Relay for Life slated for April 16
The
annual Claiborne Parish Relay for Life will be held from noon until midnight on
Saturday, April 16, at the Ronnie G. Beard Memorial Stadium at Homer High
School.
In
case of bad weather, the event will be held at the Homer High School gymnasium.
For
more information, please contact Nancy Mason at 318-927-2517 or Elbie Dickens
at 318-927-2360.
Haynesville Elementary receives new
technology
Supriya Jindal visits school
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal
visited Haynesville Elementary Tuesday morning as part of her foundation’s
efforts to improve technology in the schools as well as focus on math and the
sciences. She is the founder of The Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s
Children.
Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal
explains a game the children will play on their new interactive whiteboard
awarded to Haynesville Elementary by The Supriya Jindal Foundation for
Louisiana’s Children.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Haynesville Elementary was awarded three interactive
whiteboards for its three first grade classes.
Awarded by The Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s
Children, the first lady herself visited Haynesville Elementary and spoke to
the three first grade classes who are the recipients of the whiteboards. She
played a math game with them using the board, showing them how the students can
interact with the board.
According to a press release, the interactive whiteboard
is like an interactive chalkboard -- “not only can the educator write on them,
but he/she can also watch videos, support complex presentations, and do any
number of tasks.”
The whiteboard technology also allows teachers to
download presentations from teachers in other states, or from the classroom
next door to help illustrate a lesson.
“Studies have shown that such technology gives students
the opportunity to learn by combining visual representations, sounds and the
ability to interact with the whiteboard,” the press release continues. “With
varying styles of learning, these interactive whiteboards aid teachers in
catering to all students.”
Mrs. Jindal said these boards are transforming education
across the nation.
“Interactive whiteboards are something we are beginning
to see transform education across the country. A study released shows a 17-29
percentile gain in academic achievement in classrooms with such systems versus
classrooms without,” she said. “The Foundation is extremely proud to have
partners who have helped to make this award to Haynesville Elementary School
possible. With hard work, we have the opportunity to make a lasting and
positive difference in education.”
The boards were awarded because of donations like one of
the foundation’s charter members, the AT&T Foundation and Walmart. The
award package includes (for each classroom), a Promethean interactive
whiteboard with speaker system, an interactive response system that will allow
students to actively participate in the lesson, a laptop, all installation and
instructor training for all teachers.
To date, the foundation has awarded these interactive
whiteboards to more than 170 classrooms across Louisiana.
“Bringing technology into the classroom is critically
important to preparing our young people for college and the workforce,” said
Sonia Perez, president of AT&T Louisiana. “Supriya Jindal and the Supriya
Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s Children have the vision to identify this
emerging technology, to see its application for Louisiana’s children and to
find the partners to make it happen. AT&T Louisiana is honored to be a part
of this project.”
Walmart Representative James Williams, store manager for
the Rayville store, also attended the event. However, Ken Cartwright, of the
Mississippi River Delta Region had this to say in the press release.
“At Walmart, our mission is to help people ‘save money so
they can live better,’ and serve our local communities,” Cartwright, divisional
health and wellness senior director, said. “Through the Walmart Foundation and
through the actions of our associates in our stores, we are focused on serving
the community through improving education. This is why we are honored to
support the Supriya Jindal Foundation to further the efforts of educating the
children of Louisiana by bringing them exciting, leading edge technology to
their classroom.
“Thank you First Lady for your great leadership,” he continued. “Walmart appreciates the strong level of
public service and leadership that you provide to the citizens of Louisiana,
and thank you for caring so much for Louisiana’s greatest asset, the children
of this state!”
Brian Biggs, Haynesville Elementary Principal, said this
was a big honor for his school.
“We’re very appreciative of the foundation for helping us
try to meet our goal of improving technology in all our classrooms,” he said.
The
elementary school has three first grade classes, taught by Ms. Rose Kirkindoff,
Ms. Peggy Holloway and Ms. Tammi Click.
The foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that
seeks to aid Louisiana’s children in all aspects of education, with special
emphasis on mathematics and the sciences, while also giving teachers new tools
that will foster an innovative and enriching learning environment.
