Secret Service questions alleged
presidential threats
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
United States Secret Service is making an inquiry into an incident where a
Webster Parish man allegedly made threats against President Barack Obama.
Steven
Fornea, 34, of Minden, was arrested September 10 in Homer in connection to the
incident and charged with disturbing the peace and simple criminal damage to
property.
According
to police reports, around 9 p.m., Saturday, September 5, Homer Police Officer
John Bailey responded to a call from the Dixie Mart convenience store, located
south of Homer, in which the caller reported a disturbance outside the store.
Bailey
made contact with two complainants, one of which alleged that Fornea made
threats against President Obama.
Home
Police Chief Russell Mills said State Police and the Secret Service have been
advised of the incident. State Police officials confirmed that they are aware
of the case, and they are assisting the Secret Service.
Special
Agent Darron Craft, from the U.S. Secret Service Shreveport Office, said this
incident is under investigation and he has been in contact with the Homer
Police Department in regards to the case.
Due to
the sensitive nature of the complaint, he said, the Secret Service would not
make any comments on the specifics.
“Any
time we get complaints in regards to threats, we do not comment on. It’s
obviously a sensitive situation for everybody, but it’s an ongoing
investigation,” Craft said. “We take very seriously any threats against the
president, or any one in our protection.”
According
to police reports, a female and Fornea got into an altercation in the store
parking lot. Chief Mills said it appears the argument was allegedly instigated
when he asked her who she voted for in the presidential election. The female
told authorities that during the argument, Fornea made reference to someone
killing the president. During this encounter, a male subject drove into the
store parking lot.
Police
reports indicate that Fornea walked over to the man’s vehicle where he punched
out the driver’s side window and cracked the windshield. Fornea then walked to
his own vehicle, during which time witnesses stated that he made accusations
making them believe he had a weapon.
Store
video cameras have been reviewed by Homer Police.
Captain
Donald Malray interviewed Fornea. Two warrants were issued for the above
charges. Later that week, aware that warrants had been issued for his arrest,
he turned himself in to police.
Malray
arrested Fornea Thursday evening and later booked him into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Bond has been set at $4,000.
“People
need to understand that what comes out of their mouth – they’re responsible for
it,” Craft said.
The
agent gave no timeline as to when their investigation would be complete, but he
did say that if there are any criminal findings, they would be turned over to
the U.S. Attorney – in this case Donald Washington.
Two arrests in Haynesville school bomb
threat
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Classes
resumed Monday morning after a bomb threat cleared Haynesville High School Thursday afternoon.
According
to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, two arrests have been made in the case.
Torrance Black, 17, was arrested and charged with the felony charge of
communicating of false information of planned bombing on school property, which
carries up to a 20-year prison sentence, if convicted.. His bond was set at
$15,000. His 16-year-old brother was also arrested in connection with the case
on the same charges.
Bailey
said the call came into Haynesville High School at 2:42 p.m. Thursday, September 10. According to Claiborne Parish Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams, Haynesville High School’s secretary reported the caller stating, “Get the kids out of the
building, they’re fixin’ to blow up the (expletive) building.”
At that
time, Haynesville Junior/Senior High School and Haynesville Elementary were
evacuated. Williams said that school authorities were immediately dispatched to
the area. Transportation Supervisor Ronnie McKenzie, Child Welfare and
Attendance Supervisor Mike Blackwelder and Alternative School Principal and
Drug-Free Schools Coordinator Clifton Lewis went to the schools.
Williams
said both schools were evacuated because the buses run routes for both the
elementary and junior/senior high school students.
According
to published reports, Haynesville and Homer police, Haynesville firefighters as
well as the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Also, an
ambulance was called in on standby.
Once
the evacuation was complete, Haynesville Assistant Chief Jason Branch said
officers as well as CPSO deputies searched the entire school with a heat
seeking devices as well as a K-9 officer trained to detect bombs. The search
turned up nothing, authorities said.
The K-9
officer was furnished by the Homer Police Department, Branch said.
