The 2007 Relay for
Life
kicked off last Friday, April 20 in Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium at 7 PM.
Carrying the banner and leading other cancer survivors in the Survivor Lap were
(l.-r.) Lavelle Penix, Beverly Volentine, Bettye Frye, S.E. “Stub” Atkins, and
Elbie Dickens. Relay Team members joined in.
American Cancer
Society
Community Organizer Christina Griffin and Relay For Life Chairman Nancy Mason
(left) presented S. E. “Stub” Atkins a plaque commemorating his 43 years as a
cancer survivor. Mason (right) presented a plaque to Scott Suggs for the $2,500
contribution made by Seiber Services LLC of Arp, Texas.
ACS 2007 Relay For Life Tops $30,000
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
For the second year in a row, the American Cancer
Society’s “Relay for Life” has raised more than $30,000 in Claiborne Parish. As
of Tuesday, the total raised so far was $31,737.40. More donations are
expected, including the Red Hat ladies’ fundraiser set for Friday, April 27 at
the Homer Country Club.
Homer High School’s Ronny G. Beard Memorial Football
Stadium was the site Friday evening, April 20 for Claiborne Parish’s 11th
Annual “Relay for Life”. Scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., almost 200
attended the evening’s program which featured inspirational singing, food,
fellowship, and encouragement in the battle against cancer.
Christina Griffin, Community Organizer for the American
Cancer Society (ACS), said this is the 60th anniversary of ACS’s research
program. She said participation in Relay for Life in Claiborne Parish continues
to build.
Griffin explained the “relay” aspect of “Relay for Life”:
“A team is formed representing the support network for each person who battles
this disease. Various members of the team walk laps around the track. As one
team member completes their rounds, another team member picks up the laps, thus
continuing the relay.” Friends, relatives, and others participated in relay
laps around the football field in recognition of area cancer survivors, many of
whom were participating in the relay as well. Those who fell in the struggle
against cancer were honored by many who did laps in their memory.
The evening’s program concluded with the lighting of the
luminarias, well over 300 of them this year. Forty purple luminarias were among
the display in honor of the cancer researchers who won the Nobel Prize and achieved
recognition for significant progress in cancer detection and treatment.
The 2007 Relay Teams were GRITS, First Baptist Church of
Homer, Spillers Appliance & Furniture, 4-H Jr. Leaders, Claiborne Manor,
Homer Hospital, White Lightning-ers, Redneck Tootsies, Southern Ingenuity,
First Guaranty Bank, and Covalence Coated Products
Sponsors were as follows:
Platinum: Seiber Services, LLC, Marathon Oil Corporation,
and Wal-Mart Foundation
Gold: Fluid Disposal Specialties
Survivor Celebration: Brenda G Crank, Carey
Manufacturing, Inc. , Covalence Coated Products, Heloise Lewis, Key Energy,
Southern Ingenuity, and Spillers Appliance & Furniture
Luminaria Celebration: First Guaranty Bank
Silver: Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Homes
Bronze: Murphy Bros. Trucking & Construction
Banner: Claiborne Family Medical Clinic; Colvin, Weaver,
& Cerniglia; and Gibsland Bank & Trust of Athens
Contributions will continue to be accepted through
August. Mail your check today, payable to the American Cancer Society, to
Sandra Griggs, c/o Newell and Newell, P. O. Box 179, Homer, LA 71040.
Relay For Life Rocks! Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit
www.cancer.org to see how you can help FIGHT CANCER!
Don’t Let Cancer Win!
Hostesses in red hats and tables set in red amaryllis
dress the stage for a wonderful opportunity to serve, by donating to the
American Cancer Society. We have a community that is constantly giving and
working toward goals. This day, our goal is determination to beat cancer!
The sounds of laughter of women playing Canasta, Bridge,
Rook and Dominoes will once again fill the air at the Homer Country Club on
April 27, 2007. The list is long for those who make this day possible. Homer
has “bragging rights!” It always makes us so proud of our home town.
Donations have been made for beautiful “Tea Party Food”
by Minchew’s, Tall Timbers, Claiborne Cafe and Upper Crust, all making each
woman feel welcomed and special!
Mary Ellen Lewis is making breast cancer awareness
ribbons for each of the guests; other precious door prize donations include
those from Jenny’s New Image Beauty Salon, Homer Flower Shop, Claiborne Drug,
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, Wal-Mart, Delta Interiors, Miss Lizzie’s, Lynn’s
Flowers and Gifts.
