Attorney files complaint against Town of
Homer
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Following the termination of former town clerk Rita
Mitchell, her attorney, Chris Bowman, has filed a complaint with the Claiborne
Parish District Attorney’s office, citing the Town of Homer was in violation of
open meetings laws.
The letter, dated September 14, 2007, stated that the Town of Homer met in executive session on September 12, after Bowman, on Mitchell’s
behalf, had requested any discussions concerning “personnel matters related to
Rita Mitchell” be held in an open meeting. The mayor and council refused and
met in executive session, subsequently terminating Mitchell’s employment with
the Town of Homer.
“As Ms. Mitchell’s counsel of record,” the letter stated,
“I objected to the executive session, citing to the public meeting laws, as
they are set forth in Title 42. I further requested that any discussion
regarding this particular matter be held in open meeting. The mayor, as well as
the council, refused to discuss it in public.”
Homer’s Town Attorney Jim Colvin stated the town was not
in violation of the open meetings laws, also citing Title 42 as the basis for
meeting in executive session, specifically, Louisiana Revised Statute 42:6.1,
because issues of possible litigation, strategies of any litigation and
allegations of misconduct were discussed.
Mayor David Newell said the issue is closed, as far as he
is concerned, and he is ready to move on to the issues at hand for the Town of Homer.
“I’m very sad about it,” Newell said. “It has interrupted
my efforts; I’ve had to spend the last two months trying to fix an office
problem rather than being able to focus on the trash pickup and on our sewer
plant and on our roads.
“It has taken an immense amount of my time, and we have
fixed that problem, in my opinion, and we’re moving on,” he continued.
“Whatever Rita needs to do or whatever her attorney needs to do, that’s their
business. I’m moving on with running the town.”
Mitchell was terminated, effective September 17,
following an alleged theft of $1,500 in town funds after a customer contacted
Newell regarding a water bill they paid twice. After an investigation, the
state auditors were called in to look into the matter further. Once the state
auditor’s report is complete, their findings will be turned over to the
district attorney’s office. It will then be the district attorney’s decision as
to whether charges should be filed.
Claiborne Academy’s Homecoming Court
Composed photo/K.H. Hightower
Introducing 2007-08’s Homecoming Court...
From left, Senior Maid Allison Lewis;
Spirit Sweetheart Bonnie Wilder; Sophomore Maid Samantha Newell; Queen Hailey
Bass; Freshman Maid Abigail Bass; Football Sweetheart Lainey Heckel; and Junior
Maid Haley Murray. Bass will be crowned during halftime. Also, all Homecoming
queens from 1977, 1987 and 1997 will be recognized during halftime at the game
Friday, October 5. Game time is at 7 p.m.
CNET assists WPSO in truck stop shooting
The Guardian-Journal
Sheriff Ken Bailey announced that on Thursday, September
27, eight people were arrested as the result of a joint investigation between
the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET), the Minden Police Department
and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department.
This investigation was initiated after CNET received
information that Karen Rabb, formerly of Haynesville, was acquiring money from
family members and spending it on illegal narcotics. CNET determined that Rabb
was living in Webster Parish and contacted the Minden Police Department and the
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On September 27, surveillance resulted in investigative
contact with Rabb at Posey’s trailer park on Louisiana Highway 518 in Webster
Parish. During this contact, agents were able to arrest Rabb for possession of
Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) (cocaine) and drug
paraphernalia.
During this contact, Rabb admitted that the cocaine she
possessed was bought from two people that were with her at that time. These
individuals, Jakendrick Montgomery and Angela Singleton, admitted to
distributing cocaine to Rabb and were arrested for distribution of Schedule II
CDS (cocaine). Jakendrick, a/k/a “Drop Dead Fred” Montgomery was also charged
with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and Singleton was
additionally charged with possession of marijuana.
As the investigation continued, these individuals
cooperated with agents, and a phone call was made to Perry W. Montgomery, of 224 Ausbon Road in Homer. During this phone call, a request for a quantity of crack cocaine
was made by Perry W. Montgomery and he agreed to deliver crack cocaine to a
trailer in Posey’s trailer park.
