Accident Leaves Athens Man Paralyzed
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Jeremy Watkins,
25, of Athens was seriously injured in a one-vehicle accident on Saturday,
April 15 just before 9 AM on Liles Road near Athens approximately one-half mile
east of La. 9.
According to
Sgt. Buddy Merritt with Troop G of the Louisiana State Police, Watkins was
eastbound in a 2004 Ford pickup when he apparently fell asleep. His vehicle ran
off the south side of the road and struck several trees, overturned, and came
to rest on the driver's side of the vehicle. Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office
notified the Louisiana State Police at 8:55 AM.
Claiborne EMS
personnel extracted Watkins from the vehicle. He was then airlifted by LifeAir
to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. Trooper Mark Keough was later notified
that Watkins had a broken neck and was paralyzed from the waist down. Watkins
was not wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected.
Jeremy is the
son of Cindy and Keith Watkins of Athens.
DON "CHIC" CECCARELLI (center) and
wife, Shirley, accept a check for $11,500 from
Claiborne Bass Busters, presented by David Fountain (left) and Chris Bailey
(right), The money was raised through
the First Annual Don"Chic" Ceccarelli Benefit Bass Tournament,
donations, and proceeds from the fish fry held last Saturday, April 15 at
Pleasure Point Marina. Once figures were tallied, the total amount topped
$12,000.
Bass Tournament Raises Over $12,000 For Ceccarelli
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The First
Annual Don "Chic" Ceccarelli Benefit Bass Tournament held last Saturday, April 15 on Lake
Claiborne raised $12,807. After expenses, a check was presented to Ceccarelli for than $12,027 to
help offset medical and other expenses incurred since he was partially
paralyzed in a boating accident on Red River July 9, 2005.
Twenty-eight
boats entered the tournament which was sponsored by the Claiborne Bass Busters,
KRC Manufacturing, and Pleasure Point Marina. The Bass Club also sold fish plates before and after the weigh-in at Pleasure Point
Marina. Weyland Smith volunteered to cook the fish. Boat launch fees which were
included in the entry fee, but were donated back to event by Russell Mills.
Claiborne Bass
Busters and "Chic" Ceccarelli expressed their deepest appreciation to
all the anglers who participated in the event, to Weyland Smith who volunteered
to cook the fish, Fred Smith and Sons, Russell Mills and Pleasure Point Marina,
Homer Seafood, Fountain Farms, Grant Killgore, KRC Manufacturing, Jess
Robertson and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Minden, Ron Neal, and to everyone
who made a contribution.
Winner of the
tournament was Tommy Fallin of Homer. He was presented a check for $500 for his
stringer which weighed 13.11 pounds. He also won Big Bass and $280 for catching the largest bass
of the day, weighing in at 3.11 pounds.
Second Place
went to Harper Caraway and Jacob Caraway with 10.82 pounds. Eric Gaston and
Brian Gaston of Lisbon took Third Place honors with 10.32 pounds.
IT WAS A GREAT
TURNOUT and a beautiful day on Lake Claiborne for the First
Annual Don"Chic" Ceccarelli Benefit Bass Tournament held last
Saturday. More than 28 teams entered the Bass Tournament and many others showed
up at Pleasure Point Marina to purchase a fish plate.
Thefts Investigated By
Sheriff’s Office
$500 Reward Offered For Return Party
Barge
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said deputies responded to reports of several thefts
over the past weekend.
On Saturday,
April 15, two separate calls came in from Seniors Drive just south of Homer on
Hwy. 79 about the same time, regard three bicycles that had been stolen from
two residences. Deputy Matt Harris responded to the calls and recorded
information that would help officers identify the stolen bicycles.
Later that same
evening, Deputy Harris was patrolling the area north of the Senior Apartments
when he observed two young black males riding bicycles that fit the description
of the ones reported stolen. The juveniles were stopped, then
escorted to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office. The parents were contacted.. The case was turned over to Claiborne Parish Juvenile
Officer Ben Booth. All three bicycles were recovered,
however, the third suspect had not been apprehended by late Tuesday afternoon.
The Sheriff's
Office received a call around 10:45 AM on Monday, April 17 from J. K.
"Bubba" Hays, reporting a party barge that had been stolen from his
son's residence on Hwy. 9 south of Homer. The 1997 21' Suntracker barge, a 1997
black boat trailer, and a 1995 Mercury 90 hp outboard motor belonging to
Clayton Hays had been stolen sometime between 7:30 PM Sunday night, April 16
and 10 AM Monday morning.
A $500 reward
is being offered for information leading to the return of party barge, trailer
and outboard motor. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to contact
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office at 927-2011 or 927-9800.
