Festival kicks off Christmas season
Spirits high despite weather
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Santa Claus made
an appearance to help Claiborne Parish kick off the season right; a clown brought
smiles to the faces of the children with his balloon animals; and Buddy
Pixley, 2008 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal, and his wife Virginia, smile as
the procession makes its way around The Square.
The Guardian-Journal
The
Christmas season has officially begun in Claiborne Parish.
This
year’s 2008 Christmas Festival was a complete success despite the drizzly
weather Saturday. Luckily, Mother Nature held off enough to allow festival
goers to enjoy a day of fun. With vendors selling an assortment of wares, music
and lots of food, citizens had plenty to do at the courthouse square.
This
year’s Christmas parade went off without a hitch with several community
organizations and businesses showered parade goers with Christmas candy. Santa
even made an appearance with the Claiborne Parish District 4 Fire Department.
Earlier
in the day, athletes young and old from throughout the region converged on
Homer for its third annual Hills of Homer Christmas Run.
Winners
are as follows.
5K Run/Walk
In the
overall female open, Heather Bays, of Homer, took first place with a time of
23:07.3. Second place went to Jean Frye of Minden, with a time of 26:21.1.
In the
separate age divisions, Ginger Baker took first place in the female division,
ages 20-29 with a time of 36:08. In the female division, ages 30-39, Molly
Haile took first place with a time of 28:33. Ages 40-49, Cathy Morris took
first place with a time of 52:21.8. In the 50 and over age division, Becky Bays, of Homer, took first place with a time of 38:45.6. Joy Frye, of Minden, took second place with a time of 45:59.5.
In the
overall male open, Jed Spurlock, of Arcadia, took first place with a time of
20:19.6. Michael Allen, of Homer, took second place with a time of 23:06.3. In
the male age divisions, ages 1-19, Marc Eichhorn, 15, of Monroe, took first
place with a time of 23:23. Spencer Morris, 13, came in second with a time of
56:55.5.
In the
20-29 age division, Rodney Williamson, of Homer, came in first with a time of
30:44.7. Chris Baker came in second with a time of 36:06.8. In the 30-39 age
division, Andy Haile came in first with a time of 23:59.9; Luis Nunez came in
second with a time of 24:33.6; and Heath Mathews came in third with a time of
26:42.
In the
40-49 age division, Sherb Sentell, of Minden, came in first with a time of
24:31.1. In the 50 and over age division, Don Brown, of Saline, came in first
with a time of 25:48.7; Danny Bays, of Homer, came in second with a time of
30:43.6; Julius Cassels, of Minden, came in third with a time of 38:50.2; and
Ted Cox placed fourth with a time of 52:20.7.
10K Run
In the
overall female open, April Waldron placed first with a time of 49:07.6; Shelley
Ryan-Gray, of Shreveport, placed second with a time of 52:30.9; and Julianna
Sentell, of Minden, placed third with a time of 56:07.4.
In the
overall male open, Marcus Eichhorn placed first with a time of 43:30.4, and
Brian Willis, of Benton, placed second with a time of 47:57.1.
Wayne
Hatfield, Hills of Homer Christmas Run chairman, wishes to thank the following
for their support of the run. They are: The Homer Christmas Festival Committee;
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce; CERT – Community Emergency Response Team;
Emerson Oil; Brookshire’s Grocery Co.; Troop 72 BSA; Hatfield Ice; Gurvis
Vines; Karen Emerson; and Susan Knight.
Trash Bash set for Saturday
The Town of Homer’s Clean City Committee is holding its Trash Bash this Saturday, December 6, beginning at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Oil Mill Road between the old cotton warehouses and housing
apartments. This is available to Homer citizens only.
Please be prepared to show
identification.
Items taken include metal and white goods
(refrigerators, washing machines, etc.) and regular trash accepted. No limbs
will be accepted unless bundled in 6-foot long pieces.
For more information, please call
927-3271 or 927-2342.
Election Day is this Saturday
Elections for the U.S. Represenative 4th Congressional District race is this Saturday, December 6. On the
ballot include Gerard Bowen Jr., No Party, Chester T. “Catfish” Kelley, No
Party, Paul J. Carmouche, Democrat and John Fleming, Republican. Please go
vote!
Cash reward offered in burglary case
The Guardian-Journal
The
owner of Homer Loans is offering a $250 cash reward for any information leading
to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burglarized the
business.
