School Superintendent to retire
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Superintendent of Schools Wayne King
dropped a bombshell at Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting when he
announced that he would not be renewing his contract at the end of June. After
the announcement, the school board seemed somber as they digested the news.
“I chose to place my contract on the agenda
early,” King said to the board Thursday night, “because I wanted to advise the
board that I will not be seeking a contract extension at the end of my current
contract.
“This board has been very good to me, and I
appreciate you,” he continued. “I wanted to give the board as much notice as
possible of my decision so that the board can begin the process of advertising
for a superintendent on a timely basis to ensure a smooth transition.”
The board approved a motion to accept
King’s retirement at the end of his contract.
“I just want to thank you for the hard work
you’ve done for us,” said School Board President William Maddox.
The board also decided that they wanted to
make sure someone was chosen in enough time to allow King to show the new
superintendent the ropes. King said he fully intends to help with the
transition.
The school board will begin advertising for
the vacancy as soon as possible. According to Louisiana Revised Statute 17:54,
the board has to advertise a vacancy for the position on “two separate days at
least one week apart” in the school board’s official journal. They have to
publish it once in a daily newspaper in a metropolitan area with a population
of at least 100,000 nearest the board’s offices, and it has to be done 30 days
in advance of filling the position.
“All the advertising must be done 30 days
before the vote to hire the superintendent,” said Jon Guice, an attorney with
Hammonds and Sills, who attended the meeting Thursday night.
In other school board news, the NAACP was
put on January’s agenda as requested, but the organization sent in another
letter to the school board requesting they be taken off the agenda. No reasons
were given as to why.
In December’s meeting, the NAACP, along
with several concerned citizens, showed up in force to address the board with
some concerns they had, but those concerns were never heard.
The board and two representatives speaking
on behalf of the NAACP were at odds in regards to open meetings laws and school
board policy. Billy Kirk, Claiborne’s NAACP president, had vowed this issue
would be placed on January’s agenda.
In personnel actions, the school
board ended up meeting in executive session in regards to someone recommended
to be hired as a teacher in one of the Homer schools. The reason they voted to
meet in executive session was concerning why one non-certified applicant was hired
over a certified applicant.
Mary McDaniel, director of Human
Resources, said the applicant also has to be qualified for the position,
suggesting the non-certified teacher was more qualified than the certified applicant.
“In addition to being
certified, you also have to be qualified for the position,” McDaniel said.
When the board rose out of executive
session, they accepted McDaniel’s recommendations as presented. Six members voted
in favor of and two voted against, which means Davince Taylor will replace
Harold McPhee at Homer Junior High School as a special education teacher.
District 9 School Board Member Blake Hemphill could not vote on the matter.
The school board also elected
officers for the year 2009.
The board approved a motion
to re-elect all the current officers. Will Maddox will serve as the school
board president again and Vera Meadors will again serve as vice president of
the board. Appointments for all the committees will be addressed at a later
date.
The next school board meeting
will be held Thursday, February 5, at 6 p.m. at the school board office in
Homer.
Accused rapist captured
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A fugitive from justice is now behind bars,
thanks to interagency communications.
The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office caught
a man who was indicted in Claiborne Parish on the charge of forcible rape.
Dennis Tyrone Knowles, 25, of Homer, was
arrested by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, January 8, on two
Claiborne Parish bench warrants for failure to appear on charges of forcible
rape. No bond has been set.
According to Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills, Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton contacted him on December 19, 2008, in reference to a fatality involving an unknown black male.
In the early morning hours of December 19,
Sarepta Police had stopped an older model Chevrolet on Hwy. 371, according to
Sexton. The suspect fled on foot, and a subsequent search of the vehicle
revealed Knowles’ identification.
When the plates on the truck
were run through police databases, it came back registered to Knowles’
girlfriend. “Sarepta Police seized and impounded the truck,” Sexton said.
Approximately six to eight
hours after the traffic stop, it was reported that a black male had been run
over by a truck on that same highway. At first, the deceased was believed to be
Knowles.
“He looked very similar to
the Knowles suspect,” Sexton said. “We sent his (remains) to Dr. Peretti
(Arkansas State Crime Lab, Little Rock) and it was found that this person was
not Dennis Knowles.”
