DTV: What you need to know
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
“big switch” is fast approaching, and if left without a converter box, many
will be left without a television to watch.
KPXJ
Channel 21 General Manager David Rowe came to the Homer Lions Club last
Thursday to explain what the “big switch” is all about and what it means for
everyone.
“All
that’s happening is we’re switching from the analog signal that we’ve been
broadcasting from and switching it to a digital signal,” he said.
Since
the invention of television, shows and news broadcasts have been televised on
an analog signal. What the television industry wants to do is to not only bring
its industry into the 21st century, but open up analog waves as well.
There
is a good reason for doing this, Rowe said. They are taking the existing
bandwidth and turning it into emergency services as well as selling some to
cell phone companies and other entrepreneurships.
For
months now, the converter boxes have been on sale at various electronics stores
and outlets.
“A TV
converter box is a stand-alone device that allows your antenna to receive and
convert digital signals into a format analog television sets can display,”
according to DTVanswers.com.
The
boxes cost approximately $80 per box.
The
good news is the federal government has also been offering a coupon program to
make the boxes more affordable. The coupons are $40 each and can be used to
apply toward the cost of the converter box. Households will be able to obtain
up to two coupons per household. The coupons expire within 30 to 60 days of
issuance.
The
“big switch” date is February 17, 2009. Remember, if you do not have a
converter box or are not already on digital television through your satellite
or cable service provider, you will not be able to watch television.
To get
a coupon, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or go to this website, www.dtv2009.gov.
Train derails in Homer neighborhood
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
RJ Corman Derailment Services, out of
Bossier City, use four cranes to lift this car in an attempt to re-rail it.
According to Patriot Rail Corporation spokesman J.D. Ventrcek, the car was
carrying steel billets to Magnolia, Arkansas. This was the scene of the
derailment before work crews arrived on scene Thursday afternoon.
The Guardian-Journal
A train
derailment left some residents in the Buck Bottom area without water for a few
hours last week.
Several
cars carrying steel billets to Magnolia, Ark., derailed sometime around lunch
Thursday, November 13, blocking traffic on both sides of North 4th Street in
Homer.
J.D.
Ventrcek, vice president of transportation for Patriot Rail Corporation, said
it was a low speed derailment, well within the speed requirements for this type
of track. But, the actual cause of the derailment is still under investigation.
“We’re
still investigating the cause,” he said, “and right now, we don’t have an
estimate on the cost of the damage. The track damage is actually worse than it
looks.”
Preliminary
investigations indicate the derailment may have been track related, he said.
Crews
had to re-rail the cars, meaning put the wheels back under the cars, and get
them off the damaged portion of the track. Then they had to rebuild that area
of track and clean up.
According
to Ventrcek, crews found a broken water main at approximately 10 p.m. that night and shut down clean up efforts until the next morning. The track and
road were expected to be opened back up around 6 p.m. Friday evening.
He also
wanted to thank city crews, the Homer Police Department and RJ Corman
Derailment Services for their hard work in the cleanup efforts.
“The
people have been very cooperative, as have the police department,” he said. “RJ
Corman – they’re the best; they know what they’re doing.”
RJ
Corman Derailment Services, a company out of Bossier City that specializes in
train derailments, handled the cleanup and re-railing efforts.
Traffic stop leads to possession charges
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
was arrested on possession charges after he was stopped for not using his
blinker.
David
Casey was arrested on several charges after Officer Joseph Henry initiated the
traffic stop.
On
Saturday, November 15, Casey was pulled over for no turn signal. As Henry
approached the vehicle, reports say he detected a strong odor of marijuana
coming from the vehicle.
When
Henry asked Casey for his driver’s license and to exit the vehicle, the suspect
stated he did not have his license with him. A background check was conducted,
which revealed Casey’s license was suspended.
After
Casey gave permission to conduct a search, Henry found a bag of marijuana
inside the vehicle as well as a black pouch containing what appeared to be
crack.
Casey
was taken into custody and taken to the Homer Police Department for booking.
Casey is charged with possession of marijuana, with bond set at $1,000;
possession of schedule II CDS cocaine, with a bond of $5,000; driving under
suspension and use of turn signals required, each carrying a bond of $500.
CPSO continues war on drugs
The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is continuing its war on drugs.
Two
Bernice men were arrested after a traffic stop yielded suspected drugs, and a
third was also caught red-handed.
On
Wednesday, November 13, Lt. Randy Pugh, of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office, observed a passenger of a vehicle throw something out of the vehicle.
Pugh stopped the vehicle for the violation and noticed a strong odor of
marijuana coming from the vehicle.
