from the Louisiana Department of Insurance, says that Louisiana law “requires that all registered owners of an automobile carry liability insurance. Uninsured motorists are subject to penalties such as fines, limited recovery of damages and impoundment of the uninsured vehicle.”

If a driver cannot provide proof of insurance, their vehicle may be immediately impounded or their license plate removed. A yellow sticker will then be put on the back windshield of the vehicle, the guide stated. They have three days to go to the DMV to show that they had insurance at the time of the stop.

There are exceptions to those rules, though. Pierrelee said that many times a trooper will use his judgment – the main thing is to know that drivers are insured.

“We’re not going to tow a vehicle if the driver has a passenger under 12 years or if they are handicapped,” he said.

If the driver is stopped again, then their vehicle will be impounded with towing at the driver’s expense. The vehicle can be impounded until “proof of insurance is given and all towing and reinstatement fees are paid.”

For more information on automobile insurance, there are several places to look for information. Motorists can go to the Louisiana Department of Insurance website at www.ldi.state.la.us or to the Louisiana State Police website at www.lsp.org. Or, drivers may wish to contact their local Department of Motor Vehicles. Information may also be found at a driver’s automobile insurance company.

 

Claiborne Fireworks gets donation

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

The Claiborne Parish Boat Parade and Fireworks show will be held Saturday, July 4. To help ensure this year’s event is a success, the Homer Lions Club has agreed to make a generous donation on behalf of Claiborne Parish to Claiborne Fireworks Inc. Pictured above are Lions Club board members, standing from left, Doug Efferson, Buddy Pixley, Ed Frankie, Bob Robinson and Dwayne Woodard. Seated are Fred Lewis, left, and Dick Dorrell, right, representatives of Claiborne Fireworks Inc.

 

Claiborne Fireworks Inc., is immensely proud of the local and the extended community support of our annual Fourth of July celebration.

Please continue donations and plans to attend the show.

For donations and/or more information, comments or suggestions, please mail to Claiborne Fireworks Inc., P.O. Box 181, Homer, LA 71040.

Also available are the 2009 Fireworks and Boat Parade hats, limited editions, at Homer Loans for a $15 donation.

For fireworks information, please contact Fred Lewis at 318-927-9180. For boat show information, please call Dick Dorrell at Homer Loan and Insurance at 318-927-0039.

 

Airport repair process begins

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Town of Homer is moving forward with making repairs to the Homer Municipal Airport.

In June’s regular monthly meeting, the town approved several motions to begin the process of repairing the airport, where Stallion Oilfield Services’ Heavy Haulers Division was housed for some time.

The company has now moved into its new facilities just outside Homer, and the town is prepared to begin making repairs at its airport.

Unfortunately, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will not be able to give Homer the grant they are requesting. Again, it will be given to another municipality in order to keep Homer from losing the grant all together. In fact, a motion was approved for an agreement to transfer “entitlement of airport funds to False River Regional Airport.”

Town Attorney Jim Colvin said he went with a Stallion representative as well as a representative from the FAA to look at the damage done by Stallion’s heavy trucks. He said the apron must be repaired before Homer can actually receive any money from the grant.

This has been an ongoing issue for the Town of Homer for the last few years. The grant the town has been trying to obtain will go for running lights to allow nighttime flight again. Currently, the airport is not within FAA regulations and has been in violation of those regulations since Stallion housed its company there.

The two entities have worked tirelessly to work out the issues.

Also, a motion by Toney Johnson was approved to award the airport maintenance contract to JW Menefee Contractors, who came in with the lowest bid of $23,860 per year.

In other news, diseased and dead trees were a topic of the council meeting. District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford said there was a tree located at 319 West 3rd Street that needed to be cut and removed.

“If it splits, it will fall on a house,” she said.

After some discussion, it was decided that a study needs to be conducted to see what other trees within the other four districts need to be removed. District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins said several others need to be cut and removed from her district as well.

It was decided that each council member will drive through their district and make a list of the trees that need to be cut and removed.

