Homer Police Officers
assisted by the Claiborne Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police nabbed
two shooting suspects Friday afternoon in less than an hour. Homer Officer
Norah Banks and CPSO Lt. Jimmy Brown escort brothers Derron
R. Donell, 19, (left) and Ruben Donell
III, 21, to the Homer Police Station. Following an investigation, both were
charged with numerous felony charges regarding a shooting incident inside the
city limits of Homer around 3 PM last Friday, April 13.
Shooting Suspects Caught
Following Chase
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
An anonymous tip came in to the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office shortly after 3 PM on Friday, April 13.
reporting gunshots in Buck Bottom. When questioned about the specific location,
the caller hung up. Within minutes, Homer Police were in pursuit of an older
model yellow car and a white Mercury Grad Marquis.
The two vehicles headed
northeast on Hwy. 9, then took a left on La. 2 heading west. The victim
observed CPSO Lt. Jimmy Brown at the intersection of Hwy. 79 and La. 2. He
stopped and reported the incident. Brown advised other units the suspects were
headed west on La. 2. A few minutes
later, Deputy Matt Harris observed the 1989 Oldsmobile traveling down Hwy. 540
(Ruple Road). He gave chase and immediately initiated
his emergency lights and sirens, however the vehicle continued down the road at
speeds up to 82 mph, almost losing control on several occasions.
After making a sharp left turn
on Hollenshead Road, Lt. Jimmy Brown managed to catch
up to assist in the pursuit. The suspects made a sharp left turn on White Oak
Road. As the vehicle slowed to turn into a driveway, Brown and Harris were able
to position their units to affect a safe arrest.
By the time the vehicle stopped
on White Oak Road, several units were closing in on the two subjects. The Donell brothers were arrested without incident and transported
to the Homer Police Station.
After an investigation into the
incident, Homer Police discovered at least three bullets had struck the 1997
Mercury Grand Marquis driven by George Eugene Shelton, 29, of Bernice—one
striking Shelton in the back, causing minor injuries.
Derron R. Donell,
19, of Homer was charged with attempted second degree murder and aggravated
criminal damage to property. His bond is now set at $65,000.
Ruben Donell
III, 21, of Homer, driver of the vehicle, was charged with accessory to
attempted second degree murder, aggravated flight from an officer, illegal use
of weapons or dangerous instruments, and possession of firearm/concealed
weapons by a convicted felon. Bond on these charges was set at $55,000. He is
also being held on probation violation for a prior felony charge with no bond.
Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills noted he had several leads that indicate there were several eyewitnesses
to the shooting but those persons have yet to come forward. He said this could
have easily turned into a tragedy, had one of those bullets hit an innocent
child. He asked, “Why should we wait until someone is seriously injured or
killed before citizens step up and advise police of what is going on in their
neighborhood?”
This battle to make our neighborhoods
safe cannot be won without citizen involvement. He said, “If you are not part
of the solution, then you are part of the problem.”
Mills said, once again, at a
time of desperate need, law enforcement agencies pulled together. Assisting
Homer Police Officers Norah Banks, J. D. Faulkner, Van McDaniel, and Chief
Mills were off-duty officers Ken Wood and Roger Smith; Sheriff Ken Bailey, CPSO
Deputies Lt. Jimmy Brown, off-duty Deputies Matt Harris, Sedric
Millage, and Paul Brazzel;
CNET Agent James Spillers; CPSO Detectives Duffy Gandy and Randy Smith,
off-duty Haynesville Officer Adrian Malone, and LSP Trooper Mark Keough.
Arrest Made In Firearm
Theft
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office made an arrest on Tuesday, April 10 for firearms that had been stolen
last month. The Sheriff’s Office received a report March 19, 2007 from a
resident on Liberty Hill Road who reported his residence had been broken into
on March 18. He had left home for a short while and when he returned, he
discovered his home had been burglarized and his firearms had been stolen. The
stolen firearms were recovered on April 3 by Deputy Danny Lee.
Warrants were obtained for the
arrest of Otis Charles Ford, 42, of 681 Liberty Hill Road in Homer. On April
10, deputies located Ford at that same
address. He tried to flee but was apprehended. He was charged with four counts
of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, four counts of illegal possession
of a stolen firearm, resisting arrest by flight, and 2 bench warrants for
failure to appear on traffic violations.
