Warrant issued in Claiborne Pharmacy
break-in
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
warrant has been issued for a woman who reportedly admitted to burglarizing
Claiborne Pharmacy a couple of weeks ago.
Genie
Monk Rogers, of Minden, is wanted by the Homer Police Department for
burglarizing a pharmacy, which carries a bond of $12,000. Also arrested in
Minden, was Jessica Brown, 31, of Homer, by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
on Thursday, July 5, on an unrelated warrant from the Minden Police Department
for principle to simple robbery with a bond of $50,000. She was transferred to
Webster Parish.
According
to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, it was through an investigation into other
charges against the two women that it came to light that Rogers was involved in
the burglary of Claiborne Pharmacy.
According
to Homer Police, the pharmacy was broken into sometime Sunday night, June 24,
when employees discovered a broken window on the following morning. Mills said
someone attempted to break into the pharmaceutical area of the business but was
unable to gain entry. However, they did break into the store area.
Video,
which police say shows someone trying to gain entry at several different
locations, was collected at the scene and taken into evidence. Other evidence
was collected as well, including DNA which was secured and logged into evidence
at the police station.
Captain
Donald Malray and Officer Johnnie Hough, of the Homer Police Department, worked
the initial investigation.
Rogers
is incarcerated at the Webster Parish Women’s Jail on unrelated charges.
“During
an investigation unrelated to ours, Lt. Dan Weaver, with the Minden Police
Department and other detectives, were investigating her on this other charge
and received information that she might be connected to the burglary of
Claiborne Pharmacy,” Mills said. “Subsequently, she was charged for the crime
in Webster Parish, and the Homer Police Department has obtained a warrant for
her arrest for burglary of a pharmacy. She is currently incarcerated in Webster
as a fugitive from Homer.”
According
to Mills, Minden investigators were able to get a confession from Rogers
regarding the pharmacy burglary.
Both
women were arrested by Minden Police in connection with a hotel robbery in
Minden, where Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said a tip led to Rogers as
being the initial suspect.
“Apparently,
Rogers had been talking about possibly being involved in the hotel robbery, as
well as in an attempted break-in of a pharmacy in Homer,” Cropper said.
Rogers
was brought in by Detective Heath Balkom, Captain Marvin Garrett and Lt. Weaver
for questioning.
“During
her interview, Rogers indicated she heard a juvenile was the armed robber (of the
hotel) and actually named the juvenile,” he said. “At that
point in time, officers located the 14-year-old and brought him in for
questioning.”
During
the interview of both Rogers and the juvenile, it came to light that the
robbery plan had been discussed by these two and Brown. Upon receiving this
information, a warrant for Brown’s arrest was faxed to CPSO, which then placed
her under arrest on the above charges.
Bonnie
Culverhouse, managing editor of the Minden Press-Herald, contributed to this
report.
Reward offered in Sonic robbery case
The Guardian-Journal
A
reward is being offered by Homer Police for information leading to the arrest
of the person or persons involved in a robbery at Sonic Drive-in that occurred
a couple of weeks ago.
According
to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, the case is still under investigation, but
they have “interviewed a few people, but no arrests have been made.”
Police
say that on the morning of Sunday, June 24, Captain Donald Malray received a
call in reference to a robbery. Upon arrival at Sonic, the manager said she
opened to prepare for the breakfast shift when a suspect came inside and held a
gun on her, forcing her to open the safe. The manager, at gunpoint, gave the
perpetrator an undisclosed amount of cash, Mills said, and he fled the scene.
Following
the interview with the manager, the David Wade Correctional Center Chase Team
was dispatched to the scene but to no avail.
If
anyone has information regarding this case, please call the Homer Police
Department at 318-927-4000. Remember, they don’t want your name, just your
information.
In a
separate case, a Homer man was arrested after a Homer Police officer overheard
screaming at a residence while leaving another.
Lavince
Carter, 22, of Homer, was arrested for domestic abuse battery with bond set at
$2,000 and a probation violation with no bond.
According
to reports, Officer Scott Glenn was leaving a residence at an apartment on
Circle Drive when he heard screaming coming from inside another apartment.
Glenn knocked on the door to investigate and made contact with Carter who told
him nothing was going on. Reports say Carter appeared to be very upset.
The
officer interviewed Connie Thomas who said her daughter called her and she
could hear her daughter yelling over the phone in reference to Carter. Glenn
spoke with Thomas’ daughter, who advised the officer that Carter had gotten
angry with her and began throwing things and hit her in the head multiple
times.
