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.
Jindal promotes education in Louisiana
tour
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Gov. Bobby Jindal addressed a crowd of
people at Claiborne Electric Coop Friday on his education tour of Louisiana.
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Claiborne Parish residents were welcomed into Claiborne
Electric’s meeting room last Friday to participate in Governor Bobby Jindal’s
2010 parish tour – “Building a Better LA for Our Children” – where he addressed
a town hall meeting in Homer.
Members
of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Alecia Smith, Sheriff Ken Bailey,
along with a number of area officials welcomed the Governor and his staff to
the day’s event.
Tall Timbers catered a pre-event luncheon of tasty
sandwiches and homemade banana pudding.
The Governor’s tour will stop in every parish to highlight
the significant progress his administration has made to create a New Louisiana
that is the best place in the world to raise a family, get a great education
and pursue a rewarding career.
Governor
Jindal mentioned the BP oil spill, the President’s deepwater drilling
moratorium and the national economic downturn as challenges for the state, but
he emphasized that these challenges will not get in the way of building a
better Louisiana because the people of Louisiana will persevere and overcome
these obstacles.
“We are the greatest people you will ever find anywhere
in the world,” Governor Jindal told the crowd.The governor went on to express
just how devastating the oil spill was, “I remember the first time I visited
the gulf coast, it was the first time I had actually missed the sound of a
mosquito!” The wildlife and vegetation along the coast was completely
devastated.
Governor Jindal said, “During the oil spill crisis,
people often asked me if I thought Louisiana would ever recover, would we ever
be the same, would Louisiana return to be Sportsmen’s Paradise as we have known
it? Would communities and families be able to survive these tough times? The
question is the same for the national economic recession - will we be able to
make it through these challenges? One of the main reasons I came here today is
to answer these fundamental questions.
“If there is one thing you remember from this speech
today I hope it is this – my answer to all these questions is plainly yes.
“I am confident about this because I know the resilience
and perseverance of our people. We have overcome hurricanes before, economic
downturns before, and there is no challenge too big for our people. We may be
fighting in a war to preserve our Louisiana Way of Life today – but I know we will
win this war.
“I know many people are looking at the challenges facing
our state and wondering if we will be able to overcome them and leave our
children a state even better than it was in our generation. The answer again is
yes. Yes, we will absolutely build a better Louisiana for our children.
“We’re gonna come back better and stronger than before
the storms and the oil spill,” he continued.
Haynesville officer arrested in Monroe
The Guardian-Journal
A Haynesville police officer has been arrested in West
Monroe on a DWI charge.
Officer Peter K. Moroney, 33, was arrested on Thursday,
February 24, in the early hours of the morning and charged with DWI 1st with
bond set at $1,000, and improper lane usage with bond set at $250.
According to reports from the West Monroe Police
Department’s Facebook page, at approximately 2:17 a.m., a West Monroe police
officer observed a red 2006 Mazda 6, westbound on Cypress Street as it
approached Thomas Road in the right lane.
“The vehicle drove off the right side of the roadway
twice before it got to Warren Drive,” the report said. “It was also weaving
within the right lane and crossed over the left lane marker once.”
The vehicle was in the right turn lane as it approached
Warren Drive. At Warren Drive, the vehicle continued straight in the turn lane
and hit the northwest curb causing the right side of the vehicle to jump off
the pavement. The vehicle then continued to swerve from the left lane to the
right lane. It also drove onto the right fog line twice between Warren Drive
and Hines Lane.
A traffic stop was initiated at Cypress Street and
Frantom Lane.
Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver was unsteady on his
feet, the Facebook page report said. Cpl. L. Moore detected a strong odor of an
alcoholic beverage on his breath, reddish eyes and slurred speech. He was
identified by his Louisiana Driver’s License as Peter Moroney.
He submitted to a Standard Field Sobriety Test and
performed poorly.
He was placed under arrest and transported to the West
Monroe Correctional Center. At the city jail, he completed the Intox 5000 test
with results of .209. The legal limit is .08.
Moroney was booked on the above charges and as of press
time was still incarcerated.
Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith did confirm that
Moroney is currently a police officer with his department. However, he was
adamant, saying his department does not put up with this kind of behavior.
“I can tell you that we don’t put up with that behavior,
and we’re not above the law,” Smith said. “We are held to a higher standard
because we are law enforcement 24 hours a day.”
As of press time, Smith said that no action has been
taken against Moroney because he was off duty at the time of his arrest and has
not been formally charged.
“He will be prosecuted just like anybody else,” he said.
He went on to say that if any action is taken, it will depend on the severity
of his conviction, if he’s convicted. At that time, if convicted, then he and
the Haynesville Town Council will take the appropriate action.
“People tend to think police officers are not human,” he
said. “We make mistakes and sometimes we have to pay for those mistakes.”
Single vehicle crash claims life of
Ruston man
On February 23, 2011, at 11:05 a.m., Louisiana State
Police Troop G responded to a single vehicle crash on LA 154 just south of
Athens in Claiborne Parish.
A 52-year-old man from Ruston was killed in the crash.
According to investigating troopers, 52-year-old Jimmie
Richardson was traveling north on LA 154 in a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado when the
vehicle approached a hill and curve to the right.
For unknown reasons, the vehicle continued straight in
the curve and traveled off the left side of the roadway. Richardson was
partially ejected after the vehicle struck a tree.
Richardson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the
crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Claiborne Parish Coroner.
Although impairment is not suspected to be a factor in
the crash, toxicology tests are pending.
The crash remains under investigation.
Troop G Troopers have investigated four fatal crashes for
the year of 2011, which resulted in four fatalities.
Welcome Homer’s first 2011 baby!
Submitted photo
Nolan Michael Roberts was born February
8, 2011, at 10:58 a.m., and is Homer’s first baby of 2011. His parents are
Brandon and Priscilla Roberts of Sibley. Priscilla is a nurse at Homer Memorial
Hospital. He was delivered by Dr. Mark Haynes. Nolan was welcomed home by his
two big sisters, Gracie and Dollie Brooke.
Congratulations!
Recycling issue moving forward in
Haynesville
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Town of Haynesville’s Citizen Advisory Committee was busy with several items,
including the long-discussed issue of recycling.
In the
town’s regular monthly meeting, CAC member Martha Trinko gave the council and
the public an update on what they’ve been doing -- which has been several items
including recycling. This has been an issue discussed for the last several
meetings, and Trinko and Theresa McDaniel are still working on how to get the
town to recycle.
Trinko
said they’d toured a facility called Abilities Unlimited Inc., in Magnolia, Ark., where the company does more than just recycle.
Abilities
Unlimited hires those who are having trouble finding or keeping employment, and
they take just about anything, she said. They take any paper, including
magazines, as well as plastic and aluminum cans, clothes and other items. There
is also a trailer next to the main building where people can drop off their
recyclable items when they are closed.
The
company also has a retail store just off the square in Magnolia where they sell
all kinds of items for low prices. Their hours of operation are from 8 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are closed on Saturdays.
Richard
Metzelaars is the program supervisor and he can be contacted at 1-870-234-2558.
Or to check out more of what they do, go to their website at
aumagnolia@sbcglobal.net.
“It’s
an incredible operation,” Trinko said. “It’s very inspiring.”
Other
places that have recycling locations include Brookshire’s Grocery in Homer,
where two large containers are located at the entrance -- one for plastic bags
and one for plastic bottles. The Fuller Center for Housing also has a drop off
location at the store as well for aluminum cans.
The
Claiborne Parish Police Jury also just recently took over recycling efforts
from Trailblazer, and they offer desk side recycling bins as well as large
rolling bins for paper (newspapers and bond paper). This service is for
businesses only. For more information or to obtain a bin, please call Leighann
Jones at 318-927-5161.
The
Town of Haynesville also does paper collection only. The containers are located
behind the town building. For more information, call city hall at 318-624-0911.
The CAC
is also looking into ways to honor those who have contributed to the Town of
Haynesville. They have been looking into some type of memorial that would be
displayed in the public, however, a committee is being formed to study how to
do it. The idea is to also be able to add names as time passes as well. Trinko
said it could be the fall before something is done.
