Senior Citizens Warned Of
Money Scam
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills is warning senior citizens to be aware of a possible “old school money
scam” being conducted by two individuals in this area. On Thursday, August 10
just before noon, a 79-year-old Claiborne Parish woman was approached by
a very attractive, nicely dressed blonde woman in the Brookshire’s parking lot,
who appeared to be very upset. She claimed a man had almost pushed her down and
wondered if the lady had witnessed the incident. A few minutes later, a medium
built man with dark hair approached her car, stating he had seen the whole
thing and asked the lady if she were okay.
The younger lady introduced
herself, saying she was a Roberson or Robertson. She had grown up in Homer and
worked for a local attorney. The man was wearing work clothes with his name on
the shirt. He introduced himself as either Ned or Ted Brown. According to Ms.
Robertson, she was only trying to return an envelope to the man when he pushed
her. Looking inside the package for some identification, she found a large
amount of cash with a note stating. Here is the $125,000. More
coming. Signed Joe.
When asked what she should do,
the older lady suggested calling the Sheriff’s office. Rather than have
employees at the Sheriff’s office divide up the money, “Ms. Roberson” said she
preferred to seek advice from a local attorney whom she called by name. He was
supposedly visiting a client at the hospital. She asked the older lady to drive
her to the hospital and for the man to follow them..
The older lady was instructed
to park across the street. She waited about ten minutes. When Ms. Roberson
returned, she said the attorney told her he would have to complete some
paperwork, after which the three could divide the money between them. However,
the three would first need to come up with money for the attorney’s fee. At this point, Roberson began to quiz the
lady about how much money she had in the bank or in a savings account, or how
much available credit she had on a credit card.
Beginning to get leery of the
situation, the older lady gave lesser amounts, claiming she had no savings or
credit, and very little money. The lady ended up taking her phone number and
promising to call her the next day so they could divide the cash. The call
never came.
Mills said this is a perfect
example of an old money scam that usually targets older citizens in larger
cities. Had it gone as planned, the older lady would probably have paid an
amount of money, from several hundred to several thousand dollars, then ended up with a bag full of paper scraps. This is
sometimes referred to as a pigeon drop or “found money” scam.
Mills warned that citizens
should be aware that strangers are not likely to confide to other strangers
regarding found money, nor would they offer to share their good fortune. Anyone who is approached in such a manner
should immediately go inside the store and call the police. Honest citizens
will not resist making such a call.
Many times these types of crime
go unreported. Victims of such crimes fail to report them for fear of being
labeled incompetent or they may simply be too embarrassed.
When sharing her story the
following week, another Brookshire’s customer indicated she had been approached
in recent weeks in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Minden by a woman fitting the same
description.
Chief Mills is in the process
of reviewing surveillance tapes at Brookshire’s and Homer Memorial Hospital. Anyone with information on this crime or
others who may have been approached by these same individuals are asked to please call the Homer Police Department at
927-4000.
One Killed In Accident On La.
2
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
One person was killed and two
others were injured when a 1979 Ford pickup truck driven by Frank Turner, 74,
of Claiborne Parish failed to yield and made a left hand turn directly into the
path of a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle. The accident occurred east of Homer
on La. 2 at the intersection of Franklin Estates Road just before 3 PM Monday afternoon, August 21.
The Louisiana State Police report noted it was raining at the time of the
accident.
Turner was eastbound on La. 2
and apparently did not see the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle, Karl
F. Wagner, 44, of Maryland, was partially ejected. His
passenger, Nadezhda Wagner, 25, also of Maryland, was seriously injured after
being ejected from the motorcycle. Both were airlifted by Life Air to the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, where Karl later died. Both
had been wearing helmets.
Turner, who was wearing a seat
belt, received only minor injuries. He was cited for making an improper left
turn. Additional charges could be added, depending on the outcome of the
ongoing investigation.
Neither Turner nor Wagner are
suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs
NEW SECRETARY-TREASURER for the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury is 39-year-old Dwayne Woodard (seated) who began
work Monday, August 21. Assisting him will be (standing, l.-r.) Asst. Secretary-Treasurer Desi Goss and Receptionist/Payroll Clerk
Sheila Washington. Woodard was Senior Accountant for Jaimeson, Wise, and
Martin in Minden
where he had been employed the past 14 years. He is also president of the
Minden Lions Club. Dwayne is married to Debra Baggett-Woodard, a nurse
practitioner at Homer
Memorial
Hospital
for the past four years. They have one child, son Kyle, who will be 3 years old
September 17. The couple plans to build a home on Lake Claiborne
in the near future.