The deceased was later
identified as Earl Wayne Jackson of Cotton Valley.
Upon further investigation,
police found that Knowles was working for a pipeline company working in both
Claiborne and Webster parishes. Mills received information that
Knowles had quit the pipeline
and was due one more pay check.
He contacted Sheriff Sexton
Tuesday afternoon on January 6, and informed him that he’d received the tip on
the check.
He was expected to receive
the check on Thursday. Sheriff’s deputies teamed up and went to the pipeline
office and when Tyrone came to get his check, he was surprised to be met by
deputies.
“I appreciate the
correspondence and the quick response of Sheriff Sexton and his department. Through
his efforts, this capture was successful.” Mills said. “With his resources,
they were able to execute an arrest. With one piece of information from a
person in good faith, we turned it into an arrest of a fugitive. With public
involvement, it just goes to show that we can accomplish our tasks in taking
the bad guys off the street.”
Knowles was arrested on January 8, 2007, for forcible rape after Homer Police were contacted in December 2006.
Investigating officers were
Ken Wood and Mike Rayburn.
The victim identified Knowles
as her attacker from a photo lineup. A bill of information listing the charge
was filed on January 19, 2007. A preliminary exam, or evidentiary hearing, was
held, and the judge released Knowles because she found no probable cause to the
charge of forcible rape. This does not necessarily mean the charges were
dismissed.
He was ordered to appear in
court on October 1, but failed to show up. Knowles was later indicted by a
grand jury on the forcible rape charge October 8, 2008. He was ordered again to appear in court on November 12, but also failed to appear.
Knowles was extradited from Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with no bond.
Taking the oath...
Stewart sworn in as
new DA
The Guardian-Journal
photo/Michelle Bates
Jonathan Stewart,
pictured right, was sworn in as the new district attorney for the Second
Judicial
District on Friday,
January 9. Sworn in by Judge Harmon Drew, pictured left, Stewart promises to
work hard to keep the
public trust.
The Guardian-Journal
The Second Judicial District’s new district
attorney was sworn in at the front of a packed house in Arcadia.
Jonathan Stewart, the new district
attorney, took the oath of office in the Bienville Parish Courthouse in Arcadia, Friday, January 9 in front of his colleagues, his family and several local
dignitaries.
Before Stewart was officially sworn in,
outgoing district attorney Walter May talked about his time serving the
district as its district attorney. He shared his thoughts and appreciation for
all those he’s worked with over the last several years – but he’s glad to be
going, he said.
“It’s been an honor to serve,” May said to
the crowd around him. “Some say it’s bittersweet; it’s not. It’s just sweet.
What an honor to know that I can leave this chair (referring to the
prosecutor’s chair in the courtroom) and turn it over to Mr. Stewart.”
When Stewart stood before Judge Harmon Drew
and raised his right hand, the room grew quiet as flashes from cameras began marking the momentous occasion.
Afterwards, the newly sworn
in DA said, “This is a great day for me, and I appreciate you all taking the
time out to share it with me.”
He recognized many in the
room, including the three sheriffs who represent the three parishes of the
district. Local dignitaries as well as regional and state dignitaries were
recognized as well.
“I’m honored to be here as
your elected DA,” he said. “It is a position of trust, and I’m going to work
hard and I’m going to be honest.”
Stewart beat Darrell Avery in
a hotly contested race in 2008. Stewart carried Claiborne Parish in the runoff.
The Second Judicial District
Court is made up of Claiborne, Bienville and Jackson parishes.
Fugitive caught in
Florida
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A Homer man wanted for attempted second
degree murder and armed robbery is now in custody.
According to Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills, De Undre Dunn, of Homer, is behind bars in a Florida county jail
awaiting extradition to Claiborne Parish.
On Wednesday, January 7, Mills received
information on Dunn’s location, stating the suspect was in the Tampa, Florida area, allegedly staying with family.
“Once I received this information, I
immediately contacted Florida authorities advising them of the situation,”
Mills said. “I faxed Tampa police copies of the warrants and emailed a
photograph of Dunn.”
