School evacuated following bomb threat
Officials say no bomb found
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Law enforcement, emergency personnel and
school officials were at Homer High School Tuesday morning following a called
in bomb threat to 911. A sweep of the school was conducted by officials and a
K-9 trained in detecting bombs. Fortunately, no bomb(s) were found and students
and faculty were allowed to return to class. All three Homer schools were
placed on lockdown per school board protocol.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
All
three Homer schools were placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after Claiborne 911
received a call of a bomb threat at Homer High School.
With
the threat called in at approximately 8:45 a.m., school officials, law
enforcement and emergency personnel responded to the school. The incident was
still under investigation, but Homer Police are interviewing one person,
Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, said.
“It’s
still under investigation, and at this time, we don’t know if the threat is
real, but we are treating it as if it is,” he said during an interview at the
scene.
Malray
said the parents of the male juvenile they are interviewing are also being
contacted and brought in. The boy was interviewed and released.
Superintendent
of Schools Dr. Janice Williams said everyone at Homer High School was evacuated
to a safe location while officials investigated the threat. As per protocol,
all three schools were placed on lockdown, and law enforcement officials
conducted a preliminary sweep of the school, the grounds and vehicles. At this
time, nothing has been found.
“We
don’t think there’s anything to it, but we have to treat it as if it were a
real threat,” Williams said at the scene.
Malray
said he’s been in contact with officials at Barksdale Air Force Base to bring
in a K-9 trained in detecting bombs to conduct a sweep of the school and the
grounds. They did so and cleared the school to resume classes.
Later
in the day, Dr. Williams said all was clear and no bomb was found.
Homer
Police Lt. Roger Smith, Officer Johnnie Hough and Malray were on scene as well
as Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies Ben Booth, Jimmy Brown and Detective
Randy Smith. Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher and Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie
McKenzie were also on scene.
Teen injured in Thanksgiving accident
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
13-year-old boy is in critical condition after tumbling out of the back of a
moving truck on Thanksgiving Day.
Homer
Police Captain Donald Malray said Thursday, November 22, Cardarius McDonald was
riding in the back of a pickup truck westbound on Hill Street driven by his
older brother.
At some
point, McDonald tumbled out of the truck as it was moving and received severe
head injuries as well as abrasions to his back.
He was
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital where he was airlifted by Pafford Air
One to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. As of press time,
McDonald is listed in critical but stable condition.
“Every
day since Thursday, we’ve had contact with medical staff at LSU to check on
him,” Malray said. “He’s a fine young man and an outstanding football player
for Homer Junior High. We’re asking everyone to keep him in your prayers.”
Lisbon Landing kiosk vandalized
The Guardian-Journal photos/Jenni
Williams
The new Scenic Byway kiosk at Lisbon
Landing was vandalized sometime over the weekend and was reported to the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office on Monday. The perpetrator(s) spray painted
“Man G” on the kiosks and “Grder” on the Claiborne Parish Watershed District
sign. Investigators said they are looking for information that leads to the
arrest(s) of the person(s) responsible for this damage. Please call the
sheriff’s office at 927-2011 or the sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division
at 927-9800.
Haynesville man busted for leaving
accident scene
The Guardian-Journal
A
Haynesville man was arrested over the weekend for leaving the scene of an
accident plus other charges.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday,
November 24, Deputy Heath Tingle was dispatched to a vehicle accident on La.
Hwy. 2 Alternate. While en route to the location, Tingle saw a privately-owned
tow truck towing a pickup that fit the description of the vehicle.
Upon
arriving at the scene, Tingle discovered the driver of the vehicle Seabon D.
Holyfield, 23, fled the scene of the accident.
Deputy
Aaron Christian arrived on scene to assist.
While
searching the vehicle, Christian discovered a white plastic bag filled with a
green leafy vegetable substance believed to be marijuana.
Holyfield
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with leaving
the scene of an accident with bond set at $500, simple possession of marijuana
with bond set at $500 and no driver’s license with bond set at $500.
One Hill Street burglary solved
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
This is one of the two televisions
recovered in one Hill Street burglary. It was set on fire in an attempt to hide
evidence from police.
The Guardian-Journal
One of
several burglaries has been solved following the arrests of several people.
