Preparing for the Worst…Hoping for the
Best
Flooding hits Claiborne Parish again
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
The spillway at Lake Claiborne was raging Friday morning after Thursday’s heavy rains. All this water will
eventually end up in Lake D’Arbonne. This is Caney Creek on Monday as waters
continued to recede after Thursday’s heavy rains. The sun casts a shadow of the
mobile home at 818 Lyons Hill Road. The embankment caved in after waters rose
nearly knee deep at this residence on Thursday. All kinds of debris could be
seen in the creek, including what was left of a bicycle and a golf ball.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
With
Thursday’s storms causing extensive damage, Claiborne Parish’s emergency
personnel prepared for the worst.
By
Friday morning, flooding closed Lake Claiborne again, and in some areas around
the lake, homes were in danger of being flooded. Luckily, the damage to
Claiborne Parish wasn’t nearly as bad as it was in Bossier and Caddo parishes.
According
to District 6 Fire Chief Scott Greeson, the Lisbon area and areas around Lake Claiborne were seeing high water, but no real storm damage.
“We did
better than expected,” Greeson said. “We got lucky. All things considered with
the vast amount of rain we had, we were lucky.”
Hwy.
518 at the dam was closed due to high water. In fact, one lane in the curve
just past the spillway going westbound was completely engulfed in water.
Haynesville
Fire Chief Mark Furlow, as of Friday morning, said that 35 to 40 percent of the
city streets were flooded, but his department only received one call from a
family due to flooding.
“We
were kind of lucky,” Furlow said. A lot of roads flooded, but nobody had to evacuate.
The city streets receded pretty quickly.”
In
Homer, it also wasn’t as bad as expected either. Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills said high water was in a couple of streets and a couple of areas, but by
Friday morning, the water had receded.
“We
were pretty fortunate,” Mills said. “No roads were barricaded in the city. It
came fast and it receded rapidly. As of Friday morning, the city streets were
passable.”
Hwy. 9
in the area of Keith’s Food Mart saw rising waters as well as Hwy. 79 at the
Pak-A-Bag convenience store, but as Mills said, those waters receded pretty
quickly.
Louisiana First Call, from the
Claiborne Parish Office of Homeland Security (CPOHS), sent out a message
stating that schools were closed due to the storms. None of the schools flooded,
but there are so many rural areas where buses pick up children, that it just
wasn’t safe to run the routes, Claiborne Parish Schools Superintendent Dr.
Janice Williams said.
“With
the threat of additional rain, I just felt it best to close the schools,” she
said. “With the rising water and the roads that were already flooding, we just
weren’t going to chance it.”
She
expressed her gratitude for the Office of Homeland Security with the Louisiana
First Call system that reached many of the homes to let them know school was
out.
“The
life saver for us was the first call system,” she said, “because by 6:45 Friday morning, they called everybody pretty fast.”
According
to CPOHS Director Dennis Butcher, roughly 20 homes received flood damage on Carter Drive, sending rescue personnel scrambling to get them to higher ground. Due to the
heavy rains, Caney Creek, which runs behind the neighborhood, rose to the point
of flooding homes.
The
good news is that for the rest of this week, the sun will shine – and there’s
little to no rain in the forecast. This will allow flood waters to recede and
the ground to dry up.
Argument sends two to hospital
The Guardian-Journal
One
woman was sent to the hospital after another attacked her in a local
convenience store – and it was all over a guy.
Katrina
West, 20, of Homer, was arrested Tuesday, October 27, and charged with
aggravated second degree battery, with bond set at $15,000.
According
to reports, West told police the argument was in reference to a guy. On the
date she was arrested, Captain Donald Malray and Officer John Bailey, both of
the Homer Police Department, were dispatched to a local convenience store. Upon
arrival, Malray observed four black females in the area and a display rack
knocked over inside the store.
Further
investigation by officers revealed that West had left the store and re-entered
to make another purchase, at which time, West and the victim began arguing.
During the argument, reports say, witnesses stated that a knife was taken from
the victim. It was during the altercation that West allegedly took the knife
from the victim, slashing her face.
Officers
noted when they had arrived at the scene that the victim had a deep laceration
in the cheek area of the face. Pafford Ambulance was called to the scene and
both the victim and West were transported to Homer Memorial Hospital for treatment.
