Two arrested for obstruction of justice
The Guardian-Journal
A
simple traffic violation led to obstruction of justice charges on two women
after a 16-year-old juvenile fled police.
According
to reports, on the night of Saturday, September 26, Officer Mario Thomas
observed a vehicle with a headlight out. He attempted to initiate a traffic
stop when the driver, later identified as a juvenile, fled police.
Once
the stop was initiated, Thomas placed the girl under arrest and charged her
with flight from an officer, which is a misdemeanor.
Reports
say that while Thomas was arresting the girl, Vernecia Bender, 39, of Homer,
walked to the scene and attempted to enter the girl’s vehicle. At that time,
Officer Roger Smith gave her a verbal command to step away from the vehicle,
but she refused to do so.
Bender
allegedly took the car keys out of the vehicle. Smith requested the car keys,
but she again refused.
She
still refused to comply with all verbal commands, at which time she was
subdued. She was then placed under arrest and charged with obstruction of
justice, with a bond set at $1,000, and resisting an officer, with a bond set
at $500.
While
police were attempting to subdue Bender, another female, Sade Akrong, 21, was
also arrested and charged with obstruction of justice in relation to the
incident. Bond was set at $1,000.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills said he has reviewed the video.
Bender
also has a lengthy criminal record which includes several charges of resisting
an officer and a charge of shoplifting.
In
other crime news, Randy Rabb, 25, of Homer, was arrested on Sunday, September
27, on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, with a bond of
$10,000, aggravated battery, with a bond of $20,000, and resisting an officer,
with a bond of $1,000.
According
to police reports, Officer Roger Smith responded to a call on Armory Drive regarding a battery. Upon arrival, the victim told police that Rabb beat her
up, reports say. She told police that Rabb had kicked in her door and began
hitting her. Rabb had been found walking on Lyons Hill Road, where he was
brought back to the scene for questioning.
He was
then taken into custody. He was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with the above charges.
Minden man caught in Claiborne
A Minden man was caught in Claiborne Parish last week resulting in his arrest on drug
charges among others.
Jimmy
D. Allen, 53, of Minden, was arrested on Tuesday, September 22, on charges of
speeding, with bond set at $500, no insurance, with bond set at $500, switched
plates, with bond set at $500, failure to register a vehicle, with bond set at
$500, possession of marijuana, second offense, with bond set at $5,000, and
possession of drug paraphernalia, with bond set at $5,000.
A
records check revealed that Allen had six outstanding warrants for his arrest
in Webster Parish.
On that
day, Deputy Darren Keel, of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, observed a
vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Keel conducted a traffic stop and
found the driver as Allen.
Upon
requesting the proper paperwork, Keel noted a distinct and strong odor of
suspected marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Deputies J.T. Williams and Roger
Ellerbe arrived on scene to assist.
A
search of the vehicle revealed a Ziploc bag containing several cigarette
rolling papers, loose marijuana shavings and seeds, a small burnt marijuana
cigarette and a Ziploc bag containing marijuana. Also, a metal spoon with
suspected methamphetamine in it was discovered and a metal pipe with black
electrical-type tape on one end. Inside the metal pipe was a brillo pad-type
substance.
Allen
was arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the above charges.
Fair gets underway
The Guardian-Journal photos/Jenni
Williams
The Claiborne Parish Fair has officially
gotten underway as the fair parade ushered in the beginning of food, fun, games
and lots of rides. Pictured above is Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, who
served as the parade’s grand marshal, with Austin McCurrey. At right, Haynesville Town Council members show their community spirit as they move through the
parade route, lined with many kids as well as adults anticipating this year’s
fair. The fair will continue through Saturday, October 3. A list of fair
activities is listed below.
Two sworn in on U.S. Marshal Task Force
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that on Thursday,
September 24, Detective Randy Smith and K-9 Deputy Paul Brazzel were deputized
by the United State’s Marshal Service to assist in the apprehension of high
profile felony fugitives.
Acting
United States Marshal Tommy Hancock deputized our officers at the federal
courthouse in Shreveport.
This
will allow the Marshal’s Service to have local officers on standby to assist
them in Claiborne Parish, as well as, allow the sheriff’s office to send these
officers out when necessary to aid the Marshal’s Service.