A short time later, Montgomery arrived at Posey’s trailer
park and was contacted by agents. During this contact, Montgomery was arrested
for possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and
conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine).
A continued investigation resulted in a search warrant
for Perry W. Montgomery’s residence in Claiborne Parish and the seizure of
approximately $500 worth of crack and powder cocaine. After his arrest, Montgomery cooperated with agents and contacted Brandon Walker, a/k/a “Nep” of Ruston. During this contact, Montgomery requested to purchase two ounces of crack cocaine.
Walker advised that he had that and then agreed to meet at the Love’s Truck
Stop in Minden.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Brandon Walker, Timothy
Houston and Roy L. Jones Jr. arrived at Love’s Truck Stop in Minden. Upon arrival
of these suspects, agents immediately attempted to block their vehicle and take
enforcement action.
The driver of this vehicle, Timothy Houston, then
attempted to flee, and in the process, tried to run over two narcotics agents.
Because of this attempted murder, officers were forced to fire upon the
vehicle. Eventually, the vehicle was stopped in the parking lot, and all three
subjects were arrested.
Brandon Walker was charged with possession with intent to
distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and Schedule I CDS (marijuana). Timothy
Houston was charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder,
possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and Schedule I
CDS (marijuana). Roy L. Jones Jr. was charged with possession of Schedule I CDS
(marijuana). All subjects were booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center with bond to be set. This investigation will continue with further arrests expected.
Bailey ended by reminding the public to notify area law
enforcement agencies of any suspicious or illegal activity that is going on in
their neighborhoods. Concerned citizens can call CNET at 318-927-9800, the
Louisiana State Police at 318-676-3200, Homer Police Department at
318-927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355 or the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011. Any and all information is
considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
Homer teen charged with forcible rape
The Guardian-Journal
A 17-year-old was arrested for the rape of a 23-year-old
woman after Homer Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Sims Street on Saturday, September 22.
At approximately 4:40 p.m., Officers Van McDaniel and
Keith Ferguson arrived at the scene and questioned the victim. She was able to
give the officers information and the suspect’s name in reference to the call.
The suspect was still in the house and James C. Green,
17, of Homer, was questioned. Once police obtained statements from both the
victim and Green, the 17-year-old was arrested and charged with forcible rape.
The victim was taken to Homer Memorial Hospital for observation and later released.
Green would be tried as an adult, and if convicted, he
faces imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five nor more than 40 years.
At least two years of the sentence imposed shall be without benefit of
probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
In an unrelated incident, a 23-year-old man was arrested
and charged with domestic abuse battery on September 24.
Homer Police Officer Mike Rayburn noticed a vehicle acting
suspiciously in the James Street area and decided to keep an eye on it for a
while. Anthony Ray Futch got out of his vehicle at his residence, and he and
his wife seemed to be having an argument. The two went inside the residence and
came back out after a few minutes.
Rayburn witnessed Futch walk away from his wife with her
following behind him. As the argument ensued, he turned around and pushed her
backwards by her throat and did it two more times.
When Rayburn pulled in front of Futch and inquired about
the situation, Officer Jimmy Hamilton was called to the scene and Rayburn check
on Futch’s wife, noting red marks on her neck.
Futch was arrested for domestic abuse battery with bond
set at $1,500.
In another incident, Loyd Henderson was arrested and
charged with simple battery (domestic violence) on September 22, after a woman
came to the Homer Police Department stating Henderson hit her in the head.
Officer Keith Ferguson went to Henderson’s residence and
spoke with Henderson and two other witnesses.
Bond is to be set.
On September 23, Hugh Lee Henderson, 37 of Homer, was
arrested after the Homer Police Department was dispatched to the 400 block of West 4th Street. Officer Van McDaniel was told that Hugh Lee Henderson had kicked in the
door of an apartment. After an initial investigation, McDaniel found the rail
broken on the door.
He was then informed that Henderson was going to another
residence to threaten his girlfriend.
