Teen racks up several charges
The Guardian-Journal
A 17-year-old Homer resident is racking up charges with
two arrests in two weeks, plus two warrants out for his arrest.
On Feb. 23, the Homer Police Department was dispatched to
the 1100 block of Byrd Street regarding a disturbance. When officers arrived,
the mother of Nickolas Dunn asked that he be removed from her property.
When Dunn came outside of the residence, he began cursing
at his mother, and when Officer Ken Wood called him over, he refused to comply
– twice.
He was arrested and charged with two counts of resisting
an officer and disturbing the peace. He was also arrested on an HPD warrant for
failure to appear.
Bond for disturbing the peace was set at $500; bond for
the two resisting charges was also set at $500 per charge and $1,000 for
failure to appear.
Investigating officers included Homer Police Officers
Mario Thomas, Roger Smith, Ken Wood and John Bailey.
Dunn was also arrested last week on charges of disturbing
the peace in a public building and resisting an officer.
On Feb. 10, Dunn was seen in a high crime area in Homer
and when Officer Ken Wood asked him for his name, he refused to comply.
According to Wood, Dunn was asked several times for his name.
When Dunn was advised that he was under arrest, he gave
his name. It is reported that Dunn caused a scene at the police station,
leading to the charge of disturbing the peace in a public building. He was also
arrested on a warrant from Minden for failure to appear.
Bond for those three charges was set at $500 per charge.
In an unrelated case, a domestic dispute led to the
arrest of a Homer man who’s been in trouble with the law before.
Randy Rabb, of Homer, was arrested last week when the
Homer Police Department was dispatched to Hillside Motel in reference to an
unwanted person.
According to reports, when Officer Roger Smith arrived on
scene, Rabb seemed to be visibly upset. He was placed into the patrol unit, at
which time, he began to beat the cage that separates officers from subjects
inside the car.
It was reported that Rabb was upset because he and his
girlfriend had been fighting. Allegedly, Rabb hit his girlfriend in the face in
front of a child the two have together. His girlfriend was bleeding from her
nose and there appeared to be blood on the bed inside the motel room, according
to reports.
Rabb was charged with domestic abuse battery and
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Bond was set at $2,000.
His court date is set for March 4.
If convicted of this charge, Rabb could be fined not less
than $300 and no more than $1,000. He could also face imprisonment for not less
than 10 days and no more than six months.
DWCC attends prison re-entry conference
Department of Corrections Assistant
Secretary Whalen Gibbs (center) led the workshop “Department of Corrections
Re-entry Initiatives Program and Overview.” Following the session, Gibbs is
shown here answering questions of two unnamed workshop participants.
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
The “OUT4LIFE Re-entry Conference” was held at the Shreveport Convention Center February 18-20. Jointly sponsored by the Louisiana Department
of Corrections and Prison Fellowship, well over 200 attended from as far away
as Washington, DC, Florida, and Wisconsin. Local personnel from David Wade Correction Center were present as well.
Several high-profile speakers addressed conferees
including James LeBlanc, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public
Safety and Corrections. Some other speakers were Angola Penitentiary Warden
Burl Cain, Assistant Secretary of Public Safety and Corrections Whalen Gibbs,
and former Virginia State Attorney General and Prison Fellowship President Mark
Earley.
Several key points were repeated throughout the program.
One is that Louisiana has the highest rate of recidivism in the nation. For
example, although 15,000 Louisiana inmates are released each year, within three
years more than two-thirds will re-offend and go back to prison.
Jean Bush, Executive Director of Prison Fellowship,
emphasized the need to raise public awareness of the high recidivism rate. She
said, “In assisting ex-prisoners, one of the main challenges we face at Prison
Fellowship is networking with organizations and employers who are willing to
offer help to released offenders. There are some who are willing to reach out
to rehabilitated ex-offenders, but not nearly enough to meet the need.”
Most Louisiana communities are not prepared or equipped
to receive and help these men and women with the transitional services and
support necessary to build productive lives. That contributes to so many being
re-arrested within 3 years of release.
Jean Bush noted that this has “dramatic implications for
public safety” of Louisiana citizens. With each new crime there is a new
victim. Recidivism costs everyone, i.e., costs of prosecution, incarceration,
and loss of social and economic benefits from nonproductive citizens. Worse are
costs in dysfunctional, disintegrating families and the threat to public
safety.
Along with national and local speakers, the conference
offered over a dozen special sessions and workshops dealing with such topics as
how to start reentry projects and how to help ex-cons make positive changes in
their lives.
