Gov. Jindal to visit Homer October 16
Governor Bobby Jindal will be in Homer,
from 2 until 4 p.m. Friday, October 16 at a Louisiana Honor Medal Ceremony. All
elected officials are encouraged to attend.
For more information, please call Brandi
White at 927-3077 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), 263-7419 (Tuesday and
Thursday) or cell phone at 422-2951.
DA to reach decision in Homer shooting
soon
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
District
Attorney Jonathan Stewart will possibly be releasing a decision on the
officer-involved shooting death of Bernard Monroe Sr. soon.
That’s
according to Stewart himself, who said he is still reviewing the Louisiana
State Police report turned over to his office several weeks ago – but he insists
there is no set deadline for his decision.
“I
don’t have any deadline. We’re doing some investigating on our own as a follow
up to the state police report,” Stewart said.
He said
the state police report is very thorough, but there is just some follow up to
do. He shares the concerns of many in the community and Monroe’s family, saying
that he understands the gravity of the situation.
“All I
want is the truth to come out,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for – the
truth. The community has a lot at stake, and it has hurt enough.”
Stewart
will have to decide whether to send the report to a grand jury to review the
evidence and decide if the shooting was justified. Or, he could turn it over to
the Louisiana Attorney General’s office to handle the case. The third option
would be for Stewart to actually make a decision on whether it was justified or
not.
Monroe was shot and killed by two Homer Police Officers on
Friday, February 20, after he allegedly engaged the two with a loaded handgun.
According
to police, Monroe was armed. His family and those close to him say he was not.
In the
wake of his death, much controversy has surrounded the small town of Homer. The U.S. Justice Department has been working closely with community members in an
effort to buff the town’s division over the incident. The Federal Bureau of
Investigations has also conducted its own investigation into any alleged civil
rights violations. The American Civil Liberties Union has also conducted its
own investigation into racial profiling, to which it concluded that there were
more arrests of blacks in the Town of Homer than whites.
In
response, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and his department are putting their
numbers together as well to show more accuracy, he said. The Guardian-Journal,
also, has requested the same public documents requested by the ACLU in order to
conduct its own inquiry.
Since Monroe’s death, former officers Joseph Henry and Timon Cox have both resigned.
It’s wet, wet, wet!
Storms, rain cause flooding and damage
in parish
The Guardian-Journal photo/K.H. Hightower
Subway, along with the other businesses
located in this section of Hwy. 79 closed for the afternoon on Monday after
heavy rainfall flooded parking lots and fields all along the highway. Rains are
expected to continue through Thursday, according to the National Weather
Service.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
This car is stuck in the parking lot at
Regions Bank on Hwy. 79. The parking lot flooded all the way up to the sidewalk
areas around the bank.
The Guardian-Journal photo/K.H. Hightower
Mark Lyons takes advantage of the high
water at the public boat launch in Lisbon on Highway 2.
The Guardian-Journal
Friday’s
storm blew through Claiborne Parish in the morning hours packing high winds and
several inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
The
scanners came alive within seconds of the storm hitting, with reports of flooding,
trees blocking roads and power lines down.
According
to Homer Town Clerk B.J. Lowe, town maintenance crews haven’t dealt with many
flooding issues, but many reports of trees down throughout town were reported.
On
Monday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, stating that
one to two inches of rain were expected in addition to the 4 to 5 inches
already received. According to KTBS Channel 3 weather reports, 1 to 4 inches of
rain fell Friday morning during the severe storm. Another 2 to 4 inches of rain
fell throughout the region Tuesday. However, the wet weather is supposed to
lighten up by the end of the week and through the weekend.
Claiborne
Parish 911 issued a call Monday evening warning residents to use extreme
caution as the ground is saturated, and also warned motorists not to drive
through high water. By Monday around lunchtime, the parish had declared that at
least 65-70 percent of roads throughout the parish were closed.
The
National Weather Service indicated that heavy rainfall would cause flash
flooding all across the region.
“Excessive
runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams,
highways and underpasses,” according to the NWS website. “Additionally, country
roads and farmlands along the banks of creeks, streams and other low-lying
areas are subject to flooding.”
The
weather service is also warning motorists not to cross water on covered
bridges, dips or low water crossings, the website said. Never try to cross a
flowing stream, even a small one on foot.
The
7-day weather forecast, according to the National Weather Service, is as
follows. On Wednesday, the rain is expected to continue with a, 80 percent
chance. Highs will be in the upper 70s.
On
Thursday, highs will be in the upper 70s, with an 80 percent chance of rain,
mostly cloudy. Rain chances go down Thursday night with a 40 percent chance of
light rain. Lows will be in the mid-50s.
