Don’t forget to vote!
Election set for this Saturday
The Guardian-Journal
For
those who did not vote early last week, there’s still a chance to make your
voice count.
Voting
hours for election day are set between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. It is important that voters carry valid picture identification when going to the polls.
The
ballot for this Saturday’s election is full with major elections coming around
the corner. In light of that, here’s a look at the ballot set for October 4.
Elections
are listed by office as follows:
4th
Congressional District, Democrats: #22
Willie Banks, #23 Paul J. Carmouche, #24 Artis “Doc” Cash, and #25 John
Milkovich. Republicans include #26 John Fleming, #27 Chris Gorman, and #28 Jeff
Thompson.
2nd
Judicial District, District Attorney:
#68 Darrell R. Avery, Democrat; #69 Chris Bowman, Democrat; #70 David M.
Newell, Democrat; and #71 Jonathan M. Stewart, Democrat.
Public
Service Commissioner: #58 Foster Campbell, Democrat and #59 James “Jim” Crowley, No Party.
Claiborne Parish School
Board, District 1: #72 Betty Richardson,
No Party and #73 A.D. Williams, Democrat. (This race is for the replacement of
former District 1 School Board member Sherman Brown who was appointed to
interim mayor of Haynesville after the passing of Mayor H.U. “Mutt” Slaid.)
Lisbon
Mayor: #74 “Sonny” Greeson, No Party and
#75 Wayne Tanner, No Party.
Lisbon
Aldermen: #76 Jerry W. Clements, No
Party; #77 Scott Greeson, No Party; #78 Marilyn Lowrey Myers, No Party and #79
“Andy” Roberts, Republican.
Several
offices came up for re-election but those incumbents ran unopposed. Sherman
Brown ran unopposed for Haynesville’s mayor and Charles F. Clawson of
Haynesville, Ronnie McKenzie of Homer and Amanda Verdin of Bernice all ran
unopposed for Justice of the Peace. William Earl Maddox, James Pike and Frank
Speer, all of Homer, ran unopposed for Constable.
In the
2nd Judicial District, Judges Jenifer Clason, Jimmy Teat and Glen Fallin all
ran unopposed.
Bossier man caught with drugs
The Guardian-Journal
A Bossier City man was arrested in Claiborne Parish after a traffic stop revealed a passel
of drugs in his vehicle.
On
Thursday, September 25, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Marc Herring was
patrolling Highway 9 north when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate
of speed. A traffic stop was initiated, and upon making contact with the
driver, Sean Williams Rhodes, 26, of Bossier City, Herring asked for the proper
paperwork.
Rhodes advised that his driver’s license was suspended. A
search of the vehicle revealed a paper sack containing three plastic bottles –
one plastic bottle containing 100 hydrocodone tablets, the second plastic
bottle containing 90 carisoprodol (Soma) and the third bottle containing 45
diazapan tablets (valium). These three prescriptions were prescribed to a
person who was not in the vehicle.
Herring
advised Rhodes of his Miranda rights and placed him under arrest.
Rhodes was then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and booked on the following charges:
•
Speeding, bond set at $500;
•
Driving under suspension, bond set at $500;
•
Expired license plate, bond set at $500;
•
Possession of a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (CDS), hydrocodone,
bond set at $2,500;
•
Possession of a schedule IV CDS, valium, bond set at $2,500;
•
Possession of a legend drug (Soma), bond set at $2,500;
•
Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, bond
set at $2,500; and a probation/parole violation, no bond.
In other
news, a Haynesville man was stopped while deputies were on their way to a
disturbance call.
On
Wednesday, September 24, Deputies Darren Keel and Roger Ellerbe were dispatched
to 250 Fred Foster Road in reference to the disturbance. While enroute to the residence,
the two deputies observed a pickup that had a passenger side tail lamp not
functioning.
Upon
making a traffic stop, it was discovered that the driver, Robert S. Foster, 26,
of Haynesville, was driving without a motor vehicle inspection sticker, nor a
valid driver’s license.