The council also appointed a new mayor pro tempore. The late J.C. Moore, councilman for District 1, served as mayor pro tempore until his death in mid-March. District 3 Councilman Toney Johnson was nominated by Sanford, and the vote was 3-2. Jenkins and Wade both voted against Johnson and acting District 1 Councilman Willie Curry, Sanford and Johnson voted in favor.

The vote was disputed by not only council members, but the general public in attendance as well, raising the issue of whether the vote was valid. Colvin was asked to look into this and he gave council members an answer on Tuesday. As allowed by the Freedom of Information Act, The Guardian-Journal requested his response, which stated the vote is valid.

“I find nothing to suggest that the vote taken last night (Monday) in which Toney Johnson was elected mayor pro tempore of the Town of Homer was anything other than legal, irrespective of the fact that he voted for himself for that position,” Colvin said in his response. “This is not unusual in Louisiana public bodies, as my research revealed, and I found nothing that would even suggest otherwise.”

In his response, he cited Louisiana Revised Statute 42:1120, which paraphrased, states that “the only relevant instance in which a council member is required to abstain from voting is when that council member has a pecuniary or financial interest in the outcome.”

For the Town of Homer, he stated, the position of mayor pro tempore does not come with additional financial compensation. In other words, the council member that holds that position does not receive additional pay from what the other council members are paid.

He also cited the case of Burgess v. City of Baton Rouge from 2006, where an appellate court upheld that even when additional compensation is due, that council member can still vote for himself.

Also at issue was a procedure called “Robert’s Rules of Order.” This is but one set of procedures a municipality may follow, but Colvin never found anywhere in the town’s charter, ordinances or state law where the town has adopted this particular set of procedures.

Also in council news, the town council approved a motion to budget a yearly maintenance contract for maintenance on the newly installed generator at the Mayfield Water plant. Dennis Butcher, director of the Claiborne Parish Office of Homeland Security, suggested a contract with the manufacturer of the generator for a yearly total of $810. Butcher also suggested a few other maintenance details to keep the generator running at optimum capacity in the event of a major power outage.

The next town council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, July 6, in council chambers, located at the Homer Police Station. For more information, please call town hall at 927-3555.

 

Claiborne Chamber auction a success


The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

The cake and casserole auction, sponsored by the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, was a huge success this year. Pictured at right are just some of the delicious cakes, pies and casseroles up for auction, on Wednesday, June 3. Pictured above are the delicious brisket sandwiches patrons enjoyed before bidding on their favorite treats.

 

The Guardian-Journal

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce’s Cake and Casserole Auction was a huge success.

Feeding more than 200 people, the auction offered many delectable cakes, casseroles, homemade bread, cobblers, cookies and other treats to soothe the sweet tooth.

The top buy of the day was an Irish crème cake, made by Marcia Copeland. Purchased by Claiborne Electric Coop, it went for $240.

Brisket sandwiches with all the fixins’ were also available for a $5 donation.

The chamber wishes to thank the following for their support and donations: Piggly Wiggly, Upper Crust Catering, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Brookshire’s Grocery Company, those who donated cakes, casseroles and other treats for auction and the Town of Homer for use of City Hall.

“The event was very successful because of the contributions, the cakes, the generosity of the buyers and all the donations,” said John Watson, executive director for the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce. “It was just a fun event, and if you didn’t come, you missed a treat.”

…but there’s always next year!

 

Homer Boys and Girls Club summer program underway

 

The Homer Boys and Girls Club welcomes all youth ages 6-17 to come and participate in its summer enrichment program.

Activities that are offered are listed as follows: Keystone Club, recreational activities such as basketball and gym activities, game room activities such as pool, dominoes, Mancala and other board games, Teen Center which promotes prevention for drug awareness, teenage pregnancy and peer pressure, pool day where participants will go swimming at Mayfield Pool, daily journal, arts and crafts and girl scouts unit.

Operational hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Annual membership is $10, and daily participation fee is $2 per day.

For more information, please contact Patricia Hobbs at 318-927-2718.

