Karl Malone Gives $100,000
To Boys & Girls Club
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
"Put your
money where your mouth is"....a statement that has been used many times
over the years to prove you believe so strongly in what you say you are willing
to back it up with your money. That is exactly what Karl Malone did. When he
spoke to members of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce in January, he issued a
challenge for business owners to give something back, to invest their money in
their community.
Last week,
Malone was guest speaker at an event sponsored by the Haynesville Community
Improvement Association to honor the Claiborne Boys & Girls Club. As the
Club Director Ron Anderson told of plans to improve the facilities and add
things that would attract more teens. A. D. Williams, director of the
Haynesville Housing Authority and School Board member, was sitting beside
Malone and remarked how difficult it would be to raise needed funds. Malone
scribbled a note and passed it to Williams, authorizing him to make an
announcement. The note read, "I am giving the Claiborne Boys and Girls
Clubs in Homer and Haynesville $100,000."
"It costs
approximately $1,175.00 per year to serve one child. The incarceration cost for
one youth for a year is $126,780.00. It is obvious that donation to our
services is not only an investment, but an opportunity to improve the community
one youth at a time," Anderson said.
Designated
space will be set aside for teens at both Homer and Haynesville. Centers will
be equipped with laptop computers, wireless internet access, video games, pool
and foosball tables, as well as educational games and activities. All age
children will have access to the center on a rotating basis under constant
supervision by their staff of eleven employees.
A much-needed
fenced play area will be provided at Haynesville which will include a basketball
court. Although the Clubs are presently open from 3-7 PM Monday - Friday,
Anderson said they were considering opening Teen Centers on Friday and Saturday
nights as well.
Anderson said,
"Karl Malone has propelled the Boys & Girls Clubs of Claiborne to the
next level of service. Our youth will prosper, and we are going to continue to
challenge then to show their appreciation by striving to do and be their
best."
Teens
interested in joining must be in regular attendance at school. They will need
to fill out a parental consent form which is available at either
Club and pay the annual membership fee of $10.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MOVIE
"PREMONITION" Ned Shapiro (Location Manager)
and Ed Lipscomb (Asst. Location Manager) met with Parish Road Superintendent
Dean Busby, newly appointed Superintendent Tommy Durrett, and Homer Mayor Huey
Dean last Friday to discuss the filming of a "fiery crash scene" on
this stretch of La. 2 just west of Homer during the first week of April.
La. 2 Selected For Fiery Crash
Scene In Sandra
Bullock’s New Film
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
A section of
La. 2 approximately 3 miles west of Homer has been selected for filming of a
key scene in Sandra Bullock new film "Premonition". Bullock, one of
Hollywood's most sought-after leading ladies, and her husband, played by Julian
McMahon who stars in the television series "Nip/Tuck" and who
recently starred as a villain in the movie "Fantastic Four", will be
on the site at least one day for filming.
Bullock and
McMahon will be traveling east on La. 2 when they hit head-on with an
18-wheeler, causing a huge explosion. McMahon is killed, which sets the stage
for the rest of the movie. Bullock and McMahon will, of course, be replaced by
stunt drivers for the fiery crash scene.
The Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development will close the portion of La. 2
between Hwy. 540 and Hwy. 3062 the first week of April for filming.
Detours will be set up. Local residents will be personally notified in advance.
Absolutely no spectators will be allowed on the scene due to the danger. .
Location
Manager Ned Shapiro and Asst. Manager Ed Lipscomb were responsible for selecting
the site of the crash. Shapiro's last film was "Dukes of Hazzard"
which was filmed in Clinton, Louisiana.
Shapiro said
this will wrap up filming on the movie, however, it
will take up to six months to finish the editing, adding the musical score and
sound effects. It will be up to the studio to decide when to release the movie
to the public.
HOMER POLICE CHIEF RUSSELL MILLS was officially sworn in Friday by Clerk of Court Patrick Gladney. Mills
will fill the unexpired term of Rodney Hollenshead through December 31, 2006.
Area Citizens Warned Of Bank Scam
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police
Chief Russell Mills is warning residents in the Town of Homer and surrounding
area to be aware of a possible bank scam. He received a report last week that
one customer of First Guaranty Bank was forced to close their bank account
after giving personal information over the telephone to a person posing as a
bank employee. Mills advises everyone they should never give out any personal
information over the telephone.
Loy Weaver, president of First Guaranty Bank, and Terry Shelton,
branch manager at Regions Bank in Homer, agree. Shelton said, "We advise
customers all time, don't give out any information over the telephone."
Weaver said First Guaranty will be placing a bold notice on bank statements
advising customers that "First Guaranty Bank will never call you and tell
you to give out information over the telephone."