Dates
have also been set for the annual Haynesville Music Fest. Although logistics
are still being worked out, the dates have been set for June 7-8. Also, May 7
has been set for the Spring Rummage Sale. The money raised from the rummage
sale will go towards the town and some of its special projects. Look for more
information in upcoming editions as these dates draw near.
One of
the oldest structures in Haynesville is getting a makeover. The Old Depot is
being renovated by the Haynesville Beautification Committee, where they will
repair the building and add a mural or two, said Mayor Sherman Brown.
Given
permission by L&NW to undertake the project, the add-ons to the building
have already been taken down. In order to complete the project, though,
donations are needed to keep it moving along. The beautification committee
works to make Haynesville a beautiful town to live in, and all the work is done
strictly by private donation.
To
donate, please send a check or money order, made payable to the Haynesville
Beautification Committee, to 1909 Main Street in Haynesville.
In
other news, a representative from the governor’s office has been to Haynesville
to look at the police department and city hall in reference to obtaining a
generator for both entities. Brown said he expects to pursue grants in the
future for a generator for city hall.
In
other governmental news, Capital Outlay requests have been submitted for the
upcoming state budget, and Jim Hagan, of Alliance Inc., has said the state has
made inquiries about street work for the town, and that’s a good sign, Brown
said.
However,
the bad news is that members of the congressional delegation will no longer be
able to submit high priority projects in towns and parishes throughout
Louisiana.
“These
funding decisions will now be made by unelected and unaccountable
administrative officials at the agency level with very limited input from
congressional delegations,” Sen. Mary Landrieu said in a letter addressed to
those in her district. “Unfortunately, these changes to the federal budgeting
process will have real time consequences for many communities in Louisiana.”
According
to her letter, this process will cost Louisiana $800 million in lost funding
for critical projects for education, highway and infrastructure among others.
Landrieu said she is committed to getting critical federal funding, and she is
welcoming ideas and thoughts on the issue. For more information, please call
her projects director, Natalie Angelo at 1-202-224-5824.
“Under
this new process, I will not have the opportunity for earmarks this year, but
this information will be essential in ensuring that I can best advocate on your
behalf as my office looks to alternative funding sources in the months ahead,”
Landrieu said.
Mayor
Brown said it really doesn’t mean a lot for Haynesville because everything
they’ve asked for they didn’t get.
“It
didn’t mean anything for us,” he said. “I was sharing for information purposes,
because we haven’t gotten anything we’ve asked for.”
Remember,
these are federal projects that Landrieu was referring to, not state-funded
projects.
The
next meeting of the Haynesville Town Council will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday,
March 17, in council chambers, located behind City Hall. For questions or for
more information, please call 318-624-0911.
Two arrested for theft of bridge jacks
The Guardian-Journal
Two men
were arrested thanks to the cooperation of two law enforcement agencies.
Dustin
B. Perot, 17, and Jessie D. Carter, 26, both of Homer, were arrested and
charged with two counts of illegal possession of stolen things with bond set at
$5,000 on each count, theft with bond set at $10,000 and attempted theft with
bond set at $5,000.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday,
February 22, Detective Darren Keel received a telephone call from Detective
Taft Watts of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. Detective Watts requested
assistance in a theft case that their office was currently working.
Watts
advised that a theft had been reported to his office on Monday, February 21,
regarding 40-50 bridge jacks. The jacks were missing from James Construction
Group, located on La. Hwy. 146, at the Claiborne/Lincoln Parish lines.
Keel,
assisted by Detective Randy Smith, began an investigation into the theft and
discovered the bridge jacks at Top Dollar Scrapyard. After conducting
interviews with Top Dollar employees, detectives ascertained the suspects
information and were able to retrieve 27 bridge jacks. These jacks were
returned to James Construction on Thursday, February 24, and detectives
continued their investigation.
On
Friday, February 25, Keel received another call from Watts reporting that 25 of
the 27 bridge jacks returned to James Construction Group the day before were
stolen again. Detectives notified Top Dollar Scrapyard of the situation and
advised them to call the sheriff’s office should anyone attempt to sell the
bridge jacks to them.