One workshop, “The Need for Better Programs Based Around
Employment,” was led by Scott Shortenhaus of the U.S. Department of Labor. He
noted that “the best social program of all is a job,” then listed the many
obstacles often facing someone who has paid his debt to society: no job, little
or no education, ruined family relationships, either no transportation or
unreliable transportation, no job training, no drug treatment, no reliable
support structure, and the fact that a released inmate’s social network is
likely to be those “former companions [before incarceration] he/she had that
are probably lawbreakers who aren’t locked up right now.”
Shortenhaus went on to discuss “Ready4Work,” a pilot
program that ran from 2004-2006 in 11 cities over the nation. Considered a success,
the recidivism rate for Ready4Work participants was cut by more than half
compared with inmates who didn’t go through the program. Average cost per
participant was $4500, far less than the yearly outlay for locking up an
inmate.
Amon Rashidi led the workshop, “Returning Home to
Families and Children for Life.” It focused on the challenges of returning home
and remaining out of prison. The session considered the fears that families,
communities, and businesses have as they either accept or reject returning
inmates. Rashidi stated, “Returning home and staying home is the goal, no
matter how difficult things may seem. Offenders must learn to deal with real
life problems in ways that are not detrimental to themselves or their
families.” A couple of released inmates associated with Rashidi’s program spoke
to workshop participants about keys to their successful reintegration into
local communities.
The conference included a marketplace exhibit center with
an array of displays, literature, and audio/vido materials describing support
services and employment assistance to help reintegrate former inmates into
local communities.
During a general session, one speaker noted that rising
rates of recidivism are a nationwide problem and that California’s budget will
soon allocate more money to corrections than to education if something doesn’t
reverse the trend quickly. Louisiana’s budget may be similarly threatened.
-0-0-0-
In prison, those things withheld from and denied to the
prisoner become precisely what he wants most of all. — Eldridge Cleaver
K-9 hits on drugs in Haynesville
The Guardian-Journal
A certified narcotic detecting K-9 hit on suspected drugs
during a traffic stop last Friday.
Claiborne Parish Deputy Matt Harris came into contact
with Roderick S. Sterling, 28, of Stamps, Ark. Sterling had been stopped by
Haynesville Police Officer Adrian Malone due to suspicion of being impaired.
An investigation was conducted by Harris which led to the
arrest of Sterling for driving while intoxicated.
A search of Sterling’s vehicle, pursuant to arrest, was
made by Officers Malone and Tim Cox using a certified narcotic detecting K-9
and revealed a plastic bag filled with suspected marijuana.
Sterling was advised of his
rights, arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was booked for DWI 1st and possession of schedule I CDS (controlled dangerous
substance) marijuana. Bond was set at $1,250.
Also, Jason A. Davidson, of Haynesville, was charged with
DWI 3rd and license not in immediate possession by Louisiana State Police
Tuesday, February 19. He was booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and bond was set at $5,000 for the DWI charge and $500 for the license charge.
Ethics reform hits home
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The special session on ethics reform has ended, and
several of the reforms passed hit home right here in Claiborne Parish.
Gov. Bobby Jindal expressed the enormity of what has been
done in Baton Rouge over the last couple of weeks, highlighting some of the
most important achievements.
“This is not just another day in the State Capitol,”
Jindal said in a press release from his office. “This legislature has passed
the most comprehensive set of ethics reforms in our lifetimes, perhaps in the
history of the State of Louisiana.”
It hits home in Claiborne Parish, because, for the vast
majority of elected officials in state and local government, their personal
finances will have to be disclosed. This means that every elected official from
the sheriff to the mayor of each community will have to disclose their finances
to some degree.
The elected officials that will have to disclose their
finances include the tax assessor, the clerk of court, the sheriff, the police
jury and the chief of police in each community.
It will work on a three-tier system, the executive branch
tier, public office and major board tier and the small local official and minor
board tier.
The executive branch tier includes the governor, his
office and staff, department heads and statewide elected officials, members of
the Public Service Commission and top education officials.
The income range for this tier caps at $200,000.
Tier two is the public office and major board tier. This
tier will include state legislators, local elected officials in populations of
5,000 or more, major board members and BESE and the Board of Ethics. In
Claiborne Parish, that means the tax assessor, clerk of court, the sheriff,
police jury and the district attorney will have to report under this tier.
These elected officials will have to report their net
income, property, investments, some liabilities and other financial holdings.
Income range caps at $100,000. It is important to note that judges are not
included in this tier.
Rep. Rick Gallot, District 11 representative, falls under
this tier.