Carter
was placed under arrest on the above charges, transported to the Homer Police
Station for paperwork and then taken to Claiborne Parish Detention Center where
he was booked.
In an
unrelated case, two Homer men were arrested on DWI charges following a car
accident on Thursday, July 5.
LaChris
Gibson, 20, was arrested on a charge of underage DWI with bond set at $750 and
reckless operation of a vehicle with bond set at $500.
Jimmy
L. Kemp, 23, was arrested for DWI (second offense) with bond set at $1,000,
reckless operation of a vehicle with bond set at $500 and driving under
suspension with bond set at $500.
According
to police, Officer Frank Evans responded to the accident with injuries on Pearl
and Mayfield Streets. While talking to Gibson and Kemp, Evans reportedly
detected the odor of alcoholic beverages coming from their persons. Reports say
both admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages.
Evans’
investigation revealed that Kemp’s truck had severe damage to the right side,
the passenger side windshield shattered. Gibson reportedly told the officer
that he was traveling east on Pearl Street with Kemp following him. Gibson told
the officer that he signaled a left turn to turn onto Mayfield Street when
Kemp’s vehicle struck his.
Both
men submitted to a breathalyzer test. While Gibson’s result was under the legal
limit, he was driving under the influence and is under the legal drinking age
of 21. Kemp’s result was .177. The legal limit is .08.
Both
were placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention
Center for booking.
In
another separate incident, Brady Coleman, 26, of Homer, was arrested for
failure to pay a fine of $322 and domestic abuse battery with bond set at
$2,000.
According
to reports, Homer Police Officer Thomas Davis was dispatched to the 500 block
of Armory Drive in reference to a dispute involving the victim wanting to get
her stuff from the apartment and being unable to do so. Reports say when
officers arrived, there was no answer. However, when Davis was called back to
the scene by Officer Willie Fred Knowles, the victim, Amber Taylor drove up.
While
Taylor was retrieving her items from the apartment, Davis stepped outside,
leaving the door open, to speak to a child who came on scene. While speaking to
the child, Davis reportedly saw Coleman enter a room inside the residence and
he heard Taylor yell out.
After
Taylor had retrieved her items from the apartment she went outside with
officers. Reports say she told Officer Knowles that Coleman had grabbed her by
the throat and punched her. Taylor and another person gave voluntary
statements, and based on those statements, Coleman was placed under arrest on
the charge of domestic abuse battery.
He was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Volunteers now certified rescue divers
Submitted photo
Those who participated in the training
course are pictured above. They are from left, front row, Angel Shackleford,
Fire District 6, Claiborne Parish Deputy J.T. Williams, Homer Fire Department
firefighter, and Jamie Forgey, Fire District 6. Back row are from left, Master
Scuba Diver Trainer Reggie Malbrough, Homer Fire Department and Fire District 6
members John David Smith, Mark Greeson, Sonny Greeson and Brandon Forgey. Also
pictured is Open Water Scuba Instructor Mary Ann Malbrough, Homer Fire
Department firefighter.
In
their commitment to their community, six Claiborne Parish Fire District 6 and
one Homer Fire Department volunteer/Claiborne Parish deputy recently completed
their certification as rescue divers as sanctioned by the Professional
Association of Dive Instructors (PDI).
The
course was led by Claiborne Parish Public Safety Dive Team Members Reggie
Malbrough, master scuba dive instructor and public safety diver instructor, and
Open Water Instructor Mary Ann Malbrough. They teach beginner divers from
eight-years-old through professional level courses including CPR, First Aid,
Secondary Care with AED, and infant and childcare courses in the above.
The
course involved a written test and practical sessions with rescue scenarios
practiced.
The
course is designed to train divers how to safely participate in emergency
situations involving in-water rescues and first aid for water accidents. The
main focus was on teamwork and cooperation to promote safety and a unified
effort among team members.
The
course is accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE), as equal to
one college credit.
These
firefighters are now qualified to meet minimal required training standards as
set out by the Claiborne Parish Dive Team Handbook.
Homer gets water grant
The Guardian-Journal
Homer
Mayor Alecia Smith is happy to announce that the town has been approved for a
$30,000 Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) grant.
This
grant will be used towards the replacement of water lines on Dutchtown Road and
Clear Lake Road in Homer.
CWEF
was established in 2008 during Louisiana’s regular legislative session with its
intent to provide funding to aid units of local government for the sole purpose
of rehabilitation, improvement and construction projects for community water
systems to provide safe and clean drinking water. CWEF is a part of the
Governor’s Office of Community Development.
