Wanted for Identity Theft

Suspect racks up $70,000 in charges so far

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

A former employee of the Claiborne Parish Detention Center has found himself on the wrong side of the law after the Homer Police Department received a complaint regarding identity theft.

Fontonio Carter, 22, of Homer, is being sought as a suspect in reference to an identity theft case which police say is one of the biggest identity theft cases their department has ever seen.

So far, the investigation has revealed more than $70,000 in fraudulent charges to the victim’s name.

“It is thought that Carter has fled this area, and it’s very possible that others are involved by letting him open up accounts in their name and deposit money into that account,” Chief Russell Mills said.

On January 10, Homer Police received a complaint from Capital One Bank in Homer, where the branch manager told police that she suspected identity theft and fraud.

Carter had purchased a vehicle at Holmes Honda, who contacted the victim’s bank about the purchase. The branch manager notified the external fraud division at the bank, and had the individual check a savings account opened in the victim’s name.

Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, was assigned to the case, with Officer Ken Woods making contact with Carter by cell phone on that same date.

Carter reported to the police station, and during an interview, he said the bank had made a mistake on his deposit slip, stating he would “straighten it out” the next day.

The next day, the Caddo Parish White Collar Crimes Unit arrested him when Malray and the branch manager discovered fraud and identity theft involving several thousands of dollars.

In November 2007, Carter went to the Homer bank location and opened a checking account and deposited $50. He deposited approximately $5,000 with an online transfer, a cashier’s check for $20,000 and wrote another check in approximately the same amount to Holmes Honda for the purchase of the vehicle.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Carter through the Second Judicial District Court on Monday, January 28, as well as a search warrant.

The search warrant was executed at Carter’s residence on Friday, February 1, and during the search, officers discovered several credit card applications in the victim’s name, and also discovered where Carter had opened different accounts in the victim’s name as well. Police also confiscated a computer at Carter’s residence which will be turned over to the Louisiana State Police for further probe.

It is believed Carter, a correctional officer at CDC at that time, gained access to the victim’s personal information when the victim was booked into the detention center on DWI charges in September 2007.

“The victim is a 76-year-old male,” Mills said. “Through the investigation, it was learned that Carter was the booking officer at the detention center, which enabled him to gather pertinent information on the victim. He had all this information right there, and in turn, he took this information and utilized it to gain entry to his accounts.”

The investigation is still ongoing and the amount of fraudulent charges is expected to exceed $70,000.

Carter had made some payments on a couple of open accounts that he’d acquired through the victim’s name. Once payments were stopped, the bills that were being sent to Carter’s address began going to the victim’s address, which is what led to the complaint.

If anyone has any information on Carter’s whereabouts, please call the Homer Police Department at 927-4000. All tips will remain anonymous.

 

Four wounded in stabbing

 

The Guardian-Journal

A Homer man was charged with four counts of aggravated second-degree battery Thursday, January 31, after an altercation on Gladney Farm Road.

According to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department, Deputies Jeff Pugh and Brian Pepper answered a disturbance call, in which it was initially reported that someone had been stabbed.

After assessing the situation, deputies called for assistance. Responding to the scene were Lt. Randy Pugh, Deputies Paul Brazzel and Roger Ellerbe, along with Homer Police Officer Roger Smith.

Deputies discovered that four people were wounded and requested Deputy Randy Smith to the scene. Officers were able to locate and detain the suspect, Johnny R. Tibbs of Homer, at the scene.

Two victims were transported to Homer Memorial Hospital and later airlifted to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport with serious injuries. The other two victims were treated at Homer Hospital and released.

Tibbs is charged with four counts of aggravated second-degree battery and was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. His bond was set at a total of $80,000.

In an unrelated case, an Arcadia man was arrested on Wednesday, January 30, and booked on several charges.

Pepper, Brazzel and Ellerbe participated in the investigation of a complaint regarding aggravated assault with a firearm. The three deputies conducted interviews with the persons involved, leading to the arrest of Randall Cody Poole.

The suspect was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. He was transported to CDC and booked. His bond was set at $2,000 on the assault charge and $1,000 each on the contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

 

Hospital wins multi-million dollar suit

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Homer Memorial Hospital has won a multi-million dollar lawsuit, which means its employees get to keep their retirement benefits.

