Teddy Allen honored guest at banquet
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce will be presenting its 45th annual banquet on
Monday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex in
Haynesville.
The
theme for the evening will be “Making the Most of the Pieces,” and the featured
speaker and honored guest will be Teddy Allen.
For
many years, Teddy Allen worked for the Shreveport Times as a well-known
columnist and reporter. Growing up, Teddy spent several years in Homer while
his father was preaching at First Baptist Church. Teddy’s perspective of
growing up in Claiborne Parish and living in North Louisiana will be
interesting and entertaining.
Banquet
reservations are available for $35 per person. All reservations must be paid in
advance to confirm seating. Reservations will NOT be available at the door the
night of the event. Seating is limited to 400 people, so you need to return
your reservation card as soon as possible. Business dress shall be appropriate
for the evening.
As in
prior years, sponsorship opportunities are available. All sponsors will be
recognized at the banquet and will be listed in the event program. The various
sponsorship levels and benefits are as follows:
Diamond
Sponsor: $1,000 receives special recognition, 12 tickets and reserved tables.
Platinum
Sponsor: $700 receives 8 tickets and a reserved table.
Gold
Sponsor: $400 receives 4 tickets and a reserved table.
Silver
Sponsor: $200 receives 4 tickets and reserved seating.
Bronze
Sponsor: $100 receives 2 tickets and reserved seating.
On your
reservation card, please list the names of the people who will be attending the
banquet. Please check the designated box on the card for those who are
interested in being a banquet sponsor, or contact the chamber office at
318-927-3271.
Car catches fire
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Just a little after 11 a.m. Thursday, January 7, the Homer Fire Department was dispatched to 509 Torbet Drive in
reference to a car fire. Upon arrival two minutes later, firefighters were able
to extinguish the flames coming from under the hood of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The owner of the vehicle is Mary Gilbert. According to Homer Fire Chief
Dennis Butcher, no injuries were reported as well as no damage to any other
property other than the vehicle. A fuel leak is believed to be the cause of the
fire, Butcher said.
Homer man arrested for theft, other
charges
The Guardian-Journal
Homer
Police have arrested a man for an incident in Homer as well as one connected to
a case in Minden.
Nicholas
Gilbert, 31, of Homer, was arrested Saturday, January 9 and charged with simple
criminal damage to property and theft, with bond on each charge set at $500.
According
to reports, police were called to the 300 block of West 3rd Street in reference
to a theft. Police say Gilbert allegedly took a pipe and water faucet from the
West 3rd residence. Tools were also found at the scene.
Police
say the pipe and the faucet were recovered and photos of the damage were taken
and entered into evidence.
Officers
Vincent Smith and Darren Norton were the investigators in this case.
He was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking. Later, he was
charged with attempted use of access device card as theft and illegal
possession of stolen things, with bond set at $500 on each charge at the
detention center after he was identified from a still frame photo taken from
video from a local store in Homer.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills identified the man in the photo as Gilbert, and
Gilbert was arrested and charged with the above charges. The two later charges
stem from a case in Minden where a woman’s purse was stolen at the Stage
Department Store on Saturday, January 2. Among the items stolen was a credit
card belonging to the victim of the Stage incident. Allegedly, Gilbert
attempted to use the card at the Dixie Mart #1 in Homer as well as the Pak a
Bag convenience store.
In an
unrelated incident on the same date, a Homer man was arrested for domestic
abuse battery.
Tony
Hicks Jr., 28, of Homer, was arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery
with bond to be set.
According
to reports, Homer Police Officer Scott Glenn was dispatched to Dixie Mart in
reference to a domestic call.
Upon
arrival, Glenn made contact with a man there who stated he’d witnessed a
physical altercation between Hicks and Christy Zeagler. Reports say the witness
told police Hicks hit Christy Zeagler and slammed her to the ground.
Glenn then went to the 100 block
of Beech Street and made contact with the victim, who told him that she and
Hicks had been fighting and he’d caused her physical harm. Reports say Hicks
told police that Zeagler began the fight and he attempted to ward her off at
which time he admitted he may have hit her a few times.
