Haynesville burn ban in effect until
further notice
Heat warnings issued for Claiborne
Parish
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Haynesville
has issued a burn ban until further notice, according to Fire Chief Mark
Furlow.
This
past week, people have suffered through several days of 100 degree heat or
more. Luckily, actual temperatures may be coming down a little, but it still
feels like more than 100 degrees outside.
In
light of the sweltering Louisiana heat, Furlow ask citizens not to burn as the
temperatures continue to stay in the high 90s and above.
According
to Furlow, Haynesville and Fire District 3 have responded to approximately 15
fires within the last two weeks, most of them outside burning that has spiraled
out of control. In light of the heat and subsequent dryness, he has issued a
burn ban for Haynesville and Fire District 3. This means no one is allowed to
burn at all in that area until further notice.
“Right
now, we need a lot of rain to lift the burn ban,” Furlow. “It’s just too dry
right now for anyone to be burning. There should be absolutely no outside
burning at all until we get a significant amount of rain.”
Also,
just in the last couple of days, he said, lightning strikes have been the cause
of a couple of fires. With the summer storms coming through the area, lightning
has struck pine trees, causing those fires.
Furlow
stressed the importance of not burning under the burn ban, because the parish
has a burn ban ordinance that will be enforced. Tickets will be issued if
caught.
If
anyone has any questions regarding the burn ban, please call Haynesville City Hall at 318-624-0911 or call the Haynesville Fire Station at 318-624-1611.
Butcher
has not placed a burn ban on Homer, but he is asking citizens to be very
cautious.
“We
have not issued a burn ban, but we would like you to use extreme caution when
burning,” he said. “If you absolutely do not have to burn, please don’t.”
The
Homer Fire Department has only seen one grass fire, which is unusual, Butcher
said.
But
with burn bans in effect for the surrounding parishes, a heat warning has been
issued for Claiborne Parish by Butcher.
Butcher
also explained some of the terms used by many weather men and media outlets.
They include a heat wave, heat index, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
A heat
wave is a period of extreme heat accompanied by high humidity, which is what
citizens are currently experiencing. The heat index is the relative humidity
added to the actual temperature of the air, basically how hot it feels. Heat
exhaustion is a mild stroke brought on by strenuous activity in the heat. A
heat stroke is the most dangerous as it can lead to brain damage or death if
the body is not cooled down immediately. A heat stroke is a life-threatening
condition occurring when the body’s temperature control system shuts down.
The
first warning signs of heat related problems are heat cramps and muscle pain
due to exertion in the heat.
He gave
a few tips that, if followed, will help everyone survive the overbearing heat.
They are as follows:
- Stay indoors and in the air
conditioning as much as possible. For those who must be outdoors, stay in
the shade as much as possible.
- For residents whose homes are not
air conditioned, spend a couple of hours a day in an air conditioned
building, such as a store, a friend’s house or a neighbor’s house.
- Wear sunscreen while outdoors along
with light colored clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Drink water regularly, even if
you’re not thirsty.
- Limit alcohol consumption, because
alcohol speeds up the dehydration process.
- NEVER, EVER leave a child or pet in
a car, even for a few minutes. The heat inside the car rises very quickly,
becoming very dangerous for the child or pet, even deadly.
- Avoid extreme exercise or activity
during the hottest part of the day, usually between lunchtime and 8 p.m.
- For those who don’t have air
conditioning, take a cool shower or bath to help cool you down.
Butcher
stressed the importance of keeping an eye on the elderly, because this time of
year is so important. It is a known fact that many seniors on fixed incomes
have difficult choices to make, but surviving the heat should not be one of
them.
“If
you have an elderly neighbor or friend, be just that, and help them and make
sure they have fans or invite them over to your house and help keep them cool,”
Butcher said. “If I can impress anything on anybody, this would be it. We have
weather related problems all the time. People understand about lightning, wind
and even ice, but heat is a killer. It can kill you.”
CPSO dispatcher highly praised for quick
thinking
The Guardian-Journal
Due to
the quick thinking of a Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department dispatcher, a man
is now behind bars on charges of domestic violence.
On
Sunday, August 3, Dispatcher Kristi Young utilized every available resource to
assist a victim of domestic violence. The 911 call came in from a cell phone,
and the call does not automatically register the address that corresponds to
that phone number.
The
caller was unable to voice the details of the incident to the dispatch office,
but had the presence of mind to call 911 and simply leave the phone on.
Young
recorded the call and after the connection was broken, she contacted the cell
phone company Alltel in an effort to locate the victim. Alltel informed her of
the process required by Alltel emergency system through fax and email to verify
the address.