West
allegedly admitted to slashing the victim’s face, at which time she was placed
under arrest on the above charges.
In an
unrelated incident, George Puffer, 43, of Homer, was arrested Monday, October
26, and charged with domestic abuse battery, with bond set at $2,000, cruelty
to a juvenile, with bond set at $5,000, and resisting an officer, with bond set
at $500.
According
to police reports, Officer Scott Glenn was dispatched to the 600 block of West 4th Street in reference to a disturbance.
Upon
arrival, Glenn made contact with the complainant who stated that she and her
boyfriend (Puffer) got into an argument and he began to physically abuse her.
Reports say that a 15-year-old juvenile attempted to stop Puffer to no avail.
Puffer
left the residence, and when he returned, Glenn approached the suspect and gave
verbal commands to place his hands on his head. Puffer complied, at which time
the officer observed an object in his hand. The suspect was given several
verbal commands to drop the object, to which he refused. Once Glenn subdued
Puffer, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Homer Police Station
for processing and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking on the above charges.
In
another unrelated incident, on October 27, Jamarcus Hunter, 21, of Homer, was
arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery and simple escape, with bond
to be set.
According
to reports, the complainant advised that Hunter had entered her residence
without permission. She explained that she heard someone at her front door at
which time she saw Hunter inside her home. Reportedly, she told Hunter to leave
several times and he refused to do so.
When
she attempted to call police, Hunter allegedly took the telephone from her and
threw it. The two then engaged in a physical altercation, at which time, the
complainant bit the suspect’s hand. According to reports, Homer Police Chief
Russell Mills and Officer Dale Sindle observed the bite mark on the suspect’s
hand.
Upon
completion of the initial investigation, Hunter was placed under arrest on the
above charges.
Officer
Norah Banks was an investigating officer in the case.
Gallot’s legal battle continues
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Rep.
Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, is still fighting the Louisiana Board of Ethics on
charges of alleged ethics violations – even though the charges have been
dismissed.
According
to published reports, an ethics adjudicatory panel, in September, dismissed the
charges saying it took the Ethics Board too long to prosecute those
allegations. And it doesn’t matter if Gallot was ever guilty of the charges
filed against him – the time limit on prosecution ran out.
The
complaints were filed in June 2007 under the old law, but charges were not
brought against him until July 2009, more than two years after receiving the
complaint.
Seven
charges were filed against him alleging he’d violated state conflict of
interest laws in his dealings with Black and Gold Facilities, Inc., Grambling State University and the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. His
mother, Mildred Gallot, sat on the board during that time and continues to sit
on the board.
According
to an article in the Shreveport Times, Ethics Board Chairman Frank Simoneaux
says the new law puts the board in a subservient capacity, and he wants to
change that.
Gallot,
who is the chair of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, said the
current board is unhappy with the adjudicatory power given to the
Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) instead of the board of ethics. Before the law
was changed in a special legislative session when Gov. Bobby Jindal took
office, the power to make a decision as to whether an entity or individual is
guilty of ethics violations or not was in the hands of the board of ethics. The
new law took the decision-making power out of the hands of the ethics board and
put it into the hands of the ALJs. Before the new law went into effect, the
ALJs weren’t involved in the process at all.
“Their
role (board of ethics) is to investigate and prosecute ethics violations,”
Gallot said. “The ultimate decision-making authority has been given to
administrative law judges. I think, the governor thinks, and the legislature
thinks the power should be separated.”
In
Gallot’s case, the only implication of change is the fact that his case was
decided by administrative law judges. If the board had retained the authority
to decide whether to file charges against him timely, then they would have said
they did it timely.
“That’s
where having a fair and impartial tribunal there to make these decisions, makes
it a fair system,” he said. “There has to be a separation of that power.”
In the
article, Simoneaux does concede that they have no authority to appeal the
decision in Gallot’s case.
“The
question then becomes as chair of the board, why would he insist on the board
pursuing a case that he admits they have no authority to pursue?” Gallot said.
“A person who’s accused has the right to appeal, but the state agency does not.
That’s how the Administrative Procedures Act is set up.”