During
the course of the investigation, police backtracked to locate the phone number
from where the threat originated, Bailey said. That led investigators to a
residence between Homer and Athens on Hwy. 9. Black and his brother were
arrested the next day. The juvenile was released into his parents’ custody.
“The
investigation is still ongoing and it could lead to more arrests,” Bailey said.
Haynesville
Officers Aaron Christian was the arresting officer and heading up the
investigation.
Williams
expressed her gratitude to all involved in the handling of this dire situation.
“It
makes me feel good to know that for this one, there was action and arrests were
made,” she said. “These types of behaviors will not be tolerated, and we’re
trying to determine what punishment is applicable. We want the public to know
that we take all threats seriously, and our intent is to hold the person or
persons making the threats responsible and are punished to the fullest extent
of the law.”
A
debriefing was also held Monday afternoon with administrative staff from the
affected schools to discuss what happened and how the situation could have been
handled more effectively.
“We
have an emergency procedures plan, specific to the nature of each school,” she
said. “Measures will be taken with principals to conduct monthly disaster
drills. I just want to remind them that anything could happen at any time. I
just want everybody to know how to respond in the event of an emergency.
“We
have to treat each one as if it’s real, and that takes a lot of manpower,” she
continued. “It’s no laughing matter.”
It
wasn’t too long ago that the school board dealt with this same situation – and that
caller has not been caught.
In
March, central office received a call from someone believed to be a young male
stating he was “loading a gun and coming to the school.”
Because
he did not specify which school, all schools in the parish were locked down and
parents were contacted to pick up their children. At the time, Homer Police
Chief Russell Mills indicated that no incidents occurred and that situation was
handled “as well as could be expected.”
According
to the Shreveport Times, Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith said, “We
responded as a joint effort and we investigated this as a joint effort, and in
less than 48 hours, we got two people behind bars and eased the minds of
everyone in Claiborne Parish.”
9/11: In Memoriam
Memorial service moves many
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Current Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey and past Sheriff Snap Oakes, along with many others, look on as Dr.
David P. Walden addressed the many attendees at the 9/11 memorial service on Tuesday,
September 8, held at First Baptist Church in Homer.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
First Baptist Church of
Homer was the place to be on Tuesday, September 8, as area citizens came
together to remember the tragedy the country suffered at terrorist hands.
Remembering
and reminiscing is not all the attendees had in store for the evening. It was
also a celebration of how far the United States has come since that fateful day
eight years ago and how far it still needs to go.
The
evening was kicked off at 6:30 with the serving of fried fish and all the
trimmings by W.H.O. As the dinner was winding down, Louisiana State Trooper
Michael Allen took to the microphone by introducing the first of the night’s
entertainment.
Allen’s
10-year-old daughter, Jolie, brought many a tear to the audience’s eyes with a
moving rendition of the country’s national anthem, “The Star-spangled Banner,”
by Francis Scott Key.
Retired
Claiborne Parish Sheriff and United States Marshall J.R. “Snap” Oakes welcomed
everyone to the memorial/celebration and prepared the crowd for more music to
come.
A trio
of singers, Jon Crumpler, Nancy Nelson and Jerry Clark took the stage and
regaled the crowd with many patriotic, Christian songs, including “We’re America,” “Statue of Liberty”and “The Truth is Marching On.”
The
event revolved around a central Bible verse found in 2 Chronicles, v. 7-14,
“When My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and
seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and
will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Taking
the microphone again, Allen welcomed the evening’s guest speaker, Dr. David P.
Walden.
“Sheriff
Deen is very blessed to have him on his staff,” Allen said.
Walden
is a native of Haynesville and a 1965 graduate of Haynesville High School. Currently, he is the director of the North Louisiana Criminal Justice Academy in
Bossier Parish.
He has
been involved in everything from addiction counseling and teaching to law
enforcement and leadership development.
After
touching on his love of gospel music, Walden got right into the message he
wanted the crowd to receive.