When
Young was able to confirm the address, Deputies J.T. Williams and Paul Brazzel
were dispatched immediately to the location and an arrest was made.
Due to
the sensitivity of this particular case, officials at the sheriff’s department
asked that the name of the suspect and victim not be released.
Sheriff
Ken Bailey would like to take this opportunity to remind the citizens of
Claiborne Parish that domestic violence is a crime.
If you
or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, please call 911 or the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.
McCollister receives more charges
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Additional
charges have been levied on a man already arrested on a string of crimes.
Terrion
McCollister, of Dubach, was arrested and charged with several charges by the
Louisiana State Police after he stole a truck and rolled it in the Franklin
Estates area.
Because
he was still at Homer Memorial Hospital being treated for injuries related to
the accident, Claiborne Parish charges had not been released by press time last
Tuesday (July 29).
When
he was finally booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, he was
charged with domestic abuse battery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Bond on those charges was set at $2,000 for the domestic abuse battery charge,
and $5,000 for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
State
police charged him with DWI first, bond set at $750; careless operation, bond
set at $500; no license in immediate possession, bond set at $500; and no seat
belt, bond set at $100.
Records
also indicate McCollister is also wanted on two Lincoln Parish warrants which
include charges of domestic abuse battery and simple battery.
Last
Tuesday afternoon, on July 29, the sheriff’s department received a call in
reference to a rollover accident. When fire and rescue personnel and deputies
arrived on scene, it was discovered the man driving the vehicle – McCollister –
was suspected in an earlier domestic disturbance call that day. Deputies
indicated that he’d allegedly beat up his girlfriend.
After
a brief chase, deputies arrested McCollister and transported him to HMH for
treatment of his injuries. The state police were called in to work the accident
scene and placed the aforementioned charges on him.
Later
in the evening, Lisbon Fire Assistant Chief Scott Greeson said he received a
call in reference to a possibly injured woman walking along Hwy. 156 and La. 2
on the outskirts of Lisbon.
When
he caught up with her, paramedics were dispatched to the Lisbon Fire Station
and transported her to HMH for treatment of her injuries from the physical
altercation.
As of
press time, McCollister remains incarcerated awaiting transfer to Lincoln
Parish.
Handicap ramp closer to reality
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
handicapped accessible ramp in front of the district attorney’s office on The
Square is one step closer to reality.
In
Monday’s town council meeting in Homer, discussion of the ramp was at the top
of the agenda. Balar Engineers and Surveyors approved the plans in June for the
ramp, stating the plans, or blueprints, meet the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) standards. According to the letter, there is one stipulation to meet,
though.
The
plans are approved “with the stipulation that bollards, or parking curbs, be
set accordingly to keep parked vehicles from encroaching on the sidewalk area
and handrails,” the letter said.
Another
issue was cost. James Colvin Sr., the town’s bookkeeper, said the funds for the
project would come from the street repair and industrial funds. And because the
cost of the project is under $25,000, the town will not have to advertise for
bids.
This
falls under the public bid law, which is a state law.
“Any
body of government must comply with this law,” said town attorney Jim Colvin.
“That includes municipalities, parish government, state government, or any
wings of government. It is a law that applies uniformly to all governmental
entities.”
Any
public works contract that costs above $25,000 must be bid out for public bid.
Any project under that amount does not have to be. If the project is declared
an emergency, then it does not have to be bid out. If the project costs under
$25,000, it just has to have the approval of the town council.
Also,
the town is looking into doing some of the work, which will save the town
several hundred dollars.
Bob
McDaniel, District 3 police juror, has kept up with the project since it was
brought to the attention of the police jury several months ago. The police jury
looked into what they could do to resolve the problem, but because the sidewalk
is the town’s property, it was referred to them.
An
employee of the district attorney’s office presented the idea at the December
2007 police jury meeting, because the lack of a ramp in front of their office
is causing major mobility problems for the elderly and handicapped. The step up
is steep and difficult for them to navigate, not to mention the ramp at the end
of the sidewalk poses a problem too.
The
issue was tabled until next month when costs and other information can be put
before the council.
The
council also adopted and renewed the 2008 Ad Valorem tax millage for the town.
This does not mean there is a new tax, it is just a renewal of ad valorem taxes
already collected.
The
council also met in executive session to discuss pending and threatened
litigation, Homer Police Officer Donald Malray and the airport engineer issue,
according to the agenda. No action was taken on these items.
The
next town council meeting will be held Monday, September 1, at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located at the Homer Police Station.
Speed limits to be posted
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
It’s
been made official. Speed limit signs will be posted on Pearl and Monroe
Streets in Homer.