Hicks
was then placed under arrest on the above charge.
In
another incident on January 9, two men were arrested on drug charges after a
traffic stop for lighted lamps required.
Jeffery
N. Easterling, 18, of Homer, was charged with possession of schedule I
controlled dangerous substance (CDS) marijuana, with bond set at $500,
possession of drug paraphernalia, with bond set at $500, illegal carrying of
weapons, with bond set at $10,000, open container with bond set at $500, and
lighted lamps required, with bond set at $500.
James
R. Clark, 21, was also arrested on a bench warrant and later released.
According
to reports, Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel initiated a traffic stop on East 5th Street. He requested the proper paperwork, and while Easterling was obtaining those
items, McDaniel observed a bottle of vodka laying on the floorboard behind the
driver’s seat. McDaniel also noticed that Easterling’s eyes were red and
watery, reports stated.
After
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office ran a background check, McDaniel asked
Easterling to step out of the vehicle. A field sobriety test was conducted at
which Easterling performed poorly.
McDaniel
asked Easterling if there was anything else in the vehicle, and reports stated
he admitted to having marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside. After asking Clark to step out of the vehicle, a search was then conducted and McDaniel discovered the
items Easterling named as well as a gun. All items were taken into evidence and
Easterling was placed under arrest on the above charges.
Wal-Mart employee arrested for theft
JANA RYAN, Special to The
Guardian-Journal
A Homer
resident has been arrested after allegedly stealing from her employer, the Wal-Mart Super Center on Homer Road in Minden.
Cassie
Heard, 26, of the 100 block of Circle Drive in Homer, was arrested Monday,
January 4, and charged with felony theft.
Minden
Police Chief T.C. Bloxom said the Wal-Mart Loss Prevention Team contacted his
department regarding an employee who had been stealing from the store.
According
to a report filed by the in-store security team, between May 17 and December 24, 2009, Heard failed to scan all items presented by her friends at the cash
register.
“Loss
Prevention had been documenting the thefts with photos since May 17, 2009,” said Bloxom.
Wal-Mart’s
Loss Prevention filed a report with Minden Det. Heath Balkom, who in turn
obtained a warrant for Heard’s arrest.
“She
turned herself in today (Wednesday, January 6) after she was advised that a warrant
had been issued for her arrest,” said Bloxom.
Heard
reportedly confessed to the theft following her arrest.
“Heard
said she believed the total amount of the merchandise that was stolen came to a
little more than $500,” said Bloxom. “Wal-Mart says Heard stole $1,123 worth of
merchandise, which she denies.”
Heard
was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where bond has been set
at $1,500.
This
story was reprinted with permission from the Minden-Press-Herald.
Golden Tornado honored by school board
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The school board meeting room was filled
to capacity as the Haynesville Golden Tornado looked on as these proud coaches
accepted a resolution in their honor. Pictured are, from left, Assistant
Coaches Kevin Sehon and Earl Griffin, Head Coach David Franklin, School Board
President William Maddox and Assistant Coach Tracey Jackson.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Note: The meeting was
rescheduled for Monday due to inclement weather last Thursday.
The
Claiborne Parish School Board recognized and praised the 2009 Haynesville
Golden Tornado Class 1-A State Champions in its regular monthly meeting Monday.
A
resolution in their honor was approved and placed into the official record.
Honored were Head Coach David Franklin, assistant coaches Tracey Jackson, Chad
Rook, Earl Griffin, Kevin Sehon and Alton “Red” Franklin as well as Principal
Bill Kennedy, faculty and the student body.
Franklin said he was proud of his team not only for bringing home
the trophy, but for their behavior while in New Orleans at the Superdome.
“This
is a really good group of kids,” he said. “Every restaurant that we went to
down there (New Orleans), there was somebody that caught us when we left the
restaurant and complimented us on their behavior. That means something to us as
coaches.”
In
fact, there were two nuns who retired from the New Orleans school system
approximately 30 years ago who complimented the team and the coaches on their
upstanding behavior, Franklin said.
“That’s
a pretty good compliment,” he said. “I want to thank ya’ll (the school board)
for recognizing us tonight.”