....And The Winner Is .....The American Cancer Society
Arrest Made For Prescription Drug
Possession
Claiborne Parish Deputy Matt Harris stopped a vehicle on
Sunday, April 22 for failing to obey a stop sign. The vehicle with license
plate #TX 66GTV2 was driven by Matthew Lee McCollom, 29, of Forest Mississippi.
After being stopped, McCollom appeared to be arranging something in the
vehicle.
After exiting the vehicle, McCollom was asked to provide
driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Deputy Harris was then
given permission to search the vehicle. He discovered an Excedrin bottle
containing 6 Prozac 20 mg capsules and 26 Fluoxetine 20 mg capsules in the
glove compartment. Prozac is the name brand for Fluoxetine.
McCollom was advised of his rights, then arrested for
failure to obey a stop sign and for selling, distributing, or possession a
legend drug without a prescription. He was then transported to the Claiborne
Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the above charges. His bond was
set at $2,500.
McKenzie Bros. Garage was contacted to tow the vehicle.
Two Local Law
Enforcement Officers successfully completed 12 weeks instruction and hands on
training at the North Delta Police Academy in West Monroe. Certificates of
completion were awarded during a ceremony held at the West Monroe Civic Center
on April 12. Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey (left) congratulates Deputy
Roger Ellerbe and Homer Police Chief Russell Mills (right) congratulates
Officer John Bailey on their certification. Ellerbe was hired as a dispatcher
in August 2005. John Bailey served as a reserve officer for about 6 months
before being hired full-time on July 28, 2006.
Homer Police Make Drug Arrest
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Jason A. Taylor, 22, of Haynesville was arrested Monday,
April 23 following a routine traffic stop. Taylor was pulled over for speeding
on Hwy. 9 in front of the Claiborne Place Apartments around 4 PM by Homer
Police Officer Van McDaniel.
McDaniel detected an odor normally associated with
marijuana. Taylor admitted to have been smoking marijuana and voluntarily gave
the officer a partially smoked marijuana cigarette. A search of the vehicle
revealed a small plastic bag in the glove compartment with a small amount of a
vegetable like substance which appeared to be marijuana.
Taylor was arrested and charged with simple possession of
marijuana. He was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and
booked on $500 bond.
Rafash Brew, Area
Horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter, gave members of the Claiborne Boys &
Girls Club a lesson in gardening Monday, April 16. Members planted several
plants including tomatoes and peppers. Last year, local businesses donated
funds and the Police Jury provided soil to build two raised beds. Brew said he
hopes some of these students will be inspired to start a vegetable garden at
home and that they will understand the importance of eating nutritious foods.
Brew said, “Vegetable seed and plants can be purchased with food stamps.”
Police Jury Names Recreation
Commissioners
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Six of seven commissioners were appointed to the newly
created parishwide Claiborne Parish Recreation District at a Special Called
Meeting of the Police Jury held Friday, April 20.
Letters of consideration were received from the following
individuals: Cris Burnham II and Chad Reeder of Haynesville; Minnie Drew, Jerry
Clements, Gene Coleman, Leroy Hamilton Jr., Glen Kyle, Alecia Levingston,
David Newell, and Ronald Wafer of Homer; Marcus Jackson and Prentis Washington
of Athens; and Scott Greeson of Lisbon. Several jurors indicated they thought
potential candidates were to attend the meeting. Candidates present were Kyle,
Coleman, and Greeson.
Jerry Adkins said those appointed need to be responsible,
fair and even-handed. Jurors submitted names by ballot. Top vote getters were
Gene Coleman, Glen Kyle, David Newell, Chad Reeder. A motion made by Adkins,
seconded by Joe Sturges to appoint these four was approved by a vote of 4-3.
Voting for were Lewis, Adkins, Sturges, and Furlow. Voting against were
Davidson, Penix, and McDaniel.
Scott Greeson and Marcus Jackson both received three
votes. Jurors unanimously approved a motion by Scott Davidson, seconded by Roy
Lewis, to appoint Greeson and Jackson to the Board.
The Jury voted to table the last appointment until the
next regular meeting on May 9. Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Woodard asked if they
wanted to wait until the entire board is appointed before assigning terms.
Woodard said notification was received from the Secretary
of State that the election had been suspended, but he did not know the cost
yet.
Bob McDaniel felt they were rushing the issue and should
consider every possibility and resolve all questions first. One concern was no
agreement on the property at David Wade Correctional Center. President Roy
Mardis said, “There is a need for recreation, whether the property is available
or not..”
Don Grimes said, “If don’t have something for old folks,
and they don’t have ties to any of those kids, they may not interested in
supporting it.” He suggested appointing representatives parishwide on an
ex-officio committee to get input.