The foundation seeks to harness the power of technology
in Louisiana classrooms to emphasize the importance of science and math, and to
help develop the Louisiana workforce of tomorrow.
Charter members of the Foundation include ALON USA,
AT&T Foundation, Marathon Oil, Promethean, and the Dow Chemical Company.
Walmart is a Platinum member. Gold members include BlueCross BlueShield of
Louisiana and Chevron. Disney’s Anna Margaret is a silver member.
Bronze members include Acadian Ambulance, Carol Lynn
Moore, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, D&J Construction, Emeril Lagasse
Foundation, Northrop Grumman and State Farm.
Mrs. Jindal is the mother of three, and is the first First
Lady to have an engineering degree. She is a chemical engineer, and after
college, she began working at Albemarle Corporation in Baton Rouge. She is now
involved in several organizations throughout Louisiana, including Louisiana
Pediatric Cardiology Association, the Louisiana Special Olympics, the American
Heart Association, and the Louisiana Shots for Tots Coalition.
For more information about the foundation, visit their
website at www.jindalfoundation.org or call 1-225-773-1415.
Boy that’s BIG!!!
Heavy hauler headed to Arkansas
The Guardian-Journal photo/K.H. Hightower
On Monday morning, motorists may have
seen a huge piece of equipment parked in the Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant parking
lot. It’s big, it’s long and it’s headed for Arkansas. According to Wayne
Frazier, a heavy hauler driver for Emmert International out of Fort Worth,
Texas, this big piece of equipment was headed for El Dorado, Arkansas, to Line
Oil Refinery. “It’s a crude oil splitter,” Frazier said. “It’s used in
processing gasoline.” This mammoth of a separator is 250 feet long, almost the
length of a football field, 18 feet wide and 16 feet, 5 inches tall. Its gross
weight is 474,400 lbs, according to the permit. With the route they are taking,
they can legally haul up to 850,000 lbs. Emmert International is a heavy hauler
trucking company that hauls just about everything the oil field or refineries
might need to keep the juices flowing. With this load, the company used a dolly
beam transport system which is capable of transporting loads up to 700 tons
safely across just about any highway. The Louisiana State Police provided
escort services along with the company’s “Oversize” pacers to the Arkansas
state line, where the Arkansas State Police will take over.
Airport to close for construction
The Guardian-Journal
The
Town of Homer has finally received the FAA grant to improve the runway lighting
at the Homer Municipal Airport.
Because
of construction beginning, the airport runway is closed.
According
to a press release, the grant project will allow for removal of existing runway
lighting, installation of a new airfield lighting system, installation of a new
emergency power generator and refurbishment of the existing rotating beacon.
These improvements are necessary for sustaining general aviation standards and
safety.
The
airport is expected to be closed for approximately 90 days.
The
project has been a long time in coming with all the hurdles the town has had to
go through to keep this funding.
During
the mayoral administration of Huey Dean, Stallion Heavy Haulers was allowed to
house their company at the airport until they could find suitable
accommodations for their business.
For the
last two to three years, the town has had to “loan” out its FAA grant to other
municipalities in order to keep the town from losing the grant altogether. Not
only that, the FAA warned the town to evict the company or lose the grant.
After
Stallion built a new facility just outside of Homer on Hwy. 79, the town had to go back in and repair the damage
to the taxiways as well as the apron and the runway itself before the FAA would
even consider the grant.
Those
repairs have now been made, and now the town is moving forward with
construction with the runway lighting project.
The
lighting project is to allow nighttime flight again at the airport.
In
other news, a public hearing was held before the regular monthly meeting of the
Homer Town Council in regards to the airport zoning ordinance that would allow
the construction to begin. However, there was one who said he wasn’t happy with
the idea of selling his property.
Darden
Gladney, a member of the Gladney Land Corporation and an owner of some of the
property located around the airport, said he would comply with what was being
asked of them, but he wanted to make it clear that he would comply with
reluctance.
“We’re
going to do what they are supposed to, but I question it because there is no
traffic at the airport,” Gladney said.