“There
are things that you and I can do to fix this. There are many things that all of
us can do,” he said
Walden
thinks one of the most important things to be done for the country is for all
Christians to come together.
“If
Christianity is worth having, it’s worth sharing.” This country was built on
Christian values and beliefs. “This is what we can do. You cannot separate
these two things.”
It is
okay for each and every one of us to know who the enemy is.”
He
continued, that yes, there are some religious sects out there that want to see America collapse, which is why we need to come together as one. “Even Barney Fife
understands when something needs to be nipped in the bud.”
Walden
wants the public to understand that terrorists are not born, they are trained
and taught - it’s a learned behavior. Most Americans do not even realize the
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have foiled more than 60 terrorist
attacks overseas.
The
next thing that general Americans need to do is - know your enemy, he said.
Know what the country is facing each day and how that directly affects each
person’s every day life.
The
third thing is that it is alright to share patriotic beliefs with everyone and
it’s okay to salute the flag.
“We
cannot be mute, we must talk about what’s happened. Just like when making a
sale, talk about your product unabashadley and people will buy it. Keep
walking, keep talking and do what needs to be done,” Walden said as he gave the
crowd advice on how to make Christianity rise again in this country.
One of
his favorite quotes is from Evangelist Billy Graham, “Courage is contagious, it
stiffens other people’s spines.”
He suggests
everyone support those businesses who take a stand and show courage for the United States. “Be passionate about your God and your country.”
After
such a moving speech, he brings the evening to a close by asking, “What are YOU
doing to stir the passion of the American people to preserve our country?”
Pineview tax renewal slated for November
14
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has returned an opinion to the Claiborne
Parish School Board on what to do with funds from Pineview High School before a special election that has been called for a tax renewal.
After
the closing of Pineview High School, the school board had questions as to what
to do with the money they receive each year for those students. Claiborne
Parish Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams said that the money would “follow the
children.”
In
other words, the ad valorem tax that was dedicated to the students who attended
Pineview High School will be distributed to those same students at the
schools they now attend. Those students were redistributed to Summerfield and
Homer schools.
In
District 16 (Pineview School District), every 10 years, a levy of 5 mills tax
on all property was dedicated to “paying the cost of acquiring, constructing,
improving, operating and maintaining public school houses, buildings,
facilities and equipment,” the attorney general’s letter said.
This
special election is not for a new tax, rather, it’s a tax renewal. The election
has been set for November 14.
According
to the letter the school board received, “it is the opinion of this office that
School District No. 16 may hold a new election to rededicate the proceeds of
the tax heretofore and hereafter collected for the purpose of supporting the
education of students who reside in School District No. 16 and attend public
elementary and secondary schools in Claiborne Parish.
“Such a
rededication,” the opinion continued, “would allow the tax proceeds to be used
to pay the increased expenses of operating the schools in School District Nos.
13 and 26 that are associated with educating the students from School District
No. 16.”
For
months, the school board waited for word from the AG’s office, and because they
were awaiting an opinion, the funds already collected were frozen.
Pineview
was closed as part of a federal court order to desegregate schools. Pineview,
at that time, carried a low enrollment, which made it difficult to fund
expenses incurred. In fact, it was difficult enough that revenue set aside for
maintenance was being used for other things to keep the school up and running.
According
to the agreement made between the U.S. Justice Department and the school board,
several things have been put into play for the next three years to satisfy the
judgment against the school board.
In
other school board news, Tim Connelly, a teacher at Homer Elementary, received
a $750 grant from the Alliance for Education. The physical education teacher is
in his second year of teaching and has big plans for his students, ranging from
Pre-K to fifth grade.
According
to Connelly, the grant, aptly named “Just Balling Around,” will provide the
school with multiple types of balls that can be used for activities such as a
popular game overseas called Omnikin, which uses a four foot round ball, called
a Kin-Ball. The grant will also provide volleyballs, trainer floating
volleyballs and coated foam balls.
“This
grant will serve the entire school,” Connelly said, “and games will be played
with the equipment throughout the school year and for years after.”
