THE CLAIBORNE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE was
joined by the Louisiana State Police North District Detectives, the Union Parish
Sheriff’s Office, the David Wade Correctional Chase Team, and the State Fire
Marshal’s Office in a massive manhunt for murder suspect Lovell Wilson last
Wednesday, August 30. Wilson
being sought in connection with the murder of 83-year-old Iva Parker of Lisbon. The manhunt lasted more than 24 hours
before Wilson
turned himself in Thursday afternoon.
Lisbon
Women Murdered, Two Arrested
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
When the call came in to the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office last Wednesday morning, August 30, Lt. David
Crump and Deputy Danny Lee were on the scene in less than 10 minutes. The body
of Mrs. Iva L. Parker had been discovered just minutes before at her residence by an employee of
Hinton Well Service. 
He had been called across the street by Parker’s yard man,
when he was unable to get her to come to the door. Finding the front door
latched, the two walked around back and discovered the back door wide open.
Inside they observed blood on the sink before finding Parker’s body on the
bedroom floor, still
wearing clothes worn the previous day. The bed had apparently not been slept
in.
CPSO Detectives Duffy Gandy,
Randy Smith, and Charlie Burford were called to the scene. Once they determined
a homicide had been committed, the Louisiana State Police North District
Detectives 
were contacted to assist in the investigation. A team from the
Louisiana State Police Crime Lab in Baton Rouge arrived on the scene about 2:30
PM and
worked non-stop until late night gathering and preserving all forensic
evidence. This evidence was taken back to Baton Rouge for further analysis.
Investigation of the scene led
Claiborne Parish investigators and LSP detectives to two potential suspects.
Several eyewitnesses placed the two in front of Parker’s home the previous
evening. .
Around noon, Sheriff deputies
went to a residence on La. 2 believed to be occupied by Lovell Wilson and
Franequa Jones. 
At that time, Jones was taken into custody and transported to
the Criminal Investigative Division in Homer for questioning. Wilson bolted from the back of the
house and escaped into the woods. A manhunt ensued.
Joining deputies and detectives
from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in the massive search were the
Louisiana State Police, the David Wade Correctional Chase Team, deputies from
the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the State Fire Marshal’s office. Two
helicopters, one from the State Police and one from the U.S. Coast Guard
offered surveillance from the air. Road blocks were set up throughout the
night. All vehicles in the area were thoroughly searched.
The following afternoon, at
approximately 2:15 PM, Wilson made a call to one of the
narcotics agents and
offered to turn himself in.
Jones was found to have an
outstanding 
warrant from the Ruston Police Department for theft. A hold was
placed on her from Ouachita Parish for violation of probation. She was booked
into the Claiborne Parish Jail, Women’s facility and charged with first degree
murder.
Wilson was transported to the Claiborne Detention Center and booked. He was charged
with first degree murder and aggravated arson. In addition, he was charged with
theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Several
other outstanding warrants from Claiborne Parish were also served.Wilson’s bond
was set at $1 million for the murder charge, $100,000 for the arson charge,
$25,000 for possession of firearm by felon, and $10,000 for theft of firearm.
Sheriff Ken Bailey personally
offered his thanks to Louisiana State Police Lt. Dusty Gates and his officers,
Union Parish Sheriff Bob Buckley and his deputies, Ric Abbott with the State
Fire Marshal’s office, and Col. Danny Mills and the Wade Correctional Chase
Team for their assistance. Numerous tips were also received from concerned
citizens who relayed vital information which led to Wilson’s capture. Bailey said, “It is
through the combined effort of everyone that this situation was resolved so
quickly.”
Coroner Dr. Scott Haynes
ordered an autopsy of Parker’s body which was then transported to Little Rock, Arkansas. Results of the autopsy
performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Frank Peretti are pending.
Homer Man Arrested For
Armed Robbery, Battery
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Officer Roger
Smith arrested Johnny L. Willis, 21, of Homer, on Saturday, September 2. Willis
had been on the run since August 15, 2005 after assaulting a family
member with an ax handle and stealing her purse which contained $300 cash, a
credit card, a food stamp card, and driver’s license.
Willis apparently had been
arguing with the victim’s mother when the daughter arrived at the home on Hudd Drive. After hitting the 34-year-old
woman with the ax handle on her leg and arm and knocking her to the ground, he
then kicked her in the chest. At this point, he grabbed her purse and ran.