The
grant application was made during the fiscal year 2011-12.
Homer’s
water infrastructure is aging and some water lines are considered substandard.
According to the application’s project description, the town will upgrade the
water lines from two-inch lines to six-inch lines.
“The 6”
lines will improve the quality of the potable water and fire protection
provided to the citizens and businesses of the community,” it states. “By
upgrading these water lines on Dutchtown and Clear Lake Roads, the Town of
Homer can ensure improved health, safety and fire protections to the citizens
and businesses in this area of the community.”
The
project will replace about 4,200 linear feet of two-inch lines.
In
other grant news, this week’s report from Mayor Smith announces that the town’s
Delta Regional Authority (DRA)/States’ Economic Development Assistance Program
(SEDAP) application was found to meet the necessary eligibility requirements and
sufficient priority criteria to be considered for funding through the SEDAP
program.
The
Town of Homer, along with Balar Engineering and Associates, recently submitted
the application on behalf of the town in the amount of $200,000 to complete
improvements at the wastewater treatment plant for a new grit removal system.
The funding was indicated to be $150,000 in DRA funds and $50,000 in town
funds.
Total
amount of DRA grant funds available in the state is approximately $1.7 million
and the program is geared towards projects that create jobs.
Homer’s
application will be listed along with all eligible state projects for
consideration and review by DRA and the DRA state’s representative. Project
determination and selection meetings will be held Monday and Tuesday, July 30
and 31, and notices regarding project selection and funding will be sent out by
August 15.
Claiborne Home Health hosts open house
Photo courtesy of Mae Williams
Claiborne Home Health held an open house
at Homer City Hall Sunday, July 8, to bring awareness to other services offered
by Homer Memorial Hospital. Pictured above are the staff of Claiborne Home
Health, as well as doctors and staff from Homer Hospital. Homer Mayor Alecia
Smith attended the open house and wished them well in serving the community of
Claiborne Parish.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Homer
Memorial Hospital offers more services than just care for the sick, and one
such service is Claiborne Home Health (CHH).
CHH is
just one of the services offered by the hospital so that a patient’s care is
extended beyond the day he or she comes home from the hospital. During an open
house held at Homer City Hall Sunday afternoon, Bettie Thomas, RN, Nurse
Manager, talked about the services they do offer to the community of Claiborne
Parish.
“Claiborne
Home Health would like to be a great partner to the citizens and businesses of
Homer and the surrounding areas,” she said.
Dedicated
to quality care, CHH is a hospital based home health agency owned and operated
by Homer Hospital since 1991.
“Our
mission is to provide competent and cost effective health care services to the
home health patient in a compassionate and respectful manner,” Thomas told
audience members. “Home health provides professional and paraprofessional
health care in the home setting for patients who do not require care or
hospitalization on a 24-hour a day basis.”
CHH has
been honored to rank in the top 25 percent of home health providers nationwide
in 2008 and 2011. With it being a top ranked home health care provider, it
offers an array of services which include professional nursing care, home
health aide services, medical social worker services as well as speech,
physical, occupational therapy and a dietician. Other services CHH offers
include I.V. therapy, disease management, wound management, pediatric care, catheter
care, psychiatric nursing, durable medical equipment and patient/family
education on self-management skills.
The
goal, Thomas said, is to establish a closer connection with the broader
surrounding doctors and medical facilities, connected to the local and state
government representatives and celebrating the involvement of clients and
education of the community. They also hold educational health fairs and other
community involvement which include Medicaid waiver program that provides
long-term personal care service to allow each individual to remain in his or
her home and assistance in completing applications for long-term care.
Homer
Memorial Hospital Administrator Scott Barrilleaux welcomed guests, thanking
them for sharing in the event.
“We’re
here and eager to help serve the needs of Homer,” he
said. “Thank you for being here; we appreciate you coming.”
Dr.
Mark Haynes, a physician at Homer Hospital, praised the home health agency,
saying CHH is there to “fill the gaps to help our patients get the care they
need.”
“It’s
hard to describe the importance of services like these,” he said. “What are people going to do after they go
home?”
He
continued, saying that the physicians and medical staff at Homer Hospital
support the home health agency 100 percent.
Homer
Hospital’s Director of Nursing Ginger Smith praised CHH, not only in a
professional manner, but also a personal one.
“Claiborne
Home Health took care of my aunt and uncle, and I cannot say enough about
them,” she said. “They were wonderful and it’s a good thing we have these
services.”