Connelly
is married to his wife Jennifer. They have no children and reside just outside
Dubach.
Robin
Bridges, of the LSU AgCenter Extension Office, approached the school board on
its contributions to the extension office, requesting an increase.
“Our
state administrators, due to budget cuts, both federal and state, have
encouraged parish administrators throughout the state to request our local
governing bodies to find ways to increase that funding from 10 percent to 20
percent over the next three years,” Bridges said. “The southern average through
local governing bodies throughout the southern region states is currently 21
percent. Louisiana has done its best to try not to burden local support at that
level, but they feel this is the time to try to work toward that.”
He made
clear his, as well as the whole extension office’s, appreciation for the
funding the school board does provide, but the 4-H and other extension programs
would greatly benefit from the increase. The increase was ultimately voted
down, but the school board agreed to continue its current contributions at 10
percent.
The
school board also:
•
approved the 2009-10 proposed budget,
• voted
to rescind the old policy manual and adopt the new one,
•
approved, for one year, the hiring of a graduation coach. This position will be
advertised. The position will be paid for through the stimulus monies received
by the school board.
The
next school board meeting will be held October 8, at 7 p.m. in central office’s meeting room. For more information, call 927-3502.
Butterfly Festival a success despite
weather
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
The rains paused long enough for
Butterfly Festival Parade Grand Marshall Sherman Brown to lead the way at the
11th annual Butterfly Festival Celebration of Butterflies at the Claiborne
Parish Fair complex last Saturday.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Despite
what seems like a toned-down repeat of the “Great Flood’ mentioned in the
Bible, the 11th annual Butterfly Parade and Festival was able to go off
without much of a hitch.
The
rains paused just long enough for the parade to make its way from the United Methodist Church, downtown, and on to the fairgrounds.
Led by
Grand Marshall and Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown, the parade had floats ranging
from fair queens and fire trucks to butterfly trains and beautiful pets.
Participating
in the pet parade were Jade Anderson, with her dog Sugar; Breanna Sims, riding
her miniature pony Diamond; Toby Franklin, with his two pet hermit crabs;
Jordan Clements, with her Jack Russell Terrier; and Adriana Pruitt with her
bunny rabbit. The pet parade winners were largest pet - Breanna Sims; smallest
pet - Adriana Pruitt; most unusual pet - Toby Franklin; and best decorated pet
went to Jade Anderson.
The
best decorated float prizes went to United Pentecostal Church of Haynesville
with first place; Evening Light Academy of Athens with second place; Heritage
Manor Nursing Home with third place; and James Roach’s butterfly train received
an honorable mention.
Prizes
were awarded to riders in the parade or on-lookers who came in costume. First
place was awarded to Paul Lee on the First United Methodist Church float, who came as a caterpillar. Honorable mention was given to the girls dressed as
butterflies on the Evening Light Academy float.
The
annual photography contest had many participants from first grade all the way
to adult age. In the first through fourth grade division Jade Anderson won
first place; Kaden Williams won second place; Jade Anderson won third place;
and Kaden Williams also received an honorable mention.
In the
fifth grade division Marjorie Bailey won first place; Olivia Johnson second
place; Shelby Vaughan third place; and Madelyn Williams honorable mention.
First
and third place in the ninth through 12th grade division went to Hannah
Johnston, while second place was awarded to Mikaela Carender.
In the
adult division, Susan Allen received first place; Richard Lowery, second place;
Loyd Lytle, third place; and Melanie Sims was awarded honorable mention.
The
festival had many booth participants and other activities including a bounce
house, butterfly exhibit, butterfly train rides by James Roach, karaoke inside
the fair barn and many food vendors.
Inside
the Fair complex were many children’s activities in the Children’s Activity
Room and many acts upon the stage including area cheerleaders and dance lines.
Dump Hatter also performed many songs throughout the day.