When
the need in Claiborne Parish arises for warrants to be issued on serious
fugitives, the sheriff’s office will be able to bring these cases to the task
force, and the Marshal’s Service can send out leads to everywhere in the
country to aid in apprehension nationwide.
The
team is called FAST (Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team). FAST is based out of Shreveport and covers an eight parish area in northwest Louisiana.
Homer High School’s 2009 Homecoming
Court
Submitted photo
Meet the 2009 Homer High School
Homecoming Court. They are from left, Sophomore Maids Jashaundra Allen and
India Adams, Junior Maids Shermandee McDaniel and Alexandra Craiz, Senior Maid
Deonnica Rhods, Football Sweetheart Haley Garrett, Queen Dominique Daniels,
Senior Maid Carrie Mitchell, Junior Maid Amrissia Wortham and Freshman Maids
Kristin Cooper and Jasmine Pace.
The Homer High School Homecoming Court will be presented at halftime of the Homer-Menard
Football game on Friday, October 2.
The
annual homecoming parade begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, and will
begin at the high school. The parade will take North Main to the courthouse
square and return down Second Street for the community pep rally in the Ronny
G. Beard Memorial stadium.
On
Friday, the annual homecoming tea will be held from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at the Homer High home economics cottage. Pre-game activities, beginning
at 6 p.m., will honor senior team and spirit members and club sweethearts. The
Homer High Honors Choir will perform the National Anthem before the game
kickoff.
All
alumni are invited to attend the week’s events. Spirit week will be celebrated
all week for the 110th year, along with the annual homecoming dance for Homer
High students at Homer City Hall, following the game.
Homecoming
is sponsored by the Homer High Student Council.
A meeting of the minds
State commission supports Sparta efforts
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Water
conservation organizations across the region are teaming up in an effort to get
the word out and conservation efforts in Arkansas are paying off for Claiborne
Parish.
At the
Sparta Groundwater Commission meeting held September 17, in Ruston, Mayor Dan
Hollingsworth, who represents municipalities across Louisiana, praised the
efforts of awareness campaigns to alert the public to the critical issue of the
Sparta Aquifer and other freshwater sources. According to Hollingsworth, two
resolutions were passed at the last Louisiana Groundwater Commission meeting to
get the state commission to publicly acknowledge and support conservation
efforts.
“Since
the appointment of some new people on the state groundwater commission, that
all of us have been consistent in calling for this commission to actually take
charge of its mission and be proactive in bringing forth some solutions for our
water problems,” Hollingsworth said. “This board is very cognizant (aware) of
our problems.”
Two
resolutions were passed to begin to make a real plan to address the Sparta
Aquifer and seek legislative funding as well as a resolution stating on the
record that the state groundwater commission supports the efforts of
conservation of the aquifer. The Sparta Commission voted to endorse the
resolution passed by the Louisiana Groundwater Commission when they met in Ruston in July. That resolution supported the ongoing West Monroe Graphic Packaging water
recycling project and the study, and as feasible, the Farmerville-Ruston D’Arbonne Lake water supply project.
“We
have statewide problems,” Hollingsworth said. “I believe that we are unanimous
in trying to do something about this. I think a group like this, even though
they have no funding, it is a state group organized to save our water resources
in this state and come up with a plan to save it for the future.”
Hollingsworth
spoke about the timeline that Secretary Scott Angelle, who chairs the LGWC,
announced a one-year timeline for a groundwater plan and a five-year action
plan. The Sparta Commission also adopted a resolution to request federal and
state legislators to support studies of, and as feasible, a water supply
project for Winn Parish.
“No
matter how small or seemingly inconsequential our use of water from the Sparta may be at the moment, all of these withdrawals are cumulative and they add up to a
serious problem,” he continued. “I think it has been clearly demonstrated
through the findings of the USGS (U.S. Geological Service) and the people at
LSU (Louisiana State University) that overuse – and even what we would term as
normal use – it reduces the level in the Sparta Aquifer more than the recharge
can sustain causes all kinds of problems all over the state.”
In
that, Sherrell Johnson, of the Union County Water Board, said that although
progress is being made, there is a setback. An issue arises in that the Sparta
Aquifer, which runs into Union County, Arkansas, has been designated as
“critical” in her state, but is only designated as an “area of concern” in Louisiana.