School
Board members Tommy Davidson and A.D. Williams each complimented the team and
coaches on their good behavior as well as their hard work as they played their
way to the top.
“I’m
proud of them for winning the state championship,” Davidson said, “but I’m just
as proud about the way Coach Franklin said they conducted themselves. That
state championship will fade, but the way you conduct yourselves in life – that
stays with you from now on.”
Williams
continued Davidson’s sentiments, saying they represented Haynesville well.
“We’re
so proud of you,” he told the boys. “This is typical of Haynesville and it’s
always been this way. The community put its arms around this football team
years ago, and worked whole-heartedly to make these kids good, respectable
young men.”
In
other school board news, there were no changes during the election of officers.
Committee chairpersons stayed the same as well as the president and vice
president.
In
personnel news, Title I Supervisor Barbara Monzingo is retiring after the
2009-10 school year. The board approved her retirement, effective July 1, and
will now begin the process of advertising and interviewing applicants to
replace her. According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janice Williams, she
turned in her retirement announcement early so that she could help train her
replacement.
Also in
personnel news, Homer High School Principal Dwight Mitchell has resigned. The
board met in executive session to discuss the matter, and when they came out of
executive session, Davidson was the lone vote against Mitchell’s resignation.
No reason was given as to why he resigned.
John
Sampson, dean of students at Homer High, was appointed as interim principal.
The
board met in executive session again to discuss legal strategies in the case of
“Jenkins vs. Claiborne Parish School Board,” suit no. 38483 on record of the
Second Judicial District. Homer District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins is
suing the school board for damages after a fall she took at Homer High School on the sidewalk. No action was taken after the board came out of executive
session.
In
other news, the school board is still dealing with IKON Office Solutions regarding
an agreement former business manager Ginger Woodall made with the company for
four copiers. Currently, the school board is paying nearly $30,000 per year for
the service.
“This
contract was negotiated without anybody’s knowledge,” Williams said in the
December 2009 meeting. “I found out about it when an invoice for $29,500 was
delivered to me by Accounts Payable.”
The
contract was a four-year contract at $29,500 per year, which would have
resulted in approximately $120,000 total over the four-year period. It covered
leases on four copiers – two at Homer Elementary, one at Homer Junior High School and one at Homer High School.
Attorney
John Guice, who is representing the school board, was on hand at the meeting to
discuss the issue. He said the company’s stance is that the agreement was made
in good faith with the business manager, but the school board contends Woodall
didn’t have the authority to enter into the agreement.
He
feels confident the company will forgive the new contract, but the school board
will most likely have to pay out the rest of the old contract. He also made the
company aware that they cannot seize assets of the school board to cover the
cost of the contract.
“When
we got this new copier, it was much like a car,” he said. “We traded in the old
one and they rolled into the new one. We may have to pay for the old one that
we agreed to and been using to begin with. We may get out of the new deal, but
still have a little bit on our trade in that we still owe.”
Guice
is expecting to provide the board with an answer by the end of this week or
next week.
The
next school board meeting will be held Thursday, February 11, at 6 p.m. at Central Office. For more information, please contact the school board office at
927-3502.
Lions District Governor to speak to
Homer Lions
Lion
Don Brown, District 8 governor, will speak to the Homer Lions Club Thursday,
January 14, at Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant. The event will be held at noon.
Lion
Don joined Lionism in May of 1980 in his hometown of Oak Grove, Louisiana. In 1986, his employment transferred him to Natchitoches, Louisiana and the
Natchitoches Lions Club. He served on the board of both clubs in many
different capacities and as President of both clubs; in Oak Grove in 1985 and
in Natchitoches in 1998. Don received the Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2001 from
the Natchitoches Lions.
In
2005, he was appointed as an advisor to the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and
was elected as trustee from 2006-2009. He served as fund raising chairman for
the foundation in 2007.
He
began his year as Governor, attending the Lions Club International Convention
in Minneapolis, Minnesota (along with 7000 other delegates) and will complete
his year at the convention in Sydney, Australia. He is working hard on
increasing membership and the District 8-L Lions are having a great year in
membership growth.
