Child hit by car on North Main
The Guardian-Journal
Amid strong thunderstorms and power outages last
Thursday, a 10-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after being hit by a car.
According to police reports, Officers Ken Wood, Norah
Banks and Van McDaniel responded to an accident call on North Main Street in
front of Kelly’s Nails Thursday afternoon, May 22.
The driver of the vehicle was heading westbound on North Main Street when a woman crossed the street in front of her.
It was raining heavily, and according to reports, a child
darted out in the street in front of her. The driver of the car slammed on her
brakes, but was not able to stop in time.
The boy was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by Pafford EMS to be checked for injuries.
No charges were filed in the incident, and the child was
treated and released the same day.
Drug charges land woman behind bars
The Guardian-Journal
A woman who has had brushes with the law before has been
arrested again by Homer police – this time on drug charges.
Alexandria D. Deaton, of Homer, was arrested Monday, May
26, and charged with one count of open container, one count of introducing
contraband into a penal facility and one count of possession of a Schedule II
controlled dangerous substance (CDS), crack cocaine.
Officer Van McDaniel observed a vehicle roll through a
stop sign at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive (MLK) and Pearl Street in Homer, initiating a traffic stop at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 79 and MLK.
He made contact with the driver, Jeffrey Morris of El Campo, Texas, and observed open containers in the vehicle. Morris had three passengers
in the vehicle with him, including Heather Hastings Sanchez of El Campo,
Deaton, and Brian Sims of Shongaloo.
The two women were arrested for open container and transported
to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility, where Deaton was asked if she had any
contraband on her person. She admitted to having crack cocaine, and was charged
with introducing contraband into a penal facility.
Morris, Sims and Sanchez were detained for questioning
and released.
Deaton’s bond is set at a total of $10,500. She received
a bond of $5,000 each on the drug possession and contraband charges and $500
for the open container charge.
According to court records, Deaton was ordered to admit
herself for drug rehabilitation in March.
According to Police Chief Russell Mills, she was just
released from rehabilitation just weeks before her arrest this time. This order
stemmed from two forgery charges in December 2007.
She is expected to appear in court in July on the forgery
charges. Arraignment for the new charges should be held soon.
A Lesson in
Safety
Claiborne, Bienville first responders
learn electrical safety
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
First responders in Claiborne and Bienville parishes got
a lesson in electrical safety Thursday, May 22.
Entergy Louisiana presented a demonstration called, “Arc
and Spark,” which gave first responders a first hand look at electrical safety.
Jim Pesnell, customer service manager, said in a press release the
demonstration consisted of several steps in which a lineman uses to ensure
their safety as well as his co-workers.
The reason for the demonstration is simple – to teach
first responders how to handle downed power lines in the event of an accident
or natural disaster, focusing mainly on downed trees and everyday items used.
“Your response time is much quicker than ours,” said Jody
Blackwell, Entergy lineman. “You’re the first ones there, and you don’t know
how wet those trees are after a storm.”
According to the press release, the demonstration
consisted of a series of steps in which linemen pulled an 8,000-volt electrical
arc off of a model of an energized distribution line using different materials
such as tree branches, a ladder, a rubber glove and a hot dog (representing a
human finger).
“The demonstration is designed to show what can happen if
a person comes in contact with a ‘live’ electrical line,” the press release
stated. “The firefighters got a first hand look at the bright visual effect
that occurred when the linemen brought the everyday items in contact with the
power line.”
Pesnell said the demonstration was a very important
lesson in safety.
“This is an important presentation to share with
emergency responders who are more likely to react to situations that could
feature downed power lines,” Pesnell said. “Our main theme is to avoid power
lines, never spray water on an electrical fire and to call 911 and
1-800-ENTERGY if you see a downed line.”
Safety equipment was also presented to the group, and
they learned what each piece protects – mainly a human life.
First responders who attended the presentation found it
very informative and useful. Many agreed that it was a lesson to take home and
use in the event of a disaster or accident. Mark Owens, of the Haynesville and
District 6 Fire Departments, said he’s worked with electrical lines before,
essentially getting a refresher in this demonstration. He said this information
was not only important for first responders, but for the average person as
well.
“I knew a lot of what they were talking about,” Owens
said. “I’ve worked around electricity a lot, but for someone who didn’t know
anything about it, it was a great demonstration and very informative.”
Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher agreed, and said his
department sees these types of accidents quite a bit.
“We see accidents involving power lines more often than
we’d like,” Butcher said.
Bienville Parish District 6 Fire Chief Lyndell Usrey
stressed the importance of electrical safety, saying it was informational and
very important.
“I think it should be like hazardous material training,”
Usrey said. “You can’t get enough training for what you’re dealing with. We
should have these at least twice a year. You can’t teach too much safety.”
Pesnell agreed.
“This is an important safety message that stays with
anyone who sees it,” he said. “The Arc and Spark safety demonstration is
effective and helps prevent injuries and even fatalities by educating those who
might come into contact with downed power lines. And giving the presentation to
firefighters helps make sure that our area’s emergency responders stay safe.”