An
example of the “area of concern” is Winn Parish. Winn is dealing with a serious
issue in that well water levels and water quality is declining at such a rapid
pace, that treating and pumping water is becoming prohibitive, especially in
small communities.
Although
Winn Parish, as well as other parishes in the Sparta region, is experiencing
major issues, there are some positive things happening.
The
efforts in Arkansas are paying off in Louisiana – right here in Claiborne
Parish. In 2004, Sparta Aquifer recovery monitors were purchased and placed in
various wells across the Sparta region, and those monitors have shown
improvements in some areas of the aquifer. For instance, because of the efforts
in Arkansas, the water levels in wells in Junction City in Claiborne Parish are
rising without the intrusion of saltwater.
“Our
project in Union County converted three major industries from ground to surface
water,” she said. “Since 2004, wells in Union County that were falling seven
feet or more per year prior to our conservation efforts and conservation are
rising rapidly. The well in Spencer (Arkansas) has risen five feet. It’s
telling us that what we’re doing in Arkansas is having an impact in Louisiana. The well in Junction City has risen 18.3 feet.”
In
other news, reports from several different organizations or groups were given.
Executive Director Bill Branch gave a report on several meetings he’s attended
in the last month or so.
Also,
Lindsay Gouedy, Sparta Aquifer educator, gave a final report on her internship
over the summer. Also, an employment request that she made was approved for
another six months.
A
nomination committee was appointed which includes Ed Dayton of West Monroe, chair, Billy Perritt, of Bienville Parish, Van Bennett, representing
Agriculture, Willie Doherty, of Winn Parish and Steve Lemmons of Webster
Parish.
The
next meeting is set for October 13. Meeting place and details will follow.
Some handy ‘rules of thumb’
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
I
stumbled across an interesting website, www.rulesofthumb.org. Each “rule of
thumb” has been submitted by a reader.
Whether
reliable or not, here are some that I found interesting:
*
People do not change as they get older. They just become more of what they are already.
* You
know you’re middle aged when you stop trying to figure out how long you've been
alive and start counting the years you have left.
*
Zigzag to outrun a crocodile.
* A
grown rat can pass through a hole the size of a quarter.
* One
out of five items costing under $75 that you buy at a garage sale will end up
in your garage sale within the next 18 months.
*
Garage sale items should be priced at 10 percent of retail cost.
* Hold
a garage sale the first weekend of the month because people who get paid
monthly have more money to spend then.
* It
takes two minutes for the sun to drop out of sight once it touches the horizon.
* The
moon rises 50 minutes later than it did the day before.
* If
you want your car to make it to 100,000 miles, flush the cooling system every
even-numbered year. This prevents engine damage from overheating.
* Wind
in the East, ducks fly the least.
* If a
woman has a tattoo showing, there is a high probability that she has at least
one more tattoo that does not show.
* If
you don't want a cat to jump into your lap, don’t make eye contact with it.
*
Divide your age by 12. You should own no more than that number of cats. Example
2 for a 24 year old. You can have 5 at 60!
* No
cat is ever on the right side of a door.
* The
amount of time within which a cat will develop a dislike for a particular
flavor is inversely proportional to the number of cans of that flavor remaining
on the shelf.
* If
your unborn baby kicks less than 10 times in 12 hours, call your doctor
immediately. You should also consult the doctor if the 10th movement is coming
later each day.
* If
you are trying to decide whether or not to get the epidural, get the epidural.
In fact, unless you can slam your thumb with a hammer and not mind, get the
epidural!
* Never
fill a child’s glass more than half full.
* If a
person is poorly dressed, you notice the clothes. If impeccably dressed, you
notice the person.
* Black
is always the first color to wear out in a marker set. Green or red is next.
* To
protect your eyes from strain, make sure the screen is just beyond arm’s length
when you work on a computer.
* It
takes 4500 pennies to fill a one-gallon container.
* You
can break an awkward pause in a conversation by commenting on a person's name.
The person will tell you how he was named, an odd spelling of his name, or how
rare his name is—a solid ten minutes of conversation.
* If
you find yourself thinking that something goes without saying, it is probably
in the best interest of everyone involved to say it.
* The
life expectancy of a single man who does not smoke is no better than that of a
married man who does smoke.
* The
first time it occurs to you that you have eaten enough, you have.