Simoneaux
contends that delayed prosecution was due to the fact that the case was filed
under the former board. The former board resigned when the new law passed, and
it took several months to fill those slots again. Simoneaux intends to request
a review of the decision by the 1st Circuit Court.
Gallot
contends that he’s not bitter about the situation, because this is not
unexpected. But it all boils down to this. He said, “The bigger story behind
all this is that I can afford to pay a lawyer to represent me, but what about
the constable or the justice of the peace or an alderman from a small rural
town? Could they afford those legal fees? They (board of ethics) cannot, and
they should not, have unlimited power to just steamroll over people.”
Triumph over tragedy presented by area
students
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Area
high school students are participating in a North Louisiana art project
focusing on the Great Depression and how the WPA (Work Projects Administration)
did many things to boost the morale of the people during this trying time in
history.
The WPA
program built many public buildings, projects and roads and operated large
arts, drama, media and literacy projects. It fed children and redistributed
food, clothing and housing. Almost every community in America has a park, bridge or school constructed by the agency. Expenditures from 1936 to
1939 totaled nearly $7 billion.
Students
from Haynesville, Summerfield and Homer have been working diligently to
complete projects that will aid in boosting morale of the people of Claiborne
Parish.
Haynesville High School art
students of Suzy Allen have completed a dozen inspirational signs that have
been posted along Highway 79 between Haynesville and Homer.
There
are five signs on each side of the road stretching between the two towns with
inspirational words or phrases, and two signs have been placed inside the Ford Museum in Homer in conjuction with the museum’s own “Triumph Over Tragedy” display.
The
Haynesville students also were able to take a trip around the parish to
photograph items old and new to be displayed in the museum.
Art
students of Becky Lowe at Summerfield High School have created a number of
projects including two dioramas, an arpillara (similar to a 3-D quilt) and lots
of photography.
Rhonda
Porter’s art students at Homer High School have created a 15-foot tower that is
also on display at the Ford Musuem.
This
art project is in conjunction with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC),
Northeast Louisiana Arts Council (NLAC), and Bossier Arts Council (BAC), which
will be spearheading a three-month cultural commemoration of the Great
Depression beginning this fall.
“Triumph
Over Tragedy” will establish a proven methodology for developing repeated
collaborative events spanning the region. The model for this project includes
a comprehensive structure that has been developed and implemented through the
partnership among the executive directors of the three Arts Councils,
according to the SRAC website.
This
massive tribute to the greatest generation of Americans will reach $1 million
in direct expenses, including a significant generating of fees for nationally
renowned and regional professional artists.
In
such a vast undertaking, these three councils have unified their efforts to
create the new EYE-20 Creative Corridor, a collaborative arts and cultural
delivery system that ensures access to the highest quality programs and
services offered by artists and arts organizations in North Louisiana.
The
EYE-20 CREATIVE CORRIDOR is a long-term regional Cultural Economy Initiative
that will unify the cities and communities along Interstate-20 by developing
and marketing all arts and cultural destinations in the parishes north and
south of EYE-20 from Shreveport to Tallulah into a large 150 mile long
metroplex.
Each
cultural venue – unique restaurants, galleries, performance venues, artists’
studios, and arts supply stores will be prominently “eyedentified” through the
EYE-20 EYECON! In their commitment to the EYE-20 Creative Corridor, the Arts
Councils intend to produce a significant project involving each of the 21
parishes every two years in North Louisiana.
This
first group effort commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Great
Depression/New Deal Era in North Louisiana from October 2009 to May 2010
through the creation of new works of art based on the resilience of 50 elders
and 50 architectural sites “Then & Now” that will be presented at the
Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
The
“Triumph Over Tragedy” commemoration project is the culmination of three years
of planning and will engage 200 arts organizations, 100 professional artists,
525 eighth grade students in 24 schools and 50 elders to create new artworks
and cultural programs that are a tribute to the history of the people, places,
and events that comprised the Great Depression.
The
project is expected to engage 500,000 citizens and 75,000 visitors coming
together to honor the 80th Anniversary of The Great Depression and New Deal Era
in North Louisiana (1929 - 1941).
The
three arts councils have been the recipients of major grant awards from the
National Endowment for the Arts totaling $110,000.
“Triumph
Over Tragedy” project manager and historian, Lane Calloway said, “This
Commemoration will ensure our community recognizes and remembers the struggles,
sacrifices and successes of those who lived during this time of tragedy,
tenacity and triumph.”