On
Sunday, November 30, the Homer Police Department was dispatched to Homer Loans
in reference to a burglary. The perpetrator(s) broke out a window to gain
entry. A safe with an undetermined amount of cash was stolen as well as a small
amount of cash in a candy box.
The
incident occurred sometime during the Thanksgiving holidays.
“All
business owners, please beware of the rise in robberies this holiday season,”
said Homer Loans owner Dick Dorrell. “If it happened to me, it could happen to
you.”
If
anyone has any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible,
please call the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000. All tips will remain
anonymous.
Shooting suspect arrested in Shreveport
The Guardian-Journal
Another
suspect named in a recent drive-by shooting has been arrested.
Rickey
Knowles, of Homer, was arrested Monday, December 1, after the Homer Police
Department received a tip in reference to his whereabouts. Police were told
Knowles was located at Huntington High School in Shreveport. With the help of
the Caddo Sheriff’s Department, Homer Police Officer Mike Rayburn picked him up
and transported him to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
He was
charged with illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentalities. Bond was
set at $50,000.
The
incident occurred Sunday evening when police were dispatched to Pearl Street in reference to gunshots. Upon officers’ arrival, several witnesses were
questioned and the names of those responsible for the crime were obtained.
Witnesses identified Knowles as the shooter and that he’d been shooting at
people in the area, according to police reports.
Others
involved in the incident were named. Kendrick Jones was arrested and charged
with accessory after the fact. Jones was later released. Jimmy Taylor, 18, of
Homer, was also arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and simple
possession of Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS). Bond for Taylor was set $500 on each charge.
Officers
Van McDaniel and Roger Smith responded to the scene and are currently heading
up the investigation.
Want to give back to your community?
Here’s how
The Guardian Journal
It’s
the time of year when gratitude impels many to want to give back to the
community. If you feel that way, where do you start?
Claiborne
Parish has several worthy charitable projects that are active during the
holiday season. Most community churches reach out to the needy and welcome the
opportunity to assist. They would welcome your donations and volunteer efforts.
There
is also the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, a major local holiday undertaking
jointly supported locally by Brookshire’s, the Lions Club, the local 4-H, the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and others. Student 4-H leaders are already
collecting canned goods from area schools which are combined with local canned
goods given at Brookshire’s and other collection sites. On December 19
locally-donated canned goods will be sorted, boxed, then distributed to needy
local families by the Lions Club. Over 150 boxes were delivered last year to
needy families throughout Claiborne Parish.
At this
year’s recent Christmas Festival, Melissa Smith and Charlene Killgore set up a
booth for the first time in memory of 4-year-old Jake Raborn. A brave entrant
in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, little Jake lost his battle for life in
October, 2006. Melissa and Charlene were so touched by Jake’s story that they
have signed on to raise money in Jake’s memory for St. Jude’s children’s
program.
Alice
Gandy, Coordinator for Claiborne Hospital Foundation, reminds everyone of their
current fundraising campaign, Critical Care . . . Close to Home. “Our goal is a
million dollars to expand and upgrade the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Just
contact me or any Foundation board member, and we’ll be glad to explain our
programs for giving. And if you’re not getting the Foundation’s newsletter,
Milestones, call me at 927-2024 to be added to the mailing list.”
Mary
Ellen Gamble, Rural Advocate for the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) in
Claiborne Parish, also reminds readers of DART’s drawing for $500 in Christmas
Cash. Every $2 donation gets a ticket for the Christmas Cash drawing on
December 18. Call 927-2818 to make your donation and get a ticket.
Sponsored
by several local churches, many may not realize the broad range of charitable
activities supported by the Thrift Shop on West Main in Homer. A Shop volunteer
says they usually see an increase in articles left in the Thrift Shop donation
bin this time of year. She said they are surprised that some donated items are
brand-new and unused.
As
mentioned, the Thrift Shop supports many other charitable activities. Some
include the David Wade Toy Drive, cash donations to each area school for
supplies for needy students, donations to the Claiborne Parish Christmas
Festival, donations to the Ford Museum, and donations to the Office of
Community Services on behalf of those unable to pay their utilities.