On
Friday, rain chances are listed at 30 percent, with highs in the 60s. Friday
night, chances of rain decrease to 20 percent with lows in the 40s.
Schools
were let out early Monday at 12:30 p.m. due to the flooding throughout the
parish.
“We
have roads that are closed and washed out, and ones that are covered in water,”
said Claiborne Parish Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janice Williams.
The
offices were closed as well.
Classes
resumed Tuesday morning.
According
to Alice Stewart, with the Claiborne Parish Watershed District, many have
called their office with questions concerning Lake Claiborne. Last week, Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey issued a statement saying that the public areas of Lake Claiborne have been closed until further notice. No boating or recreational activities
will be allowed on the lake until the order is lifted.
In
response, Stewart attempted to answer a few questions.
According
to Stewart, the commission requests the sheriff to issue a “No boating on the
lake” order when the lake level rises to two feet above its normal stage and
shoreline residents complain of property damage and additional flooding due to
wakes caused from boating.
“Because
the rainfalls of the past two weeks have been heavy and persistent,” she said
in an email to The Guardian-Journal, “the order has been extended for a longer
period of time than usual.”
Also,
the gates of the spillway will not be opened. Louisiana Department of
Transportation (DOTD) manage the lake’s dam and spillway, Stewart said.
“The
officials explain that the dam and spillway were not designed for flood
control, and ‘opening the gates’ will not control flooding.”
She
further explained that Lake Claiborne is “unique in having an internal
spillway.”
Lake Claiborne’s water
leaves through three conduits under the dam, she said. Two gates are part of
the lake’s circular spillway structure. The gates allow water into the spillway
during scheduled draw downs for lake maintenance.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Lake Claiborne’s level was at 188.26 feet, according to USGS
readings from the monitoring system near Aycock. Pool stage is considered 185
feet.
For
more information on Lake Claiborne levels, go to the watershed commission’s
website at http://claibornewatershed.home.att.net/7lakes/lakes.html or call
their office at 927-5161. For more information on the lake’s closing, call the
sheriff’s office at 927-2011 or Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries at 371-3049.
For the latest weather forecast, go to the National Weather Service’s website
at www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/ or watch your local news forecast.
Election this Saturday October 17
Elections for two very important seats
are coming up this Saturday, October 17. On the ballot are Supreme Court, 4th Supreme Court District (parish wide): Marcus Clark and Jimmy R. Faircloth Jr. Also on the
ballot are selectman for the Town of Homer, District 1: Willie “Hog Head” Curry
and “Doc” Roberson (part of precincts 84, 87 and 93. For more information, call
the Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters at 927-3332.
Lake Claiborne still closed
Lake Claiborne is closed until further
notice, according to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey. Due to heavy rainfall
and rising waters, barricades have been set up at the public boat launches. No
fishing or boating activities will be allowed until further notice. For more
information, please contact the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011
or Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries at 371-3049.
Chamber Pancake Breakfast October 29
Sponsored by the Claiborne Chamber of
Commerce, their annual pancake breakfast will be held from 7 until 9 a.m. at Homer City Hall. Tickets are $5 each. For more information, please call the
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at 318-927-3271.
‘Wading’ til the cows come home
Pictures: Truck in water pic 1, truck in water
pic 2
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
According to witnesses, the man steering
the truck made several trips in this field turned river to move his cattle,
pictured in the trailer, to higher ground. He made several trips, but the last
one left him stranded. Inset, while the Homer Police Department kept traffic at
bay, Police Chief Russell Mills (behind the door) and Homer Fire Chief Dennis
Butcher (not pictured) assisted Gordon’s Wrecker Service in pulling the GMC
extended cab truck and trailer out of the murky running water. No reports of
injuries to the man or his cows.
Property theft cases solved
CPSO clears more than 20 warrants
The Guardian-Journal
Several
weeks ago, Sheriff Ken Bailey reported the status of the numerous burglaries
and thefts that have occurred in Claiborne Parish.
At that
time, the sheriff’s office had 24 outstanding warrants for property crimes.
Since that time, the Criminal Investigation Division has arrested several other
people.
On
September 23, Daniel D. Patterson, 19, of Homer, was arrested and charged with
four counts of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, one count of attempted
simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and five counts of aggravated criminal
damage to property. Bond on the simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling was
set at $12,000 on each of four counts, totaling $48,000. Bond on all five counts
of aggravated criminal damage to property was set at $15,000 each, totaling
$75,000. Bond on the attempted simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling was set
at $12,000. Bond on all charges totaled $123,000.