Arrest warrants were obtained
on Willis two days later, on August 17, 2005. The purse was found and
returned the following day, without the money.
Willis was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with armed robbery
and aggravated battery. His bond was set at $85,000.
Domestic Calls Lead To
Drug Arrests
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office responded to two calls last week in the Summerfield area regarding
domestic disputes. According to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, both calls
ended with arrests being made for drug possession.
Telvin T. Malone, 29, of Junction City, Arkansas turned himself in to the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, August 31 following a domestic
call received from 153 Helen Johnson Road in Summerfield on Saturday,
August 26.
After arriving at the
residence, Deputy Brian Pepper searched the suspect and discovered he was in
possession of crack cocaine. While attempting to place him under arrest, Malone
fled on foot. Attempts to locate Malone at the time were unsuccessful.
Deputy Pepper obtained five (5)
warrants for Malone’s arrest. He was charged with simple battery (domestic),
simple escape, theft of less than $300, possession of Schedule II cocaine, and
cruelty to a juvenile. Following his surrender, he was booked in the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $5,000 for
battery charge, $10,000 for simple escape, $1,000 for theft, $10,000 for
possession, and $10,000 for charge on cruelty to a juvenile.
On Sunday, September 3, Deputy
Pepper responded to another domestic dispute, this one at a residence located
at 1719 Hwy. 9 in Summerfield. After arriving on the scene, Pepper discovered
Willie James Sumlin, 47, of Summerfield was in possession of cocaine and a
crack pipe. After Sumlin was advised of his rights, he was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked. He was
charged with possession of Schedule II cocaine, possession of drug
paraphernalia, domestic abuse battery, and simple battery.
Haynesville Man Killed By
Bull
A 47-year-old Haynesville man
was found dead on his farm south of Haynesville last week. According to
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, his office had been contacted by Mrs.
Dennis Randle on Sunday, August 27 after she was unable to contact her husband
by phone and wanted someone to check on him.
After arriving at the farm,
deputies discovered the body of Dennis Randle. It was determined that a bull
owned by Mr. Randle had caused the injuries which led to his death.
An autopsy has been ordered by
the Assistant Coroner.
FORTY
BIKERS PARTICIPATED IN THE “LABOR OF LOVE” Motorcycle Run held in Haynesville
last Saturday. The Run raised about $1,100 for the Michael Waits family.
“Labor Of Love” Raises
$26,500
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The “Labor of Love” Fundraiser
held last Saturday, September 2 in Haynesville was a big success according to
organizer and chairman Carla Smith. The total amount
raised for the Michael Waits family was $26,500.
Of that amount, the auction
raised around $7,100, the Motorcycle Run with 40 riders raised $1,100, and the
Fireman’s Boot Drive added about $1,700. The
remaining money raised came from the Walk-A-Thon, the Moon Walk, the Book Fair
and Hamburger Lunch, sales of chances on 100 gallons of gas, and private
donations. Julie Allen of Haynesville was the lucky winner of the gasoline
give-away.
Smith offered her thanks to all
the many volunteers who gave of their time for such a worthwhile event. She
also expressed her appreciation for everyone who attended and who in some way
contributed to make the fundraiser such an overwhelming success for Michael
Waits and his family.
Haynesville To Celebrate Butterflies
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Town of Haynesville will hold their Annual
“Celebration of Butterflies” on Saturday, September 16 at the Claiborne Parish
Fairgrounds in Haynesville. The outstanding slate of speakers this year will be
joined by two gardeners from Mississippi, Felder Rushing and “Dr.
Dirt”. They will present a rousing program from 1:45-3:00 PM entitled Unkillable Flowers—With or Without The Butterflies, followed by a hilarious,
yet fact-filled question and answer session.
Rushing is a tenth-generation
Southern gardener whose quirky, overstuffed cottage garden in Jackson, Mississippi has been featured in many magazines . Among them are Southern Living, Garden Design,
Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, House and Garden, Better Homes and
Gardens, and the New York Times. He has authored 15 gardening books, has
appeared on HGTV and the Discovery Channel, and has written a syndicated
newspaper column for over 25 years.. He has been one
of only six members of Southern Living’s garden advisory board and is now a
contributing editor for Horticulture Magazine in Boston.