The
Thrift Shop makes a small charge for items it sells. The variety of items
available include clothing for men, boys, women, girls, and infants; dishes;
books; electronics; and other things too numerous to list. Although donations
of cash and of clothing, dishes, etc., are welcome, the donation of greatest
value is a little of your time as a volunteer.
Although
there are numerous other charitable activities going on around the parish, the
ones covered here represent a few ways you can give back to our community
during this season of generosity. Choose one (or more) and give.
CPSO offers help to victims of crime
Life is
often uncertain and can leave us feeling powerless in many circumstances.
There
are times when we do not have choices – they are made for us. A criminal can
inflict physical or emotional harm to an innocent person, causing a chain of
events that can be devastating to their lives. In many cases, physical injuries
leave a victim with medical bills that arise as a result of a crime and the
victim has no insurance coverage.
Emotional
trauma can be equally as difficult. We make decisions and choices that affect
every area of our lives. Many times, these decisions alter our lives in
detrimental ways, but they are our decisions and choices. Victims of violent
crimes do not have the same options. Pain and suffering are inflicted upon them
with no thought given to how it changes their lives.
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office offers many services to our citizens who may
find themselves in situations such as these. Our programs include crisis
counseling, personal advocacy, criminal justice support, sexual assault
advocacy, assistance in filing compensation claims, information and referral to
outside agencies and follow up services. These are only a few of the ways we
strive to assist victims of crime.
Crime
Victim’s Assistance has a long-standing history in the United States. As early as 1965, states began enacting laws and programs to assist victims.
People were recognizing the need for legislation to help the victim of a crime,
not just to prosecute the offender. The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 was passed
by Congress to provide for direct services to be offered to victims of violent
crimes. Funding for this program is generated entirely by fines, penalty
assessments and forfeited appearance and bail bonds collected by the federal
government.
The
Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement is the state agency designated by the
governor to administer the program in Louisiana. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office, through the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was awarded funds
to establish a crime victim’s assistance program for our citizens.
As a
victim of violent crime, our citizens have certain rights awarded by a Louisiana constitutional amendment. Among these rights are the right to receive emergency,
social and medical services; the right to apply for financial assistance
through the Crime Victim’s Reparations Board; the right to request restitution
from the offender; the right to be notified of legal proceedings and be present
and heard at all critical stages of the proceedings; the right to a reasonably
prompt conclusion of the case and the right to fill out a victim impact
statement. Most importantly, a victim has the right to be treated with dignity
and respect.
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office places high importance on the rights of
victims. We cannot fully impose justice to an offender if we do not consider
the lives that offender has affected. To a victim, it may appear that their
life is out of control; they have been stripped of their right to make choices.
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office works to give choices back to the victim.
Unfortunately, we cannot predict the time and place of criminal behavior. We
cannot change what has already occurred. We can, however, reach out to victims
and offer services to assist them on the road to recovery.
Life is
about choices. Make the best one for yourself or someone you love. If you or
someone you know has been the victim of a violent crime, please contact Deputy
Donna McCarty, claims investigator, at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at
318-927-9800. You have the right to be treated with compassion and fairness. We
believe one person can make a difference; two people can make profound
progress; standing together, we can change things.
Be alert when shopping this holiday
season
There’s
a certain buzz of excitement this time of year that indicates the holiday
season is upon us. There’s anticipation in the children’s eyes as they’re
anxiously waiting to sit on Santa’s lap and parent’s faces also have a cheerful
countenance as they busily hustle about in preparation.
The
streets and houses even have that special glimmer and glow that let us know the
holiday season has clearly arrived.
The
holiday season may very well be the “most wonderful time of the year” for
shoppers. With such dazzling displays of colors, lights and sounds in every
storefront and walkway shoppers can easliy zone out and fall into “shopping
mode” oblivious to the reality around them.
“Unfortunately,
when shopping, people sometimes have a tendency to become distracted and lose
sight of their personal safety, but don’t become so preoccupies with the thrill
and excitement of shopping and holiday festivities that you lose your sense of
good judgment when it comes to your personal safety,” warns Sheriff Ken Bailey.
Sheriff
Bailey advises that it may also be the “most wonderful time of year” criminals.
This time of year has a tendency to attract more shopping-related criminal
activity because thieves prey unpon larger crowds and extended store hours.
These
factors, combined with the usual distractions related to shopping, create a
more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.
