New governor to speak at Chamber Banquet
Louisiana
Governor Bobby Jindal will be the guest speaker for this year’s Claiborne
Chamber Banquet. Jindal was inaugurated as Louisiana’s new governor on January 14,
at the Louisiana State Capital building in Baton Rouge. The banquet will be
held January 28, at the Fair Barn Complex in Haynesville, located just behind Haynesville City Hall. Seating will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m. Please plan to arrive by 6 p.m. in order to be seated prior to the program.
Reservations are $30 per person – first come, first serve. Shuttles will be
available to bring attendees to the door from area parking lots. Seating is
limited, so get your reservations made early. For more information or to make
your reservation, call the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at 927-3271.
Case dismissed against police chief
Anthony Smith makes full restitution to
victim
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
All charges against Haynesville Police Chief Anthony
Smith have been dismissed.
According to the state’s motion to dismiss, Smith paid
full restitution in the amount of $13,656.08 to the victim, Karen Budwah.
According to the bill of information filed at the Clerk
of Court’s office in November 2007, Smith was originally charged with one count
forgery, one count felony theft over $1,000 and money laundering. The theft
charge was amended to unauthorized use of movable over $1,000. He is still
charged with forgery and money laundering, but the felony theft charge was
amended to two counts of unauthorized use of movable over $1,000.
Chris Bowman, Smith’s attorney, stated in a press release
to The Guardian-Journal, that his client was pleased that all charges were
dismissed.
“Through extensive discovery and negotiations with the
State’s Attorney General’s Office, an agreement was reached,” Bowman said in
the press release, “whereby all criminal charges were dismissed in exchange for
Chief Smith returning to Ms. Budwah the funds which he had previously been
entrusted, which Chief Smith had previously done promptly when called upon to
do so by the State Police.”
The press release went on to say that Smith wanted to
make it very clear that between the time his relationship with Budwah ended and
the time he was contacted by State Police, no request was made to return any
funds to her. Smith also promptly attempted to return those funds when the
State Police requested he do so.
According to the initial complaint report filed with the
Louisiana State Police, on January 16, 2006, the North District Detectives
received a complaint from Budwah in reference to a forged check. She stated she
had a relationship with Smith, and had given him two checks and $7,000 in cash
to put in his safe for her.
On August 18, 2005, Budwah stated she attempted to put a stop payment on both checks and
learned that one check in the amount of $9,656.08 had been deposited into
Smith’s personal account, with $5,000 withdrawn in cash. The check deposited
had both Budwah’s and Smith’s signature on the check, according to bank
records, but Budwah denied signing the check.
As of press time, attempts to reach Smith by phone were
not returned.
Court ruling reversed in Bush case
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The ruling of the Second Judicial District Court has been
reversed in the case against former Haynesville Town Clerk Marilyn Bush.
This means that Bush’s conviction of theft over $500 and
her original sentence of 10 years at hard labor has been reinstated.
“The district attorney’s office is in the process of
drafting the necessary paperwork to have the defendant returned to jail to
finish serving her initial sentence,” said District Attorney Walter May.
Once a district court judge signs this order, it will
then be up to law enforcement to execute it. In other words, once the order is
signed, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office will pick her up and house her at
the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility across from the sheriff’s office to serve
her time.
Pending a decision by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Henry
Walker, Bush’s attorney, said Bush, at this time, is still a free woman.
“The judge got a motion by the state to put her back in
jail, and we filed a motion to stay that pending our writs, which means that
we’re asking the state supreme court to take a hard look at this,” said Walker.
“I don’t expect them to take long one way or the other.”
According to the judgment, handed down by the Second
Circuit Court of Appeals in Shreveport, the ruling handed down by the Second
Judicial District Court lacked merit on post-conviction relief (letting her out
of jail on bond).
According to the judgment, it’s not clear as to why the
Second Judicial District Court even granted post-conviction relief (reversed
her sentence of 10 years at hard labor).
Bush had filed a post-conviction relief application
(asking the judge to lift her 10 year sentence) on three grounds: (1) a
violation of due process rights resulting from an impermissible conflict
perpetuated by the district attorney’s office; (2) ineffective assistance of
counsel; and (3) trial court error by participating in plea negotiations
failing to consider the sentencing guidelines.
It agreed with Judge Teat’s ruling that she was not
denied due process. But, the current judgment did state that the claims of ineffectiveness
of counsel cannot be raised (because it does not fall under the “exclusive”
grounds for granting post-conviction relief), and that “Judge Clason’s
involvement in pretrial case settlement discussions affected Bush’s ultimate
decision…”
In other words, the trial judge never stated that there
was merit to the third ground presented. He didn’t address it.