Ford was transported to the
Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked. His total bond was set
at $71,500. A probation violation hold was also placed on him.
On Friday, April 6, Deputy Matt
Harris was on routine patrol when he observed a vehicle traveling north on Hwy.
79 north of Haynesville with no license plate lights. He pulled the vehicle
over. After approaching the vehicle, he detected odors commonly associated with
marijuana and alcohol.
Harris administered field
sobriety tests to the driver of the vehicle, Tiffany Gill, 21, of Valley Mills,
Texas. She performed well. As the passenger, Mark Hardiman,
exited the vehicle, Harris noticed the smell of marijuana became stronger.
After receiving consent to
search the vehicle, Deputy Harris discovered a plastic bag filled with a green
vegetable substance commonly associated with marijuana in the center console. Hardiman stated the marijuana belonged to him. Harris issued
Hardiman a citation for possession of Schedule I CDS
(marijuana).
This
Architectural Rendering of the Emergency Room Addition prepared
by Space Planners Architechs, Inc, of Monroe will
soon be a reality. Construction on the $1.935 million project is expected to
begin next month and should be completed in about 12 months.
The Homer Memorial Hospital
Board of Directors voted at their April 4 meeting to accept the low bid of
$1,935,000 by Don Leach Construction. Bob Hoffschneider,
Maintenance Manager, Doug Efferson, HMH
Administrator, and Walter and Robbie Meredith of SPA Architects were present
during the bid-opening.
Floor Plan of Emergency Room Addition
for the Homer Memorial Hospital includes a new 5,048 square foot addition with
a large waiting area, two trauma rooms, and three exam rooms; and renovation of
2,282 square foot in the existing emergency room area to convert to five
patient rooms for visiting physicians and specialists
Emergency Room
Construction To Begin In May
The Homer Memorial Hospital
Board of Directors opened sealed bids on Thursday, March 29, for the
construction of a new Emergency Room in the existing physician parking area and
renovation of the old Emergency Room into dedicated visiting physician office
space. The Board called a special board meeting on Wednesday, April 4 to review
and ultimately accept the low bid by Don Leach Construction in the amount of
$1,935,000. Other bids were received
from Pro-Build Construction - $1,999,839, Traxler
Construction - $2,029,000, and Mann’s Construction - $1,937,370.
The construction project will
begin in May and is expected to take about 12 months to complete. Some of the many benefits to this
construction is a modern Emergency Room with a large waiting area, two trauma
rooms, three exam rooms, a casting room, and an isolation room.
Patients visiting Dr. Christy,
ENT; Dr. Grigsby, Urologist; Dr. John Haynes, OB/GYN; Dr. Haynie,
Cardiologist; Dr. Soleto, General Surgeon; or Dr.
Tyler, General Surgeon, at Homer Memorial Hospital will enjoy a separate
waiting area, five dedicated outpatient exam rooms, and the convenience of
getting lab, x-ray, outpatient surgery, and follow-up care in one
location.
According to Board member
Wesley Emerson, this phase of the project does not include the previously
proposed underground parking, elevator, and moving of the helipad. He said the
Board. He said the Board did not want to overspend available funds and decided
to proceed with what they felt was most critical at this time—upgrading the
emergency room and providing patient rooms for visiting doctors..
Herbert Taylor,
newly-elected member of The Haynesville Town Council, was sworn in at the
Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court office last Wednesday morning, April 11. He
will take his seat at the next regular meeting to be held Thursday, April 26 at
5 PM..
Police Jury Postpones
Recreation Tax Election
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Police
Jury held a special called meeting on Thursday, April 11 to discuss naming
members to the Claiborne Parish Recreation District board created by the Jury
on March 7. President Roy Mardis asked for comment.
Juror Bob McDaniel said he felt like they were rushing the issue when they had
not seen a master plan. The Town of Haynesville already has a recreation
district and passed a 10 year, 5.5 mill ad valorem
tax. Presently they have $238,000 in their recreation fund.
Jim Colvin said, “Our tax is
not meant to replace, outdo or overcome their tax in anyway. It’s meant to
compliment the entirety of Claiborne Parish.”