A
search of Foster’s person, pursuant to the stop, revealed an approximately
three-inch white pip commonly used for smoking illegal drugs in Foster’s left
front pants pocket. Foster was placed under arrest and advised of his Miranda
rights.
Deputies
had prior knowledge of two outstanding bench warrants on Foster by the Homer
Police Department. They discovered Foster had not taken care of those warrants.
A search of the vehicle due to incident of arrest was performed. Keel and
Ellerbe found a black pouch containing a syringe and a glass pipe (commonly
used for smoking illegal drugs) and a spoon with a black handle (which had a
clear crystal substance on the spoon) under the front driver’s seat.
Foster
was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking on tail
lamps required, no MVI sticker, no license in immediate possession, possession
of drug paraphernalia and two outstanding warrants for the Homer Police
Department. Further charges may be pending.
All
current charges were set with a bond of $500 each, and the failure to appear
warrant for Homer was set at $500. The failure to pay fines warrant was $175.
Suspect flees scene after crash
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The driver of the burned out truck fled
the scene after causing this accident Thursday on Hwy. 518 near the
Claiborne/Webster parish line. The driver of the car was taken to Minden Medical Center to be treated for moderate injuries.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
One
woman is on the run while another was taken to the hospital after a two-car
accident left both vehicles in flames.
Police
are still looking for a woman who fled the scene of an accident that happened
Thursday afternoon, September 25. Claiborne and Webster emergency services were
called to the scene on Hwy. 518 within a mile of the parish line. Once it was
determined the scene was in Claiborne Parish, Fire District 5 and the Homer
Fire Department responded.
Pafford
Ambulance as well as Pafford Air One responded to the scene to administer
medical attention.
According
to Louisiana State Police Reports, the driver of a green Chevy truck was headed
eastbound. When she approached the curve in the road, she failed to negotiate
the curve, running off the right edge of the road. She overcorrected, causing
her vehicle to slide sideways across the road.
She
overcorrected again to regain control of her vehicle, causing it to rotate
clockwise. At this point, the tires came off the wheels, causing the rims to
dig into the pavement and overturn.
The
driver of the second vehicle, a 1992 Chrysler Le Baron, was heading westbound
when he came around that same curve and saw the vehicle overturning. He applied
his brakes, at which point he went off the edge of the road.
“It appears
the truck rolled over the car,” said State Trooper Brett Davis.
The
truck rolled over the car at which point the vehicles caught fire.
The
cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. The driver of the Le Baron was
transported to Minden Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries.
According
to Davis, witnesses described the driver of the green truck to be a Hispanic
female. No other description was given. Witnesses stated she was seen getting
into a red 2-door car and fleeing the scene. She was last seen heading
southbound on Hwy. 518 to Hwy. 9.
If
anyone has any information regarding this accident, they are asked to call the
Louisiana State Police at 318-741-7411 or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
at 318-927-2011.
Arrests pending in domestic case
The Guardian-Journal
Two
women have been arrested and more are pending in a domestic dispute that turned
violent.
A third
was arrested last week in reference to that altercation which took place in
August.
Tamesha
Warren, 33, of Homer, was arrested Wednesday, September 17, on charges of
aggravated battery, bond set at $10,000; simple battery, bond set at $500;
contributing to the delinquency of a minor, bond set at $500; and two counts of
failure to appear, bond set at $500 each.
Fershunda
Burns, 25, of Homer, was arrested Monday, September 22, for simple battery,
with bond set at $500.
A
juvenile also involved in this incident was arrested on charges of aggravated
second degree battery and later released to a guardian.
The
initial incident took place on Wednesday, August 13, when Homer Police were
dispatched to Homer Memorial Hospital in reference to chemical mace being
sprayed. According to witness statements, Warren and Komecia Burns were
involved in altercation when Burns was invited to Warren’s home to question Warren’s daughter about a series of phone calls she had been receiving. At that time, a
verbal altercation ensued between Komecia Burns and Warren’s daughter.