Ricky Reeves opposed the idea because ballparks were
being pushed. “When they say I totally oppose any taxation, that is incorrect.
I realize there is certain things the government has got to do,” he said. “We
are talking about a luxury we cannot afford. We are not talking about
necessity.” He asked jurors to show him where Haynesville recreational
facilities were inadequate. He asked, “How much taxes can a below poverty level
income parish take anyway?”
McDaniel could not understand why the parish needed more
ballparks when what we have now is sufficient. ….more
Homer Mayor Pro-Tem
J.C. Moore
signs a proclamantion in connection with the National Day of Prayer to be
observed nationwide Thursday, May 3, 2007. Present for the signing are (l.-r.)
Rev. Terry Willis, Patricia Jenkins, Mary Turner, Larry Maxwell, Virginia
Maxwell, Mary Frances Robinson, Dot Mire, Ben Booth, Dr. Patsy Bates, J.C.
Moore, Barbara Martin, Michael Wade, and Dr. John Markley.
Theme of 2007 National Day of Prayer
“America, Unite In Prayer”
Members of the Homer Ministerial Alliance, the Trinity
Bible Study and Prayer Group, and citizens gathered in Homer Mayor David
Newell’s office on Wednesday, April 11, to witness the signing of a
proclamation declaring Thursday, May 3, 2007, as the National Day of Prayer in
Homer. J.C. Moore, Mayor Pro-Tem, signed the proclamation in the absence of
Mayor Newell.
On Thursday, May 3, 2007, citizens of Homer will join
millions of American to observe the 56th National Day of Prayer as they 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 joining to sponsor a prayer meeting to pray for our nation,
its leaders, local and state officials, law enforcement personnel, media, and
the family. The Call to Prayer at the Courthouse will be given shortly before
noon by the sound of the siren of a Homer police car circling the Courthouse
Square. Plans are for the meeting to be brief enough to enable participants to
attend and have time for lunch before returning to work.
At 7:00 the evening of May 3, a program of “Prayer and
Praise” will be held at Trinity Southern Methodist Church. There will be special
music featuring prayer and patriotism by some of the best singers and musicians
in the community. Ministers from area churches will lead prayer for our various
needs. An area near the church entry will be reserved for cars to load/unload
passengers. Parking is available on the Trinity Church lot as well as the First
United Methodist Church lot.
“This is a tumultuous time in American history. The conflict
in the Middle East, corporate corruption in the headlines, thousands out of
work, families struggling to stay together, and we daily live under the threat
of terrorism. Where can we turn for help other than God?” asks Shirley Dobson,
Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. “We are in desperate need of
the Lord. But how can we arrogantly ask for His blessings and wisdom when we
live contrary to God’s standard of righteous living? It is imperative to
understand that our survival and wellbeing as a nation rests solely on our
willingness to live according to His purpose,” she adds.
—Submitted by Mary Turner,, Local Coordinator for
National Day of Prayer
Claiborne Jubilee To Feature Hands On Art Activities
The Claiborne Jubilee scheduled for Saturday, May 12, in
downtown Homer will feature hands on art activities for the whole family,
thanks in large part to T. E. “Gene” Coleman State Farm Insurance Company.
Experienced teachers will be on hand to guide each work station participant and
special attention will be paid to creating Mother's Day gifts. Come prepared to
be delighted with the possibilities. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. on the
Courthouse Lawn. In case of rain, it will be held in Homer City Hall.
The Jubilee is also seeking donations of ribbons, trims,
buttons, silk flowers, and any still usable art materials that can be used for
that day and ongoing programming. For more information or for pickup, call
Cynthia Steele 318-927-2566 or email .
Thanks to a number of local businesses, Radio Station
KRMD is coming to Homer for a remote broadcast from the Courthouse Lawn as part
of the Claiborne Jubilee. Sponsors are The Raven Bookstore, Delta Interiors,
Michael's Men's Store, Miss Lizzie's, Claiborne Drug, Elite's, Something Old,
Something New, Girlfriends, Merle Norman, Steven J. Koskie, CPA, Mary's
Boutique and the Claiborne Parish Chamber of Commerce. All these concerns urge
parish residents to join them on the square for an exciting day.
“Free” Immunizations At Health Unit
Today April 26
In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week, the
Claiborne Parish Health Unit will be giving “FREE” immunizations on Thursday,
April 26, 2007. National Immunization Week is April 21-28, 2007. Call the
Health Unit at 927-6127 for more information.
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.
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 
