Drug bust nets string of charges
Submitted photo
Pictured above are the 27 firearms
confiscated from the home of Kevin Wade Birdwell. These guns were taken into
evidence along with other items that were seized during a search of the
suspect’s home. Several law enforcement agencies converged on his home on
Friday, May 21, which also led to the arrests of William Curtis Dison and
Michael Hayden McLendon.
The Guardian-Journal
On
Friday, May 21, local and state authorities served a search warrant at 2030
Hwy. Alt. 2 in Haynesville, the residence of Kevin Wade Birdwell, a.k.a.,
“Birddog.”
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey stated that Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) agents received information relative to the use and sale of “ICE” from Birdwell’s
residence. CNET and Louisiana State Police (LSP) Narcotics worked together and
were able to obtain a search warrant.
At
approximately 9 p.m., that night, the state police SWAT team and the Claiborne
Felony Arrest and Search Team (FAST) approached and secured the residence with
minimal resistance. Two tactical teams were used to secure the residence
because of information was received regarding numerous firearms throughout the
residence. With the residence and surrounding property secured, CNET and LSP agents conducted their search.
This
search led to the seizure of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance
methamphetamine, Schedule I CDS marijuana, numerous pharmaceutical type
controlled substances and 27 firearms.
Birdwell
was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule I CDS
(marijuana), possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS
(methamphetamine), possession of Schedule II CDS (hydrocodone), possession of
Schedule II (oxycodone), possession with the intent to distribute Schedule III CDS (hydrocodone), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during the
commission of a drug felony and illegal possession of a legend drug.
Birdwell
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond to be set.
In
addition to Birdwell, agents also arrested William Curtis Dison and Michael
McLendon for possession of marijuana. Both subjects were booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $500 each.
Bailey
encourages the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of any suspicious
or illegal activity that is going on in their neighborhoods. Concerned citizens
can call CNET at 927-9800, Louisiana State Police at 676-3200, the Homer Police
Department at 927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 624-1355 or the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
In
other crime news, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Harbour stopped a
vehicle on Hwy. 161 on Thursday, May 20, in which the driver failed to signal
at an intersection.
Deputy
Aaron Christian arrived on scene to assist and notified Harbour that a
passenger in the vehicle had outstanding warrants through the sheriff’s office.
Harbour placed the passenger,
Jaclyne Jones Foster, 28, of Emerson, Ark., under arrest.
Upon
searching the vehicle, Christian and Harbour discovered a small purse in the
back seat in the area where Jones was sitting. Deputies discovered that the
purse contained four pill bottles, none of which were prescribed to anyone in
the vehicle. There were two unused needles in the purse as well. Jones
identified the purse and contents as being hers.
The
pills in the bottle were later identified as 23 hydrocodone, 10 alprazolam and
nine oxycodone.
Jones
was charged with possession of Schedule II CDS oxycodone with bond set at
$5,000, possession of Schedule III CDS hydrocodone with bond set at $5,000,
possession of Schedule IV CDS alprazolam with bond set at $5,000, possession of
drug paraphernalia with bond set at $500, issuing worthless checks with bond
set at $500, one count of failure to appear with bond set at $500 and another
count of failure to appear with bond set at $25,000.
In a
separate incident that same day, Deputy Roger Ellerbe conducted a traffic stop
on that same highway. Deputies Christian and J.T. Williams arrived on scene to
assist.
The
owner of the vehicle was Neal Lloyd Primm, 28, of Junction City, Ark. The subject appeared intoxicated and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his
person.
Upon
trying to locate the keys to the vehicle, Williams noted a large bulge in
Primm’s right front jeans’ pocket and asked Primm if the keys were in his
pocket. While emptying his pockets, Williams observed two blue oval shaped
tablets later identified as hydrocodone in Primm’s possession. Primm did not
have a prescription for the tablets and was placed under arrest.
Primm
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on possession of Schedule
III CDS hydrocodone with bond set at $5,000.
Also on
May 20, in an unrelated incident, Williams observed a vehicle cross over the
left center line. Williams made contact with the driver, identified as Demarius
D. Fields, 24, of Homer.
Norm
Garner, with the National K-9 Interdiction Association, ran K-9 Officer Aero
around the vehicle and Aero alerted on the front driver’s door seam.
Williams
also observed a three-year-old child out of restraint. When the deputy advised
the driver to step out of the vehicle, Fields dropped three cellophane bags of
marijuana by the driver’s side rear tire area.