Armed with this information, Tampa authorities quickly went to work in their hunt for Dunn. Through national
interagency communications, marshals in Florida were able to take the tip and locate Dunn.
On Friday, January 9, Mills
received a call from authorities there stating Dunn was in custody in Clearwater, Florida in Pinellas County.
Mills learned on Tuesday,
January 13, that Dunn waived his rights for extradition and Homer police will
travel to Florida to pick him up.
“Just that one piece of
information that came from a citizen led to his arrest,” Mills said. “Without
that information, it’s probable that he’d still be at large. It just goes to
prove that one person with the right information can make a difference. It’s a
positive impact.”
Dunn was wanted for attempted
second degree murder and armed robbery. It was reported that on Sunday, September 14, 2008
Dunn shot Patrick Thomas in
the right leg. Witnesses stated the two were arguing when Thomas was shot. Dunn
allegedly shot him and ordered him to give him some money, approximately $50 in
cash. Statements also revealed that after shooting Thomas, he began shooting at
other residences in the Pearl Street area.
Man charged with
attempted simple arson
The Guardian-Journal
An Athens man was arrested for attempted
simple arson, along with other charges after Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
deputies responded to a domestic disturbance.
On Thursday, January 8, Deputies Sedrick
Millage and J.T. Williams responded to the disturbance call and found that an
argument had ensued involving Gregory Scott Moak, 34, of Athens and a juvenile.
Lt. Randy Pugh and Deputy Paul Brazzel as well as Homer Police Officer Roger
Smith, responded to assist.
An investigation into the matter revealed
that Moak threatened to burn the house down during the argument with several
family members. Moak got a can of gasoline and poured it in the kitchen area.
Deputies at the residence reported being
able to smell gasoline in the home.
Moak was then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was advised of his Miranda Rights and arrested.
Moak was charged with attempted simple arson with a bond of $100,000; simple
battery/domestic with a bond of $100,000; and resisting an officer with a bond
of $2,500.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office placed
a probation hold on Moak also.
Joint operation leads
to bust
The Guardian-Journal
A joint operation of local and state law
enforcement resulted in the apprehension of an armed robbery suspect from
Claiborne Parish, Sheriff Ken Bailey said.
Early
Monday, January 5, narcotic agents in Claiborne Parish received information
that armed robbery suspect
Orlansarde Lavascielle Hunter, 21, of
Homer, was hiding out at an apartment in Webster Parish. Hunter was wanted for
an armed robbery that occurred on Pias Davis Road in Claiborne Parish on December 30, 2008.
Bailey stated after these agents received
this information, they contacted the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, the
Minden Police Department and the Louisiana State Police for assistance, and at
approximately 1:30 p.m. that day, officers went to Southwood Apartments, south
of Sibley in Webster Parish and found Hunter in an upstairs apartment at the
complex. Circumstances related to Hunter’s arrest resulted in the Louisiana
State Police obtaining a search warrant for the apartment that Hunter was in at
the time.
This search warrant resulted in the seizure
of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and five counterfeit $100 bills.
Hunter was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center and booked as a fugitive from Claiborne Parish as well
as being charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule I
Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana) and monetary instrument abuse
(counterfeit money).
On Tuesday, January 6, Hunter
was transferred to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and booked on one
count of armed robbery and one count of simple battery. Bond in Claiborne
Parish was set at $100,500.
Get your tickets for
chamber banquet
Time is running out to get
your tickets for this year’s chamber banquet will be held at Homer City Hall on Monday, January 19. The speaker for the event is to be Louisiana Secretary
of State Jay Dardenne. Tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased in
advance. There is limited seating and tickets are going fast, so reserve yours
today. Reservations will not be available at the door the night of the event.
Business dress will be appropriate for the evening. To find out more about
sponsorship, or to reserve your spot, please call the Claiborne Chamber of
Commerce at 318-927-3271.
2008: A Year in
Review
JULY
Boat parade, fireworks show
success
The Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and
Fireworks Show was a spectacular success. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
was out in full force on the holiday weekend on land and water. Deputies, along
with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, patrolled the water to insure
boaters followed safety rules and regulations so that everyone enjoyed the
events.
