Officer shoots self during standoff
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
police officer was airlifted to LSU Health Sciences Center Tuesday afternoon
after a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officer
Mike Rayburn, 33, reportedly barricaded himself inside his home in Haynesville
after he left the Homer Police Station around noon. Published reports indicate that Rayburn and Homer Police Chief Russell Mills exchanged words earlier in
the day regarding a complaint filed against Rayburn earlier that morning.
Mills
said he’d received more than one complaint within minutes of each other, and
when Rayburn came back to the police station, he attempted to discuss the
complaints with him.
“Within
seconds of our discussion, he became visibly agitated towards me,” the chief
said. “The events led to him storming out of the patrolman room into the
hallway, continuing to be argumentative towards me.”
Once in
the council room, Captain Donald Malray intervened and tried to calm him down,
which did not work. Rayburn then uttered a comment and stormed out the back
door, getting into his personal vehicle and leaving the police station.
“Moments
later, I was contacted by Officer Jason Branch (of the Haynesville Police
Department) who advised he had a person in his office filing a complaint on
Officer Rayburn,” Mills continued. “Seconds into our conversation, Officer
Branch advised that Officer Rayburn was on the cell phone of the complainant.
The cell phone was put on speaker and I was able to hear his voice in a very
agitated state. At this point, myself and Captain Malray traveled to
Haynesville and stayed in the area until Lt. (Jimmy) Brown of the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Office notified me to come to the scene.”
Town
Attorney Jim Colvin conducted an investigation into the facts and circumstances
surrounding the incident, and stated that his investigation revealed that this
tragedy had nothing to do with Rayburn’s status as a police officer. Mills said
that the events that led up to the end of Tuesday afternoon was a culmination
of personal family issues that have been going on for more than two months.
“This
is a tragedy,” Colvin said. “We’ve known Mike Rayburn for a long time, and our
thoughts and our prayers are with him and his family at this time.”
Reports
say that deputies from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the David Wade Correctional Center’s special response team and the Haynesville Police
Department came together at Rayburn’s home, located at the corner of McDonald
and Dawson Streets in Haynesville.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said by the time he arrived in Haynesville, Rayburn
was being stabilized by paramedics from Pafford Air One.
“It’s a
tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go with his family,” Bailey said.
The Haynesville
Police Department is heading up the investigation into the matter, Bailey said.
Colvin
also indicated that Rayburn just learned this week that he’d passed POST exam
and was set to graduate Friday morning.
“I
spoke with Officer Rayburn’s mother and father at the scene and offered my
support,” Mills said. “It’s heartbreaking that the events of this day ended in
such an unfortunate way.”
According
to officials at LSU Health Sciences Center, his condition was listed as
critical as of press time.
WWII hero comes home after 6 decades
Above, six members of the Fort Polk Honor Guard serve as pallbearers for the long overdue services honoring the
homecoming of Airman Aub Atkins Jr. He was laid to rest Saturday, May 16, at Salem Cemetery in Athens. Pictured at upper left, Barksdale Air Force Base provided a B-52
bomber flyover in honor of Atkins’ return.
Story and photos by Jenni Williams
“In time of War, they heeded the call
They called up arms
‘Freedom For All’
they went to serve in a far away land
In battles they fought, they took a stand...”
--Anonymous
In a
moment so fraught with emotion and only the sound of American flags waving in
the wind, Airman Aubrey Atkins Jr. was brought home to Athens more than six
decades after he answered America’s call to arms.
This
past weekend, more than 66 years after he was declaired missing in action, Aub
Jr. was finally returned home.
The
memorial service was officiated by Chaplin Gil Arthur, Lt. Col. and Chaplin James
Covey.
“We may
have not known exactly where he (Aub) was all these years, but to God, he was
never ‘lost’,” Chaplain Arthur said.
Military
honors were provided by the Fort Polk Honor Guard.