He said
he hopes to see the air traffic pick up after the project is finished, and
Homer Mayor Alecia Smith agreed. However, District 4 Councilwoman Carlette
Sanford brought up a valid point that has been discussed in earlier meetings.
“We’re
kind of being forced into it because they (FAA) said if we didn’t do it, we’d
have to pay the money back,” she said.
During
the regular monthly meeting, the zoning ordinance was approved.
Over
the last several months, Alliance Engineers has been working with the town to
get the project completed. They had to go through the process of asking
landowners to clear the land or sell it to the town to get it cleared. There
were several areas of concern as far as height was concerned, regarding the
approach, landing and departure of planes. According to officials with J.W.
Menefee Contractors, there were several things that must be done in order to
stay in compliance with FAA regulations. Some of those included the north end
of the runway, which must be cleared along with two corners there, the ditch
area at the south end must be cleared, the slope at the south end needs to be
cleared and cleaned up, and the wind sock will have to be moved within 45 days
because it could not be seen from the south end.
Once
this entire project is complete, the Homer Municipal Airport will be within FAA
guidelines to handle nighttime flying again.
In
other council news, the council members adopted the fee schedule for the Homer
Police Department for fines and costs. These fees now show a $40 increase in
the fines and costs paid by those convicted in city court. During a report from
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, he informed the council that Officer Mike
Rimsky has resigned and Officer Shane Huffstetler has put in his notice. His
last day will be Friday, February 11. With the two positions now open, Mills
said he wanted to fill one position and take the funds that would make up the
second salary and distribute it among his officers for raises.
Also
discussed was theft of utilities. Town Attorney Jim Colvin said some citizens
weren’t paying their bills, and taking it upon themselves to turn their
utilities back on. People are also parking their vehicles over the meters to
keep the town’s meter readers from reading the water meters.
“It is
a crime,” he said. “Under law, the town has to prosecute. There is a substantial
amount of water being lost and not being paid for.”
Because
of this, it could hurt the town’s chances of receiving grants or bond money for
infrastructure repairs or replacements.
If
prosecuted, then the person will have to make restitution to the town as well
as possibly pay the costs to replace the lock if it’s broken. The locks are
approximately $35 a piece, and if a citizen’s water is disconnected, then it
will cost an extra $25 reconnection fee.
Utility
bills are due on the 10th of every month, with disconnection pending between
the 15th and 20th of each month. If disconnected, the homeowner will have to
pay the $25 reconnection fee.
Recreation
and the Mayfield Pool were other issues that were discussed as well. Recreation
Director Fred Young reported to the council that a consultant had been out to
the pool and said the pool was in desperate need of repair. The concrete around
the pool is dangerous, however, the cracks in the pool bottom are superficial.
Major work needs to be done around the drain, though.
According
to Young, it will cost about $41,000 to fix the pool and work needs to begin
immediately to have it ready for the public this summer.
“It
will take about one month for the cement to set completely,” Young said. “I
would suggest the work begin now if we’re going to have it ready by summer.”
The
council voted 4-1, with Sanford voting against, to approve the bid of $41,000
by AA Pools to fix the Mayfield Pool.
The
council also adopted an extra $400 per month for Animal Control Officer Billy
Adams. He has worked for the town providing animal control services without
compensation.
During
the mayor’s report, sales tax collection for the month of December 2010 was
approximately $95,000. Water bill collection was right at $80,000.
Also
approved was the filling of the town clerk’s position. Lisa Foster will take
over as town clerk, and after her three month probationary period, she will get
a raise.
The
Homer Town Council will meet again at 6 p.m., Monday, March 7, in council
chambers located inside the Homer Police Station. For more information or for
questions, please call town hall at 318-927-3555.
Three arrested for burglary
The Guardian-Journal
An
investigation into two burglaries in Claiborne Parish resulted in the recovery
of the photographed items and the arrests of three individuals.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Detectives Charles Buford, Randy Smith and Darren Keel secured
the arrest of Lewis W. Williams Jr., 34, of Haynesville, and charged him with
theft over $500 with bond set at $10,000, simple burglary of an inhabited
dwelling with bond set at $12,000, criminal trespass with bond set at $2,000,
simple burglary with bond set at $15,000, and simple criminal damage to
property with bond set at $10,000.