Ricky Reeves of Haynesville was
totally opposed to any tax. He felt the parish could provide recreational
programs through contributions and volunteer help. He said, “Government cannot
tax any group of people into prosperity.”
Colvin said there are some
things only a government can address. The private sector cannot build roads or
maintain a police force. He said, “There are some things you have to come
together as a community. This is one of those things.”
Scott Davidson said he was
still on the fence, but too thought they were going too fast. He suggested they
delay the vote on the tax for six months to give more time to answer some of
the questions.
Gene Coleman said, “I’m for the
tax, period.” He appreciated all the
effort that had been put into the proposal and thinks ballfields
should be given some consideration, but many other ideas also need to be
considered. He hoped the Jury would appoint good people to the board who will
make good decisions on how to spend the money. “We have some disadvantaged
children that need special attention, ”Coleman said, adding, “All children need
attention.”
Haynesville Councilwoman Rene’
Lincoln-Buggs said she did not know if she was for or
against the tax. She said, “We have got to get out of the box. I don’t have an
answer, but forming a board would be a start.”
Mardis said he signs a check every
month for $7,000 for the Ware Youth Detention Center to house juveniles. We
might look at some programs that deal with problem kids.
Coleman said the junior high
school complex on Pearl Street could be a jewel for us, but it has to be
developed.
Colvin said looking for the
well-being of Claiborne Parish citizens is a laudable goal. He said, “It will
still be necessary today and tomorrow, whether we delay or not.”
Jurors voted 5-2 to table
appointing members to the Recreation District Board and call another special
meeting on Friday, April 20 at 4 PM to appoint the Board. Voting to table were
Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix,
Bob McDaniel and Joe Sturges. Voting against were Roy
Lewis and Mark Furlow.
Jurors voted to increase the
number of members on the board from five to seven and to accept letters of
consideration until April 18 from persons interested in serving on the Board.
By a vote of 4-3, the Jury
voted to suspend the tax election. Voting for were Davidson, Penix, McDaniel and Adkins. Voting against were Sturges, Furlow, and Lewis.
Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne
Woodard said there would be a cost to cancel the election, but the State was
unable to tell him how much it would be.
Rec
District Will Have Far Reaching Effect
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The creation of a parishwide Recreation District and the calling of a 1/4%
sales tax election on May 5 was about more than building a baseball or softball
complex at the David Wade Correctional Center. It was about more than providing
one sports activity for 400 children in Claiborne Parish. It was about creating
a comprehensive year-round recreation program to benefit both children and
adults. It was about giving our youth some organized structured activities that
promote healthy exercise while teaching discipline, teamwork, character, and
building relationships.
Several years ago, a group of
individuals began discussing plans to develop such a program in Claiborne
Parish. They realized a Recreation District had been formed in all the neighboring
parishes along with appropriate funding. A Recreation District had even been
formed and an advalorem tax approved in 1991 in two
wards in North Claiborne Parish to provide funding for recreation programs in
the Town of Haynesville. It apparently
was not enough.
The baseball and softball
programs have been growing, with about 400 participants. Although new fields
were added in the 1990s, the program still struggled to find ample room for
practice. Current facilities could not accomodate
hosting a state tournament which could boost the local economy by bringing
teams and spectators. They begin to look for property to construct two ball
complexes (one baseball, one softball) with concession stands, scoreboards and
bathrooms, but were unsuccessful.
They remembered a number of
years ago, David Wade Correctional Center had offered to donate 80 acres on
Hwy. 520 across from the prison to be used for recreation, specifically ballfields. Jim Colvin, Glen Kyle, and David Newell
approached Wade to see if the offer was still good. Although DOC Secretary
Richard Stalder was still willing to offer the land,
he could not guarantee his successor would agree. With his impending
retirement, it was decided to move ahead.
A proposal was presented to the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury in March. The Jury voted to create the Claiborne
Parish Recreation District and to call for an election for a 1/4 cent sales tax
on May 5. The anticipated yearly income would be approximately $350,000 per
year, for a total of $5.25 million over the next 15 years.