The hospital, along with approximately 100 other individuals, filed a class action suit against a state run retirement company that was going to keep thousands of dollars worth of employer contributions if the hospital pulled out of their retirement plan.

Jim Colvin, the hospital’s attorney, said this was a tremendous victory for his employees, because not only did the employees get to keep their contributions, but in winning the suit, the employees will get the amounts the hospital matched.

“On behalf of the employees, it is a tremendous victory,” Colvin said. “They got everything they wanted and equity and fairness prevailed in this situation. What the state was trying to do is incomprehensible, taking these people’s retirement without any authority to do so. We were fortunate enough to have our arguments carry the day in court.”

The hospital won approximately $3.6 million, with each of those 100 employees receiving an average of $33,000 back into their new retirement plans.

What’s important to note is that not one penny of this goes to the hospital. The hospital sued for the right to roll over the employer’s contributions into the new plan.

As of 2006, when the hospital pulled out of the plan, employees had contributed approximately $1.5 million combined. Total employer contributions at this date totaled an approximate $1.7 million. But what they won in the suit was approximately $2 million. The $3.6 million total includes earned interest of approximately $340,000.

As of February 4, the company was expected to have transferred the amount into the new retirement plan. Upon the transfer, the hospital dropped all litigation against the retirement company.

The Municipal Employees Retirement System of Louisiana, better known as MERS, is a state retirement system that many municipalities, including the Town of Homer, use for retirement benefits.

This retirement plan has been in place for the hospital since 1969.

Because Homer Hospital is under the umbrella of the Town of Homer, it too used MERS for its retirement benefits for its employees.

In 2004, the hospital gave the company a two-year notice of withdrawal, as required by MERS, from the retirement plan in order to implement a better, more modern retirement plan with a private company.

The hospital decided to terminate the services of MERS in 2004 when it decided the plans were not meeting their needs. The decision to go with a private company was not based on saving any money, but rather putting it to better use.

Under the MERS plan, employees received no retirement benefits whatsoever for 10 years. Under the new plan, employees are eligible for the plan almost immediately and will be able to roll over their benefits to another plan if the employee is ever terminated or quits.

“We tried to get out of MERS in a polite way,” Doug Efferson, hospital administrator, said. “We met with them and said we want to stop using MERS and go to a private retirement plan for our employees for a number of reasons.”

The company told Efferson they would give the employees what they had contributed to the retirement plan, but it would keep the hospital=s contributions. That means that MERS intended to consider all the hospital’s employees terminated, which they thought allowed them to keep the hospital’s contributions, according to their rules.

This was not the case. The hospital was pulling out of the retirement plan, not terminating all its employees. According to the original suit, “no statutory, constitutional or regulatory provision specifically addresses the division of assets and liabilities upon the termination of the contracts between the parties.”

In other words, there is no law that states MERS could keep the hospital’s contributions upon the termination of the contract.

MERS appealed the case and lost.

This case has set a precedent in the legal system, because MERS appealed to the appellate system, making it a state case instead of leaving it in the local courts.

“It has set a precedent in the court that is usable,” Efferson said. “If they had stayed in the local courts, these documents would have been sealed.”

 

Donell sentenced to five years

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

One brother who was involved in a shooting and subsequent high speed chase pleaded guilty to two charges in January.

Ruben Donell pleaded guilty to illegal use of a weapon and aggravated flight from an officer. He received a five-year sentence for the illegal weapons charge and a two-year sentence for the aggravated flight charge. Those sentences will run concurrent.

His brother, Derron Donell, was sentenced in November 2007 to six years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of illegal use of a weapon and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

The Donell brothers, both of Homer, were arrested and charged in April 2007 after an altercation involving a high-speed chase and shooting.

George Shelton, also of Homer, and the Donell brothers were involved an altercation. When Shelton tried to get away in his car, he was chased by Derron and Ruben in another vehicle. Shelton was struck in the back with one of three bullets during the chase. Law enforcement officers gave chase and finally cornered the Donell brothers when they slowed to pull into a driveway on White Oak Road.

The two were arrested without incident.

 

St. Jude totals finally in!

