Homer Police Confiscate Weapons From Juveniles
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Police
department issues, recreation programs and facilities were among the topics
addressed by the Homer Town Council at their regular meeting Monday night,
April 3.
Scott Greeson,
911 Coordinator, presented a request from Homer Junior High Principal Keith
Beard, Homer Elementary Principal Pat Lee, and School Superintendent James Scriber
to change the name of Bonner Street to Pelican Drive. He said there would be no
conflict with the 911 office. There was only one rental property left on the
street and that owner took no position, either for or against. Beard explained
they wanted to resolve the issue of the new address before Homer Junior High
moves into the building. The Council approved the street name change.
A similar
request by Billy Kirk Jenkins to rename the west end of South 4th Street to Lee
Nellams Street was tabled to allow Jenkins to get signed affidavits from
residents and to check with any conflict with the 911 office.
Robert Sanders
presented a request from the Homer High Double Play Booster Club, asking the
Council to consider changing the name of Armory Field to the Shorty Garcia
Memorial Ballpark, to honor a man who gave endless hours throughout his life,
who spent endless hours working at the Park when the town had no money. He
said, "Shorty Garcia came every time we ever asked him." Sanders said
the Club would pay for the signage. The Council approved the request. Sanders
invited the Council to attend a ceremony which will be held at Homer High's
last home game.
GERMAN DIRECTOR MENNAN YAPO (center) will make his Hollywood debut directing the dramatic thriller
Premonition set to be released in 2007. The final scenes in the motion picture
starring Sandra Bullock and Aussie actor Julian McMahon are being filmed this
week on La. 2 west
of Homer. Yapo gives the cameraman directions following a shoot where Bullock
drives to the area in an attempt to prevent a "premonition" she had
that her husband (McMahon) was going to be killed in a fiery crash along this
stretch of road. In one of the scenes, Bullock is driving down La. 2, headed
west. She pulls along the shoulder of the road, exits her vehicle, and begins
to look around. The actual crash scene, which is one of the key scenes of the
movie, will be filmed later this week. Debra Simmrin, publicist for the movie,
(right) deals with media during filming and issues press releases. No photos
were allowed while Bullock was on the set.
MEMBERS OF THE PREMONITION FILM CREW set up the next scene for a 360 degree shot using the circular track for
the camera. German director Mennan Yapo stands in the center of the track. The
Ford Explorer that Sandra Bullock drives along La. 2 in this scene of the movie
can be seen in the background.
CLAIBORNE PARISH SHERIFF Ken Bailey speaks to Location Manager Ned Shapiro along the stretch of La. 2 just
east of the intersection with Webb Country Road. Dozens of crew members on the
"Premonition" movie set begin moving equipment out of sight in
preparation for the next scene.
Bass Tournament To
Benefit Chic Ceccarelli
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne
Bass Busters, KRC Mfg., 
and Pleasure Point Marina will host the First Annual Benefit Bass
Tournament for Don "Chic" Ceccarelli on Saturday, April 15 on Lake
Claiborne. Chic was seriously injured in a boating accident while participating
in a bass tournament on Red River on July 9, 2005. He suffered several broken
bones in his neck and back and was in the hospital for four months following
the accident. He was released last November, but continues to have very limited
mobility. He requires both physical and occupational therapy several times each
week. Other expenses include the purchase of a handicap accessible van and
several modifications to his home.
Chic was a
dedicated law enforcement officer in Claiborne Parish for 25 years and a
volunteer fire fighter for the Homer Fire Department for 23 years. He served as
Claiborne Parish Sheriff following Sheriff J. R. "Snap" Oakes'
retirement and served one term on the Homer Town Council in the mid 1990s. An
avid outdoorsman, Chic's favorite sports were hunting and fishing.
The Claiborne
Bass Busters are hoping to make a difference in Chic's life, by working to
raise money to offset some medical and other expenses. Bass Busters are seeking
financial contributions and merchandise for the Bass Tournament. Checks should
be made payable to Claiborne Bass Busters.