When McDaniel arrived at the residence, he found Henderson asleep on the floor in the living room. He was then arrested and charged with
disturbing the peace, simple criminal damage to property and entry on or
remaining after forbidden.
Bond has not been set.
In Haynesville, Alvin C. Mitchell, 60, was arrested
Thursday, September 27, and charged with sexual battery. Bond has been set at
$50,000.
Bar brawl at Whistle Stop leads to
several charges
The Guardian-Journal
On September 26, 2007, Deputy Sedrick Millage of the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for an officer at the
Whistle Stop Bar in Homer. Upon arrival, Deputy Millage discovered two males
causing a disturbance. Danny Cato, 51, of Tallahassee, Ala., and Travis L.
Cato, 23, of Hope Hull, Ala., were responsible for the disturbance.
As Millage was trying to obtain information regarding the
incident, Travis Cato turned and pushed a white female who was at the scene.
Travis Cato had kicked a vehicle prior to Millage’s arrival and caused severe
damage to it. Travis Cato became very belligerent and Millage placed him in
handcuffs and placed him in the patrol car.
Danny Cato was found to be intoxicated and the reporting
deputy advised dispatch of the situation. Pafford EMS was dispatched to render
any assistance needed. Millage observed Travis Cato kick the right rear glass
out of the patrol unit in an attempt to escape. While Millage was trying to
restrain Travis Cato, he became increasingly combative. Deputy Matt Harris
arrived on the scene to assist Millage. Travis Cato was subdued and placed
under arrest.
Danny Cato was charged with disturbing the peace (public
intoxication) and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC).
His bond was set at $500.
Travis Cato was charged with two counts of criminal
damage to property, two counts of simple assault, one count of simple escape,
one count of disturbing the peace by use of profanity and one count of battery
of a police officer. He was transported to the CPDC with bond to be set.
In an unrelated incident, on September 30, Deputy Harris
observed a man, later identified as Patrick J. Winzer, 43, of Homer, riding a
bike on Old Athens Road. Winzer had no lighting equipment or proper reflectors
on the bicycle.
Upon speaking with Winzer, Harris noted suspicious
behavior and questioned him about the possibility of his having any weapons or
illegal narcotics. Winzer stated that he did not and gave consent to be
searched.
Upon searching Winzer, Harris discovered two pipe-like
objects (crack pipes) commonly used to smoke crack cocaine inside a Doral
cigarette pack located in Winzer’s left front pocket.
Winzer was advised of his rights, arrested and charged
with possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to comply with laws applying
to persons riding bicycles. Winzer was transported to CPDC where he was booked
with bond set at $1,000.
Man lands in jail after asking
Homer police for help with car
Police find drugs in vehicle stalled in
school zone
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A man who asked a police officer for help has landed
himself in jail on several drug charges.
Alonzo M. Speed, 30, of Homer, approached Homer Police
Officer Keith Ferguson asking for his help early Tuesday morning on Sept. 18,
after his car broke down in a school zone. Speed asked Ferguson to help him
move his car out of the way of traffic.
While waiting for a tow truck to come, Ferguson ran the
license plate on the vehicle, which came back not on file. When Ferguson ran Speed’s drivers license, it came back suspended.
Ferguson asked for back up,
and Officer Ken Wood and Chief Russell Mills arrived on the scene. While Speed
was in the process of being arrested for driving under suspension, no insurance
and failure to register a vehicle, Ferguson noticed a blunt laying beside his
foot.
Upon further investigation, the blunt was found to be
marijuana. Speed gave consent to search, at which time Mills found a small
amount of a “green vegetable material” in the console of the car.
An additional possession of marijuana charge in a school
zone was added to his list of charges because the incident occurred within the
school zone.
After Speed was transported to the Homer Police
Department, Mills looked into a cigarette pack that was found during a search
of the suspect at the scene and found a small green plastic bag suspected to be
cocaine. A field test of the substance came back positive for cocaine and Speed
was arrested again for possession of cocaine.
