Champ sentenced

Man receives 30 years for attempted murder, battery

The Guardian-Journal

Third Judicial District Judge Jay McCallum accepted a plea of guilty from defendant Daniel Champ, of Homer, to one count of attempted second degree murder and one count of aggravated battery while in court last Tuesday.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Champ was sentenced to 30 years at hard labor on the attempted murder charge and five years at hard labor on the battery charges with the sentences to run concurrently.

Court records reveal that in the early morning hours of July 23, 2011, Champ traveled from Homer to the Executive Blue Lounge located off of Interstate 20 service road in Grambling.

Following an altercation at the nightclub, Champ reportedly struck one man in the head with a 9mm pistol and then shot the victim, Frankiouvs Goodin, three times at point blank range as he was lying on the ground.

Goodin, a former West Monroe High School football player and member of the University of Louisiana at Monroe football team, was transported by ambulance to Northern Louisiana Medical Center and later airlifted to LSU Health Sciences Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

“It is only by the grace of God that Frank Goodin survived this attack,” said Assistant District Attorney Cary T. Brown.

“I’m pleased to say that Frank has made nearly a full recovery from his injuries and had the opportunity to be present in the courtroom at the time the defendant was sentenced. I would like to personally thank Chief Tommy Clark of the Grambling Police Department for his outstanding work on this case as well as the Homer and Minden Police Departments for their cooperation in this investigation,” she concluded.

‘Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim’

National Crime Victims’ Week recognized

The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams

The offender organizations at David Wade Correctional Center sponsored the placement of a wreath on the Courthouse Lawn in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week began on Sunday, April 22.

This year’s national theme is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.” Crime victims endure physical and emotional wounds, costly financial bills and many other obstacles in their journey for justice. The victims’ rights movement has made tremendous strides in the last 30 years in efforts to assist these victims.

Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws, all states have victim compensation funds and more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established.

Definitions in our laws of crimes, such as rape, have been changed to better reflect the impact of these crimes on victims. But, there is still much work to be done. Statistically, only a fraction of victims receive crime victims’ reparations and more than 50 percent of crimes are still unreported. It is estimated that fewer than 20 percent of victims receive needed services.

Sixty percent of American children are exposed to some type of violence, crime or abuse in their homes, schools and communities. Children exposed to violence are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer from depression and have difficulty in school. We must all play a part in being part of the solution. Crime affects each of us and we must help protect and take care of each other.

Many times, we ask, “What can I do? I am only one person.”

While this may be true, one person can make a difference. As an employer, you can be sympathetic to crime victims and offer understanding regarding necessary time off from work. As teachers, clergy members, youth workers and health professionals, you can assist law enforcement in looking for signs of abuse or sexual victimization in people in your contact area. As parents, grandparents or siblings, we can be alert to issues that may need to be addressed.

Encourage others to seek assistance when you know they are victims of crime and offer your assistance in an attempt to lessen their stress.

As we take this time to honor victims of crime, the greatest service you can do for them is to speak up -- you may be their only hope.

Claiborne Parish Deputy Donna Smith is the crime victim’s advocate for this parish. For more information, you may contact her at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-9800.

Courtesy of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, information was obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association.

‘Potluck at the Fair’ slated for May 18

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The second annual “Potluck at the Fair” is right around the corner, so those who wish to attend need to set their calendars now!

Slated to be held Friday, May 18, the event will feature a potluck style supper. Entertainment for the evening will feature the Monday Night Choir Boys from Springhill. They were a huge hit last year, and they are sure to be great this year.

The event is slated to be held at 6 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex in Haynesville.

During Haynesville’s regular monthly town council meeting, Bob McDaniel, CAC member, gave the monthly report, saying that most of the discussion centered on the “Potluck at the Fair” fundraiser Discussions also included the meal planning, of which Linda Knox is heading, and also the silent auction.

The money will either go towards replacing tables and chairs at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex, replacing/repairing the air conditioning units at the complex and also other needs for the Fair Building, he said. However, the tables and chairs and air conditioning units will more than likely be the top priority.

But, Mayor Sherman Brown said, an LGAP grant is expected to be awarded in May for air conditioning repairs at the Fair Building. He explained that in this program, parishes are grouped together in its funding cycles, and this year, Claiborne Parish is in the last group. And this could very well be why the town gets grants early in the year, mid-year or late in the year.

“The money is there for Claiborne Parish, and it just hasn’t been through all its processes yet,” he said. “He (Mark Parenti, LGAP program manager) said it wasn’t a matter of if, but when.”

For more information on the event, please call Keith or Beverlee Killgore at 318-624-1122 or .

In other news, Haynesville Town Attorney Danny Newell is still in the process of drafting an ordinance to change the election dates for the town’s municipal elections, which if or when adopted, would change the current election dates for council members and the mayor to coincide with congressional races.

Newell sent a letter to the Louisiana State Secretary of State’s Office requesting a copy of an ordinance similar to what the town wants to do in order to have something to go from in drafting the ordinance for Haynesville. Mayor Sherman Brown said that as of the date of the council meeting, Newell had not received a response to his request, and if no response is given, then he will “start from scratch.”