Police Jury Hires New
Secretary-Treasurer
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Police
Jury voted at their regular meeting on August 9 to hire Dwayne Woodard as the
new secretary-treasurer and to begin contract negotiations to offer him the job
at a salary range between $42,000-$45,000. Lavelle
Penix stated he had received three calls telling him Woodard had been told he
had the job and had already submitted his his two week notice. He wanted to
know how this could happen since the Jury had not met. He said, “I would like
to know what is going on.” Several
jurors indicated they were unaware of any decision being made.
Personnel Committee Chairman
Mark Furlow said there were several good applicants. Besides Woodard, other
applicants were Chris McHam, David Knoebel, Lisa Ledbetter, Debbie Shirey, and
William Wideman.
Auditor Melissa Eubanks gave a update on the audit report. She said they only had one
finding, which was separation of duties which is typical for small
government. She said, “The financial
condition looks better.” The Jury ended up with $400,000 grants and
contributions and not quite that many expenses, which increased the net income
in 2005.
The Jury voted to offer
insurance and benefits to the Section 8 Housing Director, Tonya Jackson as
recommended by the auditor. Jackson told jurors Section 8 had 5
new landlords and 84 tenants. Under their new program, they are at 95% of their
goal as required by HUD.
District Attorney Walter May
informed the Jury of plans by the Bienville Parish Police Jury to submit a
request through the State Legislature to be removed from the Second Judicial
District and establish their own judicial district. He said Bienville Parish
has wanted out. One reason is, with I-20, they have consistently led in
collections in the district. In recent months, however, Claiborne Parish has
exceeded collections in Bienville.
May made no recommendations,
but explained some of the advantages and disadvantages in setting up a separate
district for Claiborne Parish. He offered to help if the Jury decided to pursue
a similar resolution. Claiborne Parish would have one judge and one district
attorney, but would no longer share judicial district costs with the two other
parishes. .
Jury President Roy Mardis
suggested appointing a committee to study the situation further and bring back
to the next meeting.
Fundraiser For David Morgan
Saturday, August 26
A Fundraiser for Claiborne
Parish Deputy David Morgan will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church Life Center, 1435 Monroe Avenue, Homer
on Saturday, August 26 from 11 AM - 2 PM. BBQ plates with smoked chicken, potatoes and
beans will be sold for $6. Call Rev. Willie Young Sr. at 927-4777. Sponsoring
the event are Wallace Ridley, Freddie Hardaway and friends. Any donation of
food or funds will be appreciated. An account has been set up at Capitol One
Bank (formerly Hibernia National Bank) in Homer to help offset expenses for the
Morgan family. Checks payable to David Morgan, Acct. #5731326896, may be
dropped off at the bank or mailed to Capitol One Bank, 617 West Main, Homer, LA
71040. For more information, contact Wallace Ridley at 318-268-8427 or Freddie
Hardaway at 318-518-9674.
MICHAEL
AND CARA WAITS, WITH DAUGHTER MICHAELA
September 2 Declared
Michael Waits Day In Haynesville
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Former Haynesville resident, Michael Waits, will be the center of attention in the Town of Haynesville on Saturday, September 2, when the community joins in a “Labor of Love” fundraiser on the day recently designated “Michael Waits Day” by the Haynesville Town Council.
Once a loyal and devoted volunteer fireman in the Town of Haynesville, the 35-year-old son of Mack and Margaret Waits of Arcadia, has been involved in a different battle for the past five years. In February 2001, Michael was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a disease for which there is no cure. ALS is a progressive, degenerative neuromuscular disease which causes deterioration of muscle tissue resulting in the complete loss of muscle function and eventual paralysis.
Since December 2001, Michael has been unable to work. His wife, Cara, who is the daughter of Brad and Faye Phillips of Haynesville, was recently forced to resign her job as the Speech/Language Pathologist for the Bienville Parish School system to care for Michael. Although the couple now resides in Arcadia with their four-year-old daughter, Michaela, the Haynesville community wanted to show their love and support. The goal of the “Labor of Love” fundraiser is to raise as much money as possible to assist the family with mounting medical and other expenses.
Activities for the Labor of Love fundraising campaign include a hamburger lunch at First Baptist Church in Haynesville, a motorcycle ride, walk-a-thon, book and video fair, fireman’s boot drive, 100 gallons of gas give-away, and a silent auction from 9 AM - 12:15 PM.
Registration for the Motorcycle Ride will be held from 8:00-9:30 AM in the First Baptist parking lot. Riders will depart at 9:45 AM and return at noon. Cost is $20 per cycle and $5 for rider, which includes a hamburger lunch. Call Ron Rawson at 624-2817 for information.