Despite
the fact that security measures are being heightened to protect shoppers across
the country, he is warning Claiborne Parish residents to keep their guard up to
avoid becoming one of the millions of people victimized by crime each year.
Sheriff
Bailey suggests busy shoppers take some safety precautions to reduce their
chances of being victimized by criminals who thrive on shoppers at this time of
the year. Those safety precautions includ:
Before
you leave:
• There
is safety in numbers. Always try to shop with another person. A single shopper
is the ulitilate target for theft.
• When
going shopping, make sure you tell someone where you are going and what time
you expect to return home.
• Try
and avoid taking young children into busy shopping areas, but if it is
unavoidable, make sure they know what to do if they lose you. e.g. tell the
nearest counter assistant they are lost and NEVER leave a shop without you.
•
Agree on a meeting point with older children in case you get separated.
•
Before going shopping, remove from your wallet or purse any credit cards or
other valuable indentification that you will not need to reduce risk.
• Make
a list of all credit card numbers and the numbers to call in case they are lost
of stolen. This will make the incident a lot easier to report.
While
shopping:
• Be
alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in busy areas
where thieves and pickpockets target purses and bags left unattended.
• Be
aware that wearing headphones will decrease your ability to stay alert to your
surroundings.
• Be
alert to distraction theft. Watch out for thieves using a “tag team” approach.
While one person distractgs you by bumping into you and through conversation,
the other is snatching your purse or wallet.
• Don’t
get loaded done with too many bags. Plan for your heaviest purchases last. Try
to keep one hand free.
• If
you are in a store and sense that you are being followed, locate a store
employee or security personnel. Be prepared to give them a complete description
of the person you suspect.
• If
you think you sopt a thief or pickpocket, alert the police or security staff.
Avoid a confrontation whenever possible.
• If
carrying cash, keep it in a fron pocket. This makes it more difficult for a
pickpocket to remove.
•
Store car keys in a pant or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will
still be able to drive home.
•
Always carry a cell phone for easy access to emergency services.
Parking
lot safety -
•
Don’t leave lots of presents on display in a parked car as they could tempt
thieves. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.
• Plan
ahead. If you know you are going to return to your car after nightfall, park in
a well-lit area. Note your parking place.
• If
you feel uneasy returing to your car alone, find a security guard and ask him
to walk you to your car.
• Have
your keys in your hand to avoid spending unneccessary time unprotected from the
security of your vehicle.
• When
approaching your car, check around it and in the back seat.
“Have a
safe and joyous holiday season from your Parish Sheriff’s Office,” Bailey
concluded.
Come to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born
The
Backyard Bible Club is bringing “A Night in Bethlehem: A Hands-On Holy Land
Experience” to Homer December 12-13.
“City
Hall is being transformed into the village of Bethlehem, complete with a manger
and stable of animals out back,” said the Rev. Pat Bates of Wesley Chapel and
director of the community’s annual Backyard Bible Club.
The Bethlehem event will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for everyone in the
family. At the carpenter’s shop, families will craft their own musical harps
and nativity ornaments to take home. At the bakery and candy shops, they will
sample treats. The herbs and spices shop will display fragrant herbs and spices
named in the Bible.
Visiting
the synagogue, everyone will learn of God’s amazing love. Nearby, they will
play the dreidel game, a favorite of Jewish boys and girls, and listen to
inspiring native music. Each experience will help children and adults better
understand what life was like when Jesus the Christ was born.
“A
Night in Bethlehem” is an exciting way for families to learn more about the
birthplace of Jesus as they become immersed in authentic Bible-times culture.
They will witness real-life dramas that bring the Christmas story to life. Bethlehem village gates will be open from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday, December 12. All day
Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., the program will continue.
Also on Saturday, shepherds will guide visitors to a “backyard” manger and
stable of live animals, where they can talk to Mary and Joseph.
Each
family who experiences “A Night in Bethlehem” can have their picture made as a
keepsake of the event they will receive a book of family-time devotions to
remind them that God loves them. The program is free and open to all. It is
dedicated to the memory of Dr. James F. Gladney, who devoted his life to the
education and well being of children and families in Claiborne Parish.
Coordinating
and assisting staff include Bates, the Rev. John McClelland, Peggy Champ,
Bwinichi Winzer, Bonnie Keene and Cindy Bolling. For more information, contact
the Wesley Chapel at 927-9467.