‘Voices of Witnesses’ slated for January
30
Plan
now to attend Voices of Witnesses, a Story-telling Tribute on Saturday
afternoon, January 30, at 2:30 p.m., at Homer City Hall.
Sponsored
by the Claiborne Jubilee and inspired by the recollections and reminiscences of
those who lived it, Voices of Witness utilize the universal art of storytelling
to explore the diverse people, places, and experiences of the Great Depression
/ New Deal Era in north Louisiana. Jeannine Pasini Beekman, master story
composer and teller, is joined in concert by northwest Louisiana natives Myra
Davis, Angelique Feaster, and Thelma Harrison in a performance that recognizes
and reveals a shared commonality of struggle and joy, tenacity and optimism
that transcends time, class and race.
This
retelling of tales captures the spirit of the Elders’ stories and the
interpreted impact of various endeavors of the Works Progress Administration
(WPA), Public Works Administration (PWA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
as it helps us see our history from a new and lively perspective.
Known
for the wit, passion and integrity of her work, Beekman has been in the
vanguard of the American storytelling revival. A professional performing artist
since 1976, each story in her encyclopedic cross-cultural repertoire becomes a
polished gem through her artful use of voice, gesture and movement.
Her
appearances include the National Storytelling Festival, as well as venues
throughout the U.S. and abroad, and her award winning recording work is
included in the Library of Congress International Storytelling Collection. The
Houston Chronicle called her storytelling performance with the Houston Symphony
“brilliant…scintillating through the emotions.” An eighth generation resident
of Louisiana, she currently serves as a Louisiana Humanities Scholar.
Davis is a former educator turned storyteller who uses story
to teach universal ethical values, encourage understanding and acceptance of
other cultures, and promote environmental awareness. A member of the Northwest
Louisiana Juried Artist Roster, she works with listeners of all ages in
corporate as well as educational settings.
Feaster
is founding artistic director of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre in Shreveport.
A Northwest Louisiana Juried Roster Artist, her accomplishments extend from the
local to the national level. In 2008, she produced the first Southern
Black Theatre Festival which celebrates the rich tradition of African American
theatre in the region.
Harrison is a professional, free-lance storyteller and actress.
Her repertoire encompasses African folk tales and multicultural tales as well
as universal stories of her experiences growing up in the piney woods around Caddo Lake. Thelma is a retired elementary school guidance counselor for the Caddo Parish
School Board.
Claiborne
Parish elders who were interviewed last summer for this project are Mrs.
Virginia Hollenshead, Mrs. Sunshine Robertson, and Mr. Dump Hatter.
This
event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and there
will be time to visit with the storytellers after the performance. For more
information, contact Cynthia Steele, 927-2566.
2009: A Year in Review Part II
Editor’s
Note: This is the second part of Year in Review. In this week’s edition, the
top stories of July through December are listed.
JULY
Robbery Suspects Caught
Five
arrests were made in the attempted robbery of Gibsland Bank and Trust.
CPSB announces Teachers of the Year
Andre
Washington and Regina Manning were chosen as the 2009 Teachers of the Year and
were awarded a plaque and laptop computer in honor of their outstanding service
to the Claiborne Parish school system.
Foster Farms up and running
Foster
Farms officially took over the Farmerville poultry plant and area chicken farm
got back in business.
AUGUST
Two HPD officers resign - State Police investigation
nears end
The two
Homer Police officers involved in the shooting death of Bernard Monroe, Sr.
resign from the force.
HMH safe from Medicaid cuts
Homer Hospital dodged a bullet and is safe from losing the millions of dollars Governor
Jindal is cutting from Medicaid after several people went to Baton Rouge and
fought to keep rural hospitals exempt from these cuts.
Argument leads to shooting
Shane
Massey, of Summerfield, is placed under arrest after shooting his brother
Randall with a shotgun, following an argument between the two brothers.
Report of Monroe’s death now in DA’s hands
After
more than six months of investigative work by the Louisiana State Police, the
investigative report of the shooting death of Bernard Monroe is hand-delivered
to District Attorney Jonathan Stewart.
SEPTEMBER
Monroe family, NAACP hold press conference
The Monroe family, along with clergy members and the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP), held a press conference to bring the community
together and answer any questions regarding the Bernard Monroe shooting.