Later
that day, Smith received a call from Top Dollar that the same individuals who
sold the bridge jacks the first time were attempting to sell them again.
Perot
and Carter were arrested on the above charges and will also be facing charges
from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. This matter is still under
investigation and additional arrests may be forthcoming.
In
other news, a Homer man was arrested after a traffic stop led to drug charges.
On
Wednesday, February 23, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Christian
conducted a traffic stop on Hwy. 9. Christian observed a vehicle being driven
by Erskine Wardlaw, 51, with a broken tail lamp.
Upon
coming in contact with Wardlaw, Christian detected that he appeared to be very
nervous as his hands were trembling and his speech was very jittery. When asked
several questions regarding illegal substances or weapons, Wardlaw stated there
was a gun under the back passenger seat.
Deputy
J.T. Williams arrived on scene to assist.
Upon
searching the vehicle, Christian discovered a plastic bag containing six gross
grams of a green leafy substance, presumed to be marijuana, in the center console.
Wardlaw
was placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention
Center and booked for a broken tail lamp with bond set at $500, possession of
marijuana with bond set at $500 and illegal carrying of weapons with bond set
at $500.
Tone of banquet one of peace, unity
The Guardian-Journal photos/K.H.
Hightower
The Homer City Hall auditorium was nearly
filled to capacity as guests came in honor of Mayor Alecia N. Smith and the
Homer Town Council. An inspirational speaker, Vanessa Winbush-Gatlin, said
community leaders have a huge responsibility to their citizens.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
message of peace, unity and leadership set the tone for Saturday’s inaugural
banquet in honor of Homer Mayor Alecia N. Smith and the Homer Town Council.
Supervisor
Vanessa Winbush-Gatlin, First Lady of the First Church of God in Christ in
Crowley, gave a moving and inspirational speech on the things that are
important when leading a community. She talked about the responsibility of a
mayor and the community, saying that the mayor of a community serves all
people. She discussed harmony in a community, touching on things like being
faithful, creative and bringing people together.
She
also touched on a community’s future -- its children.
“We
need to invest in our children’s education instead of building bigger jails,”
she said to a resounding round of applause.
In
closing, she said, “I look forward to Homer being put on the map. It is my
prayer that Homer will never, ever be the same again.”
Mayor
Smith, in response, thanked everyone for their support, saying it was a
difficult decision when she qualified to run for the position of mayor. And in
gratitude, she talked about the one person who is her mentor -- her grandmother,
Lafaye T. Jackson, who told her, “Always be kind to others.” In appreciation,
Smith presented Ms. Jackson with a plaque for her advice on making that
monumental decision.
Also,
John Buggs III, a fifth grader at Homer Elementary, received a framed copy of a
poem he read as well as many, many compliments on his courage to stand before a
capacity filled audience and his drive to be a part of his community at such a
young age.
Jim Colvin,
attorney for the Town of Homer, said he was encouraged by the seed of change in
Homer.
“We
have thoroughly enjoyed how each and every one of you have made us feel a part
of the community,” he said, regarding when he and his family moved to Homer
some 15 years ago. “I pray and hope that peace will come, and i see that
happening. I see a community working towards a better community, and I see that
agent of change with this council and mayor.”
June
McClure, a town employee, reiterated the cohesiveness of the town and its
employees.
“We
support each other and work together as a team. We believe in our Lord, Jesus
Christ, we believe in our mayor and we believe in our staff.”
Captain
Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, talked about when he met Smith
and how things have changed in the last 23 years of his career as an officer of
the law.
“I was
thinking about the day I met Mayor Smith -- and you never know who your boss is
going to be,” he said.
Tenesha
Frazier, Smith’s cousin, spoke about Smith from a personal point of view,
saying she is a friend, a confidante and a sister to her. She also praised her
for the love she shows her children and the devotion she shows her husband,
Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith.