The tournament
will be held from
7 AM - 3 PM on Lake Claiborne. There will be lots of prizes and a $500 prize to
the first place winner. Entry fee is $62 per boat with optional $10 Big Bass
which includes the boat launch. Russell Mills said Pleasure Point will donate
all boat launch fees
back to the event.
Beginning at 2
PM, the Club will begin selling fish plates to the general public for $7 per
plate of fish, fries and hush puppies. Weyland Smith, who is not a member of
the Bass Busters, has volunteered to cook the fish. All proceeds will go to
Chic.
Anyone wishing
to donate prizes can call Renee Heard at KRC at 927-3999.
Homer Police Respond To Gunshots, Fight
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police
officers have received several calls in recent weeks of gunshots being fired in
the area of Martin Luther King Drive. On Friday, March 31, officers received a
911 call about 11:30 PM and were dispatched to Torbet Drive regarding a report of gunshots. Upon arrival at
515A Torbet Drive, Chief Russell Mills, Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton, Officers Ken Wood
and Roger Smith, and Reserve Officer John Bailey found Tracy Jones standing
behind her house holding a gun. Jones admitted to firing the weapon in an
attempt to shut up her neighbor's barking dogs.
Jones, 32, was
arrested and charged with violating a town ordinance by discharging a firearm
within the city limits.
On Saturday,
April 1, Homer officers received a 911 call at 8:32 PM regarding a fight on
Pearl Street. By the time the second 911 call came in, at 8:38 PM, officers
were already on the scene. A very large crowd of juveniles and adults were standing
in the road in the 1400 block of Pearl Street. Cars were parked everywhere.
No one was
fighting when officers arrived. Apparently, three adult males, age 18-23, had
jumped a 16-year-old male and thrown him to the ground. Chief Mills said the
incident is still under investigation, but he expects arrests to be made.
Other arrests
this week include on March 31, Shane Smock, 29, of Athens was arrested for
disturbing the peace and Kevondrick Shine, 17, of Homer was arrested and paid
$500 bond for simple possession of marijuana.
On April 1,
Jeremy Willis, 17, of Homer was arrested for disturbing the peace. Bond was set
at $500. Hugh Henderson, 36, of Homer was also arrested April 1 on a bench
warrant issued for disturbing the peace by intoxication. His bond was set at
$300.
URS Begins Field Study On I-69 Corridor
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Property owners
in the vicinity planned for the proposed I-69 corridor between El Dorado and
Haughton were mailed notices March 14., informing them
field work was to begin April 1, 2006.
According to Scott Hoffeld with the URS Corporation, most field work
will begin in mid-April. Activities will include topographic surveying, minor
subsurface archaeological surveying, and both wetland and biological species'
surveys. No mechanical equipment will be required. The project team will
attempt to personally contact property owners before accessing the property.
The letter,
jointly signed by Vince G. Russo, Jr. with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development and Lynn Malbrough with the Arkansas State
Highway and Transportation Department, instructed property owners to contact
Hoffeld with URS Corporation with questions, objections, or comments. Although
the deadline to contact URS was March 31, that is not a firm date and comments
are still being accepted.
The Program
Office in Homer will be closing the end of April. Persons wanting to view the
Preferred Alternative or other project documentation should stop by the office
before April 28. Persons can contact
Hoffeld or Christi Wilson at either the Homer Program Office at 877-886-9233 or
the URS Metairie Office at 504-837-6326. To set up an appointment in the Homer
office, call Wilson at 318-927-7909. Visit www.urscorp.com for more information.
Field
activities will include staking the centerline of the Preferred Alternative by
topographic survey crews. This will
help project team archaeologists and biologists identify the Preferred
Alternative's alignment while conducting their investigations. Topographic surveying will begin first,
followed by archeological and
biological investigations. Both are expected to take about three
months. Field work should be completed by July or August 2006.
One comment
received by Hoffeld suggested the project team meet with landowners. They are
more familiar with the area and can point out areas that could create problems,
saving a lot of time and money.