“Dr. Dirt” is a retired
Canadian chef who moved back to Edwards, Mississippi to care for his aging mother.
They live in a house built in 1895 by their ancestors. His famous garden has
been featured in Southern Living, on HGTV, and in numerous publications. He has
also co-hosted a NPR radio program with Rushing for three years. Together they
have visited gardens and lectured in more than twenty states. Their program is
available on-line at www.mpbonline.org. Click on “The Gestalt
Gardener”.
Among the festival highlights
will be a “Bugacious Exhibit” by Dr. Randall Adams, professor of entomology at
SAU, and students. There will also be a
Community Art & Photography exhibit, craft and food vendors, Nature
Photography contest, Flower Exhibit & Contest, Water Conservation Display,
and sale of Butterfly plants, books, posters, and T-shirts. Also available will
be construction of take-home Butterfly Towers complete with caterpillars and
food.
The schedule of events for
Saturday, September 16 is as follows:
Saturday Morning
9:30 - Parade with Grand Marshal,
J. T. Taylor, President of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce
10:15 - Parade Winners
10:30-11:15 - Edible & Useful Plants
with Dr. Charles Allen, retired biology professor, ULM and botanist for Ft. Polk
10:30-12:00 - Creative Fun For Children with Nora Garrett, Winifred Cole and Betty
Jordan
11:30-12:15 - Fruits in the
Home Garden with Rafash Brew, Area Horticulture Agent with LSU AgCenter, and
Gary Simolke, Master Gardener and Orchardist
Saturday Afternoon
12:00 Noon - Dump Hatter will entertain
with a medley of Broadway Show songs
12:45-1:15 - Butterfly Gardening for
Children with Master Gardener Liz Wilson and puppets
12:45-1:30 - Outdoors with Plants and
Butterflies with Dr. Charles Allen
1:45-3:00 - Unkillable Flowers - With or
Without the Butterflies with Felder Rushing and “Dr. Dirt”
3:15-4:00 - Native Trees with
Robin Bridges, County Agent with LSU AgCenter
4:15-4:45 - A Garden for Butterflies:
Plant It and They Will Come with Loice Kendrick-Lacy, Master Gardener,
certified in both Louisiana and Arkansas
5:00 - Drawing for Butterfly Quilt
5:00-6:30 - Supper Break
6:30-Until - Country, Bluegrass
& Gospel Music
Sponsors for this year’s event
are the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, the Haynesville Garden Club, and the LSU
AgCenter. For information, call Loice Kendrick-Lacy at 624-1929 or
1-870-234-4910, or email her at .
FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CO-WORKERS surprised
John S. Hightower by honoring his 50th anniversary with the U.S. Postal
Service. John and his wife Linda are shown here with coworkers, past and
present.
John
S. Hightower: “Surprise!”
BY
JIMMY DEAN, Feature
Writer, The Guardian-Journal
Friday, September 1 was like
most other workdays for rural mail carrier John S. Hightower until Homer
Postmaster Gregory Young brought him to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury
building in Homer. When Hightower stepped through the door of the meeting room,
he was greeted with a chorus of “SURPRISE!” by family, friends, coworkers, and
local dignitaries.
Hightower’s daughter Cydni
opened the program by welcoming the standing room only crowd. Jayne Dominie, a
coworker, then shared a poem and song she wrote especially for the occasion.
Next Mayor Huey Dean presented Hightower with an official proclamation
designating the day as “John S. Hightower Day.”
Retired postmaster Buddy Pixley
offered commendation during which he praised Hightower’s diligence in providing
50 years of dutiful service to the citizens of Claiborne Parish as a rural mail
carrier.
Janifer Beaudoin, District
Postal Service Representative, presented Hightower with an “Award of
Excellence” recognizing his many years of public service. Judge Jennifer
Clason, Sheriff Ken Bailey, and Clyde Hightower also provided brief remarks
honoring Hightower’s service to the community.
Springhill Postmaster Frederick
Young gave closing remarks, then invited all to enjoy
refreshments prepared by local postal employees along with a special cake by
Frances Minchew, Hightower’s sister.