Homer Woman Arrested Following
Confrontation
Homer Police
Officer Ken Wood was dispatched to 1113 Jefferson Street around 4:37 PM on
Thursday, April 13 in regard to a confrontation between two women. Upon
arrival, Wood was advised by Mary Lee Tate that her neighbor across the street,
Marsharia Patterson, had thrown a brick at her vehicle as she was driving down
the street.
Tate turned her vehicle around and headed for Patterson, who
jumped out of the way. Tate then got out of her vehicle, wielding a knife. When
Officer Wood arrived, he instructed Tate to give him the knife. Tate, 19, was
arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a knife, aggravated assault
with a vehicle, and resisting an officer. She was released on $2,500 bond.
Tate appeared
in magistrate court on April 18 and was fined $420 which is to be paid by May
16 or serve ten days in jail. A citation was issued against Patterson for
simple criminal damage to property. She was fined $175 in magistrate court to
be paid by May 16, or serve 5 days in jail.
On April 13,
Homer Police arrested Shamarcus Lewis, 25, of Haynesville for disturbing the
peace and simple battery. He was fined $175 for disturbing the peace. Other
charge was dismissed. The same day, Rochelle Lewis, 28, of Haynesville was also
arrested, charged with simple criminal damage to property.
On Saturday,
April 15, Gemarkus C. Williams, 17, of Homer was arrested for remaining after
forbidden and disturbing the peace. His bond was set at $1,000.
Saquincy Davis,
23, of Shreveport was arrested April 17, after he destroyed one of the units at
Claiborne Place Apartments and threw a television out the front door. He was
charged with simple criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace, and
banned from Claiborne Place Apartments.
On Tuesday,
April 18, Kirby Holly, 36, of Homer was arrested for the theft of a weedeater
from a residence on North 7th Street in late March. The weedeater had been
recovered last week by Police Chief Russell Mills. Bond was set at $2,000.
Other arrests are pending.
THESE LADIES FROM MINDEN contributed to the antebellum ambience around the Courthouse last
Saturday, April 13. Partially closed to traffic for much of morning, the Homer
Square was the scene of more moviemaking. The Claiborne Parish Courthouse
looked like a scene out of the 1860s with Southern belles in hoop skirts and
parasols and men dressed as soldiers with guns from the period. The purpose was
to make a film promoting this area for movie production. By noon, filming had
moved to the Arlington Cemetery in Homer.
$2,730 InPrizes For Claiborne Parish Jubilee
Local Artist June Tyler To Be Honored With
"Best Of Show" Prize
Dr. and Mrs.
David Tyler of Minden are donating the Best of Show Prize in Art for this
year's Claiborne Jubilee to be held April 28 and 29. June Tyler, well known
local artist and long time art instructor, is Dr. Tyler's mother and the prize
is being given in her honor. Examples of her work are on display on the east
side of the Square in three store fronts in space donated by Mr. and Mrs.
Vernon James.
The Best of
Show for Art will be chosen from all entries by artists age 18 and over, both
amateur and professional. The prize is $300.00 and will be presented at 2 pm on
Saturday, April 29 on the north side of the Courthouse lawn following a concert
by the Minden Community Chorus at 1. Their "Fabulous Fifties" program
has received rave reviews and will be a treat for all who can attend.
The Jubilee
Quilt Show is both April 28 and 29 in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office
Complex, the old Homer National Bank building on the west side of the square. Viewers Choice award is being donated by Dr. and Mrs. James
Gladney in memory of Mrs. Etta DeLoach. It will be presented along with other
cash prizes after 2 pm. April 29 on the square.
Best of Show
for Poetry is being given by Dr. T.M. Deas in honor of his daughter Peggy Deas
Godfrey who will present her cowboy poetry in the same location at 10 am.
Prizes will be given to poets of all ages.
Categories and prizes for
adult art entries
Media: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Original Craft
Adults - age 18 and older
1st
Place -
$60.00 + ribbon
2nd
Place -
$40.00 + ribbon
3rd
Place -
$20.00 + ribbon
Professional
1st Place - $75.00 + ribbon
2nd Place - $50.00 + ribbon
3rd Place - $25.00 + ribbon
Best of Show Adults - $300.00
Categories and prizes for
children, juniors, and youth:
Children - age 8 and under Drawing,
Painting, Miscellaneous
Junior - age 9 -12 Drawing,
Painting, Miscellaneous
Youth - age 13 - 17 Drawing,
Painting, Miscellaneous
In each of
these age groups there will be one Best of Show for $100 Savings Bond and
Ribbon. First Prizes are $50.00 Savings Bond and ribbon. Second and Third
Prizes will be ribbons.
Senior Expo Set For May 6 At Homer City Hall
TRIAD of
Claiborne will sponsor the annual Senior Expo to be held on Saturday, May 6 at
Homer City Hall. All senior citizens are invited to attend.