 

Lake Claiborne one step closer to permanent channel markers

These pilings are just an example of what will be going into Lake Claiborne to help mark the channels.

 

The Guardian-Journal

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA) provided a zero percent interest loan to Lake Claiborne to permanently install channel markers along the channels of the lake.

Approximately 200 reflective channel markers will stretch for more than six miles to help boaters safely navigate the lake. The markers will be pile driven into the bottom of the lake and will meet United States Coast Guard boating safety regulations, the LPFA press release stated.

The lake currently has temporary floating buoys that can sometimes be pushed out of place by storms, high winds and even boats. This can leave unmarked channels or falsely marked channels, which are a hazard for boaters, said Phillip Fincher, Chairman of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District (CPWD).

“The addition of permanent channel markers will help guide boats throughout the lake’s waterways and keep them from traveling into or through debris,” Fincher said. “In the past, we’ve had to purchase the buoys every year and get volunteers from around the community to install and replace them.”

In September 2006, the people of Claiborne Parish approved a sales tax dedicated to the CPWD, giving it a high priority to the installation of permanent channel markers, according to information provided by CPWD member Alice Stewart.

Over the course of the last couple of years, the Watershed District has been in the process of completing all paperwork relevant to the proposed markers, and as of June 8,  they were finally able to advertise for bids to begin the project.

The CPWD has currently borrowed $300,000, in which the bulk of the funds were obtained though Iberia Bank to complete the purchase of the channel markers, stated the LPFA press release.

The LPFA contributed $30,000, which is 15 percent of the total at zero percent interest, a savings of $5,160 for the Watershed District.

“This is a good example of how our Bond Bank program helps improve recreational areas around Louisiana,” said Martin Walke, vice president of economic development for the LPFA. “The installations in Lake Claiborne will make it a better and safer lake for many people to enjoy, and the LPFA is pleased to help inhance Claiborne’s waterways for use.”

The CPWD will contract, after competitive bidding, the purchase and installation of these treated-lumber, permanent channel markers and accessories including red and green daymarker signs, warning signs and  no-ski, no-wake zone signs.

Specifications were drawn up according to United States Coast Guard Inland Water Regulations. The Claiborne Parish Watershed District will oversee all aspects of this construction project.

CPWD commissioners elected to get bids from the firm of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, submit them to the officers, and if the bid are deemed reasonable to contract with the firm to do the bid process. Commissioners will follow up on this matter at its regular meeting slated for Thursday, June 25.

 

DA discusses truancy program at Homer Lions Club

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

District Attorney Jonathan Stewart spoke to the Homer Lions Club recently about some important things he has planned for the future.

One of his biggest plans, he said in the May 28 meeting, is to highlight a truancy program to help combat the number of students who aren’t going to school.

Recently, he said, Rep. Jim Fanning, Jonesboro, chair of the Appropriations Committee, has introduced an amendment to the appropriations bill for $50,000 for each parish to run a truancy and assessment center.

A startling fact is that the official dropout rate for Louisiana teens is an estimated 41 percent, he said.

“This is an area where we need to be truly proactive,” Stewart said.

So what can the community do? What are the causes?

“I think we all need to look at where we are in society and where we came from,” Stewart said. “We have a whole lot of problems now that we didn’t have.”

One of the solutions, he continued, is that everybody needs to become more involved in community activities.

“We do have some serious problems with crime, and the good news is that there are some things to follow,” he said.

Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer Clason spoke briefly about the truancy program saying that quarterly reports from the U.S. Justice Department show that there is a consistent statement in them is that “the greatest and most accurate predictor of future criminal behavior is truancy in school.”

She said that on juvenile day in court, all the parents and their children are called in and drug tested – and the results are consistent.

“In every other session where we’ve done this, we’ve had out of the whole group, either the parent or the child hot for drugs,” she said. “Is it any wonder that these kids are not getting up and going to school? I don’t know how to stop the parental misbehavior, but I do know that the statistics show that the biggest and most accurate predictor of future criminal behavior in young people is their failure to attend school.”

Stewart went on to say that students typically begin being late for school because of a parent or someone in their household.