Information
collected will be used in the refinement of the Preferred Alternative and
development of the Final Environment Impact Statement, which will be
distributed by late summer or early fall
Louisiana's Distinguished Educator
Haynesville Native Honored
For Lifelong Contributions To Education
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Retired
educator 
and Haynesville native J. W. Cook Jr. was honored last December in
Houston, Texas. Cook, better known to many in Claiborne Parish as
"Bubba", graduated from Haynesville High in 1948. He spent his entire
career in the Caddo Parish School System, beginning as a teacher at Fair Park
High School in 1956, then at Youree Drive Middle School. In 1960, he joined the
administrative team at Woodlawn High School which had just opened as a
secondary school in Shreveport. In 1970, he was named principal at Woodlawn. He
maintained that position until his retirement in 1989.
Since 1971,
Cook has offered his expertise and dedication through many countless hours as
volunteer to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Council on
Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For his many contributions to
education, he was awarded the Dr. John
M. Davis Distinguished Educational Achievement Award last December at the 2005
Annual Conference held in Houston, Texas, the SACSCASI's highest possible honor.
Cook is known
in every corner of the state for his expertise and dedication, his diligence
and determination to assist each and every school to get the utmost from the
school improvement process, however, he refuses to
accept anything except reimbursement for his expenses.
He has been a
member of 111 Quality Assurance Review teams, serving as chairman for 94. From
1979-1989, he served on the SACS State Executive Committee and as Chairman of
District IV.
As principal,
he became known as "an administrator receptive to innovative, and often,
untried activities and strategies, seeking always a means to improve for the
sake of the student."
According to
former teachers and co-administrators at Woodlawn, he was "the epitome of
loyalty and devotion to students and teachers. he `ran
a tight ship, reminding his teachers frequently not to forget the reason they
were there.'" Because of that philosophy and his dedication to students,
Woodlawn students and teachers excelled.
Louisiana Tech Professors of Education David Gullatt and Janie
Pardue Hill. in their letter of recommendation,
stated they considered it a great honor to recommend Cook for the award. They
noted Cook continues to be active, energetic, and excited about education.
"He serves as an inspiration to teachers and administrators alike with his
tireless dedication to schools and school improvement through the
SACSCASI."
J. W. Cook is
once again a resident of Claiborne Parish. He resides on Harmon Loop
overlooking beautiful Lake Claiborne.
Harmon Wood To
Sponsor Chainsaw Artist
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Eddie Ralph
Harmon confirmed Tuesday that Harmon Wood Company would be sponsoring
Burt
Fleming to appear at the 2006 Claiborne Jubilee to be held Friday and Saturday,
April 28-29. Fleming, who has taught and
exhibited widely throughout the state, will demonstrate his talents by
producing sculptures on the Courthouse Square in downtown Homer on Saturday,
April 29.
Fleming, a
well-known artist in
the Baton Rouge-New Orleans area, began woodcarving as a hobby in late 1978. By
1986, he was teaching classes in the Baton Rouge area, then later in New
Orleans and Southern Mississippi. His sculptures have been featured on Baton
Rouge televisions stations and in the Baton Rouge newspaper, The Advocate. He
currently teaches woodcarving at Louisiana State University and various Baton
Rouge area schools. His skills as a
teacher are unparalleled. He is able to relate to and instruct both beginner
and advanced students; both children and retirees.
More can be
found on Fleming's work at his website "Wood B Creations" located at www.woodbcreations.com.
Another feature
of this year's Jubilee is a Quilt Show directed by noted quilt artist Nurlie
Foster. It will be held both Friday and Saturday in the Claiborne Parish Police
Jury Office Complex, the former Homer National Bank building. Quilts should be
brought to 507 West Main Street in Homer by April 26 to allow time to hang the
quilt for display.
Entrants to the
quilt show are asked to please sew a double 4 inch placket of fabric to the
back of their quilt, 90 inches from the bottom. This is made from a strip of
fabric the width of the quilt x 8.5 inches. All quilts should have the
quilter's name and contact information sewn or pinned on the back.
The Jubilee
Poetry Contest is open to people of all ages. Prizes will be awarded Saturday,
April 29. At that time anyone entering the show can read their entry.