Gemarkus
C. Williams, 23, of Homer, was arrested on Monday, November 19, and charged
with illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities with bond set at
$10,000, simple battery with bond set at $1,000, simple escape with bond set at
$50,000, resisting an officer with bond set at $500, failure to pay child
support with a bond of $2,000, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary with bond
set at $15,000 and simple burglary with bond set at $15,000.
Waltez
M. Williams, 18, of Homer, was arrested on Thursday, November 22, and charged
with simple burglary with bond set at $15,000 and criminal conspiracy with bond
set at $15,000.
Tre’Shavez
Williams, 19, of Homer, was arrested on Tuesday, November 20, and charged with
accessory after the fact/aiding a felon with bond set at $5,000 and obstruction
of justice with bond set at $5,000.
Donvontay
“Lilman” Williams, 17, was arrested Tuesday, November 20, and charged with
accessory after the fact/aiding a felon with bond set at $5,000, obstruction of
justice with bond set at $5,000 and compounding a felony with bond set at
$5,000.
According
to Homer Police Captain Donald Malray, two flat screen televisions had been
taken from the residence of Jakayla Hartwell and sold to a suspect from out of
town. Police are currently obtaining warrants for that person, Malray said.
Waltez
and Gemarkus Williams are the ones said to have taken the televisions. Malray
said the two admitted during questioning to taking the televisions, and police
were able to obtain evidence against them. Citizens phone calls also helped
solve the case.
Tre’Shavez
and Donvontay Williams were also involved in attempting to hide the
televisions, Malray said. In fact, police were able to recover one television
that had been burned in an attempt to hide evidence.
“All
these guys are tied to one family,” Malray said. “Reward money is still
available to anyone who has information that leads to the arrest and
convictions of the others involved in this case.”
A
second burglary in the 1400 block of Hill Street has not yet been solved, but
Malray says they are following up on leads. He said they expect to make an
arrest or arrests within the next week.
In this
burglary, a handgun, rifle, watch and $800 in coin change was taken from the
residence. The home was broken into again, but nothing was taken, Malray said.
“With
the holidays coming up, I urge people to write down serial numbers on
electronics they purchase as soon as they bring it home,” Malray said.
Another
good tip is to never, ever leave electronics boxes outside near the trash bin
to await garbage pickup, because that can make you a target.
If
anyone has any information that will lead to the arrest or arrests of these
persons responsible for this latest rash of burglaries, please call the Homer
Police Department at 927-4000.
Santa Train coming next Saturday
Christmas Festival sure to have
something for everyone
The Guardian-Journal
The
annual Santa Train and Claiborne Christmas Festival are set for next weekend
and there’s something for everyone!
Set for
Saturday, December 8, it kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Christmas Festival, with
Santa Claus rolling through Homer around lunch time. Once all the kids have
given Santa their wish list for Christmas, families are urged to stroll through
downtown Homer at the Square and get some of their Christmas shopping done,
drink hot chocolate, relax a little and enjoy the fashion show that will be
going on all throughout the day before the Christmas Parade starts at 4 p.m.
Below
is a list of activities for the day. Don’t miss it!
Christmas Festival
The
Christmas Festival will be filled with everything one needs to get their
Christmas shopping done early. With vendors set to surround the Square in
Homer, there will be something for everyone. Vendors will include gift items,
food, hot chocolate and more.
New
this year will be a fashion show sponsored by Necessities, nestled on the
Square just across the street from Homer City Hall. The fashion show will be an
all-day event throughout the day to showcase some of the store’s items. Crista
Cheney, Christmas Festival coordinator, said if other stores want to
participate in the fashion show, they may do so.
Also,
Cheney is asking area churches to volunteer to cookout for the Christmas
Festival to add variety to what festival goers can choose from. Any church
wishing to participate is asked to call her.
Booth
rental for vendors is free this year; however, space is limited, so please
register early to reserve your spot.
The
festival will begin at 10 a.m. and go well into the afternoon until around
parade time.
To
reserve booth space, participate in the fashion show or for churches that are
willing to cookout, please contact Crista Cheney at 318-927-5888. Please fill
it out and mail to Steel Magnolia, ATTN: Crista Cheney, 638 West Main Street,
Homer, LA 71040. Or you can stop by Steel Magnolia and pick up a registration
form.
Christmas Parade
The
annual Claiborne Parish Christmas Parade will begin at 4 p.m., with lineup at 3
p.m. at Homer High School.