Landon
T. Childress, 21, also of Haynesville, was arrested and charged with theft over
$500 with bond set at $5,000, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling with
bond set at $5,000, criminal trespass with bond set at $2,000, simple burglary
with bond set at $15,000 and simple criminal damage to property with bond set
at $10,000.
Jacqueline
Blaine Deaton, 18, of Homer was arrested and charged with simple burglary of an
inhabited dwelling with bond set at $12,000 and theft over $500 with bond set
at $10,000.
Celebrating Black History Month
February a time of study and reflection
of black history
Black History Parade
When: Saturday, February 26
Time: 3 p.m.
Where: Parade will begin at Homer High School through Downtown
Homer. Lineup begins at 2 p.m.
Note: We are looking for cars, vans, trucks, floats,
groups, walkers, horses, motorcycles, individuals or businesses to be a part of
this year’s Black History Parade. If you wish to participate in the parade,
please contact 318-255-3931 or 318-927-9214.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
“Black
History Month” is a time designated during the month of February of each year
to celebrate, honor and reflect on the study of black history.
Black
History Month wasn’t celebrated until the 1960s. Before, that “Negro History
Week” was celebrated in the month of February, beginning in the 1920s. This was
a time of celebration and education of the history of the African-American.
Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life
and History (ASALH), believed in “the study and celebration of the Negro as a
race, not simply as the producers of great men.”
“Rather
than focusing on two men, the black community, he believed, should focus on the
countless black me and women who had contributed to the advance of human
civilization,” states ASALH’s
website.
Woodson
chose the month of February to celebrate the birthdays of two important men who
helped shape black history -- Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12, and
Frederick Douglass, who was born on February 14.
By the
1920s, Woodson and the association had spread the word and people were
responding to the call. Teachers were asking for materials to instruct their
students and “progressive” white people were endorsing the efforts.
By the
1970s, Negro history was changed to black history. Since then, every American
president has issued proclamations endorsing the association’s annual theme.
Here
are just a few facts and figures to ponder while celebrating:
• The
banjo originated in Africa. Until the 1800s, this popular and unique instrument
was considered played exclusively by blacks.
• C.B.
Brooks invented the first street sweeper, a truck equipped with brooms, in
1896.
•
Frederick Jones invented a portable air conditioner that proved especially
valuable in World War II, during which it was used to preserve medicine and
blood serum.
•
Computer scientist Mark Dean, born in 1957, led a team that developed the ISA
bus, which allows the use of computer plug-ins, including speakers, scanners
and disk drives, among other things.
• Lonnie
G. Johnson, an engineer whose work has included spacecraft system design for
NASA, invented the Super Soaker water gun, a toy that was immensely popular in
the early 1990s.
•
Arguably one of the greatest Olympian the world has ever seen, American Jesse Owens
became the first athlete to win four gold medals in one Olympiad at the 1936
games in Berlin.
•
Following in Owens' footsteps, Wilma Rudolph overcame polio to win three gold
medals in the 1960 Olympic Games. The 20th of 22 children, Rudolph broke three
world records.
•
Started in 1787, the African Free School in New York City was the first free
school for African-Americans.
•
Booker T. Washington was the first African-American to be honored on a United
States stamp.
• When
her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" made the
bestseller list, Maya Angelou became the first African-American woman to author
a non-fiction bestseller.
• In
1987, neurosurgeon Ben Carson led the first successful operation to separate a
pair of Siamese twins who were joined at the back of the head.
• In
1975, Lee Elder became the first African-American golfer to play in the Masters
Tournament. Twenty-two years later, Tiger Woods would become the first
African-American to win the prestigious tournament.
• The
American Community Survey reported in 2005 that there were 2.4 million black
military veterans in the United States, the highest of any minority group.
•
Thomas Andrew Dorsey is considered the father of gospel music. His "Take
My Hand Precious Lord" was recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley and
Mahalia Jackson.