Elbie
Dickens, also on the receiving end of CHH, praised them. Before her mother’s
passing, she’d fallen and broken her hip twice, Dickens said, and without these
services, she didn’t know what she would have done.
“Claiborne
Home Health was like manna to us,” she said. “We don’t
know what we’d have done without them. They do a wonderful job and we
appreciate everything they did. They have no idea how much they mean to us.”
Carolyn
Jones had the opportunity to see those services on both sides. Not only did she
work for them, but she was also on the receiving end of those services as well
when she fell ill.
“We
thank God for all of them,” she said. “They were there for us whenever we
needed them.”
And
while CHH has been praised for their dedication and service, Thomas introduced
the staff who has made such a great team. She introduced nurses Margie
Williams, Laura Chreene and Sharon Dragland, psychiatric nurse. Also introduced
were therapists Julie Bray and Melissa Barnette, both occupational therapists,
Marty Lewis, physical therapist, Tammy McClung, physical therapy assistant and
Shelly Brown, speech therapist. Kaye Spring is CHH’s medical social worker.
Office personnel include Mabel Miller, Vershetta Solomon and Helen Cotton.
Certified Nursing Assistants include Mary Evans, Linda Lewis and Jackie
Hardaway.
To find
out more about the services offered by Claiborne Home Health, or for any
questions, please call 318-927-9119. The office is located at 600 N. Main
Street, in Homer, just off the Square.
Bowman recommended for suspension
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended the suspension of a
former district attorney candidate.
The
Office of Disciplinary Counsel has recommended that Attorney Chris Bowman be
suspended from the practice of law for one year and a day for the underlying
criminal conviction involving violence, with all but six months deferred. ODC
also recommended a probationary period of two years with Bowman to pay all
costs.
However,
this does not mean he has been suspended at this time. This is only a
recommendation from a complaint filed in 2008. The committee considered the
matter on January 10. The hearing committee report was filed on May 25.
Bowman
was convicted of domestic abuse battery in July 2008 in Lincoln Parish,
following a custody dispute between him and his ex-wife regarding their three
children. Because of this conviction, formal charges were filed against him by
the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), saying Bowman had violated the Rules
of Professional Conduct “in connection with the foregoing conviction.
“Amended
formal charges were also filed against Respondent (Bowman) alleging that he
violated or attempted to violate Rule 8.4 in attempting to influence the
expected testimony of his ex-wife before the Hearing Committee,” the hearing
committee report states.
“The
ODC contends that it has established by clear and convincing evidence that
Respondent has engaged in criminal conduct resulting in a conviction and
engaged in intentional conduct involving fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
that seriously adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, warranting a
lengthy suspension or actual disbarment.”
In the
report, Bowman disagreed that the conviction could be used to establish the
violation, “because of the La. Code Criminal Procedure Article 894’s effect
upon the same, and that the facts and circumstances of this matter indicate
that he was not convicted of a serious crime and should not receive any
discipline whatsoever.”
The
sole rule at issue, according to the report, is the alleged violation of Rule
8.4, regarding misconduct.
It says
it is considered professional misconduct for a lawyer to:
•
Violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly
assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;
•
Commit a criminal act especially one that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s
honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;
•
Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
•
Engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The
committee also took into consideration the Louisiana Supreme Court Rule (XIX
& 19 Lawyers Convicted of a Serious Crime) that provides the framework in
which a matter may be considered.
Bowman’s
conviction was on a misdemeanor offense; however, the committee, in their
report, felt he’d violated the rules of professional conduct. As to the charge
of attempting to influence his ex-wife on testimony before the hearing
committee, it said there was no “clear and convincing evidence” that Bowman did
this.
“The
Committee believes the evidence available to it simply did not meet the burden
of proof on the question,” the report states. “...the committee concludes that
the nature of the offense was not the type of ‘serious crime’ which would
normally result in disbarment.”
The
committee took into consideration the mitigating factors which they conclude
does not constitute disbarment, like the fact that Bowman been an attorney for
24 years, character testimony by two judges, who both said he has a “good
reputation in the community as a lawyer, businessman, civic leader and father.”
Bowman
also showed a “cooperative attitude” during the proceedings and “specifically
testified as to his remorse concerning the October 15, 2004 incident and the
impact it has had on his family.”
The
committee’s report, however, went on to say that Bowman “still refuses to fully
acknowledge the wrongful nature of his conduct, continuing to argue his
conviction should not have been a conviction at all, and was somehow
politically motivated to hurt him in his run for district attorney.”