In tier three, only basic reporting is required for small
local officials, populations of 5,000 or less, and minor board tier. This tier
would include the mayors of each community in the parish, the chiefs of police
and the school board. It would also include state boards and commissions. It
does not include political subdivisions or local boards.
Under this tier, officials would only have to report
income from state or political subdivisions and gaming interests. There is no
income level range set for this tier.
According to the bill, if these officials do not file by
a certain date, they could pay a fine. If information is willfully withheld or
the official refuses to disclose his income or discloses false information, it
could lead to misdemeanor charges – which means a fine and possible jail time.
“If an official willfully or intentionally discloses
false information, it would be a several step process,” Gallot said. “Number
one, they would be charged with an ethics violation and they would impose
whatever penalty they see fit. But if it was some kind of mistake, and it
wasn’t willful or intentional false disclosure, the issue would probably go no
further.”
See next week’s edition for more reforms passed in the
special session.
Hospital ER entrance to move on March 3
Beginning Monday, March 3, the entrance to the emergency
room at Homer Memorial Hospital will move to the front entrance.
People needing emergency services are asked to pull up to
the front entrance lobby.
The old emergency room and entrance are being remodeled
to accommodate a new entrance and visiting physician office space.
Hospital administration is asking for the public’s
patience as construction crews try to provide a modern facility to meet modern
healthcare needs.
For more information, or for questions, please call the
hospital at 927-2024.
HMH ER welcomes new patients
Pictured left, is Lorene Dean with her
son, Perry. Pictured right is Ruth Prince with her son Donnie. These two women
were the first patients to take advantage of the new emergency room facilities
at Homer Memorial Hospital.
Patients were moved into the new Emergency Department at Homer Memorial Hospital on Thursday afternoon, February 21.
The first patients included Mrs. Lorene Dean with her
son, Perry, and Mrs. Ruth Prince with her son, Donnie. Both patients were very
complimentary of the modern facilities.
The Emergency Department contains 2 trauma rooms and 5
exam rooms to better handle the increased volume of patients.
Homer Memorial Hospital is proud to be able to upgrade its facilities and
wants each patient to receive the best possible care in a healing environment.
Please remember the Emergency Department at your local hospital is dedicated to
handling emergency situations, just like the 911 system.
Now construction crews will begin remodeling the old
Emergency Department into the visiting specialists’ clinic area. Please pardon
our progress for another couple of months!!!
Laptop program proving to be successful
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The laptop program currently underway at Haynesville Junior High School seems to be meeting its goal.
The initiative, called “Turn on to Learning: Louisiana’s Laptop Initiative,” is a state grant program sponsored by the Louisiana
Governor’s Office in cooperation with Apple Computers. The program comes as
part of a university study that will determine whether it will help children
bring up their state test scores, particularly the I-LEAP exam.
According to Claiborne Parish Superintendent of Schools
Wayne King, the initiative seems to be doing just that.
“It’s done pretty good,” he said. “I think it has the
interest of the kids. The principal has indicated to me that it’s been very
successful with the kids. We’re going to see how it’s going to take effect once
they get to carry them home and bring them back and forth. We’ll know more as
we go through it, because this is all new ground for us.”
Charles Bryant, principal at Haynesville Junior High,
said it was really too soon to say anything about the test scores, because the
focus is on the end of year tests – the I-LEAP. The students will take those
tests in a few weeks, he said, and those scores will not come back until either
the end of the year or over the summer months.
But, he did say that test scores in the classroom are
going up.
Another area that has seen a dramatic change is
discipline. Bryant said since the initiative began, the sixth grade class has
seen a large drop in disciplinary referrals to his office. Because the students
are not bored, things like talking in class and getting up and walking around
during class have dropped tremendously. Since the program began in November
2007, he may have had one referral from the sixth grade class, and even that
was something that happened between classes.
One of the positive aspects he is seeing through the
program is that these computers make classroom work more individualized and
students are not falling behind or jumping way ahead. They are able to work at
their own pace.
Because the students are doing so well with the computers
in science, the principal and teachers decided to allow the students to use
them in other subjects as well, including math. The study originally began in
the areas of science and social studies because Dana Smith and Kristie Wortham
were the teachers who volunteered for the project.
So what about the treatment of these computers? What
happens when they take them home? Bryant said the kids have really taken care
of the laptops.
“I was skeptical at first, but they cherish those
computers,” he said. “They’re taking care of them. We’ve not had a single
problem that I know of, in so far as, damage to the computers. They’re not
dropping them; they’re not losing them or allowing anything to happen to them.