The
military flew Atkins’ remains home from Hawaii and then transported him to his
final resting place at Salem Cemetery in Athens. He is laid to rest next to his
parents and other family members.
The
Armed Forces helped bury Atkins with full honors including many motorcyclists
with the Combat Vets Association and Patriot Guard Riders, who surrounded the
gravesite with a large number of American flags, 21-gun salute and a B-52
flyover, provided by Barksdale Air Force Base.
Atkins
joined the military at the onset of World War II to help America break free of the shackles that the Great Depression had clamped on the rural north
Louisiana parish he knew growing up.
Enlisting
in the Army Air Corps, he intended to serve a tour of duty, return home, get
the college education he couldn’t have otherwise afforded and make something of
his life.
He
never got the chance.
Atkins,
only 22 at the time, and six other airmen were killed on December 5, 1942, when their aircraft, a B-52 bomber nicknamed “The Happy Legend,” crashed in the
mountains of New Guinea.
The
plane was designated as a standby bomber for that day’s mission, but when the
first plane developed mechanical problems shortly after take-off, the “Happy
Legend” was called into combat with Atkins serving as radio man, according to
the website, pacificwrecks.com.
The
plane disappeared into a cloudbank as it approached Kokoda Pass near the mountainrange and was never seen again. The military authorities believe it was
shot down by Japanese armed forces.
Not
much of the wreckage remained when Australian soldiers discovered it more than
two months later. When the bomber crashed into the mountainside, it was loaded
with fuel and several 500-pound bombs, causing it to ignite and explode on
contact. Debris was scattered within a crater estimated to be 13 feet deep and
more than 50 feet across.
Atkins’
remains and dog tags were finally recovered after years of painstaking efforts
by archaeologists searching the remote rainforests of the Owen Stanley Range on
the southernmost tip of the country.
His
remains were able to be 100 percent identified late last year because of the
never-ending love of his last living sister, who donated her DNA to the
military in 2007, just months before her own death.
Family
members have been in contact with a representative of the National World War II
Museum in New Orleans about donating some of Atkins’ personal effects,
including his dog tags and medals, to be placed on display.
“We
know they’ll be wonderful custodians of his things,” one of Atkins’ nieces,
Mary Ann Plauche, said. “We’re doing this for our parents and our grandparents.
The conclusive findings of Aub Jr.’s remains have brought us together as a
family.”
Atkins
was laid to rest just one day before what would have been his 89th birthday.
Amended law aids Pilgrim’s Pride sale
The Guardian-Journal
The
passage of a legislative bill that has now been signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal now
secures funding to facilitate the sale of the Farmerville Pilgrim’s Pride plant
to Foster Farms based in California.
Sen.
Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, authored Senate Bill 283, which amended the
original law to include a provision that would allow the purchase deal with
Foster Farms to fall under its umbrella. The original law provided for money to
be used only to create at least 500 jobs and create $100 million or more in
private investment. Under the amended version, the Louisiana Mega-Projects
Development Fund could also be used for “recreating or saving at least 500
direct jobs in this state, through the transfer of ownership of a facility that
has been closed or a facility that is at risk of closure due to conditions
arising out of or relating to a proceeding under Title 11 of the United States
Code.”
Pilgrim’s
Pride announced on its website that the company has agreed to the sale of the
plant in Farmerville for $80 million, “subject to a price adjustment for
associated inventory and other reimbursements,” the website said.
“We
thank Foster Farms, Governor Bobby Jindal and the State of Louisiana for their
commitment to this sale,” said Don Jackson, president and chief executive
officer in an article on Pilgrim’s Pride’s website. “We believe it is in the
best interest of all parties involved, including our employees, growers, the
Farmerville community and our creditors.”
Congressman
John Fleming, in a press release, said he commends all those who have worked
quickly to save these jobs in northwest Louisiana.