According
to statements, Warren intervened, attacking Komecia Burns. Burns was unable to
free herself, at which time she reportedly sprayed chemical mace to free
herself from Warren. Once Burns was free, she left the residence. Warren then went to Homer Memorial Hospital stating she’d been sprayed with the mace.
Police were called, at which time, officers took statements and advised her as
to what she needed to do to obtain warrants on Komecia Burns.
Later
in the evening, Komecia Burns’ sister, Fershunda, confronted Warren’s daughter
and questioned her about what had taken place earlier. When Warren arrived
home, an altercation began between her and Fershunda Burns. When Komecia Burns
learned of the altercation involving her sister, she went back to Warren’s residence where she was subsequently stabbed in the eye. During that same altercation,
Fershunda Burns was also cut in the leg and the head.
Other
arrests in this case are pending, according to police, and the investigation is
still ongoing. No charges were brought against Komecia Burns.
In
other crime news, a Homer man has been arrested and charged with driving under
the influence.
Terry
Bryant, 45, of Homer, was charged with DWI first, bond set at $750; improper
lane usage, bond set at $500; and resisting an officer, bond set at $500.
On
Friday, September 26, Homer Police Officer Mario Thomas observed a vehicle
traveling north on U.S. Hwy. 79, inside the city limits of Homer. According to
reports, the vehicle’s right two tires were completely across the fog line,
which is the white line on the right side of the road.
Thomas
initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in question where he and Officer Van
McDaniel made contact with the driver, identified as Bryant. According to
reports, Thomas noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person as well
as other signs consistent with impairment.
A field
sobriety test was conducted on Bryant by Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton. “Reasonable
grounds” for driving under the influence were found and officers attempted to
place the suspect under arrest, according to reports. Bryant was reported to
have fought officers, but was arrested.
Bryant
was transferred to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Boys and Girls Club to hold fundraiser
Oct. 9
Sen. Mary Landrieu to be guest speaker
The 10-year celebration Friends and Fundraiser for the Boys
and Girls Club of Claiborne will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Homer City Hall. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu will be the guest speaker. Donations are
$30 for single and $200 for a table of eight. For more information or to get
tickets, contact Tinsley Inc. at 927-9866. Seating is limited, so make your reservations
soon!
Tech associate athletic director to
speak at
Homer Lions Club
Bruce
Van De Velde enters his first year as the deputy athletic director/chief operating
officer for Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.
Van De
Velde comes to Tech with impressive credentials, having served as an
administrator in intercollegiate athletics for more than 20 years. He served as
director of athletics at Iowa State University (ISU and Utah State University
(USU) and as a senior administrator at the University of Oklahoma (UO),
University of Missouri (MU) and Kansas State University (KSU).
Tech
Athletic Director Derek Dooley said finding someone with Van De Velde’s
experience and history of success was critical for the Tech position which will
assist in the day-to-day operations of all aspects of the athletic department.
“Bruce
comes to Tech with a wide array of administrative skills and experience at all
levels,” Dooley said. “He was a part of significant growth and change at both Iowa State University and Kansas State University, and we are looking forward to having him
join the Tech family.”
Van De
Velde said he looks forward to the challenges that his new position at Louisiana
Tech will provide.
“I am
excited about the opportunity to join a great university and an athletic
program that has a vision for success,” he said. “I look forward to the
opportunity to work with President Reneau, Derek Dooley, our staff, student-athletes
and the Louisiana Tech University alumni and fans and help lead our department
to success.”
Van De
Velde’s tenure at ISU included an unprecedented five bowl appearances in six
years and the highest national AP football poll ranking (9th) in school history.
Iowa State’s 2001 average
football attendance of 45,172 reached its highest watermark in 18 years. In
2002 and 2003, total football attendance exceeded 300,000; the most at ISU in
two decades. The emergence of the Cyclone football program on a national stage
with Van De Velde at the department helm was affirmed in 2002 when Iowa State was chosen to play No. 1 Florida State University in the Eddie Robinson Classic.
