Nyugen free, pleads no contest
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Mary
Nguyen got her walking papers on Wednesday after pleading no contest to charges
that were dropped to misdemeanors.
According
to court records, Nguyen pled no contest to misdemeanor theft, criminal
mischief and aggravated assault. Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer W.
Clason sentenced Nguyen to six months on the theft charge and six months on the
aggravated assault charge but gave her time served. By lunch time Wednesday,
Nguyen was truly a free woman. There will be no probation, no parole.
What
began as theft and criminal mischief turned into nearly five years behind bars
with no trial or resolution to her case. In 2007, Nguyen was charged with theft
over $500 and criminal mischief after she was arrested for painting
inflammatory graffiti on t-shirts she’d screen printed for a then district
attorney candidate. Reports say she then distributed the shirts around the
courthouse lawn in Homer and on several streets in town.
At the
time of her arrest, she was jailed pending bond. It was in January 2008 that
bond was reduced enough that her family could bail her out of jail. They took
her home, and two days later, the family revoked her bond and the bail bonds
agent came to the home, requesting assistance from the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office (CPSO), to pick her up.
CPSO
deputies and Detective Randy Smith went to the home where Nguyen had barricaded
herself in her home, reportedly raising a shotgun at Smith. An entry team from
Lincoln Parish were called in to assist and she was taken into custody without
incident.
Later
that year, Clason ordered a sanity hearing with a psychological evaluation.
Nguyen refused to participate in the evaluation and was then declared
incompetent to stand trial. The doctors who were to perform the evaluation
recommended inpatient psychiatric treatment. On the orders of Judge Clason,
Nguyen entered a mental health facility in 2009 and underwent treatment for 18
months, returning to Claiborne authorities in 2010. After review and
medication, Nguyen was declared competent to stand trial.
Nguyen
sat in jail for the rest of the time for various reasons, including the court
system schedules. In 2011, her case came before Clason several times but was
passed for one reason or another.
Woman arrested for felony theft
The Guardian-Journal
A
Minden woman has been arrested on charges of felony theft, both in Bienville
and Claiborne Parishes.
According
to Louisiana State Police (LSP), Shelby Young, 42, was arrested on Friday,
February 24, and charged with two counts theft in excess of $1,500. Bond was
set at $25,000 in each parish for a total of $50,000, according to LSP Public
Information Officer Julie Lewis.
The
initial complaint by LSP Bureau of Investigation, Region II Criminal
Investigations Division, detectives were contacted in November 2011 by the
owners of Dixie Mart Inc., where Young worked, in regards to misappropriations
of funds from stores located in Bienville and Claiborne Parishes.
With
the assistance of both the Claiborne and Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Offices,
their investigation revealed that Young had “misappropriated” a large sum of
money from March 2010 through November 2011.
Young
surrendered to LSP authorities in Bienville Parish and was booked on the theft
charge. Once booked, she was transported to Claiborne Parish where she was
booked again on the same charge and incarcerated.
If
convicted, she faces prison time according to Louisiana Criminal Statutes. LA
R.S. 14:67B.(1) says, “Whoever commits the crime of theft when the
misappropriation or taking amounts to a value of one thousand five hundred
dollars or more shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more
than ten years, or may be fined not more than three thousand dollars or both.”
Through
their multi-agency efforts, lead detectives LSP Detective Michael Allen, CPSO
Detective Ben Booth and Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Detective Stephen Beard
worked together to solve this case and make the arrest.
A story of hope
Family thanks community for support
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Doug Folts, center, was a lucky man in
November 2011. Thanks to the quick thinking of a volunteer firefighter and his
son, Folts survived a terrible vehicle accident and is now at home recovering.
Pictured above are Ayden Heard, left, and his father, Ken Heard, right.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Patte Folts, wife of Doug Folts, shows
the many letters, cards and well wishes from the Homer community in what they
say is their ‘hope chest’. Mrs. Folts said following her husband’s accident,
the Homer community has supported them as Mr. Folts continues to recover.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
terrible tragedy turned into a story of hope and love -- and it all began with
a shirt.
Doug
Folts, a resident of Homer, was in a terrible car accident in November 2011
which left him with several injuries, including what could have been a
life-threatening injury. However, it was the quick thinking of a man and his
son and that shirt that saved his life.