It’s just a great program. It makes my job a lot easier.”
The study is expected to continue through the rest of
this school year, and if the study works, the laptop computers will become the
property of the Claiborne Parish School Board.
How did Black History month begin?
The Guardian-Journal
February has been celebrated as Black History Month for
many years, but how did the tradition get started, and what does that mean for
Claiborne Parish?
According to www.about.com, Black History Month actually
began in 1926 as “Negro History Week,” by Carter Godwin Woodson, an American
historian. The second week in February had been set aside for the celebration,
and it was set at this time to coincide with the birthdays of Black
abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
In 1976, Black History Week was expanded to Black History
Month as part of the United States’ bicentennial.
Woodson was the son of a slave, born in New Canton, Va.,
in 1875. He attended high school at the age of 20 and continued his education
to college, including Harvard University, earning a Ph.D. in 1912.
According to www.history.com,
Woodson trained Black historians to collect, preserve and publish documents on
Black life and Black people. He died in 1950, leaving the legacy of Black
History Month.
Because of his efforts, and many other Black men and
women since then, people of African descent have flourished, including in
Claiborne Parish. After some research, three men were chosen to highlight to
celebrate Black History Month, including Isaac Adams, the Rev. Roy Mayfield and
the Rev. John S. Davis.
Isaac Adams
Isaac Adams was born into slavery approximately 10 years
before the start of the Civil War. He was born in Claiborne Parish and
“belonged” to Sack P. Gee. He tells his story firsthand of what it was like
during the Civil War and after. He speaks of his parents and how well he and
his family were treated by Gee.
He also spoke of being separated from his father because
another white man “owned” him.
“I was the only child my Mammy had,” Adams said. “She was
just a young girl, and my Master did not own her very long. He got her from Mr.
Addison Hilliard, where my pappy belonged. I think she was going to have me
when he got her; anyways, I came along pretty soon, and my mammy never was very
well afterwards. Maybe Master Sack sent her back over to my pappy. I don’t
know.”
Adams spoke of the chores he
was responsible for and spoke highly of the plantation he lived on. Gee’s
“slaves” were well fed and healthy, but after the war, Gee came home to notify
them that they were “forever free.”
“The negroes didn’t know what to make of it, and didn’t
know where to go, so he told all that wanted to stay on that they could just go
on like they had been and pay him shares,” Adams said.
Some stayed on at the plantation with plots of land given
to them to raise their families. They were given mules and tools to work with,
and some of them even bought the land they lived on as well as mules.
Others left the plantation to try to better their lives. Adams did not stay at the plantation, but went to live and work with his father at a place
just east of Houma. The two took the last name of Adams because his
grandparents belonged to a Mr. Adams.
“I don’t know where Mr. Adams lived, but I don’t think my
Pappy was born in Louisiana,” he said. “Alabama, maybe. I think his parents
come off the boat, because he was very black – even blacker than I am.”
He married and had 17 children. His wife died in 1920,
and he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where one of his five remaining daughters
lives. A native of Claiborne Parish, Adams has lived all over Louisiana, but
the memories of the Sack Gee Plantation live on.
“Yes, Lord, my old feets have been in mighty nigh every
parish in Louisiana,” he said, “and I seen some mighty pretty places, but I’ll
never forget how that old Gee plantation looked when I was a boy.”
Rev. Roy Mayfield
The Rev. Roy Mayfield made a name for himself in
Claiborne Parish. He was a black leader as a Baptist Minister and the founder
of The Homer Normal Industrial and Bible Training School for Negroes in 1898.
According to historical records, he purchased land that
became a part of the black residential section of Homer. He was one of 10
pastors of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Homer, and served a second term while
president of Coleman College in Gibsland.
He worked to revive the college and pastored at the same
time. Mayfield was the third pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, where he
became pastor in 1912, and served for 20 years.
He was born in 1876 in Vienna.
He died in 1944 and Mayfield High School in Homer was
named in his honor.
Rev. John S. Davis
The Rev. John S. Davis was born in Monroe, receiving his
education in the Ouachita Parish School system. He also attended the Homer
Normal Industrial and Bible Training School, Wiley College, Tuskegee Institute
and Southern University. He was employed by several school systems, including
Claiborne Parish, from 1915 until 1926.
In 1926, he was appointed principal at St. John School. Beginning in the early 1900s, St. John’s School was later named the Claiborne Parish Training School, located 7 miles southeast of Homer.