The
parade committee is trying to make this year’s parade the biggest and best ever
with lots of old and new participants. Whatever form of transportation
participants choose to use must be safe. Entrants are required to provide their
own sign of identification.
Individuals,
organizations, groups or businesses are invited to participate.
Please
send the entry form, which can be found in this week’s edition of The
Guardian-Journal, to the Claiborne Christmas Parade Committee, Laci Lee and
Sacha Matthews c/o Citizens National Bank, P.O. Box 779, Homer LA 71040. Or
call 318-927-1099 to pick up a registration form.
Santa Train
Come
rain or shine, Santa Claus is coming to town! Santa will come to Claiborne
Parish via train provided by L&NW!
Athens
He will
begin his day-long journey in Gibsland at 9:30 a.m. at the E.W. Merritt
Pavilion and make his way to Claiborne Parish, first stopping in Athens at
10:30 a.m. at La. Hwy. 518 and Athens Avenue. A host of activities will take
place as Santa makes his first stop in Claiborne Parish.
Homer
Santa
Claus will stop via L&NW Railroad at Delta Interiors in Homer between 11:30
and 11:45 a.m. Several activities will be going on as the children get to see
Santa and tell him their Christmas wish list. Also, get your picture taken with
Santa Claus. Pictures are $10 and all proceeds will go to the Domestic Abuse
Resistance Team (DART). Also, DART is doing their annual Christmas Cash raffle.
For $1, get a ticket for $300 in Christmas cash.
Haynesville
The
Santa Train will stop at Church Avenue in Haynesville between 1 and 1:15 p.m.
and go to the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex. There will be goodies for
Haynesville Wee Care, Head Start and children in grades Pre-K through fourth
grade.
Santa Train is coming!
Plan to have your picture made
Each
year, Santa arrives in Claiborne Parish on the LN&W Railroad. He comes to
visit with the children at Delta Interiors in Homer. Santa will be available
for pictures with your child. This is an annual fundraiser for DART. Pictures
are $10 each and can be picked up later in the day at Delta.
Claiborne
DART is very grateful for Delta Interior’s contribution to this fundraiser.
They provide the photographer, the pictures and the cards for the pictures.
DART receives all the proceeds from the sale of Santa pictures. DART
volunteers will be on site to sell tickets for Santa pictures that morning
before Santa arrives and tickets will be available as long as Santa is there.
DART will also be selling raffle tickets for the annual Christmas cash
giveaway. For a $1 donation, you can take a chance to win $300 Christmas cash.
The drawing will be held on December 20 and the winner will be notified
immediately.
We will
be looking forward to seeing you on December 8th for the Annual Christmas Santa
Train event at Delta Interiors.
For
more information, please call Mary Ellen Gamble at 927-2818.
Spirit of Christmas Food Drive
applications available
Application deadline set for December 14
Those
who would like to receive a food box at Christmas should pick up an application
at the Homer Food Stamp office or at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury. After
completing the form it should be returned to either location accompanied by a
print out from the Food Stamp Office. Deadline for receiving applications and
forms is December 14. Boxes may be picked up at the First Presbyterian Church
in Homer on December 21 from 1-4 pm or at the City Hall in Haynesville. For
more information call Dwayne Woodard at 927-2222.
The
food drive is sponsored by Brookshire’s and donations for the drive may be
dropped off there in designated boxes. Individual items are welcomed and
pre-packed bags are also available for purchase.
In
addition to the Lions Club volunteers, the 4-H Junior Leaders will be
collecting and sorting the donations.
Boys and Girls Club to temporarily close
for relocation
To
those of you that are not aware, the Claiborne Parish School Board has declared
the old Homer Junior High Building occupied by the Boys & Girls Club as
surplus property. This means that we must vacate the building and relocate.
The CPSB has been very generous in allowing us to use the building over the
years and we are very appreciative. They are offering us the use of the old
5th and 6th grade building across the street where the Alternative School was
located. This means that we will be closed as of December 1. We are sorry for
the interruption in our afterschool program, but it cannot be avoided. We will
start making this transition during the month of December. At this time, we do
not have a projected reopen date for the Homer Unit as the school board must
first move their stored supplies before we can move into the building. Please
accept our apologies and watch the newspaper for the date we reopen.