During
his tenure at Iowa State, the men’s and women’s basketball teams won Big XII conference
championships and participated in the 2001, 2002 and 2005 NCAA basketball
tournaments.
Van De
Velde, with a track record for generating revenue, increased the total annual
operating revenues for the Cyclone athletic department from $19.6 million to
$30 million over a five-year period. Revenue generated from fundraising, ticket
sales, marketing and corporate sponsorships, licensing, radio and television
reached all-time highs during his tenure.
In
2005, total fundraising increased from $4.85 million to $8.6 million and the
National Cyclone Club achieved the highest membership total in its history with
more than 5,500 donors participating and a record $4 million in annual
contributions.
Under
Van De Velde’s leadership, more than 2,000 new donors joined the National
Cyclone Club. Including capital project gifts, scholarship endowments and
annual contributions, more than $40 million was raised during Van De Velde’s
tenure.
Iowa State’s graduation
rate of 89 percent for student-athletes who complete their eligibility was
second in the Big XII Conference, and graduation rates for minority
student-athletes more than tripled during Van De Velde’s tenure.
In
2004-05, Iowa State was one of eight universities nationally to have its
football team win a bowl game and have its men and women’s basketball teams
participate in the NCAA tournament.
The
Sporting News in 2001 rated Iowa State as the 7th best athletic program among
more than 115 NCAA Division I-A programs nationally. The ranking considered
competitive success, graduation rates, fan support and NCAA compliance to
determine national rank.
During
his time as athletic director at Utah State University, Van De Velde made his
mark by hiring Stew Morrill as the head men’s basketball coach. Morrill has guided
Utah State to eight straight postseason tournaments and is the winningest
coach in the history of the Utah State program.
While
serving as the associate athletic director for football operations under head
coach Bill Snyder at KSU, Van De Velde was part of the resurrection of Wildcat
football in Manhattan as the program became a national power participating in
five bowl games. While at KSU, Van De Velde served on the same staff as future
Division I-A head coaches Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops, Mark Mangino and Jim
Leavitt.
Van De
Velde was recipient of the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Award at the 1997 Holiday
Bowl for his contributions to the Kansas State football team when the
nationally ranked Wildcats finished with a 10-2 record.
As the
senior associate athletic for external affairs at the University of Oklahoma, Van De Velde served as the senior administrative officer for the athletic department
and oversaw the areas of fundraising, marketing, corporate sponsorships, ticket
sales and licensing. He oversaw units that generated in excess of $35 million
in annual revenues
He
directed the Campaign for Sooner Sports, a $100 million capital campaign to
fund facility improvements and scholarships.
As
associate athletic director for development at the MU, Van De Velde planned and
initiated a $50 million capital campaign for facility improvements for the Sports Park at MU.
He
received the General Robert Neiland Award from the National Football Foundation
in 2005 for his service and contributions as an athletic director.
Throughout
his career in college athletics, Van De Velde has served on numerous NCAA
committees including the Championships and Competition Cabinet, the Football
Issues Committee, the Financial Aid Committee and the Peer Review Committee for
NCAA certification.
Mt. Olive presents 2008 Homecoming Court
Submitted photo
Mt. Olive Christian School presents its 2008 Homecoming Court. The
game will be played Friday, October 3, in which the court will be presented at
half time. Pictured above, back row from left are Kristen Turner, freshman
maid; Whitney Woods, sophomore maid; and Payal Desai, freshman maid. Pictured
from left, middle row are Kalyn Jordan, junior maid; Alyssa Patterson, football
sweetheart; and Chelsea Martin, junior maid. Front row, from left are Courtney
Johnson, senior maid; Laney Ellis, homecoming queen and Rachael Lonidier,
senior maid.
Reflectors, not LEDs, more cost
effective
channel marker choice
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Watershed District has been approved for improvements to Lake Claiborne, including new channel markers.
In the
district’s discussion at its regular quarterly meeting held Thursday, September
25, the last of the documents required to gain access to the approved grant
funding, awarded to the improvements for Lake Claiborne, were completed and
sent in, as of September 9.