LPFA aids in construction of new fire
station
Submitted photo
From left, Jack Bailey, Leon Murray,
Scott Greeson, Donna Bailey, Larry Greer, Peggy Pike, Alf Pike, Dan Foster and
Danny Lee. Back row, from left, Steve Williams, Gordon Garland, Jamie Murray,
Bobby Wise, Sonny Greeson, and Keith Bailey.
BATON ROUGE
– The construction of a new fire station in Summerfield, expected to be
completed by January 2010, will improve fire protection for residents, keep
fire ratings high and property insurance rates low.
The new
fire station will be constructed due in part to an interest-free loan provided
by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority and will serve as a central
station to Claiborne Parish Fire Protection District No. 6.
“The
district has lacked a central station that can provide training facilities for
our firefighters,” said Scott Greeson, Fire Chief for the Claiborne Parish Fire
Protection District No. 6. “It is estimated that after the fire station is
completed the increased protection will lower residents’ insurance rates
anywhere between 15 and 23 percent.”
Claiborne
Parish Fire Protection District No. 6 serves more than 3,500 residents.
“The
central station is also an additional fire station that will increase response
time and improve fire protection enormously,” said Greeson. “Having a station
in the middle of the district will also benefit the more than 10 surrounding
substations. Firefighters will be trained at the central station and then sent
to serve throughout the district.”
The
Fire Protection District borrowed $235,000 to complete the construction.
Capital One Bank provided the majority of the financing, with the LPFA
contributing $35,000, which is 15 percent of the total at zero percent
interest. This saves the Fire District $1,227 in interest payments.
The
loan was provided under the LPFA’s Local Government Bond Bank Program, which
allows municipalities and other governmental bodies needing to finance
equipment purchases or construction projects to reduce overall interest costs.
Through
the program, governmental entities work with local banks to obtain the most
favorable loan rates before going to the LPFA for further help in lowering
rates. The LPFA typically provides up to 15 percent of the total principal at
zero percent interest, which creates substantial interest cost savings for borrowers
by lowering the overall effective interest rate.
“This
is an excellent example of how our Bond Bank Program is helping to expand the
necessary public services in communities across the state,” said Martin Walke,
Vice President of Economic Development for the LPFA. “We’re pleased that we can
assist the Fire Protection District in building a new station that will provide
valuable training to firefighters and increased fire protection to the
community.”
The
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority is a self-supporting public trust and
public corporation that issues both taxable and tax-exempt bonds to finance
public and private projects throughout the state. The LPFA finances industrial
and economic development projects, provides low-cost funding for hospitals and
hospital equipment, universities and other educational facilities, student
loans and essential programs for state and local governmental units. The LPFA
operates solely on self-generated revenues and has never received any funds
from the state for its operations.
For
more information about LPFA, call (800) 228-4755 or visit the LPFA website at
www.lpfa.com.
Claiborne Parish Fair slated for
September 27-October 3
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
With
the Butterfly Festival and Parade over this past weekend, Claiborne Parish
residents can now look forward to the annual Claiborne Parish Fair.
This
year’s fair is scheduled for September 27 through October 3. On Sunday,
September 27, exhibits and livestock will begin inhabiting the Fair Complex in Haynesville
in preparation for the weeklong event.
Some of
the many events featured in this year’s fair will include the annual fair
parade, the second fair pageant, carnival rides and food vendors, along with
art and livestock.
The
fair is open to all exhibitors and each article entered in the fair must be
grown or made by each exhibitor within the previous fair year except for
livestock and poultry, which must be owned not less than 60 days prior to the
fair.
Each
exhibitor must be of school age and in the case of registered animals, the
certificate must be in exhibitor’s name. Livestock exhibitors must be members
of organized 4-H or FFA clubs.
No
exhibitor can win more than one prize under the class number. Anyone
interfering with the judging will have their entries disqualified.
No
premiums will be awarded, unless the judges consider it worthy. Any person
desiring to enter items other than those listed in catalog may do so, but will
be placed on exhibit only.
Regulations
governing the admittance of livestock to the fair exhibits shall be the general
requirements of the Livestock Sanitary Board. All food preservation must be in
standard type jars.