According to www.entergy.com, overhead power lines have
no insulation and can carry more than 500,000 volts.
The website offers some safety tips for people to
remember about the electricity which makes everyday life more convenient:
• Assume all lines are energized;
• Some overhead power lines appear insulated but only
have weather protection. These are not safe to touch;
• Underground lines can shock too;
• Although underground lines are insulated, a shovel or
other digging tool can damage them and cause a shock hazard. Substations and
transformers also contain live parts that can be dangerous.
• Power lines and electrical equipment do their job
safely, as long as you keep your distance.
Also, it is important to know the signs of danger in the
home that cause electrical fires. Those signs include:
• Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping
circuit breakers;
• Feeling a tingle when you touch an electrical
appliance;
• Discoloration of electrical outlets;
• A burning smell or unusual odor coming from an
appliance or wiring;
• Sizzling sound at wall switches or outlets; or
• Flickering lights.
Remember, whether a power line is “live” or not, do not
touch it or anything around it. Call 911 and the electric company first. It
could make the difference between life and death.
Severance tax bill passes House, 100-0
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A bill asking for an increase of the severance tax cap
passed through the House of Representatives with flying colors.
House Bill 420, a severance tax cap bill asking for an
increase of $1.2 million, passed on the House floor with a vote of 100-0.
Representative Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, who authored the
bill, said he is pleased with the vote and feels confident it will pass in the
Senate.
“I think 100 favorable votes is certainly a good
indication of the strength of the bill,” Gallot said. “Hopefully we’ll be able
to impress upon the senators the importance of this bill in getting it passed.
All the feedback that I’ve gotten back from the senators has all been
positive.”
Currently, the severance tax cap is set at $850,000, an
amount that was just increased from $750,000 in 2007. This means that of the
100 percent of oil and gas tax revenue, 20 percent up to $850,000 is coming
back to oil and gas producing parishes to help repair roads destroyed by these
companies’ heavy equipment.
If the bill passes the Senate, the cap would be raised to
$2.85 million. Currently, Claiborne Parish brings in approximately $14-15
million in tax revenue on oil and gas, according to police jury records, and
most of that is going into the state’s general fund to be spent as the state
sees fit. If passed, $2.85 million of that $14-15 million would come back to
Claiborne Parish.
Historically, each time a bill has been sent to the
Legislature asking for an increase, the state did not allow as much as the bill
was asking for. Gallot said the state did not have the budget surpluses it has
now. In 2007 alone, the budget surplus was approximately $1.4 billion, and to
date, there is approximately $700 million in additional revenue.
So what makes this bill different than the ones previous?
Gallot said they used the same argument Gov. Bobby Jindal has used in the past
in Congress to get more oil and gas royalties from offshore drilling.
“All he was asking for was our fair share,” Gallot said
of Jindal’s argument. “Plus we’re doing fairly well financially, and we don’t
have some of the financial restraints we once had.”
Jindal has made it known that he will not oppose the bill
when it comes across his desk, because he understands the need for decent
infrastructure. He also supports tax cuts to spur economic growth, according to
his press secretary, Melissa Sellers.
The bill is expected to go to the Senate soon.
Boys and Girls Club asks for help
The Guardian-Journal
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Claiborne are seeking the
public’s help, asking for donations of tables and chairs as well as volunteers.
The Minden unit needs any tables and chairs available to
use in their summer camp program. Ideally these would be permanent donations to
the club.
Fans of any size are welcome. All donations, in-kind or
cash, are tax deductible. The furniture need not be in perfect condition, but
should be safe or easy for volunteers to make safe.
Also, the Boys and Girls Club is asking for volunteers to
help with the summer camp. If you can tell a story, play a game of cards,
Monopoly, or chess you are needed!
If you can teach a skill or organize an activity that’s
fun, you are well equipped! If you just like to have fun while you make a
difference in the community, you are welcome!
Volunteers are needed for many different things from
helping with registration to serving lunch.
If you are able to assist any day for whatever period,
please contact Cynthia Steele at 426-3720.
Summer camp will begin at 8 a.m., June 2, and will run Monday – Friday through June 30.
Application forms are available in the lobby of the
Minden Public Library.
Completed forms and the required documentation should be
brought June 2 to registration at the club located at 800 Goodwill Street in Minden.
Questions should be directed to the Homer Unit at
927-2718 or to Cynthia Steele, unit director, at 426-3720.
Account set up for burn victims
The Guardian-Journal
An account has been set up for a father and son who were
badly burned in a brush fire two weeks ago.
Mike Hollenshead and his son were burnt in a flash fire
Saturday, May 17, when the two were burning brush at their home east of Lisbon. The Homer Fire Department was called to assist with medical evacuation of the two.
Both were airlifted by Pafford Air One from La. 9 and La.
2 intersection to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.
“Our primary concern was their medical condition and our
goal was to get them to a burn center as soon as possible,” Homer Fire Chief
Dennis Butcher said. “Thankfully, we understand they have improved
considerably.”