“The
Louisiana Legislature cleared the last major hurdle in securing funding to save
1,300 jobs and keep hundreds of growers in business in Northwest Louisiana,”
Fleming said. “I commend the Governor and his staff for finding a way to
secure the money for this deal, and I applaud our State Senators and
Representatives for their quick and decisive passage of this critical
legislation. I have no doubt that this will prove to be a wise investment
for the State.”
Scott
Davidson, a chicken grower in Claiborne Parish, said even though the deal is
going through, no one has talked to the growers about what’s going on.
“I’m
hopeful and I’m pleased that it’s moving forward, but I still have reservations
because I’m uninformed,” he said. “I have no doubts about the company, but
we’re just uninformed. The deal will get done and the chickens will get back in
the houses, but it’s a long, drawn out process – and farmers are still going to
be hurting financially.”
The
banks have been working with Davidson, and were gracious enough to suspend
principal payments until they can begin making payments again, he said.
“This
is a good community and people rally together when times get tough,” he said.
“Fortunately, we haven’t missed a payment yet, but this community has come
through for us.”
Davidson
said things have gotten tight around his farm, and he’s had to cut back on
several things in his business, but he’s optimistic about the future.
“It
just takes time to work through the bad times,” he said. “I believe we’re going
to be alright and we appreciate the people that have basically bent over
backwards to help us.”
The
Farmerville complex includes a processing facility, a cook plant, two
hatcheries, a feed mill, a protein conversion plant and any associated
inventory.
Traffic stops lead to drug charges
The Guardian-Journal
Two
Haynesville men have been arrested by Claiborne authorities on drug charges.
On
Sunday, May 17, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Keel observed a
vehicle crossing the center line of U.S. Hwy. 79 on three separate occasions.
A
traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was identified as
Lonnie C. Watts, 58. Watts was unable to produce the proper documentation
requested by Keel. The vehicle Watts was operating had no valid insurance
coverage.
A
search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of four Lortab tablets wrapped
in aluminum foil located in the glove compartment of the vehicle.
Watts was arrested by Keel and transported to the Claiborne
Parish Detention Center (CPDC). He was charged with improper lane usage, with
bond set at $500; no motor vehicle insurance, with bond set at $500; no
seatbelt, with bond set at $500; and possession of Schedule III CDS (controlled
dangerous substance) Lortab, with bond set at $5,000.
In a
separate incident on Monday, May 11, Deputy Roger Ellerbe initiated a traffic
stop on a vehicle regarding license plate requirements. Deputy Paul Brazzel
assisted in the stop as well as Haynesville Police Officer Aaron Christian and
Agent Adrian Malone.
Brazzel
found the passenger to be Jomarcus Marcell Wilson, 21. Officers searched the
vehicle and discovered underneath the cup in the cup holder of the passenger
armrest, a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be
marijuana. Also in the cup holder, a pill bottle was found that contained 25
pills believed to be hydrocodone.
The
driver of the vehicle and Wilson were questioned regarding ownership of the
marijuana and Wilson admitted the narcotics were his. Wilson was arrested and
booked at CPDC.
He was
charged with possession of a Schedule I CDS marijuana with a bond of $1,000 and
possession of a Schedule III CDS hydrocodone, with a bond of $5,000.
The
driver of the vehicle was cited for display of plate that is clear of foreign
material.
Haynesville Music Fest May 29
Haynesville’s native son, Bobby Rush, will be in concert
at 7 p.m. at the Haynesville Fairgrounds. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Come enjoy local talent featuring, blues, hip-hop, gospel, bluegrass and folk
music. Ticket prices are: toddlers, free; children Pre-K-12, $2 ($1 if
accompanied by an adult); all adults $10. Proceeds from the festival will go
towards the town’s Christmas decoration fund. For more information, please call
Haynesville City Hall at 624-0911.
Relay raises more than $26,000
Photo courtesy of Terry Sawyer
These survivors make a lap around the
gynmasium at Claiborne Academy during the Relay for Life fundraiser for the
American Cancer Society.
Claiborne
Parish Relay for Life was recently held at Claiborne Academy in the gymnasium.