The
Claiborne Parish Fair will not in any way be liable for any damage to articles
or exhibits while at the fair. Home Economics exhibits must be checked in by a
fair official. All exhibits will be released from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on Friday, October 2.
No
livestock is allowed to leave the fair grounds until the conclusion of the
Junior Livestock Sale. By doing so, premiums will be forfeited for early
departure.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, Sept. 27
1-4p.m. - school and club poster
displays in north end, along with general entries and poultry entries will be
accepted
1 p.m. - livestock will begin
arriving
4 p.m. - goat weigh-ins will begin
along with swine and lamb
6 p.m. - goat, lamp, swine and
commercial heifer weigh-in deadline
Monday, Sept 28
9 a.m.- 5p.m. - general exhibits and
fresh crops and vegetables will be accepted
school and club posters will be set up
6 p.m. - 4-H poultry and egg cookery
contest
all dairy and beef cattle must be in barn
“Made in Claiborne Parish” exhibits must be in
Tuesday, Sept 29
9 - 10 a.m. - bakery items and fresh
vegetables accepted
10 a.m. - judging of all entries and
poultry
4 p.m. - fair parade
4 p.m. - until closing - carnival
open arm bands purchased from school will be accepted
5 p.m. - judging of goats and lambs judge
market and breeding swine judge dairy and beef
6 p.m. - “Made in Claiborne Parish”
exhibits
Wednesday, Sept. 30
9 a.m. - noon - school group day (daycares and pre-k through 4th grade)
2 - 4 p.m. - bingo in south end
4 p.m. - rabbit show in livestock
barn
5 p.m. - carnival opens
6 p.m. - “Made in Claiborne Parish”
exhibits
Thursday, Oct. 1
5 p.m. - carnival opens
6 p.m. - buyer’s supper for all sale
supporters
“Made in Claiborne Parish” exhibits
7 p.m. - junior livestock sale
livestock may leave after conclusion
Friday, Oct. 2
9 - 11a.m. - remove all exhibits and
displays
5 p.m. - carnival opens
Saturday, Oct. 3
10 a.m. - 4-H pet show
Cloverbuds pet show
Cloverbuds pygmy goat show
1 p.m. until closing - carnival opens
armbands will be accepted from 1 - 5 p.m.
6 p.m. Claiborne Parish Fair Pageant
With so
many activities and exhibits to enter, everyone should be able to find some
part of the week’s events to attend. Come out and support local artists,
farmers and 4-H members as each one participates in the 2009 Claiborne Parish
Fair.
Fishing for a cure
Chili’s/St. Jude’s bass tourney
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Despite
current weather conditions, the tournament will go on.
Chili’s Restaurant of Ruston is
hosting a bass fishing tournament this Saturday, September 19.
The
tournament, “Fishing for a Cure,” will be held at Pleasure Point Marina on Lake Claiborne from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.
All
proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Official entry forms and rules
and regulations can be obtained from any manager at Chili’s in Ruston or at Pleasure Point boat launch on Saturday.
Entry fees
will be $100 per boat, with an optional big bass competition at $20 each.
First
place will be awarded a guaranteed amount of $500. There will also be drawings
for gift cards donated by many area businesses.
For
more information, contact Amanda Brown at (404) 281-7637 or Walt Stevens at
(318) 548-0959.
Many
have pre-registered, but it is not necessary. Registration can be completed at
the boat launch on Saturday morning.
Blood drive to be held September 24
LifeShare
Blood Centers will host its quarterly Community Blood Drive at Homer Memorial Hospital, 620 E. College Street in Homer, on Thursday, September 24, from noon until 5 p.m. in the hospital conference room.
LifeShare
Blood Centers is proud to be associated with Homer Memorial Hospital. The Homer community is encouraged to come out and donate to help replenish the blood
supply.
To
donate blood, you should be feeling well, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be a
minimum of 17 years of age. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
A photo
identification will be required at registration.