When Speed was giving his statement, Ferguson stepped out
of the room, and when he returned with Chief Mills, Speed attempted to drop the
small rock-like substance on the floor at his feet. Mills then proceeded to
gather up as much of the substance as possible from the floor and Speed was
charged with obstruction of justice.
Bond was set for each charge as follows: possession of
marijuana, $500; possession of Schedule II cocaine, $3,000; driving under
suspension, $500; possession of drugs in controlled zone (drug-free zone),
$2,000; no insurance, $500; fail to register vehicle, $500; and obstruction of
justice, $2,000.
In an unrelated case, Jerrika J. Martin was arrested
Saturday, September 29, for resisting an officer (interfering with an
investigation) and resisting an officer by flight. Bond for both charges was
set at $500 each.
In another incident, the Haynesville Police Department
arrested Lawrence J. Heaberlin of Little Rock, Ark., on several charges.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI)
first; resisting an officer by flight; speeding; driving on other than roadway;
fail to obey stop/yield signs; and reckless operation of a vehicle. The bond
for the charge of DWI first was set at $750. Bond for the other five charges
was set at $500 each.
Bridge added to state list
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Town of Homer has sent a letter to the State of Louisiana’s Off-System Highway Bridge program requesting that Lyons Hill bridge be added
to their list of bridges to repair.
In July, the south side embankment of the bridge
literally washed out from under the road, causing a sinkhole underneath the
pavement from heavy rains Homer received for what seemed to be weeks on end.
The embankment was repaired with steel sheet pilings that were driven into the
dirt for better support.
Mayor David Newell said state inspectors came to Homer
within the last several weeks and made some recommendations on how to fix the
bridge.
“They recommended scabbing piers (side piers) attached to
the piers underneath the bridge,” Newell said, “side pilings beside the current
pilings to strengthen them and also recommended a horizontal beam and another
piling on the south side of the bridge because the corner piling is gone.”
Although the bridge needs a lot of work, Newell said it
is still safe for drivers cross.
“The bridge is really in good shape, but it’s got four
pilings that are compromised, weak,” he said. “They are still okay – the bridge
is safe, but if we want to get another 30 or 40 years out of the bridge, we
need to take the steps that they recommended to me to do, and that will be in
process.”
Dennis Butcher, who is assisting the mayor in this
particular project, said that although the bridge has been added to the list,
it could be several years before the project actually gets done. The good news
is, though, the bridge has been added to the list.
According to the Louisiana Transportation Research
Center, off-system bridges like Lyons Hill are now included in the joint
state/federal bridge replacement program, in accordance with a 1978 change to
the Federal-Aid Highway Act. In order to participate in the program, bridge
owners, usually a municipality or parish, are required to follow stringent
requirements in order to receive federal aid. Those requirements include:
Bridge inventory verification
Interim inspections of deficient and/or load-rated
bridges
Review of load capacity analysis on timber bridges and
engineering analysis of other structures
Maintenance of load posting signs
Consideration of repairs to improve structural capacity
Maintenance of the computerized database by the Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development for submittal to the Federal
Highway Administration.
Car and Bike Show this Saturday
Photos/Michelle Bates, K.H. Hightower
Don’t
forget the St. Jude Car and Bike Show this Saturday at Lake Claiborne State Park. The park is located off Hwy. 146, just 10 miles out from Homer on the
left. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Lots of fun, cars and bikes to see! All
proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Above, this banner was airbrushed by DWCC inmates, who also donated several
items for the silent auction, for this year’s show. Right, these were the
pennies that were collected for St. Jude throughout the month of September. A
final count has not come back yet on the pennies, but so far, total donations
have reached $2,250. This truckload was taken to Gibsland Bank and Trust in Minden Friday afternoon.
For
more information, call Rickey Bearden at 927- 9740 or 927-9238.
HHS to hold class reunion
Plans are being made for a 10-year reunion for the Homer
High School Class of 1997. If you or someone you know was a member of this
graduating class, please email us at . Class
members are asked to email their contact information as soon as possible.