The
driver, Jason L. Shirey, 27, of Bernice, advised the lieutenant that he did not
have a driver’s license. The passenger of the vehicle, Billy Daniel Laird, 20,
also of Bernice, advised him that he threw a cigar containing marijuana out of
the vehicle.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Marc Herring located the marijuana cigar and Laird
identified it as belonging to him. A search of the vehicle, pursuant to the
stop, revealed suspected marijuana in a plastic bag under the front passenger
seat of the vehicle. Both subjects were then arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Deputies
discovered that Shirey had two active warrants through the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office. Shirey was charged with no license in immediate possession,
with bond set at $500; possession of marijuana, bond set at $500; and two
failure to appear warrants, with bond set at $500 each. Laird was charged with
littering, with bond set at $500; and possession of marijuana, bond $500.
In an
unrelated case, a Junction City man was arrested after a traffic stop lead to
the discovery of drugs.
Herring
was on patrol on Hwy. 9, on Tuesday, November 12, when he observed a vehicle
with no license plate light. When Herring initiated the stop, he saw the
driver, identified as Makado Kemp, 24, throw a clear plastic baggie from the
vehicle.
Following
the stop, the deputy requested the necessary paperwork and discovered Kemp’s
license to be suspended. Deputy Darren Keel arrived to assist and recovered the
baggie Kemp threw from the vehicle. The baggie contained crack cocaine.
Kemp
was arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was charged with improper lane usage, with bond set at $500; tail lamps required,
with bond set at $500; littering prohibited, with bond set at $500; driving
under suspension, with bond set at $500; possession of crack cocaine with
intent to distribute, with bond set at $5,000; obstruction of justice, and
resisting an officer, with bond set on both of those charges at $500 each.
National Young Reader’s Week observed
locally
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
November
10-14 was a special week of activity for millions of educators, students,
parents, and community leaders across the nation. Educators and pupils at Homer Elementary School observed National Young Reader’s Week with a number of distinctive
activities.
To kick
things off, Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat greeted students as
they got to school Monday morning.
Monday
also began the Scavenger Hunt. Incorporating five questions about education or
children’s books, the hunt climaxed Friday afternoon with a drawing for a new
book for the winning classroom.
Tuesday
included a Book Fair from 5-6:30 in addition to classes’ continuing their work
on the Scavenger Hunt.
Wednesday
was the deadline for Schoolwide Summary Reports. The class with the most AR
points earned brand new bookmarks.
Various
community leaders read to different classes in the gym throughout the day
Thursday. Claiborne Parish Superintendent Wayne King began the morning’s
readings with the pre-K children, followed by Homer Mayor David Newell, who
read to the kindergarteners. Pam Suggs and Nancy Smock from the Claiborne
Parish Library in Homer read to first-graders, then third-graders enjoyed Vietnam veteran Tommy Wyant.
The
afternoon program included Charles Etta Johnson, Chief Civil Deputy with the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s office, who read to the second-graders. Linda
Volentine, Director of the Herbert S. Ford Museum, then read to the fifth-grade
classes. Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey rounded out the afternoon by
reading to the fourth-graders.
For
Friday many of the classroom teachers dressed like book characters for the
chance to earn a free library period. Other school staff who participated were
eligible to win a free soft drink and snack.
Considering
the rising rate of aliteracy, such events as National Young Reader’s Week can
be effective in promoting the lifelong habit of reading.
Christmas Festival set for November 29
The Guardian-Journal
The
Christmas Festival is almost here with something for everyone.
The
third annual Hills of Homer Christmas Run will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 29. At 9 a.m., festival activities begin with an array of
craft and food vendors to choose from.
Entertainment
will include many local artists singing and performing throughout the day. Free
horse and buggy rides will also be available.
Don’t
forget the Christmas parade! Line up begins at noon at Homer High School, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. For those interested in
participating in the parade, please call Vanessa Efferson at 927-9555.
At 3 p.m., a street dance will be held until 5 p.m., with Monty Russell and the Hardcore
Troubadours.
Festival
activities will end at 5 p.m. For those interested in signing up for the Hills
of Homer Christmas Run, please go to http://sportspectrumusa.com to fill out an
application. Mark your calendars!
Brookshire’s, Homer Lions team up for
‘Spirit of Christmas’ food drive
The
27th annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, sponsored by Brookshire Grocery
Co., and the Homer Lions Club, begins on Wednesday, November 19.
The
food drive provides food for needy families in the Homer area at Christmas.
“We
have always had tremendous community response to the food drive,” said Sam
Anderson, BGC’s director of consumer and community relations. “This has grown
into one of the largest privately sponsored charitable efforts in the region.”