“The trial court subsequently granted a motion for
reconsideration of sentence, but this court reversed,” the ruling said, “noting
that the trial court erred in even considering the motion for consideration.”
This case has been through three cycles of Bush going to
jail, getting her conviction overturned and getting the conviction reinstated.
After the Second Judicial District Court granted her post-conviction relief,
the district attorney’s office (counsel for the State of Louisiana) submitted
an application for supervisory writs, complaining of the trial court’s grant of
post-conviction relief to Bush after she was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to
charges of theft.
On the eve of her retirement in October 2000, Bush was
placed on administrative leave by the Haynesville Town Council after town
auditor Mike Rabinowitz discovered missing funds while conducting the town’s
annual audit. She was later arrested in November 2000 by Louisiana State Police
and charged with felony theft over $500 and malfeasance in office.
Tax return preparation offered through
OCS
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Jean Reynolds, Director of Claiborne Community Services,
announces that their office in partnership with the Louisiana Department of
Social Services will again prepare and efile tax returns at no cost through the
VITA program.
“Many don’t know that the earned income tax credit can
mean up to $4,536 cash back for some working taxpayers,” Reynolds points out.
“We can prepare and efile the return at no charge using direct deposit for a
faster refund. That’s a real savings for those who may turn to the ‘instant
refund’ tax preparers. Some don’t understand that these instant refund
preparers are really high-interest lenders.”
Reynolds notes that for the second year local volunteers
have been trained on the various tax schedules, tax credits, and other
essential concepts to provide this service to low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
The service gives special attention to earned income tax credit and child tax
credit, two provisions that significantly help those who qualify.
Reynolds emphasizes that some workers can receive a
refund even if they don’t owe taxes. However, a taxpayer must file a return to
get the refund.
Trainees discussed how most “instant tax refund”
preparers are actually making high-interest loans instead of providing an
instant refund. Exorbitant interest and high fees cost the taxpayer/borrower
hundreds, but we charge nothing—and most refunds are paid within 10 days or
so.”
She goes on, “We are excited to be expanding the service
to Haynesville this year. We’ll be preparing returns at the Claiborne Vo-Tech
in Homer on Mondays from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Then we’ll be handling returns at
the AARP Building in Haynesville on Tuesdays from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.”
Reynolds concludes, “Those wanting help should call us
now to schedule an appointment. They should bring with them to the appointment
their W-2s, picture identification, social security cards for everyone in their
household, and any other documents they think could help. Although not
required, another big help is their return from last year. Call 927-3557 today
for an appointment,” Reynolds adds.
HMH construction slightly ahead of
schedule
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Homer Memorial Hospital Administrator Doug Efferson says
new construction on the facility’s emergency room, visiting doctors offices,
nursing station, and additional modifications is slightly ahead of schedule.
“We are expecting to be able to use the new emergency room and related areas
later this month,” Efferson noted.
A tour of the construction area indicated workers busily
installing equipment throughout the new emergency room including the reception
area for the emergency room, related treatment rooms, areas for doctors to meet
with patients’ families, space for visiting specialists to store personal items
while providing care, restrooms for patients and staff, storage space, and much
more.
Alice Gandy, coordinator for Claiborne Healthcare
Foundation, noted that emergency room nurses “are working in a closet compared
to the spacious station they’ll move into later this month.”
Efferson mentioned that the construction contract was
signed in May, 2007, with a completion date 12 months later; “but if things
continue as they have been, it appears they may complete everything in April.”
Homer man racks up charges following
pursuit
The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey reported that on
Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, Deputies Roger Ellerbe and Matt Harris were traveling
west on La. 518 at Old Athens Road when the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office
advised of a vehicle pursuit involving a black Chevy Blazer, later identified
as LA NKS896.
Ellerbe and Harris proceeded to Athens in an attempt to
intercept the vehicle. Ellerbe made visual contact with the vehicle and
initiated his emergency lights. The vehicle did not stop, and deputies pursued
and boxed in the vehicle.
The driver, later identified as Daryl I. Jones of Homer,
stopped and exited his vehicle in an attempt to flee on foot. Deputies pursued,
and after several commands that were ignored by Jones, they deployed department
issued taser X-26s and were able to apprehend the suspect.
A search of the vehicle incident to arrest revealed a
clear glass pipe-like object – a crack pipe – commonly used to smoke crack
cocaine.
Jones was booked for flight from an officer, resisting an
officer by running, DWI third offense, driving under suspension, possession of
drug paraphernalia, open container, failure to secure a registration in the
vehicle, and two outstanding warrants from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Bond was to be set and a hold was placed on Jones by the
Arcadia Police Department.