Patterson’s
arrest solved 10 of CPSO’s outstanding warrants.
On
October 7, Detimous Zonta Lewis, 22, of Homer was arrested and charged with
four counts of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, one count of attempted
simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and five counts of aggravated criminal
damage to property.
Lewis’
arrest solved another 10 warrants.
Michael
Wafer Jr., 21, of Homer, was arrested in Dallas, Texas, and will be transferred
to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center to face CPSO charges for one count of
simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and one count of aggravated criminal
damage to property. This accounts for 22 of the outstanding warrants the
sheriff’s office had regarding property thefts.
Their
office still has two outstanding warrants in these cases. Two other individuals
were arrested this week regarding aggravated burglary charges. Jibril Dewayne
Palmer, 23, of Athens and Shelley D. Cox Palmer, 32, were booked on October 7
and charged with aggravated burglary with a bond for each of $30,000. Jibril
Palmer also had an outstanding failure to appear warrant.
Claiborne Parish celebrates National
School Bus Safety Week
Picture: National School Bus Safety Week picture
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Pictured in back from left are: Jerry
McAfee, bus 71 for Haynesville, Renee Boyle, bus 81 for Homer, Valerie
Holyfield, bus 79 for Homer, Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams, Valorie
Cooper, bus 72 for Haynesville and Transportation Supervisor Ronnie McKenzie.
Pictured with these bus drivers and school board officials are members of Homer
Elementary’s first grade class.
National School Bus Safety
Week is a public education program designed to promote school bus safety. It is
also a time to express appreciation to bus drivers for the safety and timely
transport of our children. The faculty, staff and students of Claiborne Parish
Schools are proud of our bus drivers. We appreciate them very much.
Here
are some safety guidelines for bus riders and their parents/guardians to
review:
Students
riding a bus should always:
•
arrive at the bus stop five minutes early
• stand
at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the road
• wait
until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it’s OK before stepping
onto the bus.
• be
careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling
objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus
• check
both ways for cars before stepping off the bus.
Crossing
students should:
• walk
in front of the bus, never walk behind the bus
• walk
on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least 10 giant
steps ahead of the bus
• be
sure the bus driver can see them and they can see the bus driver
• wait
for the driver’s signal to cross.
Things
kids should know about school bus safety:
• The
bus driver and others cannot see you if you are standing closer than 10 feet to
the bus. Stay out of the danger zone!
• If
something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. NEVER try to pick it up
yourself.
• while
waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• When
you get on or off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they
are flashing.
• Be
alert to traffic. When you get on or off the bus, look left, right, left before
you enter or cross the street.
• When
the driver says it is safe to cross the street, remember to CROSS IN FRONT of
the bus.
• Stay
in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted.
• Some
school buses now have seat belts. If you have seat belts on your school bus, be
sure to learn to use the seat belt correctly.
Things
parents/guardians should know about school bus safety:
•
School buses are the safest form of highway transportation.
• The
most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the bus.
•
Pedestrian fatalities (while loading and unloading school buses) account for
approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities, when compared
to school bus occupant fatalities.
• The
“Danger Zone” is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the
most danger of not being seen by the driver (10 feet in front of the bus where
the driver may be too high to see a child, 10 feet on either side of the bus
where a child may be in the driver’s blind spot, and the area behind the bus).
• Half
of the pedestrian fatalities in school bus-related crashes are children between
5 and 7 years old.
• Young
children are most likely to be struck because they:
•
hurry to get on and off the bus
•
act before they think and have little experience with traffic
•
assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross the street
•
don’t always stay within the bus driver’s sight.
Have a
safe ride!
Flu shots available
The
seasonal flu vaccine is now available at the Claiborne Parish Health Unit.
Groups
eligible to receive the influenza vaccine through the health unit are as
follows:
• All
children from six months up to 18 years of age
•
Pregnant women
•
Anyone 65 years of age or older
•
Anyone with long-term health problems such as:
•
Heart Disease
•
Lung disease
•
Asthma
•
Kidney Disease
•
Diabetes
•Long-term
aspirin therapy
•
Muscle or nerve disorders
•Weakened
immune system
Flu
shots will begin October 9, on a daily basis, excluding the second and fourth
Mondays of each month, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Health
Unit, located at 624 West Main Street in Homer.
People
are asked to bring their Medicaid/Medicare cards for billing purposes. For
those who are not covered by these programs, there is a $10 administrative fee.
For
more information, please call the local health unit at 927-6127.