Everything from candy, toys and beads were
up for grabs at this year’s boat show. More than 50 boats participated in the
parade while decked out in their Independence Day finery.
St. Jude memorial coming to
fruition
A representative from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital traveled to Homer in July to meet with Rickey and Sharon Bearden to
discuss the memorial plaque that will be dedicated in the memory of their
grandchildren who were tragically killed in a house fire in 2001.
In 2002 Bearden chose to raise funds for
his favorite charity, St. Jude, through the car and bike show so that his
grandchildren would always be remembered. The plaque will be mounted in a wall
dedicated to different levels of support in a newly renovated area of the
research hospital.
Grant approved for Lisbon
Landing
A $150,000 grant request to renovate and
update Lisbon Landing was approved.
This
grant would provide the funding to improve conditions to offer the public nicer
facilities in which to fish and spend time with their families.
AUGUST
Relay for Life celebration
The citizens of Claiborne Parish came
together 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. More than $60,000 was raised in Claiborne Parish.
Police investigate possible homicide
Homer Police and the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office investigated what appeared to be a homicide. A black male,
identified as Charles Ray Kelly, was found on East College Street in Homer, deceased.
Parish student test scores improving
Claiborne Parish students test scores have
improved, according to state statistics recently released.
According to LEAP statistics, 97 percent of
fourth grade students in
Claiborne
Parish met approaching basic and basic standards when they took the LEAP test
last spring.
Boys and Girls Club enjoyed end
of summer programs
David
Raines Community Health Center
sponsored a mini youth conference for the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club.
The conference was designed to teach the
kids of the Homer unit skills they will use for the rest of their lives. It
included arts and crafts, character counts, personal hygiene and health, music
and etiquette and intro to modeling.
SEPTEMBER
Claiborne Parish prepared as evacuees
fled storm
Emergency public officials were geared up
for Hurricane Gustav, which struck just west of New Orleans in Cocodrie on Monday,
September 1. Many evacuees rolled in over the previous weekend to area shelters
in the parish. Evacuees from as far south as St. Bernard to Calcasieu Parish were
staying at Camp Harris.
Evacuees that headed to the Haynesville
area could not give enough praise to the officials who helped take care of them
while they were in the parish.
Louisiana prepared for second hurricane
Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of
emergency in preparation of Hurricane Ike while trying to recover from the
effects of Gustav.
Tenth annual Butterfly Festival
held in Haynesville
The tenth annual Haynesville Celebration of
Butterflies, Memorial Butterfly Conservatory, was held on September 13 at the Claiborne
Parish Fairgrounds.
After a parade steeped in butterflies, onlookers
and participants convened at the fair complex where food, crafts and fun was to
be had by all.
Freedom focus of 9/11 program
In remembrance of the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and in honor of those who put their lives on the line every day, a
program at First Baptist Church in Homer focused on the value of freedom.
The Rev. Billy Pierce, retired pastor of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, spoke about freedom, its costs and why people feel so strongly
about it.
Pelicans suffer devastating loss
The Haynesville Tornado football team
defeated the Homer Pelicans in the last seconds of the annual matchup with a
score of 21-14.
OCTOBER
Homer PD gets taser
certification
The Homer Police Department started
certifying its officers to use the taser as another tool to help them do their
jobs.
HYR case goes to trial
Trial began in October for six of eight
defendants accused of negligent homicide in the death of Alex Harris, a
12-year-old boy who died after collapsing at Hope Youth Ranch. Originally
indicted were three Claiborne Parish residents: Tasha Jackson of
Haynesville,
Troy Hamilton and Anthony Combs of Homer.
The three were also charged with cruelty to
a juvenile, which carries up to a 10-year prison sentence.
Combs was later found guilty of negligent homicide.
Homer Bypass
construction begun
Claiborne Parish made history
on October 17, when the formal groundbreaking ceremony was held for the long
awaited Homer Bypass.
The Bypass, technically known
now as La. 3244, is a project that will help alleviate congestion and improve
safety on The Square.
Dealer arrested at
school
A Bernice man racked up several
charges after allegedly attempting to distribute narcotics on school grounds in
October.