According
to Charles Plattsmier, chief disciplinary counsel for the Louisiana Attorney
Disciplinary Board, the next step will be for the recommendation set forth by
the hearing committee to be filed with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary
Board, which serves the role of an appellate body.
“Any
recommendation issued by the hearing committee is automatically filed with the
board and an appeal is automatically scheduled,” Plattsmier said, “at which
point, no new evidence can be introduced, but they can argue their case.”
The
board then takes the matter under advisement, at which time, they too make a
recommendation.
“If
their recommendation is that a lawyer be suspended or disbarred, then it’s
filed with the (Louisiana) Supreme Court,” he said. “Once the record and
recommendations are at the Supreme Court, then they issue a briefing schedule
and will schedule it for an argument in front of the Supreme Court.”
According
to Plattsmier, only the Supreme Court has the authority to make the final
decision on whether an attorney is sanctioned or disbarred.
Fires plague the parish
The Guardian-Journal photos/Jenni
Williams
Lisbon was plagued with fires last
Tuesday afternoon when two separate fires broke out at seemingly the same time.
The fires were less than a mile apart, with one occurring south of Hwy. 2 just
east of Jack Johnson Road along the roadside and the second occurring north of
Hwy. 2 approximately one mile farther east. Claiborne Fire District 6 responded
to both locations. Above, the fire alongside Hwy 2 quickly traveled to the wood
line. At left, a natural gas line leak caused by the fire burns while crews
located the owner of the pipeline.
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Two
fires occurred within moments of each other in the Lisbon area last Tuesday.
The
first fire was called in at 3:55 p.m. and was located just east of Jack Johnson
Road on Hwy 2. The grassfire was noted by passersby who stayed on site until
help arrived.
The
grassfire quickly spread to the wood line and a well site on the south side of
Hwy 2. The well site, DW Tanner Fee #1, and surrounding woods were brought
under control but the fire had caused a natural gas pipeline to spring a leak
ensuing in a gas line fire.
The
owners of the well arrived and shut the flow of natural gas down, therefore
extinguishing the fire and fixing the problem.
The
second fire was located approximately a mile east of the roadside fire and
appeared to begin on a clear cut pipeline. The fire rapidly spread eastward due
to the extreme dry conditions.
Fire
District 6 responded to both fires with seven trucks and 17 personnel involved
in the containment.
The
Forestry Department was called to aid in the blaze that swept along the
pipeline. A bulldozer was brought in to cut a fire line due to the constant
shift of the fire’s path. Forestry was able to cut a fire stop around the blaze
and allow it to burn out on its own once under control.
Unfortunately
the fire rekindled 24 hours later on the 4th of July and engulfed a portion of
Stanley Washington’s lot located on the east side of that same location.
The
fire damaged a few old cars and two shop buildings belonging to Washington. The
Forestry Department arrived and dozed a ring around the rekindled blaze.
Bernice
Fire had received the initial 911 call and arrived to offer mutual aid to
Claiborne Parish Fire District (CPFD) 6 with the fire.
Firefighters
attacked the blaze from all sides and kept the damage to just the cars and out
buildings.
CPFD 6
was also utilized on the evening of the third with Homer Fire Department at the
Wafer residence just west of Bella Vista Road on Hwy 2. The home caught fire at
dark and was quickly engulfed in flames. The attic of the home had to be
flooded to help cool the structure down.
Hilltop Campgrounds & RV Park announces opening of their website
Hilltop Campgrounds & RV Park (Princeton/Haughton, LA) is proud to announce the opening of their website as of 06/10/2012, online at www.HilltopCampgrounds.com.
Hilltop Campgrounds and RV Park is a work-camper, family and pet friendly park located just minutes from I-20 and I-220. The park is always clean with on-site management and maintenance for a worry free stay. The rental prices include lot, electric, water, sewer and trash pickup.
The park is located less than five miles from Haughton and 3 minutes from I-20 (Haughton/Fillmore exit - Hwy 157 North), and just 10-15 minutes from all the Hottest Gaming Locations in Shreveport-Bossier.
The park is open to the public year round. Features include Fishing and Swimming in their 5 acre natural spring pond. hiking & biking nature trails and beautiful, peaceful & serene surroundings throughout the year.
The park owners stated that "We contracted a Claiborne Parish based website designer, Key-Comp Web Design, and are very pleased with the results and recommend their services to anyone needing a new website or a face-lift of an existing site . Key-Comp can be contacted via their website at www.KCWD.com."