These
grants paired with local, state, and private sector resources (including a
significant contribution from the Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier)
will allow them to implement a number of events, including the largest ever
“BIG READ” venture – sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts - with
the enmasse reading of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath.
The
goal of North Louisiana’s “BIG READ” is to bring the story to life by
identifying and documenting the people, places, artworks, and events of the
time period. Running through November 21, an extensive range of more than 200
events and activities will include communities across Northern Louisiana
engaged in reading and analyzing the “The Grapes of Wrath”; the production of a
videotaped oral history of the ‘Elders’ who lived in North Louisiana at the
time of the Great Depression; the documentation of architectural sites and
artworks built and created during the era; and new artworks performed,
presented and exhibited as a tribute to the Great Depression.
“The
Grapes of Wrath” production will be taking place at the Claiborne Parish Fair
Complex on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m. The program is free to the public.
Veteran’s Day Programs
Haynesville Elementary
Haynesville Elementary will be presenting a short
Veteran’s Day program on Wednesday, November 11, at 9:30 a.m. in the Haynesville Elmentary Gym. All Veterans are urged to attend as the Haynesville
Elementary students pay tribute to all who have served at any time for our
country.
Claiborne Academy
The
Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle at Claiborne Academy will host a
Veteran’s Day observance on November 11. As in past years, the program will be
held in the school gym beginning at 11 a.m. All veterans and their spouses are
invited to attend. All guests will be served lunch by the student members. A
brief program about veterans and Veteran’s Day will be presented by students.
This will be followed by recognition of veterans in attendance.
Masonic Lodge fundraiser overwhelming
success
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Freddie Graham prepares fish to go into
the fryer as David Hood prepares the cooker for another batch. With people
carrying out 7 to 10 plates at a time, Lodge members said the event was very
successful. The funds raised at this year’s fish fry will go to Homer’s First United Methodist Church to benefit the area’s annual Christmas toy drive.
Santa train to make appearance
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
The
L&NW Santa Train will be making a scheduled stop in the area on December 12, 2009.
The
train will be traveling along the L&NW rail route between Gibsland, Louisiana and McNeil, Arkansas.
Parents
will be able to take photographs and children will be able to give Santa their
lists.
Mark
December 12 on the calendar to make sure the kids get to visit with Santa
during his stop.
It
will travel from Athens to Homer and make its stop at Delta Interiors at
approximately 11:30.
After
leaving Homer, the train will make its next stop in Haynesville around 12:40 and that location will be announced at a later date, also.
For
those interested or needing more information, e-mail the L&NW Railroad at
www.lnwrrsantatrain.com or call 927-2031.
District 6 First Responders get state
certifications
Pictured are: back row from left, Captain
Garland Prudhomme, Fire Fighter Royce Lee, Captain Guy Walker, and Fire Fighter
Keith Bailey. Front row from left, Captain Sonny Greeson, Captain Donna Bailey,
Assistant Chief Larry Greer, District 6 Secretary Cathy Greeson. Not pictured -
Fire Fighter Steve Williams.
Claiborne
Parish Fire District No. 6’s emergency first responders completed a state
certification through LSU-FETI to become Certified First Responders for
the State of Louisiana.
These
fire fighters of District No. 6 worked for two months, having to complete 48
hours of class time. This does not take into account the numerous personal
hours they had to take to study to pass the state exam. A sample of
the objectives for the class is as follows.
“The
objective of this course is to improve the quality of emergency medical care
rendered to victims of accidents and illnesses. As the first person at the
emergency scene, it is crucial for the first responder to be proficient in
providing basic life support and taking any other actions necessary to minimize
the patient’s discomfort and prevent further complications. Course material is
in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation-National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration and the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
guidelines. The course curriculum includes: automated external defibrillation
(AED), spinal immobilization (utilizing long spine boards and cervical
collars), splinting, oral and nasal airway management, bag-valve-mask resuscitator
and oxygen therapy. To successfully complete this course, students must pass
the practical skills evaluation and written examination. Attendance of 90% of
the class is required.”
District
6 Fire Chief Scott Greeson says he is proud of his fire department.
Congratulations!