“The truancy rate is directly related to the dropout rate, which is related to crime,” he said. “What typically happens is, for whatever reason, somebody starts being late for school or missing school. Then they get behind. Then they fail. Then they drop out. Once they fail one or more grades, they generally drop out.”

Along with the truancy program, Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to institute a new curriculum for middle and high schools, giving students a choice of a college “prep” curriculum or job training.

“I think that will help our situation in this state, and I think that’s something we all need to get behind and push for,” he said. “It’s something that’s very necessary.”

To learn more about how to combat truancy, call the local DA’s office or talk to your child’s school or the school board central office.

 

 

Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is underway

 

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident,Brochures and the Two Disc Driving CD available at several area locations - Click to Visit ClaiborneParishTourism.org Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Chamber.

“The CD is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.

Asked what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism brochure has been prepared. In addition,  there is a new website www.claiborneparishtourism.org.

Also, a cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156 cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.

Finally, television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist destination.

Describing the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer, Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish. It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy,  Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm, Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.

The cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.

The new tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.

The website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.

Highlights related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.

Some parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.

The set consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local legend and lore.

Of course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of production.

Many local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the driving CDs, and the website.

Brochures and CD sets are available at the following locations:

* The Grapevine

* The Raven Bookstore

* Port-au-Prince Restaurant

* Killgore Pharmacy

* The Rebel Stop

* Claiborne Parish Library

* Gibsland Bank and Trust, Athens

* The Chamber Office at Ford Museum

Brochures only are available at the following:

* Miss Lizzie’s

* Parden’s Paradise

* Courtyard Florist

* Lake Claiborne State Park

* Haynesville City Hall

* The Outpost

* The Guardian-Journal

 

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.

 

NOTICE TO READERS
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Archived Guardian Journal Headlines & News Briefs from November 1999
 

News Briefs

Police Jury to meet June 10

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will hold its regular monthly meeting at 9 a.m. in jury chambers at the police jury complex. For more information, please call their office at 927-2222.

 

Homer Lions Club to meet June 11

The Homer Lions Club will meet at noon at Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant. The guest speaker will be Adam McGuirt from the Louisiana University Fountation-LTAC (Louisiana Tech Athletic Club). He will be discussing the stadium improvements and activities of LTAC. All members are encouraged to attend, and bring a guest!

 

Tea Party, book review to be held June 11

The Claiborne Parish Library would like to invite citizens to a tea party and book review at 2 p.m. Martha Trinko will be reviewing the book, “A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel. Tea party refreshments will be served. Come join the fun while the children are watching a movie with Mrs. Nancy. For more information, please call the Homer branch at 927-3845.

 

School Board to meet June 11

The Claiborne Parish School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at central office, located across from the Homer Police Station. For more information, please call their office at 927-3502.

 

Ware Family reunion to be held June 13

The Ware Family reunion will be held from 10 a.m. until at the Haynesville Fair Complex building. Please make plans to attend. Bring covered dishes and drinks. Come and enjoy visiting with family and friends.

 

Food distribution June 15

The Homer Christian Coalition will distribute food from the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank from 9 until 10 a.m. at the Old Boys and Girls Club on Armory Drive.

 

Homer Housing Authority to meet June 15

The Housing Authority of the Town of Homer will its regular Board of Commissioners meeting at 5 p.m. at the Housing Authority office located at 329 Oil Mill Street. This is a public meeting and all are invited to attend.

 

Spring Arts and Crafts Festival at DWCC June 20-21

The annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival will be held at David Wade Correctional Center from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days. Come early and check out the good values. DWCC is asking that patrons do not write checks for payment. DWCC is located at 670 Bell Hill Road off Hwy. 79 South in Homer. For more information, please call 318-927-0400.

 

Food for Seniors distribution June 22

Food for seniors will be distributed from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the Old Boys and Girls Club on Armory Drive.