After Summerfield Principal D’Arcy
Stevens called the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and requested a K-9
search, 117 pills were found found in plastic bags in a vehicle on the school campus.
Eighteen-year-old Pharell Jackson was placed under arrest and taken to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
NOVEMBER
Obama takes
presidency
Barrack Obama will be the nation’s
first black president after being elected on November 4.
Mayfield Alumni
Association makes donation to B&G Club
After receiving a request of funding
by the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club, the Mayfield Alumni Association made a
decision to donate $21,000 to the clubs. These monies helped to cover the critical
operating needs of the organization for the month of November.
Train derails in
Homer neighborhood
A train derailment in the
Buck Bottom area left residents without water for a few hours and many dollars
worth of damage to the tracks. The track damage was much worse than it looked.
RJ Corman Derailment Services,
out of Bossier City, used four cranes to lift the car in an attempt to re-rail
it. According to a Patriot Rail Corporation spokesman, the car was carrying steel
billets to Magnolia, Ark.
DECEMBER
Sexual predator
off the streets
Shawn Thomas Fries was arrested
when it was learned that First Baptist Church of Homer was burglarized. Fries
visited the church under an assumed identity, and when police ran the plates on
the truck Fries was driving, they came back as stolen.
Fries was arrested for simple burglary of a religious building and
possession of stolen things.
After finding many
discrepancies in Fries’ story, the Homer Police Department contacted Canadian
authorities, where Fries is from. Police learned Fries had a lengthy criminal
record involving crimes against children. He was wanted in Canada for not complying with the conditions of his probation.
Fries will serve his time
here, then be extradited back to Canada to face probation violation charges there.
Fleming takes
congressional seat
The results from the December
6 election show Dr. John Fleming with 44,501 votes to Paul Carmouche’s 44,151
votes. Fleming will replace Jim McCrery as Congressman in the 4th Congressional
District.
Chemical
spill shuts down U.S. 79 for hours
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
An overturned 18-wheeler
carrying ammonium nitrate closed down U.S. Hwy. 79 from Homer to Minden for several hours.
On Thursday, January 8, at approximately
8 p.m., the
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office reported a tanker overturned three
miles north of Minden.
According to Louisiana State Police reports, the tanker ran off
the right side of the highway.
Traveling southbound about three
miles north of Minden, the driver, identified as Edward Earl Scott, 56, of Tyler, Texas, overcorrected causing his rig to overturn and block the roadway.
Scott was hauling ammonium nitrate
granules (fertilizer). Ammonium nitrate is a colorless crystalline salt, used
in fertilizers, explosives, and solid rocket propellants, according to answers.com.
About one-fourth of his load spilled
into the highway, causing law enforcement and emergency personnel to take
action.
The highway was shut down and
the immediate area was evacuated.
The State Police Hazmat Unit
as well as DEQ agents were at the scene, along with Webster Sheriff’s deputies
in an effort to control traffic and make the area safe for cleanup.
According to police reports, cleanup
efforts continued well into the night until approximately 2 a.m. Friday morning.
Scott was transported to Minden Medical Center with minor injuries. He was cited with careless operation.
The cause of the accident is still
undetermined.
Local
trooper to receive commendation
A local Louisiana State Trooper
is up for commendation after a water rescue that saved the lives of two men.
On January 1, about 3 a.m., Troop G Trooper Brandon Salmon rescued two fishermen from the waters of Lake Claiborne in Homer. Salmon’s parents, who live near the lake, heard calls of distress
from the water and they immediately called 911 and their son Brandon who lives
nearby.
Salmon confirmed that help
was on the way but as responders reported no immediate access to water craft,
he scrambled to his own boat subsequently locating and rescuing the two
fishermen in the dark of night.
The two men had been in the
water for more than an hour sharing a life jacket 400 yards from shore in near freezing
water at the time
Salmon made recovery. One of
the fishermen was nearly unresponsive when pulled from the water.
Both fishermen were
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital where they were treated for exposure. It
was later determined that the fishermen’s boat had taken on water and sunk at
about 2 a.m.
Salmon will be among several others
receiving commendations for acts bravery at an awards ceremony to be held March
5, in Baton Rouge.