A proposed budget was presented
to the Jury which estimated the cost of the ball complexes to be about $1.3
million. The remainder of the money, close to $4 million, would be spent to
hire a parishwide recreaton
manager, to pay utility and maintenance costs, to provide additional funding
for recreational areas throughout the parish such as swimming pools, golf
courses, parks and playgrounds. The goal would be to seek a comprehensive
approach to improveing recreation throughout the parish,
for all citizens, young and old alike. The possibility of obtaining additional
grant funds would provide for further improvements.
Five names were suggested for
the Recreation District Board: 1) Ronnie Fields, 2) Chad Reeder, 3) Glen Kyle,
4) David Newell, and 5) Marcus Jackson. These individuals have been involved
with the youth for many years. as coaches and teachers. Fields is a teacher and
coach at Haynesville High and serves as recreation director for the Town of
Haynesville. Kyle is a teacher at Homer High and serves as head football coach.
Jackson is a teacher and coach at Athen High School.
Providing recreation activities for the youth in Claiborne Parish has been a
goal of Homer Mayor David Newell for more than 20 years.
Jackson said, “I think the
Recreation District will be great. It would create a positive and safe
environment for the kids of Claiborne Parish, and hopefully with use of the
program, it will allow kids to participate in educational programs and
extracurricular activies to keep them occupied after
school and throughout the summer months.” He said he believed the program would
keep kids off the streets and help deter them from deviant behavior. He said, “We have a big problem with youth
throughout the parish and this will be very helpful.”
Colvin and Kyle would like to
work with the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club and the Claiborne Parish School
Board to provide meaningful programs in the Pearl Street facility. Besides a
basketball program, they could have a community center with a variety of
educational and recreational activities, for the young and our senior citizens.
Besides softball, baseball, football, basketball, and soccer, other activities
could include tennis, ping pong, dancing, skating, skateboarding, arts and
crafts, drama, and exercise.
Homer has two swimming pools.
Both need a lot of costly maintenance, but are only open a couple of months
each year. An indoor swimming pool could provide year round use, for swim teams
as well as exercise for our senior citizens.
The School Board plans to
construct a new track as part of the Homer School project. Newell said this was
one of several areas the Recreation District could work with other groups to
provide facilities for the citizens. With the loss of sales tax in the Town of
Homer due to the closing of Wal-Mart, it is going to be increasingly difficult
to maintain recreational areas.
Kyle and Colvin have been
working with the youth for years as volunteers and organizers of the summer
baseball program. Both realize how much time and dedication it takes volunteers
to run any program and they realize the future of these programs depend on
funding. Kyle said, “If you look at the recreation programs in neighboring
parishes, such as Arcadia and Minden, you realize how we are falling behind.”
The proposed recreation tax could have far reaching benefit.
“I, for one, am more concerned
about the direction this parish is going in, rather than who is doing what,”
said Newell. This is more than basketball or baseball. It is a retirement and industiral inducement program.
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will appoint
the Recreation District Board at a special called meeting on Friday, April 20
at 4 PM. The May 5 sales tax proposition has been postponed until a more
concise plan can be developed and the citizens of Claiborne Parish can be
better informed.
Summerfield High School was recognized as a
School of Exemplary Academic Growth for 2006 at the regular school board
meeting held last week. Superintendent James Scriber and Summerfield Principal
D’Arcy Stevens hold up the banner to be displayed at the school.
Class C State Runnerup!! The
Athens High Basketball Team was recognized by the School Board at their regular
meeting last week (front row, l.-r.) Marquez McCline,
Christopher Kimble, Willie Cato, Jr., Coach Leroy Hamilton, Jr., (2nd row)
Coach Marcus Jackson, Bobby Tobin, Mikadrian Shelton,
Darius Franklin, Kenneth Manuel, (3rd row) Jimmy Shine, Jr., Devarious Critton, Mardezeo Allen, Ramundro Knowles,
(back row) Russell Thornton, Avery Weathers, Antoine Jones, and Kerry Rabb.
CPSB Tables Re-Vote On
Recent Pay Raise
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish School Board
voted to table a vote on the pay raise for board members due to the absence of
President Will Maddox and Vice-President Vera Meadors.
Superintendent James Scriber and Attorney Jim Hatch explained the vote to raise
the pay of school board members at the March meeting was not in compliance with
the law. Hatch said the law required two public notices prior to the meeting
and approval by two-thirds of the membership of the board, not just those
present. Approval would need seven votes. Blake Hemphill was the only member to
vote against tabling the motion.