A Walk-A-Thon will be held inside the Family Life Center from 9 AM - 1 PM. Call Betty Thrailkill at 624-0194 for more info.
Betty Jordan at 624-1114 can provide information about the Book and Video Fair to be held from 9 AM - 1 PM.
A drawing will be held at 1 PM on Saturday for 100 gallons of gas. Donations are $1 per ticket and available from church members or from Linda Knox at 624-1606. Persons do not have to be present to win.
Local fireman are also collecting money through their Fireman’s Boot Drive. Donations can be dropped in the “boot” at the fire station.
Items in “new” condition are being collected for the auction to be held Saturday morning. Bid sheets will be provided for each item. Bids will accepted until 12:15 PM Saturday. For more information, contact Suzy Allen at 624-0235 or Linda Knox at 624-1606.
Hamburger lunch plates will be sold for $5 each. Door prizes will be given every 15 minutes between 12-1 PM for those who are present. Children will enjoy the Moon Walk and other events at the church.
Persons who would like to make a donation can do so by mailing their check payable to the Michael Waits Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 2021 Main Street, Haynesville, LA 71038.
In spite of their uphill struggle, Michael, Cara and Michaela have remained positive, a living testimony of their strong faith, belief and hope in their God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Labor of Love Fundraiser Committee members urge you to join them in this endeavor by attending the event and participating in any of the events being planned. For those you cannot attend, please mail in your donation. “Your support, involvement, and generosity will not only bless the Waits family, but as God promises, will be returned to you and yours many-fold...
Sheriff Ken Bailey Issues
Warning
On Internet Danger
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey would like to talk to the citizens of Claiborne Parish about a
potentially dangerous situation. In our age of advanced technology, most of the
general public has an enemy in their home. This enemy is a computer in the
hands of a minor.
Internet “chat rooms” have
become a commonplace form of entertainment for juveniles..
The danger lies in the fact that any person, anywhere, any time, any age, and
in any country, can build a profile on themselves (truthful or not) and present
this online. Minors have a tendency to view this “chatting” as a game.
Unfortunately, it can be a very dangerous one. Some people online in these chat
rooms are sexual offenders who use these types of webpages to lure in young
children. These sites are not monitored and unregulated. Minors inadvertently
divulge information about themselves—even to the extent of giving out their
home address, home phone number, and schedules kept by their parents.
Please do not allow your
children to “chat” on the internet without your knowledge of the situation.
Know who they are talking to. Know what they are discussing and why. Know how
much time your child spends in chat rooms. Know your child’s password. Know
that your children are safe.
“THANK GOD FOR THE RAIN,”
was all County Agent Robin Bridges could say when he stepped outside the LSU
AgCenter’s Claiborne Parish Extension Office in Homer Tuesday afternoon.
Although the Hill Farm had only measured about 1/4 (.23) inch rain at 4:30 PM,
the rain was a welcome sight. Temperatures have hovered at or near 100 degrees
for the past three weeks. While some areas received no rainfall this month, the
Hill Farm did record rainfall on 3 days in August—.07 on August 1, .06 on
August 17, and .15 inch on August 18.
August 30 Is Deadline
To Register For September
Election
August 30, 2006 is the deadline to register to vote in the September 30
election. Any changes in voting records,
including change of address, must also be made by August 30.
Early voting will be held at
the Registrar of Voter’s office located in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex
between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday, September 18 through
Friday, September 22, and from 8:30 AM until noon on Saturday, September 23.
For more information or to make
a change, contact Sanders at 927-3332 or stop by the Registrar’s office.
FRED SMITH AND SONS on LA 2 is in the process of expanding their showroom and product lines.
Within a few weeks they will offer work boots and clothing. Smith says, “We’re
not just feed and seed.”
Fred Smith and Sons Is
E_x_p_a_n_d_i_n_g
BY
JIMMY DEAN, Feature
Writer, The Guardian-Journal
Regular patrons at Fred Smith
and Sons on LA 2 are noticing a remodeling and expansion. Weyland Smith says
when the work is complete, showroom space will have
almost doubled. “A year or so back we looked at our operation and decided to
broaden the range of products we offer,” Smith explains.
He continues, “When we opened
in 1975, we offered mostly farm-related products, then expanded to include
lawncare products. Over the years we’ve added a number of other products and
services. For example, we do trucking and are licensed in 28 states. We also
have a dozer and do dirt work. Of course, we still
have farm equipment, but we have added lubricants and oils to our product line.