Here’s a look back at 2007’s top stories
in
Claiborne Parish
Editor’s Note: Following is a
short synopsis of 2007’s biggest stories of the year. This first installment is
January through June 2007.
January
Woman arrested for shooting husband
Dorothy Meadows, 36, of Summerfield was arrested Wednesday, December 20, 2006, after making an emergency 911 call to the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office to report she had shot her husband following a domestic
dispute.
Dorothy Meadows was transported to the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office where she was interviewed by Deputies Harris and Randy Smith
who had been called in to assist in the investigation. She was later booked in
the Claiborne Parish Jail and charged with aggravated second degree battery.
Her bond was set at $20,000.
School board seeks new superintendent
School Superintendent James Scriber announced plans to
step down at the end of his contract on June 30, 2007. Scriber met with five people in the school system that hold certification for superintendent.
The School Board voted to begin advertising immediately
for the superintendent position. Applications will be accepted through March
16.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco speaker at Chamber Banquet
“Shoot For The Stars....Anything’s Possible In Claiborne
Parish!” was the theme of the 42nd Annual Claiborne Chamber of Commerce
Banquet. Officers for 2007 are President J. T. Taylor, Vice-President Steve
Koskie, Secretary Cynthia Steele, and Treasurer Patricia McMullan. The 2007
Directors are J. R. Oakes, Ann Freeman, Fred Lewis, Beverlee Killgore, Nicole
Sanders, Gurvis Vines, Travis Tinsley, John Wesley Cooper Jr., Wesley Emerson,
Kelly Waller, and O. P. “Pete” Pearson. Executive Director is John David
Watson.
February
Car show tops goal
The St. Jude Car and Bike Show raised almost $72,000 this
year, thanks to the perseverance and dedication of Rickey and Sharon Beardon
and Matt and Leslie Manzanares. One of the rooms at the research hospital will
be dedicated to Christian and Joseph Manzanares, Bearden’s grandchildren who
were tragically lost in a house fire in 2001. A plaque is expected to be placed
on the room in their memory.
The schools in Claiborne Parish also raised approximately
$5,000.
Lottery scam warning
A lottery scam found a victim in Homer. A resident received
a check in the mail for nearly $3,000 with instructions and a phone number on
how to collect winnings. Homer Police Chief Russell Mills called the number and
said it was all a ruse. Just remember the old saying, if it seems too good to
be true, it probably is.
Haynesville police chief arrested
Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith was arrested Feb.
15, and charged with forgery, theft over $500 and money laundering following a
complaint filed with the Louisiana State Police that he had forged checks and
withdrawn a significant amount of cash. This case is still ongoing.
March
Marilyn Bush back in court
Former Haynesville Town Clerk Marilyn Bush will be up for parole in April, but
was back in the Claiborne Parish courtroom last week, in an effort once again
to get her conviction overturned.
On the eve of her retirement in October 2000, Bush was
placed on administrative leave by the Haynesville Town Council after town
auditor Mike Rabinowitz discovered funds missing while conducting the annual
audit. Bush was later arrested, on November 17, 2000, by Louisiana State Police, charged with theft and malfeasance in office. At their regular meeting in
August 2001, the Council authorized town attorney Danny Newell to file a civil
suit against Bush.
Claiborne Home Health among top providers in nation
Claiborne Home Health of Homer announced it had been
named to the 2006 HomeCare Elite, the inaugural compilation of the most
successful home care providers in the country. Claiborne Home Health is proud
to be named in the top 500 home health agencies in the nation.
Claiborne welcomes LA VISTA member
Lauren Tichenor, LA VISTA member, came to Claiborne
Parish to help promote community development. Tichenor will meet with people
from all areas of the community to see where the needs lie, then work to
develop a unified strategic master plan for the entire parish.
April
Homer Council changes engineer for airport project
In spite of the recommendation of the committee appointed
by Mayor David Newell to continue with the engineering firm Alliance, the
council voted to award the job to Balar Associates of Shreveport. A motion, by
Johnson, to go with Alliance failed by a vote of 2-3. Voting for were Johnson
and Carlette Sanford. Voting against were Jenkins, Michael Wade, and J.C.
Moore. A motion by Wade to give the job to Balar was approved 3-2, with Wade,
Moore, and Jenkins for and Johnson and Sanford opposing.
Shooting suspects caught following chase
The Donell brothers were arrested following a high speed
chase after gunshots were reported in Buck Bottom. George Eugene Shelton was
shot in the back, with only minor injuries. Derron Donell of Homer was charged
with attempted second degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property.