Harbour
assisted on the stop and Fields was arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Fields
was charged with possession of marijuana with bond set at $500 and contributing
to the delinquency of a minor with bond set at $500.
Danforth to be sentenced on Thursday
The Guardian-Journal
A man
convicted of burning a cross in the yard of an interracial couple in Athens will be in court Thursday, May 27 for sentencing.
Daniel
Earl Danforth is expected to be in court at 10 a.m., according to officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was originally supposed to be sentenced April
12, but the sentencing was postponed. Officials gave no reason why.
Danforth
was convicted in January of a civil rights conspiracy, use of fire in the
commission of a federal felony and obstruction of justice in connection with
the cross burning.
At
trial, evidence showed that in October 2009, Danforth and two of his cousins
agreed to build, erect and burn a cross near the home of a cousin and her
African-American boyfriend – now husband – and other relatives who approved of
their interracial relationship.
Once
Danforth and his alleged co-conspirators learned the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) was investigating the case, they formed a plan to get rid
of the evidence to keep the FBI from finding it.
RR crossing to get makeover
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
L&NW Railroad is proud to announce
the railroad crossing on U.S. Hwy. 79 is getting a makeover. According to
Johnny Raab, general manager, a Bodan system, which is a bridging system, from
Transpo Industries, will be installed at the railroad crossing within the next
six weeks. The system is supposed to be the smoothest crossing yet, and it’s
only one of nine in the United States. It is made of a polymer concrete which
is weather resistant, corrosion resistant and skid resistant. The life
expectancy of this bridging system is approximately 20 years. Raab said the
system has been used in Europe for many years, but it’s just now being used in
the U.S. Not long ago, the railroad crossing had to be repaired due to some damage
to the crossing on the northbound side of the highway.
Clothes Etc. Thrift Shop
Drop Box has been moved
Please put donations in the shed at the
front of the building or deliver to the back of the building when the store is
open.
Store hours are from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Work day is Thursday morning. Furniture, household
items, clothes, jewelry, etc. are needed.
We appreciate your generosity and
thoughtfulness in helping us help others.
Fleming to be in Homer
Congressman
John Fleming will hold at Meet and Greet at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury
Complex on Thursday, June 3, at 2:30 p.m. For more information, please call the
police jury office at 927-2222.
In an
effort to engage the American people to talk about the challenges they’d like
Congress to address, Fleming will host an “America Speaking Out” Town Hall
meeeting on Friday, June 4, at 6 p.m., in the Bistineau Room of the Bossier Civic Center.
The
town hall meeting is part of an unprecedented new initiative of engagement with
the American people that will, in time, lead to a governing agenda -- an
overarching Republican alternative. For more information on this initiative,
visit www.americaspeakingout.com.
Haynesville honors former mayor
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown presents
former mayor Tom S. Crocker with a framed resolution dedicating the Claiborne
Parish Fair Pavilion in his name. The pavilion was dedicated as the Tom S.
Crocker Pavilion in April.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Pictured above are from left, Buddy
Modisette, Melvis Baxter and Tommy Bower. Mrs. Baxter, on behalf of Woodman of
the World, presented two United States flags to them to fly at the Claiborne
Parish Fair Complex and the Haynesville Fire Station on Monday, May 31,
Memorial Day.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Haynesville Town Council honored one of its own last Thursday.
Although
the resolution was adopted to change the name of the Claiborne Parish Fair
Pavilion to the Tom S. Crocker Pavilion in April, former Mayor Tom S. Crocker
accepted a framed copy in his honor this past Thursday.
Haynesville
resident Keith Killgore brought up the idea of naming the pavilion after the
former mayor, because had it not been for Crocker, the pavilion would not be
what it is today, said Mayor Sherman Brown. Crocker was also very instrumental
in the construction of the pavilion and the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex. He
has also served his community as mayor and as a private citizen for 20 years,
according to the resolution.
Crocker
seemed pleased with the honor bestowed upon him.
“We
hereby express the everlasting thanks of a grateful community for this
magnificent building and its namesake,” the resolution states.
A sign
with Crocker’s name on it will be done by Killgore.
From
one mayor to another, a framed copy of the resolution was presented to Crocker.
“I
appreciate the praise, and the mayor and council for considering this,” Crocker
said. “It’s a big honor. I accept this on behalf of the dozens and dozens of
people who contributed and worked on this and we all thank you.”
Council
members praised Crocker, saying the honor given to him was well deserved.