Ayden
Heard, 11, a fifth grade student at Claiborne Academy, was with his father, Ken
Heard, at their hunting camp watching a New Orleans Saints game when he and his
father heard a loud boom...and everything went quiet. Not a sound was heard --
no birds, no scurrying of little forest creatures, not even the sound of leaves
falling from the trees.
Ken
Heard told his son to get into the truck, and before they backed out of the
driveway, Ayden found the tragedy that had unfolded. What he found was a
mangled GMC truck and a man inside. The elder Heard ran to the truck, knocking
on the window to try to get a response. When he got nothing, he made his way
into the vehicle and found the man to be unconscious and bleeding.
It was
then he told Ayden to get something to put on his head to stop the bleeding.
Little Ayden then threw something from the floorboard of their truck at his
father -- and it was his Claiborne Academy uniform shirt. Heard put the shirt
on Folts’ head to stop the bleeding until rescue and medical personnel could
arrive.
And it
was that shirt that probably helped save Folts’ life. Patte Folts, Doug Folts’
wife, said she felt it was because of Ayden and that shirt that her husband is
still with her today. But on that day, Ayden felt a myriad of emotions as he
helped his father, who is a volunteer firefighter with the Homer Fire
Department.
“I was
confused and shocked,” he said. And as for
the shirt? “I just threw something at him. I didn’t even know it was my shirt.”
Mr.
Folts sustained several injuries, including literally being scalped. Recovery
has been long and difficult for Mr. Folts, but Mrs. Folts says it is not only
the love of God that has gotten them through this, but it is the Homer
community -- family, friends, churches, so many people she said.
“Everybody
in this community made themselves available,” she
said, “and that meant the world to us.”
Mr.
Folts agreed with his wife. He spent about a month in the Intensive Care Unit
at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and was then moved to a
long-term nursing care center to continue his recovery. He was then moved to
another facility where his recovery continued until he came home just a few
short weeks ago. He now has full-time, round-the-clock care at his home on
Coleman Loop.
“It’s
so good to have people who have taken care of me,” he said. “They are nice people and I can’t say enough
about them. They did everything they could to make my life more fun and less
miserable.”
The
Folts say their biggest support system has been their five children, who
stepped in and took care of day-to-day things, like paying the bills and making
sure their home was taken care of while Mrs. Folts concentrated on supporting
her husband.
And the
couple has what they call a “hope chest” full of letters, cards, well wishes
and prayers from the Homer community.
“It
means a lot that we’ve had that,” Mr. Folts said.
Ken and
Ayden Heard went to see the Folts just last week so that Ayden could see the
recovery Mr. Folts has made since his accident. Mrs. Folts said she didn’t want
Ayden’s last memory of her husband to be one of that terrible tragedy.
“I
wanted him to see Doug as he’s recovering,” she said. “I wanted him to know how
much we appreciate what he did for Doug, and we love him.”
Mrs.
Folts also took that time during their visit to return the shirt to its rightful
owner -- Ayden. With tears in her eyes, she hugged him as she gave him his
shirt and said a heartfelt “thank you.”
And as
for the community, Mrs. Folts said several church congregations have adopted
him and made him a part of their church family. And while Mr. Folts continues
his recovery at home, he expressed his gratitude to God and to the community of
Homer for their continued support of him and his family.
But to
Ayden, he said, “If anybody ever tells you there is no God, tell them to kiss
your grits!”
In a
letter to the Homer community, Mrs. Folts couldn’t have said it better.
“In
this place, we are surrounded by many wonderful people and blessed with a
praying church community,” she said. “My heart overflows with joy!”
Mayfield water well nears completion
A Report from Mayor Alecia Smith
The SW
Mayfield Water Well (LCDBG funded project) is soon coming to a close.
The new
water well is being developed by Watson Well Drilling. Last month, the
contractor completed the pumping test and revealed that the well could
comfortably produce approximately 390 gpm (gallons per minute), versus the 500
gpm we had hoped to attain.
The
well was originally designed with eight-inch schedule 40 galvanized column
pipe. During the preconstruction meeting for this project, the Town of Homer
requested a stainless steel column pipe in lieu of the galvanized column pipe
in order to help prevent deterioration of the column pipe over time. This
decision was based on the Town of Homer’s past history with water wells.
Watson
Well Drilling will begin installing the steel pipe this week, and is waiting
for Claiborne Electric to run power to the new well site.