Registration
begins at 8:00 AM. The Expo will end at noon with a free lunch. Information on
health, safety, scams, and much more will be available. Entertainment will be
provided by First Praise Singers. Door prizes will be given, donated by local
businesses and individuals.
TRIAD of
Claiborne is sponsored and funded by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office.
They provide educational materials to senior citizens (age 50 and above)
promoting the prevention or reduction of criminal victimization among them.
Videos are available on fraud and con games, teaching citizens how to protect
themselves against such activities. Seminars are given and videos about
personal safety are presented. Home security tips are also available. The S.A.L.T Council
(Seniors And Lawmen Together) works to enforce programs which will benefit
senior citizens.
For more
information on TRIAD, contact TRIAD officer Eugene Kendrick at the Sheriff's
Office at 318-927-2011.
All senior
citizens are urged to
attend the Senior Expo. Come enjoy the fellowship, as well as
receive lots of helpful information
MAYOR HUEY DEAN signs the proclamation declaring May 4, 2006 the National Day of Prayer
in Homer. Members of the Homer Ministerial Alliance and
Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group.
America, Honor God
National Day of Prayer Theme
"America,
Honor God" is the theme for the 2006 National Day of Prayer. The theme is
based on I Samuel 2:30, "...those who honor me, I will honor..." Let
us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Our nation was founded on
prayer and it will continue to stand strong with prayer.
Homer Mayor
Huey P. Dean recently signed a Proclamation declaring Thursday, May 4, 2006 as
the National Day of Prayer in Homer. He encourages citizens to join in prayer,
asking that God's light may illuminate the minds and hearts of our people and
leaders, so we may meet the challenges that lie before us with courage, wisdom,
and justice. On May 4, the citizens of Homer will join millions of Americans to
observe the 55th National Day of Prayer. They will come together on the grounds
of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse at 12:00 noon for a time of prayer.
The Homer
Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group are
sponsoring the prayer meeting. Prayers will be offered for our nation, its
leaders, local and state officials, law enforcement personnel, and the family.
We long to see
revival and spiritual awakening come to our nation—the kind that changes lives,
ethics, cultural norms, and even the structures of society. In fact, we
desperately need it. But with all the prayers, repentance and evangelistic
efforts over the past decades, our nation seems to be getting further and
further from God's standards. The darkness around us seems to be getting darker
and darker.
We have
observed the National Day of Prayer in Homer since 1993. We pray we will be
observing it for many years in the future. We pray we will have a huge number
of our citizens join together on May 4, in prayer at noon on the Courthouse
lawn, and for the evening service of prayer and praise at 7 PM at Trinity
Southern Methodist Church at 412 West 3rd Street in Homer.
Submitted by Mary Turner, Local Coordinator
American Cancer Society's Relay For
Life Set April 21
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
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
RESIDENTS ON JAMES
STREET in Homer (l.-r.) Genora Brown, Diane and Kurth Tabor inspect this large sink hole in the
middle of the street. Genora's wife Sandra and Tabor have called City Hall
several times since Wednesday, April 5 when sewage began spewing
8"-10" out of the street. Homer Mayor Huey Dean sent town employee
Walter Young to inspect the problem April 6. He told residents that a town crew
would be back April 7 to make repairs, but on one returned until April 13, then
only to mark the street. Brown stains along the side of the street indicate
where sewage ran, leaving a mound of dried residue at the intersection of
Emerald Drive. Health inspector John Warrington inspected the problem on Monday, April
17. Town Clerk Rita Mitchell told Mrs. Brown Tuesday a work order has been
issued and crews should begin work Wednesday, April 19.
Contributions Needed For Fourth of July
Fireworks
The 2006
Claiborne Parish Boat Show and Fourth of July Fireworks will be held Tuesday
evening, July 4. The Boat Show will commence from Pleasure Point Marina
beginning at 7:30 PM, followed by the Fireworks display from the Lake Claiborne
dam at 9 PM. Last year was great, but this year should be as good or better. We
do need your contributions, large or small. Please make your checks payable to:
Claiborne Fireworks, Inc., 180 Post Oak Road, Homer, LA
71040. If you have questions about Fireworks, call Fred Lewis at 927-9180. Boat
Show questions should be directed to Dick Dorrell at Homer Loans at 927-0039.
CBS “48 HOURS” WILL FEATURE the trial of convicted murderer Wayne J. Guidry Jr. on their program on
Saturday, April 29, 2006. Guidry is escorted from the Claiborne Parish
Courthouse last month by Jackson Parish deputies and Sheriff Andy Brown after
Judge Jenifer Clason imposed a mandatory life sentence on him for the murder of
Louisiana Tech English instructor Stephanie Pepper Sims in January 2003. Guidry’s
trial was moved to Claiborne Parish last December due to pre-trial publicity.