All total, the Lake Claiborne St. Jude Car and Bike Show raised $18,189.47 this year. The count has finally come in on the Pennies for St. Jude drive, totaling a whopping $8,612.50 this year. Homer Elementary raised the most money this year, winning a pizza party. In thanks, a card was sent from them to Rickey Bearden, coordinator of the car and bike show. Those who have helped this year include those pictured above. They are from left, Bradley Miller, Peggy and Gayle Blackwelder, Sara Shackelford, Barry Roberts, Rickey Bearden, standing behind St. Jude Representative Whitney Morse, Tommy Sanders, Dennis Butcher, Tommye Jane English, Natalie Dean, Brynlee Dean and Gary English. Brynlee was able to raise $200 for St. Jude all by herself. “I want to thank God for giving me the strength to do this for the last six years, and I want to thank everyone that has helped make the car show possible,” Bearden said. In the last six years, the St. Jude fundraiser has raised more than $90,000.

 

ACS ‘Relay for Life’ set for May 17

 

Claiborne Parish’s walkers go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.

Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at the football stadium at Claiborne Academy for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life from 12 noon, Saturday, May 17, until midnight.  “This year there are a few major changes to Relay,” said Nancy Mason, event chair. “The location is different, the time is different, and it’s being held on a Saturday afternoon.  We are hoping these changes will help to increase participation from across the parish.”

Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life — including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers — to join together to fight cancer. Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

Relay For Life opens as cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) walk or wheelchair the first lap. This is an emotional time and sets the stage for the importance of each participant’s contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops around the track area at these events. As participants make new friends and spend time with old ones, the Relay heats up and the fun begins. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created with team members entertaining each other: eating, playing games, and, of course, walking for a great cause.

Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. The luminaria are placed all around the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

 “Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fund raiser,” said Mason. “Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment.”

 “The funds raised will enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and services to patients,” said Christina Griffin, ACS community representative. “Due to the generosity of the many corporate sponsors, the money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs.”

Information about how to form a team, be a part of the committee, or become a corporate sponsor for Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at 318-648-7178 or 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit http://www.RelayForLife.org.  Citizens may also visit the webpage that is specifically for the Relay For Life of Claiborne Parish at http://events.cancer.org/rflclaibornela.  There will also be a meeting for anyone interested in learning more on Thursday, February 7th at 6 p.m.  The meeting will be held at Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant in Homer.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913, and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

 

Chief warns of possible Medicare scams

 

The Guardian-Journal

The Homer Police Department received a complaint this week from an elderly gentlemen regarding what he feared could have been a scam.

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills looked into the matter, calling the company that contacted the gentlemen about Medicare and Medicaid.

Although the company seems to be legitimate, Mills advises those who are contacted by these types of companies to be very careful with personal information.

The Guardian-Journal was present during the time Mills contacted the CEO of the company to prove its legitimacy. The company does, in fact, appear to be straight forward, according to Mills.

“There are certain companies that are using telemarketers to call recipients of Medicare and Medicaid,” Mills said. “The telemarketers call the customer and try to set up an appointment to meet with them. They set up this appointment and a representative comes to that residence, knocks on the door, and wants to sit down and talk with them.”

He said people have to be very careful with their personal information because these representatives come across as very legitimate, bringing pamphlets and information that looks and is presented as very real.

“If, in fact, these people make an appointment with a telemarketer, write it down and ask that person for their credentials,” Mills said.

The credentials he refers to include the company’s license to operate in Louisiana, and identification with the company they represent.

“Never give out any more information over the phone than you have to,” Mills said. “Don’t give out your address or anything like that. The best thing you can do is to get information from your healthcare provider, or you can contact the Social Security office and see if these companies are legitimate.”

He said to treat personal information just like a person guards their checkbooks. Do not give out personal information unless there is a legitimate reason for it.

“If you don’t feel comfortable, make them leave and contact the police immediately,” Mills said. “Identity theft is on the rise, and people fall victim to this all the time. Everything that looks real may not be.”

Mills emphasized the company that contacted the gentlemen who made the complaint seems to be legitimate, but warned citizens to be very careful if approached by a telemarketer.

For more information or to report a possible scam, please contact the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.

 

Open meetings suit not over yet

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The open meetings lawsuit filed against the Town of Homer by former town clerk Rita Mitchell have been dismissed as to David Newell as mayor and all the council members. However, it does not mean the entire suit has been dismissed, but the court ruled that Newell and the town council cannot be sued in their capacity as officials of the town.

It could be concluded from the judge’s ruling that the Town of Homer is the only legal defendant in the case.