We expect to offer hunting and fishing licenses within another couple of weeks.
We have ammo, deer corn, minerals, and other hunting-related supplies plus we
sell pet food and pet supplies.”
“And we’ll soon be adding a
line of work boots and clothing. We’ll continue to offer our usual feed and
seed and lawn care merchandise, but we’ll be stocking more hardware items,
too,” Smith adds.
Smith and Sons has a total of
16 employees and expects to add to their workforce within the next year. The
business expects to complete the remodeling and expansion sometime in October.
“Meet The
Pels” Thursday, August 24
Everyone is invited to come out
and “Meet The Pels” Thursday, August 24 at 7 PM. This year’s event will be
held in the air-conditioned Homer High School gymnasium located in the Student Center. A $5 admission charge will
include a ticket for the hamburger dinner immediately following in the
cafeteria. The 2006 Homer High School Pelican football team, cheerleaders, band
members, dance line, rifle line, pep squad, Homer Junior High football team and
HJH cheerleaders will be introduced.
Youth Ranch Suspects Enter
Not Guilty Plea
BY
KRISTI RICHIE, Minden Press-Herald—Special To The
Guardian-Journal
Four more suspects in the death
of a 12-year-old Hope Youth Ranch resident entered not guilty pleas in District
Court Friday.
Jeremy Blanks pleaded not
guilty with Charles Minifield enrolling as his attorney.
Willis Doyle and Marcus Jones both entered a not guilty plea with David Daye
enrolling as their attorney. Tasha Jackson also pleaded not guilty, and Lori
Graham enrolled as her attorney.
All status conferences were set
for September 8 with trial to be held October 16.
Anthony Combs was set for
status conference Friday, but that was passed until September 8 as Patrick
Jefferson enrolled as his attorney.
Combs, Kelton Greenard and
Arthur G. Henderson III all entered not guilty pleas on June 26. Status conference in those cases are also set for September 8 with
trial on October 16.
Troy Hamilton?s
arraignment was continued by motion until September 11 at the defense?s
request.
All were indicted Monday, May
22 by a grand jury on charges of negligent homicide for the death of
12-year-old Alex Harris last year.
They turned themselves over to
Louisiana State Police at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center following the indictments.
All have been free on a $2,500
bond each. Each is facing zero to five years in prison.
Harris collapsed while running
as a form of punishment on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, Marvin said. He had been
running with a group of older teens since the morning hours.
Some of the boys ridiculed and
even kicked Harris, Marvin said. However, one of the older boys did try to
carry Harris for awhile.
Harris’ requests for water were
denied by ranch staff, Marvin said.
At 3:15 p.m. that day, Webster 911 received
a call from the Ranch and dispatched an ambulance. The boy died on the premises
despite every effort to revive him, Marvin said.
State Police conducted the
investigation. An autopsy report said Harris died of dehydration and head
trauma..
Re-Elect Vera Meadors
For School Board, District
7
I am announcing my candidacy for District 7 School Board
Member. 
I am the wife of Mr. Norman Meadors Sr. I have two sons, who attend
Claiborne Parish Public School., Tarez Walker and Norman Meadors Jr. I am a
lifelong resident of Claiborne Parish. I am the daughter of Lester Ray and
Betty Walker and the niece of Mr. Mansfield and Erlene Walker, who raised me.
I received my Elementary/High School education through
the Homer Public School System. I received a B.S. Degree in Elementary
Education and +30 in Technology and Administration
from Louisiana Tech University.
This is my 20th year being employed with the Webster
Parish School System, where I serve as an Administrative Assistant at J.A. Phillips Middle School, Title I Facilitator and
Computer Lab Instructor. I serve as a mentor for new teachers and on the
Webster Parish Steering Committee.
I have also taken an active role with Claiborne Parish
students by coordinating an After School Tutorial Program at Refreshing Springs Church. I have been working with this
program for 14 years. I have always exhibited concern and involvement in the
community through my works in the community-based tutorial network. I believe
that children and teachers are our greatest concern. Our schools should be a
safe haven of learning that exhibits a qualified staff.
If re-elected, I will continue to be accessible to the
teachers, parents, students, and other concerned citizens throughout our
community. I will continue to uphold my belief in being firm, fair, and
consistent in my decision-making when it comes to the best interest of all students. I will continue to be
that positive advocate and confidant for our District, and I assure you, “Your
voice will be heard.”
“A true politician thinks only
about an election; a true educator always thinks about the next
generation.”
Please vote #58 on September 30 to re-elect Vera Meadors
to the Claiborne Parish School Board.