Once
signing takes place, an agreement will be put together to then receive the bids
needed to complete the improvement projects slated for the lake. The board
hopes they will be able to receive bids as early as October.
“We
have had to wait on the grant money. It’s taken way longer than first thought,”
said Chairman Butch Fincher.
One of
these improvements are the new channel markers. Many concerned citizens
attended the meeting to express their concerns on the type of markers the lake
would be receiving.
The
most cost effective buoy system, the board members have discovered, would be
reflectors affixed atop the channel markers. These citizens would prefer a LED
lighting system over the reflector-type markers.
Unfortunately,
the LED system would require a much larger budget and the wording of the grant
proposal requires that the system already have the amount needed to maintain
the system in the budget for a period of 25 years.
The LED
system, a fairly new technology, would require yearly maintenance with the
replacement of the LEDs at least every five years, along with replacing any
stolen or damaged due to weather. The solar batteries, required to power the
LEDs, are another costly requirement.
“If the
funds were there, we would be glad to do it,” Fincher said. “It would be
irresponsible to do it and be unable to guarantee the money.”
The
reflector system would require virtually no maintenance.
The
citizens, while understanding the board’s reasoning, are still interested in
discovering a way to have the maintenance monies in place.
The
board will also be providing “No Wake” zone signs in the coves that require
them, as a part of the grant. The signs would be posted on the last pilings
inside each cove.
Maps
will also be provided after the new channel markers are completed.
In
other business, board member Alice Stewart has been contacted by members of the
public concerning rumors that the lake would be drawn down after the recent
hurricanes. This is not true. Lake Claiborne is not a flood control lake.
These
concerned people would like to be notified in the case of a drawn down. The
board discussed adding a clause to the Watershed Procedure Manual that a
specific person, agreed upon by the board and the public, would be notified of
a draw down and then be required to pass it along to those living downstream.
This
would be considered a courtesy, not a guarantee. The board would like to
formally invite the complainants to supply a contact person at the regularly
scheduled December meeting of the Watershed District.
The
board also discussed the recent plans to improve the area east of the Lake Claiborne dam. Stewart has made plans to write a grant proposal to the Land and Water
Conservation, requesting funds to improve the parking area, implement a picnic
area and add hiking trail.
Further
plans to improve the recreation area at the dam will be discussed at the
December meeting.
Ford Museum Offers Images of America: Claiborne Parish
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
The
release of Ford Museum’s Images of America: Claiborne Parish is fast
approaching. This priceless collection of 232 historic photographs that
chronicle the parish’s history is sure to become a family heirloom.
These
vintage pictures feature many schools that no longer exist, well, other than in
our memories. Early settlers established farms and churches, many of which are
preserved for posterity in this book, Images of America: Claiborne Parish.
Relatives, long gone but not forgotten, appear in many of the school and sports
photographs.
Pictures
of early Homer, Haynesville, Summerfield, Athens, Lisbon, and other parts of
the parish are included as well as images documenting the influence of L&NW
Railroad, the Oil Boom, our historic courthouse, and other Claiborne Parish
treasures.
Linda
Volentine, Director of Ford Museum says, “It’s been a delight to work on the
Images project, and there are so many to thank for their help.
“In
addition to the vintage pictures we have in the Ford Museum collection, others
who freely shared with us include the Claiborne Parish Library, the Claiborne
Parish School Board, The Guardian-Journal, and the private collections of many
individuals.
“Those
who want to order copies of the book by mail should do so right away because we
ordered only a limited printing.”
Available
in a few days, copies may be purchased at Ford Museum beginning October 13 for
$20 each. Copies by mail are $22.50 each, which includes postage and handling.
Order yours today!
Claiborne Parish CERT to hold training
courses
CERT is
offering emergency preparedness courses to train Claiborne Parish citizens in
disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical 1 and 2, light search and
rescue, CERT organization, disaster psychology and terrorism and CERT. On the
last day of training, there will be a review and disaster simulation drill that
morning.