The defendants listed in the original petition were “the City of Homer, Mayor David Newell, the City of Homer Board of Selectmen, who may be served through its members, individually, J.C. Moore, Michael J. Wade, Toney Johnson, Carlette Sanford, Patricia K. Jenkins; and David Newell, in his capacity as mayor of the City of Homer.”

The court said that they cannot be sued in their official capacity because the offices of mayor and council members are just political subdivisions of the Town of Homer. They cannot be sued as representatives of the Town of Homer.

In October 2007, Bowman filed a petition of enforcement of open meetings laws and damages on Mitchell’s behalf, stating that Newell and the Homer town council members violated open meetings laws when they met in executive session to discuss “personnel matters related to Rita Mitchell,” after requesting the meeting be held open to the public. She is also suing for damages.

The countersuit filed by the Town of Homer in response to Mitchell’s open meetings suit is still in the discovery phase, said Chris Bowman, Mitchell’s attorney. Nothing has yet been done and no charges have yet been filed against Mitchell.

“The discovery is ongoing,” Bowman said. “We’re trying to prepare the case to get it in posture ready for trial.”

The town’s attorney, Jim Colvin, said they are preparing documents to have the rest of the case dismissed.

“We preparing a motion for summary judgment to have the rest of the case dismissed,” Colvin said. “The suit against the town is still going forward, but we are now about to file a motion for summary judgment to have even that dismissed.”

Mitchell was suspended without pay in 2007 after a customer complaint regarding a water bill that had been paid twice. Upon initial investigation, funds were found missing and billing stubs that indicated cash payments were altered to checks received to balance transaction reports.

She was terminated September 17, 2007, following an investigation.

 

Gallot named chair of House, Governmental Affairs Committee

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

State Representative Rick Gallot was named as the chair of the Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee this year, following his service as vice chair since 2004001.

In a press release, Gallot said his new position is “an important and positive development for his district and all of northeastern Louisiana, since his committee has jurisdiction over redistricting and the reapportionment process.”

The House and Governmental Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over elections, ethics, affairs of the House of Representatives, and intergovernmental relations between the Legislature and other governmental entities.

“It’s a pretty broad jurisdictional area that we cover,” Gallot said. “Several things come under the House and Governmental Affairs, including House employees and House rules that govern our internal workings. We also cover redistricting.”

What that means for Claiborne Parish is that when the 2010 general census is done, many entities will be redistricted. One of the reasons district lines will be redrawn, he said, is because of the displacement of population in the southern part of the state stemming from the hurricane evacuations.

“There’s an automatic ripple effect that takes place,” Gallot said. “You have to adjust the lines based on where people are.”

Other factors include the fact that Claiborne Parish has two senatorial districts that split the parish, plus the influx or decrease of population in the current districts. This ripple effect he’s talking about goes all the way down to the local level in that voting districts could be redrawn. That also means that police jury districts, town council districts, school board districts and other district lines will be redrawn as well if there has been a gain or loss in population. That means that some representatives of local districts could lose some constituents and others could gain some.

“Everybody’s got to do it every 10 years,” he said. “One other area that will certainly not be an easy task is congressional districts. We are going to lose another congressional district.”

Currently, there are seven congressional districts, and when the census is done, there will be six due to the loss of population in south Louisiana and the fact that other parts of the United States have gained population. Claiborne Parish is in Congressional District 4.

Another important aspect of the committee he chairs is ethics. The special session Governor Bobby Jindal has called, slated to begin February 10, is all about ethics reform.

Gallot said the two most important committees in Louisiana is the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees, but right now, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee is in the spotlight.

The ethics reform will not necessarily affect average citizens, but it could definitely affect state legislators and senators. Or, Gallot said, it could go all the way down to local officials.

“Whether or not local elected officials will be included has not been decided yet,” he said. “The other question is do we include people that are on boards and commissions? You may have local residents who serve on the mineral board or the parole board. They could very well be covered by some of the changes that are made.”

Several other topics will be included in the special session on ethics reform, including legislators or their families conducting business with the state, personal financial disclosure for legislators, and financial disclosure for lobbyists.

Gallot made it clear that whether he has to disclose his personal finances or not will not affect the hard work he does each day on behalf of his constituents. He also made it very clear that he supports the governor in his campaign to change the state.