As of
Relay time, $26,653.10 had been raised, but monies are still coming in.
Due to
inclement weather, the turn-out wasn’t quite as large as last year, but those
participating gave their all.
A large
number of individuals participated in the survivor’s walk to kick-off the
festivities.
Participating
teams were Pak-a-Bag, Spillers Home and Appliance, Homer Memorial Hospital,
Presbyterian village, Grits, First Guaranty Bank and English-Chacere.
2009
Relay for Life sponsors were Marathon Oil company, Regions Bank, Fluid Disposal
Specialties, Inc., CMI, Helouise Lewis, Anonymous - for all cancer survivors,
First Guaranty Bank, Pak-a-Bag, Stallion Production Services, Brookshire’s and
Claiborne Family Medical Clinic.
Fire destroys home
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Homer Fire Department battled this
blaze at 621 Edgewood Drive in Homer, the unoccupied home belonging to Gordon
Dickerson, for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon. Fire Chief Dennis Butcher
said the fire was intentionally set, leading to the arrest of two juveniles. No
injuries were reported.
GIS mapping project underway
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
project that will allow Claiborne Parish residents greater access to important
information is now underway.
A GIS
(Global Information System) mapping system is now in the process of being
assembled and put online, which will benefit the parish in so many ways. Scott
Greeson, Claiborne Parish 911 director, said he is ecstatic about the progress
that’s being made in moving the parish forward.
“I’m so
excited that we’ve started rolling with this thing, and we’re going to be the
first parish to make use of this regional money,” Scott Greeson said. “We’re
talking $300,000 worth of work here. The benefits are just numerous, but this
is just the starting point.”
The
money he speaks of comes from money granted by the federal government to the
state homeland security office, which is broken down into regions. Claiborne
Parish falls under Region VII, which encompasses several parishes within the
northwest Louisiana area.
For
many years, the 911 office has had to work with mountains of paper maps and
updates for the 911 address system. The problem is, he said, so much
information has been updated, but right now it’s just not as accurate as it
should be.
Claiborne
Parish Tax Assessor Bob Robinson deals with the same issue and this mapping
system will alleviate some of those problems.
“People
will have access at their home or office without coming into our office –
especially foresters, landowners, buyers,” Robinson said. “They’ll be able to
pull up property and get a description of it. It will save them time and money.
I think from that standpoint, it’s a time saver and a money saver.”
The
flyover for the aerial map was done a couple of months ago, but the processing
will take time. Several enhancements had to be done, and they are assembling
all the information and piecing the pictures together to make the aerial map.
From
there, Greeson said, the company will outline houses, structures, streets and
other relevant information. They will take the information the parish gives
them and digitize it. Greeson said he hopes to see the actual map and aerial
shots within a week or two.
Other
departments within the parish that will benefit from this mapping system
include police and fire departments. These maps will be more accurate and each
department will be able to network with each other, he said.
The
police jury will also benefit from the mapping system in that outlines for
water systems will be available as well as mapping of flood plains and a more
accurate map of police jury districts.
Additional
information to be added will be information like hydrant placements, water
systems, well markers, soil samples and much more.
They
expect to have a website up and running within a month or so. The entire
project is expected to be completed within a year. That’s getting the system up
and running and accessible to the public within that timeframe.
“I
think this is going to compliment what other parishes are doing,” Robinson
said. “I think it’s going to be a win-win situation and put us more in touch
with the land we have in the area.”
Generators keep parish going during
storms
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
From left, Dennis Butcher, director of
Claiborne Parish Office of Homeland Security, Mike Butler, subcontractor for
TGS Construction of Minden, Mark Carter, senior service tech for Kohler
Generators and David Wilkerson, project engineer for CGS Engineering. This
generator is at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex. The other one was
installed at Mayfield Water Well last week. This generator will be able to
power the police jury office during a long duration power outage.
The Guardian-Journal
Many of
Claiborne Parish’s residents can rest a little easier now.