Where
the town honored one of its own, one of its own wanted to contribute to the
town. Dale and Melvis Baxter, residents of Haynesville donated two brand new
flags to fly in downtown Haynesville on Memorial Day. Born and raised in
Claiborne Parish, Mrs. Baxter is a member of #49 Lodge. The flags donated will
fly high at Haynesville City Hall and the Haynesville Fire Department.
One
more flag was added to the donation to fly at the Claiborne Parish Fair
Complex.
She
retired in 1994, and she got the organization of Woodman of the World
revitalized in Minden in 1984.
“I
really enjoy being here and giving us the opportunity to tell you a little bit
about Woodman,” she said, “and letting us be of service to our community.”
According
to Mrs. Baxter, Woodman of the World Life Insurance Society is an insurance
company that is more than 100 years old. Its home office is in Omaha, Nebraska.
Buddy
Modisette accepted one flag for the memorial at the Claiborne Parish Fair
Complex, and Tommy Bower accepted a flag on behalf of the Haynesville Fire
Department.
To
volunteer, Mr. Baxter is asking anyone who wishes to help put up flags for
Memorial Day to call him at 318-245-7013.
In
other news, Martha Trinko updated the public and council on happenings with the
Citizen Advisory Committee. She thanked all those who helped or donated to the
rummage sale held which raised more than $1,000 to go towards town projects.
The money was split evenly between three entities. The Haynesville
Beautification Committee received $400, and $400 went to the Christmas Festival
fund and $400 went to the Haynesville Fireworks Committee.
The
next CAC meeting will be held July 12 at 6 p.m.
The
council also approved their auditors for the next fiscal year. Kenneth Folden
and Co., who have been handling the town’s audits for at least the last four
years, was accepted again as the town’s auditors. Fees will be the same as last
year’s, which is not to exceed $25,000.
Speaking
of audits, the town council agreed to hold a special called meeting for Thursday,
May 27 at 7 p.m. in order to discuss the annual budget – to amend the 2009-10
fiscal year’s budget as well as review the 2010-11 budget.
In
other good news, Haynesville has exceeded Claiborne Parish in its census return
totals. According to Brown, information he received has Haynesville’s census
return rate at 77 percent, where Claiborne Parish is at 71 percent. Nationally,
the census return rate is set at 72 percent, while the state is at 64 percent.
For
more information, please contact Haynesville City Hall at 624-0911.
Athens Summer League to begin
The Guardian-Journal
The
Athens High School Summer League is getting ready to kick off its fourth season
of basketball.
Athens
Basketball Head Coach Marcus Jackson looks forward to the league every year
just as much as the kids do.
“It’s a
lot of fun, and it’s a positive environment for them,” he said. “We’ve been
getting a lot of kids, and during those hours, the kids are off the streets.”
With
teams coming from all over the area, the number of kids adds up really quick.
Teams usually number about 15 per team, and it gives coaches and the teams a
chance to hone not only their skills, but to build relationships with their
fellow team members.
“It
gives the coaches a chance to see what they have and what they need to work on
before the regular season starts,” Jackson said.
This
year, participating in the league will be both girls’ and boys’ teams.
The
girls’ teams include: the Haynesville Sparks, Arcadia Storm, Athens Dream,
Dubach Suns, Lakeside Fever, Summerfield Sky, Jonesboro Shock and the
Homer/Gibsland Monarch.
Boys’
teams include: the Haynesville Celtics, Homer/Gibsland Hornets, Summerfield
Rockets, Simsboro Sun, Dubach Thunder, Minden Heat, Athens Hawks, Jonesboro
Warriors and Ringgold Cavaliers.
Both
schedules are as follows:
Girls’ Teams
Haynesville Sparks, Arcadia Storm, Athens Dream, Dubach Suns, Lakeside Fever, Summerfield Sky, Jonesboro Shock,
Homer/Gibsland Monarch
Tuesday, June 1
*Fever vs. Storm 12:15 p.m.
*Dream vs. Sky 1:45 p.m.
*Sparks vs. Suns 3:15 p.m.
*Shock vs. Monarch 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, June 2
*Sky vs. Storm 12:15 p.m.
*Monarch vs. Suns 1:45 p.m.
*Sparks vs. Shock 3:15 p.m.
Dream vs. Fever 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, June 3
*Dream vs. Suns 12:15 p.m.
*Sparks vs. Monarch 3:15 p.m.
*Fever vs. Sky 4:45 p.m.
*Storm vs. Shock 6:15 p.m.