Brown hopes to have a draft ordinance in hand for the May meeting in order to hold the first reading.

The intent of changing the election dates is to save the town money by not being the only items on the ballot.

According to election rules and regulations, each item on the ballot is paid for by the entity on the ballot. For instance, if council members are up for election, then the town has to pay a portion of the costs to hold the election.

In March’s meeting, the council agreed to move forward with changing the election dates. However, with those changes comes an extension of current council/mayoral terms. Mayor Sherman Brown said he would stay as long as he could past his normal term limit, but would not be able to stay through the entire extension, citing health reasons.

On the agenda was the bush hog that was declared as surplus some months ago, but Brown requested the item be tabled. He said he learned that parts have been taken off the bush hog, but the body is still good.

“In his (District 2 Councilman Herbert Taylor), it’s not worth trying to bid, so we’re going to table that because it’s been gutted,” Brown said. “So we won’t be putting that item up for bid.”

The next CAC meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 7.

In the mayor’s FYI report, on Thursday, April 26, sealed bids will be opened for street overlays for the town.

“As of this morning (April 19), five sets of plans have been picked up,” Brown said. “That does not mean necessarily that we will get five bids. It has to be a company certified in the State of Louisiana to do streets. They have to be licensed in the State of Louisiana to do this type of work.”

In other funding news, additional Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funds are highly possible through the CDC. Brown said. If awarded, these funds would go towards water line replacements. The areas that need to be replaced, he said, total approximately $35,000, but the grant would only be for $15,000. The town agreed to put up $2,000, which would total $17,000 for the repairs that need to be made.

On Thursday, May 3, the Town of Haynesville will observe its second annual National Day of Prayer at noon at the Corner Porch at the intersection of Main Street and Hwy. 79, which will be coordinated by Marie Bailey.

In business news, Morgan’s Blooms and Rooms is preparing to open on Main Street, Brown said. It is set up to be a flower shop as well as an interior decorating business.

In talking about the North Louisiana Economic Partnership meeting that was held in Homer last week, Brown talked about promoting Haynesville to everyone, “because you never know who you are going to talk to.”

It’s all about perception, he said, and in his many travels throughout his life, he doesn’t want to live anywhere else “but here.”

The NLEP is a “one stop shop” to expanding businesses as well as encouraging new business within communities.

“I’ve invited them to Haynesville,” he said. “I want them to see the old Dollar General, I want them to see Main Street. I want them to see Double D’s on the north of town. I have several locations that I want them to see.”

In his enthusiasm for his town, he listed several other locations including the railroad and other areas that he sees as prospective businesses. He was excited coming away from the meeting, because he now feels they have another avenue in which to promote Haynesville.

He also said in his FYI report that oilfield activity is picking up in the area, which should be good for local businesses.

The next meeting of the Haynesville Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 17, in council chambers located behind City Hall. For more information or questions, please call their office at 318-624-0911.

‘Team Cade’ fundraiser coming up fast!

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Team Cade Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser is expected to be bigger and better this year, and is to be held on Saturday, May 5, on the courthouse lawn on the Square in Homer.

Last year’s fundraiser was in honor of Cade, and his parents, Holly and dad Casey, have been very involved in efforts to help the foundation find a treatment and possibly a cure for their little boy.

The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 5, on the courthouse lawn on the Square in Homer.

With food and fun for all, there will be several items raffled off as well as chicken plates for sale for $7 each. Plates, to be served from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., will include leg quarters, beans, chips, bread and a cookie.

Raffle prizes include a Bennelli 12-guage pump shotgun displayed at Michael’s Men’s Store, a hope cedar chest built by Artis and Bobbie Sue Powell, $200 worth of gas provided by Emerson Oil and a four-gallon fish cooker made by RV Works. Raffle tickets can be purchased at several locations throughout the parish at $2 each.

Also, the fire departments in Homer and Haynesville will be doing a boot drive, so if you see a fireman in the middle of the street holding a boot out, please donate what you can! The Haynesville Fire Department will be doing a boot drive in Haynesville and the South Bossier Fire Department will also be doing one as well. The boot drives will begin at 9 a.m.

For all those who enjoy riding the two-wheel variety, a poker run will take place that morning starting off at the Square in Homer. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the first bike out at 9 a.m. Riders will return to the Square by noon. Registration will be $25 per player, and the grand prize for the poker run is $250.

The poker run will be an 85-mile run with the first stop at Outpost Travel Center just across the parish line into Webster, and the last stop will be in Homer at noon.

For more information about the fundraiser, call Holly Liles at 318-548-2659 or Tommy Sanders at 318-548-2681. For information on the poker run, please call J.T. Williams, coordinator, at 318-453-5529 or Ricky Bearden at 318-927-9740 or 318-245-4726.

Transition Forum to be held by CPSB Special Services

The Claiborne Parish School Board Special Services Office is holding a Transition Forum for Junior High and High School Special Needs Students in Claiborne Parish and their parents.