Much of the reason for the special session is to help change the perception of Louisiana on a national level. Other states see Louisiana as corrupt and Jindal wants to change that image with this special session.

 

McCrery set to retire at end of year

 

The Guardian-Journal

In Washington, DC, seniority is no longer the wellspring of power it once was. Even so, it still counts for a lot. And Louisiana’s seniority seems to be waning.

Jim McCrery, Louisiana’s 4th District Congressman, recently announced that he will not seek an 11th term this year. First elected to the House of Representatives in April, 1988, his term of office as Northwest Louisiana’s congressman is the longest since Overton Brooks who served from 1937-1961.

“Twenty years is a long time to serve in Congress,” McCrery said. “I believe it is time for me to step aside and let someone with fresh enthusiasm and new ideas step in to represent the 4th District.”

Although McCrery was in line for chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, he was denied that position when Democrats took control of Congress in the 2006 elections. McCrery cites that disappointment along with the amount of time congressional work took him away from his family as reasons for his decision not to seek reelection.

“The chairmanship would have allowed me to play a leading role in addressing some of the biggest long-term problems facing our country,” he said. “I have tried hard this year as the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee to be a major influence on important issues. Chairman (Charles) Rangel (D-New York) and I have developed a very good working relationship and we have had some success in developing bipartisan solutions, specifically in the area of trade. But on tax reform, Medicare and health care reform, and Social Security Reform, our best efforts have come to naught.”

McCrery adds, “So, given that disappointment and my desire to more fully enjoy the last few years my boys will be at home, I will not seek reelection to the Congress in 2008.”

Implying that being reelected would be a given, McCrery’s announcement cited his past reelection wins by an average margin of nearly 40 percentage points, not including the two elections in which he was unopposed.

McCrery was born in Shreveport and grew up in Leesville. After getting his B.A. in English and History from Louisiana Tech, he went on to receive his doctorate in law from LSU. McCrery has been married to the former Johnette Hawkins for over 16 years. They have two children, Scott and Clark.

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“You have the power to think what you want, no matter what the circumstance.” (anonymous)

 

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Archived Guardian Journal Headlines & News Briefs from November 1999
 

News Briefs

Homer Town Council meeting rescheduled for Feb. 7

The regular meeting of the Homer Town Council has been rescheduled for today at 6 p.m. in council chambers. For questions or more information, please call town hall at 927-3555.

 

School board meeting Feb. 7

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. at the school board office.

 

Sparta Meeting at Ruston Library Feb. 7

The Sparta meeting will be at 2 p.m. at the Ruston Library.

 

‘Pet Adoption’ Day to be held Feb. 9

Claiborne Animal Rescue will be holding a “Pet Adoption Day” from 2 until 4 p.m. at the old Wal-Mart parking lot.

 

Middlefork Water System Annual meeting Feb. 11

The annual meeting for Middlefork Water System will be February 11, 2008 at The Fire District 6 Fire Station in Lisbon at 6 p.m. The regular monthly meeting will follow.

 

African-American History Parade Feb. 23

The Haynesville Mayor’s Youth Council proudly presents the second annual African-American History Parade. Line up starts at 9:15 a. m. with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. The grand marshall for this year’s parade will be Haynesville’s interim mayor, Sherman Brown. All churches, drill teams, youth departments, schol bands, pep squads, cheerleaders sororities, fraternities, civic clubs, horseback riders, motorcyclists, community gospel groups and all other organizations are welcome to participate in the parade. For more information, or for those interested in being in the parade, contact Roderick Hampton at 318-225-0387; Joyce Major at 318-624-3349; or Betty Richardson at 318-324-0451.

 

Rep. Gallot to be in Homer Feb. 27

State Rep. Rick Gallot will be in Homer from 9 a.m. until noon to hear any concerns or questions constituents may have. For questions or further information click here.

 

After School Tutoring at Homer High School

Tutoring for GEE Math and English Language Arts will be held from 3 until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact the school at 927-2985 for further information. Students will be responsible for their own transportation after tutoring.

 

Fast and free tax refunds

Free Tax Preparation: Free E-filing and get your refund as fast as 4 to 6 days. Claiborne Community Services has trained tax preparers to ensure Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, etc., for those who qualify. Call Claiborne Community Services at 927-3557 for an appointment.