“Barring
any unforeseen problems, I am happy to announce the water well should be complete
and operational within 25 to 30 days,” said Homer Mayor Alecia Smith.
Trash fire blazes out of control
Photos by Jenni Williams
above, firefighters tame a large pile of
garbage as the fire sweeps across a pipeline located in Lisbon. At right,
Fireman Sonny Greeson brings the fire under control as it takes over this
vehicle left near where the fire began.
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Firefighters
from multiple districts in the parish battled a runaway blaze mid-afternoon
Sunday after a resident’s garbage-pile burn got out of control.
A small
trash burn at the residence located at 311 Jenkins Road off of Tenneco Road in
Lisbon quickly got out of hand due to the gusty winds the parish has
experienced lately.
Even
though the area has experienced recent showers, the top layer of vegetation is
still extremely dry and as evidenced on Sunday, will quickly aid a fire in
spreading.
The
fire quickly spread to a number of out-of-commission vehicles on the property,
causing one to become completely engulfed in flames. After overtaking the
vehicle, the fire made fast work of the pipeline located just behind the
residence.
Firefighters
and the Louisiana Forestry Department quickly secured all homes in the area and
began creating a fire break with the Forestry Department’s heavy equipment.
The
fire swept across more than 18 acres and after crossing two major pipelines -
Gulf South and Kinder Morgan (with no damage to either pipeline) - was
contained. There was no damage to any area residents or their homes.
Cancer
survivor shares her story
Relay
for Life
The annual Relay for Life
will be held at the Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium at Homer High School on
Saturday, April 14, from noon until midnight. For luminaries, please see this
week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal.
As
the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life approaches on April 14, The
Guardian-Journal is sharing stories of survival as cancer patients
celebrate being in remission. Also, those who have lost their battle to cancer
will be remembered at the Relay for Life, which will be held at the Ronny G.
Beard Memorial Stadium at Homer High School from noon until midnight on April
14. Below is the story, in her own words, of Jean Frye, a cancer survivor of
four years.
My
breast cancer story started in February 1972 as I was taking a shower.
I found
a lump in the top of my right breast that felt like a dried pinto bean. On
February 14, 1972, at Christus Schumpert Hospital, Dr. Wallace Brown did a
biopsy and the lump was benign. He said it was a stitch impediment and it would
go away.
I also
asked him why the incision was on the left side in the dark area around the
nipple, instead of where the lump was. He answered, “For cosmetic reasons.”
Okay, I
waited and the lump did not go away.
On
Thursday, August 31, 1972, at Schumpert, Dr. Brown did another biopsy that
turned into a complete radical mastectomy. The entire breast was removed, and
also muscle and flesh from under the collarbone, the shoulder and under my arm.
He removed the lymph gland and sweat gland.
My
chest was “cooked” with radiation. I say this because my chest felt like a very
badly burned area with my arm stuck to it for a long time. I am fortunate in
that my arm did not swell as many others have.
During
my week-long say in the hospital, my mother stayed with me, but I don’t
remember a lot. One day, my cousin came by and helped feed me lunch. My right
arm was so weak, we were afraid I’d lose the use of it.
Dr.
Brown himself helped me exercise it. Another day, the nurses came in and told
my mother she could go to the lounge and relax a bit; they were to give me an
enema. They told me to roll over. The next thing I remember, Mother was coming
in the door and no nurses were there.
Dr.
Brown checked on me three times a day, but he’d also awaken me at 2 or 3 a.m.
checking on me.
After a
week in the hospital, I went home for a week. The hardest thing to do was to
tend to me -- like bathe and keep my stitches dry, dress myself and comb my
hair. One day, I wanted to make cornbread. I measured out everything in the
bowl. My arm was so weak that I could not stir up a pone of cornbread!
Since
World War II (WWII), after surgery, giving birth, etc., the patient gets up the
same day or the next day, and walks around. I did this after the births and
other surgeries, but not this one. I got up to sit in a chair and after the
fourth day, long enough for the sheets to be changed. The arm exercises were
done while in bed.
A
friend of mine made a small pillow stuffed with cut up old panties. She was a
10-year breast cancer survivor at the time. The pillow was a big comfort to
rest my arm on. I later used some old panties and handmade my first “boob” as I
did not want to be one-sided. I later bought a prosthetic, the one I still
wear, with regular bras.