Friday, June 4
*Fever vs. Suns 12:15 p.m.
*Storm vs. Sparks 3:15 p.m.
*Monarch vs. Dream 4:45 p.m.
*Sky vs. Shock 6:15 p.m.
Monday, June 7
*Storm vs. Monarch 12:15 p.m.
*Dream vs. Sparks 1:45 p.m.
*Suns vs. Sky 2:30 p.m.
*Fever vs. Shock 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8
*Suns vs. Storm 12:15 p.m.
*Monarch vs. Sky 1:45 p.m.
*Fever vs. Sparks 3:15 p.m.
*Dream vs. Shock 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9
*Fever vs. Monarch 12:15 p.m.
*Suns vs. Shock 1:45 p.m.
*Sparks vs. Sky 3:15 p.m.
*Dream vs. Storm 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, June 10
*Sky vs. Fever 12:15 p.m.
*Shock vs. Storm 1 p.m.
*Suns vs. Sparks 3:30 p.m.
*Dream vs. Monarch 4:45 p.m.
·
Denotes home
team will wear light-colored jerseys. Bring your own basketballs, towels and first-aid
kits. Concession will be available!!! Admission is $2.
Boys’ Teams
Haynesville Celtics, Homer/Gibsland
Hornets, Summerfield Rockets, Simsboro Sun, Minden Heat, Athens Hawks, Jonesboro Warriors, Ringgold Cavaliers, Dubach Thunder
Tuesday, June 1
*Thunder vs. Heat 1 p.m.
* Rockets vs. Sun 2:30 p.m.
*Celtics vs. Hornets 4 p.m.
*Warriors vs. Hornets 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 2
*Sun vs. Thunder 1 p.m.
*Cavaliers vs. Rockets 2:30 p.m.
*Warriors vs. Celtics 4 p.m.
*Hornets vs. Rockets 5:30 p.m.
*Heat vs. Hawks 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 3
*Cavaliers vs. Sun 1 p.m.
*Hornets vs. Thunder 2:30 p.m.
*Heat vs. Celtics 4 p.m.
*Hawks vs. Sun 5:30 p.m.
*Warriors vs. Rockets 7 p.m.
Friday, June 4
*Hornets vs. Sun 1 p.m.
*Thunder vs. Cavaliers 2:30 p.m.
*Rockets vs. Celtics 4 p.m.
*Thunder vs. Hawks 5:30 p.m.
*Warriors vs. Heat 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
*Rockets vs. Heat 1 p.m.
*Thunder vs. Warriors 4 p.m.
*Celtics vs. Sun 4:45 p.m.
*Hawks vs. Cavaliers 5:30 p.m.
*Cavaliers vs. Hornets 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8
*Sun vs. Heat 1 p.m.
*Rockets vs. Thunder 2:30 p.m.
*Celtics vs. Cavaliers 4 p.m.
*Warriors vs. Hornets 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9
*Warriors vs. Sun 1 p.m.
*Celtics vs. Thunder 2:30 p.m.
*Cavaliers vs. Heat 4 p.m.
*Rockets vs. Hawks 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 10
*Warriors vs. Cavaliers 1:45 p.m.
*Celtics vs. Hawks 2:30 p.m.
*Hornets vs. Heat 5:30 p.m.
*Hawks vs. Hornets 7 p.m.
* Denotes home team will wear
light-colored jerseys. Bring your own basketballs, towels and first-aid kits.
Concession will be available!!! Admission is $2.
Boy Scouts of America celebrate 100
years
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
The Boy
Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation's largest and most prominent
values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for
young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of
participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For
nearly a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country
by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy
Scouts of America believes - and, through nearly a century of experience, knows
- that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible,
and productive society.
For 100
years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership,
service, and community for millions of America's youth. Through ‘A Year of
Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference,’ boy scouts across America will demonstrate the incredible impact of a century of living the Scout Law.
Program
participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities
due to their dedication to five of Scouting's core values: Leadership,
Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors.
Through
that commitment, participants can earn each of five award ribbons to display
from the 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy,
loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous,
kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my
best to do my duty to God
and my country and to
obey the Scout Law: To
help other people at all
times, to keep myself
physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight.
In the
next hundred years, scouting will inspire and prepare future generations to
live right. Just as scouts in the past century, some could grow up to be
military leaders, star athletes, astronauts, trusted journalists and even
presidents. Or they'll grow up to be husbands, fathers and mentors, leading productive
and honorable lives according to the scout oath.