DATES
Monday, October 27
Monday, November 3
Monday, November 10
Monday, November 17
Saturday, November 22
This
course is approximately 20 hours and will prepare volunteers to help their
families, then branch out and help their neighbors when police or emergency
personnel cannot get to them because of the enormity of the disaster.
This
course is free and open to the first 20 people who sign up. To sign up, please
call Sheila Washington at the police jury office at 927-2222.
October: Domestic Abuse Awareness Month
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Claiborne
Parish will remember victims of domestic violence this month in recognition of
October as Domestic Awareness Abuse Month.
Life-sized
silhouettes representing women and children who have died as a result of
domestic abuse will be displayed the last week of the month on the Courthouse Square. Sadly, a new silhouette will be added to the group because another woman
was killed by her partner in the last year.
Mary
Ellen Gamble, Rural Advocate for DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) in
Claiborne Parish, says, “We encourage everyone to wear a purple ribbon this
month as a sign of support for the many courageous women and children who have
left abusive situations and are working hard to build a new life free of
violence and fear. The purple ribbon reminds us of those who have died as a
result of domestic abuse.”
Gamble
continues, “We urge local churches to observe ‘Domestic Abuse Awareness Day’ in
Claiborne Parish on Sunday, October 26. If your church is interested in
observing that day, please call me at 927-2818 for information on how you can
do this and for information for your congregation.”
She
notes that there will also be a noon memorial service for victims of domestic
violence Wednesday, October 29, on the Courthouse Square. The service is open
to everyone.
Gamble
concludes, “We must come together as a community, working together to educate
ourselves and our children on how to address domestic abuse. Not only is it a
growing problem, domestic violence is also a deadly crime.”
If you
are a victim of domestic abuse or want additional information, call Mary Ellen
Gamble at 927-2818 or the domestic abuse hotline, 888-411-1333. All calls are
confidential.
Homer Elementary students discover
‘Picturing America’
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
world has been opened up and expanded for the students of Homer Elementary.
Librarian
Maggie Harris works diligently every year to expand the horizons of young minds
through the written word and art. Receiving a grant for a course curriculum,
called “Picturing America,” young minds will be able to experience history,
art, social studies and other subjects through a very different avenue.
“We
just decided to bring the art to them instead of having to take them out of
Claiborne Parish in order to teach them the same thing,” Harris said. “When I
saw that this had to do with American History and art and teaching it in all
the classes, I was very interested.”
The
prints are all large scale, and there are 40 prints included in the grant
project. The project is of the “We the People” program of the National
Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), conducted in cooperation with the American
Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office.
According
to a press release, the goal of “Picturing America” is to promote the teaching,
study and understanding of American art and history.
According
to the teachers resource guide, the purpose of the artwork is “to show how
visual works of art are valuable records for revealing important aspects of our
nation’s history and culture.”
Homer
Elementary Principal Pat Lee said she is excited about this avenue as a
teaching tool for the arts.
“It
gives the kids exposure to fine art,” she said. “It’s amazing to see these kids
walking down the hall looking at these pictures. We want the kids to know that
there’s more out there than what they experience in Claiborne Parish. We’ll be
able to use these pictures for some time to come.”
Some of
the artwork includes portraits of our founding fathers, including George
Washington. Also included is a reproduction of a photograph taken of the late
President Abraham Lincoln.
Much of
the artwork includes periods of American history that mark momentous periods of
history, including women’s rights to vote, the abolishment of slavery,
American-Indian history and others.
Lee
also encourages the public to stop by the school to view the artwork on
display. The artwork is displayed down both sides of the hallway inside the
school. Parents will have the opportunity to view the artwork at the open house
slated for October 2.
All
public, private, parochial, charter and home schools were given the opportunity
to apply for this grant. Also, public libraries, public library systems and
school districts were given this opportunity.
The
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency
created in 1965, according to their website. It is the largest funder of
humanities programs in the United States.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