* If
you can't figure out what you want to eat, you’re not hungry.
* The
speed of a vehicle drops by 10 percent for each gray-haired person in a car.
* If
you don’t start smoking or drinking before age 25, you’re unlikely to start
after that age.
*
Sprains, strains, and sunburn hurt more the second day.
*
Ammonia for a bee sting; vinegar for a wasp sting.
* All
rules of thumb are correct four out of five times.
* You
can do almost anything in life in three ways: fast, cheap, well—but you only
get to pick two.
*
Always pack two more diapers than you think you need. Your child will poop more
if you don’t pack extra, less if you do. Better to lug the extra around than to
be stranded with a poopy baby.
* One
boy has a brain. Two boys have half a brain. Three boys have no brain.
* Kiss
your wife and child(ren) goodnight—no matter how late you come home.
* To
survive college, do all the homework on the day it is assigned, especially term
papers.
* If he
doesn’t have a car, don’t let him get too comfortable in yours, or you'll have
a steady boyfriend whether you want one or not.
CPPJ moves meetings to bigger room
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Claiborne Parish Police Jury finally got to enjoy the fruits of months of
renovations. The jury began holding its regular monthly meeting in a bigger
room.
After
waiting for several months for renovations to be completed, police jurors sat
in their new designated seats for the first time Wednesday, September 16. After
the meeting, some said they had difficulty hearing each other, but the audience
could hear them just fine. According to District 9 Police Juror Jerry Adkins,
discussion was being held to solve the issue. One suggestion was to put
speakers on either side of the room behind the panel on both sides of the room
so that a police juror on one end could hear the police juror on the other end.
Sporting
new chairs, name plates and a little room to spread out, the police jury set
about taking care of the business on the agenda. (The press even got a table
with comfortable chairs!)
In
police jury news, the Louisiana and North West Railroad Company Inc.,
(L&NW) withdrew its request to close the south end of old LA Highway 9.
“We
have determined that leaving the road open to public access will be beneficial
to all concerned,” Marketing Manager Galen White said in a letter addressed to
the police jury.
Secretary/Treasurer
Dwayne Woodard assured the jury that the company is still moving to Claiborne
Parish.
The
idea, the first letter from June stated, is that this closure “will allow
enough room to build additional side track and provide necessary clearance for
truck access.”
Two
companies that “transload fracture sand” are considering Claiborne and
Bienville parishes as potential locations. Because negotiations were in process
at the time, the names of the two companies were not publicly released.
In
other news, District 3 Police Juror Bob McDaniel brought an issue before the
jury that his constituents are concerned about. Eighteen-wheeler traffic seems
to be becoming a major issue on Triplet Road in the Haynesville area. Because
of the heavy two-way traffic from oil transport trucks, the narrow road is
acquiring potholes and the trucks are chewing up the shoulder of the road, he
said.
“Two
trucks passing on a narrow road is not good,” McDaniel said, adding that there
are approximately 15 private residences on that road.
He
suggested a solution of allowing truck traffic to continue northbound onto Triplet Road off Hwy. 534, then west on Winn Bottom Road to Mid-Valley Pipeline Terminal.
“ALL
truck traffic would then exit Mid-Valley Pipeline Terminal and proceed west on Winn Bottom Road to Alternate Hwy. 2 or Clarence Ivory Road,” he stated in a memo to the
police jury.
Another
solution was also offered. Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett said there are
parish ordinances which allow the police jury to designate a route for the truck
company.
If
another ordinance were passed, stipulations would be put in place to include
all trucks and would include a weight limit.
To
better understand the full nature of the situation, a committee was appointed
to investigate the issue further. District 2 Police Juror Mark Furlow, McDaniel
and District 8 Police Juror Roy Mardis were all appointed to the committee.
They are to return to the October meeting with a report.
In
other news, the purchase of the old Claiborne Electric building is final, giving
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office’s criminal investigations division a
permanent home. Sheriff Ken Bailey thanked the police jury for purchasing the
building, because his office spent a good bit of money refurbishing certain
areas to meet their needs, including updating their interview rooms where
suspects in custody are questioned.
On that
note, the police jury approved a grant committee request to apply for an LGAP
grant for $100,000 to repair the roof on the CID building.