District
2 Councilman Michael Wade brought it to the attention of the council in Monday
night’s regular meeting that speeding is an ever present problem in that area.
He said he’d received several complaints from constituents in his district on
the matter.
Although
there are no speed limit signs in that area, that doesn’t mean those two
streets do not have a speed limit. According to Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills, if no speed limit is posted in a residential area, it is automatically
set at 25 miles per hour.
“If
you live in a residential area, you’re supposed to know the speed limit,” he
said. “If it’s not posted, it’s automatically 25 miles per hour.”
There
is no official time frame as to when these signs will be posted, but it is
expected to be in the very near future.
For
any questions about the signs, citizens can call town hall at 927-3555 or for
questions regarding traffic laws, call the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.
Cooperation among law agencies key to
arrests
The Guardian-Journal
The
cooperation of several law enforcement agencies in Claiborne Parish was the key
in making an arrest on Monday, July 28.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sedrick Millage stopped a vehicle in response to a
request from the Homer Police Department.
Upon
coming into contact with the driver, identified as Demarcus D. Johnson, 20, of
Homer, Millage noted a strong odor of alcoholic impurities. Officer Mario
Thomas and Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton of the Homer Police Department, as well as
Deputies Roger Ellerbe and J.T. Williams arrived on scene to assist.
Pursuant
to the stop, Thomas discovered a weapon and marijuana in the vehicle. Johnson
was then placed under arrest and charged with DWI, possession of marijuana,
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal use of weapons from a
vehicle. A probation violation charge was also added to these.
Bond
was set on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at $15,000; illegal
use of weapons, $5,000; DWI, $750; possession of marijuana, $500; and no bond
on the probation violation.
In an
unrelated incident, two law enforcement agencies assisted each other in the
arrest of an Arkansas man last Thursday.
Deputy
Darren Keel assisted Haynesville Police Officer Kevin Henry with a traffic stop
on Hwy. 79. Upon making contact with the driver, Tarlton Wingfield, 20 of Waldo, Ark.
Officers
discovered that Wingfield appeared to be impaired. Louisiana State Police
Officer Mark Keough arrived to assist. Keough placed Wingfield under arrest for
DWI second. Keel then conducted a vehicle inspection pursuant to arrest and
found two white tablets of suspected Lortabs.
Wingfield
was then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking on
charges of DWI, second offense (underage) with a bond of $1,000; possession of
a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) Schedule III (Lortab) with a bond of
$5,000; and open container with a bond of $500.
Chase leads to string of charges
The Guardian-Journal
A
Homer man found out Monday that running from the police was the wrong thing to
do.
Kevin
Waller, 22, of Homer, was charged with aggravated flight from an officer, hit
and run, resisting an officer, driving with no driver’s license and open
container. Total bond was set at $2,500, $500 on each charge.
According
to reports, Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel attempted to initiate a traffic
stop on Monday, August 4, when he observed a vehicle with no driver’s license
tags. The suspect refused to stop, thus beginning a high speed chase. After
giving chase through Homer, Waller stopped the car and ran on foot.
At the
time McDaniel attempted to give chase on foot, the suspect’s vehicle rolled
backwards and hit the patrol unit with McDaniel still partially in inside.
Officers
were not able to apprehend Waller at that time, but Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Deputies Paul Brazzel and Darren Keel later found the shoes the suspect was
wearing in a field on Bama Street. According to reports, the suspect literally
ran out of his shoes.
Waller
was later located at his home, at which time, he tried to elude police again by
attempting to jump out of the second story window of his home. When he saw
officers outside, he turned and ran back through the apartment where he was
apprehended by McDaniel.
Officer
Roger Smith and Claiborne Parish Deputy Roger Ellerbe assisted McDaniel in
Waller’s arrest.
In an
unrelated case, Frederick Kelly, 22, of Homer, was arrested on charges of
unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and simple criminal damage to
property. Total bond was set at $7,000.
On
Monday August 4, Homer police received a call in reference to a break-in on Pearl Street. The homeowner reported that her home had been broken into, and identified
Kelly as the person she saw in her home without authorization, according to
police reports. After attempting to elude authorities, Kelly was apprehended
and brought back to the Pearl Street residence by Officer Keith Ferguson. The
homeowner then positively identified Kelly.
According
to the reports, Kelly had partially kicked out the window of the patrol unit at
the scene, and caused more damage to the window when he was to be transported
to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Chemical agents were deployed at this
time to subdue the suspect before being transported.
On
Friday, August 1, two men were arrested over a dispute involving a firearm.
Courtney
Wafer was arrested and charged with simple battery and illegal use of a weapon.