Area
residents may make donations by placing non-perishable food items in designated
bins located in participating Brookshire’s or Super 1 Foods stores.
People
are asked not to donate homemade goods or items in glass jars. Bulk items, such
as flower, sugar or corn meal, should be donated in smaller sizes to allow for
more variety in the boxes given to the recipients.
In
addition to the public food donations, each family will receive at least one
roasting hen from Brookshire Grocery Company.
Members
of the Homer Lions Club will sort, package and distribute the food to the
families before Christmas.
All
food collected in the area will be distributed in the Homer area.
Families
assisted by the Spirit of Christmas food drive are selected by local relief
organizations or government agencies according to need.
The
Spirit of Christmas Food Drive began in 1982, when 92 families in Tyler, Texas, received assistance.
Early Voting continues through Tuesday,
Nov. 25
Early
voting continues through November 25. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The office will be closed Sunday, November 28. This is for the 4th
Congressional District race. Election Day is Saturday, December 6.
GIS flyover postponed until December
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Geographic Information System (GIS) flyover for Claiborne Parish has been
postponed until December.
Pinnacle
Mapping Technologies, based in New York, has been contracted by Region 7 Office
of Homeland Security to conduct the flyover to update the parish’s mapping
system.
Region
7 includes Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Desoto, Webster, Claiborne and Bienville
parishes.
Scott
Greeson, director of Claiborne Parish 911, has been working for the last year
with the Office of Homeland Security to get an upgraded aerial mapping system
for the parish to combat many problems in different entities of the parish.
“The
possibilities of what this system will do is endless,” Greeson said. “This
mapping system can be used for anything. It just makes everybody’s job easier.
This tool is just unbelievable and it’s just the beginning.”
Geographic
Computer Technologies, LLC (GCT) is working with the parish to get this mapping
system set up for the parish. The benefit of such a system is infinite, but the
agency to gain the most is the tax assessor’s office. The mapping system would
give a more accurate picture of property lines in the parish on what’s called a
parcel map. This system will be very useful for the 911 Office, the Registrar
of Voters, municipalities, law enforcement agencies and emergency services.
It also
creates an environment of interdepartmental information sharing and
communication through a shared database. It increases communications between
individuals and departments, reduces redundancy and increases organizational
efficiency.
GCT
will gather the data and build a website for officials’ use. The mapping system
builds “blueprints” of what the user needs. GCT will then teach users how to
use the software and the system itself.
For
example, a utility company or a municipal water system can use the GIS to map
out its water systems. If a repair needs to be made, the software can produce
the needed information for the affected areas and produce a computer generated
letter about the affected area.
It
won’t produce 100 percent accuracy, but it is expected to eliminate approximately
98 percent of the problems they face now.
For
more information on the GIS system or for questions, call Greeson at
318-927-9400.
Medicare Part D Enrollment now open
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Medicare
Part D’s open season runs from November 15-December 31. During this time
Medicare participants may do two things: (1) Those not enrolled in a Part D
plan may choose to enroll. (2) Those who are enrolled may switch from one plan
to another.
Generally
speaking, during open season each enrollee should compare their current plan
with other plans to determine if a different plan could save them money while
improving their coverage.
Medicare
Part D helps Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug costs. In 2003
lawmakers predicted $44/month as the 2009 average Part D monthly premium for
prescription drug coverage. However, government officials note that the average
Part D monthly premium for 2009 is just $28.
They
say that the competitive nature of the Part D prescription drug program lowers
monthly premiums. Unlike traditional government programs where there's just one
plan for everyone, Medicare Part D is structured so that insurance companies
compete for customers. Because beneficiaries can switch plans during open
enrollment, insurers must make their plans attractive or lose customers. The
result is more choices and lower costs.
Even
so, some drug plans are raising their prices for 2009 and changing what drugs
they cover. This means that every Part D enrollee—even those who are happy with
their plan—should review their coverage now.
One way
to do so is by means of www.medicare.gov, the Medicare website. On the site is
the “Medicare Plan Finder,” a program that compares plans based on monthly
premiums, drug coverage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
However,
those uncomfortable with computers can get help tollfree at 800-Medicare. They
can talk with a customer service representative who will guide them through
their choices.
Jean
Reynolds with the local Office of Community Services advises that area Medicare
beneficiaries needing help can call their office at 927-3557.
Since
Part D’s open enrollment period ends December 31, Medicare participants should
act now.
— o —
“With
[good] health, everything is a source of pleasure; without it, nothing else,
whatever it may be, is enjoyable.” — Arthur Schopenhauer (l788-1860)