The Forum will be held on May 1, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Willis Knighton Conference Room at 104 Morris Circle, Homer. Agencies that will provide help with your special needs students’ transition from school to life outside of school will be there to explain their services and answer your questions.

Some area that will be covered are -

* Vocational guidance and career counseling

* Evaluation of rehabilitation potential

* Medical evaluation, work site evaluation, vocational training

* College, technical college or Certificate programs

* On the job training, job placement services

* Assistance Technology such as wheel chairs, hearing aids

* GED Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED)

If you would like to find out what services are available, come to the Transition Forum. Please sign in at the door when you come so that we can have a record of your attendance. If you have any questions, please call robin Burcham, Special Education Teacher at Homer High School at 927-4480.

There will be door prizes and refreshments will be served.

Grant requests turn towards historic preservation

Pictured above are Cynthia Steele, Shelly King-Town of Homer Grant Writer, Mayor Alecia N. Smith, Jessica Richardson-CLG Coordinator/Tax Credit Reviewer, and Lisa Foster-Town Clerk.

On April 18, Jessica G. Richardson-CLG Coordinator/Tax Credit Review with the Division of Historic Preservation met with Mayor Alecia N. Smith, Shelly King-Grant Writer, Cynthia Steele, Councilwoman Carlette Sanford, and Lisa Foster-Town Clerk to discuss the historic preservation plans for the Town of Homer.

The Historical Committee members not present were Dwayne Woodard, Rusty Billings, Steven Koskie, and Carolyn Lumpkin.

Certified Local Governments can receive state and federal funding for historical preservation. The CLG Historic Preservation Planning Grants are reimbursable, 50/50 (cash) matching grants.

The grants can only be used for planning, survey/evaluation, registration, public education, and pre-development projects.

 In order for the Town of Homer to apply for CLG grants, the Historical Committee has to locate the community’s historic properties through survey and evaluation.  Survey and evaluation are on-going activities, because each year properties become fifty years old and are eligible for Nation Register Listing.

The Town of Homer Historic Committee’s goal is to complete the survey of historical district this year, and apply for CLG funding to develop design guidelines for historic districts.

Mayor Alecia N. Smith finds it imperative to keep the Town of Homer’s Buildings on the CLG’s Historic Preservation list in order to maintain the Town of Homer’s character, quality of life, and long-term economic development.

Golden Eagle Training & Safety
Announces the Opening of their New Website

Steve Risner (Homer, LA) and Butch Shaver (Shreveport, La) announce the opening of their new Golden Eagle Training & Safety website, now online at www.DefensiveTraining.us.

For more than 20 years, Golden Eagle Training & Saftey (GETS) has offered Instructional/Certification courses for the General Public, Law Enforcement & Corrections, School Resource Officers & Staff, Churches, Organizations and Companies.

GETS training for the public includes: Carrying Concealed Handgun Permit Class, Personal Safety Course, Women’s Safety & Self-Defense Course, Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (known as SHARP), Weapon Retention & Disarming (if you carry a firearm, you need to know how to effectively retain it or disarm someone who has one), Escape & Evasion, and Advanced Carrying Concealed Handgun Courses.

Certification courses available for Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies include: Defensive Tactics (DT), Impact Weapon (IW), Weapon Retention and Disarming (WRD), Ground Avoidance/Ground Escape (GAGE), Spontaneous Knife Defense (SKD), Inmate Control, and Pressure Point Control Tactic (PPCT).

For the educational arena (School Resource Officers & Staff) they offer: Safe Schools Resource Officer (SRO) Training & Certifcation, Basic & Instructor Certification Classes in Human Factor Research School Safety ( Bullying) & Healthy Children and Disruptive Student Management (DSM).

They have also held "Surviving a Critical Incident Courses" for churches in Bossier City and will be glad to do the same with any church in your area.

Steve Risner said "We have contracted Joel Ponder, long time resident of Claiborne Parish, and designer/webmaster of many of our local area websites, to rebuild our website and we are very pleased with the fine job he is doing for a very affordable price. If any of you know someone who wants to start a website or has one that needs a facelift, we strongly recommend Mr. Ponder. You can contact Joel via his new website at: www.KCWD.com".

Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is underway

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident, Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Chamber.

“The CD is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.

Asked what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism brochure has been prepared. In addition,  there is a new website www.claiborneparishtourism.org.

Also, a cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156 cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.

Finally, television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist destination.

Describing the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer, Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish. It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy,  Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm, Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.

The cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.

The new tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.

The website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.

Highlights related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.

Some parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.

The set consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local legend and lore.

Of course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of production.

Many local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the driving CDs, and the website.

Brochures and CD sets are available at the following locations:

* The Grapevine

* Port-au-Prince Restaurant

* Killgore Pharmacy

* The Rebel Stop

* Claiborne Parish Library

* Delta Interiors

* The Chamber Office at Ford Museum

Brochures only are available at the following:

* Courtyard Florist

* Lake Claiborne State Park

* Haynesville City Hall

* The Guardian-Journal

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