Under his leadership, this school expanded to 7 rooms,
with graduates receiving teaching certificates upon completion of instruction
and passing an exam. St. John School was the first four-year high school in
Claiborne Parish for black children.
In the 1940s, Davis was transferred to Mayfield High School in Homer, where he was principal for many years.
He was married to Lillian Miner Davis, who also taught in
the public schools for 41 years. She is known as the mother of Home Economics.
There are so many others in Claiborne Parish who have
left their mark in the black history of Claiborne Parish. Without these great
educators, pastors, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands and children, the black
communities in Claiborne Parish would not be what they are today. And for that,
we at The Guardian-Journal, would like to say thank you.
DWCC, Kisatchie Junior Chamber host
activities to honor local Jaycees
HOMER, LA – The Kisatchie Junior Chamber of Commerce, in
conjunction with David Wade Correctional Center, recently hosted a week-long
series of high profile activities in honor of the United State Jaycees national
Jaycee Week campaign. The Kisatchie Jaycees are no stranger to success, having
achieved numerous state and national awards. In the chapter’s twenty-years of
existence it has experienced phenomenal success on the state and national
level. This year the chapter enjoyed a unique series of successes. To start the
weeklong activities, Homer Mayor David M. Newell issued an official
proclamation confirming Sunday, January 20 – Saturday, January 26th, as
“Kisatchie Jaycee Week” in the Town of Homer, Louisiana.
Embodying the first line of the Jaycee creed: “…We
believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life; …” the
Jaycees began their week on Sunday with an early morning “Chaplain’s Prayer
Breakfast” and an afternoon “Full-Gospel Worship Service.” On Monday, January
21st, embodying the second line of the Jaycee creed: “…We believe that the
brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations; …” the chapter hosted
an exciting and unforgettable Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program in D.W.C.C.’s
Hope Chapel.
On Tuesday, January 22nd, embodying the third line of the
Jaycee creed: “…We believe that economic justice can best be won by free men
through free enterprise; …” the chapter recognized and honored three
“Outstanding Local Businesses” for their many years of loyal and dedicated
quality service and support of the organizations and rehabilitative programs at
David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC). Those businesses honored included
“Brookshire’s Grocery (Homer), M&M Hardware & Supply (Homer) and Bill
& Ralph’s Wholesale (Springhill).”
On Wednesday, January 23rd, the chapter was scheduled to
feature a lecture by state public officials. The program embodied the fourth
line of the Jaycee creed, which states, “…We believe that government should be
of laws rather than of men. …”
On Thursday, January 24th, embodying the fifth line of
the Jaycee creed, “…We believe that earth’s great treasure lies in human
personality; …” the chapter conducted a “Senior Citizen’s Day” at the facility,
honoring staff and inmate-residents fifty-years or older. Throughout the day,
Jaycee members delivered food items and beverages to staff members throughout
institution and thanked them for their services. Later that night, the members
hosted a gathering for inmate-residents fifty-years or older; whereby, these
offenders enjoyed treats and board games compliments of the Jaycees.
On Friday, January 25th, embodying the six and final line
of the Jaycee creed, “...And that service to humanity is the best work of life.
…” the chapter hosted a “Make A Difference Day,” which was arguably the
exciting event of the week. The program was attended by Jaycee members, DWCC
administrators and staff, as well as staff members from the Gingerbread House
and Boys & Girls Club. The Kisatchie Jaycees presented checks to four local
charitable organizations, which collectively amounted to $1,100 in donations.
The chapter proudly presented checks to the following charities: $350-American
Cancer Society; $250- Claiborne Parish Boys & Girls Clubs; $350-Ark-La-Tex
MDA; and $250-Gingerbread House (Children’s Advocacy Center). Those in
attendance were greeted by Adam Collins, Executive Director of the Claiborne
Boys & Girls Clubs, and Cynthia Carter, LCSW-the Gingerbread House.
DWCC Deputy Warden Angie Huff addressed those in
attendance. She thanked everyone for coming and acknowledges how hard the
Jaycees had worked to accomplish the generous donations. Deputy Warden Huff
commented that part of the department’s (Department of Public Safety &
Corrections) mission was “to provide an environment which enables behavior
change by making rehabilitative opportunities available for inmates who
demonstrate motivation for and the desire to participate in rehabilitative
programs.” Deputy Warden Huff added, “The administration is especially proud of
our Jaycee organization for its continuous service to the community.” Warden
Huff commended Jaycee sponsor Becky Moss for her progressive work in such a
short period of time. In the chapter’s nineteen and one-half years of
existence, the chapter has donated more than $260,000 to various local and
national organizations.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