But, they still need help. An account has been set up at
Capital One Bank to help defray medical costs. To make a donation, go to
Capital One Bank and donate in Hollenshead’s name.
Claiborne Jubilee winners announced
This year’s Claiborne Jubilee winners have been
announced. They are as follows:
Adult Photography: First place, J.S. Ponder; second
place, Carol Wimberly and third place, Hillary Millenger
Adult Drawing: First place, Carol Wimberly; second
place, J.S. Ponder and third place, Becky Crisler
Adult Painting: First place, Carol Wimberly; second
place, Christy Barton and third place, Darlene Norcross
Adult Original Craft: First place, Jeri Dettenheim
Professional Painting: First place, Elizabeth Frazier;
second and third place, Meg McGowen
Professional Original Craft: First place, David Hood
Adult and Professional Best In Show: Elizabeth Frazier
Youth Drawing: First place, T.J. Ponder of Homer High School; second place, Tanner Ponder of Homer High School; and third place,
Zachary Harris of Homer Junior High School
Youth Watercolor: First place, Joshua Frazier of Minden; second place, Catie Slaton of Claiborne Academy
Youth Painting: First place, Aliyah Willis of Homer
Junior High; second place, Jerrell Merritt of Homer High School; and third
place, Lee Turner of Homer High School
Youth Miscellaneous: First place, Kevin Terral; second
place, Jarrell Merritt and third place, Jessica Bender, all of Homer High School
Youth Best In Show: Tanner Ponder of Homer High School
Junior Drawing: First place, Laura Frazier of Minden; second place, Hannah Colvin of Claiborne Academy and third place, Vivian Carter of
Claiborne Academy
Junior Watercolor: First place and third place, Rebekah
Frazier; second place, Catherine Frazier, both of Minden
Junior Painting: First place, Delaney Roberts of Claiborne Academy; second place, Allyssa Ingram of Homer Junior High School; and third
place, Christopher Long of Homer Junior High School
Junior Miscellaneous: First place, Mershell Watson;
second place, Michael Woodham and third place, Christopher Long, all of Homer Junior High School
Junior Best In Show: Rebekah Frazier of Minden
Children Drawing: First place and third place,
Mackenzie Surovic; second place, Aiden Roberts, both of Claiborne Academy
Children Watercolor: First place, Hutton Hays; second
place, Ansley Heard and third place, Mackenzie Surovic, all of Claiborne Academy
Children Miscellaneous: First place and third place,
Jillian Simonelli of Homer Elementary; second place, Aiden Roberts of Claiborne Academy
Children Best In Show: Jacob Powell of Minden
Claiborne Jubilee 2008 Quilt Show Winners by Category
Best Color: First place, Mary Lynn Whitely; second place,
Hannah Lee; and third place, Virginia Hughes
Traditional Design: First place, Nurlie Foster; second
place, Mary Lynn Whitely; and third place, Nina Mills
Innovative Design: First place, Hannah Lee; second place,
Betty Bowling and third place, Margaret Turner
Workmanship: First place, Betty Bowling; second place,
Irene McKenzie and third place, Virginia Hughes
Viewer’s Choice Best in Show:
Nurlie Foster’s Butterfly Quilt
State park summer attraction for many
The Guardian-Journal
It’s that time of year, and Lake Claiborne State Park is as busy as ever this summer.
Jeremy Fox, manager of Lake Claiborne State Park, spoke to the Homer Lions Club last Thursday, May 22, about the state park and what
it has to offer.
A family-oriented atmosphere is the goal at the park,
offering everything from playground equipment to fun-filled days on the beach.
The park is also aiming to solve another problem in the nation – obesity.
“One of the things we really push for is to make the park
family-oriented,” Fox said. “We have an obesity problem with our kids, and we
want to show them that there’s more to do than watch TV. We have stuff for them
to do.”
The park offers many things for nature enthusiasts and
the whole family. The park has approximately 12 miles of shaded trails for
hiking, cabins for those who don’t want to “rough it,” and camping sites
equipped with water and electrical hookups.
The park is also expanding, Fox said. They intend to
build a new bathhouse in Area 1, and will construct a new nature center on the
beach. The land has been cleared, and he expects construction to be complete by
the end of this year.
More cabins and a group campsite are also on the list for
construction.
With the park being open year round, reservations can be
difficult to come by as they seem to be full all the time. Fox said in order to
get a cabin during the summer, people need to make reservations a full 11
months ahead.
Cabins sleep up to eight people and are fully furnished
and fully equipped. They ask campers to bring personal toiletry items.
Also, each cabin is equipped with satellite TV service,
so if the nature trail or the beach doesn’t cut it, then park goers can just
stay in and watch TV.
Campers can reserve one of 10 cabins for $90 per night or
reserve one of 87 camp spots for just $18 per night.
To make a reservation or to check out Lake Claiborne State Park, go to www.lastateparks.com, and click on the Reserve America link.
Also, to make a reservation by telephone, call
1-877-226-7652, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Reservations will only be taken by these two avenues.
Reservations cannot be made at the state park. For more information, call Lake Claiborne State Park at 927-2976.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