Ruben Donell III of Homer 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.
ACS 2007 Relay for Life tops $30,000
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, April 24, 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. Almost 200 attended the Relay for Life, held at
Ronny G. Beard Memorial Football Stadium.
May
Former jury president dies
Former Claiborne Parish Police Jury President J. Weldon
Kilpatrick died last Saturday, April 28, at the age of 86. He had served the
citizens of Claiborne Parish for some 37 years on numerous parish, civic and
church boards.
The resolution adopted by the Police Jury last November
in recognition of Kilpatrick’s many years of distinguished service, noted that
he had “provided an outstanding example of leadership, personal integrity, and
a devotion to personally serving the need of all the citizens of Claiborne
Parish.”
Groundbreaking held Thursday for HMH emergency room
Local physicians, Hospital board members, Administrator
Doug Efferson, and others gather around Dr. D. K. Haynes, Chamber President J.
T. Taylor, Homer Memorial Hospital Board President Buddy Pixley, and Dr. Mark
Haynes as they break ground on the new emergency room addition. Don Leach
Construction was awarded the low bid of $1,935,000 on the project.
Woman arrested for criminal mischief, felony theft
Mary Nguyen, owner of Mary K Printing in Homer was
arrested following an investigation into T-shirts that were stolen, defamed and
distributed along a number of streets in Homer. The T-shirts were printed for
David Newell for his campaign to run for district attorney. She was charged
with criminal mischief and theft over $500.
Suit filed against Town of Homer, sheriff’s office
Family members of James Modisette filed a $5.5 million
lawsuit against the Town of Homer, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff Office, and
their respective liability insurance carriers in regard to the death of the
41-year-old Modisette on March 5, 2006. The plaintiffs are asking a total of
$4.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
The suit alleges that officers on duty at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center failed to properly supervise Modisette and did not
provide any medical assistance, claiming their inattention and supervision
caused Modisette’s death. The suit alleges that both the Town of Homer and the sheriff’s office were grossly negligent in failing to properly ensure
Modisette was properly supervised and provided proper medical attention by CPDC
guards and Homer police officers.
June
House approves funding for Homer Bypass
State Rep. Rick Gallot announced Tuesday that the
long-awaited $18 million for the Homer Bypass project has been provided in the
comprehensive capital outlay budget. Included in the bill is $18 million for
the Homer Bypass, with $5 million in Priority 2 and the remaining $13 million
in Priority 5.
Editor of The Guardian-Journal takes new position
Susan Tabor Herring, editor of The Guardian-Journal since
January 1999, announced that she has accepted a position with Delta Contract
Interiors.
When asked what leads to this change in career direction,
Susan answers, “Opportunity and challenge. Although I’ve loved being editor of
The Guardian-Journal, I also love challenges. My new job will present new
opportunities. Serving as editor of the local paper has been one of the most
satisfying things I’ve ever done, because it has given me the opportunity to
stretch and grow in new ways, and to be involved in my community on a very
personal level.”
Susan’s last day at The Guardian-Journal was Wednesday,
June 20.
Homer paper welcomes new editor
The Guardian-Journal welcomed new editor Michelle Bates
to Homer. Her first day was June 25.
Her goals for the newspaper, she says, “As I read The
Guardian-Journal, I am impressed with its quality. I admit to being obsessive
about the quality of what we print. I want to eliminate or at least minimize
errors in grammar, and I want to ensure that the paper measures up to AP
standards for periodicals.”
“Final comment?” I ask. With a ready smile she says, “I
look forward to getting to know the citizens of Homer and all of Claiborne
Parish.”
Please see January 17’s edition of The Guardian-Journal
for a look at more of 2007’s top stories of the year.
Police chief given authority to hire new assistant
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Homer Town Council met in executive session Monday
night to discuss hiring an administrative assistant for the Homer Police
Department.
After discussions, the council came out of executive
session and gave Police Chief Russell Mills the authority to hire an
administrative assistant, who will replace long-time office manager/dispatcher
Linda Featherston.
Featherston will retire February 29, after 20 years of
dedicated service to the police department. She said she is ready to retire and
spend more time with her children and grandchildren.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people of Homer through
my work here,” she said. “I look forward to the possibility of traveling, relaxing
and spending more time with my family.”
In other news, the council voted to hire James Colvin Sr.
as a bookkeeper for the Town of Homer to help oversee the day to day financial
operations of the town’s business. He will be paid $600 per month.
“Mr. Colvin is willing to give numerous hours (to the
town) every week,” said Homer Mayor David Newell. “Where we are right now is
vitally important to the operations of the town.”