Gibsland Bank and Trust robbed again
Gibsland
Bank and Trust in Athens was hit again and this time the perpetrator gets away
with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Fleming discusses healthcare reform
Congressman
John Fleming addresses the Homer Lions club about the many issues the country
is currently facing, including healthcare.
Two arrested in Haynesville school bomb threat
Seventeen-year-old
Torrance Black, along with his 16-year-old brother, were arrested and charged
with the felony charge of communicating false information of planned bombing on
school property, with a $15,000 bond.
Officers assaulted in domestic case
Charles
D. Rodgers, 34, of Homer found himself on the wrong side of the law after he
allegedly attempted to flee police and in the process assaulted two officers.
Rodgers was arrested after allegedly running over his girlfriend with his truck
and then trying to flee the responding officers.
OCTOBER
Fair gets underway
The
annual Claiborne Parish Fair opens with a parade followed by food, fun, rides
and livestock.
H1N1 confirmed in Claiborne Parish.
Claiborne
Parish, following in the footsteps of most of the country, confirmed four cases
of the H1N1 virus, also know as the “swine flu.”
Storms, rain cause flooding and damage in parish
Claiborne
Parish gets inundated by several inches of rain, high winds, trees down and
loss of power. Many area business had to close due to the heavy rainfall.
Canadian burglar gets six years
The
Canadian imposter who burglarized First Baptist Church in Homer pled guilty to
simple burglary of a religious building and was sentenced to six years at hard
labor with the first two years without benefit.
Roberson wins District 1 seat
Scott
“Doc” Roberson is elected to District 1 as council representative after a
heated race with Willie “Hog Head” Curry.
NOVEMBER
More flooding plagues the area
Lake Claiborne was closed
due to the extensive rains still plaguing the area. Many homes around the lake
were in danger of flooding and lots of extensive damage was done around the
lake.
History in the Making...
Three
sisters, Rosie, Carrie and Maggie Thorton, all native to Claiborne Parish, live
to be more than 100 years old. A celebration was held in their honor just one
week shy of Maggie’s 115th birthday. Rosie was 107 and Rosie was 103.
Multiparish drug bust nets 5 from Claiborne Parish
The
Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team, in conjunction with the State Police and
other area parish narcotics teams, along with the DEA captured five suspected
drug dealers. The investigation between the numerous agencies had been
investigating since September 2007. Malcolm Gillis, Trent Ivory, Derwin Lewis,
Marcus Sneed and JuJu Walker were all apprehended through the course of this
extensive investigation.
Arson victim gets her miracle
Arson
victim Ida Calome was the recipient of a check from the Crime Victim’s
Reparation Board after she lost everything she owned in a house fire set by an
arsonist.
DECEMBER
DA holds conference on Monroe shooting
District
Attorney Jonathan Stewart held a press conference on the courthouse lawn on
Wednesday, December 2 at noon regarding the shooting death of Bernard Monroe.
Stewart recused the District Attorney’s office from the shooting investigation,
therefore turning it over to the attorney general.
L&NW Santa Train visits the area
The
L&NW Santa Train made stops along its Louisiana and Arkansas rails to bring
cheer and gifts to area children by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Golden Tornado take 1A state championship
The
Haynesville Golden Tornado football team, coached by David Franklin, won its
15th State Championship title and Franklin’s very first. Franklin was also
named 2009 Class 1A Coach of the Year.
Thorton sister passes away
Maggie
Thorton, one of three sisters living to be over 100 year old, passes away at
the age of 103, just a few weeks shy of her 104th birthday.
Car backs over gas meter
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Homer Fire Department was dispatched
to Dr. Procell’s Family Dentistry around noon Tuesday in reference to a gas
leak. According to officials at the scene, 76-year-old Patricia Brown, of
Homer, backed over a gas meter at the dental office. Firefighters were able to
turn the meter off, and Centerpoint Energy was contacted to come fix the meter
and line. No damage was done to Brown’s vehicle, a Hyundai Sonota. Also, no
injuries were reported. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office also arrived on
scene to assist.