 

Senior Extravaganza and Banquet June 25

The senior extravaganza and banquet, featuring area talented youth and a delicious meal, will be held at 6 p.m. at Homer Town Hall, at 400 E. Main Street. Admission is $10. Funds raised will help the programs sponsored by the Future Business Leaders of America at Homer High School. For more information, please call Joe Etta Williams at 927-9444, Valerie Cooper at 353-6057, or Valena Lane at 247-6676.

 

Fleming representative to be in Homer July 1

A representative of Congressman John Fleming will be at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. to meet with constituents for any reason requiring federal assistance. No appointment is necessary.

 

Watts, Cotton family reunion to be held July 17-19

The biannual Watts, Cotton family reunion will be held at Lake Claiborne State Park. For more information, please call Dorothy Gilmore or Naomi Walker at 624-1186.

 

10th Homer Mayfield School Reunion July 30-August 2

The 10th Homer Mayfield School Reunion will include several events. For more information, contact Marie Gray, chairperson at 927-6705. Registration is $75 and guests are $25. Deadline is June 5.

 

Childcare Reimbursements

Anyone providing childcare in their home, including relatives and grandparents who would like to be reimbursed for a portion of their food expense is asked to call the Webster Parish Community Services at 377-7022, ext. 116 or 117. The WPCS Food Program is now serving Webster, Claiborne, Bossier and Caddo Parishes.

 

Elder Abuse and Neglect-serious common problem

Elder Abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person. Elder Abuse may include: physical violence, threats of assault, verbal abuse, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, or neglect. Elder Abuse is an extremely serious problem. Many victims are ashamed or unable to report abuse-or fearful of reprisal if they do. Report suspected cases of elder abuse by calling the Claiborne Council on Aging at 927-6922 or 800-259-5284.

 


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J.T. Taylor Realty has provided Real Estate Sales and Buyer Representation in Homer, Haynesville and Claiborne Parish for Commercial, Residential and Timberland Properties since 1984.


For over 10 years, Dimex Sales has offered a full line of Portable Buildings for Home, Home/Office, Construction Sites, and Storage needs.

 

Team Ag Real Estate - New Claiborne One Sponsor

TeamAgRealEstate.comTeam Ag Real Estate is proud to be a new sponsor of the information source for All of Claiborne Parish - Claiborne One. Based in El Dorado, Arkansas with an associate in North West Arkansas (Lincoln - Home of the Arkansas Apple Festival), Team Ag Real Estate specializes in agricultural farm (including Poultry/chicken farm) sales and appraisals. Team Ag is licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma & Missouri for farm buying, selling and appraisals. Team Ag supports their clients with years of hands on experience in the poultry business, formal education degrees in Business-Agriculture, SBA agricultural lending, and an impressive network of agriculture industry contacts.



Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive

Archives Now Online include:


Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within Claiborne Parish may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Claiborne Parish. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting John Watson, Executive Director of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271. The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity provider. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD

TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call 927-2011.

 

  
 
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Community Services Directory - Educational Programs, Hotlines, Health/Medical, Social/Community, Clubs/Organizations, and Internet Resources


 
The Guardian-Journal
 
The Guardian-Journal
620 North Main  |  PO Box 119  |  Homer, La 71040
Phone 318-927-3541  |  Fax 318-927-3542

Co-Owners
Kathryn H. Hightower Hilda Spillers Estate

Geraldine H. Hightower
Publisher
Michelle Bates
Editor
Official Journal
  Claiborne Parish Police Jury, Town of Homer, Villages of Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield and Junction City, La.
Subscription Rates (payable in advance)
Pricing Subject to Change Without Notice
Claiborne, Bienville, Lincoln, Webster and Union Parishes $25.00 per year
Inside the State of Louisiana $30.00 per year
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(Payments for subscriptions may be made to the above address)
Submissions
  Deadline for Advertisements and News Copy is Monday at 5 PM. Weddings and Engagements must be turned in for publication on the Friday prior to the desired publication date. Photographs must be in the newspaper office by 4 p.m. Friday, a $10.00 charge is placed on all photographs.
All "Letters to the Editor" must be signed.
 
We reserve the right to edit all news copy!
 
  
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Online Since 11/11/99

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