911 Remembrance Service
September 14 At First Baptist
The “Men’s Brotherhood” of the
First Baptist Church in Homer will host its annual 9/11 Service and Fish Fry to
honor all Claiborne Parish law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency
response personnel on Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 PM. The guest speaker for
the evening will be Evangelist Jack Daniels of Heflin. Award winning Country
Gospel Singer Brad Mount will provide special music for the event. .
Absentee
Or Early Voting September 18-23, 2006
Claiborne Parish Registrar of
Voters Patricia Sanders would like to remind voters that early or absentee
voting will be held Monday-Friday, September
18-23, 2006. Election day will be Saturday,
September 30. Voters are reminded to bring a driver's license, a Louisiana
Special ID, or some other generally recognized picture ID. If you have any
questions, stop by the Registrar’s office in the Police Jury Complex or call
Sanders at 927-3332.
NEW SIGNS ARE GOING UP ON RONNY G. BEARD MEMORIAL STADIUM at Homer
High, thanks to a number of local supporters who agreed to purchase signs and
to Homer Junior High Principal Keith Beard, who was seen installing the new
signs last week. Sponsors are still needed for other signs. Anyone interested
can call Beard at 927-2826.
Willie Curry Announces For
Town Council
I, Willie “Hog Head” Curry, would like to take this
opportunity to announce my 
candidacy for Homer Town Council, District 1. Curry
said, “I am the one for District 1, and I mean business.”
He said, “I am not running against anyone, but I am
running for everyone. Since everyone cannot vote for me, I am running for those
in particular in District 1.”
“Now, the question is why do I want to be a councilman?
This is a fair question, and I’ll give a fair answer. I want to be a councilman
because I care—I care about Homer and the citizens of Homer. I care deeply and
sincerely.”
Curry said, “I want to be a councilman because I’m
progressive, proactive, and passionate.”
I want to be a councilman because...I’m not a politician.
I’m a citizen who will fight for what is right. When I take a position on
issues, I stand fast. What District 1 needs is not a
politician, but someone citizens can depend on. Here I am, send me!
I want to be a councilman because....I don’t have a
limited vision of Homer or a limited vision of the potential the Town of Homer has.
I want to be a councilman because....I am the best one
for District 1. I am energetic and committed. I believe that the citizens of
District 1 deserve more than “refried beans.”
I want to be a councilman because I feel the citizens of
District 1 have been shortchanged, duped, scorned, blindsided, hoodwinked,
bamboozled, waylaid, bushwhacked, ambushed, taken for granted, lied to and lied
on. The citizens of District 1 are not ignorant nor
crazy, nor am I.
I want to be a councilman because....I believe that the
citizens need someone who will interact with the youth and the community. With
the exception of teachers, I probably talk to more young people than most of
those who are appointed, selected, elected, or chosen!
I want to be a councilman because....I believe that a
change will do Homer good. Here am I, send me.
If the citizens of District 1 want someone who will work
to recruit industry and quality jobs, here am I, send me.
If the citizens of District 1 want someone who will work with
our legislators in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., here am I, send me.
If the citizens of District 1 want someone who will work
to end gang violence and someone who will work to establish vocational training
centers, here am I, send me.
On the other hand, if the citizens of District 1 want
someone who will micro-manage the police department...lay, play and party....,
or if they want a magician, a voodoo man or a clown, I am not the one for them!
If the citizens of District 1 vote for those they voted
for in the past, they will get what they got in the past—nothing!
Vote #68 Willie “Hog Head” Curry—A Voice, Not An Echo.
Wilson
Announces Candidacy For School Board District 8
I, Maxine F. Wilson, 
am announcing candidacy for School
Board District 8.
For the past 28 years, I’ve been married to Cleveland
Wilson, Jr. with two sons, Shavatney and Courtney. I am a retired graduate of Homer High School, Draughon Business College and Bossier Parish Community
College Floral Design Program. I attend Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where I serve in many
capacities.
As a life long resident of Claiborne Parish, I’ve seen
many changes in our community and children. Yet, these changes demand education
remain the highest priority. If we can provide quality education is a UNIFIED
Community, we can produce productive adults.
My contribution to a better community began with
volunteer services to the Homer High School FBLA and the Claiborne Boys and
Girls Club. On September 30th, I ask your support for a more UNIFIED Productive
School System.
Vote #60 Maxine Wilson,
Claiborne Parish School Board District 8.