After a
week’s stay at home, I went for a checkup and by the time I got to the waiting
room, I was so weak, the nurse put me to bed on the exam table and covered me
with a warm blanket. Dr. Brown said that I was slowly improving and removed
three stitches at the top and three at the bottom. I wore 29 stitches for two
more weeks.
The
surgery was my only treatment. I was not given any follow-up medicine, no
chemotherapy or radiation treatments. I was given medicine for pain for about
two months. After taking it, I’d start crying; so Dr. Brown and I decided I’d
“Live with it!” This surgery and recovery was all very painful and lasted a
long time, but I’m glad we did it this way.
We were
fortunate to have a good lady, Willie Mae Shine, to work for us part-time,
since Howard’s birth. She was there helping during all of these bad times until
her health failed and she died in the early 1990s. She was a Godsend, a second
mother to the children and me.
On
September 29, 1959, my husband became a quadriplegic, the result of a car wreck
caused when he met two drag cars racing down Hwy. 79 just out of Minden. His
neck was broken at three vertebras (3, 5 and 6) with #3 being crushed, crushing
the spinal cord but not severing it. He was completely paralyzed; he later
regained partial use of his right arm.
At the
time of the wreck, our son was six and starting the first grade, our daughter
was not quite four, and our baby was 20-months-old.
This is
another story, but I was his full-time care giver until his death on December
21, 1999. God’s reason for letting me live was to care for him and raise and
educate our children.
When my
cancer occurred, Howard had finished high school and was working. Jean Ann was
starting her senior year in high school, and Joy was entering high school.
Howard helped with his dad’s personal needs for three weeks, but then I had to
take over again. I was weak, hurting and still wearing 29 stitches down my
chest, but my husband was helpless.
The
children tended to their chores and helped with their dad. At night, I’d get
Prentiss settled in bed to watch TV. The children would read, study or watch
TV. I handmade a lot of clothes for the girls and me and western-style shirts
for Howard.
Since
1959, our income was his Social Security for the disabled and a small VA
pension for non-service connected injuries. We managed, pinched pennies. We
educated the children and paid for our home. Howard did not want to go to
college. He worked and became a skilled carpenter. Both girls have degrees in
accounting from Louisiana Tech and Jean Ann is a CPA.
Earlier,
I had worked as a beautician, but after the first biopsy, I started working part-time
for Sears in Minden. After six weeks of recovery from surgery, I went back
part-time and became the tele-typist and worked for 13 years. In the mornings,
I did personal chores for Prentiss, dressed him and got him in his wheelchair.
Willie Mae saw to his needs in the afternoons and there when the girls got in
from school.
Since
1972, I get annual mammograms. In 2008, a technician hurt me so badly during
the mammogram my breast began to ache. In 2010, my mammogram showed some tiny
suspicious blob. A second mammogram and an ultrasound were done and the blob
was still there. I was told to wait a year and get another mammogram.
In
2011, the blob was still there. I was given a needle/wire localization to show
the exact position of the blob and a biopsy was done. Dr. Charles Manious gave
me a very good report. He said he also examined, felt and X-rayed it, and there
was no cancer anywhere in my left breast. I am elated and will continue to get
mammograms each year.
Today,
I am 85, almost an old woman and healthy as far as I know. God has given me a
good life. I owe it all to Him. Yes, there is a merciful God.
What Do You Remember About the Kinnebrew
Building?
Professor asking for history of
structure
Dr.
Nicholas Bustamonte of LA Tech is creating a website about the upcoming mural
project on the Kinnebrew Building on the southwest corner of the Square in
Homer.
He has
requested any information on the history of the structure to add to the site.
The Kinnebrew family is assisting in this project, but the Jubilee requests any
stories you might remember about the various enterprises which have used the
building.
Remember
the Majestic Café? Or more recently the Homer Jewelry, Sew It Seams and Design
Concepts? What about the original purpose of the building as an opera house?
Any
information is appreciated. Please contact Cynthia Steele, 927-2566. Also, here
are some supplies for the mural that are needed:
Among
the items still needed by the Jubilee muralists are:
• Tarps
to cover the sidewalk
• Paint
roller extension poles
• 5
gallon buckets
• Cones
or sawhorses to help block the mural area
• Ropes
to use raising and lowering paint buckets
If you
can lend any of these items, please contact Cynthia Steele at 927-2566. All
assistance is appreciated!