First Guaranty
Bank, Regions Bank, and Hibernia National Bank all received a number of calls
from customers over the past two weeks, saying they had been called by a person
soliciting personal information on their account. They would first say,
"This is the bank." They would then claim to be having trouble with
the person's account and need to verify information on their bank account. One
of First Guaranty's customers was forced to close their account after releasing
some information to a caller.
Shelton said
these scam artists seem to target elderly people. Once callers trick a person
into giving information about their account and their social security number,
they try to access their account over the internet.
Whether it is
someone claiming to be from a bank, an insurance company, or any other
business, the best way to protect yourself from these
type scams or from identity theft is to never give out any personal information
over the phone. Anyone who has received a call and given out any information
over the telephone should call their local bank immediately—First Guaranty Bank
at 927-3000, Regions Bank at 927-9626, or Hibernia Bank at 927-9666.
Sheriff Ken Bailey Seeks Citizen Support
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
As Sheriff of
Claiborne Parish, I would like to discuss an issue very close to each of
us—crime prevention. My office is committed to making our neighborhoods safer
places to live. By doing so, we will improve the quality of life for
individuals and families...both young and old. It is imperative that we seek
progress to reduce the negative influences that crime has on our children and
to help safeguard the elderly.
In the past
year, this office has worked extremely hard to make significant improvements in
our parish. Through community-based programs and professionalism, we hope to
reduce the number of gun-related crimes, thefts, incidents of domestic violence
and other disturbances. An example of our plans and objectives includes:
∙ To provide officers with the resources necessary to improve
preparedness and response capabilities.
∙ Promote the
importance of Neighborhood Watch programs.
∙ Continue our
initiatives in specialized technical training and the lasted crime prevention
measures.
∙
Protection of senior citizens from acts of violence, neglect and fraud.
∙ Increased drug
awareness through educational programs and services that will give individuals
a fighting chance to lead more productive lives.
∙ We hope to see fewer incidents of spousal and child abuse by
further developing opportunities for law enforcement to work more closely with
shelters and local organizations to provide counseling and support.
∙ We also want to help children by preventing the type of
unhealthy bonds that come from the streets. This can be accomplished by
providing programs that offer productive activities to occupy their time and
attention. These are the type of efforts that can provide positive influences
to enable our youth to grow up to be responsible citizens.
I personally
want to thank all of you for supporting the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office
and for the support of these initiatives—those in place now, as well as those
in keeping with our objectives.
In addition, I
would like to share another unique initiative with you, the Louisiana Sheriffs'
Honorary Membership Program, which is supported by citizens committed to making
our communities a safer place to live.
This important
program enables citizens to make a real difference toward the aforementioned
objectives. The Honorary Membership Program is based on the premise that
citizens and law enforcement officers alike can collaborate to have a direct
impact in our communities. Through membership, citizens can help in a very
practical way.
I invite
businesses and individuals alike to support our efforts by becoming members.
Through your participation in this program, we can continue to provide the
resources necessary to make a difference.
Anyone
interested in knowing more about this very important program may call 225-383-2871
or write to: 1213 Nicholson Drive, Suite A, Baton
Rouge, LA 70802. We will be glad to mail additional information to interested
parties.
I strongly urge
the residents of Claiborne Parish to consider participating in this honorable
program—not only for its monetary support of law enforcement initiatives, but
also for the moral support that unites us in building a safer community.
Volunteer firefighters from Claiborne Fire
District #6 battled a house fire for nearly 3
hours Tuesday morning on LA Hwy 9 across the street from Summerfield High
School. The wooden structure, which used to be the "principal's
home," was discovered on fire just after 9:00 AM. Volunteers
Ken Tanner (left) and Jamie Murray (right) combine their efforts to battle the
blazing structure, which was occupied by the Michael Herring family. No
one was home except Herring's 14-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who escaped
unharmed. The other children were at school. While the cause of the fire
remains under investigation, initial attention is focused on an electric heater
and extension cord in an adjacent carport and the subsequent spread of the fire
by strong southerly winds. Photo courtesy of Rusty Gilbert
Claiborne Schools—100 Years Ago
BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer, The Guardian-Journal
The year was
1910. The oil boom had not yet hit Claiborne Parish. The mule and plow reigned
as automobiles were still in their childhood. Also in the cradle were X-ray technology, the telephone, the refrigerator, even
the zipper.
Claiborne
Parish, however, had 62 public schools in 1910, 26 for blacks and 36 for
whites. Early schools at first were crude structures; some being plantation
buildings. Community churches, often only one room, were frequently used for schools
during the week, then church services on week-ends. Back then, seating was hard
benches with neither backrests nor armrests.
As schools
began to be built, there was a gradual movement away from using churches for
classrooms. Early schools, however, were crude structures with primitive
heating, open wells for water, and no electric lights. Toilets were outside.