The reunion will be held next fall at Homer City Hall. Activities will include a family day as well as a semi-formal dinner and dance
for classmates and spouses. If you are interested in attending or would like
more information, please respond at your earliest convenience.
The
following classmates need to contact the board as soon as possible: Tommy Wynn;
Christian Hamilton; Shana Lewis; Whitney Maddox; Daniel Speer; Michael Sanks;
Teresa Dooley; Matt Friar; Jennifer Hightower; Mike Sanders; Justin Baker and
Jason Williams. Contact information is as follows: or
www.classmates.com.
Council passes ordinance to
clean up the properties around Homer
The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Town Council held a public hearing before
passing an ordinance at Monday night’s regularly scheduled meeting placing a
penalty on property owners who do not clean up abandoned properties.
And Mayor David Newell and the council intend to enforce
it as soon as it goes into effect.
“I will make certain that we get letters out to specific
residences and those will be earmarked for cleanup over the next 30 days,”
Newell said. “My intent is to start at one side of the town and work my way all
the way through the town over the coming year. I don’t know how long that will
take, but that’s what the intent is.”
The new ordinance gives property owners 15 days after the
date of notice to begin complying and cleaning up their properties. If clean up
has not begun within 15 days, then the town will clean it up and charge
expenses to the property owners. The amount of the penalty would be $300 per
day if the town has to clean it up.
Newell did make it clear that if the homeowner or
property owner was making an effort to clean up their properties, exceptions
could be made on a case by case basis. Also, he made clear that any homes that
would be torn down meet the criteria set forth before any action would be
taken.
In last month’s meeting, the town council discussed the
ordinance so that everyone was clear on exactly what it means and the penalties
for property owners who do not clean up their properties, thereby forcing the
town to do it for them.
Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins told the council that the
whole idea of this ordinance was to get the property owners to keep up their
own properties.
“I think what we’re really trying to do is to allow the
property owners to clean up their properties, because we’re not in the business
of cleaning it up,” she said. “With the fee being $300, I think that would
entice them to go out and hire somebody to do it for less than that and eliminate
us from having to do it. We really don’t want to do it.”
Newell said the penalty was intended to be punitive in
nature and get the property owners to clean it up themselves.
Councilwoman Carlette Sanford said during the discussion
that doubling the amount would be sufficient. She said that once the expenses
were figured, it would be approximately $100 per day, and to double that would
be sufficient.
“We don’t want to be the richest people,” she said, “but
we also want everybody to clean up their property. We’re not in it to make
money, but we want it reasonable for everyone so that they can do this.”
Councilman Toney Johnson explained that he had figured up
what the cost would be per day by the time he sent out two men to do a smaller
job, including oil and gas, insurance, social security, taxes and everything
else that goes with paying someone to do a job of this nature. He said his
figures totaled $200 per day per man.
“When you figure your entire overhead, $300 is probably
not enough,” Johnson said. “Again, if you put a couple of men out there for a
whole day, if you figure all your costs and cover all your overhead, I think
you’ll find that $300 is probably not enough.”
Councilman J.C. Moore brought up several good points
about the amount that would be charged if the amended ordinance passes in next
month’s meeting.
“We’re talking about two things,” he said. “Just clearing
up an ordinary lot and in some instances, you don’t have to have a lot of
equipment. You’ve got substantial weed eaters and two good men and you can take
care of it.”
Johnson agreed and said there was no reason the town
couldn’t charge half a day, because there is nothing in the town’s laws that
says they can’t.
“You can charge what you want to charge, but you have to
understand that not everybody is on the same financial level,” Moore said. “We want to get these things done, but we want to get it down to a rate where
everybody can somewhat comfortably do so.”
This ordinance covers houses, property, trash removal,
all of it, Newell said.
This ordinance falls under Section 10 of the Town of Homer Code of Ordinances Health and Sanitation, and will go into effect within 10 days of
its advertisement as an ordinance in the town’s official journal.
Haynesville council member passes away
The Guardian-Journal
Haynesville Town Councilwoman Rene Lincoln-Buggs passed
away Friday, September 28, of a sudden illness.