Noted Cowboy
Poet Peggy Deas Godfrey will perform at 10 AM, followed by the announcement of
poetry winners. Winners who are 17 years old and younger will receive savings
bonds. Adults will receive cash prizes. The Best of Show prize is $300 awarded
by Dr. T.M. Deas. Deadline for entries is April 15. They can be emailed to or mailed to Claiborne Jubilee, 309 North Main Street, Homer, LA 71040.
Visual artists'
prizes will be awarded at a ceremony set for 2 PM. For more information on all
Jubilee activities go to www.claiborneone.org/jubilee where entry forms and rules
are available or call 318-927-2566.
American Cancer Society's Relay For Life Set April 21
The American
Cancer Society's 2006 Relay For Life event will be
held Saturday, April 21 at Homer High School. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 PM.
Anyone interested in making a contribution or
purchasing a luminaria in honor or memory of someone can contact Co-Chairmen
Nancy Mason or Sandra Griggs at Regions Bank at 927-9625. Luminaria can be
purchased by filling out the form in today's newspaper and mailing with your
check for $10 to Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony,
309 Beardsley Ave., Homer, Louisiana 71040. For more info, go to www.relayforlifeclaiborne.org
NOTICE: Town Square To
Be Closed Sat., April 15
Homer Police
Chief Russell Mills released a notice today informing residents three sides of
the Courthouse Square in downtown Homer would be closed to traffic on Saturday,
April 15 beginning at 6 AM to allow a promotional clip to be filmed. Detours
will be posted. Two-way traffic will be open on the west side of the Square.
THE FRONT OF THE N. E.
WASSON house near Summerfield, now the Panther Creek Bed
and Breakfast Inn.
90-Year-Old Wasson Home
Now Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast
BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer, The Guardian-Journal
Built over 90
years ago by Nim Wasson out at Summerfield, the family home lay desolate for
over two decades when Nimmie Edward (Ed) Wasson, Jr., his wife Tara, and their
eight sons began its rescue in December, 2004. By July, 2005, the structure had
been restored and reborn as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast Inn.
The story
begins in 1915 when Ed Wasson's great-grandfather Nimmie (Nim) Wasson built the
house that would eventually become home to him, his wife Katie, and their
children Lovic Alberry,
Robert, Maude, and Belva. Recognized at a distance by his white
shirt, white pants, and white hat, Nim Watson was a farmer who cultivated
hundreds of acres of cotton.
As for the Nim
Wasson homestead, 90-something years later great-grandson Ed and his family
began a restoration that has blended modern convenience with yesteryear's
charm. For example, the structure now has three and a half baths along with its
three bedrooms. There is also a sleeping porch with bunk beds if needed.
Following the
extensive reconstruction two of the four original fireplaces remain. Although
retaining their vintage appearance, these two fireplaces provide modern butane
heat. Wasson replaced the original windows with contemporary ones; however,
instead of tossing the old windows, he fashioned them into novel frames for
family pictures. Throughout the house are many pictures from the 1800s and
1900s of Wasson forebears in these unusual window frames.
Furnishings in
several rooms include old storage chests from an earlier time, contributing to
the bygone-era aura.
Pecan trees
complement the Panther Creek B & B rustic setting along with the
reconstructed barn out back. An old sugar cane grinder for making cane syrup
sits atop a stump in front of the house. Porches with swings and chairs for
relaxing ramble around corners in both the front and rear of the house.
With Corney
Lake nearby and Lake Claiborne less than 10 miles away, Panther Creek B & B
is ideally located for the outdoor-lover. And for those with an interest in
local history, Claiborne Parish Courthouse and Ford Museum are just down the
road about 10 miles. Also only a few hundred feet from Panther Creek B & B
itself is the Alberry Wasson Log House, "the only two-story double dogtrot
log house still standing in Louisiana" according to the National Register
of Historical Places.
Those
interested in getting away from it all or simply wanting more information about
Panther Creek B & B may call Gloria Tubbs at 318-381-9959 or 318-397-2047.
After touring
Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast Inn, one can appreciate their motto: "Where
the pace is slow and the whippoorwills sing."