The Board did agree to allow
public comment. Local resident Don Grimes, who moved to Claiborne Parish
several years ago, was the only person to comment. He had served as an elected
official for many years and understood the cost of serving. It is a job where
you decide to work for the community and salary should not be a major
importance. He said, “I want to go on record, saying I oppose any increase for
the School Board.” He felt it inappropriate after making cuts in other areas.
“I would be very disappointed if whoever represents me would vote in favor of
any increase.” He stated the vote to lower the salary to $200 might not have
been legal either and they might have to go back to $400 per month.
Scriber said he would seek an
opinion from their attorney.
Hemphill said last year the
Board voted unanimously to lower their salary from $400 to $200 per month.
There were lots of comments, it was a political move, that after the first of
the year, the Board would raise their salary above what it was before. He said,
“I personally think it should stay at the $200
per month figure.”
The Board approved the contract
with new superintendent Wayne King and voted to advertise for the assistant
principal position at Haynesville Jr./Sr. High.
Members of the Athens High
School Boys’ basketball team and coaches were recognized by the School Board
for advancing to the State Championship game and taking second place in Class
C.
Scriber said, “I saw them play
the final and the semifinals. They did great. They represent their school and
their parish so well.” He said he was pleased at how well they looked and how
well they behaved themselves.
Summerfield High School was
recognized for being a School of Exemplary Growth. Scriber presented a banner
to Principal D’Arcy Stevens to be displayed at the school. Stevens commended
his staff for working so hard to prepare the students. The school will also
receive a cash reward of $9,731.
Scriber said school performance
scores have certain goals to meet. The score you make this year determines what
the goal will be next year. It is always going up. The State’s goal is for
every school to reach a score of 120. He said, “The State has set everyone up
to fail. It is going to happen.” ….more
Senior Expo Set For
Saturday May 19 At Homer City Hall
The S.A.L.T. Council of the
Claiborne Parish TRIAD invites all senior citizens to the annual Senior Expo to
be held Saturday, May 19 at Homer City Hall. Registration begins at 8 AM and
the Expo ends at noon with a free lunch. Local health and government agencies
will provide booths for helpful information and health checks. Interesting
speakers will also be on the program. Lots of door prizes will be donated by
persons and businesses in Claiborne Parish. Entertainment will be provided by
the First Praise Singers. All seniors are encouraged to come and enjoy the
fellowship as well as receive helpful information. For information, call TRIAD
of Claiborne at the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011.
American Cancer Society’s
Relay For Life Set April 20
The American Cancer Society’s
2007 Relay For Life event will be held Friday, April 20, 2007 at Homer High
School’s Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium. Registration will start at 6 PM and
opening ceremonies at 7 PM. The Luminaria Ceremony
will be held at 9 PM where candles shine in honor of those who battle cancer
and to remember those who have been lost. Anyone interested in making a
contribution or purchasing a luminaria in honor or
memory of someone can contact Chairmen Nancy Mason at 927-5217 or 927-5018.
2007 National Day of
Prayer Set For May 5 At Noon
The 56th Annual National Day of
Prayer will be observed in Claiborne Parish at noon on Thursday, May 5 across
from Homer City Hall on the east side of the Courthouse lawn. The theme for
this year’s event which is being sponsored by the Homer Ministerial Alliance
and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group is “America, Unite In Prayer.” All
are encouraged to take a few minutes from their lunch hour to join millions of
Americans to pray for our nation and its leaders, local and state officials,
law enforcement personnel, media and the family.
July 4th Fireworks, Boat
Show Set For Saturday, June 30
The Fireworks and Boat Show for
2007 will be Saturday, June 30. Down payment for the fireworks has been made
and the reservation for Saturday, June 30 has been acknowledged. We are ready
and hope you will join us for the fun, excitement and patriotism. We need your
donation. Please send donations to our new address: Claiborne Fireworks, Inc.
P. O. Box 181, Homer, LA 71040. For more information on the fireworks, contact
Fred Lewis at (318) 927-9180. For information on the boat show contact Dick Dorrell at (318) 927-0039.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