Through
a grant from the governor’s office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness, Claiborne Parish is now in the process of installing generators
throughout the parish for water systems and government offices. The Claiborne
Parish Police Jury received an 80KW (kilowatt) generator that will power the
entire office in case of a power outage. Powered by natural gas, this generator
will keep the entire police jury office running indefinitely.
“It
enables the government to function,” said Dennis Butcher, director of the
Claiborne Parish Office of Homeland Security.
Also, a
diesel powered generator, a 180KW, has been installed at the Mayfield Water
Well in Homer, which will allow Homer residents to have water during a long
term power outage. Before, Butcher said, if the electricity goes out, it’s not
long before residents begin losing water.
“This
allows the town and two of the water districts in the area to have backup power
to their water systems,” Butcher said.
A
generator will be installed at the Pinehill and Summerfield water systems as
well. The two most critical areas have received their generators – the police
jury and Homer. The other two generators will be installed within a few weeks.
This
approximate $183,000 project has been ongoing since August 2008. Bids for the
project were let in January and it was awarded to TGS Construction of Minden.
New superintendent gets 3 year contract
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish School Board announced the newly elected superintendent’s
contract at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 7.
For a
total of nearly $100,000 per year, Dr. Janice Kennedy-Williams has agreed to a
three-year contract with the school board. District 6 School Board Member Tommy
Davidson read aloud the terms of her contract.
Her
base salary will be $55,017 per year with other supplements and benefits
according to policy equal approximately $92,600 per year.
In
other school board news, a retirement reception was held for retiring teachers
and staff before the regular meeting. A table laden with cake, punch and other
finger foods were provided for them and their families as they celebrated a
milestone in their lives.
Those
retiring include Diane Dyer, supervisor of special education, 33 years; Janell
Brown, Title I clerk, 31 years; Kathie Mills, bus driver for Haynesville, 28
years; Susan Hays, a teacher at Homer High School, 14 years; Hester Jones, a
teacher at Homer Elementary, 33 years; Christene Ivory, cafeteria technician in
Haynesville, 21 years; Sandra Langley, a teacher at Homer Elementary, 17 years;
Lillie Burton, cafeteria technician at Homer High School, 28 years; Cecelia
Crump, adult education in Homer, 36 years; and Debbie McKinsey, a cafeteria
technician for Haynesville, 28 years.
Each
retiring teacher and staff member received a plaque in honor of their years of service
with the Claiborne Parish School system. Not present were Janell Brown, Kathie
Mills, Christene Ivory and Cecelia Crump.
Other
items on the agenda approved included approving bids for legals, advertising
bids for food and renewing their contract with Junction City Schools.
A
resolution was also approved between the Department of Transportation and the
school board to use some money to get lights for Athens and Summerfield Schools.
Also a
request to advertise for new school buses was approved.
The school
board was expected to meet Tuesday, May 19, in executive session with school
board attorney Bob Hammonds in regards to the discrimination lawsuit that is
more than 40 years old. The suit, Yvornia Decarol Banks and the United States v. Claiborne Parish School Board, is one that was filed with the U.S.
District Court.
The
federal case is a desegregation suit that began in August 1965 regarding Pineview School, which is considered to be an “all black” school.
The
suit was filed for desegregation of schools, in which the school board was
issued a permanent injunction restraining the school board from operating its
school system under the dual school system (white system and black system).
The big
issue was the low attendance of Pineview School, which the Justice Department
deems “problematic.”
To
complicate matters, Claiborne Parish is under a 1970 court order to desegregate
the schools, because Pineview’s student population was “all black.”
Summerfield, on the other hand, he said, is 70 percent white and 30 percent
black — today. When this court order was issued, Summerfield was approximately
70 percent black and 30 percent white.
A huge
outcry came from parents, citizens and students in the Pineview school area
because of the school’s history and lack of discipline problems. The final
decision was made to close the school in April 2008.