Newell said this to emphasize the point that what Colvin
is doing is squaring away the town’s daily financial operations in order to
follow the guidelines and suggestions of the Louisiana State Auditors. Colvin
has worked tirelessly to get the daily financial operations in order and create
accountability within those daily operations.
Since the first of the year, Colvin has installed
Quickbooks, the new accounting software, and has begun training the
administrative employees to use the program.
There was some question as to whether the current CPA’s
services would be terminated, but this is simply not so. Colvin is not
replacing the town’s current CPA, Carlos Martin. He is simply taking care of
bookkeeping duties normally taken care of within the clerk’s office on a daily
basis. In fact, Colvin is not a certified public accountant. He has a degree in
accounting, but does not act in the capacity of the CPA.
In line with following those suggestions, the utility
billing schedule for 2008 has been done. (Please see the 2008 utility billing
schedule above.)
The billing dates are listed in this manner to show the
dates the bills will be mailed so that each bill will reach their destination
by the first of the month. The due dates have not really changed other than to
reflect due dates that fall on the weekend will be due the following Monday. Everything
else will remain the same.
Also, the council passed a motion to implement 2008’s
holiday schedule, which will pretty much remain the same as 2007. It is as
follows: New Year’s Day, January 1, (Tuesday); Martin Luther King Day, January
21, (Monday); President’s Day, February 18, (Monday; Good Friday, March 20,
(Friday); Memorial Day, May 26, (Monday; Independence Day, July 4, (Friday);
Labor Day, September 1, (Monday); half day before Thanksgiving, November 26,
(Wednesday); Thanksgiving Day, November 27, (Thursday); Day after Thanksgiving,
November 28, (Friday); Christmas Eve, December 24, (Wednesday); Christmas Day,
December 25, (Thursday); and half day New Year’s Eve, December 31, (Wednesday).
Homer police look into pit bull attack
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Homer Police Department launched an investigation
into a pit bull attack last week after the victim reported that she’d been
bitten.
On January 3, Ashley Hicks reported that she and her
friend dropped off Chet Barnette’s girlfriend at his residence around 10:30 p.m., December 30, 2007.
She said she was bitten when she got out of the car.
Hicks sustained minor injuries to her foot.
In the event of a dog attack, it is standard policy in
Homer for the suspected animal to be taken to a veterinarian 10 days for
observation at the cost to the owner.
The Town of Homer has a leash law, which means that no
dogs can be loose at any time.
The ordinance also requires that dogs be vaccinated for
rabies and be registered at the police department.
Police Chief Russell Mills and Town of Homer
Superintendent Lee Wells went to the owner’s residence later that day and set
out a cage for Barnette to secure the dog.
The dog was secured at his residence on Monday, January
7, and was taken to the Claiborne Animal Clinic for observation.
Under normal circumstances, the dog would have been held
for the full 10 days as required, but because the dog is registered and has had
recent rabies vaccination, the dog will not have to be held for 10 days.
Photos of churches, cemeteries needed
The Guardian-Journal
Photographs of the Claiborne Parish churches and
cemeteries are urgently needed for publication in the pictorial history of
Claiborne Parish.
It is being published by Arcadia Publishing Company, the
nation’s leading publisher of local and regional history.
The Ford Museum is gathering the photographs and is
working with Arcadia Publishing to make a book that tells the history and
culture of our parish.
If you have any photographs that are needed to tell the
complete history of our parish, please call Linda Volentine at 318-927-9190 or email at .
The success of this project depends on your support.
Claiborne Chamber members help welcome
new Secretary of Economic Development
The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce J.T. Taylor, Vice President
Steve Koskie and Executive Director John Watson attended a reception for
Stephen Moret, Governor-elect Bobby Jindal’s nominee for Secretary of Economic
Development.
This event was held at the University Club/American Tower
in Shreveport on Thursday evening, Jan. 3. The host for the evening was the
Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation (NLEDF), and the Claiborne
Chamber of Commerce was one of 12 event sponsors.
Taylor, Koskie and Watson used this time to network with
political, business and community leaders from around northwest Louisiana and to welcome Moret.
Moret is the current president and CEO of the Baton Rouge
Area Chamber. In his new role, he will be in charge of the state’s economic
development agency, the Louisiana Economic Development (LED).
During Moret’s address, he informed the group that
although the LED would continue working to attract new business and industry to
Louisiana, he really believed that growing existing business and industry in
the state was where our best hopes for success lay.
The NLEDF is a regionally focused economic development
marketing program serving 10 parishes of northwest Louisiana, including
Claiborne Parish.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