Until the 1950s, public school buses were unheard of; hence, both teachers and
students walked to school, some walking up to five miles one way.
Those wanting
to teach were not required to complete any particular course of study. They
could become teachers by taking a test administered by the local
superintendent. Passing the test brought a teaching certificate. Pay was low.
Pay disparity between men and women was common, men usually being paid more.
There were no
free textbooks. Parents bought textbooks for their children. As a rural parish,
Claiborne schools were in session only when children could be spared from the
farm. That was usually only two-three months in the summer. Some teachers
taught for $25 a month, from which they paid $5 for room and board. Salaries
were sometimes paid or supplemented by parents' donations.
One-room
schools were still around as late as the 1950s. By then, school was being held
in winter months too, up to seven or eight months a year at some places.
Teachers routinely taught all grades from 1-7. Overcrowded classes were common.
Some one-teacher schools reported 80 pupils distributed over grades 1-7, all in
one classroom. A standard curriculum included "the 3 R's—readin', `ritin',
and 'rithmatick"—plus language and geography.
What did
students do for fun? No proms or homecoming dances. No parades with
convertibles. No football games with cheerleaders or pep rallies. But there
were usually holiday programs at Thanksgiving and Christmas. There were end of
school term exercises to demonstrate academic achievement.
Also for fun,
there were occasional box suppers. Boys were allowed to select the girl of
their choice to eat with. Many boys were too shy to eat in public with a girl.
Physical
education consisted of ring plays and rag ball. Sometimes they played
basketball on the ground outdoors because indoor gyms were unknown.
High schools
were not common. Eleventh grade was the highest offered back then.
Look forward
in coming weeks to more articles on many of the old schools in Claiborne
Parish. Information on schools and the history of education in Claiborne Parish
is being researched by Linda Volentine for the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum
in Homer. She would appreciate any additional information about any early
schools in the parish, especially pictures, artifacts, or other
memorabilia. Volentine may be contacted at the museum at 927-9190 on Monday,
Wednesday, or Friday.
Local Girl Wins $6,000 On Wheel Of Fortune
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Dennis Copeland of Homer said his daughter, Amanda, always had a desire to be a contestant on Wheel
of Fortune, the game show that airs weeknights on NBC's Channel 6. Amanda
registered on the game show's website to be notified when auditions would be
held in this area, and last summer, she traveled to New Orleans to try out.
Last November, she was contacted and told she had been selected and would need
to be in Los Angeles November 17 for filming. Amanda packed up and headed to
California along with an entourage of supporters—mom Vicki Monk of Minden, sister Haley, friends Candie White and daughters (Ashley and
Alexandra), Amy Tinsley and son (Tyler Lewis).
Filming took
one whole day. Amanda came away with $6,000 in winnings, but as you will see if
you tune in next Thursday, she came awfully close to another $5,000.
Amanda is a
graduate student at LSU in Shreveport, majoring in psychology. She said,
"Most people don't realize how easy it is to get on these shows—just go to
the website and register to be notified when auditions are held in the
area." She came close to
auditioning for Jeopardy two years ago, but was unable to get out of class.
Don't forget to
mark your calendars, Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 PM on Channel 6 to watch Amanda
on Wheel of Fortune, .
Random Act Of
Kindness
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
A random act of
kindness is a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up
a random stranger. There is even a "Random Acts of Kindness
Week" observed every year in
February. Most acts of kindness go unnoticed, but last week several local
churches and businesses teamed up with the Homer Police Department to help an
elderly man stranded in Homer with no money, no food, and no place to stay.
Pastor Jimmy
Simeon and First Baptist Church provided a room for the man at a local motel.
Mann's Handee Pak and Kentucky Fried Chicken provided a meal. The thrift store,
Clothes, Etc., offered the man several sets of clothes and Captain Donald
Malray gave him some shoes. Contributions received from Rev. Willie Young and
New Hope Baptist Church, Rev. David Heard and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist
Church, Rev. Johnny Elmore and Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, and Rev.
Jesse Briggs and Liberty Hills Baptist Church were used to purchase a bus
ticket for the man to Kansas City, Missouri
Homer Police
Chief Russell Mills drove the man to the bus station. He said, "We would
like to express our appreciation to the churches and businesses who came through at a time of crisis on such short notice.”
State Police Launches New
Sex Offender Website
The Louisiana
State Police recently announced the addition of a new interactive website for
sex offenders at www.lsp.org. Information and photos are provided to
help increase public awareness about the presence of sex offenders in local
communities and heighten public safety. Sex offenders have 10 days to notify
police and the sheriff's office of a new address,
however some evacuees have failed to register new addresses. Individuals have
the ability to submit corrected or updated information on sex offenders. Of the
54 offenders listed in Claiborne Parish, 31 are presently shown to be
incarcerated.