The
purchase of the old USDA building, located on Hwy. 146 is almost complete. The
police jury accepted the offer presented. This building will soon house the
district attorney’s office in Claiborne Parish.
Other
business in the buildings and grounds committee include:
•
Covering of the broken windows at the Armory building is near completion,
• They
are still trying to obtain quotes for the repair of the Claiborne Parish
Library roof, which suffered damage during a storm,
• and
the committee is investigating leaking roofs at the Clerk of Court’s office as
well as the Claiborne Parish Tax Assessor’s office.
The
next police jury meeting will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, in the
new meeting room at the police jury complex. For more information or questions,
please contact their office at 318-927-2222.
Lions go to jail
Homer Lions Club tours DWCC
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Homer Lions Club went to jail for a brief period of time Thursday, September
10.
At the
invitation of David Wade Correctional Center Warden Jerry Goodwin, the Lions
Club traveled to the prison for a short tour and a delectable lunch.
When
Lions club members arrived, they were taken to the south compound, which is the
maximum security area of the prison. This is where 500 or more inmates are
housed. This area is also where those on extended lockdown are housed.
Next,
the group was taken to the visitation area, where prisoners can meet with
family and friends during visiting hours on the weekend. The area has an open
area with tables where inmates can sit and visit, but they also have a closed
in area where inmates are separated from family members by glass. Inmates who
produce a bad drug screen, or are being disciplined in some way, aren’t allowed
to have any physical contact with anyone during visitation.
They
also explained that there were three different levels of the prison for each
inmate. Inmates in blue jumpsuits are on extended lockdown, inmates in orange
are in transition, inmates in jeans and denim shirts or t-shirts are general
population and those in red are also general population as well as the
protection unit.
“We
have more than 500 inmates that are under maximum security,” Goodwin said. The
total population of the prison is more than 1,100, with inmate capacity set at
1,188. Goodwin said the prison runs close to capacity all the time.
Several
dignitaries, including Rep. Rick Gallot, Rep. Henry Burns and Sen. Mike
Walsworth were in attendance. Each legislative member praised the efforts of
Goodwin at making DWCC what it is today.
“It’s
been very easy to support someone who’s done what he’s done,” Gallot said.
“This is one of the best run facilities – bar none.”
Walsworth,
who said the state is facing three to four years of hard financial times, said
that even with the budget cuts, Goodwin is doing a “great job” running the
prison.
“He
cares about what happens to these inmates out here,” he told the audience, and
as he turned around to Goodwin, he said. “Thank you for what you do.”
Celebrating
30 years in existence, DWCC also provides jobs to nearly 400 people, many of
whom live in Claiborne Parish.
“We
have a significant economic impact in Claiborne Parish,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin
explained during lunch that the prison is seeing some hard times right now. As
of this year, the prison’s budget – which also includes two other prisons – has
been cut by $15 million. Because of the decrease in state funding, 29 employees
were lost at DWCC and another 152 were cut in Madison Parish.
A
drawing was held, where two loaves of specialty bread from the Wooden Spoon
were given away as well as an LSU-themed bird house made by Wade inmates.
After
eating a hearty meal of red beans and rice, the group toured the prison, with
guides taking them to various areas of the prison.
Taken
to a dormitory, Lions club members got to see how the minimum security
prisoners live. Each inmate in minimum security has a bed and a metal box
attached to the end of the bed in which to keep their personal belongings.
Shoes are kept under their beds.
One
thing that was noticed by many members is how clean and orderly the prison is
kept. Not only are the dormitories and inmate cells kept clean and tidy, the
courtyard in which the general population meets during yard time is very clean.
Flower beds adorn the yard and are all kept up by the inmates themselves.
Lions
Club members were also taken the prison’s multipurpose building, which includes
a gym, a wood shop and a place for other activities. The many amazing crafts
that are displayed during the arts and crafts festivals come from a small room
where inmates put in hard work and loving detail to each item they build. In
the gym, inmates are allowed to play basketball and participate in other
recreational activities, but it’s the murals on the walls that catch the eye.
Inmates have taken sections of each wall and painted murals of their favorite
basketball, football and racing stars. Even a mural in remembrance of September
11 adorns a section of the back wall.
Lion
Doug Efferson, tail twister, spoke of the trip at last Thursday’s meeting, saying
the trip was amazing and informative.