Bond was set at $1,000.
Freddie
Hardaway was arrested for discharge of a firearm within the city limits. Bond
was set at $500.
According
to police reports, Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton and responded to a report of a firearm
being discharged on Pearl Street. Hamilton spoke to the homeowner who stated
Hardaway discharged the firearm in the direction of her home. Hamilton observed
a bullet hole in the residence.
According
to reports, Hardaway was looking for Wafer in reference to a dispute regarding
his son in which Wafer was accused of assaulting. Hardaway allegedly shot at
Wafer, who fled on foot and was later arrested by Officer Mario Thomas on the
simple battery charge and illegal use of a weapon. Reports say Hardaway had a
stick in his hand.
Hamilton detained Hardaway and transported him to the Homer
Police Department for questioning. He was then formally placed under arrest.
Both
suspects were transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Relay for Life celebration planned for
August 11
Citizens
of Claiborne Parish will come together on Monday, August 11, 2008 to celebrate the most successful year of fundraising ever in the history of Relay For
Life of Claiborne Parish. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's team
event to fight cancer and is currently held in more than 4,300 communities
nationwide.
"We
would love for anyone who was involved with Relay For Life of Claiborne Parish
this year to come out and join us as we celebrate our success," said Nancy
Mason, Chair for the event this year. "For the first time ever, our Relay
raised over $60,000 for the American Cancer Society, to help fund research,
provide educational resources and patient support programs, and to help in advocacy
efforts on the local, state, and national levels."
The
celebration will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the Willis-Knighton Community Room in Homer, Louisiana. The evening will
feature a special presentation by Christina Griffin, the Community
Representative for the American Cancer Society in Claiborne Parish. During the
Relay For Life, which was held this past May, Christina offered the volunteers
a challenge. "I told them if they reached $60,000 that I would dye my hair
purple-the signature color of Relay For Life. Well, they couldn't resist, and
here we are--I have an appointment on Monday afternoon to have my hair dyed!
My beautician is loving this!" Christina said.
If you
were involved in Relay For Life in any way, or if you are interested in
learning more about getting involved with the event for next year, please join
the committee and team captains on Monday, August 11, 2008 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the Willis-Knighton Community Room in Homer. For more information,
contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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.
Weekend fire sends one to hospital
The Guardian-Journal
A man
received second and third degree burns after trying to get out of his home to
safety Saturday, August 2.
According
to District 6 Assistant Fire Chief Scott Greeson, the home was a total loss.
Firefighters
received a call at approximately 11:50 p.m. in reference to a structure fire.
When they arrived on scene, a mobile home, located on Country Loop in
Summerfield, was fully engulfed.
A
neighbor stated he saw flames and smoke coming from the home, and banged on the
door to wake the occupants inside. One occupant escaped without injury, but the
other received second and third degree burns because he was forced to run
through the flames to escape.
Pafford
Ambulance was called to the scene and administered emergency aid, and LifeLine
of Texarkana, Ark., airlifted the injured man to LSU Health Sciences Center where he was treated for life-threatening burns.
“We had
to administer oxygen because he was in respiratory distress due to smoke and
heat inhalation,” Greeson said. “We went through two bottles of oxygen, and we
thought we were going to have to transport him and meet the ambulance.”
Greeson
stressed the importance of having a smoke detector in the home. As of press
time, it was not known if the home had a smoke alarm inside.
Smoke
detectors are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at Wal-Mart or any
hardware store. District 6 offers an installation program where volunteer
firefighters will install a smoke detector inside a home free of charge. This
program is only available to those who live in Fire District 6.
For
more information on how to get a smoke detector, call Greeson at the Claiborne
911 office at 927-9400.
Hunter’s ed course set to begin August
20
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office along with David Wade Correctional Center will be sponsoring the Hunter Education Courses for 2008.
The
Hunter Education Course will be conducted at the Homer Fire Station beginning
with classes being held on August 20 and 21 from 6 p.m. to 9p.m. and on August 23 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Anyone
interested in this Hunter Education class must preregister with the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Department at (318) 927-2011 or by contacting Colonel Brad
Rogers at (318) 927-0455 or (318) 927-0462.
In
1985, hunter education became mandatory in Louisiana.
Anyone
born on or after September 1, 1969, is required by law to complete the
Louisiana Hunter Education course before purchasing a hunting license. The
minimum age for certification is ten years old.
Hunter
education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and
hunting safety. Today, hunter education programs are about more than safety.
They
have been expanded to produce knowledge, responsible and involved hunters -
hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and
behaving ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and they
provide a refresher for veteran hunters.
Ultimately,
the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the
hunting tradition.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