Funeral
services will be held Saturday, October 5, at 2:30 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church in Haynesville.
She represented District 4 and was serving her first term
on Haynesville’s Town Council.
On Monday, October 1, the Homer Town Council voted to
draw up a resolution in honor of the late councilwoman at their regular
meeting. Patricia Jenkins, District 5 councilwoman, brought it before the
council to honor Lincoln-Buggs.
She was 54-years-old.
Camp Minden resolution could be economic boost
The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne Parish may get a much-needed boost in its
economy provided the funding becomes available. The Homer Town Council, in its
regular meeting, passed a resolution in support of the Louisiana Army
Ammunition Plant/Camp Minden in support of the installation’s endeavors to
boost the region’s economy.
Over the next several years, planning is underway for
military construction of an Armed Forces Readiness Center, Regional Training
Institute, Military Training Ranges, Barracks, Unit Training Facilities, Dining
Facilities and Training Site Support Structures with a projected cost of $145
million.
According to the resolution, the estimated annual budget
for the Regional Training Institute includes $2.5 million for purchase of goods
and services, $7.5 million operating cost and $30 million payroll, “thus
infusing a total of $40 million stimulus into the regional economy.
“This resolution says that we are encouraging support for
the project,” said Homer Mayor David Newell. “The only benefit Claiborne Parish
gets is the benefits it gets with adjoining parishes that are adding businesses
and jobs and how that filters into Claiborne Parish.”
Col. Carl Thompson, deputy installation commander of Camp Minden, said that the economic impact is widespread throughout the region, including
Claiborne Parish.
“The economic impact is regional. The people that will be
employed at this Regional Training Institute, they will be living in several
parishes surrounding Camp Minden,” Thompson said. “There are two positives in
this because it’s regional and the citizens of northwest Louisiana are very
patriotic and they support their military as history has proven. Consequently,
we anticipate this facility will receive the support of all citizens in North Louisiana.”
Although the training institute is still in the planning
stages, Camp Minden is rousing the support of all municipalities and parishes
in the region in order to give Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, Adjutant General,
the support he needs to obtain the approval and funding for the project. It
will first have to be passed through Congress and given to the Department of
Defense to the National Guard Bureau and finally to the Louisiana National
Guard.
“The initial planning is underway and the Regional
Training Institute will provide military training for three military
occupational specialties,” Thompson said.
Those three areas include truck driving, administration
and supply. Students will be drawn from a six-state area including Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nebraska.
In other news, Gene Coleman and Dr. Alice Stewart of the
Sparta Aquifer Commission, came to the town council meeting to ask the council
to increase its support from $1,000 to $1,500.
“One of the things we want to do is specifically thank
ya’ll (Homer Town Council) for the support ya’ll have traditionally given us
with $1,000 a year, almost every year, for the work that we have been doing,”
Coleman said.
Coleman explained that it was time for the commission to
hire someone to help them try to get grants, do research, talk to town
councils, police juries and interested persons to promote the kind of things
that will bring success to this area, as others have done.
The LSU AgCenter Extension Service has offered to pay 50
percent of this person’s salary, Coleman said, and he, along with Dr. Stewart,
are approaching the town councils and the police juries within the area of the
Sparta Aquifer to help with the matching funds.
“At the present time, our matching funds come from people
such as yourself,” Coleman said of the council. “What we’re asking is
increasing your contribution this year from $1,000 to $1,500, and to budget
$1,500 for next year. Hopefully, Representative Gallot and others have
indicated to us that there could be some state funds coming down the tube for
us, so that we won’t have to rely completely on ya’ll in the future.”
The person hired would work with schools on education
issues, provide a newsletter to let the public know what the commission is
trying to do, and other promotional items to increase awareness of the
importance of the Sparta Aquifer.
“What we’re really trying to do is preserve ample, dependable
drinking water for not just ourselves, but our kids and our grandkids,” Coleman
said.
A motion was made, seconded and passed for the increase.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