The
toastmistress for the event was Alysia Wison, outreach coordinator for Southern
University in Shreveport. The Rev. Kerry Sims, of 1st Ebenezer Baptist Church,
sang a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by greetings
from Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer Clason. Invocation was given by the
Rev. David Heard, of 1st Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Lord’s Prayer was sung by
the Rev. Sims, who also sang a solo before the introduction of the speaker,
Supervisor Gatlin. Benediction was lead by the Rev. Woodrow Davis of Springlake
Church of God in Christ.
A
wonderful meal of baked chicken, roast beef, rice pilaf, green beans, tossed
salad and pie was catered by Kathy’s Real Soul Food of Homer.
A
special thanks goes to the host committee, the Rev. Woodrow Davis, Mrs. Gloria
Davis, Springlake Church of God in Christ and the Homer High School Future
Business Leaders of America as well as those who helped serve during the
banquet.
Committees
recognized included the grant committee with Gene Coleman as chairman, the
airport committee with Attorney Danny Newell as chairman, the recreational
committee, with District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins as chairwoman, the
ladies committee with June McClure and Linda Volentine as co-chairwomen, the
clean city committee with Pete Pearson as chairman and the industrial board
with Dr. Harry Woodall as chairman.
Celebrate Recovery Inmates graduate
The Guardian-Journal
Several
inmates from the Claiborne Parish Detention Center publicly announced their
faith during a graduation ceremony from Celebrate Recovery Inside.
According
to a press release, Celebrate Recovery Inside (CRI) is dedicated to bringing
and sharing hope inmates have found in Christ Jesus to the jails and prisons of
Louisiana by providing a Biblically-based program of healing for life’s hurts,
habits and hang-ups -- Celebrate Recovery.
“We
have many volunteers from different churches who share our experience, strength
and hope and who desire to effect positive change on the lives of those behind
bars,” the press release said.
Those
graduates include: Christopher Bell,
Dekourtney Dunn, Brandon Freeman, Roosevelt Green, Carlo Griffin, Timothy
Herbert, Maverick Kennedy, Joequell Lewis, Devin Lofton, Frank Williams, Jerry
Moore, Brandon Peterson, Earl Richardson, Johnell Smith, Roy Tillman, Dean
Whitney, Patrick Williams, Walter Levan, Christopher Mobley and Trasion
Wallace.
A
special thanks goes to LaSalle Management, Warden Sumlin, Assistant Warden
Goodwin, Major Banks, Captain Lewis, Chaplain Jones, Lt. Stephen Glass and
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey.
The
idea of CR Inside is to help not just the inmate, but his or her family too.
The family is put in contact with the Celebrate Recovery program in their home
community. The inmate, once released, is also given a sponsor on the outside
and connected with a local Celebrate Recovery ministry, hopefully the same one
his or her family is attending. This assists in the re-entry process and allows
the healing and transformation that began inside to continue after release.
When
the faith-based community, government and correction facilities work together,
goals that seem impossible when attempted alone suddenly become reality. In
California and New Mexico, two of the many states that support CR Inside
formally on the state level, one year recidivism rates have fallen from more
than 70 percent to 10 percent for inmates who were released after completing CR
Inside programs.
“Celebrate
Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery ministry that helps people heal their
hurts, habits and hang-ups,” the press release stated. “This program of
recovery utilizes eight Principals of Recovery, based upon the Beatitudes from
the Bible, and the 12 steps used by many other secular programs. In Celebrate
Recovery, the 12 steps each have a Biblical comparison, or verse, as God-given
direction.”
These
small group step studies meet each week, and in short-term institutions, these
can be accomplished more quickly by having a lesson every week with the
participants working in their own participant guides. Sessions can be conducted
in chapel settings or in other areas that the institution may designate. This
format is mainly used only for short-term prisoners who are in minimum-security
prisons or in parish detention centers.
According
to Pastor John Baker, the founder of Celebrate Recovery and the pastor of
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., the purpose of this program “are to
fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through eight
Recovery Principles. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we
begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compulsive and
dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy and most
importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we
progress through the program, we discover our personal, loving and forgiving
Higher Power -- Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.”
CRI at
the Claiborne Parish Detention Center meets Monday through Friday from 2:15
until 3:45 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.