 

HHS Drama Club to present ‘Robin Hood’ Feb. 11

The Homer High School Drama Club will present the legendary ballad “Robin Hood” at 6:30 p.m. on the auditorium stage. Almost 50 cast members will perform this family beloved story with a Renaissance Fair and historic costumes. Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for students and can be purchased at the door or from Director Denice Owens or a drama club member.

 

After school tutoring at Homer Jr. High

Homer Junior High School, for grades 6-8, is offering tutoring every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 until 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call the school at 927-2826.

 

Childcare Reimbursements

Anyone providing childcare in their home, including relatives and grandparents who would like to be reimbursed for a portion of their food expense is asked to call the Webster Parish Community Services at 377-7022, ext. 116.

 

Claiborne Council on Aging provides homemakers for elderly

Claiborne Council on Aging provides a Homemaker and housekeeping tasks are available for elderly persons confined to their homes and unable to maintain themselves without this assistance.

 

Council on Aging provides trained ombudsmen for nursing home residents

Ombudsmen are trained to respond to the problems and needs of nursing home residents. They work with not only the residents but their families. They concentrate on ways to solve resident’s concerns and problems. Residents or family members who have questions or complaints may contact Pat Culbertson at 1-800-256-3003.

 

Heart Walk seeks participants

The 2008 North Central Louisiana Heart Walk is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2008, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at Louisiana Tech University’s Thomas Assembly Center. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. For further information, visit http://lincolnheartwalk.kintera.org

 

Claiborne Animal Rescue –  website now online

www.ClaiborneAnimalRescue.comThe Claiborne Animal Rescue website is now online (www.ClaiborneAnimalRescue.com) featuring regularly updated images of pets available for adoption. Claiborne Animal Rescue is a small shelter working to help the abandoned and neglected animals that have become so prevalent on the streets and back roads of Claiborne Parish..

 

Supported by your donations only, Claiborne Animal Rescue can currently house up to forty animals at one time. Giving these animals a second chance at life is why they do what they do. Many of these animals are given the death sentence when they are dropped off at a dead end road by careless pet owners that facilitate unwanted puppies and kittens by refusing the spaying or neutering of their family pets.

 

Claiborne Animal Rescue asks Claiborne Parish residents to become part of the solution by having your pet spayed or neutered. Your donations to Claiborne Animal Rescue are needed and greatly appreciated!


North Louisiana - A Filmmaker's Dream

This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with Louisiana Films North, to highlight The "Anywhere in America" Film Location - Bienville, Claiborne and Webster Parishes.
 
Click Below to view the Film:
 Part One - 87 MB
 Part Two - 57 MB
 
Visit www.LaFilmsNorth.com for more information on Our Filmmaker Friendly Communities, Scenic and Architectural Diversity and the many Powerful Tax Incentives available to filmmakers.
 
Contact The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce for a copy of the DVD - "North Louisiana - A Filmmaker's Dream".



J.T. Taylor RealtyJ.T. Taylor Realty/Dimex Sales - Now Online

J.T. Taylor Realty has provided Real Estate Sales and Buyer Representation in Homer, Haynesville and Claiborne Parish for Commercial, Residential and Timberland Properties since 1984.


For over 10 years, Dimex Sales has offered a full line of Portable Buildings for Home, Home/Office, Construction Sites, and Storage needs.

 

Team Ag Real Estate - New Claiborne One Sponsor

TeamAgRealEstate.comTeam Ag Real Estate is proud to be a new sponsor of the information source for All of Claiborne Parish - Claiborne One. Based in El Dorado, Arkansas with an associate in North West Arkansas (Lincoln - Home of the Arkansas Apple Festival), Team Ag Real Estate specializes in agricultural farm (including Poultry/chicken farm) sales and appraisals. Team Ag is licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma & Missouri for farm buying, selling and appraisals. Team Ag supports their clients with years of hands on experience in the poultry business, formal education degrees in Business-Agriculture, SBA agricultural lending, and an impressive network of agriculture industry contacts.



Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive

Archives Now Online include:


Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within Claiborne Parish may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Claiborne Parish. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting John Watson, Executive Director of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271. The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity provider. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD

TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call 927-2011.

 

  
 
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Claiborne, Bienville, Lincoln, Webster and Union Parishes $25.00 per year
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Online Since 11/11/99

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